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

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#276      

Fanview

Fanview
Fanview
IllinoisssssssVarsity said:
Loyalty has moved on to we don’t want kids who want to be here.
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It always marvels me how quickly fans change with success. Heck, people were calling for Adam Miller to not be in the starting lineup most of last year despite all the prior talks of...
"he's going to be our guy!" "The face of our program!" "We're going to support him harder than anyone else"

There have even been people who suggested... "are we better without Ayo?" "He's hurting the team"

If Kofi goes to Kentucky, Oscar is getting screwed... and fans on Kentucky's board seem ready to rationalize it.
"Cal should manage these personalities" "That's his job to balance egos".
Is it really an ego thing though when someone was promised to be "the guy" and you go out and recruit a guy with a similar game?

I think deep down, all we fans care about is winning. And that's fine. Just funny that we masquerade as always having these recruits/athletes best interest in mind
 
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#279      

Pittsfield

P
Pittsfield
grue2 said:
IlliniDawgs said:
Would be shocked if Bass stuck around in this class. He was OA's guy anyway, got a feeling the staff will want that scholarship open


That would be a shame. Bass wants to be here and seems like a solid fit. I'm expecting Curbelo to go pro after this year. That would leave:
Bass 6'4"
Epps 6'2"
Harris 6'3"
Podz 6'5"

Given the amount of 3-guard lineups that we play, there should be enough minutes for everyone. Bass and Podz have the height to guard the opposing 3. I don't know if they have the skills. They should be able to learn a lot from Damonte. I'm always amazed by his defensive positioning.

Ramses and Good are both listed as 6'7". That may enable them to defend the opposing 4. Good already has some meat on him.
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Just because he was illini OA guy doesn't mean he is Kentucky's OA guy, BIG DIFFERENCE
 
#281      

Pittsfield

P
Pittsfield
217sports said:
I don't think anyone said we should get rid of Bass. Just that the expectation is that he will not be staying committed and Illini are prepping for that
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I understand the expectation and I get it, but it appears Bass is as mentally tough as he is physically tough this will be a challenge he will look forward too. Epps, Harris, Bass = Dee, Deron, Luther (I hope)
 
#282      

Goode-for-3

Goode-for-3
Goode-for-3
If either Grandison or Hutcherson are thinking about taking their extra COVID year then we are technically full for our class of '22 now. However, I could see Grandison or Hutcherson (or possibly BBV or Lieb) moving on especially considering the way the transfer portal has seemed to changed things up. But I have no idea of how to gauge how likely that is.

Right now our 2022-23 Depth Chart looks something like:
1. Curbelo ('20,#47) / Hutcherson ('17,#N/A) / Epps ('22,#63)
2. Podziemski ('21,#103) / Harris ('22,#100) / Bass ('22,#190)
3. Grandison ('17,#N/A) / Melendez ('21,#90) / Goode ('21,#97)
4. Hawkins ('20,#168) / Bosmans-Verdonk ('19,#N/A)
5. Payne ('19,#45) / Lieb ('20,#480)

Even if it ends up forcing someone to move on, I'd still love to see AJ Casey (#35, 6'8" PF), or Tarris Reed (#71, 6'10" C) added to the class of '22 as I think we can likely all agree that adding depth at the 4/5 is critical to our success moving forward. Cam Whitmore (#55, 6'6" SF) would also be a great get as I expect Hawkins/Payne would be fine at the 5 defensively. Also, while I'm still hoping we land JJ Taylor (#3, 6'8" SF/PF) in the class of '23, I think I'd still be pretty excited if we landed Cameron Corhen (#173, 6'9" C), Mady Traore (#168, 6'11" C), or Malique Ewin (#114, 6'9" C) in our class of '22 as well.
 
#284      

mydosburns

mydosburns
mydosburns
Goode-for-3 said:
If either Grandison or Hutcherson are thinking about taking their extra COVID year then we are technically full for our class of '22 now. However, I could see Grandison or Hutcherson (or possibly BBV or Lieb) moving on especially considering the way the transfer portal has seemed to changed things up. But I have no idea of how to gauge how likely that is.

