Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread
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altgeld88
- Arlington, Virginia
The fields may seem quiet, no hint of a breeze ruffling the corn, and yet far below the canopy activity abounds. We will be patient and reap a bountiful harvest in November.
Brad Underwood on Illini offseason: 'Incredible job of meeting our needs'
Illinois still not at full strength with several transfers yet to arrive in Champaign
Then there’s Jeremiah Williams. The Iowa State transfer point guard committed to Illinois on June 1 — a move yet to be announced by the team — and is coming off an Achilles injury that cost him all of the 2022-23 season. While CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein reported Thursday that Williams has yet to be medically cleared, sourcing Underwood, the Illini coach declined to comment further about the two-time transfer who would need a waiver to play in 2023-24 when asked by The News-Gazette on Thursday.
“Our staff has done an incredible job of meeting our needs,” the Illinois coach said. “That’s the one thing about the portal — it’s a smorgasbord. I can go get this and I can go get that. We tried to get older. We did that. We tried to get shooting, and we’ve done that. We’ve tried to add winners and character and all of the things that we’re about." Brad Underwood
USAFILLINI
- Florida
Brad Underwood on Illini offseason: 'Incredible job of meeting our needs'
Illinois still not at full strength with several transfers yet to arrive in Champaignwww.news-gazette.com
Then there’s Jeremiah Williams. The Iowa State transfer point guard committed to Illinois on June 1 — a move yet to be announced by the team — and is coming off an Achilles injury that cost him all of the 2022-23 season. While CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein reported Thursday that Williams has yet to be medically cleared, sourcing Underwood, the Illini coach declined to comment further about the two-time transfer who would need a waiver to play in 2023-24 when asked by The News-Gazette on Thursday.
“Our staff has done an incredible job of meeting our needs,” the Illinois coach said. “That’s the one thing about the portal — it’s a smorgasbord. I can go get this and I can go get that. We tried to get older. We did that. We tried to get shooting, and we’ve done that. We’ve tried to add winners and character and all of the things that we’re about." Brad Underwood
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
Brad Underwood on Illini offseason: 'Incredible job of meeting our needs'
Illinois still not at full strength with several transfers yet to arrive in Champaign
“Our staff has done an incredible job of meeting our needs,” the Illinois coach said. “That’s the one thing about the portal — it’s a smorgasbord. I can go get this and I can go get that. We tried to get older. We did that. We tried to get shooting, and we’ve done that. We’ve tried to add winners and character and all of the things that we’re about." Brad Underwood
I wasn't aware that Williams hadn't been announced by the team yet - we all thought Harmon was the one that was out if we do land a grad transfer PG or Reeves, but maybe it's Williams they are waiting on to see if he gets the waiver to play this year.Brad Underwood on Illini offseason: 'Incredible job of meeting our needs'
Illinois still not at full strength with several transfers yet to arrive in Champaign
Then there’s Jeremiah Williams. The Iowa State transfer point guard committed to Illinois on June 1 — a move yet to be announced by the team — and is coming off an Achilles injury that cost him all of the 2022-23 season. While CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein reported Thursday that Williams has yet to be medically cleared, sourcing Underwood, the Illini coach declined to comment further about the two-time transfer who would need a waiver to play in 2023-24 when asked by The News-Gazette on Thursday.
“Our staff has done an incredible job of meeting our needs,” the Illinois coach said. “That’s the one thing about the portal — it’s a smorgasbord. I can go get this and I can go get that. We tried to get older. We did that. We tried to get shooting, and we’ve done that. We’ve tried to add winners and character and all of the things that we’re about." Brad Underwood
I think Brad has good reasons to be optimistic about next year - getting CoHawk and TSJ back was huge, Harris and Ty will take a leap forward and we've added much needed shooting and will have Goode the whole year hopefully. We have the potential to be really good. PG is a huge question mark but they have the whole offseason to figure it out even if they don't add another player. IT's the deepest we've been in a long time - The arrow is pointing up for sure
Homecoming 2019
- Chicago
Definitely still a very positive offseason regardless of the pg situation.
That’s not at all what the statement in the article was intended to convey.
Sure, there are a lot of positives as BU said. BUT point guard was our most glaring of needs. So much so we're being mocked conference wide for our lack of PG (source, Ant Wright's humorous locked player tweet). Sure, we might have a lead guard in Shannon, a point forward in Ty, and CoHawk doing CoHawk things, but is that enough to get us deep in the tournament?
