I still like Coward as our SG, does everything.
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread
- Status
I feel as if we should get some kind of finders fee...I won't believe those guys or even UConn had him on their radar until we pursued him.
This is 100% on the button.
To replace guys when it comes to volume is one thing, but trying to replace an All American is a whole different ordeal. The only way that he was going to be replaced, even to a marginal extent, would have been for us to pony up the money for a "star". That's not going to happen and apparently it's limited resources that will be the culprit.
I can't put this off-season into the failure category, but there will be a LOT more questions than answers going into the season unless there's a shocking, blue chip, addition to the roster.
Is this a bubble team? Based on Torvik and any of the "current" prognostications....the consensus is that we're closer to a bubble team than a team that will be a real threat to do much of anything.
We have a recruiting class of basically one guy that could contribute and our transfers outside of Boswell and our big guy, if we're all being honest, they're role players as of right now.
I think that the powers that be didn't do a great job of market rate analysis because we haven't been close when it comes to the difference makers that could have put a dent into the TJ loss.
To replace guys when it comes to volume is one thing, but trying to replace an All American is a whole different ordeal. The only way that he was going to be replaced, even to a marginal extent, would have been for us to pony up the money for a "star". That's not going to happen and apparently it's limited resources that will be the culprit.
I can't put this off-season into the failure category, but there will be a LOT more questions than answers going into the season unless there's a shocking, blue chip, addition to the roster.
Is this a bubble team? Based on Torvik and any of the "current" prognostications....the consensus is that we're closer to a bubble team than a team that will be a real threat to do much of anything.
We have a recruiting class of basically one guy that could contribute and our transfers outside of Boswell and our big guy, if we're all being honest, they're role players as of right now.
I think that the powers that be didn't do a great job of market rate analysis because we haven't been close when it comes to the difference makers that could have put a dent into the TJ loss.
I don't think that anyone is saying that we're done adding players, but what is pretty obvious is that we're not going to land any headliners....unless we're REALLY going to be blindsided by a "star" caliber player and our ability to pay market value. That just hasn't shown to be the case.
I also think that it's WAY to premature to start calling out tournament potential because what we have coming in, outside of Boswell and possibly the big....are completely unproven to be able to play and produce on a high level team.
Torvik currently has us at #56 based on what we have. Is he right? Maybe. Is he wrong? Maybe. Until we see this group play and see who can make a jump to be a true difference maker.....we just don't know.
I think that a lot of air was let out of the balloon when it came to light that Egor was outside of the budget. That one hurt.
I also think that it's WAY to premature to start calling out tournament potential because what we have coming in, outside of Boswell and possibly the big....are completely unproven to be able to play and produce on a high level team.
Torvik currently has us at #56 based on what we have. Is he right? Maybe. Is he wrong? Maybe. Until we see this group play and see who can make a jump to be a true difference maker.....we just don't know.
I think that a lot of air was let out of the balloon when it came to light that Egor was outside of the budget. That one hurt.
Not sure that people are catching up, I think we are evolving.I don't know if it's bamboozled, but it definitely feels like where we were ahead of the curve on transfers and the portal for a couple years, other teams caught up.
Getting out bid by BYU is something though. Tough pill to swallow.
Last year we had our "worst" transfer class since the whole NIL/transfer portal became a thing based on rankings. It also was the most success we have had in the BU era. The staff isn't hyper focused on putting together a team with the most talent they can (i.e. Indiana, last year's Michigan, etc.) They are looking for pieces that fit what they want. In sports, its not the team that spends the most or has the most talent that wins. They need to be able to play together.
JFGsCoffeeMug
BU:1 Trash cans:0
- Chicago
I agree. If the last two seasons have taught us anything, it's that we cannot really evaluate a transfer class and roster until after the season is over. Splashy transfers on paper don't necessarily translate to greater success. And sometimes the whole really does end up being (substantially) better than the sum of its parts.
So...