Right now our 2022-23 Depth Chart looks something like:
1. Curbelo ('20,#47) / Hutcherson ('17,#N/A) / Epps ('22,#63)
2. Podziemski ('21,#103) / Harris ('22,#100) / Bass ('22,#190)
3. Grandison ('17,#N/A) / Melendez ('21,#90) / Goode ('21,#97)
4. Hawkins ('20,#168) / Bosmans-Verdonk ('19,#N/A)
5. Payne ('19,#45) / Lieb ('20,#480)

Even if it ends up forcing someone to move on, I'd still love to see AJ Casey (#35, 6'8" PF), or Tarris Reed (#71, 6'10" C) added to the class of '22 as I think we can likely all agree that adding depth at the 4/5 is critical to our success moving forward. Cam Whitmore (#55, 6'6" SF) would also be a great get as I expect Hawkins/Payne would be fine at the 5 defensively. Also, while I'm still hoping we land JJ Taylor (#3, 6'8" SF/PF) in the class of '23, I think I'd still be pretty excited if we landed Cameron Corhen (#173, 6'9" C), Mady Traore (#168, 6'11" C), or Malique Ewin (#114, 6'9" C) in our class of '22 as well.
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I thought the word on the board was Grandison was done after this year.
 
#285      

Joel Goodson

Joel Goodson
respect my decision™
Joel Goodson
Goode-for-3 said:
If either Grandison or Hutcherson are thinking about taking their extra COVID year then we are technically full for our class of '22 now. However, I could see Grandison or Hutcherson (or possibly BBV or Lieb) moving on especially considering the way the transfer portal has seemed to changed things up. But I have no idea of how to gauge how likely that is.

Right now our 2022-23 Depth Chart looks something like:
1. Curbelo ('20,#47) / Hutcherson ('17,#N/A) / Epps ('22,#63)
2. Podziemski ('21,#103) / Harris ('22,#100) / Bass ('22,#190)
3. Grandison ('17,#N/A) / Melendez ('21,#90) / Goode ('21,#97)
4. Hawkins ('20,#168) / Bosmans-Verdonk ('19,#N/A)
5. Payne ('19,#45) / Lieb ('20,#480)

Even if it ends up forcing someone to move on, I'd still love to see AJ Casey (#35, 6'8" PF), or Tarris Reed (#71, 6'10" C) added to the class of '22 as I think we can likely all agree that adding depth at the 4/5 is critical to our success moving forward. Cam Whitmore (#55, 6'6" SF) would also be a great get as I expect Hawkins/Payne would be fine at the 5 defensively. Also, while I'm still hoping we land JJ Taylor (#3, 6'8" SF/PF) in the class of '23, I think I'd still be pretty excited if we landed Cameron Corhen (#173, 6'9" C), Mady Traore (#168, 6'11" C), or Malique Ewin (#114, 6'9" C) in our class of '22 as well.
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Am fully expecting both Hutch and Grandison to move on after this season.
 
#286      

Manual3for4peat

M
Manual3for4peat
Goode-for-3 said:
If either Grandison or Hutcherson are thinking about taking their extra COVID year then we are technically full for our class of '22 now. However, I could see Grandison or Hutcherson (or possibly BBV or Lieb) moving on especially considering the way the transfer portal has seemed to changed things up. But I have no idea of how to gauge how likely that is.

Right now our 2022-23 Depth Chart looks something like:
1. Curbelo ('20,#47) / Hutcherson ('17,#N/A) / Epps ('22,#63)
2. Podziemski ('21,#103) / Harris ('22,#100) / Bass ('22,#190)
3. Grandison ('17,#N/A) / Melendez ('21,#90) / Goode ('21,#97)
4. Hawkins ('20,#168) / Bosmans-Verdonk ('19,#N/A)
5. Payne ('19,#45) / Lieb ('20,#480)

Even if it ends up forcing someone to move on, I'd still love to see AJ Casey (#35, 6'8" PF), or Tarris Reed (#71, 6'10" C) added to the class of '22 as I think we can likely all agree that adding depth at the 4/5 is critical to our success moving forward. Cam Whitmore (#55, 6'6" SF) would also be a great get as I expect Hawkins/Payne would be fine at the 5 defensively. Also, while I'm still hoping we land JJ Taylor (#3, 6'8" SF/PF) in the class of '23, I think I'd still be pretty excited if we landed Cameron Corhen (#173, 6'9" C), Mady Traore (#168, 6'11" C), or Malique Ewin (#114, 6'9" C) in our class of '22 as well.
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I don’t plan on Andre being here after this year. The numbers he put up once Ayo left were eye opening. If, and it’s still if right now, Kofi is back I think he explodes this year and we were lucky to have him two seasons.
 
#287      

IlliniDawgs

I
IlliniDawgs
Pittsfield said:
Just because he was illini OA guy doesn't mean he is Kentucky's OA guy, BIG DIFFERENCE
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Yes, didn't say that he would go to Kentucky (he's not that good lol) just implying that if there are red flags the staff sees AND his recruiter is no longer here that makes a big difference
 
#288      

IlliniDawgs

I
IlliniDawgs
Goode-for-3 said:
If either Grandison or Hutcherson are thinking about taking their extra COVID year then we are technically full for our class of '22 now. However, I could see Grandison or Hutcherson (or possibly BBV or Lieb) moving on especially considering the way the transfer portal has seemed to changed things up. But I have no idea of how to gauge how likely that is.

