Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

[Illini4Christ]

With our shooting range and height our offense will start with off-ball actions. It will be an interesting season to watch the offense develop. Whether it be down screens, back screens, flare screens (away from the ball) or flex screens our offensive motion through secondary sets will be evident. Stagger on one side, stagger on the other, keep it moving, man it will be spectacular.

 

[Iroquois County Illini]

I've been curious for awhile as to why Brad hasn't gone to more of zone look over the past couple years. With the length we have and the need to keep guys fresh on offense, it makes sense to use more zone. Would of loved to have seen us use a 3-2 or 1-2-2 zone last season with TSJ at the tip of the zone to jump passing lanes and for fastbreak outlets. Maybe this year we will utilize the zone more. However, hearing Tim Anderson tell Stephen Bardo, this team should be much better defensively, has me excited no matter which defensive scheme we use.

 

[jamarvelous31]

TJ says hello …

Also … I know DMFW didn’t average 6 PPG … But that kid was an absolute warrior and doesn’t get nearly enough credit for what he brought to the table …

TJ transferred in after saying no thanks supposedly twice. (Love me some Williams) but still 4 IL HS contributors in 8 years.

We have two great ones coming in, but it sure feels like that's happening because we're good, not because IL HS coaches blessed us with their players.

Particularly since we all know the Irvins can coach better than Underwood.

 

[doowink]

Will this team play defense like prior BU teams?

If they don’t…they won’t get a lot of minutes …in the college game, good defense translates, more times than not, into good offense.

 

[LadyLoyalty]

New Zealand Breakers workout

What a coincidence… I am moving to Auckland next year, specifically to the Parnell neighborhood where The Breakers home Spark Arena is located. Will be fun to see the Kiwi/Aussie version of pro (MBL).

 

[skyIdub]

Brad adding some spicy ingredients this year!

 

[jezzadownunder]

What a coincidence… I am moving to Auckland next year, specifically to the Parnell neighborhood where The Breakers home Spark Arena is located. Will be fun to see the Kiwi/Aussie version of pro (MBL).

It ain’t all that. Sorry to burst your bubble

 

[NASchamp]

After 2 years ago thinking incoming talent, NIL success and a Sky led offense was a game changer...

And then relishing last year with no name veteran transfers and unbelievable chemistry.....

I say now,... to win championships you need talent but you MUST have chemistry too.

Couldn’t agree more. The chemistry of last year’s team was what made them so much fun to watch and raised their ceiling tremendously. It’s going to be even more crucial this year and the most unknown factor going in.

Obviously, leadership matters hugely here. I mean from the player-side mostly. Having TJ and Coleman continue that culture and bring more leadership to the locker room was huge last year. We need TY and DGL to carry that through.

The other part was the older role players transferring in. They checked their ego at the door and bought in immediately. That’s maturity and just wanting to win.

Lastly, I don’t think the overseas trip gets mentioned enough for jump starting that chemistry and team building last year. We need something like that this year.

 

[nichi]

Appreciate the love but Weber desperately tried to appease IL coaches and failed. Groce too.

Underwood built a national program mostly with out of state kids & 1-2 transfers back in.

The narrative that their success is driven by trying harder in state is silly. Outside of Ayo, only Ty and Miller have scored more than 6 ppg.

The key was always to establish credibility as a national program.

 

[Illwinsagain]

So, are we still thinking that we won't officially hear anything until Saturday? There seemed to be some momentum building last night.

 

[Illini4Christ]

So, are we still thinking that we won't officially hear anything until Saturday? There seemed to be some momentum building last night.

 

[Guest]

I don't think you can keep Ty Rodgers out of the starting lineup. I think Kasparas comes off the bench and Ty starts. At least at the beginning of the year. KJ will be a freshman. We already have two kids starting (Isvisic, Riley) that have never played college basketball.

I wrote something similar a while ago with my reasoning for Ty starting, at least initially, was that he knows the system much better than others. This is his third year so he knows how things work, knows what the coaches want, etc. But I don't think it will be Kasparas who sits. I know most seem to have penciled Riley in as a starter already, I don't think he will, at least not initially, not at the beginning of the season but will probably either mid or late-season. He's a freshman and not only that but a reclassified freshman and has a lot to learn and it will take him some time to adjust to the college game. He will, however, get a lot of playing time so that, as I said, he will probably start mid or late season, if he develops as we hope he will. I know many people have opined that Riley isn't coming here to sit on the bench (not start) but I seem to remember that was said of Morez, too, and now it seems most seem to think that TI will start at center, although, Morez will get plenty of playing time.

 

[Heisenbobble]

I don't think you can keep Ty Rodgers out of the starting lineup. I think Kasparas comes off the bench and Ty starts. At least at the beginning of the year. KJ will be a freshman. We already have two kids starting (Isvisic, Riley) that have never played college basketball.

