Sure would be nice
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (Week of April 5th, 2021)
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Well if one of the reasons people think Payne could be more than just a backup is because he was ranked higher than Kofi coming out of high school, than Zakharov might be worth a look. Granted he has had no where the production of Payne, but he wasn’t rated much lower and actually ahead of Tre Mitchell. And check out Jerry Meyer’s scouting report on Zakharov’s 24/7 profile. Not saying he should be a priority, but seems like he might have some skills OA could develop.
Kofi’s development has been amazing, but not sure I want to turn into big Man U.
It seems like the college game is moving more towards an NBA model which is all about ball screens and switching them.Our last 4 high school commits seem to indicate a shift towards that model. Not sure where a big plodding 5 fits.
Kofi is a generational college center and was so efficient around the basket you make it work. But I do think our offense bogged down a bit trying to feed the post. Even if you get a guy that’s 80% as efficient as Kofi, I don’t think it’s make sense numbers wise.
If we are going to bring in a bunch of lengthy wings, I think we are much better off pairing a Payne/Flo Thamba type, who may not have a back to the basket game but can switch on screens on defense and screen and catch lobs on offense. I think that’s a better fit with what it looks like we are trying to do.
It seems like the college game is moving more towards an NBA model which is all about ball screens and switching them.Our last 4 high school commits seem to indicate a shift towards that model. Not sure where a big plodding 5 fits.
Kofi is a generational college center and was so efficient around the basket you make it work. But I do think our offense bogged down a bit trying to feed the post. Even if you get a guy that’s 80% as efficient as Kofi, I don’t think it’s make sense numbers wise.
If we are going to bring in a bunch of lengthy wings, I think we are much better off pairing a Payne/Flo Thamba type, who may not have a back to the basket game but can switch on screens on defense and screen and catch lobs on offense. I think that’s a better fit with what it looks like we are trying to do.
Anyone else look at the other "Centers" on this Mock Draft?
All were in the 6'11" - 220-240 Range
Kofi -7'0" 285lbs.
It's been said many times before, but the current NBA center just isn't what it used to be. Kofi would've been a Top 10 not too long ago. Come back, win a POY, deep tourney run, expand your game (passing/shooting), and rocket up the board.
If you think Lieb is the same caliber of player as that kid I don't know what to tell ya. He played for the Russian team in the FIBA European championship. Former top 50 recruit. Tommy Lloyd has a great eye for European talent as well.
Anyways.. Just wasting away the day at work. I am sure all of this is irrelevant.
Don't forget about improving how he defends pick and roll as that will be needed at the next level.
I've seen him play, in person, and I think he'll do well for you guys.
Still have 5,000,000 guys in the transfer portal and we will land more than just Payne. With the way the transfer portal is now this is just going to be the norm year in and year out now. Florida has lost something like 10 guys to the transfer portal in the last 3 years alone. We have continually lost a guy or two over the years that transferred out. It has always happened....just happening at a higher rate to most schools and bigger name ones as well.
This is a rebuild but some with talent. Kofi should declare for the draft without an agent and hopefully he comes back but if not than the best to that young man. Underwood and crew have been working real hard and a rebuild doesn't take as long with the portal now available. Recruiting has gotten remarkably better since he arrived. We will be more inexperienced but have raw talent to work with. Something that hasn't always in the cupboard before the BU days.
Curbelo (4 star recruit), 2 four star recruits coming in, Omar Payne transferred in (4 star recruit). We have had many years where the team wasn't exciting to watch. As long as Curbelo is the leader of this team it will not only be entertaining but will take pressure off some of the younger guys they way he can make space and plays. I see Illinois landing some more transfer guys and hopefully a few other guys like Hawkins, hopefully Hutcherson can get/stay healthy will evolve more as well this year.
This is a rebuild but some with talent. Kofi should declare for the draft without an agent and hopefully he comes back but if not than the best to that young man. Underwood and crew have been working real hard and a rebuild doesn't take as long with the portal now available. Recruiting has gotten remarkably better since he arrived. We will be more inexperienced but have raw talent to work with. Something that hasn't always in the cupboard before the BU days.
Curbelo (4 star recruit), 2 four star recruits coming in, Omar Payne transferred in (4 star recruit). We have had many years where the team wasn't exciting to watch. As long as Curbelo is the leader of this team it will not only be entertaining but will take pressure off some of the younger guys they way he can make space and plays. I see Illinois landing some more transfer guys and hopefully a few other guys like Hawkins, hopefully Hutcherson can get/stay healthy will evolve more as well this year.
