Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread
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I love Davis for what he is. Very solid, won’t make mistakes, can shoot.
Athletically, I have a hard time seeing him catch up. I don’t mind him getting minutes, but is he our starting 3 if Andrej gets hurt? Thats a problem, right?
I think you'd also see increased minutes for BH and Mirk, with one of them starting at the 3.
I get the concern, but you could do this with any team. There are only so many roster spots, and better players don't want to be plan B, so when injuries happen you just do the best you can. On paper, losing TSJ to suspension for about 3 weeks (and almost the entire season) was in my opinion a worse loss than Stoj would be on this year's team. But the team did the best it could, and won more games than I thought they would.
if we get him we're also likely getting his brother (PSU looks like a 5 win team this year, if that).
ptgrd23
- orange county CA
ball handlers
- Petrovic
- Boswell
- Fagbemi FR
2 G / SF
- Lee FR
- Wagler FR
- Stojakovic JR
- Davis JR
PF/C
- Mircovic FR
- Humrichous GRAD
-Tomas JR
- Big Z JR
- Jacksys
I am not worried about ball handling. I think Stojavic can take over like Domask if something happens to Petrovic and Boswell
We really needed Rogers for rebounding and defense. Mircovic or Big Z need to step up for us to think Sweet 16
- Petrovic
- Boswell
- Fagbemi FR
2 G / SF
- Lee FR
- Wagler FR
- Stojakovic JR
- Davis JR
PF/C
- Mircovic FR
- Humrichous GRAD
-Tomas JR
- Big Z JR
- Jacksys
I am not worried about ball handling. I think Stojavic can take over like Domask if something happens to Petrovic and Boswell
We really needed Rogers for rebounding and defense. Mircovic or Big Z need to step up for us to think Sweet 16
Not really. For example, Michigan had a really well built roster last year. Their starting 3 got injured, their reserves filled in well, and they finished 3rd in the B1G regardless. With our resources, our aspirations should be to win the B1G. To this end, there are really good portal options out there (Keonte Jones for example), and we should be pursuing these options and not saying, "Ah shucks. All teams have big holes in their rosters."
Agree, but sure we're not pursuing? We've heard nothing, but that's usually how its been when going international.
Maybe we aren't pursuing - the options are very limited. The guy you named has a legal cause and many teams have backed off, most others left need a waiver and aren't even eligible.
I think what would've helped is if we got Dame Sarr locked up during the season. There were rumors in February he was about to commit in the next week and what not. That of course did not happen, and word seems to be that we didn't want to take the commitment and drag it out. Would've been very beneficial because you would've been able to lock up "the guy" pre-portal and have much more wiggle room to fill out other parts of the roster (the effect of the prices skyrocketing wouldn't have been so dramatic).
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Brad Underwood Scouts Nation's No. 1 Center and Key Illini Target
On Thursday, Brad Underwood was in person to see Arafan Diane – the country's top-ranked center in the class of 2026
www.si.com
There's clearly a big difference between "they were able to replace a guy as if nothing happened" vs "the could replace any possible injury that occurs." Are you saying the same would have happened if Wolf or Goldin got injured? They still finishing 3rd?
Also, who was the 3 Michigan starting 3 that got injured?
Who said that? (and why)
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Yeah that’s the opposite of what’s been said on here. Word was that we were pushing for a commitment and Sarr kept dragging it out.
Answer to your first question: "Replace" isn't the word I would use, but Michigan had a well enough constructed roster and well enough built team to bring in someone serviceable who could keep them competitive if an injury or foul trouble occurs. Teams who are looking to compete for championships have their bases covered that way. If our only option at the 3 in case of an injury is to bring in Ben H. or Jake Davis, those aren't competitive options. Both Ben and Jake would get absolutely murdered on the defensive end by any of the top 3s in our league.
Answer to your second question: Roddy Gayle Jr.
Answer to your second question: Roddy Gayle Jr.
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Dylan Mingo's absolutely awesome.
what exactly is the deal with Jones' situation? I'd imagine if he'll get cleared would be available for a team... or if it's (legally) serious may not be on a roster at all?
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I did a search for Keonte Jones, basketball player, legal problems, and nothing came up (not surprising). There were a few articles that mentioned that Wisconsin seems to be very active in getting him to transfer to Madison. He’s from Madison, so Wisconsin may have an advantage. Also, Syracuse is interested. Since there were no hits, I asked AI and it reported, "There are no current reports or information indicating that Keonte Jones, the basketball player, has any legal problems. He has recently been a focus in the college basketball transfer portal, moving from Cal State Northridge to potentially joining other teams.” So, AI has spoken, so it must be true.
See this May 28 post:
Byron A. Jackson ...
@ByronAntJack
Alabama basketball was pursuing Keonte Jones in the portal but he has some major legal issues to overcome. One being a 1st degree sexual assault accusation with a person under 16. A lot of early pursuers have backed off on his recruitment… To be continued
8:24 PM · May 28, 2025
·
A few years ago, Jones was also involved in the death of a 55 year old homeless man. The man approached Jones asking him for money. Jones promised $6 if the man would do a backflip. He filmed the man's attempts, and on the third try, the man landed head first and broke his neck. Jones could be heard laughing on the film as he walked away and did not call for help. No crime was committed, so Jones was not charged.
Hard pass on this guy.
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Is there a "next" though? Sparse at best - if any - when it comes big ten level contributors left that have eligibility on July 12th (which is no surprise).
No doubt Jones is a pass.
If we're being honest really the main hole right now is the 4 spot. we have options - really just Ben and Mirk - but neither are that certified guy like Bos, Tomi, etc.
It is entirely possible Ben starts. Zvonimir is traditionally the backup 5 with this lineup, but maybe Brad wants to start the two bigs together. Not sure if Mirkovic is quite as experienced or polished just yet.
If I had to wager would still probably go with: Petrovic, Bos, Stoj, Z, Tomi.
It is entirely possible Ben starts. Zvonimir is traditionally the backup 5 with this lineup, but maybe Brad wants to start the two bigs together. Not sure if Mirkovic is quite as experienced or polished just yet.
If I had to wager would still probably go with: Petrovic, Bos, Stoj, Z, Tomi.
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David Mirkovic has overseas professional experience, so there's reason to believe he'll be ready to contribute off the bench. On the other hand, our backcourt is paper freaking thin right now, 1-3. We are a pair of fouls or (heaven forbid) an injury away from big trouble. We might be lucky and Brandon Lee could be the second coming, but relying on a freshman to be our biggest backcourt contributor off the bench is a massive crapshoot.
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I'd say likely at this point.
Former Glenbard West player
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