I am not posting this as a desperate, hopeful fan and I truly believe that Will Riley is gone. However, it seems odd to me that in a matter of weeks, Riley has dropped in the mock drafts as far as out of the first round in a few. The highest I could find was 17, but the average pick was around 25. I have no idea what the pay is for lower first rounders, but know they are guaranteed contracts. Just a thought.
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread
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Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
I'm hoping for a Purdue flameout in March every year until we get back to the Final Four, haha. At least IMO, we always had a decently clear edge over them as the "best program without a National Championship" until they made the Championship Game in 2023; before that, we had over twice as many Final Fours as they did and two since their last trip, and all of a sudden it's 5 to 3, with theirs being much more recent. Now, it's pretty close ... and I don't want any program ever leapfrogging us in historical prestige! All-time comparison:
Winning Pctg.: PUR .647, ILL .642
Final Fours: ILL 5, PUR 3
Elite Eights: ILL 10, PUR 6
Sweet Sixteens: PUR 15, ILL 14
NCAAT Appearances: ILL 35, PUR 35
NCAAT Wins: PUR 50, ILL 46
#1 NCAAT Seeds: ILL 4, PUR 4
Top 4 NCAAT Seeds: PUR 17, ILL 16
AP Top 25 Finishes: ILL 30, PUR 27
AP Top 25 Total Weeks: ILL 519, PUR 453
30-Win Seasons: ILL 2, PUR 2
25-Win Seasons: PUR 18, ILL 10
20-Win Seasons: ILL 38, PUR 33
Big Ten Titles: PUR 26, ILL 18
BTT Titles: ILL 4, PUR 2
Sorry for the OT post, but we need to knock Purdue back down a couple pegs, because as good as we have been in the last 5 years ... they've overall just been a tad better.
Kylan will make one of the All-Big Ten teams if he shoots a respectable percentage from the three-point line.
TheDukeUIUC
- Twin Cities, MN
Really curious what the percentages look like; a lot has been made of how expensive some of these guys in the portal are, but less so on how much it took to keep guys out of the portal. Did KB turn down 1.6M and we're giving him 1.0M, or did he turn down 2.5M and we're giving him 1.9M. Happy that he decided to say, all the same.
The amount of favortism that Izzo gets in games gives them 3-4 points each game. Take those points away and it's a different season for them
robertgoulet
IL Board Resident Crooner
- Austin, TX
Late May, eh? *checks NBA draft withdrawal date* Got it.
This is why portal rankings and portal payouts are bogus things to track. Retaining your good players should be priority #1, and those things don't figure into portal totals.
Retention totals probably won't leak as often, because there are very few parties involved and it's in everyone's best interest to keep it under wraps. When multiple schools are throwing around offers, the market gives itself away.
Illini2010-11
- Sugar Grove
Considering where we were on May 1st last year, Brad has done a fantastic job in player retention and roster construction (knowing that we may still not be done yet). There were many unknowns at this point last season (even heading into the season). Last season left a fairly sour taste in my mouth, due to injuries, etc.; it just never came together consistently. However, I am very excited to see this team play come November, and to see some of the returnees making the next step in development.
Did Hamer make it?
Why do you say late May?
On an unrelated topic, Google AI tells me this:
The NBA has two separate deadlines for withdrawing from the draft: one for NCAA eligibility and one for international players. For players who want to maintain their NCAA eligibility, the withdrawal deadline is May 28th at 11:59 PM ET. The NBA's final deadline for international players and all other early entrants is June 15th at 5:00 PM ET.
On an unrelated topic, Google AI tells me this:
The NBA has two separate deadlines for withdrawing from the draft: one for NCAA eligibility and one for international players. For players who want to maintain their NCAA eligibility, the withdrawal deadline is May 28th at 11:59 PM ET. The NBA's final deadline for international players and all other early entrants is June 15th at 5:00 PM ET.
I'd be happy for them to overtake us as the "best program without a National Championship" under one circumstance
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
Haha, touché!
I realize getting Will back is 99% not happening, but if he were to come back, who starts for this team? Is Petro 6th man?
This works for me. I’m very pleased with how this off season has played out from a roster construction standpoint. Wait for NBA Draft withdrawals. Will Riley above all else if he were to somehow withdraw.
If Will stays, I’m sure there would be others. You could swing for the fences without the worry of striking out. They’ve pieced together an intriguing group.
Could you imagine a Riley return? Not counting on it. But, just imagine.
Go Illini
Bigtex
- DFW
IMO a returning Riley would be a great fit on the 25-26 Illinois team.
Yeah I've always thought of Purdue as being a clear step below us. But sadly, I don't think that perception matches up with reality like it did 10 years.
Goillinikobd
- Southeastern US
Boy, you really climb out on a weak limb by doubting Izzy’s ability to pull things out of hats and other places
Petro Bos AS Will Tomislav
With a hella strong bench
They definitely look like the best team right now. I agree that Painter is amazing.
Going to have to be the right fit like you said. Could see them adding a depth guard in late May regardless but we will see.
As long as whoever they bring in can handle the ball. Not even concerned about playmaking or shooting, given that we already have plenty of both
This is great, thanks!
McGuppin
- Chicago via Central IL
JW and the NIL donor base has done their job and provided the resources to bring in the talent that could/should make a deep, deep tourney run. Indy, you've said it before and I think you're right: the pressure is on Team Underwood to deliver in 25/26. No excuses next season.
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