Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (Week of April 12th, 2021)

[Loyalillini10]

We are such a fickle fan base. I know this is unrealistic (for this board), but let’s try and be a little more patient in terms of news on Miller.

 

[BigMuddyMonster]

This board is hilarious. One guy with 7 total posts says Miller is an LSU lean and off we go...

It’s called discussion. Honestly, you just need to chill bro. This is a sports forum, and its not that serious.

It beats hearing about high school basketball of central IL in the 40’s. That’s for sure.

 

[Deleted member 747903]

Well, from the perspective of Adam Miller trying to showcase himself LSU probably makes sense. They don't play team basketball as evidenced by their tourney game against Michigan. Dudes run down the floor and chuck up shots.

 

[CubsIlliniFan]

This. If you can get Plummer, you do it.

Yes you do. Miller is proving each day that he does not want to be here.

 

[Loyalillini10]

It’s called discussion. Honestly, you just need to chill bro. This is a sports forum, and its not that serious.

It beats hearing about high school basketball of central IL in the 40’s. That’s for sure.

Sure. But we get a random word he might go somewhere else and we are back to attacking this kid’s character—something ,likely, none of us on this board have any illegitimate insight into. Honestly, it is kind of a d1ck move...

 

[Wokker]

It’s called discussion. Honestly, you just need to chill bro. This is a sports forum, and its not that serious.

It beats hearing about high school basketball of central IL in the 40’s. That’s for sure.

What’s not cool is people dismissing/disparaging a teenager based on unsubstantiated third hand anonymous message board rumor.

“Good riddance” and the like...

 

[I11ini82]

It’s called discussion. Honestly, you just need to chill bro. This is a sports forum, and its not that serious.

It beats hearing about high school basketball of central IL in the 40’s. That’s for sure.

 

[TheFameProtector]

Garza was NPOY this year. Hell still get drafted in the middle to bottom half of the second round. Unless Kofi learns how to guard on the 3pt line and gets a little jumper hell probably be in the same boat. I think him coming back would be good for his draft stock he'll be looked at as an Azubuike.

Those two sentences seem a bit contradictory, no? Azubuike isn't a stout perimeter defender or a midrange shooter, but he's a great interior defender and good shot blocker. That, to me, is the primary hole in Kofi's game. His shot blocking is only so-so, but if he can improve that to Azuibuike's level then I could see him going at a similar spot in the draft, regardless of whether he can switch on the perimeter or hit a 15-footer.

 

[RockfordIllini]

hearing that adam miller is a LSU lean right now

With Plummer stating he is announcing this weekend, I wonder if staff has decided to move on from AceWolf as well.

Whatever issues caused whoever’s unhappiness, those issues are going to be there next year. And those issues are inevitably going to impact coaching and chemistry. Do you really want to coach looking over your shoulder worried if whoever is happy and that your player might leave if they aren’t? And other kids will resent the politics of it too.

This feels like a game of musical chairs for both the schools and players. If AceWolf decides today he wants to come back I’d take him, but if I can replace his production I don’t hesitate in doing so. I don’t think you can afford to wait a couple of months or even a couple of weeks for AceWolfs camp to decide.

I wish Plummer was bigger but seems like almost the ideal stopgap. He comes in for 1 year while the 3 frosh develop and you don’t have to rely on them to produce next year. Then, in 2 years you have 3 long soph wings plus 2 bigger freshman wings and you should be in good shape on wings without Ace.

Doesn’t hurt that Plummer seems tight with Curbello either. If you can replace 80% of what you were hoping for from AceWolf without any of the drama/ headaches, I think you do that all day.

 

[Whitewaterr]

nope

lmao post of the year

 

[Loyalillini10]

Those two sentences seem a bit contradictory, no? Azubuike isn't a stout perimeter defender or a midrange shooter, but he's a great interior defender and good shot blocker. That, to me, is the primary hole in Kofi's game. His shot blocking is only so-so, but if he can improve that to Azuibuike's level then I could see him going at a similar spot in the draft, regardless of whether he can switch on the perimeter or hit a 15-footer.

I agree. I think Kofi’s interior defense worked sometimes in that he has such a menacing presence that it would just alter shots around the rim. What I saw in several games was when someone was shooting a short jumper or a mid-range shot, his arms were down or got up well after the shot. If he could be a little more active in that regard, his game would look so much better.

Also, better free-throws

 

[PapaKvells]

LSU plays basketball? Follow the media down here and you would think Football and Baseball are the only two sports.

Sad Shaq and Tyrus noises.

 

[dwpittman]

Ye$ $he will. I’m $ure Coach Wade made a hell of an offer.

I'm not going to imply that this is what Miller and his family are going for, but I believe that Wade prefers the term "strong @$$" when he is referring to his offers.

Edit...didn't know the a-word got censored here.

 

[PapaKvells]

Why does the NBA need to have an "all-in" commitment by players before the draft vs MLB that drafts college kids and then pursues them, with the return to college if terms are not agreed to?

