Yep. Assuming we get Nance, McCullar probably has to start from bench. Would he want to do that? We shall see. I want RJ start.
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread
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No. But you can use your imagination right now and certainly the players are using their imagination right now.
I am anticipating Hawkins entering the portal this weekend, even if he intends on coming back, just to keep his options open if we do land Nance or other players. Does that sound accurate to anyone else?
Future Walk-On
- Peoria, IL
That would suck if CH portals.
It would be nice to always have everyone be super happy every season. 1-13
There are always 2-3 guys who get sent to the end of the bench and you never know.
If we add a few more rumored pieces the only thing stopping this team will be chemistry so if they have that it will be a legit season.
It would be nice to always have everyone be super happy every season. 1-13
There are always 2-3 guys who get sent to the end of the bench and you never know.
If we add a few more rumored pieces the only thing stopping this team will be chemistry so if they have that it will be a legit season.
The reason we needed experienced proven guys like TJS is because we really don't know what expect from the freshman initially. There will most certainly be a learning curve for all of them to adjust to B10. Plus we really haven't seen any of them or Dain play yet. Just because these freshman are "touted and new " doesn't mean they are ready to step right in or jump last year shiny new prices that have experience like Goode, or RJ. Personally I feel folks are discounting how solid and mistake free Goode played
Chuck Nuggets
Dip your nuggets in my staff source sauce.
Coleman Hawkins isn't going anywhere.
drsmitty74
- Rochester
altgeld88
- Arlington, Virginia
This^^ How quickly can the frosh adjust to the pace and intensity of the game at this level? How quickly can they learn to be present on every possession at each end? How quickly can they master the offensive scheme(s) and learn to defend? How strong are they and how much work do they need to do to put on mass and develop power? (I always think of Eddie Johnson's remark that he got his a$$ handed to him in practice on a regular basis as a frosh, which stimulated him to get in the weight room in earnest over the summer.)
I enjoyed watching RJ and Luke develop during Jan-Mar. Luke seemed solid from the outset. RJ was a bit lost and timid, however, at times coming off the bench in early BT play. By March he was becoming a stud. It's a process. It's a process. It's a process. (Brad Pitt as Billy Beane.)
Skyy looks pretty dang healthy on the video he posted. I love Epps as well and think if they stick together for a couple of years it could be something really special.
We cannot alienate our recruits. We go down this road of getting free agents every year, we will not get recruits. If Nance wants to come here, he fits but I want to see minutes for Epps and Harris in the back court. If we can find a grad transfer who is willing to be a back up, that would work. But to continually retool every year with transfers is not good.
Just wondering what our NIL commitment will be this year versus last year. I doubt there is any type of current NCAA requirement to report these figures in a public disclosure (maybe in the future). Everyday I wake up and say college basketball coaches jobs keep getting harder and harder.
Being a smaller Division 1 school without a lot of alumni will surely make their jobs harder. Seems to me the larger universities known as "basketball schools" will make it harder for smaller schools to compete. Predicting an NIL cap in the future like most professional sports.
Being a smaller Division 1 school without a lot of alumni will surely make their jobs harder. Seems to me the larger universities known as "basketball schools" will make it harder for smaller schools to compete. Predicting an NIL cap in the future like most professional sports.
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Maximize your NIL. You’re worth it.Only if Dan will agree never to suspend me for going wildly OT on the Board! I'm open to negotiation.
Exactly.....not sure what BU and staff are telling recruits or players currently on the roster...but I hope it's something like...look we're assembling as much talent at each position as we possibly can...we want to be a national contender...every year....we think you can fit into those plans.....playing time on this team will be performance based (both practice & game situations).....we don't guarantee playing time (aka: minutes)....you're performance and contribution to the team will determine that.....you will be competing against very good players every day....this will make you a better player and hopefully benefit you down the road......we hope you will accept this challenge and want to become a part of something special.....our staff will do everything within its power to help you become the best player you can become ( maybe mention Fletch here).....if things don't work out for you at the end of the season and you want to move on it will be with our thanks and our blessings for your future success
DeonThomas
- South Carolina
Terrence Jannon Sr.? Are we still an option for him?
Terrance Jannon Sr - got my hands on this clip of him just before an in-depth interview he's doing with Bret for WCIA. The full interview should be available early next week, where he's expected to release his Final Three. He wants to play in Illinois for sure. I believe WIU and Illinois Wesleyan are also in play. Chin goes way back with him so Kentucky may also be involved.
I don’t think they’ll have a choice but retool (to a certain extent) each year because of players leaving through the portal. They’ll have to replace those players with the best available talent. Hopefully that will push the incoming recruits to work even harder to get time on the court.
You are absolutely right about Goode. Thanks for this observation.
