Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

[Yes33]

No, and no disrespect to Lville, I enjoy his thoughts. Our offense last year had success due to two specific players strengths which helped others get good looks and rhythm. We don’t have that and haven’t had that since Brad has been here. Most of our open 3’s are from the hash marks. It’s frustrating to watch other teams get good looks and then we seem to have the high anxiety offense where you are gritting your teeth hoping it goes in, a la Will Riley fade away 3.

It would be nice to back cuts and sets other than just a dribble drive pick and roll at the top.

 

[IllGuardU]

Here's my critique of scheme- It would work if we were actually a good shooting team- but we aren't, so I see two major issues with our staff:
1) Their evaluations on individual players and offseason workouts was that we would be an excellent shooting team-They clearly got this eval wrong.
2) Now that we have AMPLE data to prove we aren't a good shooting team, darn near bottom of the NCAA, YOU HAVE TO CHANGE YOUR OFFENSIVE APPROACH.
After the 2nd half of OSU I think many of us got a bit excited because we saw what this team could be if we stop shooting 3's and attack the hoop. Unbeknownst to us, our coaching staff didn't see the same thing and game-planned against Rutgers to fire away again. At some point we have to start playing to our strengths and our coaching staff isn't currently putting players in a spot to succeed.

My frustration with Underwood is that I don't think he has an overwhelming strength: He is a solid-to very good talent evaluator and pretty good at team building, development and generally changing culture.
-He isn't an elite recruiter (he's very good and good at development)
-He isn't an elite X's and O's guy (he's average at best... In game especially)

To win the in the NCAA at the highest level a coach often has to be elite at either recruiting or coaching. And I don't see him as either of those two things. So we need staff members that can fill in the gaps with X's & O's and he just simply hasn't done that recently.

Also, while Underwood gets credit for adapting his approach based on his roster- I feel like Underwood has been a bit bi-polar with his team building. I mean seriously, how would you define our team's identity throughout his time here? I can do that to some degree in individual years but collectively our identity keeps changing. At some point you have to pick an identity and consistently recruit to that. Just my opinion.

I thought the same thing. If we go inside early, I think we win comfortably at RU.

 

[New Creation]

Here are some highlights from ND for Booth. Looks like a completely different player. I can absolutely see why someone would think this guy would start for us. It doesn't always work out the way it should work out. See e.g. AJ Storr.

He looks skinnier now than at ND.. Like his body has regressed since stepping on campus..

 

[PepeSilvia]

Did you look at the box score last game or watch it? Ben rebounded., he had as many as Rez in 7 more minutes because Rez couldnt avoid fouling, Ben played booty ball. Shot as well as anyone and defended without fouling. If we start Rez and Tomi then Ben should come off the bench in favor of Will but Ben has a role, defends without fouling, which is a lot to ask of even smaller players that we saw try vs Maryland and Ben has become a scape goat. Ben has played pretty well the last couple games. It's some others turning the ball over, taking far more missed threes, missing FTs, and rebounding less that have caused our recent struggles with Tomi out. Rez and Ben are not the cause of our recent issues winning games. Turnovers and poor choices are. Ben and Rez have both been playing better it's just Will is future a pro, playing great and should play over Ben. That doesn't mean Ben sucks. He doesn't. Rez, Tomi, and Will just need more minutes and we need a likely overmatched Ben behind our bigs because we lack depth to defend bigs in the post. That's not Ben's fault. It's Brad's fir not having a big body like Somerville from Peoria or Dain to go to off the bench instead of a 6'10" 210lb kid that would struggle.

Guerrier averaged 6 boards in 24 minutes last year. Stat line of 9.6 points on 47.6% from the field(37.4% from 3) with 6.1 rebounds per game.

Ben's line this year is 8.6 points per game on 39.2% from the field(34.8% from 3) with 3.9 rebounds per game.

He's literally just been a worse version of Guerrier and he's far worse defensively.

 

[HailtotheChief]

Guerrier averaged 6 boards in 24 minutes last year. Stat line of 9.6 points on 47.6% from the field(37.4% from 3) with 6.1 rebounds per game.

Ben's line this year is 8.6 points per game on 39.2% from the field(34.8% from 3) with 3.9 rebounds per game.

He's literally just been a worse version of Guerrier and he's far worse defensively.

It's not the same team or thing man....different players on different teams impact stats....this year's team doesn't have players like TJ, Domask, Coleman or Dain.....last years stats are meaningless compared to this year's unless it's a wide open 3...TSj and Domask were beast n made it easier man for him than it us now.

 

[Illini in Italy]

woops, wrong thread

The idiocy of some of the comments is overwhelming . . .

 

[OrangeKrush1981]

The idiocy of some of the comments is overwhelming . . .

No kidding.

 

[PepeSilvia]

It's not the same team or thing man....different players on different teams impact stats....this year's team doesn't have players like TJ, Domask, Coleman or Dain.....last years stats are meaningless compared to this year's unless it's a wide open 3...TSj and Domask were beast n made it easier man for him than it us now.

