Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

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#326      

Clay

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Clay
FinallyMadeAnAccount said:
No, this covers all 13 available slots. We only had 15 this year due to the super-senior exemption for Trent and DMW.
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Shoot, you’re right. That means any further roster opening would have to come in the form of one of those backup bigs or someone unexpected.

Additionally, no matter how you slice it, we are going to be young next year especially if Kofi, Grandison, and Hutch aren’t on the roster.
 
#328      

PIT_ILL

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PIT_ILL
Indy Illini Fan said:
I’ve known about it for a little while … Just didn’t want to put it out there until after the season out of respect to all parties involved.

Kenny has a long list of candidates but TA is definitely up near the top.
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Louisville is a bit of a train wreck right now. Definitely a high risk move compared to staying at UofI. Possibly a chance TA would be higher on the asst list for Payne's staff than BU's. I think if the goal is to become a HC working under Brad is going to help him more than Payne who is a new HC. Payne is very much an unproven asset as a HC and UL took him for his recruiting and because they couldn't get anyone better with their current situation.
 
#331      

B-ILL

B-ILL
Working From Home
B-ILL
727ill said:
Really hope Epps can turn into a guy that can slash and get into the paint at will.

Watching TCU play last night, both their guards couldn't shoot a lick but were so damn tough in getting into the paint and finishing.
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I feel like this was a big thing our team was missing in both tournament games. Without Curbelo in there, no one was even attempting to penetrate except Damonte occasionally. Maybe this was on purpose to allow Kofi to have some space, but Houston was consistently getting into the paint, getting 10-15 foot pull-ups, floaters, or driving and kicking back out once the defense collapsed. Trent, Plummer, Hawkins, etc. were mostly dribbling around the perimeter hoping Kofi could get some position.

Epps and Rodgers (and Harris) can add some of that next year along with Melendez, who looked good. And yes, I realize Epps and Rodgers will only be freshman, so tempered expectations and all that, but I'm looking forward to it.
 
#333      

727ill

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727ill
For folks who see Kofi coming back next year: Do you think we should force the issue in extending Kofi out to the perimeter and letting him take jump shots? I don't mind losing a couple games early in the year if it means Kofi gains some confidence in that part of this game and it makes us more dynamic.

I'd love Kofi back but frankly I'm tired of seeing him get mauled down low and not getting calls and then proceed to lose the exact same way in the tournament next year. We need to evolve a bit as an offense and running the same stuff next year doesn't do that.
 
#334      

Cubfanbudman

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Cubfanbudman
B-ILL said:
I feel like this was a big thing our team was missing in both tournament games. Without Curbelo in there, no one was even attempting to penetrate except Damonte occasionally. Maybe this was on purpose to allow Kofi to have some space, but Houston was consistently getting into the paint, getting 10-15 foot pull-ups, floaters, or driving and kicking back out once the defense collapsed. Trent, Plummer, Hawkins, etc. were mostly dribbling around the perimeter hoping Kofi could get some position.

Epps and Rodgers (and Harris) can add some of that next year along with Melendez, who looked good. And yes, I realize Epps and Rodgers will only be freshman, so tempered expectations and all that, but I'm looking forward to it.
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Last tournament too. Once the defense got set, the options were pass to Kofi and let him manhandle 2 guys, or take a contested shot on the perimeter. Inability to beat a set defense killed us. Having multiple athletes who can beat their man and score on multiple levels will be a huge boon for this team.
 
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