Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

[Illiniam1984]

 

[UCantHideYer]

If your 4th year All-American center wants him here, then maybe he really is an ideal 3rd string backup.

Absolutely. Nobody thumps chests with Kofi like BBV does. So he's got camaraderie & bravery in his corner.

 

[QCtoKC]

My ideal backup big would be a slightly taller, more athletic Larry Bird.

Unfortunately, Brady Manek is now officially out of eligibility.

 

[ElGran]

I would consider it a minor miracle if Kofi, Hawk, RJ, and Goode all return and we bring in Skyy and TSJ.

 

[HailtotheChief]

Ok my ideal backup big would be some combo of Bacot, Oscar T, Edey, or Kessler. Seems like a pointless question when asked that way because it's not realistic.

I don't know why it's unrealistic to think we could have as good a back up as Purdue. Who knows we may already.

 

[IlliniDawgs]

I think the rule changed in 2018 that allows an athlete to hire an agent to navigate the pre draft process and then if the athlete pulls out of the draft they can return to school without penalty.

The way he worded it made me think it won't be one of the approved agents but who knows

 

[mysterio2525]

My ideal backup big would be a slightly taller, more athletic Larry Bird.

Mine would be a better shooting, passing, and rebounding LeBron... With a good hairline

 

[Illinicpa14]

I don't know why it's unrealistic to think we could have as good a back up as Purdue. Who knows we may already.

Purdue’s “backup” was a 2 time all big ten player and was a first team in 2021. Let’s be reasonable on expectations of our players. If Dainja is a top 25 player in the league this next year, that would be fantastic as a sophomore.

 

[BashCtIllini]

Purdue’s “backup” was a 2 time all big ten player and was a first team in 2021. Let’s be reasonable on expectations of our players. If Dainja is a top 25 player in the league this next year, that would be fantastic as a sophomore.

Williams wasn't a backup. They were essentially co-starters. That situation also basically lost them Williams as he is unlikely to return to Purdue to play 20 mpg. Though in fairness, he only played 25 mpg in 2021.

 

[BWA]

I don't know why it's unrealistic to think we could have as good a back up as Purdue. Who knows we may already.

What's unrealistic is to think we can get one whose that good to transfer in. It's not going to happen because if a player is top 20 at their position they are going to go somewhere to start and play 30 minutes. Purdue managed that because they developed two really good centers in house. Hopefully we have that in Dainja.

 

[PIT_ILL]

I think the rule changed in 2018 that allows an athlete to hire an agent to navigate the pre draft process and then if the athlete pulls out of the draft they can return to school without penalty.

Twice but not a third time....

 

[Illinicpa14]

Williams wasn't a backup. They were essentially co-starters. That situation also basically lost them Williams as he is unlikely to return to Purdue to play 20 mpg. Though in fairness, he only played 25 mpg in 2021.

Did they ever experiment playing both at the same time? Just curious what that even looked like on both ends. Anytime I had Purdue on, it was a 1:1 sub every 3-5 minutes

 

[goillini30]

Williams wasn't a backup. They were essentially co-starters. That situation also basically lost them Williams as he is unlikely to return to Purdue to play 20 mpg. Though in fairness, he only played 25 mpg in 2021.

Agreed. Any time you can't play your top 3 players at the same time it's not great roster management. In my opinion obviously.

 

[dwpittman]

Closer to "home" in the sense that he's spent a long time in NYC and loves it if his tattoos are any indication.

Trying to get to Puerto Rico from the West Coast sucks. New York City would have direct flights for him to visit PR, or family to come see him, assuming he still has some down there.

 

[HailtotheChief]

What's unrealistic is to think we can get one whose that good to transfer in. It's not going to happen because if a player is top 20 at their position they are going to go somewhere to start and play 30 minutes. Purdue managed that because they developed two really good centers in house. Hopefully we have that in Dainja.

This ...I never said we could. I just said BBV is not ideal as someone else had stated. That is all. This horse is dead if some didn't see the original post. Plus yes Dainja is likely an upgrade and could be that guy. That is who I hear him compared to most often and why I used Williams as an example.

 

[Fanview]

Seems to be a pretty good confirmation he's staying

 

[wyckles]

That’s the point though.. IF Kofi returns, then Dainja will be the backup and BBV would be the 3rd big. Why would we try to push out BBV and try and get someone else to be the 3rd big? There is no way a non-limited player will transfer here to be a 3rd big. So why push out BBV?

Why can't Dainja or BBV, for that matter, play on the court WITH Kofi? Is it crazy to think that there are teams and/or scenarios where that can and would work? I would live to see an extra big lineup once in a while. Rebounding would be awesome with lots of layups to make and short range shots to clean up with a three mixed in as well.

 

[BuckDitkis]

Seems to be a pretty good confirmation he's staying

Was this still even a question? I thought it was pretty agreed upon that he was staying after the initial freak out on here.

 

[the national]

Congrats! Me and my one month old be like

Lots of LAD to get me through the nights.

Amen! My two year old is about to have a new partner in crime (wife is 35wks). Last go around, LAD was a savior.

 

[goillini30]

Why can't Dainja or BBV, for that matter, play on the court WITH Kofi? Is it crazy to think that there are teams and/or scenarios where that can and would work? I would live to see an extra big lineup once in a while. Rebounding would be awesome with lots of layups to make and short range shots to clean up with a three mixed in as well.

I think people are assuming that Dainja will split time at the 4 and 5, so he probably will play with Kofi at times. Dainja has a better perimeter game than BBV so it makes it more realistic and potentially effective.

 

[LvilleILL]

Seems to be a pretty good confirmation he's staying

yup. confirmed with the staff last week

 

[Birdus]

Why can't Dainja or BBV, for that matter, play on the court WITH Kofi? Is it crazy to think that there are teams and/or scenarios where that can and would work? I would live to see an extra big lineup once in a while. Rebounding would be awesome with lots of layups to make and short range shots to clean up with a three mixed in as well.

Dainja could back up 4 and 5. He has handles and can shoot. He will be gooood.

 

[DAM1298]

Why can't Dainja or BBV, for that matter, play on the court WITH Kofi? Is it crazy to think that there are teams and/or scenarios where that can and would work? I would live to see an extra big lineup once in a while. Rebounding would be awesome with lots of layups to make and short range shots to clean up with a three mixed in as well.

A BBV-Kofi lineup would make me vomit lol. This ain't the '70s. Two players with center-type lateral mobility and no perimeter shooting is v rough.

 

[dwpittman]

Where's the NSFW warning?!

 

[dwpittman]

Why can't Dainja or BBV, for that matter, play on the court WITH Kofi? Is it crazy to think that there are teams and/or scenarios where that can and would work? I would live to see an extra big lineup once in a while. Rebounding would be awesome with lots of layups to make and short range shots to clean up with a three mixed in as well.

Bill Self, is that you?