That was an unsubstantiated rumor with zero basis for credibility.
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread
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Fan Since '70
- OBS, Florida
Illinois has been outbid on several players this portal ear, even though Illinois is reputed to have as much or more money than other schools. Is this true and Illini strategy is more like "money ball" than get the best talent available at any price. I don't really know. I was hoping Illini would get an elite alpha go-to type player to round out the roster and I would feel good about it. Demin IMO, is the type of playmaker player that would play synergistically with Boswell to make the team play better as a whole, than individual players. Other alternatives are good scorers (some needing high usage ~ #shots). My feeling is if Illinois has the money, then please make a splash already and put together a Final 4, championship capable team. I-L-L
Denim’s handlers are probably thinking about which landing spot gives them a bigger cut of the rubles.
exactly the opposite of what they are probably thinking. BYU is a preferred location because they have a highly regarded NBA assistant in charge probably telling them I'm installing an NBA system that will get Egor in the lottery next year. Oh and here's a giant bag of cash.
Do you think an NBA prospect is thrilled with booty ball? Hey we're just going to clear out and let you slowly back someone down?
It's the coach and the money. The guy is from Russia. You think he's concerned about living in Utah?
LadyLoyalty
- Indian Wells, CA
He’s already used to a “very unique” culture. The Mormon regime is nothing compared to the one he’s used to living under.
Fan Since '70
- OBS, Florida
I like Demin's play making ability and shooting stroke much better than Watkins. Watkins has 2.8 Assists to 2.5 TO's and 34% from 3. Monsanto is better shooter. But yeah, Demin could be lottery pick or just merely great. Don't think he would be merely just good or okay. His skill and game translates. Now to find next best option if Illinois won't spend the money for Demin and hope he still gets Illini deep into the NCAA and is that 'missing piece' to do just that just as Brad thought.
TJ was not an All-American at this time last year. TJ couldn't go right. TJ didn't shoot well enough. TJ needed to tighten up his handles. TJ needed to play with consistent effort and not take so many quick shots.
TJ turned himself into an All-American last summer.
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
He could be on a path to NBA stardom and still be a pretty minor contributor in college basketball in 2024-25. He doesn't turn 19 until March 3, 2025.
People lose all sense of logic when dollar signs and commas are involved
ptgrd23
- orange county CA
2024 TSJ
- developed mid range jumper
- became best defender on team. Shut down other teams best player on multiple occasions.
- improved 3 point from 32% to 36%
- increased scoring from 17 ppg to 23 ppg
- Ridiculously efficient - averaged 23 ppg on 14 attempts per game, by comparison AJ Storr 17 ppg on 14 attempts per game
best and smartest hustle play in NCAA tournament vs Morehead State. Showed he is all about winning. If I am NBA team I am drafting him after doing my due dilgence.
Terrence Shannon Jr. With INCREDIBLE Hustle on this heads up play. #marchmadness | TSN | TSN · Original audio
Terrence Shannon Jr. With INCREDIBLE Hustle on this heads up play. #marchmadness. TSN · Original audio
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Didn't sleepers say in that vid that he was coming here for a visit?
Totally different. We added complimentary parts to known quantities (top 5 player in the country in TSJ, All B1G CH, plus Ty, Goode and Dain). Domask, QG & Harmon were great additions obviously. This year we have zero top tier known quantities so I think it’s fair to have a lot of questions. I don’t think it’s a “massive failure” but I understand the angst.
Brad gets paid to make these decisions very well. If this class hits it out of the park he will look like a hero on a limited budget. If not? Then it will be viewed as poor portal planning on his and his staffs part. It is going to be like this going forward for the foreseeable future?
I hope that we can land Demin, but I'm less concerned about that position than pure PG (last year) and Center (this year). There are probably 5-7 SGs out there that I believe we can sign for what we offer as in NIL and overall program. There is probably another 5 top tier types that will become available after they pull out of draft.
I think we can sign one of these top players between 750-900K. I believe Illinois has it or can come up with it.
I think we can sign one of these top players between 750-900K. I believe Illinois has it or can come up with it.
Don’t always agree with these guys but on this specific one it’s hard to argue with their point that this roster was built in reverse. You lock up your star then build the role players around him that fit now you have the rest of your roster and trying to throw money and whatever “star” is left and will probably overpay
I agree. This is totally different. I have played as many minutes of basketball with everyone on this board as our core has played together for next year. ZERO. Total unknowns is what we have. Certainly no team culture or continuity coming back.
They thought they had that with Storr. Then they didn't.
Anyone have Torvik preseason rankings since the start of the portal Wild West and how spot on they were? Not much data yet. I think projecting a preseason rank for teams that are nearly entirely new in the portal age is a fools errand personally.
Why do you assume we are going to do booty ball again? We did it because it worked for Domask. Brad is good at letting guys play to their strengths.
It depends on what bothers you.
An outsiders view of Provo: I was asked to be the head engineer on a very interesting effort in Provo at one point. Moving to Provo had me a bit concerned, so I asked to talk 1:1 with other non-Mormons at the company. They all said the same thing: Expect them to try and convert you. If you decline, prepare to be excluded from all social events and discussions at home and work. You will not be invited to anything. You will eat alone at work. Your neighbors will not acknowledge you in the street. The most positive statement from any of them was: "If you live near BYU, it isn't that bad." One had to hear the tone on "it isn't that bad" to appreciate that it was still a pretty negative statement. No, I did not take the job.
An outsiders view of Provo: I was asked to be the head engineer on a very interesting effort in Provo at one point. Moving to Provo had me a bit concerned, so I asked to talk 1:1 with other non-Mormons at the company. They all said the same thing: Expect them to try and convert you. If you decline, prepare to be excluded from all social events and discussions at home and work. You will not be invited to anything. You will eat alone at work. Your neighbors will not acknowledge you in the street. The most positive statement from any of them was: "If you live near BYU, it isn't that bad." One had to hear the tone on "it isn't that bad" to appreciate that it was still a pretty negative statement. No, I did not take the job.
Thank You. So much this. Last year, our best player and best NBA prospect ran literally zero booty ball. Brad doesn't make guys adapt to his system, he adapts to his guys (with the caveat that Brad does have general preferences for what he looks for in players in the first place - EDGs, positional size, shooting, or some other aspect that can create a matchup for Brad to exploit, etc.)
That said, it's possible someone on the team might be good at it next year and if so, we'll use it. But it's not like Demin or anyone else was going to be forced to back down their guy in booty ball just because.
2023 we were ranked 14, 2024 ranked like 28 if I remember correctly.
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