Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

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#1      

Dan

Dan
Admin
Dan
Welcome to the Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread :illinois:

2022 Illini Recruiting
Sencire Harris (2022 G) committed on July 3rd, 2021, signed on November 10th, 2021.
Jayden Epps (2022 G) committed on July 13th, 2021, signed on November 10th, 2021.
Ty Rodgers (2022 F) committed & signed on November 17th, 2021.

2024 Illini Recruiting
Morez Johnson (2024 PF) committed on November 4th, 2021.
 
#2      

TheFameProtector

TheFameProtector
Champaign
TheFameProtector
The Big Lebowski Milk GIF by Working Title
 
#3      

RockfordIllini

R
RockfordIllini
So, been thinking a bit. In his 5 years, BU has built some really nice teams. He’s mixed youth and experience well, and has found great role players. In particular, he seems adept and finding great, under the radar glue guys (Feliz, DaMonte, Grandison, etc.).

However, I think the biggest reason we’ve been competing for BT titles/top seeds is we’ve had 2 AAs (Ayo, Kofi). And, while I really like the 21 and 22 classes and think it’s chalk full of tough, scrappy players, I’m not sure who our stars will be after this year. If Belo sticks around he is one, although if he comes back at the level I think he’s capable of even for 2 months, I think he leaves. Could Coleman turn into a star? Melendez? Maybe Epps? And I do think Harris is the sleeper of the 23 class. Any thoughts?

Not expecting anyone to be an AA but will need at least 1-2 all BIG players if we want to continue to compete at a high level.

Thanks and happy new year!
 
#4      

NJJ871

N
NJJ871
RockfordIllini said:
So, been thinking a bit. In his 5 years, BU has built some really nice teams. He’s mixed youth and experience well, and has found great role players. In particular, he seems adept and finding great, under the radar glue guys (Feliz, DaMonte, Grandison, etc.).

However, I think the biggest reason we’ve been competing for BT titles/top seeds is we’ve had 2 AAs (Ayo, Kofi). And, while I really like the 21 and 22 classes and think it’s chalk full of tough, scrappy players, I’m not sure who our stars will be after this year. If Belo sticks around he is one, although if he comes back at the level I think he’s capable of even for 2 months, I think he leaves. Could Coleman turn into a star? Melendez? Maybe Epps? And I do think Harris is the sleeper of the 23 class. Any thoughts?

Not expecting anyone to be an AA but will need at least 1-2 all BIG players if we want to continue to compete at a high level.

Thanks and happy new year!
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Perfect, let's see if Loyalty is now up to the challenge of generating 10 pages of discussion on our woes next season if Belo leaves early for the NBA.
 
#6      

sacraig

sacraig
The desert
sacraig
RockfordIllini said:
So, been thinking a bit. In his 5 years, BU has built some really nice teams. He’s mixed youth and experience well, and has found great role players. In particular, he seems adept and finding great, under the radar glue guys (Feliz, DaMonte, Grandison, etc.).

However, I think the biggest reason we’ve been competing for BT titles/top seeds is we’ve had 2 AAs (Ayo, Kofi). And, while I really like the 21 and 22 classes and think it’s chalk full of tough, scrappy players, I’m not sure who our stars will be after this year. If Belo sticks around he is one, although if he comes back at the level I think he’s capable of even for 2 months, I think he leaves. Could Coleman turn into a star? Melendez? Maybe Epps? And I do think Harris is the sleeper of the 23 class. Any thoughts?

Not expecting anyone to be an AA but will need at least 1-2 all BIG players if we want to continue to compete at a high level.

Thanks and happy new year!
Click to expand...
TLDR: BU has put together good, versatile teams with depth and variety in skillets but I still think we are screwed.
 
#7      

TheGMan

TheGMan
TheGMan
I've been away for the holidays, so has anything of any actual substance happened recently?
 
#12      

Orange Roughy

O
Orange Roughy
If Belo plays even 1 minute in 2022 his potential red shirt is shot, correct? Or is he good until after the 2nd semester "officially" starts in a few weeks?
 
#14      

PIT_ILL

P
PIT_ILL
RockfordIllini said:
So, been thinking a bit. In his 5 years, BU has built some really nice teams. He’s mixed youth and experience well, and has found great role players. In particular, he seems adept and finding great, under the radar glue guys (Feliz, DaMonte, Grandison, etc.).