Yeah, yeah, yeah winningest stretch in the B1G over the last 4 season (hell yeah), 2* regular season titles (take that Fichigan), and a conference tournament championship (thanks Ayo), but the lack of a Sweet 16 is wearing my personal patience thin. Does that mean BU needs to have his seat warmer if no tournament run this year, I'm leaning towards a solid maybe, especially if he was sniffing around for other jobs after the 2022-2023 season.
But if PG is the main reason we struggle this year or don't make a tournament run, that blame will be placed squarely on Brad. As a BU stan, it's put up or shut up time. Get us to the Sweet 16 and end this horrible streak that has lasted a generation.
My kingdom for stability at the PG position.
Also the beginning of the end for my mental health for next year. I’m finally coming around to a PG rotation of Ty, Harmon, Harris, and DGL. That feels like it could be an average big ten PG position team.
Excited mostly to see Sinceres sophomore year growth.
Also the beginning of the end for my mental health for next year. I’m finally coming around to a PG rotation of Ty, Harmon, Harris, and DGL. That feels like it could be an average big ten PG position team.
Excited mostly to see Sinceres sophomore year growth.
I asked this yesterday but didn't see any answers to the question so I am posting this again. Does anyone know if Illinois is pursuing Jalen Rucker, the transfer point guard from Army. He started every game for them last year, led them in scoring and assists. Seems like he might be a good fit for us. Here is a link to an article suggesting that Georgetown and Maryland would be among the schools that would be a good fit for him. Article on Jalen Rucker
Good question.
Homecoming 2019
- Chicago
I really like the way this team is constructed aside from point guard (I'm not as worried about this as most here admittedly), as much as a lack of quality pg effected us, I personally think shooting was even more detrimental. I think that will improve dramatically with age and additions. I think this will be our best team since Ayo, and I'm excited to get this season started and past all this conjecture.
We should be if we aren't already. Assist to TO ratio isn't the best, and he would need a waiver (not sure if he has a good reason for one) if he can't qualify as a grad transfer, but he would at least help at the PG position, it looks like.
He can't discuss Williams just because he's committed. Williams needs to sign the financial aid paperwork before the staff or the university can discuss him. Underwood is not avoiding the discussion, he's following the rules.Brad Underwood on Illini offseason: 'Incredible job of meeting our needs'
Illinois still not at full strength with several transfers yet to arrive in Champaign
Then there’s Jeremiah Williams. The Iowa State transfer point guard committed to Illinois on June 1 — a move yet to be announced by the team — and is coming off an Achilles injury that cost him all of the 2022-23 season. While CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein reported Thursday that Williams has yet to be medically cleared, sourcing Underwood, the Illini coach declined to comment further about the two-time transfer who would need a waiver to play in 2023-24 when asked by The News-Gazette on Thursday.
“Our staff has done an incredible job of meeting our needs,” the Illinois coach said. “That’s the one thing about the portal — it’s a smorgasbord. I can go get this and I can go get that. We tried to get older. We did that. We tried to get shooting, and we’ve done that. We’ve tried to add winners and character and all of the things that we’re about." Brad Underwood
I would think the N-G reporter would know that and report it in a manner that doesn't appear to make it look like he's evading the question.
How exactly do you transfer from Army, don't you sign a commitment to service when you enter West Point?
Maybe he goes ROTC at whichever college he'd transfer to?
Other than that Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?
Exactly!
I am hoping Nico, DGL, Justin, or Sencire can come thru at PG.
Coleman and TSJ both averaged 3 apg so they look to pass. Sky was 2 apg and Jayden was 1.5 apg.
Nico was recruited as PG so he gets my vote. I would be willing to give up some defense to get somebody who really focuses on running the offense and sets up the other players for open shots. He is 6' tall so he's not a midget.
Coleman and TSJ both averaged 3 apg so they look to pass. Sky was 2 apg and Jayden was 1.5 apg.
Nico was recruited as PG so he gets my vote. I would be willing to give up some defense to get somebody who really focuses on running the offense and sets up the other players for open shots. He is 6' tall so he's not a midget.
My son’s high school teammate just transferred to Drake so it certainly happens. Not sure about the military commitment, if any.
RichardKeenesCousin
Richard Keene's Cousin
if you were to create the perfect Illini basketball player what attributes of Illini legends would you build this player from? (for example Dee's speed, Myers Length, Richards Keenes 3 ball, Derons vision, Lucas Johnson's aggression)
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
I've known Heard was a player for a long time, but this is a pretty eye popping ranking:
FWIW, he's 41 nationally on 247
FWIW, he's 41 nationally on 247
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