Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

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#351      
PepeSilvia
Out of curiosity, anyone see any news about Jordan Lathon?

I saw he entered the portal and then nothing. Is he returning to Morehead st? I know we don't really have a spot or need for him but I think he could play in any conference in the country.

Honestly, he could probably be the best player on Northwestern.
 
#352      
AirNeazy
Doesn't take an insider to know that Epps was a loser and a team cancer. If you have eyes, you'd see how he never cheered or clapped during that comeback against Northwestern because the team did it while he's on the bench.

That's a deplorable rumor to you? The only player that showed we made a mistake in letting them go was Podz and there wasn't any shade thrown at him from a character standpoint, only that the staff thought he wouldnt be able to step up to B1G ball. Skyy, Curbelo, Miller all were "unthinkable losses" but time has proved that we were right to cut them loose/let them leave.
 
#353      
Ga65
ChiefGritty said:
To the extent there's a complaint it's the way the insider rumor mill trashes our players on the way out the door, which I have always found deplorable.

But it's not really a complaint, it's just a challenge. We've got a WILDLY talented team coming in, that is also a WILDLY young team.

The prospect of keeping major pieces together for multiple seasons is extremely exciting. But that has been a repeated problem for us.

BU gets players. If this blows up again he'll land on his feet again. But the REAL score here, the "lets talk about a National Title" level ambition, comes from retaining this core in a way that remains a question mark.

The NBA will take what the NBA takes, but we want to be a place freshmen want to become sophomores at.
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Agree with this but with NIL and unlimited transfers it seems roster churn is inevitable. This roster looks built for 25-26 to me. But hanging onto anyone beyond the eight rotational players would be rare unless they are filling in for drafted or transfers. Even then #2 player may get paid more to be #1 elsewhere. If you want “good” teams you have some flexibility, but I totally believe a Natty is Josh’s and Brad’s goal. That means “take no prisoners “ and upgrade at every opportunity. We lost guys I really liked this year but believe we have upgraded with each one. There will probably be a few like Podz that will be mistakes but the past experience has been good. Losing an assistant accentuated this years transfers.
 
#354      
ChiefGritty
Ga65 said:
Losing an assistant accentuated this years transfers.
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Yeah in some sense this has been a two-year process of system transition from Frazier to Antigua with the formalization of Tyler and Hamer as OC and DC with a new style of play, which explains a lot of that turnover and is intended and designed to stick now.

But it is intended to stick. We're not supposed to have whole new rosters every year. As long as we're winning it's all good, but it's a factor to keep an eye on.
 
#355      
hoopsfan47
ChiefGritty said:
Yeah in some sense this has been a two-year process of system transition from Frazier to Antigua with the formalization of Tyler and Hamer as OC and DC with a new style of play, which explains a lot of that turnover and is intended and designed to stick now.

But it is intended to stick. We're not supposed to have whole new rosters every year. As long as we're winning it's all good, but it's a factor to keep an eye on.
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It is a factor and the crux of the tempering of my enthusiasm for a stellar season. But that will have no effect on my fanatic support and hopes for success. Just have to prove their mettle on the court. That opportunity will come...not soon enough for all of us...but it will come and I hope it will be proven. Tough row to hoe with almost a completely new roster and no returning stars of proven productivity.

Regardless, I don't think anyone here expected the roster to be filled with the potential that exists....and this the original Assembly Hall should be filled on a nightly basis with TVs gathering countless eyeballs for every game.
 
#356      
hoopsfan47
chudaman said:
Morez says: "What?!?"
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Like most posters, I certainly hope Morez becomes an Illini and NBA legend. But that has to be earned on the court and last I checked, he has not played a minute in and Illini uniform Wish him the best and hope he achieves his dreams while I will support him all the way.

The fact is that there are 9 other players in the same boat that will get the same support. I am thankful and tip my hat to BU and staff for gaining their trust and giving us hope for a great season. But only after this season ends will we know who deserves admiration and credit for approaching our expectations...and let's hope that is all of them.
 
#358      
ChiefGritty
#359      
Bucktown
ChiefGritty said:
To put a coda on that whole thing

www.rumbleinthegarden.com

Jordan Dingle and Chris Ledlum denied injunctive relief for fifth season of eligibility

The duo are officially done with college basketball
www.rumbleinthegarden.com www.rumbleinthegarden.com

The NCAA's view on this, which was clear and consistent for once, held up in court.

Nobody got any eligibility back for 2020-21 because the clock never ran in the first place.
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This is good. At least it recognizes the NCAA has some authority determine eligibility.
 
