how so? just because Podz didn't enter immediately after Clark committed doesn't mean Clark being here didn't contribute to him leaving. There's only so many minutes to go around, and it was pretty clear Meyer, TSJ, and Clark were going to get a lot of them.
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread
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I'll make a bet that WisCOWsin takes a run at Podz. He seems like their type of player and he is from there. And of course, he'd torch us when we played.yeah, obviously Podz wouldn't have had the same numbers playing for us as he does this season out west. But he has proven to be a great shooter and capable playmaker. If I remember correctly, I don't think he entered the portal until after Skyy committed. If we didn't take the risk on Clark being able to be a starting PG as a freshman coming off a massive knee injury, maybe Podz would have stayedAlso would have been a pretty big risk trusting Podz to improve so I get it, but you still wonder
There's a reason he's playing this year in a one-down conference. I don't know who he'd replace in this year or next year's line up, but we could use his shooting on a rotational basis as a spot player. I don't think you can drop his 20 points into our line-up (displacing Shannon or Rogers or? He might be the type that would hit for 15 one night and 6 the next.
He's just not athletic enough to play regularly in Underwood's Berserker brand of basketball. AND HE'S NOT HERE, NOR IS HE COMING HERE. I'm not sure we would have won one more game this year with him on the team. JMHO
Nice player, but that train has left the station. Any more news about that 6'11" Canadian that showed interest or another big man? True point guard?
This “woulda, shoulda” conversation is being played out on virtually every fan blog in the B1G today. Every team I can think of has had godawful games. We are not alone in this respect, in fact it is the rule, not the exception. As frustrating and inexplicable as the bad, blowout losses were, this team is generally fun and exciting to watch. The hindsight demonstrated by some of the posts is spectacular. A couple of plays on the road at Indiana and Iowa would have us as a top 4 seed. On balance, I’ll take this coaching staff and its decisions every day, particularly when compared to its two predecessors.
Fixed it for you.
I respect your opinion, but reread what I wrote and what the response was to. I am saying that THIS years team and had no continuity and they don't. I think that this is agreeable and fairly obvious. It's nobody's fault because we had an All American leave and three seniors. The Plummer situation is exactly what I was referencing. It was a singular add to a roster that had multiple years playing together and it was a perfect plug in.
This is the first team where we he had to overturn the entire roster and I said that the job that he's done is amazing. I said that getting this team, that lost their top six rotational players, to 20 wins is unbelievable. It wasn't a complaint, it was giving him 100% credit for an incredibly difficult situation.
The response that I had that I was piggybacking on regarding potentially losing Hawkins, then Goode, Melendez, Rodgers, Epps or Harris to transfer. We don't know if ANY of that will happen, but I agreed with the poster that we have to keep those guys, then add on versus lose a good amount, then have to reload with the portal and freshmen again. We'd be in the same situation as we are this year. That said, most teams/coaches are facing this yearly problem.
Again, I respect your opinion, just look at the context and what I was replying to.
It's clearly something the team needs, but it's funny to me how we tend to overlook the team's strengths and want the next recruit to solve our current weaknesses. Who knew Melendez and Goode wouldn't be hitting many 3s this season, and Skyy would be gone?
Mr. Tibbs
- southeast DuPage
I agree
but everyone on the staff seems to be hell bent on the metric that shooting 30% from 3pt line is just as good as 45% from 2. all the while seemingly forgetting we shoot way better than that from 2. They watch these guys make the treys at a 50% clip in practice and they've convinced themselves we are so due from a breakout game. I don't think we will ever get it against any team that plays decent defense.
Lets play to our strengths now and be content for easier 2pt opportunities, and get the long distance shooters for next year.
I watch other teams play on tv and see guys coming off screens and popping 15 fters. I see them drive and pull up to hit a 12 fter. I see guys drive into the lane and hit a floater. I'm just amazed. I haven't seen anything but a 3 pter or a layup in a long time.
It's not just the percentages, you make yourself very easy to guard if you only take a 3 or drive.
Epsilon
M tipping over
- Pdx
Some familiar names. Diallo, Bol, Mobli, Harper.
The defense may have something to do with that.
Name checks out...
In 247 rankings, Catchings raised his rating 9 points (89 to 98,) which raised his ranking from #117 to #17. This was all just from 2-2-23 to 3-2-23, all the way from a lower 4* to a top 20 rank. The rankings were obviously not current when he was #117, I don't think it's possible to rise that far in one month.One of my buddies, who is sadly a Purdue grad, keeps going on and on about Kanon Catchings. Every time we talk, he has to mention Kanon Catchings.
His mom is Tauja Catching who was an All Big Ten 1st team player for the Illini. His aunt is Tamika Catchings who was a star at Tennessee and WNBA. I believe his dad is also an Illinois grad. His grandpa played in the NBA.
Saw in an article that he visited Illinois, but I don't believe we ever offered and I don't remember ever seeing a single post about this kid on here. Looks like he was just rated a 5 star #17 in the class by 247. Is this a recruiting miss by the staff, a kid who blew up, and greatly exceeded expectations, or just a kid who's good not great?
Kanon Catchings, Overtime Elite , Small Forward
Kanon Catchings is a 6-8, 185-pound forward from Brownsburg, IN. He has committed to Purdue Boilermakers.247sports.com
Now listed at 6’ 8”. Would have been great addition.
Hansberry and Ty will be fun to watch down low next year, for sure; also, if Coleman comes back look out. We have a couple good ones coming in, but the most important could be getting an experienced point who can defend and an experienced big in the portal, especially if CH moves on. I feel like recruiting a 3-4 year point will be important in next couple of years. Interested in if anyone has insight on any top 24 or 25 point guards we are in on.
Joel Goodson
- ties will be resolved
Love the high character talk. Sounds like he has a good mom and good people around him. Hope he comes in and makes an awesome impact with our program on and off the court.
DeonThomas
- South Carolina
Until we hear something official regarding the NBA draft and the transfer pool, this should be our initial roster heading into 2023-24 (with one open spot). The extra Covid year applied, based upon eligibility. Should be enough for a Top 4 BIG TEN finish!
| # | Player | Position | Ht | 2023-24 | 9-Man |
| 1 | Lieb, Brandon | C | 7'0 | JR | x |
| 2 | Dainja, Dain | C | 6'10 | JR | Start |
| 3 | Hawkins, Coleman | F | 6'10 | SR | Start |
| 4 | Shannon Jr., Terrance | F | 6'9 | SR | Start |
| 5 | Rodgers, Ty | F | 6'6 | SO | Start |
| 6 | Melendez, RJ | F | 6'7 | JR | x |
| 7 | Hansberry, Amani | F | 6'7 | FR | |
| 8 | Goode, Luke | G/F | 6'7 | JR | x |
| 9 | Harris, Sencire | G | 6'4 | SO | x |
| 10 | Epps, Jayden | G | 6'2 | SO | Start |
| 11 | Morreti, Niccoli | G | 6'2 | FR | |
| 12 | Gibbs-Lawhorn, Dra | G | 6'3 | FR | |
| 13 |
Illinicpa14
- Chicago
I don’t think anyone expects TSJ to come back.
Shannon is 6'6"
Joel Goodson
- ties will be resolved
yep. and DGL is closer to 6' 1" than 6' 3"
Agreed. He needs to develop more consistency. He neds to know what he wants to do every time he l has the ball.
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