I’m like 75 % sure it’s over at this point. There’s still the small bit of hope that we’ll see some big names announce commitments and they’ll do well and actually want to stay but no doubt there’s that very loud inner voice that says Terrence Shannon Jr. isn’t walking through the door, Underwood is over it and next years team is going to stink. Illinois can hopefully throw good enough money at an early to mid 40 something year old coach and get to where it wants to be… you never know of course. It is what it is.
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread
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Maybe we shouldn't spend time using stupid nicknames for people who have done nothing but work hard for our program? Ben didn't decide his minutes. Ben took the shots he was supposed to take. They didn't fall as much as anyone wanted(definitely including him). But guess what? He's still here as of today. White and Johnson are gone. They had no loyalty to the program.. If you want to criticize them ok. If you want to be mad that Underwood played the guy too much that makes sense. But to take jabs at a guy who will hopefully return to give us some continuity next year shows what type of fanbase we have become. Its embarrassing.
Why is everyone so quick to give up and claim the program has no upward momentum..the portal has opened and last year our two best gets were in May and June. So there’s literally no rush they’ll get the guys. Tomi should go to the draft for feedback so if he does declare it’s a good thing. It’s not bad…
There def is something with this “meeting” though
ginabackes00
CrazedUIFan
This is no disrespect to Indy, but not having a balance of insiders due to the behaviors of some on this site can potentially skew the overall pulse on what's happening. I'm not saying Indy is wrong. I'm saying there are different perspectives each bring to the site. I appreciate them all.
I believe sharpshot, FI, DB11, and others are still here. *shrug*
It's not a good look for fans on this board to vilify Morez Johnson. Morez committed to the Illini as a high school sophomore. He was the Gatorade Illinois Player of the year his senior season and was the number one recruit from the state. He was a consensus top 30 pick from all of the major ranking sites and as a freshman in college ranked 4th in rebounds per minute played. Yet, to read the comments of many on this board you'd think he was a second rate player with no skills. I for one loved watching him play and the improvement he showed this season. I wish him only the best and will root for his success hoping that it is not at our expense. I wish things would have worked out but realize that sometimes that the influence of parents and other associates can cloud one's judgement. Yes, it is frustrating to lose him, but to rip him on this board and on social media is not going to change anything and could have a negative impact on potential recruitments.
You said it more respectfully and eloquently than I could - I typed out a reply above, and stepped away for work for a bit, but I agree 100% on this. All bring unique info and perspectives to paint a bolder picture on this forum.
I would think Brad’s motivation would be to keep his son employed. I mean if Brad gets fired, I can’t see a lot of opportunities for him.Looks like it could be a long long upcoming season for the Illini. Amazing how quickly the upward momentum of this program has come to a screeching halt.
Morez, a guy committed for years & a high motor physical beast home state kid that people root for, leaving suddenly after 1 season is devastating. Easily one of the biggest (if not the biggest) transfer losses in the program's history.
No surprise at all if Brad never recovers from this. Go look at Bill Self. He looked and sounded completely checked out all last season. As the highest paid coach in college basketball. How much is $ going to motivate a couple of 60+ year olds that are long set for life in this NIL era?
More guys will enter portal this week(s) with more teams eliminated from the tournament but ..
Orlando/Alexander (assuming they stay)and presumably another assistant (who hopefully can bring aboard new recruits this season) have their work cut out for them. JMO It's going to be a much more difficult job this offseason than last (coming off Elite 8). The perception of the program as a whole seems to be torpedoing IMO.
I can't be the only person that envisions everyone leaving. And we're left with Humbrickhouse....
Narrator: No, it won't. It's all about the Benjamins.
We've Ben through enough already. Let's get some D1 athletes capable of producing at this level.
Nothing against the kid or his effort. He's not good enough for this level. Not everyone is.
sacraig
- The desert
They certainly may have interpreted it correctly. Honestly, it probably isn't that hard to interpret: "He shot 30% from mid-range in practice so we shouldn't let him shoot mid-range in games." That's pretty cut-and-dry. And "BH is shooting 45% from three range in practice so give him all the looks in the games" is also sensible... until you have game data to show it isn't translating.
I think the moral of the story, at least for me, is that I have had my faith in the staff's judgement on things like this shaken given the head-scratching usage of BH at the expense of others. And I freely admit that I also didn't see how said "others" played in practice; I just saw how the games worked and how it... wasn't great.
skyIdub
"I can't tell you. Secret."
Same advice I give to coworkers who are looking to leave as well- don't give the company anything to use against you in the future. I learned this through a coworker friend of mine early in his career. In his exit interview they asked him seemingly innocuous questions like what company he was leaving for and what positive trainings he thought the company provided him and other employees. Within 48 hours his new employer rescinded their offer to him over concern regarding a possible conflict of interest and threats of a lawsuit with his former company and the former company also tried enforcing a clause for him to pay back 25% of his salary for the "training expenses" incurred that he admitted to receiving. Just out of spite. It was shady shady stuff.
So when I left the company all I said in the interview was I enjoyed my time there. Gave no other info. Didn't tell them where I was going other than I was leaving the state, told them that all the skills for the job I brought in with me and they didn't provide me technical training (actually true, lol). They asked if I had any other feedback for them and if I had any insight into why retention might be low and I said, "nope. It was a pleasure working with you."
Now did I have actual constructive and nonconstructive feedback for them. Absolutely. But I knew better than to say anything. My advice to anyone leaving is still to just smile, say nice platitudes, and provide no actual useful or personal feedback. Just say you enjoyed your time there and get the heck out.
sacraig
- The desert
Great name for a guard.
Rakease Passmore - Maryland Terrapins Guard - ESPN
View the profile of Maryland Terrapins Guard Rakease Passmore on ESPN. Get the latest news, live stats and game highlights.www.espn.com
sacraig
- The desert
So is it safe to assume Sarr is gone?
robertgoulet
IL Board Resident Crooner
- Austin, TX
I'm old enough to remember back to a week ago when it was "be patient don't worry about how quickly portal commits happen it's a marathon", then all the sudden today the sky is falling.
Still think he is ours as long as Riley leaves
We will be fine.Looks like it could be a long long upcoming season for the Illini. Amazing how quickly the upward momentum of this program has come to a screeching halt.
Morez, a guy committed for years & a high motor physical beast home state kid that people root for, leaving suddenly after 1 season is devastating. Easily one of the biggest (if not the biggest) transfer losses in the program's history.
No surprise at all if Brad never recovers from this. Go look at Bill Self. He looked and sounded completely checked out all last season. As the highest paid coach in college basketball. How much is $ going to motivate a couple of 60+ year olds that are long set for life in this NIL era?
More guys will enter portal this week(s) with more teams eliminated from the tournament but ..
Orlando/Alexander (assuming they stay
I can't be the only person that envisions everyone leaving. And we're left with Humbrickhouse....
And they will be able to over pay. Just like they did this year.
Pizza Hut delivery.
Wow!
!!Thanks for doing that, dude! You didn’t waste any time either…im…press…ive.
You’re a scholar and a gentleman.
I for one, find this quite useful. Thanks again.
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