Stats can vary but it's really pretty evident just from the eye test.

Guerrier was a way better athlete, way stronger, and way better defensively (could switch, hold up on bigs, etc). That much is obvious. Guerrier was also athletic enough to pump fake and put the ball on the floor to attack the basket if guys closed out hard.

I'm not saying Guerrier was a star or anything but he was a veteran player that knew his role and executed it well.

 

[Second place is 1st loser]

depending on how this season goes, Underwood hasn't won big without at least 1 All American. I just don't think he runs a synergistic offense. He runs an offense that requires star power. When KJ was playing like an AA, we were winning.

So can we land an AA every year? Is that what it's going to take?

Are you serious with this? You mean, teams that have an AA are better than teams that don't?

Ok, well......when is the last time he hasn't had an AA? He's turned this program from a dumpster fire to an annual contender. There is no rebuttal to that fact.

The disappointment because we aren't going to be a top 4 seed is a pure testament to the expectation level that he's brought to the program. I'm not sure how old you are, but the 10 years prior to BU, more times than not, we were on the edge of our seats come Selection Sunday. Again, there's no rebuttal to that.

This year, the #1 issue is that his top four rotational pieces are freshmen. They're damn good freshmen and can be AA in a year or two, but for now..... we're getting the roller coaster, especially on the road.

This shouldn't be a surprise.

 

[DICKnaggie]

Stats can vary but it's really pretty evident just from the eye test.

Guerrier was a way better athlete, way stronger, and way better defensively (could switch, hold up on bigs, etc). That much is obvious. Guerrier was also athletic enough to pump fake and put the ball on the floor to attack the basket if guys closed out hard.

I'm not saying Guerrier was a star or anything but he was a veteran player that knew his role and executed it well.

Quincy was also a really good cutter with great feel, timing and decent speed.

 

[HailtotheChief]

Stats can vary but it's really pretty evident just from the eye test.

Guerrier was a way better athlete, way stronger, and way better defensively (could switch, hold up on bigs, etc). That much is obvious. Guerrier was also athletic enough to pump fake and put the ball on the floor to attack the basket if guys closed out hard.

I'm not saying Guerrier was a star or anything but he was a veteran player that knew his role and executed it well.

I'd prefer Ben on this team. We Re small enough already. Quincy is 6'7" 210....Ben's much better suited to guard bigs. Quincy didn't need to man. Coleman n Dain did, like I said different teams. If you think Quincy at 6'7" would be a better back up 5 behind morez and Tomi would be better than what we have behind Ben. I just think your completely wrong. Quincy isn't close to a back up 5, he is barely a 4 in the post.

 

[OrangeKrush1981]

I think it would be a very good thing, for a couple of reasons, to work in the coming year on developing some sort of perimeter game with Morez. Threes? Great, but that might be too much to ask for this year.

Elbow jumper once a game? Yep.

Jump hook, with right AND left hands? Yep.

Good for the team, good for the kid's future career.

 

[PasadenaIllini]

I think it would be a very good thing, for a couple of reasons, to work in the coming year on developing some sort of perimeter game with Morez. Threes? Great, but that might be too much to ask for this year.

Elbow jumper once a game? Yep.

Jump hook, with right AND left hands? Yep.

Good for the team, good for the kid's future career.

I agree with all of this. I don't think too much of this has much of a chance of happening as long as our coaching staff is carrying guys who aren't qualified to be in their positions (Hamer and Junior). The one positive about the Rutgers game was that Brad's body language seemed to indicate that he's recognizing his mistakes there and that (hopefully) we'll see upgrades very soon.

 

[Brosky]

The problem is the new landscape of sports. Free agency and Huge NIL concerns. I don't think we have any idea what the roster will look like next year.

 

[Brosky]

Welcome to the Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread


2025 Recruiting
1) Keaton Wagler (2025 G) committed on September 18th, 2024, signed on November 14th, 2024.
2) Brandon Lee (2025 G) committed on September 25th, 2024, signed on November 19th, 2024.

Can we find a way to bring in a quality big man (or two)?

 

[Brosky]

Earlier in the season one or more of our insiders said Will's Mom wanted him to stay for a second year with the goal of Fletching up and becoming a lottery pick rather than a late first or early second round pick. Then again, if he averages 16+ppg for the rest of the season, he might well wind up close to lottery range this year.

He's so slender and lacking in strength I can't imagine an NBA team drafting him. He needs to get stronger and more aggressive attacking the rim and finishing through contact. He needs another season and I don''t say that just because I want him to stay.

 

[CoalCity]

Can we find a way to bring in a quality big man (or two)?

NIL. Lots of it.

 

[RichardKeenesCousin]

The idiocy of some of the comments is overwhelming . . .

 

[BackThatPassUp]

I'd prefer Ben on this team. We Re small enough already. Quincy is 6'7" 210....Ben's much better suited to guard bigs. Quincy didn't need to man. Coleman n Dain did, like I said different teams. If you think Quincy at 6'7" would be a better back up 5 behind morez and Tomi would be better than what we have behind Ben. I just think your completely wrong. Quincy isn't close to a back up 5, he is barely a 4 in the post.

