How about looking two years ahead? Is that OK?
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread
- Status
illini80
- Forgottonia
If he had another back injury I'd get it. I don't remember hearing him missing any time for that reason. Bruised tailbone and sports hernia are not career ending.
I would love to see Hutch play. I an very curious to see what he could bring to the Illini. It would be the cherry on top of what will be a very interesting and exciting group
Disrepecting Bucky is a fool's errand.
The other thing to consider is he's going to be coming into his 6th year of college, having essentially sat out three consecutive seasons. Is that what he really wants? Maybe he will decide to move on from Illinois, or even move on from basketball. From the program's perspective, it's a scholarship that could be used in a number of ways. Is a guy who has barely played any competitive basketball the last three years the best use of that scholarship? I could see it go either way, but logically, the more a player sustains long injuries keeping him from the court, the likelier a change of scenery or early retirement becomes.
Do we know if he has had his surgery yet? I've heard nothing.
illini80
- Forgottonia
I thought that happened fairly quick, but that's from memory so I wouldn't bet the bank on it.
Joel Goodson
- ties will be resolved
The Grinch stepped down a few years ago. Gard ain't him.
illini80
- Forgottonia
Same age as Jake right? There seems to be a real possibility he comes back. Look, if it were me I would have given up years ago with what he's been through. But he hasn't. I'm not in his head, but I can't imagine he gives up because of a sports hernia. My only real point for bringing up this discussion was to see if anyone actually knew anything since the board has pretty much written him off. If anyone does know they aren't talking, which is perfectly fine and understandable.
I agree it seems to be all speculation at this point. There's tons of speculation without any real answers as to who will or won't be on the team next season and as far as I can tell, nobody knows the real answer. I don't think anyone was predicting at this point last season that Kofi would be on this year's team and AM & Giorgi would be gone.
blackdog
- Champaign
If he wants to play professionally at it makes sense for him to come back and have some kind of showcase for what he can do.
I appreciate his commitment to the program, but from a business perspective, the return hasn’t been worth the investment. I think it’s in the best interest of the program to move on.
Joel Goodson
- ties will be resolved
MOB w/high praise for Rodgers: https://chicago.suntimes.com/2022/1/29/22908219/thornton-ty-rodgers-illinois-basketball-larkin
Joel Goodson
- ties will be resolved
100% agree
I wish him all the best and would love to see it if he could come back and have a healthy successful season. I have nothing against him but I think some people on here are counting on the “NBA potential” that was being posted on here a 1-2 years ago. In his time playing this year, I’m sorry, but I didn’t see that at all. I was expecting to see a quick twitchy athlete with a great shot. While his shot looked “ok”, it didn’t blow me away and honestly he didn’t look prepared for the speed/physicality of the games he played in. Could it have been rust? Sure and hopefully it was. I’m just not going to count on anything from him whether he’s on the team or not.
After the last 2+ years with various injuries, he's had no time in the floor. Would you go into another year with ANY reliance on him? Everyone feels awful for the kid. The time does come for a decision to me made for both parties.
Can't let him go. The sunk cost is too high. Somene's head would need to roll. [Business perspective.]
Not sure what people were basing this "NBA potential" on (other than wishful thinking and BU's customary hyperbole). The fact that he supposedly had a high vertical leap in itself doesn't mean much. Calvin Brock supposedly had a 40 inch vertical leap and you never saw him throw down a dunk in a crowd. Sometimes a tested vertical leap translates to court production, sometimes it doesn't. The kid had nice stats at a frickin Division III school. (bolded cause not even Division II).
Again, he sounds like a nice kid and I'd love to see him be healthy and contribute, but there's very little that would point to that happening.
Joel Goodson
- ties will be resolved
Stone cold killa
DB11Headband
- Chicago Burbs
He could suit up on Wednesday and get 15 on the Badgers no problem.
Joel Goodson
- ties will be resolved
Everyone talks about Epps spelling Curbelo next year. I really think Rodgers has the ability to handle some PG time next year. His vision and passing are outstanding. Handle looks like it could use a little tightening, but it is pretty good.
- Status