Is there going to be ANYONE out there who is a legitimate all conference caliber player from the get go and not a guy that we're hoping we can develop?
The second question would be that if that guy is out there, can we pay them market value? This seems to be the issue or at least an issue.
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TSJ was a splashy add who was a top 15 transfer. Statistically he had one of the best individual seasons in Illinois history.I agree. If the last two seasons have taught us anything, it's that we cannot really evaluate a transfer class and roster until after the season is over. Splashy transfers on paper don't necessarily translate to greater success. And sometimes the whole really does end up being (substantially) better than the sum of its parts.
So...
We had an All American coming back(TJ) and an All Conference caliber big coming back(Hawkins). We also had guys that were here for some time(Dain, Goode, Ty, etc). That's one heck of a starting point. We didn't have to worry if they could play together. They had and were a tournament team. We supplemented those guys with the players from the portal and it worked.
We lost pretty much 95% of all major statistical categories, we have no continuity and we're rolling with guys who were highly thought of in HS, but still pretty green in college with Boswell being the exception.
We're at two TOTALLY different starting points.
Who fell into our lap because of Michigan.
In hindsight, we only needed one "very good" transfer last year, and that ended up being Domask. After him, TSJ, and Hawkins, we didn't need much from everyone else to be top 10. Yes, Domask wasn't ranked highly by the media (which I ignore anyway), but he had very good metrics. The only question was how it would translate to tougher opponents, and he held up very well.
We have a lot more to replace this year. I still don't care about media rankings, but I think we have more work to do to be top-10. You never know though
Therapeutic (first 10 min) watch on Demin
madillini4
Ozamataz Buckshank
- Millywaukee
Everyone say it with me!
My point exactly. They went looking for what fit our situation. We could have thrown a a ton of money some highly rates transfers. We didn't, we went after undervalued, older players that had played a ton of high level basketball and complimented TSJ and Coleman.
This year, we are focusing on people with multiple years of eligibility and whose talents dont overlap. Not high priced one year rentals. BU and staff clearly have a plan and are executing it
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
Demin was exciting because he's a huge talent and it would have been such a unique coup from a recruiting perspective and suggest lots of future opportunities in Europe, it was a really cool guy to be connected with and definitely one with a high ceiling even as a freshman, but the higher expected value for 2024-25 is Jamir Watkins for sure.
College basketball has been very unkind to teenagers lately, even ones with huge pro futures.
To diminish Quincy an Justin is just reckless. They are the reason we were a 3 seed and easier path to the elite 8. Be better
Along these lines, question for the insiders. With Demin, were we the first to make contact and create a path to moving to the NCAA, then once others found out it was an option, they decided to throw crazy numbers his way? Or was this always an open recruitment?
EVERYONE is a one year rental on this environment
Their is a reason Demin isn't a part of the draft this year compared to other guys that are going through that process... It's cause he ain't there yet.
GallopingGhost
- Denver, CO
Massive failure? Yeah I don’t think so.
lots of people were tepid on our adds last offseason and they ended up working perfectly together. Trust in Brad and staff and the guys he is bringing in.
in year two. He was decent in the first year, but our staff and his hard work turned him into a monster.
I would only push back on the zero continuity statement. We have a smidgen of it in Ty and even less in DGL…but we do have some.
Also, I think there was prolly more meaningful minutes played by guys that we’re counting on than you think….
BUT…the rest of it:
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Govoner Vaugn Fan
- New Orleans
It was posted that Demin had a visit to CU coming up. It that still on, or has it been cancelled?
JFGsCoffeeMug
BU:1 Trash cans:0
- Chicago
I can accept that Demin is not coming to Illinois. But if I'm one of Demin's handlers, I'm hitting the pause button and taking a closer look at BYU. There will already be challenges adjusting to college, college basketball, and being in the US. Adjusting to being at a place like BYU, with its very unique culture, is an unnecessary challenge to take on. Take a little less money to go somewhere else (like UConn, if that's an option).
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