Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

[EyeoftheIllini]

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.

Disappointed vs unhappy, you’re splitting hairs. Who said his priority isn’t to win? Who said he’s not trying to figure out how to help the team? As long is a player is not sulking, is working hard in practice to improve and make the team better, and is playing hard in games, I want a bench full of players who are unhappy (oh, excuse me, disappointed) with their roles and working hard to carve out a bigger one. You think DGL was happy with his role coming off the bench? I highly doubt it. But he’s worked hard and now has a bigger role. How is that a good thing for DGL but not for Ben?

I get it. People are unhappy (disappointed?) with how Ben has played. Some think he’s a mid-major player. Maybe that’s true, but right now he’s an Illini player and I support him. That doesn’t mean that I’m happy how he’s played, or think he should be starting or be happy with his role. I hope he uses that to fuel him. Now if he starts sulking or is a detriment to the team, I’ll change my opinion.

 

[the juiceman cometh]

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.

NBA teams are perfectly fine drafting a player with the expectation that a NBA strength and conditioning program can develop him in these areas.

 

[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.

This probably comes off a little bit callous.

I'm sympathetic to someone being frustrated by his own performance. I'm not sympathetic to someone feeling entitled to more opportunity despite the fact that he's been given a long leash and continued to underperform.

So I guess the fact he's unhappy is fine. But does he attribute it to his own struggles or does he blame the coaches? Those are two very different situations.

As a competitor, he shouldn't be happy coming off the bench. But the solution should be hard work to prove you belong on the floor.

 

[My2Cents]

By hard work, do you mean taking it easy a little bit on the weight lifting? "Obviously" that's what the problem is! /s

 

[ginabackes00]

This probably comes off a little bit callous.

I'm sympathetic to someone being frustrated by his own performance. I'm not sympathetic to someone feeling entitled to more opportunity despite the fact that he's been given a long leash and continued to underperform.

So I guess the fact he's unhappy is fine. But does he attribute it to his own struggles or does he blame the coaches? Those are two very different situations.

As a competitor, he shouldn't be happy coming off the bench. But the solution should be hard work to prove you belong on the floor.

I almost posted something similar such as “do better.” It doesn’t necessarily have to be hitting open threes. It needs to be in other facets of the game such as rebounding and playing his !!! off.

 

[Germanboxers]

Disappointed vs unhappy, you’re splitting hairs. Who said his priority isn’t to win? Who said he’s not trying to figure out how to help the team? As long is a player is not sulking, is working hard in practice to improve and make the team better, and is playing hard in games, I want a bench full of players who are unhappy (oh, excuse me, disappointed) with their roles and working hard to carve out a bigger one. You think DGL was happy with his role coming off the bench? I highly doubt it. But he’s worked hard and now has a bigger role. How is that a good thing for DGL but not for Ben?

I get it. People are unhappy (disappointed?) with how Ben has played. Some think he’s a mid-major player. Maybe that’s true, but right now he’s an Illini player and I support him. That doesn’t mean that I’m happy how he’s played, or think he should be starting or be happy with his role. I hope he uses that to fuel him. Now if he starts sulking or is a detriment to the team, I’ll change my opinion.

Indy Illini Fan said Ben was unhappy with the number of shots he’s getting. That sounds very much like someone concerned about what he is getting from the team/coaches, not how best to support the team winning.

Maybe it’s splitting hairs and honestly, I’ve got much bigger issues with too many players not being focused, intense and connected…competing. I also have a bigger issue with our offensive and defensive schemes. Maybe the coaches are actually teaching something else in practice and the players are not executing it? I doubt it, but if true then that’s its own issue.

I’m not one to sh#tbrick on players not making longer shots. If a player leaves it all on the floor in an effort to win, I’ll praise and support them, regardless of how they shoot. Missed layups do annoy me…those fall into the bucket of focus (most cases) in my opinion.

 

[Germanboxers]

This probably comes off a little bit callous.

I'm sympathetic to someone being frustrated by his own performance. I'm not sympathetic to someone feeling entitled to more opportunity despite the fact that he's been given a long leash and continued to underperform.

So I guess the fact he's unhappy is fine. But does he attribute it to his own struggles or does he blame the coaches? Those are two very different situations.

As a competitor, he shouldn't be happy coming off the bench. But the solution should be hard work to prove you belong on the floor.

Exactly!

 

[HailtotheChief]

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.

Ben is not our best 3pt shooters percentage wise. Will is but Ben does have a role backing up both Rez and Tomi. Its an area that BU should've added a big guy instead of the redshirt freshman imo.