Right now our 2022-23 Depth Chart looks something like:
1. Curbelo ('20,#47) / Hutcherson ('17,#N/A) / Epps ('22,#63)
2. Podziemski ('21,#103) / Harris ('22,#100) / Bass ('22,#190)
3. Grandison ('17,#N/A) / Melendez ('21,#90) / Goode ('21,#97)
4. Hawkins ('20,#168) / Bosmans-Verdonk ('19,#N/A)
5. Payne ('19,#45) / Lieb ('20,#480)

Even if it ends up forcing someone to move on, I'd still love to see AJ Casey (#35, 6'8" PF), or Tarris Reed (#71, 6'10" C) added to the class of '22 as I think we can likely all agree that adding depth at the 4/5 is critical to our success moving forward. Cam Whitmore (#55, 6'6" SF) would also be a great get as I expect Hawkins/Payne would be fine at the 5 defensively. Also, while I'm still hoping we land JJ Taylor (#3, 6'8" SF/PF) in the class of '23, I think I'd still be pretty excited if we landed Cameron Corhen (#173, 6'9" C), Mady Traore (#168, 6'11" C), or Malique Ewin (#114, 6'9" C) in our class of '22 as well.
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Corhen might have the highest ceiling out of all those bigs not named JJ Taylor

We also have a great shot at landing him
 
#289      

WINT

W
Kewanee, IL
WINT
Fanview said:
It always marvels me how quickly fans change with success. Heck, people were calling for Adam Miller to not be in the starting lineup most of last year despite all the prior talks of...
"he's going to be our guy!" "The face of our program!" "We're going to support him harder than anyone else"

There have even been people who suggested... "are we better without Ayo?" "He's hurting the team"

If Kofi goes to Kentucky, Oscar is getting screwed... and fans on Kentucky's board seem ready to rationalize it.
"Cal should manage these personalities" "That's his job to balance egos".
Is it really an ego thing though when someone was promised to be "the guy" and you go out and recruit a guy with a similar game?

I think deep down, all we fans care about is winning. And that's fine. Just funny that we masquerade as always having these recruits/athletes best interest in mind
Click to expand...
Good thing we promised Miller he’d start every game. Really locked up 6th man of the year for Belo.
 
#291      

IlliniDawgs

I
IlliniDawgs
Joel Goodson said:
Chester's on fire.
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Burning Daft Punk GIF
 
#292      

RockfordIllini

R
RockfordIllini
WINT said:
Good thing we promised Miller he’d start every game. Really locked up 6th man of the year for Belo.
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I do wish Miller had stayed as I think he could have been one of our key pieces next year. But he’s 6’3, not overly long, had trouble finishing at the rim consistently and proved to be an adequate but by no means a knockdown shooter.

We have 3 freshman who can do most of what Miller can, all of which are 6’6 or taller. And we’ve got Plummer to hold us over for a year while they get acclimated to the college game. All of which to say is, Miller is replaceable.

Belo and Kofi, not so much.
 
#293      

Joel Goodson

Joel Goodson
respect my decision™
Joel Goodson
RockfordIllini said:
I do wish Miller had stayed as I think he could have been one of our key pieces next year. But he’s 6’3, not overly long, had trouble finishing at the rim consistently and proved to be an adequate but by no means a knockdown shooter.

We have 3 freshman who can do most of what Miller can, all of which are 6’6 or taller. And we’ve got Plummer to hold us over for a year while they get acclimated to the college game. All of which to say is, Miller is replaceable.

Belo and Kofi, not so much.
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Agreed. Furthermore, Hutch >> Miller. No disrespect to Miller, he's gonna get better. But he's definitely much more replaceable than other guys.
 
#299      

sacraig

sacraig
The desert
sacraig
RockfordIllini said:
I do wish Miller had stayed as I think he could have been one of our key pieces next year. But he’s 6’3, not overly long, had trouble finishing at the rim consistently and proved to be an adequate but by no means a knockdown shooter.

We have 3 freshman who can do most of what Miller can, all of which are 6’6 or taller. And we’ve got Plummer to hold us over for a year while they get acclimated to the college game. All of which to say is, Miller is replaceable.

Belo and Kofi, not so much.
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He was a true freshman with a truncated summer practice session. The idea that he was destined to be replacement level is a tired take. His production from last year is replaceable. That doesn't mean his production from this year and beyond would be. He might have ended up as an Alex Legion or an Ayo Dosunmu in the future, and I am still a bit sad he will figure it out elsewhere. He has a very high ceiling.
 
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