When I read posts where posters are assigning minutes, I just shake my head. Posters did that last year also, how many of them were even close? Williams got far more than most everyone thought he would and Curbelo's were far less. No one has seen any of the current roster even practice, so how can you project minutes? Some stud recruits take longer than others to acclimate to the college game and guys that are projected to need a year or two, acclimate quickly and earn playing time. Physical ability is great, but Underwood likes experience and mistake free basketball, so I wouldn't be sending Goode to the end of the bench just yet. I have a feeling he's going to take William's role with more points.
I'd really like to know if Hawkins' girlfriend transferring to Alabama will impact his decision. Maybe it won't, but at his age, teenagers in love do some crazy things.
I would like to see Underwood bring in a PG that is a grad transfer that would love to have a Masters Degree from the UofI. Someone that can distribute, play defense, hit FT's and be happy being the backup. Another Tyler Underwood. There are 3 freshmen studs arriving, I'd like to see what they can do. Bringing in another high level transfer guard also means that promises have to be made to him as well. Chemistry is going to be a thing this year with bringing in transfers. Hopefully, the transfers are concerned about the team and not just working on their game to impress NBA scouts.
I feel this year is the shake out year. Shannon will help keep the Illini in games, but this team needs more experience to be a contender. Next year is the year this team should be ready. Hawkins needs to develop and if he does, next year will be the year that will be his coming out party. You can just see the talent, he just needs to learn how to use it. Dain the same thing. Melendez can do many things, but this is the year he learns how to put it together. Underwood also needs time to see how this talent can be blended. Coaches also have to learn how to coach in the NCAA's. It's a different mind set and this year he needs to show what he can do. Keady was a good coach, but his tournament record didn't match his regular season success.
I'd really like to know if Hawkins' girlfriend transferring to Alabama will impact his decision. Maybe it won't, but at his age, teenagers in love do some crazy things.
I would like to see Underwood bring in a PG that is a grad transfer that would love to have a Masters Degree from the UofI. Someone that can distribute, play defense, hit FT's and be happy being the backup. Another Tyler Underwood. There are 3 freshmen studs arriving, I'd like to see what they can do. Bringing in another high level transfer guard also means that promises have to be made to him as well. Chemistry is going to be a thing this year with bringing in transfers. Hopefully, the transfers are concerned about the team and not just working on their game to impress NBA scouts.
I feel this year is the shake out year. Shannon will help keep the Illini in games, but this team needs more experience to be a contender. Next year is the year this team should be ready. Hawkins needs to develop and if he does, next year will be the year that will be his coming out party. You can just see the talent, he just needs to learn how to use it. Dain the same thing. Melendez can do many things, but this is the year he learns how to put it together. Underwood also needs time to see how this talent can be blended. Coaches also have to learn how to coach in the NCAA's. It's a different mind set and this year he needs to show what he can do. Keady was a good coach, but his tournament record didn't match his regular season success.
@BashCtIllini, now that TSJ is on board, any good news on Tea Wangscald to replace Kofi?
Disagree. I want to see us win championships. I think this is the new norm for top programs. In the past the best programs either recruited 1 and dones who could play right away, or they did a good job of having balanced classes.
Now it's all about reloading through the transfer portal. Class balance doesn't really matter anymore. It's still important to recruit preps, but any freshmen going to top programs shouldn't be expecting the keys right away anymore, unless they earn them.
And that's okay. RJ is a pretty good example. Didn't play much at all last season, but BU loves him and has already said this is RJ's team now. If a freshman wants guaranteed PT these days, they can go to a bottom dweller, ball out, then use their free transfer to go to a top program.
I think Harris is a good player and will contribute in time, but I don’t see him getting much tick next year unless there are injuries. I saw him play two games on TV — one against Lebron, Jr’s team and then the Ohio state championship game. In the former, he looked good, but if I remember correctly a large percentage of his points scored came in second half in a not very close game. In the state championship game, Harris’s team was much better than the opponent They play a stifling D and certainly Harris is a big part of that, but much of it seemed lore about the style of D and the talent discrepancy between the two teams. Based on that game, I’d say a fair amount of his points and assists come on fastbreaks after a turnover. I think he’s going to have to really work on his game to get much playing time freshman year. The good news is that he seems like the kind of kid who will do that. I just think we’ll see the dividends of that work in years two and beyond rather than year one.Epps is too talented to NOT see the court and i think he will get 15-20 mpg initially with a junk yard dog attitude........Harris is the sleeper pick for me to surprise a lot of us as far as his will to win and will be more of a contributor than many think.....................
I so love the new freshness of this year's squad and think we will be a top 25 team earlier than expected.........these new guys are very talented and will show the way for future recruits to join the speeding ascent to the top of college BB................................I really really do think that ........................................
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Epps on the other hand I believe will be a contributor in year one. How much will depend on his ability to play D and gain BU’s trust and te final make up of the team.
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