Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

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#179      
LvilleILL1
ChiefGritty said:
Extremely similar bodies and games.

That said, Humrichous doing that stuff as a 21 year old in the Missouri Valley versus Mirkovic doing it at 18/19 in the adult pan-Balkan professional league are two different stories, that's true.
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They really don't have similar games at all. Humrichous cannot post up or score/finish around the basket anywhere near what Mirkovic can do.
 
#180      
HensonHall71
LvilleILL1 said:
They really don't have similar games at all. Humrichous cannot post up or score/finish around the basket anywhere near what Mirkovic can do.
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I agree he's better than Ben - even though he's shooting 27% from three in the ABA in the 14 other games in the other league they play in he's shooting 42% from three and he shot 42% from three in his U19 season, so I think he's a decent pick and pop big man. He's a much better rebounder and more physical then Ben. I'm not high on his post game though, but he's physically ready for the Big Ten IMO
 
#181      
ChiefGritty
LvilleILL1 said:
They really don't have similar games at all. Humrichous cannot post up or score/finish around the basket anywhere near what Mirkovic can do.
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He could at Evansville though.

I don't want to get wrapped around the axle here. I like the look of Mirkovic and I think these European opportunities are undervalued generally.

He's also a player that fits into the Ty-PF-Ivisic Twin puzzle.
 
#184      
thefalcon5
ChiefGritty said:
He could at Evansville though.

I don't want to get wrapped around the axle here. I like the look of Mirkovic and I think these European opportunities are undervalued generally.

He's also a player that fits into the Ty-PF-Ivisic Twin puzzle.
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This. The euro connection is clearly undervalued or at least less intense a market. I would still like to see a healthy dose of proven power conference players but having a few euros on the roster feels like a great component.

I presume hes not coming in with the same role Ben was. I’d much rather take him and let him start in the end of year Ben role and let him earn more PT.
 
#186      
phats22
Illk8 said:
That would be noice!
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#187      
NarrowJ
ChiefGritty said:
He could at Evansville though.

I don't want to get wrapped around the axle here. I like the look of Mirkovic and I think these European opportunities are undervalued generally.

He's also a player that fits into the Ty-PF-Ivisic Twin puzzle.
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I agree

Last night someone kept reiterating to me that 'Euros don't seem to translate to college well'

We did have one that didn't really work out (Zach Perrin), but by and large these guys arrive ready to contribute
 
#189      
ChiefGritty
NarrowJ said:
I agree

Last night someone kept reiterating to me that 'Euros don't seem to translate to college well'

We did have one that didn't really work out (Zach Perrin), but by and large these guys arrive ready to contribute
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It really can't be overemphasized that going from the Adriatic League to the Big Ten is taking a pretty significant step DOWN in competition level.

Not all of these guys have played meaningfully above the youth levels (KJ hadn't), but when they have that's a heck of an asset, and a type of player that wasn't nearly as tempted by college basketball in the pre-NIL days.

the juiceman cometh said:
The league Mirkovic shot 38% from the field in last year is the same one Trent went over to and immediately became a top-5 player in the league in. I love Trent, but he was never a top 5 Big Ten player. Big Ten basketball is a step up in level.
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Uh, Trent was really awesome and of course was 24 years old by the time he was over there. Mirkovic turned 19 in January.
 
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#191      
Emerson Bigguns
ChiefGritty said:
He could at Evansville though.

I don't want to get wrapped around the axle here. I like the look of Mirkovic and I think these European opportunities are undervalued generally.

He's also a player that fits into the Ty-PF-Ivisic Twin puzzle.
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I tend to agree. Euro youth leagues really work on fundamental skill development and team basketball. AAU tends to be a lot of iso-ball and focus on getting the stars their numbers to increase the profile of the recruit and the team.
Euros tend to see the game differently. The more guys like that you have the better it all works together. If we are building around Tomi, which I think is our best option at the moment, it makes sense to surround him with other guys who see what he sees.
There are a lot of ways to win basketball games. If you can’t fill your roster with blue chip athletes, you need to play smarter.
The two best international players in the world don’t look like can’t miss NBA athletes, or even anything close to it. Running and jumping is great, but it’s not everything.
 
#192      
NarrowJ
the juiceman cometh said:
The league Mirkovic shot 38% from the field in last year is the same one Trent went over to and immediately became a top-5 player in the league in. I love Trent, but he was never a top 5 Big Ten player. Big Ten basketball is a step up in level. I think Mirkovic could be a decent multi-year proposition but I just don't see how he's an immediate impact kind of guy.
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Trent was what, 24 years old?

Mirkovic was 18

I am not sold on the guy either but trying to keep an open mind I suppose
 
#193      
NashvILLe05
I don’t care what continent they’re from, I want experience and dawgs.

Could really use a commitment after watching Louisville and Michigan load up (and UM take Morez).

Trying to be patient…but not a good start and with Hamer still on staff, I’m losing confidence in leadership’s decision making. BU, please prove me wrong.
 
#196      
DewLou
Well, hopefully that money will last, because there are no guarantees when you deal with a shady program like Michigan. Rez would have been showcased at Illinois next season and would be NBA ready. None of this Will Riley or KJ stuff that they need to "bulk up" and "hit the weight room" and are being drafted pn "potential." Rez would be the real deal and get paid while getting all the minutes he could handle. That isn't to say things won't work out for him, but had he stayed, he would have had everything he needed to make the next step including a little walking around money, to quote Jed Clampett.
 
#198      
Chuck Nuggets
I don't know the specifics, but all it takes is one megarich alum who wants to win, and next thing you know you're rolling.
 
#200      
Mistakenj
Yeah, I’m not sure why they are keeping those two on staff when it’s time to recruit. Bring someone in who has the chops and get them out on the recruiting trail now.

Brad seems very checked out and it might be time to upgrade with a younger more passionate coach. The whole ho hum let’s get a bunch of soft international players who aren’t gonna be good until year three but won’t stay here schtick is already wearing thin.
 
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