Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread
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If we can pay the premium, I'm sure they'd love to have those types of adds.
Great! Summer is coming ...
Does he have a "killer's mentality?" I certainly hope so.
Does this recruiting thread include news regarding re-recruiting eligible members of our current roster?
If so: I am looking forward to hearing good news about David Mirkovic, Jake Davis, Brandon Lee. Maybe Big Z, though that's complicated if his brother goes pro or together the twins can get more money from another team than the Illini can offer.
I hope Andrej wants to return, too, and work his rear end off on the things that are obvious: defense, 3-point shooting, facilitation. But he is well-travelled and I wonder if may choose to add more mileage to his resume rather than staying in Champaign to work on his, and the team's, betterment.
If so: I am looking forward to hearing good news about David Mirkovic, Jake Davis, Brandon Lee. Maybe Big Z, though that's complicated if his brother goes pro or together the twins can get more money from another team than the Illini can offer.
I hope Andrej wants to return, too, and work his rear end off on the things that are obvious: defense, 3-point shooting, facilitation. But he is well-travelled and I wonder if may choose to add more mileage to his resume rather than staying in Champaign to work on his, and the team's, betterment.
Tomi has zero shot of playing in NBA but if he's ready to play back home, that's an option
If he wants the most money, it's probably still college ball even if he's destroyed his NIL ceiling next season with the season he's has.
It was a no doubt to bring back Tomi & Z next season, and probably would still bring back (mainly for Z) but it's certainly begs question if they want a better athlete than Tomi at 5 next to Mirk next season.
Tomi's looked plodding and lifeless all season
I think Andrej is a goner. Probably best for both parties. The offense won't be running through him if Mirk returns and I'm sure there's another program that'll give him that luxury.
No one is obviously a lock to be back next season but Mirk/Jake seem the most likely
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They might be the only two to return.
I agree about Tomi and the NBA. "Going pro" these days seems to include, for the most part, the G League and Europe or anywhere a young guy can make some money playing basketball. (But somehow, NCAA basketball is not "going pro."
)"We got to have someone nasty enough and give a !!!! enough that want to go grab a rebound. It's very frustrating." -- Brad Underwood, March 13, 2026
I strongly hope Underwood pulls in one or two player's with the attitude and ability that he describes above for the coming Year 10 of his era as Illinois' head coach.
I strongly hope Underwood pulls in one or two player's with the attitude and ability that he describes above for the coming Year 10 of his era as Illinois' head coach.
I'm curious if Andrej heads back west. Would he go to UCLA and play for Cronin if he wants tough coaching? Or would he try for a softer conference?
Prep, portal, or Euro?
I sat next to an NBA GM at a game last year and he absolutely loved Tomi’s game. I would have bet money that team would take him at least in the second round. But Tomi has been a shell of himself this year, so I agree he’s fallen off draft boards … barring a massive turnaround in the NCAAs he’s in college or Europe next year.I agree about Tomi and the NBA. "Going pro" these days seems to include, for the most part, the G League and Europe or anywhere a young guy can make some money playing basketball. (But somehow, NCAA basketball is not "going pro."
I have a question for the insiders. In a recent article, it said that the same agent represents Tomi, Z, Petro, and Mirk. Are we still good with that agent? How much influence do agent have on player destinations?
Maybe a hot take … Maybe not …
They’re the only two guys I want back that played this season …
Obviously if Ty wants to be here … He’s earned his spot …
Maybe a hot take … Maybe not …
They’re the only two guys I want back that played this season …
Obviously if Ty wants to be here … He’s earned his spot …
“Realistic” guys I assume, right? Educated guess on Mirk and Jake.
Personally, I’d take Z back if he’d be happy with a backup role. Would also take Lee back if wants to fight for his spot. I’ll take ben back again if he has eligibility
illiniswish09
- Northwest Suburbs
I don’t mind Z in the role he’s been in. But the play from Tomi this year has been flat out unacceptable. His last 4 games have been disgusting. Essentially averaging 5 points and 4 rebounds. Looks disengaged. Would love your honest thoughts on him this season and what you’re thinking moving forward… If there was one guy I had to put money on that would be All B1G before the season it would have been Tomi. He’s been nowhere close to that.Maybe a hot take … Maybe not …
They’re the only two guys I want back that played this season …
Obviously if Ty wants to be here … He’s earned his spot …
illiniswish09
- Northwest Suburbs
And what’s the identity of this program? What do we hang our hat on? We used to have tough MFers. Trent, DMFW, Feliz, Ayo, TSJ… Where are the DOGS at???
I really like Z. He doesn't get stats for the altered shots on defense. He's good for 2-3 dunks and 2-3 rebounds a game in limited minutes. He doesn't turn the ball over. He rebounds. Maybe most importantly he's the only mean dude on the team! Tomi has lost all confidence. I remember seeing a metric a few weeks back that Mirk, Wagler, and Z were the 3rd best trio in all college basketball. Big Z and Mirk would be my priorities to bring back for sure (I also like Jake and welcome Ty). But we need another inside presence/enforcer to rotate in and out with Z instead of Tomi. This way we always have a paint/rim protector. When Z isn't in the game we give up points like that's what we want to be doing. I'm cool with guys that all shoot 3s, but we need more dogs/rim protectors/and honestly just mean tough SOBs.
I feel like bringing the twins back raises our floor but lowers our ceiling. So I would be fine with both being gone. I don’t think that style of play (perimeter oriented soft bigs) works against the top teams.
I hope Davis/Mirk/Lee all come back. I think Mirk can have a monster year next season. To me he’s a George Niang. He can break a ton of records at Illinois if he stays all 4 years.
I assume Andres will go to the highest bidder which won’t be us so happy trails to him. I think if Underwood ran a different offense he would fit better but I just think Brad has lost most of his faith in him.
Petro I assume is gone too.
Illinois should have plenty of $$$$ available if Andres/Petro/Boswell/Tomi/Z off the books.
Let’s hope Morillo or Brown can contribute next year they may need too.
I have given my honest thoughts all season …
There’s not a single thing that he does well … He doesn’t rebound … He doesn’t defend … He takes bad shots … He’s somehow gotten worse ?
And I constantly have to question his effort …
And if I have to do that … That guy does not belong in this program … It’s truly that simple …
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