Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

[FightinIllini30]

Your first point is the biggest reason you bring him back. If Zvonimir returning pretty much guarantees you get Tomislav to return, you almost have to do it.

Just pointing out that you may be paying a lot of money for minimal production. He played 6 minutes more than me against Connecticut. That says a lot.

Hopefully there is improvement in year 2 if it happens. Certainly possible.

I am very glad that we don’t have a staff that uses this logic…

Using his worst game of the season (in a game where almost everyone was bad) to claim that he had no production is crazy but again it doesn’t matter because the staff rightfully disagrees with your take on his value

 

[Fly Illini Fly!]

sounds good:

https://twitter.com/x/status/2040968760849305701

THIS IS NOT me saying Zvonimir isn't coming back. I just hate when media guys do this. It's his personal decision and many factors go into it.

The guy straight up asks him "you're not done, right?" in the midst of a normal conversation. And then clipboards his 12 second response onto twitter.

Say for instance a guy IS entertaining the idea of leaving... what else do you think he's going to say? It's just silly.

 

[GrayGhost77]

REALLY want Andrej back. He went from a guy I barely trusted with the ball earlier in the season to a stone cold assassin through the tourney run. If he stays he will be a monster for us next year, ESPECIALLY if his outside shot improves, which I think it will.

 

[RedGrangeHelmet]

I love this board . Brad Underwood makes the Jim Jones kool aid and the people on this board lap it up. Keaton Wagler is a once in a generation NBA First round lottery pick that Illinois lucked up on . Nobody we get next season or that stays is going to Better than Keaton Wagler. If it wasn’t for Keaton being who he is this season would have been crap. I don’t know how people are so blind they can’t see that. None of the guys except for maybe Mirk and AndreJ are worth retaining.

 

[BillyBob1]

It was a favor with Misko. One that will be beneficial down the line.

Sounds like Miskois our WWW!

 

[nichi]

, but the staff will push for him being back.

Brandon Lee, M Petrovic, Bilcic, Ty, and JJ: I expect at least three of those guys to be heading out. Out of this list, Ty and JJ would be my guess as to who stays, but could go any way.

Blake Fagbemi?

 

[WeWillWhen]

Okay, here we go. Things are going to heat up very quickly here. The expected budget has varied from what information I have, my most informed guess is in the 14-15 million range (4-5 more than last year).

Let's start with the returners that are possible-staff meetings start tomorrow and should be done soon:
1) David Mirkovic: This one is pretty simple. I could see an outside chance that he goes through the draft process, but it would be pretty shocking if he ends up anywhere but in Champaign. Will be a pillar of the team next year.
2) Tomislav and Zvonomir: Both these guys have decisions to make, but the staff will push to retain both. I think we can.
3) Jake Davis: I expect him back. Won't cost too much and is a good role player.
4) Andrej Stojakovic: This one is interesting. It's tough, because a month ago he would have been gone most likely. This closing stretch has helped a lot, and I probably lean towards him being back next year. Will have more information in the coming days, my best guess is he's back. If not, they have a couple of guys in mind, but the staff will push for him being back.

Brandon Lee, M Petrovic, Bilcic, Ty, and JJ: I expect at least three of those guys to be heading out. Out of this list, Ty and JJ would be my guess as to who stays, but could go any way.

Quentin Coleman and Lucas Morillo are going to be factors next year. Coleman is one of the most talented high school recruits that Underwood has signed, he will be a major factor next year. Morillo is going to be a fan favorite as well.

I expect us to add at least one European player. Working on names.

Portal adds:
1) Big time guard, likely in the three million range. Will be a main priority.
2) Ben Humrichous replacement. They will pay up, just need to find the right piece for the role.
3) I expect them to possibly add a backup guard. This is where a mid major add would make sense.

That is 3-4 adds. Andrej is the swing piece, they will spend for a starting level three if he goes, but if he's back will just be the focuses above.

Specific names for the portal adds will start to go public soon.

Lots to play out in the next 14 or so days. Buckle up.

All of the guys at the top of your list share Misko as their agent, correct? This shouldn’t require too many phone calls to figure out.

 

[Orangeandblue72]

I appreciate your reply. However, you only picked out a couple of sentences of my post. My post was more about how money becoming the top priority for so many people in our world. And again, I believe in working hard and trying to earn really good money if that's what you want, but not just making money the most important thing in life. I 100% agree that when you're a lottery pick you go to the league. I just hate that it's about earning top dollar now in college basketball so everyone enters a portal and rarely do you bring back a core of guys that will play together for 3-4 years. I never agreed with paying college student-athletes b/c free schooling, food, gear, and other things/perks seemed like plenty to get that experience. But if they were going to pay them b/c I understood the argument that the universities and NCAA are making so much money off the young men then fine pay them equally and make it a smaller sum of money. Give starters $50k, bench scholarship players $25k, and walk-ons $10k (I'm just pulling these numbers out of thin air - or pay them off performance, whatever makes sense b/c again I wouldn't pay them). Again, I just hate that we've created a culture where money is the top priority. Like I posted to another response, there was a time that All-Star, Hall of Famer, MVP Andre Dawson gave the Cubs a blank contract and said they could fill in the amount. He knew his life was set with his earnings in the sport he loved. I guess those times/days would be the days I was referring to along with the days of not paying college student-athletes. I've met so many people who said their one regret was missing family time or time with friends over the years b/c they were chasing money. Now we're instilling this in young men 18+ years of age. It's sad for the sport and creating a culture where we don't get to see the loyalty and memories nearly as often. All of that said, I love our coaching staff and the caliber and character of the young men they're bringing to Illinois. ILL!

