For someone to say they aren't going to speculate, this sure sounds like you just did.I won't speculate what is going to happen, because I don't know. But at this point I would lean towards him coming back.......
For someone to say they aren't going to speculate, this sure sounds like you just did.I won't speculate what is going to happen, because I don't know. But at this point I would lean towards him coming back.......
How about Melendez ?Give us Curbelo, Miller, Hutch, and Podz as next year’s backcourt rotation. That is a-okay with me.
Glad he bolted. Glad he transferred out of the B10.Jack Nunge to Xavier. Good move for him. He hated it at Iowa and was not a big fan of Fran and his McSons.
Guessing the OP considers him a 3. FWIW, I do too, until he shows he can handle the ball well enough to play the 2. I think he'll get there, but maybe not next season.How about Melendez ?
He can always transfer out later if he wants. You get him in the fold, move forward like he is going to take that next step and be the guy we all saw at Morgan Park. If he doesn't, then you can adjust his role. If he wants to transfer at that point, so be it.I like Miller and thought he would take a significant jump next year. However if it is going to be dependent on negotiating his role, it is a loser. Role will be dependent on his performance not prenegotiated by his camp (whoever that is). Ratings and ability can be greatly impacted by their fit in the system as well as their dedication to the team and their work ethic. Coaches have a difficult time evaluating this and we who are not part of practices or in person viewing are certainly not accurate.
Believe we have alternates at Miller’s position but need a big to replace Kofi and a backup to Belo. Higher priorities in balance and chemistry in my viewpoint (certainly undervalued in compensation terms).
Apparently after AJ Storr committed, he sent a message to Tyty saying to come to Illinois. We now have a connection with tyty since AJ and him go to the same high school currently. But with how Illinois basketball recruiting has been this past year, don’t get your hopes upDoes anyone still think we have a legitimate shot with Tyty? Honestly, I don't, but I don't "know" anything. I just don't see how we would be a fit from his perspective. The only thing we actually know for sure about the 2021-22 Illini is that Andre Curbelo will start at PG. If I were Tyty, I would be looking to be the man with the ball from day one. I see no reason for a PG of his caliber to settle for anything less.
He would obviously play, and we would all be overjoyed to land him. I just don't see why HE would do it.
Convince me.... please...
Definitely excited about Melendez. I have him grouped with Grandison and Goode as more forward-ish, although that’s just based on highlights I’ve watched so take it with a grain of salt.How about Melendez ?
There's a difference between a guy who has been here and decided he is ready to leave his team and the university and guys who might be choosing to come here. Spend the time on the guys who choose to come here rather than selling to someone who decided they wanted out. It's like a marriage. Both sides have to be happy. If one is so unhappy that they decide to leave, that's probably not something worth saving. I don't want Underwood out there all like "But wait..We can change! You'll see!"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.
Careful Lville these guys will internet arrest you if your wrong. But thanks for the infoI won't speculate what is going to happen, because I don't know. But at this point I would lean towards him coming back.......
Incredible interview. A lot of these kids come out and compare themselves to legends from the jump and we know Ayo loves Kobe but I’ve said many times Ayo reminds me of SGA. And if he turns out to be like Jrue Holiday, that’d be incredible for him and our program.I'm pretty tired of the narrative on here that because Miller entered his name in the portal and is considering transferring, he is therefore a bad teammate. Not only is that flawed logic, but everything we've heard is that he was a good teammate that was frustrated with his role, I would assume b/c he committed here with a vastly different view of what his role would be like. One little clip doesn't prove anything, but this stood out to me the other day when I saw it on The Jump -- check out AM's reaction in the background on this clip. If he wants back and the team will have him back, I expect we will see that Adam and not the ruthless, conniving, untrustworthy teenager he has suddenly morphed into over the last two weeks.
So you mean really well?Apparently after AJ Storr committed, he sent a message to Tyty saying to come to Illinois. We now have a connection with tyty since AJ and him go to the same high school currently. But with how Illinois basketball recruiting has been this past year, don’t get your hopes up
Never thought Franklin was coming here, transferring to a rival in conference school is so rare and you can’t blame him for wanting to get out of conference.
As far as what’s his name who went to Bama, he didn’t really excite me, bad vibes. The train goes on.
Thanks for creating a profile to share this groundbreaking information.Apparently after AJ Storr committed, he sent a message to Tyty saying to come to Illinois. We now have a connection with tyty since AJ and him go to the same high school currently. But with how Illinois basketball recruiting has been this past year, don’t get your hopes up
I don’t buy this narrative and unless you can provide more info, it might be best to squash this. Miller has been very supportive of Ayo, even after Miller declared he was transferring. Check his Twitter.Ayo is part of the reason he left
In comparing those first two teams, did you look at relative strength of schedule?Who did they coach up Underwood's first 2 seasons when Kofi wasn't on the team? Those first 2 Underwood teams were bad. 14-18, 12-21 level bad. I'd argue the 14-18 team didn't have much talent, and it was Underwood's first season so I'll give him a pass. But the 12-21 team had Ayo, Giorgi, Frazier, Feliz all on it. So I think the jury is definitely out on whether Underwood can coach up inferior talent since he hasn't at Illinois. Which is people take recruiting misses very hard. We know this staff can win with high end talent. But if they don't have it, the results haven't been good.
Plenty of knee-jerk reactions for people on here upset when Miller entered the portal. Would love for him to come back and he seems like a perfect fit next to Curbelo. He's going to get plenty of minutes/shots and will need to carry the offensive load when he's in there without Curbelo. Fingers crossed he just wanted to test the waters and will re-join the program.
You—just like the rest of us—have no idea how good or bad Melendez and Goode will be. How about we let them get a season in so we can make as close and apples to apples comparison as possible. Top 100 guys can play big roles, can be studs, etc. in their freshman year.Comparing Goode and Melendez to Miller and Curbelo is laughable in its own right.
Then let's not forget that Miller and Curbelo got to be the 4th and 5th options offensively, behind two All-Americans.
Most of it was injuries that kept him out of high school competition.It may have been posted, but why did Hutch not start his college career at a D1 school? Late bloomer?
You—just like the rest of us—have no idea how good or bad Melendez and Goode will be. How about we let them get a season in so we can make as close and apples to apples comparison as possible. Top 100 guys can play big roles, can be studs, etc. in their freshman year.
Like Giorgi? Trent outplayed his ranking freshman year too. Ok, I get it, cherry picking. But I don't think the issue is nearly as cut and dried as you do.LOL Ok dude.
Fringe top 100 guys rarely have an outsized impact their freshman year. The data supports that argument, no matter how optimistic you want to be.
Plus with Covid this year not sure how accurate the ratings are. People claim Melendez is a top 50 talent and based on his film tough to argue.Like Giorgi? Trent outplayed his ranking freshman year too. Ok, I get it, cherry picking. But I don't think the issue is nearly as cut and dried as you do.
We don't need all of our freshmen to outplay their ranking. But if 1 out of (soon to be) 3 do, that would be good. Definitely think that 2 out of 3 is possible.
A little over the top.I'm pretty tired of the narrative on here that because Miller entered his name in the portal and is considering transferring, he is therefore a bad teammate. Not only is that flawed logic, but everything we've heard is that he was a good teammate that was frustrated with his role, I would assume b/c he committed here with a vastly different view of what his role would be like. One little clip doesn't prove anything, but this stood out to me the other day when I saw it on The Jump -- check out AM's reaction in the background on this clip. If he wants back and the team will have him back, I expect we will see that Adam and not the ruthless, conniving, untrustworthy teenager he has suddenly morphed into over the last two weeks.