Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

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#1,251      
Don't worry guys, the greater Champaign-Urbana area is constantly churning out 5* talent, I'm sure we'll get the next one.
Fortunately we have a really good team, and only one player from central Illinois. The days where we were only winning recruits from our backyard are over.
Sure, but isn't the thought process around "we have Curbelo, Epps, and can transfer in someone too" a very similar kind of projecting? For all we know, some of those guys we have on the roster could transfer out before Aimes sets foot on campus. That's kinda why I feel if we like Aimes, why not try and bring him in? I feel like what you're saying is "recruit the best possible players and address needs through the portal." Which makes sense. But I feel like that's an argument in favor of taking Aimes, not against.
Is someone arguing we shouldn't take Ames? I think the larger point is not to panic. If we need depth at guard, we should be able to find it. We've pulled some pretty good transfers since Brad took over.

This notion that we absolutely must land one of Boswell, Ames, or Fears is overblown. I think a lot of that stemmed from Curbelo showing up on some mock drafts prior to the season. I don't see him going anywhere...certainly not the NBA. (this year anyway)Epps seems to have the skills to be a PG. I know he scores a lot, but that's likely what his current team needs him to do.

This staff is really good at finding under-valued guards. Plummer didn't even show up in a top 100 transfers article on ESPN this pre-season. He's easily in the top 10. We also pulled a guy named Feliz a couple years ago from a JuCo program, just a couple months before the season started. I think its safe to say we'd all love to have another guy like him.

Not saying Boswell isn't a miss. It clearly is, but this is a minor setback. We have plenty of time to fill in the blanks on the roster for 2023-24.
 
#1,252      
Is that guard good though?

Also recruiting is less regional now than it was even a decade ago. The only continued benefit is if they grow up an illinois fan.

I'd personally take a 5 star out of Ankorage than a 3 star from Chicago.
Wasilla Alaska played in the Collinsville holiday tournament this year. Believe me, you really don't want to take many players from Alaska
 
#1,253      
Or he would have had the Illini on probation. Self wasn't going to stay here because he knew that he couldn't run his program the way it needed to be run to be successful. Players would have had to go to class and Guenther wouldn't have allowed him to have a bag man.
I think Self decided to leave when he lost SheldOn Williams to Duke.
 
#1,255      
Sure it's a big loss. Whenever you lose out on a top 15 kid that you were in the mix with, it's a big loss. It's sour grapes to say it isn't. To your point however, recruiting is an ongoing effort and Underwood will get his guys.
During the two previous coaching regimes, the Boswell miss would have been another frustrating punch in the nads. The last two years have changed my mindset . This staff will keep finding players.
 
#1,256      
Fortunately we have a really good team, and only one player from central Illinois. The days where we were only winning recruits from our backyard are over.

Is someone arguing we shouldn't take Ames? I think the larger point is not to panic. If we need depth at guard, we should be able to find it. We've pulled some pretty good transfers since Brad took over.

This notion that we absolutely must land one of Boswell, Ames, or Fears is overblown. I think a lot of that stemmed from Curbelo showing up on some mock drafts prior to the season. I don't see him going anywhere...certainly not the NBA. (this year anyway)Epps seems to have the skills to be a PG. I know he scores a lot, but that's likely what his current team needs him to do.

This staff is really good at finding under-valued guards. Plummer didn't even show up in a top 100 transfers article on ESPN this pre-season. He's easily in the top 10. We also pulled a guy named Feliz a couple years ago from a JuCo program, just a couple months before the season started. I think its safe to say we'd all love to have another guy like him.

Not saying Boswell isn't a miss. It clearly is, but this is a minor setback. We have plenty of time to fill in the blanks on the roster for 2023-24.

Understatement of the century. Give me a starting 5 of just Andres Feliz and we would win a B10 title.
 
#1,259      
Turns out this wasn't so much of a "loss" as it was a kid being nice to his mother. Underwood and co have a spread sheet of athletes that they continue to pursue.

I'm more concerned that they go after and land bigs going forwards we seem to have a plethora of wings and point guards, especially if we get Ames.
 
#1,263      
I might be the only one thinking this, but I am not as good hearted as most. I say screw Boswell, and I hope he plays 4 years for AZ, never meets his potential, and never gets drafted.
Hope you're the only one.

He didn't mislead anyone or play with us in any negative way. Made up his mind early which helps us. Grandpa is an Illini.

Nothing but the best to him.
 
#1,267      
Just got through watching some more tape of Dainja. This Kid is going to really be good! We are in good hands literally! I think he and Co-Hawk will thrive together.
Is he right handed? Looks like he can shoot with either hand.
 
#1,268      
Just got through watching some more tape of Dainja. This Kid is going to really be good! We are in good hands literally! I think he and Co-Hawk will thrive together.
He can be really good. From what I'm reading and getting from others is, does he want to be really good...meaning keeping the weight down and putting in the necessary work. He seems to have all the tools. One thing that we know about BU, if you don't bring it every day in practice, better get comfortable on that bench.
 
#1,269      
Just got through watching some more tape of Dainja. This Kid is going to really be good! We are in good hands literally! I think he and Co-Hawk will thrive together.
Good ball skills and footwork for his size. Can even step out and hit jumpers. Reminds me of KAT. We'll see how his game translates to the B1G.
 
#1,270      
If Dain can play defense, he and Hawk together would be tough to defend. Will take some significant changes to the offense as completely different player from Kofi with much greater range but not nearly as large. Can see him playing the 4 offensively but don’t know if he can defend against a 4. Could be an interesting rotation with Omar, Hawk, and Dain.
 
#1,272      
Dain has a sweet little leftie jump hook.. then goes rightie from 3
 
#1,275      
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