Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

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#126      
BillyBob1
#128      
rtbritt
LvilleILL1 said:
They will get one.
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While I appreciate the optimism and confidence, we were also VERY confident that we’d land a stud PG 2 years ago, and we ended up with Ty playing the 1 (and we lucked out on Domask working out there.)

I also have confidence we will land a stud this year, as I’m aware there is a lot of time and all the potential NBA guys will come back or enter portal, but I don’t think we can say definitively that we will land a stud.
 
#129      
Govoner Vaugn Fan
I suspect the staff is holding back on committing any more NIL funds until we know for sure what the new tariffs will be on the Balkin imports. /s
 
#130      
NJB Illini
fulton steamer said:
Good grief! I could go back almost exactly one year ago , do a cut and paste and you'd never know the difference. Take it easy guys. We'll get there.
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Not trying to be that guy 😁, but last year is not exactly screaming example of success. A good amount of us were underwhelmed with the roster (in particular, the age), they weren't pre-season top-25, they finished 7th in the Big Ten, and then an early exit from the tourney. It needs to be better this time around, no excuse not to be, which I am optimistic that it will.
 
#131      
ptgrd23
NJB Illini said:
Refuse to doom and gloom this early in the offseason, but I will say this. I really, really like our core guys. Boswell, Ivisic x2, Rodgers, Mirkovic, and Davis make a great base, and unlike last year, has some continuity.
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2026 continuity - Kylan, Tomas, Ty, Jake, and Jason (3 starters) - 2.5 starters. Not bad in this portal era. Indiana has nobody returning. Iowa has nobody returning.

2026 adds thru 4/10 --- Big Z (was considered top 20 recruit when he went to KY 2 years ago, has been good but not great first 2 years), Mirkovic - equivalent rating to Tomas in Europe, 2 top 150 guards - might be able to help more than you think so 4 adds so far

Brad/Illinois recruiting brand - sent KJ and Will to NBA as 1st rounders after 1 year. Joining Ayo and TSJ.

If you are depressed think about the poor IU fans - they could have had Dusty May if they had fired Woodson 1 year earlier.
 
#132      
Tables@EddieMunster
the juiceman cometh said:
I ask this out of curiosity, not concern:

What is our backup plan if both Riley and Sarr go the NBA route?
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#133      
HailtotheChief
NJB Illini said:
Refuse to doom and gloom this early in the offseason, but I will say this. I really, really like our core guys. Boswell, Ivisic x2, Rodgers, Mirkovic, and Davis make a great base, and unlike last year, has some continuity. Seeing these 'Way-Too-Early' rankings having teams like MSU, Iowa, Oregon, Wisconsin, and Ohio State ahead of that core is pretty annoying to me, when most of them have very little right now in way of stars and worse role guys than that.

That said, what is beyond obvious to everyone is we are missing a star. If we even settle on just Sarr and some cheaper SG/CG options we will probably not be top-25 to begin the season (I know, I know, it doesn't matter, but Illinois should always be on there), or, have a Final Four contender. The staff HAS to land a Jackson, Watkins, type guy. It is early, so I would like to think we do. I know more names will probably come.

I am in the camp that I think a Riley return is very unlikely. I thought that from the jump, but seeing that most Mocks have now raised him up into that 14-18 range I feel like he probably goes. We will see 🤞
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I don't want to count on Rodgers or Davis as anything but role players and culture guys. Ty as a rebounder/defender off the bench and Jake to spot minutes, not screw up and hit a few shots. With Kylan, a scoring shooting guard, Sarr/Riley, the twins and Mirkovic that's a good start. If Ty can show more than just rebounding and defense then thats even better. We may miss Tre more than we thought if we cant add some pieces. Thats what coaches get paid to do.I hope we find a couple more quality transfers and I'm glad we have a little beef with Mirk and 6'9" 255 and an offseason to get bigger to defend the bangers in the post we struggled against last season.
 
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#134      
IlliniFan42
#136      
HailtotheChief
the juiceman cometh said:
I ask this out of curiosity, not concern:

What is our backup plan if both Riley and Sarr go the NBA route?
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They aren't the only ones deciding whether to stay or go. We will have options. I hope Haggerty is one regardless. Although I know I heard FedEx pledged I think 5 mil a year for 5 years to support Memphis NIL last season. If that is true it may be tough.
 
#139      
mysterio2525
LvilleILL1 said:
Which is why I think we end up with someone in the 1-1.5 range plus Sarr/Riley.
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Just have to hit on the 2 guard and hope to find value like Florida did with their guards this year. Domask was a steal. There is value at the end of the top 100 list of transfer portal list
 
#141      
reckejo
It was a dog fight and they had a ridiculously mediocre roster aside from Smith, Loyer, and TKR. And they beat us what, 5 times in a row before that? So yes, I think they’d kill us with a complete lineup like that unless our 2-3 is an All American level stud
 
#142      
ptgrd23
HailtotheChief said:
I don't want to count on Rodgers or Davis as anything but role players and culture guys. Ty as a rebounder/defender off the bench and Jake to spot minutes, not screw up and hit a few shots. With Kylan, a scoring shooting guard, Sarr/Riley, the twins and Mirkovic that's a good start. If Ty can show more than just rebounding and defense then thats even better. We may miss Tre more than we thought if we cant add some pieces. Thats what coaches get paid to do.I hope we find a couple more quality transfers and I'm glad we have a little beef with Mirk and 6'9" 255 and an offseason to get bigger to defend the bangers in the post we struggled against last season.
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Ty will give us rebounding and toughness we missed last year
Kylan, Tomas and Jake will be improved
Big Z will operate like Dirk Nowiztki unstoppable hitting jumpers
Markovic is a banger with offensive skills

New portal era means replace most of team every year
Compared Last year Wisconsin, MD, MI vastly improved, Nebraska, NW cratered. Illini some drop off. Still #6 seed.
Iowa, IU and Minnesota fired their coaches
 
#143      
reckejo
#144      
ColSLU69
LvilleILL1 said:
Reminder, it's April 10th. Sarr/Riley, backup guard, and a transfer two is their plan.
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I hope the "backup guard" is a Point Guard. I think the Illini would be making a mistake to go into the 25-26 season with only ONE Point Guard on the roster. Ty is not a PG. Brandon Lee is a Combo Guard at best, and he's an unproven Freshman.

I'd like to see the Illini try to get one of the following transfers:
Samage Teel, 6'2", 185 pounds Senior, Indiana State, 16.9/4.1/5.2averages, and 47.3/34.7/78.7 shooting.
Barrington Hargress, 6'0", 195 pounds Sophomore, UC Riverside, 20.2/2.3/4.0 averages, and 44.4/32.9/73.3 shooting.
Malachi Smith, 6'0", 175 pounds Junior, Dayton, 10.4/2.9/5.3 averages, and 42.4/38.3/71.7 shooting.

And the "transfer shooter" had better be a big time/starter, a shooter/scorer, or the Illini will have a huge hole in their roster this coming season.
 
#145      
ColSLU69
FI_8905 said:
The $ in the bank set aside for Will Riley and / or Dame Sarr presents challenges.

Tough to compete for top tier guys asking $3m+ and Illinois won’t overpay for second/third tier guys.
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It "presents challenges"? Or is it a "mistake"? I guess we will just have to wait a while before that question can be answered.
 
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