Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

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#101      

Bryce Hopkins

Bryce Hopkins
Bryce Hopkins
illiniballknower said:
He had like 5 predictions to Kansas on RIvals. Woodson's agency strikes again.
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One KU fan I know was celebrating earlier today like it was a foregone conclusion that Mgbako was coming to Lawrence.

Just goes to show….

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#104      

PepeSilvia

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PepeSilvia
IllGuardU said:
Spot on. The people who are concerned about his turnovers and tough shot selection need to realize that a large portion of those issues were because we didn’t have a true point guard.
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People keep saying this but it's not necessarily true. I know Hawkins got less playing time as a sophomore but he was playing with a real PG in Frazier plus Kofi drawing attention and didn't look spectacular offensively(honestly the offense was noticeably better with Grandison or Goode).

I think Hawkins can do a lot of things well but he's not without his flaws and boneheaded turnovers were a big part of it. The illini we're making a bit of run in the Arkansas game but Hawkins holding onto the ball on the fast break and turning it over instead of getting it to Shannon was really the final nail in the coffin that game. I think the had a chance to cut it to a one possession game but it was back to a 7 pt deficit instantly.

I'd welcome him back because he is a solid athlete with length that can switch a lot defensively. He's not really a rim protector because he doesn't elevate super well and he doesn't do as well on the offensive boards as he should because he has the bad habit of ball watching on the perimeter. He also still hasn't shot over 30% from 3 in a season so not much of a shooter though he can occasionally hit.

You're not going to find a wing that can score like Shannon while also giving you the size and athleticism to switch nearly everything like Shannon can at this point so I think transfer pg and Shannon are the two most important parts. You can get a big that can bring a lot of things to the table that Hawkins does.

Someone like Bandaogo would give you similar athleticism with more length and rim protection while being less skilled offensively. Grant Nelson if he pulls out of the draft would give you a better offensive option that's not as good defensively.

I think there's also an argument to be made that the current roster composition would make another center more important than a forward that plays on the perimeter. Sorry for the essay length post.
 
#106      

PepeSilvia

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PepeSilvia
BashCtIllini said:
I may be in the minority, but I just don't think Coleman is that good. When people were talking about him going to the NBA, I thought they were crazy. Then I checked some mock drafts and was floored to see him in the 2nd round.

What I see with Coleman is a great size and athleticism combo, but he can't shoot. There is no way to sugar coat it, 28% from 3 and 64% FT for his career, is pretty bad, especially the 3 pt %. He can handle the ball, but he also makes way too many bad decisions. He can pass, but again, bad decisions. He's not strong enough to play post defense, but he's a great help defender.

To me, if he could shoot, I'd overlook the bad decisions. If he didn't make the bad decisions, I could overlook the shooting. But at least one of those has to change. I'd imagine the NBA sees a 6'10" guy who's athletic enough to guard the 2-5, a guy who can bring the ball up the court when needed, a guy who can get to the rim. I just question, can he get the ball through the hoop enough that the NBA will have serious interest.

So in terms of Coleman coming back here, I'm in the camp of I really don't care. I'd be more than happy to have him back. I like his energy, he does have that size and athleticism combo, and he knows the system. But if I have the chance to trade for Tristan da Silva, I'm saying you should really give Europe a chance if the NBA doesn't work out. If I can get PJ Hall, we'll see ya later. If we're replacing him with someone like Bandaogo or even Grant Nelson, welcome back Coleman, we've missed you.
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Has Da Silva entered the portal? I would be overjoyed with him. If RayJ came and Shannon returned with Da Silva coming I would probably need to visit a doctor.

I think both Nelson and Bandaogo would be interesting and I think there are some arguments that either could be more impactful than Hawkins.

Bandaogo would bring a true center to split time with Dainja that doesn't really exist on the roster. Would be an athletic defender that can protect the rim, clean up on the offensive glass, and just dunk a bunch. Bandaogo would really do a lot of dirty work type stuff that nobody else on the illini really does.

Nelson is also kind of the player you would hope Hawkins turns into though maybe not quite as good defensively. Nelson is way more skilled though, better ballhandler and more aggressive getting to the rim, similar passer, and I think Nelson is a better shooter though they shot similar 3pt percentages(Nelson is a way better free throw shooter and his shot just looks smoother).
 
#107      

21ChampaignSt

21ChampaignSt
21ChampaignSt
illiniguy24 said:
You sound like my father who used to M’F Frankie Williams all the time for his show boating plays that would “drive you crazy”…would you take another Frankie Williams right now? Lol
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Oldskoolkoach said:
I'd definitely take DMFW! I'd consider Frankie...we need DMFW leadership and willingness to do whatever is asked more than we need Frankie.
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You must be illiniguy24's father. No way there's two people who wouldn't want an All American point guard on a team without a point guard.
 
#109      

Mobi

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Mobi
LvilleILL said:
Rn if I had to guess:
RayJ commits in the next week or so to Illinois
Coleman stays in the draft
Shannon comes back
We add another big in the portal once Coleman makes his final choice
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Coleman is OK with 2nd round, maybe minimal salary but TSJ wants to be a 1st rounder? That's my interpretation but I am not sure if it makes sense.
 
#117      

Old Farm Illini

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Old Farm Illini
Mobi said:
Coleman is OK with 2nd round, maybe minimal salary but TSJ wants to be a 1st rounder? That's my interpretation but I am not sure if it makes sense.
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Don’t overlook the possibility of going undrafted and signing with a team. If anything, that might actually be the best case scenario for his career potential.

Regardless of how people feel about TSJ or Hawkins being the best returner, TSJ gives the program the biggest wow factor and I’m sure that makes a difference in NIL. That video made my hyped.
 
#119      

GoodePodzMelendez

G
GoodePodzMelendez
ptgrd23 said:
Coleman and TSJ are talented players but they both have significant flaws in their games that drive me crazy. They both should return and try to address them.

On the other hand if they have not addressed them after 3 years what is likelyhood they will do it in year 4?

Coleman
- too many turnovers trying to make impossible passes
- shoot 3 pointers from more than 22 ft - he is not Stephan Curry or Luca Doncic
- does not have mid range or in the paint scoring ability

TSJ
- Cannot create his own shot
- No mid range game.
- gets blocked too easily when he drives to hoop.
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We have to look deeper than the surface. Each tried to do more than needed because we had a halter skelter offense due to a PG. Actually, Hawk has a midrange game as we saw against Syracuse. I think you put him down low instead of trying to be a point forward and you will see a midrange game. He is not a PG and like I said, he tried too hard to make a play. TJ will need to learn to not play hero ball and work within a system. He does have a midrange game but we could not create spacing to allow TJ to shoot a midrange jumper. With spacing it creates open lanes where he can get to the hole easier. Last year was a bad dream and will be corrected this year
 
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