I guess the NFL does the same thing. Should push the risk to the pro teams, IMHO, instead of having the players assume most of it, if not all.

Good question. I wonder if the farm system in baseball being so seasoned has anything to do with it.

 

[WeWillWhen]

I guess the Portal Madness will continue.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1382332069238427648

 

[CubsIlliniFan]

With Plummer stating he is announcing this weekend, I wonder if staff has decided to move on from AceWolf as well.

Whatever issues caused whoever’s unhappiness, those issues are going to be there next year. And those issues are inevitably going to impact coaching and chemistry. Do you really want to coach looking over your shoulder worried if whoever is happy and that your player might leave if they aren’t? And other kids will resent the politics of it too.

This feels like a game of musical chairs for both the schools and players. If AceWolf decides today he wants to come back I’d take him, but if I can replace his production I don’t hesitate in doing so. I don’t think you can afford to wait a couple of months or even a couple of weeks for AceWolfs camp to decide.

I wish Plummer was bigger but seems like almost the ideal stopgap. He comes in for 1 year while the 3 frosh develop and you don’t have to rely on them to produce next year. Then, in 2 years you have 3 long soph wings plus 2 bigger freshman wings and you should be in good shape on wings without Ace.

Doesn’t hurt that Plummer seems tight with Curbello either. If you can replace 80% of what you were hoping for from AceWolf without any of the drama/ headaches, I think you do that all day.

I agree, we have been burnt before waiting around for players to decide, Brad will not do that. He will get Miller’s spot filled ASAP at this point.

 

[texillwek]

Good riddance.

We all get it. You don't want Miller back.

 

[FollowMeDontFollowMe]

Those two sentences seem a bit contradictory, no? Azubuike isn't a stout perimeter defender or a midrange shooter, but he's a great interior defender and good shot blocker. That, to me, is the primary hole in Kofi's game. His shot blocking is only so-so, but if he can improve that to Azuibuike's level then I could see him going at a similar spot in the draft, regardless of whether he can switch on the perimeter or hit a 15-footer.

I think Kofi has two paths two improvement

1. Accept his limitations and become exceptional at what he’s already good at, and find a specific role at the next level

2. Improve his perimeter defense, passing, and free throws so that he projects as a larger role at the next level

 

[Tacomallini]

 

[Mike55]

We all get it. You don't want Miller back.

The few people who have this philosophy, I completely understand. We're fans. We get to think however we want to think when it comes to the team we root for.

I'm the kind of Illinois fan, for some silly reason, who gets offended when you leave MY team for another college team. (Self, Smith, Tilmon...) It doesn't have to make sense.

 

[trtl]

I don't know. I didn't mean to derail the thread (although that's darn near impossible based on what's been brought up in here lately). I am just trying to stay grounded. Love the pickup of Podz, but there's still a lot of assumptions being made.
1. Trent has not actually said anything about returning. Neither has Damonte.
2. Miller is still more than likely gone.
3. I think Kofi is more likely gone than staying.

I really like the class we're bringing in, and I hope Hutcherson is healthy enough to actually play. I'm going to assume that there will be an answer regarding Miller relatively soon. We'll either grab another transfer or he'll come back. I doubt both would happen.

Really like this post, but think DMFW deserved his own number in your list. I need 4 numbered items, not 3.

 

[JFGsCoffeeMug]

The few people who have this philosophy, I completely understand. We're fans. We get to think however we want to think when it comes to the team we root for.

I'm the kind of Illinois fan, for some silly reason, who gets offended when you leave MY team for another college team. (Self, Smith, Tilmon...) It doesn't have to make sense.

I get that. I really do. I think the outstanding question is whether AM should be treated the same way for simply entering the transfer portal. If he were to decide to stay at Illinois, would you hold a grudge against him for momentarily exploring his other options?

 

[skyIdub]

Good riddance.

 

[joekam]

With Plummer stating he is announcing this weekend, I wonder if staff has decided to move on from AceWolf as well.

This feels like a game of musical chairs for both the schools and players. If AceWolf decides today he wants to come back I’d take him, but if I can replace his production I don’t hesitate in doing so. I don’t think you can afford to wait a couple of months or even a couple of weeks for AceWolfs camp to decide.

I don't think the staff has necessarily moved on from Ace, but its def a game of musical chairs. I would guess their pitch to Ace has been we expect you to step into bigger role next season, and if you leave, we have a big hole to fill ASAP in this transfer environment. For Plummer its if you want to be here and decide that this weekend, the spot is yours. Ace shouldn't have hard feelings because he started the game of chairs. I agree the staff definitely can't afford to wait and has the luxury of not having to wait in this transfer environment.

 

[Mike55]

I get that. I really do. I think the outstanding question is whether AM should be treated the same way for simply entering the transfer portal. If he were to decide to stay at Illinois, would you hold a grudge against him for momentarily exploring his other options?

Possibly, probably depends on his "I'm Back" statement. ( Told you it doesn't make sense)