Illini2010-11
- Sugar Grove
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread
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Fair enough, I guess my point is I'd personally like to see a more physically explosive player at the 5...
I would be very shocked if Kalk were to go in the portal, I bet it’s NBA or back to Creighton
Isn't he the last team
and Big that beat Uconn?
Isn’t Kalkbrenner a senior about to graduate … and would therefore be a grad transfer who wouldn’t need to enter the portal (should he decide to pursue his fifth year of eligibility)? Or is that still a thing?
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Yep. Of course, Creighton hit 14 threes in that game, which helps.
DeonThomas
- South Carolina
Thanks. Nicely done. And while centered significantly around the transfer portal, this seems pretty logical to me. However, I do believe the starting PG could be just about anyone at this early stage. Perhaps Amani also plays a very big role for us.
And I foresee the offense centered around Storr as one of our top 2 scoring options in 2024-25.
I personally do not think Hawkins will be back. If he just wants a bag full of money, maybe he will be. But the other rationale posted for him to return doesn’t make a lot of sense to me. Stay and improve your draft stock? First, the act of returning doesn’t mean he’ll have a better season and/or improve his draft standing. Second, do those saying that look at the draft. I think there were 3 “seniors” taken in first round and maybe 10 in the second. Year before I think it was about 5 in the entire draft. Likely the only way he is going to improve his draft position is if he finds a time machine that can transport him back to being a sophomore while keeping the skills he has now.
The other thing that I believe is often overlooked when people say things like “why wouldn’t you just take the cash and get to stay in school” is ego. These guys believe in themselves and believe they can make it at the next level. And they’re just ready to pursue their dream rather than come back. Some may disagree with that decision, but unless you’ve been a top athlete with real pro possibilities who has worked hard to get to the point these players are at, you’re looking at this from a complete different perspective than these players are.
I hope Coleman stays if he believes it is in his best interests both from a personal and a professional standpoint. I certainly couldn’t fault him for coming back only for a paycheck, but I hope that’s not the main reason.
The other thing that I believe is often overlooked when people say things like “why wouldn’t you just take the cash and get to stay in school” is ego. These guys believe in themselves and believe they can make it at the next level. And they’re just ready to pursue their dream rather than come back. Some may disagree with that decision, but unless you’ve been a top athlete with real pro possibilities who has worked hard to get to the point these players are at, you’re looking at this from a complete different perspective than these players are.
I hope Coleman stays if he believes it is in his best interests both from a personal and a professional standpoint. I certainly couldn’t fault him for coming back only for a paycheck, but I hope that’s not the main reason.
This comment right here ^^. If Amani’s shot stays consistent and we can play him with a traditional big, we should have the rebounding advantage going into nearly any and every game next year.
IlliniTilDeath
- Chicago, IL
Not surprised on Buck potentially leaving. I feel like DGL is ahead of him and we will get talent. I’d be surprised in Nico and Dain stay too. The future is bright nonetheless. #inBradweTrust
But wait…. Remember that Amani isn’t a shooter! He doesn’t have rhythm and bounce…..
After the situation with Shannon, why would we pursue someone that has current pending rape charges against them? And the details in this one are incredibly disturbing.
I hope staff continues to focus on cohesiveness / unselfishness and not just talent. This tournament has highlighted that aspect is a key ingredient to success... otherwise, you're just Michigan.
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
Well, to be clear, these are not criminal charges, this is a civil lawsuit seeking damages.
Nonetheless I tend to agree on taking a pass, not even as a strong judgment on the merits of the case against Isaacs (which seems to be consensual sex with someone of the age of consent in both the Bahamas where the incident occurred and Texas where they're from), but just because of what voluntarily choosing a next star of the program with a sexual assault cloud hanging over them would mean narratively.
As I've been saying, Illini Nation got off miraculously easy from a basketball and public relations perspective from the charges filed against TSJ. Call it not looking a gift horse in the mouth, call it penance, call it whatever, let's let someone else deal with the questions around Pop Isaacs.
Because honestly, he has no connections to Illinois and is a terrific player who should have tons of NIL-rich suitors. If Illinois is the high bidder what does that say exactly?
Got to admit. That makes me love the kid even a bit more!
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
I don't love Storr as an NBA prospect in any event, but the big difference between him and Coleman is that Coleman has spent this season showing off exactly the skills that the NBA is interested in as a stretch big with versatility on defense (after being an enigma previously), whereas Storr spent the year averaging less than 1 assist per game and not guarding anybody.
You can always have a better season coming back. But this year the opportunity to get into a much weaker draft is probably going to outweigh that for most guys.
But what Storr needs is to be a different KIND of player. He has the physical gifts to make strides in that direction, but if he's not going to be anybody's development priority in the pros, why not take the big NIL bag and work with our staff who are going to be seeking the same evolution for him that NBA scouts are?
He might go pro anyway but I see the case for college in his case far more than Coleman.
Nothing is guaranteed, but Storr really might be the preseason BTPOY.
Counting last nights game Amani made 4 3s all season and before last night was 2 of 10. His shot and percentage with a tiny sample size is meh. He may end up being a serviceable 3 point shooter and I think he can but it is way to early to label him as our "shooter". At least he is allowed to shoot and look good last night and thats a very optimistic sign he is improving.But wait…. Remember that Amani isn’t a shooter! He doesn’t have rhythm and bounce…..
Bigtex
- DFW
Those teams didn’t have the athleticism and size to compete. Looking forward to the 24-25 version of Illinois basketball.
blackdog
- Champaign
This is like the opposite situation of RJ Melendez who shot amazingly on a small sample size and then never made them again. Obviously BU has no problem with him shooting so he has shown he is capable in practice. If he can shoot enough to stretch the defense that's all we need.
Are we looking seriously at any of the Gopher transfers. All 3 have certain skills, Christie has been mentioned as a possibilty and we showed interest in Garcia who has skills we could use and be a starter.
I hope we have a 4 that can hit around 38 to 41 percent. I want to be better than whats serviceable. I think we need that from our 3s and 4s and well as driving the ball.
Amani is looking promising and I am optimistic he will be very good one day. Hopefully next season but its always good to have experienced options while he gets better.
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ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
Yes but that team was never going to go far in the tourney the way they were built
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