 

[JKR]

Ben is not our best 3pt shooters percentage wise. Will is but Ben does have a role backing up both Rez and Tomi. Its an area that BU should've added a big guy instead of the redshirt freshman imo.

Ben, Tomi and Kasparas are ahead of Will at this point.

 

[constant lurker]

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.

A national contender? Or is your bar set at conference championships?

 

[OrangeKrush1981]

Pretty wicked. But I'll stand at that line with you: Natty or try again. (Decades of diehard Illini support underlie that.)

 

[EyeoftheIllini]

Indy Illini Fan said Ben was unhappy with the number of shots he’s getting. That sounds very much like someone concerned about what he is getting from the team/coaches, not how best to support the team winning.

Maybe it’s splitting hairs and honestly, I’ve got much bigger issues with too many players not being focused, intense and connected…competing. I also have a bigger issue with our offensive and defensive schemes. Maybe the coaches are actually teaching something else in practice and the players are not executing it? I doubt it, but if true then that’s its own issue.

I’m not one to sh#tbrick on players not making longer shots. If a player leaves it all on the floor in an effort to win, I’ll praise and support them, regardless of how they shoot. Missed layups do annoy me…those fall into the bucket of focus (most cases) in my opinion.

If Ben was told when being recruited, we want you shooting 10 times a game, told the same during preseason and the first half of the season (I remember multiple times Brad saying I want Ben shooting), and things have changed, I’m not surprised he’s not happy. But again, I haven’t seen him moping and not giving his all.

Indy also said Morez wasn’t happy coming off the bench. alluding that he might transfer after this season because he didn’t come here not to start. So it’s OK for Morez not to be happy with his role, but not for Ben? It’s OK for Ty not to be happy with his expected role to the point he didn’t even suit up this year? It’s not that I’m a huge Ben fan, but no one seems to have a problem with those two being unhappy, but, yet, Ben is labeled as not trying to figure out how to help the team win.

What I find amusing is that Ben has taken 10 or more shots during conference play five times. In those five games he’s shot 50% overall (30-60) and 46% from 3 (19-41).

 

[Yes33]

Like today, the more we play as a team, the more Ben contributes, and the more it opens it up for our other talented players. Remember, we have 8 players that can score 20 points on any given night. Basketball hasn’t changed in a 100 years, run an offense and take what the defense is giving you. Don’t force feed any one that is being overplayed. Then play some defense along with it.

 

[DevILLDawg]

I don't mean to do a "gotcha!" As I agree with what ya said.

But when you're hitting shots the green light stays on...so more then 10 shots means he's hitting and getting playing time.

When he goes 0-6...probably sees the bench before he gets to the 10 shot threshold.

However, him playing well ABSOLUTELY correlates with this team's overall success..
Especially now our wing depth is lessened with...well, whatever Tre White has going on...

 

[DevILLDawg]

Maybe Tre White AND Skyy will sit out the UCLA game at Illinois in solidarity

Or Illinois gives Monster Energy Matthew front row seats for that game

 

[derrick6]

Ben did better today.

 

[Brosky]

Well, he sure looked the part last nite against Minny. He scored in just about every possible way and made several outstanding passes. If that's the way he's going to play here on out, I like our chances to turn the ship around.

 

[Trueblue777]

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

It’s been speculated rhat Tomi’s brother Big Z might transfer here after the season.

 

[dainjazoner]

brads got this guy recruiting too?

 

[ChiTown]

View attachment 39544
brads got this guy recruiting too?

Am assuming he assigned the recruiter based on the priority of the target.

 

[Illinicpa14]

Ben did better today.

That’s the issue with the 35 3s offense - the level is totally reliant on Ben both hitting shots and not getting scorched on defense. When he’s on the heaters it works but it’s too much feast/famine.

If our tournament hopes lie in him doing that 3-4 straight games, you’re asking too much.

 

[Battle89]

Am assuming he assigned the recruiter based on the priority of the target.

Recruiting Chicago per previous posts.

 

[logjam]

View attachment 39544
brads got this guy recruiting too?

No offense but...he looks like the Smiley character from From...yikes...

 

[Bucktown]

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.

It's no so simple. Ben helps with the flow of the offence better than Quincy. He has way more assists and fewer turnovers. Assist/turnover ratio: Ben 2.0, Quincy 0.32.

 

[PepeSilvia]

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.

Don't know if he's really helped develop a big shoot but OA has been a very good developer of bigs in his career.

I don't know if he's as long but I'd like Morez to develop into a Oscar Tshebwe type player.