#360      
PepeSilvia
rtbritt said:
@ChiefGritty knows why. He called this…
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@ChiefGritty

But wasn't Lathon sitting out because he transferred so therefore ruled ineligible by the NCAA?

apnews.com

NCAA, states reach agreement in lawsuit to permanently allow multiple-transfer athletes to compete

The NCAA and a coalition of states suing the organization have announced a proposed settlement of a lawsuit that would allow athletes to play immediately no matter how many times they transfer.
apnews.com apnews.com

And didn't they just announce that anyone deemed ineligible in any year after 2020 would get another season?
 
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#361      
ChiefGritty
PepeSilvia said:
And didn't they just announce that anyone deemed ineligible in any year after 2020 would get another season?
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I hadn't heard that. Link?

You are correct, Lathon was on a sit-out year as a transfer in 2020-21. As such he played four full non-Covid seasons, and is therefore out of eligibility.

Whether you were injured (Domask, Cam Spencer), sitting out under the rules at that time (Lathon), your Ivy League program literally shut down and did not participate in the season and you withdrew from school so as to maintain eligibility (Ledlum and Dingle), nobody got eligibility they weren't able to use in 2020-21 tacked on.
 
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#362      
PepeSilvia
ChiefGritty said:
I hadn't heard that. Link?
Click to expand...
apnews.com

NCAA, states reach agreement in lawsuit to permanently allow multiple-transfer athletes to compete

The NCAA and a coalition of states suing the organization have announced a proposed settlement of a lawsuit that would allow athletes to play immediately no matter how many times they transfer.
apnews.com apnews.com

It's in this article.

"Under the agreement, the NCAA would be required to grant an additional year of eligibility to Division I athletes previously deemed ineligible under the transfer eligibility rule since the 2019-20 academic year."

Lathon sat out 2020-2021 due to transferring so unless I'm missing something it seems like he would have a leg to stand on.
 
#363      
ChiefGritty
PepeSilvia said:
apnews.com

NCAA, states reach agreement in lawsuit to permanently allow multiple-transfer athletes to compete

The NCAA and a coalition of states suing the organization have announced a proposed settlement of a lawsuit that would allow athletes to play immediately no matter how many times they transfer.
apnews.com apnews.com

It's in this article.

"Under the agreement, the NCAA would be required to grant an additional year of eligibility to Division I athletes previously deemed ineligible under the transfer eligibility rule since the 2019-20 academic year."

Lathon sat out 2020-2021 due to transferring so unless I'm missing something it seems like he would have a leg to stand on.
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In theory I guess, it would depend on the fine print of the settlement I suppose.

Sounds like good news for Dain Dainja anyhow.
 
#370      
aaeismacgychel
hoopsfan47 said:
It is due to starting as many as three frosh that I am tempered in my hopes of a season that will approach last year's results. Having watched my beloved Illini hoopsters over the past 70 years, I do not recall any that have depended so much on freshmen stalwarts that have contended for a B1G title. That said, I don't recall a plethora of frosh talent at this level....and yet it all comes back to one thing...they will be freshmen. But I am also grateful for the seasoned vets in Boswell, Hummer, Ty, and White who I hope can lead these guys to a un-suspected level of play.
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As far as overall level of freshman talent over the past 30 or so years, that '02 Deron, Dee, and Augie class was obviously incredibly special. I also think that '98 class of Frank, Arch, and Damir tends to get overlooked as well.

I agree that on paper this freshmen class can become just as special, but just like the classes above they'll have some growing pains as freshmen as well as show their high potential. The thing you hope for is that you can keep them together for a 2nd season. You do that with a group of kids this talented and I think you are talking about National Title contender.

How I see it, this year is the chemistry building, getting used to B10 play, start becoming a young but dangerous team by end of season that has 2nd weekend potential. The year after though, if you keep these guys together, we might have a special special season in order. Big ifs obviously in the current NIL portal environment, but you get the buy in, that team could be a 1 seed and win a Natty
 
#371      
Illini4Christ
aaeismacgychel said:
As far as overall level of freshman talent over the past 30 or so years, that '02 Deron, Dee, and Augie class was obviously incredibly special. I also think that '98 class of Frank, Arch, and Damir tends to get overlooked as well.

I agree that on paper this freshmen class can become just as special, but just like the classes above they'll have some growing pains as freshmen as well as show their high potential. The thing you hope for is that you can keep them together for a 2nd season. You do that with a group of kids this talented and I think you are talking about National Title contender.

