Any chance for the Illini?
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread
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The big fish that got away? Lol
Depends how desperate a team is.
The good news for us(the fans) is that I think we're closing in on desperation. We're not there yet, but we'll be there in another week or so if we lose another target. At that point, we'll definitely be out of step with the market and will be overpaying for role players.
Let's not get ahead of ourselves and go down that path yet.
what about watkins? duke's been said to be involved here as well. we'll be out of the picture if/when we sell out 3mil on Stojakovic, no?
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It was supposed to be an interesting weekend with some good news. Must have shot ourselves in the foot again. 
Govoner Vaugn Fan
- New Orleans
Imagine a world where Illini fans nearly all stopped scrolling and posting on a recruiting forum and spent Easter with family.
Landing both Watkins and Andrej would be a dream scenario and then some. Would immediately elevate the roster to a F4 caliber team. Do we have the funds to go out and get two guys who will probably combine for over 6 million? On top of what we already have? Who knows.... probably a situation to have to go to the donors to pony up.
In any world that is possible though... would probably have to hope for the Duke/KY/LVille of the world to land other top-caliber targets to open the door just a bit.
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redwingillini11
White and Sixth
- Batavia
According to my son about 30 years ago when he was 5, the correct phrase to his older sisters' was , "You're not the boss of me!"
"Interesting"? Hmm.
We thought we had a FF4 roster this past season. We are grand canyon distance from the tier1 teams. Defensively, athletically, and oh so important. Coaches on the bench.
The same handful of teams in on these high level guys
There's going to be a lot of teams then waiting in the weeds thinking they'll be getting "bargains" on later guys. It's simply not gonna happen this offseason. Market is dictating the portal. Not programs, much to their chagrin.
There's many many programs left with as much or more funds to throw around as the Illini. I think we'll wind up with a couple mid level guys after other programs outbid the Illini for the higher end portal guys.
I think we'll look back at this and wonder why we just didn't lock down Morez (nothing against Mirkovic). Morez is/was a high end in-state college player that was committed to the program for years and like that, poor gone. I think he'll unquestionably be an All B1G guy this season if Yaxel's not there as I expect.
That we're offering Adam Miller more than Morez is freaking insane. There's hundreds of better players in the portal than Adam Miller. Hundreds. No matter what spin one wants to put on it, he's been a replacement level player or below his entire college career.
There's going to be a lot of teams then waiting in the weeds thinking they'll be getting "bargains" on later guys. It's simply not gonna happen this offseason. Market is dictating the portal. Not programs, much to their chagrin.
There's many many programs left with as much or more funds to throw around as the Illini. I think we'll wind up with a couple mid level guys after other programs outbid the Illini for the higher end portal guys.
I think we'll look back at this and wonder why we just didn't lock down Morez (nothing against Mirkovic). Morez is/was a high end in-state college player that was committed to the program for years and like that, poor gone. I think he'll unquestionably be an All B1G guy this season if Yaxel's not there as I expect.
That we're offering Adam Miller more than Morez is freaking insane. There's hundreds of better players in the portal than Adam Miller. Hundreds. No matter what spin one wants to put on it, he's been a replacement level player or below his entire college career.
Great athletic guard who played really good defense last season (voted MAC defensive player of the year). Got to the line a ton. Not the best shooter, but twice as many assists as turnovers isn't anything to sneeze at. KSU got themselves a really good player. I can see him bringing to the Wildcats a similar energy that Zakai Zeigler brought to Tennessee.
I mean... it's fairly clear the staff has big fish on their minds. You're basically just penciling in we're out on Andrej - cool ig.... only time will tell.
Your second paragraph basically proves (or disproves) your Adam Miller point for you.
For Morez - you can only control the controllables. Doesn't feel like there were enough controllables vs uncontrollables to put it on the staff in that manner.
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nobody on this staff can close a deal other then OA and geoff (only for European players). if tyler or hamer is the lead on recruitments then thats no good. no experience or connections
I dont understand this whole "lock down Morez" narrative. He was freaking locked down, in like February to a new deal. He left because his dad found more money and probably soon to be broken promises from another program. He didnt like his role, only so much you can do after that.
It seems far more likely that we're going to drop a bag of money on Andrej than we aren't based upon the words of those commenters here who are closest to the coaching staff.
But it's the last part that I feel the most differently about. Firstly, there is no earthly reason Ben Humrichous should have been playing in the high 30s in minutes early this season when Morez was healthy. Ben never brought enough to the table to justify that much tick or to justify the scraps of minutes that were left for a recruit with as much potential to develop as Morez. Was Morez making mistakes early in the season? Sure, but when a recruit has that much talent, you let him play through the early mistakes in his career. Furthermore, Tyler Underwood and Zach Hamer should never have been brought into our coaching staff. Morez hinted that at least part of why he was leaving was because he was being coached by assistants who aren't qualified to be in their roles. Brad has 100% control of which assistants he hires.
But it's the last part that I feel the most differently about. Firstly, there is no earthly reason Ben Humrichous should have been playing in the high 30s in minutes early this season when Morez was healthy. Ben never brought enough to the table to justify that much tick or to justify the scraps of minutes that were left for a recruit with as much potential to develop as Morez. Was Morez making mistakes early in the season? Sure, but when a recruit has that much talent, you let him play through the early mistakes in his career. Furthermore, Tyler Underwood and Zach Hamer should never have been brought into our coaching staff. Morez hinted that at least part of why he was leaving was because he was being coached by assistants who aren't qualified to be in their roles. Brad has 100% control of which assistants he hires.
It was obvious how much we needed him when he was out our d looked horrid
Assume the Miller ship has sailed if the staff are sticking with the take the offer or leave it by the weekend strategy?
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