Jalen Coleman Lands was the #37 recruit in the country. Maybe we should see if he wants another go here?
I dont know what to tell you, sometimes scouts miss. He had two years at Gonzaga to show something, and he's transferring after two years of being a garbage time player. He regressed his sophomore year. After two years of college ball I think recruiting rankings are pretty low on the list of evidence we should use to evaluate a prospect.
Actually watching a bit of Zakharov’s game, he moves pretty well and seems pretty coordinated. Seems like a Matt Haarms type which I think would fit fine. If we are having to rebuild our front court from scratch, could do worse than Payne and Zakharov.
I don't watch, haven't watched, won't watch NBA. I just know that as a general bball player, he needs work to do. They may even suggest he lose 15-20 pounds
drsmitty74
- Rochester
I am probably in the minority here, but why? Why should we have to Re-recruit him? He knows what we are offering him. His family knows. If they don't want it, then be on your way and good luck on finding your happiness.
This is staff spent years recruiting Adam AND his family. For people on here to say we need to "put the press" on him to return........F THAT!
I would welcome him back with open arms if we wants to come back, but to have to convince him of his role and stroke him..........nah.
It’s just the nature of the game. It’s why Underwood and Co are getting paid the big bucks. With transfer rules the way they are going, recruiting guys already on the roster will become the norm
Jack Nunge to Xavier.
Yeah, but that's just one source.
It's important that Kofi gets a wide range of expert opinion.
Here are some unbiased NBA insiders who were asked if Kofi should make the jump this year.
Deleted member 747671
D
Guest
1. He is a "known" to our staff, not an unknown recruit/transfer
2. There is conflicting information about why he transferred. Good chance he wants to be here but is being pulled by someone else.
3. We have already missed on Burnett, Franklin, and soon TyTy.
I'm not saying spend all your time on him, but based on item 3, we sure seem to be wasting our time with other guys that aren't coming here, might as well try to get the guy that already knows your system and you already know and had been planning on having next season.
Edit: In a world where we had landed 1 or more of the guys listed, I agree, but things have really changed the lasts couple weeks.
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Not listed on his offers page on 247 but I don't know if that's always accurate
Bryce Hamilton Recruit Interests
247sports.com
He is a good for weakside defense, great post moves, good job of rim running. He needs to improve pick and roll defense, needs to develop his jump shooting.
I think this is the starting 2 guard if he commits unless we get someone real nice in the portal (which is still very possible).
AirNeezy
Orange Krush '13 -'14
Anyone remember that year we were coming off one of the worst seasons in Illinois history and proceeded to miss out on DJ Carton, EJ Liddell, Drew Timme, and Oscar Tsiebwe? I remember even seeing some rumors on here that Underwood was going to try to move back to Big 12 country because he couldn't cut it. Board was in total and complete shambles daily.
......And then we landed Kofi, paired him with Ayo, ended the next season as a T25 team, and of course had our best season in 16 years the next year.
My point is that our staff gets paid millions of dollars for a reason, they're not just sitting on their a** texting recruits and praying that they end up here. We aren't going to be filling our roster with walk-ons and bums next year, no matter what a lot of posters on here evidently seem to think. As someone on here already well stated "its not about who you miss out on, it's who you land."
......And then we landed Kofi, paired him with Ayo, ended the next season as a T25 team, and of course had our best season in 16 years the next year.
My point is that our staff gets paid millions of dollars for a reason, they're not just sitting on their a** texting recruits and praying that they end up here. We aren't going to be filling our roster with walk-ons and bums next year, no matter what a lot of posters on here evidently seem to think. As someone on here already well stated "its not about who you miss out on, it's who you land."
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He's one player. He's not the difference between a Top 5 team and a team that misses the tourney. I'd rather win 10 games next year than go begging anybody unless that person makes us a national title contender.
AirNeezy
Orange Krush '13 -'14
Eh, I'd rather repair the relationship with a young college kid who's going to be one of our top players, rather than only win 10 games. Who cares if you look "desperate", "begging" or "thirsty". This isn't high school dating drama, we're talking about big time college basketball. I would hope our staff is doing whatever it takes within the rules to put us in the best position to win, period.
Idk, that's just me though.
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Deleted member 747671
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Guest
What do you think recruiting is? Treat him like we were treating Franklin, Burnett, and TyTy. If it's clear he has zero interest in returning, then stop. If we were to believe the positive updates we were given about those 3, then we should also somewhat believe that this transfer decision was not made by Miller and he actually wanted to stay. If that's true, there's clearly an opening to try to get him back.
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