Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

Status
Not open for further replies.
#777      
DeonThomas
Emerson Bigguns said:
I saw a lot of folks talking about Baylor being a better spot for RayJ to land 24 hours ago, but given the events of tonight, can anyone honestly look at their current roster and say he has a better chance of making a final 4 there?
Baylor has some quality prospects, no doubt… but…
The Illini have a bunch of grown men with something to prove.
I’d love to be a fly on the wall at the first few practices. There are going to be a couple very good basketball players who rarely break a sweat on tv during B1G season.
Consider us reloaded.
Click to expand...
ESPN / The Athletic have Baylor ranked at #17 and #14, respectively, in their way too early 2023-24 pre-season rankings. And I'm not sure we jump into the Top 15 with CoHawk and TSJ now both returning.

So I'd have to say that YES, Baylor is going to be competing for another national title. RayJ has a couple of great options.
 
#778      
St Michel
PepeSilvia said:
If I had to venture a guess.

Transfer PG - 28
Shannon - 28
Domask - 22
Rodgers - 22
Hawkins -28
Dainja - 15
Goode - 16
Harmon - 16
Guerrier -15
Harris - 10

I don't really think the freshman group of Hansberry, DGL, Moretti will really get much run unless they are way better than advertised or injuries.

Obviously I don't want to really mention it but injuries and guys getting banged up are inevitable but it is a deep and talented roster. It will cut down to a core group by March but early in the year I wouldn't be surprised to see some hockey style subs to try to keep guys fresh.

I think some of it will be matchup dependent but you have two returning guys in Shannon and Hawkins that played heavy minutes, 4 transfers that have played heavy minutes if you figure transfer PG, Harmon, Domask, and Guerrier, and 4 younger guys that have been in the program and imo flashed enough to get some playing time in Goode, Rodgers, Harris, and Dainja. With 10 guys there just isn't a ton of minutes to go around especially to the freshman though you figure Hansberry might play some.
Click to expand...
I'm wondering if BU might try the balls out press with so many good players looking for minutes. I got the impression in the past that he likes the idea but never had the depth at guard before.
 
#779      
Lee
tenaciousD said:
https://twitter.com/x/status/1664133953144385538

If you go to the Live tab on their YouTube page, you can click Notify me to tune in.


www.youtube.com

BREAKING: RayJ Dennis commits to Baylor!! | Scott Drew gets a HUGE pickup! | FIELD OF 68

Purchase your Athletic Greens here with code FIELD68: http://athleticgreens.com/field68Download the VLTED app here: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/vlted/id644...
www.youtube.com www.youtube.com
Click to expand...
Lunch Lunchtime GIF by Andrey Smirny
 
#780      
So ILL
I just realized 7 out of Illinois top 10 players are between 6-6 and 6-10 (according to what I can find). The other three are 6-5 Harmon, 6-4 Harris, who is a defensive beast IMO, and the the PG (RayJ is 6-2 if it happens to be him).

As has been stated over and over, BU learned last year he needed to get older. Well he did, with an even more rangy and athletic roster than he had last year, when that was the goal originally.

I love how deep this roster is.

I dont think we lose much when TJ or Hawk sit (the new PG might be the most important piece to this team, cant lose him for long stretches. Please note: I did not say best player on the team, I said most important). Some athleticism, sure, but we will make up for it in veteran savvy. And its not like those guys will rest when the other side’s best are crushing us. Basically we might have the best 2nd unit in the Big Ten.

If these guys take to each other well, I think we will be better than most project. And they should, I believe Domask, Harmon, Guerier came here knowing what their role would be if TJ and Hawk came back.

You cannot undervalue veteran leadership from guys that know their role. And they should be able to quell any dissent that may happen right quick from any younger guys.

Not sure where the roster goes for the 2024-25 season, but I think this season has the potential to be a super fun one! And I am here for the ride!
 
#782      
john1952
BretMyBeachHouse said:
That's one way to look at it. But if you've been an office where this type of stuff went on you'd understand that at some point people are hoping for some loyalty as well.
Click to expand...

I doubt if loyalty plays any role at all in the RayJ decision
"It's just business, its not personal."
I doubt ifthe finanical consultants which are advising CH and TS feel any loyalty.
One has to think the memories generated by competing for Big 10 and national honors may play a role
Given the massive amounts of money we are talking about for playing basketball for 7 months, loyalty tends to take a back seat
Just a thought
 
#783      
PepeSilvia
St Michel said:
I'm wondering if BU might try the balls out press with so many good players looking for minutes. I got the impression in the past that he likes the idea but never had the depth at guard before.
Click to expand...
Its definitely a way deeper team than he's had and I'm curious to see what he's going to do because he's got a ton of length and athleticism but also a bunch of guys that are capable of scoring.

It's just a lot of guys that have played a lot of basketball. Guerrier has averaged 25 mpg over and nearly 10 ppg in his career while starting for 3 years at two major schools and is slotted for a reserve role.

Domask has started 105 games, is a 3 time all conference player, and was the leading scorer for SIU since he stepped on the floor as a freshman.

Harmon played 2 years of CC then was an impact scorer for a good Utah valley team.

A lot will hinge on the PG but even without that so far I think they've done a great job of getting proven veteran guys to supplement the core and young guys.
 
#784      
john1952
So ILL said:
As has been stated over and over, BU learned last year he needed to get older. Well he did, with an even more rangy and athletic roster than he had last year, when that was the goal originally.

If these guys take to each other well, I think we will be better than most project. And they should, I believe Domask, Harmon, Guerier came here knowing what their role would be if TJ and Hawk came back.
Click to expand...
Inability to play as a team (chemisty), lack of shooters, lack of experience, and no point guard seem to have benn the major weaknesses

A strong point guard solves the chemistry problem. Agree/Disgree.

What every happened to the guy with the "mullet?" :)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back