Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread
- Status
Not sure where to put this but I was thinking about how similar the conversations this year are to those from 2023. I'm glad the idea that we need to improve roster construction as it relates to continuity is finally starting to gain traction. One thing I mentioned back then that is still flying under the radar is lack of continuity at the pg spot specifically. This is a total hunch, but I bet if you looked at continuity by position, continuity at the pg spot would be the most valuable. And we've had no continuity there since Ayo left. I don't think it's a coincidence that our results have been up and down since 2022.
Point guards since Ayo:
2022: Curbelo , Frazier
2023: Skyy , Epps
2024: Ty? Marcus?
2025: KJ
The earliest we could possibly have a starting point guard play his 2nd consecutive season for us is in 2026 - 2027 season. By that point, we will have gone 5 straight years with 8 different point guards. I have to believe this is unusual. Though I've done no research to back that up.
It's imperative that we stabilize this position, IMO.
Point guards since Ayo:
2022: Curbelo , Frazier
2023: Skyy , Epps
2024: Ty? Marcus?
2025: KJ
The earliest we could possibly have a starting point guard play his 2nd consecutive season for us is in 2026 - 2027 season. By that point, we will have gone 5 straight years with 8 different point guards. I have to believe this is unusual. Though I've done no research to back that up.
It's imperative that we stabilize this position, IMO.
Last edited:
would you not consider kylan a pg therefore next year would be the first year with a returning pg?
I'm not sure what to make of Kylan tbh. He seems like a pg who has been asked to play combo guard.
I could be misremembering but early in the season it seems like he and KJ were sharing pg duties a lot more. Now, I'd say KJ is our clear cut pg and Kylan just fills in during the 5-10 minutes a game when KJ isn't on the floor.
This assumes Kylan returns. If last year taught us anything, it is that you can't assume any player will return.
Dr Copejam
- The Rock
Were we unwilling to let Fears reclassify with us?
Morez, Tomi, Jake all are very likely back. I think we get one of Boswell/DGL back. Outside of that, maybe one other guy, but they want some new pieces to try and revamp the team, specifically athletically and shooting.
Where do Riley, Rodgers and White stand wrt them wanting to come back and/or us wanting them back?
Is Riley for sure gone to the NBA? Would he portal if he didn't go to the NBA, or might he stay?
Rodgers redshirted with the idea of being more ready for next year; has his shot improved enough that we'd want to keep him, if he wanted to stay?
Is White done because of the doghouse thing?
Any insight on how the staff views it? I feel like the obvious choice is DGL due to his ability to pair with a true PG from the portal.
I have seen a lot of comparisons of this team to the 2022-2023 team and how Brad was able to get the program back on track in one year. For the people that think it can happen again next year, my question would be have you considered the talent that we brought back from the 2022-2023 team as a foundation? TSJ, Hawkins, Dain, Rodgers, Goode all came back and would be considered “Everyday Guys” aka drinking the kool-aid of what BU is pushing at the time. Plus he had to hit it out of the park with Domask to really have this team be a threat.
Last week, an over/under was 2.5 guys back from an insider. Even with the above players coming back, I would argue that it falls short of the talent we returned for the 2023-2024 season. I hope I am wrong but I think we would need 2+ years to “get old” and be where everyone wants/expects to be.
That's what he said publicly but it seems pretty obvious he redshirted to maintain another year of eligibility he can use at his next destination.
Hate to say it, but at this point give me DGL over Kylan. I think Kylan has a higher ceiling but even that’s been put into question. I like DGLs aggressiveness and most importantly him having two more years of eligibility. I think he’s earned a starting role on next years team, which almost certainly means no Kylan.
Indy did Dame Sarr get put on hold by BU or his European handlers. Interesting timing.
Would love to see Ty in that group. He was much-needed this year. Unless there's a new coach, I don't see DGL coming back. I think KB will be back.
Sorry... we need guys who you have to guard past twelve feet. We realistically only have two this year - KJ and Will. Adding to the nightmare that already is won't help.
I'd much rather have Kylan and it's not closem Kylan us much stronger, better defender, ball handler, more experienced and steady. DGL is a role player maybe a starter but Kylan could be All B10 and is still just 19.
Will is a better defender than Ty?
Yeah, that people keep bringing up his name is pretty funny.
Kylan has been gettin smacked around on here. I’ve seen at least one poster refer to him as a bust. I’m not sure what people’s expectations were for him (yes, I know, certainly not 22% from 3) or maybe I just have a different definition of bust. Outside of shooting, his numbers are pretty similar to last year’s. Certainly a step forward would have been nice, but his counting stat numbers are on par.
What seems to get lost because of his huge decline in 3-pt shooting percentage is despite that decline he’s averaging 11.0 ppg compared to 9.6 ppg last year. How is he doing that? Shooting more? Not really. Last year he averaged 8.77 FGA per game. This year he’s at 8.78 FGA. No, how he has done it is to raise his 2-pt FG% to 50.7% from 41.5%. And that has been a direct result of taking it to the hoop a lot more. Another direct result of that aggressive play has been he has already shot and made more than 3 times as many free throws. That’s a very good thing for a career 80% shooter from line.
Kylan was a 38% shooter from 3 during his first two years. I don’t know why the big troubles from 3 — problem with mechanics, nagging injury, who knows. But no reason to think he can’t get back to where he was in that area of the game. Given the kind of defense he plays and the expansion of his game to include getting to the rim, I don’t know how anyone would not want him back unless they expected a 20 and 8 guy this year.
Last edited:
Sarr very good pickup…… Kostic great pickup!
I assume that would take us out of the Constanza sweepstakes if kostic cost as much as rumored
His price has gone down a bit due to his club releasing him for less than was expected, so it could be possible to get all three.
another team built around young 1 and done players... not sure if I agree with that.
- Status