However, I think the biggest reason we’ve been competing for BT titles/top seeds is we’ve had 2 AAs (Ayo, Kofi). And, while I really like the 21 and 22 classes and think it’s chalk full of tough, scrappy players, I’m not sure who our stars will be after this year. If Belo sticks around he is one, although if he comes back at the level I think he’s capable of even for 2 months, I think he leaves. Could Coleman turn into a star? Melendez? Maybe Epps? And I do think Harris is the sleeper of the 23 class. Any thoughts?

Not expecting anyone to be an AA but will need at least 1-2 all BIG players if we want to continue to compete at a high level.

Thanks and happy new year!
Click to expand...
I think it is highly unlikely Belo gets drafted in '22 at this point. Why would an NBA team want to take a risk with someone with health concerns? I don't really expect him back that soon so he would have to be absolutely electric when he finally does come back to get on the draft boards. Just don't see that happening in the stretch run.
 
#16      

CubsIlliniFan

C
CubsIlliniFan
RockfordIllini said:
So, been thinking a bit. In his 5 years, BU has built some really nice teams. He’s mixed youth and experience well, and has found great role players. In particular, he seems adept and finding great, under the radar glue guys (Feliz, DaMonte, Grandison, etc.).

However, I think the biggest reason we’ve been competing for BT titles/top seeds is we’ve had 2 AAs (Ayo, Kofi). And, while I really like the 21 and 22 classes and think it’s chalk full of tough, scrappy players, I’m not sure who our stars will be after this year. If Belo sticks around he is one, although if he comes back at the level I think he’s capable of even for 2 months, I think he leaves. Could Coleman turn into a star? Melendez? Maybe Epps? And I do think Harris is the sleeper of the 23 class. Any thoughts?

Not expecting anyone to be an AA but will need at least 1-2 all BIG players if we want to continue to compete at a high level.

Thanks and happy new year!
Click to expand...
Well, we did not have ant first or second team AA’s in 1989. We had an AA in Ken Norman and what did that get us? Yep, a loss to Austin Peay. My point here is that our recruits from last year will be really good next year along with the incoming class. We may not be Baylor from last year but we will have that type of team. Moveable parts, long and great shooters. I think we could be better next year given the pieces we have.
 
#18      

samtheman10

S
samtheman10
Have seen a lot of discussion on discrepancy in J. Fears' recruiting ranking (currently #27 in '23, 247 Composite), mostly in the negative direction.
Would anyone be knowledgeable enough to comment on our other guard targets in '23? I understand if there's some general fluctuation (and that our coaches' evals matter above all else), but more wondering if I should be anticipating any big ranking swings with the two names below:

* Kylan Boswell (#11, Composite)
* Dai Dai Ames (#50, Composite)
 
#21      

Ga65

G
Ga65
Outstanding players on championship teams make it to AA teams. Lottery picks on losing teams get zippo. Chicken or egg type discussion. Ayo wouldn’t have been considered on a losing team. But with Ayo we weren’t a losing team.

Neither Ayo or Kofi would have been considered future AA’s based on their recruiting ratings. Believe we have a solid team again next year but not championship caliber without a significant Big. Just not seeing that rim protector that follows Kofi.
 
#22      

Joel Goodson

Joel Goodson
respect my decision™
Joel Goodson
Ga65 said:
Outstanding players on championship teams make it to AA teams. Lottery picks on losing teams get zippo. Chicken or egg type discussion. Ayo wouldn’t have been considered on a losing team. But with Ayo we weren’t a losing team.

Neither Ayo or Kofi would have been considered future AA’s based on their recruiting ratings. Believe we have a solid team again next year but not championship caliber without a significant Big. Just not seeing that rim protector that follows Kofi.
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And you won't, until after he's gone.
 
#24      

PIT_ILL

P
PIT_ILL
samtheman10 said:
Have seen a lot of discussion on discrepancy in J. Fears' recruiting ranking (currently #27 in '23, 247 Composite), mostly in the negative direction.
Would anyone be knowledgeable enough to comment on our other guard targets in '23? I understand if there's some general fluctuation (and that our coaches' evals matter above all else), but more wondering if I should be anticipating any big ranking swings with the two names below:

* Kylan Boswell (#11, Composite)
* Dai Dai Ames (#50, Composite)
Click to expand...
I think there is a good chance Boswell ends even higher than that.
 
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