Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

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#251      
Haven’t really seen many people talk about the staff maybe just being ok with doing PG by committee/Ty and Williams taking over in late Dec or January when fully healthy. Could be a good growth opportunity for Ty and others.
Futurama Squinting GIF
 
#253      
I think posters on here are underestimating the benefits of bringing in a guy like Domask in place (roster-wise) of a guy like Mayer. Averaging nearly 4 assists/game is no easy feat in the college game, and its not like those numbers are one-year flukes. His assist % is roughly similar (or better) than B1G guards like Chucky Hepburn, Boo Buie, Jahmir Young, and Braden Smith, to name a few. I know that being a good guard goes way beyond just being a good passer, and I am definitely not suggesting I'm not concerned with our lack of guard play, but people on here have been acting like we'll have no means of running good sets and getting open looks. Assuming BU can get the best out of them, we should be able to mitigate some of the lack of guard depth with plus passing across multiple positions (and minus several notorious chuckers).
 
#254      
I think posters on here are underestimating the benefits of bringing in a guy like Domask in place (roster-wise) of a guy like Mayer. Averaging nearly 4 assists/game is no easy feat in the college game, and its not like those numbers are one-year flukes. His assist % is roughly similar (or better) than B1G guards like Chucky Hepburn, Boo Buie, Jahmir Young, and Braden Smith, to name a few. I know that being a good guard goes way beyond just being a good passer, and I am definitely not suggesting I'm not concerned with our lack of guard play, but people on here have been acting like we'll have no means of running good sets and getting open looks. Assuming BU can get the best out of them, we should be able to mitigate some of the lack of guard depth with plus passing across multiple positions (and minus several notorious chuckers).
I'm with you. Every year when the post season rolls around, I see guys in the smaller conference tournaments who may not have high major physical tools, but can shoot, pass, compete & generally play fundamentally sound ball. And every year I think, "we could use a guy like that". Domask is that guy. Guerrier is a solid 10 & 5 guy and capable shooter. We have some really good pieces, I just wish we had a steady PG. Would be huge if JW can stay healthy and be serviceable but that's such a question mark.
 
#256      
Any chance the smoke about Reeves and a Kentucky return has changed the staff's tune on Mulcahy? I know im repeating what 100 people have already said but... scrappy defender, solid ball handler, can run an offense and shoot even if not elite... seems like the perfect fit for a team with some strong weapons on the wing already
 
#257      
Haven’t really seen many people talk about the staff maybe just being ok with doing PG by committee/Ty and Williams taking over in late Dec or January when fully healthy. Could be a good growth opportunity for Ty and others.
Again. “Not ideal”
 
#258      
Any chance the smoke about Reeves and a Kentucky return has changed the staff's tune on Mulcahy? I know im repeating what 100 people have already said but... scrappy defender, solid ball handler, can run an offense and shoot even if not elite... seems like the perfect fit for a team with some strong weapons on the wing already
My understanding is that the staff was interested, but Mulcahy was not. Though there was some talk about how the staff should go for the hard sell no matter what because there is no risk.

Maybe that has changed. I haven't been keeping up as much recently.
 
#259      
I'm with you. Every year when the post season rolls around, I see guys in the smaller conference tournaments who may not have high major physical tools, but can shoot, pass, compete & generally play fundamentally sound ball. And every year I think, "we could use a guy like that". Domask is that guy. Guerrier is a solid 10 & 5 guy and capable shooter. We have some really good pieces, I just wish we had a steady PG. Would be huge if JW can stay healthy and be serviceable but that's such a question mark.
Yeah brings to mind some kid named Duncan Robinson, who played for Div. 3 Williams College (the Ephs) before transferring to ScUM, and then signed the largest UDFA contact in NBA history in his 3rd year in the league (5 year, $90M).
 
#260      
I have to say, for all the good Underwood has done, whiffing on Podz and not guaranteeing him legit play time for Skyy Clark/Jayden Epps to then see both of them leave is a major red mark against him. Fortunately, the transfer portal allows him the ability to cover up that screw up but it was a major screw up nonetheless. None of us saw Podz becoming the guy he became but if anyone should've known, it would've been the coaches. They saw him everyday in practice.
hindsight is 20/20. Podz did not show anything his freshman year that indicated he would develop into NBA draftee. He had a nice season at UC Santa Clara where his team did not qualify for NCAA and he only played against one P5 school CAL that finished 3-29. I think the jury is still out. Nobody could have predicted that Skyy would bail mid season and Jayden would transfer. Crazy new times with transfer portal and NIL.
 
#261      
A little off topic... but under the 'Sports Talk' segment of this site is a thread for Illini Womens Basketball. Over the past few days Shauna Green and staff have posted several pics and short videos introducing their new players and welcoming them to campus. After last years surprising success, and anticipation of an even better year this coming season. I was thinking it might be great if a bunch of folks from this thread dropped over there and gave those posts a bunch of likes to show the women that we appreciate what they are developing in the WBB program and have our enthusiastic support.
We bought 6 season tickets to show our support 5 rows behind the bench! Can’t wait for the season to start
 
#263      
Haven’t really seen many people talk about the staff maybe just being ok with doing PG by committee/Ty and Williams taking over in late Dec or January when fully healthy. Could be a good growth opportunity for Ty and others.
They very well could be ok with it, but a couple of things:

1)If you go that route, that committee needs to be reduced to one in the last five minutes of a game. We lost a lot of games due to the complete disorganization of the offense because we didn't have a guard capable of quarterbacking it, slowing things down and running their "stuff". How many times did we have situations where the ball was 30 feet from the basket with less than 10 seconds on the shot clock?

