Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

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#278      
Illini2010-11
LvilleILL1 said:
It is crazy how this era works.
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True, but with our resources, it has certainly helped us a lot more than hurt us (Elite 8, Final 4, a couple B1G tourney champs, and B1G regular season title). Not to mention three straight seasons of placing a player in the first round of the NBA draft (assuming Wagler goes pro).

Brad and company have been very good at this new era, even it it makes us message board readers extremely nervous.
 
#282      
Aillini32
ttlong5 said:
Once Caleb Foster enters the transfer portal, this may change.
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🥴 Duke’s roster without Foster would scare me off. I get it’s Duke but having Cayden Boozer and Sarr in the lineup plus the fact that their talented freshmen are Blackwell’s position… I’d stay away
 
#283      
Umit9
One Man Fast Break said:
I know a bit naive to not know already but anyone know how I can contribute to the NIL fund? I don’t have big pockets but would like to say I’ve done my part. I love Illinois athletics and just want the best for it.

Also are these donations considered tax deductible, the same way if I just gave to the university generally?
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Should have responded to this post.

Here is the ICON for Illini site:

www.iconforillini.com

ICON for Illini

ICON Collective helps generate meaningful NIL opportunities for Fighting Illini student-athletes and paves the way for sustained, elite-level success.
www.iconforillini.com www.iconforillini.com

This is where you can contribute to NIL. They have pretty reasonable plans as low as $25 a month. The way I see it, everything adds up.

Go Illini
 
#284      
RabidDawgClassic
Umit9 said:
Should have responded to this post.

Here is the ICON for Illini site:

www.iconforillini.com

ICON for Illini

ICON Collective helps generate meaningful NIL opportunities for Fighting Illini student-athletes and paves the way for sustained, elite-level success.
www.iconforillini.com www.iconforillini.com

This is where you can contribute to NIL. They have pretty reasonable plans as low as $25 a month. The way I see it, everything adds up.

Go Illini
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If my comprehensive reading skills are accurate, the majority of this board won’t even pay $12 a month to watch B1G games on Peacock.
 
#285      
ttlong5
Aillini32 said:
🥴 Duke’s roster without Foster would scare me off. I get it’s Duke but having Cayden Boozer and Sarr in the lineup plus the fact that their talented freshmen are Blackwell’s position… I’d stay away
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Blackwell is far and away better than Howard, if that's who you're referring to. The other 2 recruits, Williams and Rippey, are a stretch 4 and a true PG. Cayden Boozer flashed a lot of potential and promise taking over for Foster when he got injured. He actually carried Duke in quite a few of their games at the end of the season. Sarr has a ton of intangibles and has massive upside, if he can get a more consistent perimeter shot. His defense is already elite.

I would assume Duke's sell to Blackwell is he would come in and be the immediate scoring guard on a team with a facilitator. I can tell you the insiders believe Ngongba returns and they are going after a second big in the portal. If you run a 2 big lineup ( a la Michigan this past season), it can create a lot of space for a scoring guard.

But again, all of this stuff is very fluid. Illinois obviously has the alum tie and will have the minutes and opportunity for Blackwell.
 
#286      
illinifan31
Has Blackwell always followed our entire team?

70c5b923-fbcb-42a6-b699-4919a5488f3f-1_all_58459.jpg
 
#295      
BrownTown
ttlong5 said:
Blackwell is far and away better than Howard, if that's who you're referring to. The other 2 recruits, Williams and Rippey, are a stretch 4 and a true PG. Cayden Boozer flashed a lot of potential and promise taking over for Foster when he got injured. He actually carried Duke in quite a few of their games at the end of the season. Sarr has a ton of intangibles and has massive upside, if he can get a more consistent perimeter shot. His defense is already elite.

I would assume Duke's sell to Blackwell is he would come in and be the immediate scoring guard on a team with a facilitator. I can tell you the insiders believe Ngongba returns and they are going after a second big in the portal. If you run a 2 big lineup ( a la Michigan this past season), it can create a lot of space for a scoring guard.

But again, all of this stuff is very fluid. Illinois obviously has the alum tie and will have the minutes and opportunity for Blackwell.
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He wants to play with the ball in his hands/have a higher usage rate as he would be seen as a PG at the next level. Not sure he gets that at Duke.

Then you also have a very similar 5 out offensive system between UW and U of I making for a familiar transition in his final year. Seems like a clear choice as to what would be the most advantageous move in what is his last year...BUT it’s Duke, and the money will be phenomenal and you’ll be a favorite to win the ACC, get a 1 seed, and make a F4 run.

If it’s really Duke or Illinois…he’s stepping into a great setup either way.
 
#296      
skyIdub
March2TheArch said:
If Michigan picks up Bidunga and Juke. Adds their stellar recruiting class. Returns Cadeau, McKenney, and Morez. GGs. I don't think they're a shoo-in for the 'ship. But they'll be heavy B1G favorites, i.e securing a 1 seed.

I think Mara goes and Morez returns. He's probably in the back half of the first round. He doesn't have Mara's length and reach. He's basically a bully ball rebounder and dunker. He can't create one lick of offense for himself. He'd be totally out of position in the NBA. NBA 4s need a shot and dribble. The rare exception is Draymond who specalized in moving screens and riding Steph's co...attails.
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I recommend the latest NBA mock drafts for casual reading. He's top 20 in every one of them....as high as 14. He's gone.
 
#299      
EmeraldCityIllini
skyIdub said:
I recommend the latest NBA mock drafts for casual reading. He's top 20 in every one of them....as high as 14. He's gone.
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I've seen quite a few where hes not top 20.

https://theringer.com/nba-draft/2026/mock-draft - #29
https://www.espn.com/nba/draft/bestavailable/_/position/ovr/page/2 - #27
https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/2026-nba-mock-draft-michigan-uconn/ - #21
https://www.usatoday.com/picture-ga...ft-firstround-projections-photos/89509133007/ - #26
https://www.tankathon.com/mock_draft - #27
https://www.nbadraft.net/nba-mock-drafts/ - #23

https://www.noceilingsnba.com/p/2026-nba-mock-draft-v5 - This was the highest one I found. Had him all the way up to #11.

Michigan bringing in Estrella, and still going after other big men does seem to indicate some intentions though.
 
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#300      
ttlong5
BrownTown said:
He wants to play with the ball in his hands/have a higher usage rate as he would be seen as a PG at the next level. Not sure he gets that at Duke.

Then you also have a very similar 5 out offensive system between UW and U of I making for a familiar transition in his final year. Seems like a clear choice as to what would be the most advantageous move in what is his last year...BUT it’s Duke, and the money will be phenomenal and you’ll be a favorite to win the ACC, get a 1 seed, and make a F4 run.

If it’s really Duke or Illinois…he’s stepping into a great setup either way.
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I love Underwood and his system. Have always admired his coaching and was always a little glad he never made his way to the ACC lol.

Agreed that if Blackwell is looking for a 5 out offense, then Illinois would be the way to go, as it appears Duke is trending toward wanting to run more of a 2 big lineup next season. We'll see how the portal additions shake out on that.

I do think he would have plenty of on-ball opportunity if he were at Duke. Duke typically likes to run 2 PGs sets. They ran a lot of Foster/Cayden this year.

Either way, as you said, a great setup regardless of who he chooses. And plenty of opportunity to shine with either team.
 
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