It Wasn’t Dawson first mlb contract as a poor young kid. Now you can’t compare the two at all. High percentage of 18 yr olds from poor and low income families. Slim chances of making money in the nba. You have 4 yrs to maximize your income. They have and will get what they can. I don’t blame them.

 

[DB11Headband]

Expect a couple visitors next weekend

 

[Illiniforlife]

It was a favor with Misko. One that will be beneficial down the line.

Hopefully he doesn’t forget about that favor.

 

[SkyysNotFalling]

As of right now, who’s the #1 guard that we know will for sure be in the portal?

 

[Illiniforlife]

I do think we need to keep Ty so we have a good leader in the locker room. I think Kylan was that this year hence the team meeting. If Ty isn’t around who is that person next year?

 

[PleaseMakeABowlGame]

ty leaving would stink since we paid him for two years to not play a single game (literally).

as an offensive liability, I struggle to see a quality role/fit for him next year.

 

[Grandpa]

If Ty hasn't become a decent shooter he will be taken advantage of. Remember Painter having Edy "guard" him by staying under the basket and playing a one man zone. The rest of the basketball world picked it up and left their centers hanging around the basket. Ruined our half court offense as far as layups and dunks.
I hope that he can and will shoot. I really like his style except for the lack of a jumper.

 

[Trueblue777]

RIP my F5 key

By my count including the 2 hs recruits he didn’t mention that’s 16 on scholarship. Won’t happen. Brad can count

 

[Chillinini]

Expect a couple visitors next weekend

Ooooh, you got me at “expect”.

 

[rmlsr]

Expect a couple visitors next weekend

 

[nyc_illini]

It would be shocking to hear myself say this a month ago but seeing Andrej in a different uniform next season would hurt way more than seeing Morez in a Michigan jersey.

 

[skyIdub]

This is not shade at Ben, dude filled his roll this year with a lot of grit and we needed every ounce of it.
But with the increase in $$ it’s a guarantee we will upgrade our athleticism at his spot.
Hopefully it translates into defense.
Our size and length clearly made teams work harder to run offense, so it’s a lock that will be the template for BU now.

I’m ready for another “oh sh!t” recruiting moment!

 

[OB positive]

I know it’s hard to change your shot, and I know Z has been good from three. But sure seems like he’s got a lot of extra arc on his threes the past couple of months. I might be misremembering. It happens.
Anyway, I’d be thrilled to have him back. I think he has some untapped potential.

Funny how he shoots with exaggerated arc and Tomi's are almost line drives.

 

[chrisRunner7]

prep stuff, sorry...6' 3" '28 PG from Oswego:

https://twitter.com/x/status/2040974810122006869

kid is VVG

Man, those uniforms are confusing... I can barely tell the teams apart

 

[PepeSilvia]

Assuming Illinois is retaining Stojakovic, Mirkovic, Tomislav, Zvonimir, and Jake I think Illinois has an argument for being the most attractive destination in the country for a portal guard.

I get that the NIL is also a major factor but you're talking about returning a large part of the core of of a final four team with its entire frontcourt intact and an offensive system that will put that puts the ball in the lead guards hands and lets him attack mismatches(I would like to see the system continue to evolve and begin incorporating more off ball movement and actions while also running some sets though Mirk, Tomi, or Z and taking advantage of their passing ability).

I think in an ideal world you add 3 portal guys. Go get 2 good guards and an athletic forward to back up Mirk then you have the additional depth of Morillo and Coleman. I love both of the incoming freshman but for a team where a national championship should be the legitimately goal you can't afford to be completely reliant on freshman(see Skyy Clark and Jayden Epps year - though I think Morillo and Coleman will be significantly better).

 

[Fly Illini Fly!]

Cox is a poor 3 pt shooter.

My post never had anything to do with Cox lol

 

[Fly Illini Fly!]

Essentially, this is the starting unit I think we're aiming at:

TBD portal guard
Coleman
Stojakovic
Mirkovic
Tomislav

Obviously the bench will need some sorting out - depth, who's leaving, who's returning, etc.

That portal guard is the biggest focus/mystery at the moment (other than retention).

Personally, i think it would be insanity to not want Drej back. BUT, would like clarity on that quickly. If he does come back, I think you can't target a big name like Haralson, unless they're a better outside shooter.

The name id by far want the most (as would everyone in America) is Dailyn Swain. He actually passed it better than i thought this year. If he comes back to college, and hed be walking into a playmaking role with this team, that seems like quite the sell to him with NIL, career growth opportunity, and winning. Just would have to get a true point guard type off the bench for insurance - Cox would obviously be perfect as a backup, but not sure that's realistic.

PG: Dailyn Swain
SG: Quentin Coleman
SF: Andrej Stojakovic
PF: David Mirkovic
C: Tomi Ivisic

Bench:
Z Ivisic
Ty Rodgers
Lucas Morillo
Ethan Brown
Jake Davis

I know all this is early, probably silly to speculate. But what Brad could do for Swain as the primary playmaker...

Illinois has 4 out of 5 starters figured out. Obviously there could be a surprise departure, but as it stands, they’re in your back pocket.

To fill that final spot, I think it’s reasonable to say it should be a pretty big fish. Would prefer to get a guy that’s got some playmaking abilities — who you’d feel comfortable handing the keys to.

Swain would be awesome, but he’s a projected 1st round pick. Could make a ton of money in CBB though.

 

[STLini25]

Illinois has 4 out of 5 starters figured out. Obviously there could be a surprise departure, but as it stands, they’re in your back pocket.

To fill that final spot, I think it’s reasonable to say it should be a pretty big fish. Would prefer to get a guy that’s got some playmaking abilities — who you’d feel comfortable handing the keys to.

Swain would be awesome, but he’s a projected 1st round pick. Could make a ton of money in CBB though.

Illinois does not have 4 out of 5 starters figured out..