Quincy was significantly stronger and more agile than Ben. He probably even had about 10 lbs more on Ben. Not to say I'd want either at the backup 5 repeatedly Quincy is a better post defender option than Ben.

 

[Quixotic Illini]

Are you serious with this? You mean, teams that have an AA are better than teams that don't?

Ok, well......when is the last time he hasn't had an AA? He's turned this program from a dumpster fire to an annual contender. There is no rebuttal to that fact.

The disappointment because we aren't going to be a top 4 seed is a pure testament to the expectation level that he's brought to the program. I'm not sure how old you are, but the 10 years prior to BU, more times than not, we were on the edge of our seats come Selection Sunday. Again, there's no rebuttal to that.

This year, the #1 issue is that his top four rotational pieces are freshmen. They're damn good freshmen and can be AA in a year or two, but for now..... we're getting the roller coaster, especially on the road.

This shouldn't be a surprise.

Agreed.

Hit a rough patch aided by injury, illness and the refs at MSU. If KJ is good enough for NBA scouts to consider him as a potential lottery pick he is more than capable of getting back on track and lifting this team to some big wins.

 

[sacraig]

It hasn’t worked out for both sides this year … Ben is not very happy that he’s been coming off the bench …

He wants more shots as well … 10+ shots a game every game and he’s not been getting that here consistently …

He should try being better, then.

 

[EyeoftheIllini]

I can't see a reason what so ever a guy like BHum could be upset with his role, especially with his production for what he's been given... But, I've got to think that if he's unhappy, it seems like Tre is unhappy, we've heard Rez was at one point unhappy, Booth is unhappy, DGL was unhappy at one point at least, maybe, just maybe, all of these guys should buy into a role and this team would be good again?

So you’d rather him be happy with his role coming off the bench? If he’s a competitor, why would he be happy? I’m sure he’s also not happy with how he’s performed this year either.

If he’s still working hard and not sulking, I’d hope he’s not happy and is doing everything to work his way back into a role in the starting lineup. People on here pine for Ty, but he either wasn’t happy with the role spelled out for him and chose to not play rather than work hard to get the role he wanted and/or took the year off to work in his game and body. If the former, why is that better than Ben being unhappy but still working? And if the latter, how many people believe he’ll be on the team next year? It’s not like Ben has pulled a Skyy and left the team.

 

[Germanboxers]

So you’d rather him be happy with his role coming off the bench? If he’s a competitor, why would he be happy? I’m sure he’s also not happy with how he’s performed this year either.

If he’s still working hard and not sulking, I’d hope he’s not happy and is doing everything to work his way back into a role in the starting lineup. People on here pine for Ty, but he either wasn’t happy with the role spelled out for him and chose to not play rather than work hard to get the role he wanted and/or took the year off to work in his game and body. If the former, why is that better than Ben being unhappy but still working? And if the latter, how many people believe he’ll be on the team next year? It’s not like Ben has pulled a Skyy and left the team.

If that is what is best for the team, then yes. He can be disappointed that he hasn’t performed better, but the first priority of any member of a team sport should be first and foremost to win. Figuring out how to help the team win is THE priority of a competitor. I get that there is an ID/ego factor in all of us, but if he wants a role beyond the needs of the team, he should have sought a larger role on a team with lower aspirations.

 

[BashCtIllini]

If that is what is best for the team, then yes. He can be disappointed that he hasn’t performed better, but the first priority of any member of a team sport should be first and foremost to win. Figuring out how to help the team win is THE priority of a competitor. I get that there is an ID/ego factor in all of us, but if he wants a role beyond the needs of the team, he should have sought a larger role on a team with lower aspirations.

If you look at per minute played stats, Humrichous is pretty bad. If he is upset about his role, really hope he looks at his play and says it's on me.

He only beats Jake Davis in points per minute and FTs attempted per minute. He's only better than DGL in rebounds per minute. He's 6th on the team in assists per minute. He's not a strong defender. For a shooter, he's only 65% on FTs. So not only does he not get there, he doesn't make them when he does.

He's our best 3pt shooter, but last year we had 4 guys shooting a better %. Honestly, he's about what I expected him to be. I was hoping he'd shoot more like 38-40% from 3, but he is not a Big Ten level athlete. It's hard when the guys guarding you are just as big, but quicker and stronger.

I personally don't pine for Ty in relation to Humrichous, I'd rather have Goode back. Goode is shooting 41.3% from 3 and 90.9% on FTs.

It is, what it is. There's no need to beat up on the guy. I have a bigger problem with the coaching that said this is the right move than the kid who took advantage of an opportunity. But, the stats are not good.

 

[fuggles]

He's so slender and lacking in strength I can't imagine an NBA team drafting him. He needs to get stronger and more aggressive attacking the rim and finishing through contact. He needs another season and I don''t say that just because I want him to stay.

Wasn't the talk before the season started that skinny wasn't a problem? And people compared him to Kevin Durant. Posting numbers and such.