Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (Week of April 1st, 2021)

[Keisersose]

Apparently the Illini staff sees a lot of potential with Payne.

Objectively the does have a lot of potential. The elbow thing is concerning and looked terrible. People make mistakes.

I am confident Orlando Antiqua can make him a big time player.

 

[Dbell1981]

Surely this will herald transfers out from some of our big men. Too many guys competing for too few minutes, even with Kofi gone.

I think if Kofi comes back Payne Giorgi, and Kofi would be a great 3 player rotation at the 4/5. Grandison will get more tic at the 3 and play the 4 only when we want to go small. With or without Kofi we needed bigger bodies.

He probably heard the Tre Mitchell rumblings and jumped on board first. Players will be racing to teams as rosters start filling up. If Kofi/Giorgi leave let's bring in both of them.

 

[Goode-for-3]

I think if Kofi comes back Payne Giorgi, and Kofi would be a great 3 player rotation at the 4/5. Grandison will get more tic at the 3 and play the 4 only when we want to go small. With or without Kofi we needed bigger bodies.

Do Hawkins and Grandison play the 3 in that scenario with Curbelo, Burnette, and Hutcherson at the 1/2? I don’t hate the idea of a team like that.

 

[DocMorgan]

Did Payne have any in incidents other than the one in the SEC tourney? I agree that what he did was completely wrong, but if a one time thing, I am more than happy for the staff to take a flyer on a former top 50 recruit out of high school. Now, if he has a pattern for reprehensible behavior, my thoughts change.

 

[Dbell1981]

Do Hawkins and Grandison play the 3 in that scenario with Curbelo, Burnette, and Hutcherson at the 1/2? I don’t hate the idea of a team like that.

Completely forgot about Hawkins. I like him a lot and want him to excel. Dont want him to go anywhere!

 

[illini80]

How many of these transfers can play right away? 0?

All of them.

 

[illini27jake]

Everyone deserves a second chance, i trust the staff. More of a defensive backup C this year compared to Giorgi being more of an offensive backup C last year, Payne seems to move his feet well and block shots. I like it. Illinois felt like they couldn't sit Kofi defensively vs Krutwig, that won't be the case next season.

 

[spillini]

Is Kofi’s NBA/pro decision holding back decisions from guys we are involved with?

 

[thedrunkreferee]

How many of these transfers can play right away? 0?

Huh? All of them will be eligible right away.

 

[RockfordIllini]

If Giorgi is transferring, what is the benefit for him delaying the announcement? Would seem spots are going to fill up.

Or is the thinking he will leave to go pro in Europe?

 

[illiniguy24]

On a potentially anecdotally positive note, my good friend is a huge Tennessee fan and he said Payne was extremely apologetic afterward and that he thinks it's all good.

I'm not defending the kid's actions, but I'm willing to give him a chance to prove himself before I judge him harshly.

He definitely threw the elbow on purpose and out of frustration, but I 100% believe he did not mean to hit him in the head. His reaction afterward did seem fairly sincerely concerned. Imagine if Kofi did that with his strength.

 

[mydosburns]

Guess it’s another body. Not sold though. 37%FT shooter freshman year 57% last year. The elbow issue. Not the news I was hoping for.

 

[USAFILLINI]

elbow was bad but maybe the kid is looking to start over? I don’t see anything that shows he’s a repetitive dirty player, just lost it and made a bad decision.

 

[CarsonHowe_9]

does this limit the chance of us getting tre mitchell or would mitchell play the 4?

 

[I11ini82]

Does this mean we're on the outside looking in on Tre Mitchell?

 

[Oranges]

I think it’s interesting that we recruited him as a backup 5. Could this mean the staff thinks Giorgi may not be back? I know that’s been a possibility

 

[drsmitty74]

1000+ transfers and we get the only one suspended from an NCAA tourney game this season.

Bet he plays against MSU.

 

[Oranges]

Does this mean we're on the outside looking in on Tre Mitchell?

Nah, I don’t think so. Pretty sure we want him at the 4. Maybe starting 5 if Kofi leaves?

 

[DB11Headband]

I think it’s interesting that we recruited him as a backup 5. Could this mean the staff thinks Giorgi may not be back? I know that’s been a possibility

Yes

 

[DB11Headband]

Does this mean we're on the outside looking in on Tre Mitchell?

Payne has no impact on the pursuit of Mitchell.

 

[illini27jake]

Payne is a Giorgi replacement, shouldn't have any effect on Mitchell

 

[RockfordIllini]

Or what about Hamlin or Lieb? I know Lieb’s biggest issue is adding bulk and strength, but in the limited minutes I saw this year he looked really slow and mechanical. Not sure how much that stuff can be fixed and not sure I see a BIG player.

 

[Oranges]

Yes

Sad to hear, but absolutely understandable. Given the circumstances I wouldn’t blame Giorgi at all for wanting to be back with his family, or at least closer to home

 

[Oranges]

Or what about Hamlin or Lieb? I know Lieb’s biggest issue is adding bulk and strength, but in the limited minutes I saw this year he looked really slow and mechanical. Not sure how much that stuff can be fixed and not sure I see a BIG player.

Payne looks to be a far better athlete than either of those guys.

 

[Joel Goodson]

Guessing Giorgi's gonna play in Europe.