Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

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#626      

IllinoisssssssVarsity

I
IllinoisssssssVarsity
Ga65 said:
Won’t consider them loaded unless there is a Kofi replacement in the mix. Doesn’t have to be the same type but must be a rim protector and an offensive threat down low and on the glass. Don’t see that in this mix.
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A more polished Omar type would be all that group needs. Catch a lob if your man steps, switch everything defensively, block a shot in help side.
 
#627      

Cubfanbudman

C
Cubfanbudman
Ga65 said:
Won’t consider them loaded unless there is a Kofi replacement in the mix. Doesn’t have to be the same type but must be a rim protector and an offensive threat down low and on the glass. Don’t see that in this mix.
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Agreed. I think Brad will hit the transfer portal for this year and moving forward the sell should be pretty easy. "Hey 4/5 star big, we've got great guard play, we're big and athletic on the wings, and you are the one piece we need. Also, ever heard of this Kofi Cockburn kid?"
 
#628      

Dbell1981

D
Decatur, IL
Dbell1981
Ga65 said:
Won’t consider them loaded unless there is a Kofi replacement in the mix. Doesn’t have to be the same type but must be a rim protector and an offensive threat down low and on the glass. Don’t see that in this mix.
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Much more loaded than we have been in the last 15-20 years. Hopefully Dainja pans out. We will get someone to fill those shoes. Lots of late bloomers when it comes to big guys.
 
#630      

Indy Illini Fan

Indy Illini Fan
Indy Illini Fan
TCTORNADO said:
October 18th (visit)--Boswell becomes top PG priority.
December 19th-BU and staff fly to Ft Myers to see Boswell rather than drive to Lalu to see Fears.
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#633      

GrayGhost77

GrayGhost77
Centennial, CO
GrayGhost77
Dbell1981 said:
If we end up snagging Boswell and JJ Taylor this team will be LOADED with talent! Goode, Podz, and Melendez are gonna be solid by then. Not to mention Epps, Harris, and Rodgers with a year of experience under their belt. Future is just as bright as it was in the early 2000s! Cheers Illini faithful, its been a brutal 15+ years but we are back on the map! Let me add, a senior Coleman Hawkins could be 1 of the best players in the country by then.
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Don't forget Morez, who could be best of them all by then and waiting in the wings (if he doesn't reclass first).
 
#634      

Dbell1981

D
Decatur, IL
Dbell1981
WeWillWhen said:
Some of you are drinking way too much orange Kool Aid. Underwood certainly is recruiting better than in his and Illini’s recent past, but we’re not “loaded” with talent yet.
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Well, im liking my kool aid. Ill take it over classes with Finkes and Tejon Lucas's all day long. Im comparing our team now to our team that coach inherited, not to Kensucky. We had some talent through the 2010-17 with Malcolm, Black, Nunn, and few others but we are gonna have solid classes 3 years straight for the first time in quite a while if the staff can get Boswell and Taylor. Why do folks always gotta try and calm down the excitement? I mean when is the last time we "cooled" on a top 30 player? Things are looking great through these orange glasses.
 
#636      

sacraig

sacraig
The desert
sacraig
Dbell1981 said:
Well, im liking my kool aid. Ill take it over classes with Finkes and Tejon Lucas's all day long. Im comparing our team now to our team that coach inherited, not to Kensucky. We had some talent through the 2010-17 with Malcolm, Black, Nunn, and few others but we are gonna have solid classes 3 years straight for the first time in quite a while if the staff can get Boswell and Taylor. Why do folks always gotta try and calm down the excitement? I mean when is the last time we "cooled" on a top 30 player? Things are looking great through these orange glasses.
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If the staff get Boswell and Taylor that's not solid. That likely puts the class in contention for highest rated class in school history. In fact, I'm not even sure it would be close. They'd be the two highest rated individual recruits in program history if rankings hold.
 
#638      

ChiefIllinois

C
ChiefIllinois
sacraig said:
If the staff get Boswell and Taylor that's not solid. That likely puts the class in contention for highest rated class in school history. In fact, I'm not even sure it would be close. They'd be the two highest rated individual recruits in program history if rankings hold.
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In the online website ranking Era sure.
 
#639      

ElGran

E
ElGran
sacraig said:
If the staff get Boswell and Taylor that's not solid. That likely puts the class in contention for highest rated class in school history. In fact, I'm not even sure it would be close. They'd be the two highest rated individual recruits in program history if rankings hold.
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Both these guys are longshots. But yes, if we got them both, it would be monumental.
 
#642      

Calvin

C
Calvin
Joel Goodson said:
Assurance of PT is a bit different than assurance of starting.
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For sure.

I imagine it's not that different than any other market for talent --every player has their own circumstances and coaches have to compete. That said, when you see Kentucky land a class of 6 or 7 guys in the top 50 or so, the minutes don't add up, so their stance is going to be tempered with whatever other inducements they offer (you can use your imagination :p ). And to their credit, they've had guys come off the bench and still get drafted, so they have the ability to push that as a plausible case. Coaches have to do whatever is reasonable to bring guys in, but have to retain flexibility. Seems like a fine line to walk. And it's not over after a commitment --not by a long shot. Gotta find ways to toughen kids up or advance their development while not turning them off.

Miller is kind of an interesting case. Looked like enough of an athlete to make it the next level, but didn't break out, and didn't look like he ever fully committed to the process here. Given Ayo's leadership, it seems all the more strange to me he didn't find his way, but a lot of people who watched his body language warned that he was a serious transfer risk. He hasn't played a minute this season due to injury, so it's impossible to Monday morning quarterback his decision. I saw an article after the transfer where he had mixed things to say, depending on how you want to read it. He gave Underwood credit for toughening him up while saying that he needed a coach that trusted him at his "natural" position for the NBA (i.e. a combo). He had zero chance of beating out Curbelo as PG, and with Trent being much better with the ball, he'd have to pass him too. If a player feels strongly they need to play some PG but hasn't shown they're the better option, coach is in a tough spot. From the outside looking in, it sure looked like Underwood did everything he could to let him see the court. In the end though, buy-in and fit matter.

I'm amazed at how much better Underwood has done with roster construction. And he seems to understand how to build a staff too. Who'd of though after the turnover with assistants we'd be in the shape we are today? Frickin amazing progress. I think we're all a little disappointed with the start of this season and missing Curbelo, but the overall direction is solid.

Ok, time to stop rambling :O
 
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