2)TSJ and CH didn't come back, for their final year, to go through another development year at that particular position. The Clark and Epps/Harris growth procedures didn't go well. Putting Rodgers into that position, given the "older" makeup of the roster, where we have one year of these guys....not a good job by the staff in addressing this and not a good situation to drop Rodgers into. There's no time to learn and grow. He needs to be on point and handle position. A point of note, the guy handling the ball late had to be able to make free throws. Do you want Harris or Rodgers at the line for a 1 and 1 in a one point game?
 
#264      
hindsight is 20/20. Podz did not show anything his freshman year that indicated he would develop into NBA draftee. He had a nice season at UC Santa Clara where his team did not qualify for NCAA and he only played against one P5 school CAL that finished 3-29. I think the jury is still out. Nobody could have predicted that Skyy would bail mid season and Jayden would transfer. Crazy new times with transfer portal and NIL.
I don't want to get back into this. Podz was behind older guys and really didn't play even 70 minutes all year and in games that is not much of a sample size or chance to adjust. Last year he clearly did.
However, I just can't sit to here and listen to how he isn't good enough or that he sucked when he was here, he played in a crap conference vs crappy teams like the St Marys, the Zags and others or he likely would've played had he stayed. Many omit the fact he showed out in the combine, showed athleticism, out jumped most and shot up draft boards. Also NBA scouts and GMs don't really know what they are doing. Why can't we admit we missed Podz last season, he made the right choice for him to leave. I am not going to diminish his talent or say he wasn't good enough to play in the B10 or a power 5 school. After the combine its pretty clear that is just not true! I wish him the best. He made the right choice given how things transpired. Good for him. Now let's move forward and root for him and the Illini without bashing Podz.
 
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#265      
hindsight is 20/20. Podz did not show anything his freshman year that indicated he would develop into NBA draftee. He had a nice season at UC Santa Clara where his team did not qualify for NCAA and he only played against one P5 school CAL that finished 3-29. I think the jury is still out. Nobody could have predicted that Skyy would bail mid season and Jayden would transfer. Crazy new times with transfer portal and NIL.
I think the evaluators who do this for a living in the NBA see Podz as a contributor and are willing to give him guaranteed money.
The jury is not out on him at this point.
He did well in the games this summer.
He didn't have a nice year, he had a great year. Pretty extraordinary really.

It was a miss by staff. It happens. Move on.
 
#266      

blackdog

Champaign
I don't want to get back into this. Podz was behind older guys and really didn't play even 70 minutes all year and in games that is not much of a sample size or chance to adjust. Last year he clearly did.
However, I just can't sit to here and listen to how he isn't good enough or that he sucked when he was here, he played in a crap conference vs crappy teams like the St Marys, the Zags and others or he likely would've played had he stayed. Many omit the fact he showed out in the combine, showed athleticism, out jumped most and shot up draft boards. Also NBA scouts and GMs don't really know what they are doing. Why can't we admit we missed Podz last season, he made the right choice for him to leave. I am not going to diminish his talent or say he wasn't good enough to play in the B10 or a power 5 school. After the combine its pretty clear that is just not true. I wish him the best. He made the right choice given how things transpired. Good for him. Now let's move forward and root for him and the Illini without bashing Podz.

Be Nice Chill Out GIF by CBS
 
#271      
The narrative went from us getting a star PG or one of many solid backup options to "Ty, our sophomore PF, can play point" really quick.

Considering the issues we had last year, this is surprising. I hope it works out and our shooting is good enough to overcome it this year. Not saying we can't make it work, just wasn't the expectation a few weeks ago.
 
#272      
Post in thread 'Coaching Carousel'
https://www.illinoisloyalty.com/post/coaching-carousel.26590/post-1629409

Just so people stop saying “no one” predicted greatness from Podz. ;)
Well I certainly didn't see it coming. I didn't see him play much. I met Podz and Goode with their families at the Pancake house waiting one morning and wished Podz a happy birthday and told them all I liked the Gold shoes Podz wore in the game the day prior. They all laughed. I am glad we still have Goode and they seem like good young men from awesome families. So I'm happy for them. I really think Goode is capable of much more but he was hurt and will be a big part of the team success. It will be fun to root for Luke as an Illini or a possible pro one day or Podz getting paid in the NBA. I know I will be. They seem like great guys so ill be rooting for both of em.
 
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#274      
Any chance the smoke about Reeves and a Kentucky return has changed the staff's tune on Mulcahy? I know im repeating what 100 people have already said but... scrappy defender, solid ball handler, can run an offense and shoot even if not elite... seems like the perfect fit for a team with some strong weapons on the wing already
I would guess the availability of a scholarship for Mulcahy and / or Reeves may depend on the ultimate status of Williams, Harmon, and Guerrier. Haven't heard or read anything solid on their situations yet..

It looks like Domask, Hansberry, Gibbs-Lawhorn, and Moretti are all on campus in summer school. And, of course, Hawkins, Shannon, Dainja, Goode, Rodgers, and Harris are all back.
 
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