How I see it, this year is the chemistry building, getting used to B10 play, start becoming a young but dangerous team by end of season that has 2nd weekend potential. The year after though, if you keep these guys together, we might have a special special season in order. Big ifs obviously in the current NIL portal environment, but you get the buy in, that team could be a 1 seed and win a Natty
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There are some Illini loyalty posters who say exactly what you say about this upcoming season but I am not in that camp. I think this could become a top 4 team.

Did you watch Tom’s video clips? Kasparas‘s video clips and Will Riley‘s video clips? Kylan Boswell is projected an NBA draftee and two year starter with lots of wins and we have Big Ben who has already piqued the coaches attention over the last two weeks. Coach Underwood stated that Ben’s skills and basketball knowledge is greater than what they thought.

This is going to be a fun ride.

(By the way the last time we had a 7 foot center his uniform is in the rafters and the last time we had a special and true point guard, Darren Williams and Dee Brown, we were second place and NCAA).
 
#373      
Fan Since '70
aaeismacgychel said:
As far as overall level of freshman talent over the past 30 or so years, that '02 Deron, Dee, and Augie class was obviously incredibly special. I also think that '98 class of Frank, Arch, and Damir tends to get overlooked as well.

I agree that on paper this freshmen class can become just as special, but just like the classes above they'll have some growing pains as freshmen as well as show their high potential. The thing you hope for is that you can keep them together for a 2nd season. You do that with a group of kids this talented and I think you are talking about National Title contender.

How I see it, this year is the chemistry building, getting used to B10 play, start becoming a young but dangerous team by end of season that has 2nd weekend potential. The year after though, if you keep these guys together, we might have a special special season in order. Big ifs obviously in the current NIL portal environment, but you get the buy in, that team could be a 1 seed and win a Natty
Click to expand...
I doubt Jakucionis or Ivisic will play like freshmen having several years of high level Euro competition experience already. They will be more like sophs or jrs. Riley and Johnson will experience more freshman growing pains but benefit from sheer talent and athleticism to contribute right away and by end of season play more like like super sophs. Humichous, Boswell, Rodgers and White will play like upper classmen, while Booth, DGL and Davis may show soph leaps. Jakstys would show the most freshman limits and thus may sit out. Wondering on Davis if he may get spot minutes based on shooting ability. Pre and early season will give us better ideas on minutes status but I fully expect by end of 24-25 season the team will be firing on all cylinders and be in contention nationally. Illinois may lose it's best players after end of 24-25 season (Jacucionis, Riley, even possibly Ivisic), plus Humichous gone. So best chance for national title may be 24-25 season rather than 25-26, barring any upgrades when reloading between seasons. I look forward to 24-25 and expect this team to have many highlights and upsets.
 
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#374      
ptgrd23
Freshman starters on Illini NCAA teams from my memory. I only started watching in early 70's.

Derek Harper
Bruce Douglas, Efrem Winters
Deon Thomas (3rd place B10 Illini not eligible for NCAA)
Richard Keene
Kiwanne Garris
Frank Williams
Deron/Dee/Augie
Adam Miller
Jayden Epps
 
#375      
Fly Illini Fly!
Fan Since '70 said:
I doubt Jakucionis or Ivisic will play like freshmen having several years of high level Euro competition experience already. They will be more like sophs or jrs. Riley and Johnson will experience more freshman growing pains but benefit from sheer talent and athleticism to contribute right away and by end of season play more like like super sophs. Humichous, Boswell, Rodgers and White will play like upper classmen, while Booth, DGL and Davis may show soph leaps. Jakstys would show the most freshman limits and thus may sit out. Wondering on Davis if he may get spot minutes based on shooting ability. Pre and early season will give us better ideas on minutes status but I fully expect by end of 24-25 season the team will be firing on all cylinders and be in contention nationally. Illinois may lose it's best players after end of 24-25 season (Jacucionis, Riley, even possibly Ivisic), plus Humichous gone. So best chance for national title may be 24-25 season rather than 25-26, barring any upgrades when reloading between seasons. I look forward to 24-25 and expect this team to have many highlights and upsets.
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I don't consider Ivisic a freshman - I get he has to adjust to the college game but 21 years old...I don't see him as a freshman.

JMO...I think Morez is the freshman we should be least concerned about. He might have some growing pains, which are expected and normal...

but guys like that...his motor his physicality...just his playstyle and the way he plays overall... - I don't see him having that great a struggle and being underwhelming. The fact that he won't start just speaks to how good this team is.
 
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