That's not happening. Kasparas didn't come here to be a bench player. I have no inside info on that, but I'd put money on it.

 

[CHK71185]

Kasparas and, if true, Riley, aren't and won't be coming here to come off the bench. IMO

 

[derrick6]

Will this team play defense like prior BU teams?

My guess is it won’t be a very efficient defense but good luck keeping up. NBA like, with one or two guys on the court that can really defend.

 

[LadyLoyalty]

It ain’t all that. Sorry to burst your bubble

I’m not too worried, New Zealand is spectacular and it will be fun to learn their top 3 pro sports anyway (#1 Rugby “All Blacks” are the national obsession, followed by Netball, which is kind of like basketball, and then Cricket, which I know little).

 

[Second place is 1st loser]

When you have a roster that has 5 guys who will be future pros… the likelihood that you’ll be good just based on talent is pretty high. You factor in a lead guard who has been a starter on top 10 teams already, workhorses like Ty, Morez & DGL, along with just the pure talent & size…. With Brad as their coach? Cmon… I think the program is at a point under Brad that he is going to win us a lot of games… go Illini.

Which 5 guys will be future pros? Are you talking about the NBA?

 

[PasadenaIllini]

After 2 years ago thinking incoming talent, NIL success and a Sky led offense was a game changer...

And then relishing last year with no name veteran transfers and unbelievable chemistry.....

I say now,... to win championships you need talent but you MUST have chemistry too.

Last year's squad had experienced leadership. This coming year we'll be relying on young players one way or the other. That's always difficult, even if the young players are talented.

 

[Mistakenj]

Kasparas and, if true, Riley, aren't and won't be coming here to come off the bench. IMO

Preach

 

[Birdus]

Groce and Weber are probably great men but Underwood's jock strap would be to much for them to handle in the NIL world.

 

[Combo]

I wrote something similar a while ago with my reasoning for Ty starting, at least initially, was that he knows the system much better than others. This is his third year so he knows how things work, knows what the coaches want, etc. But I don't think it will be Kasparas who sits. I know most seem to have penciled Riley in as a starter already, I don't think he will, at least not initially, not at the beginning of the season but will probably either mid or late-season. He's a freshman and not only that but a reclassified freshman and has a lot to learn and it will take him some time to adjust to the college game. He will, however, get a lot of playing time so that, as I said, he will probably start mid or late season, if he develops as we hope he will. I know many people have opined that Riley isn't coming here to sit on the bench (not start) but I seem to remember that was said of Morez, too, and now it seems most seem to think that TI will start at center, although, Morez will get plenty of playing time.

He hasn't committed so I wouldn't pencil him in. If we do get him, I think in all likelihood, he would start.

 

[DB11Headband]

So, are we still thinking that we won't officially hear anything until Saturday? There seemed to be some momentum building last night.

I’d be surprised if it takes that long. Was told it could have been as early as this past Sunday. I’d keep refreshing on here

 

[Sedino]

I wrote something similar a while ago with my reasoning for Ty starting, at least initially, was that he knows the system much better than others. This is his third year so he knows how things work, knows what the coaches want, etc. But I don't think it will be Kasparas who sits. I know most seem to have penciled Riley in as a starter already, I don't think he will, at least not initially, not at the beginning of the season but will probably either mid or late-season. He's a freshman and not only that but a reclassified freshman and has a lot to learn and it will take him some time to adjust to the college game. He will, however, get a lot of playing time so that, as I said, he will probably start mid or late season, if he develops as we hope he will. I know many people have opined that Riley isn't coming here to sit on the bench (not start) but I seem to remember that was said of Morez, too, and now it seems most seem to think that TI will start at center, although, Morez will get plenty of playing time.

If anyone sits for TY it would be Kasparas. Both KJ and Riley are freshman, and yes Riley is recessing but he is already 18 (or will be at the beginning of the season at least) and would actually be a VERY old freshman if he stayed in 2025.

Plus, considering what one of the insiders said a few weeks ago, BU considers TY more of a guard than a forward. Riley is more of a forward while KJ is a guard.

Finally we all know TY cannot shoot the ball at all. He needs shooters around him, and KJ is a good shooter but Riley is better. If TY starts the better fit around him would include Riley, not KJ.

 

[LvilleILL]

ILL

 

[SoILIllini]

Kasparas and, if true, Riley, aren't and won't be coming here to come off the bench. IMO

Yeah I agree with this. In my opinion, most to least likely spots for Ty to start(if Riley comes):

4
2
1
3
5

Nothing against Hum, but Kylan has HM experience at the 1, and KJ and WR come with a pedigree that tells me their starting.