I don't think it matters where they come from. Sounds like we're really really at the big boys' table this off-season and can afford to offer the best players lots of money with a straight face.
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread
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. . . with a better 3-point percentage?
Is it too late to go after Sadler? Love his game lol.
BillyBob1
- Champaign
Thanks for the reminder. What’s his number?
He’s going to get a lot better shots here than at Providence. Watch his tape. He very well could become a 40%+ shooter here.
I’d think Vaaks would be taking Andre’s spot in the lineup, so we’d only sign Vaaks if Andre leaves. Vaaks and Jake would split minutes at the 3 like Andre and Jake did, with Vaaks getting the bulk of the minutes.
Vaaks is a better shooter than Andre, but Andre is a better driver and defender. If Andre would play defense the entire season like he did for the last month, I think I’d rather have Andre, but I have no idea what the $$$ cost would be for Andre or Vaaks.
Vaaks is a better shooter than Andre, but Andre is a better driver and defender. If Andre would play defense the entire season like he did for the last month, I think I’d rather have Andre, but I have no idea what the $$$ cost would be for Andre or Vaaks.
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CrazedUIFan
UI Fan in QC Land
I haven’t watched a lot of film, but Vaaks reminds me of KJ.
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When his shots aren’t getting blocked and he isn’t turning it over! He is quick and craftily but has given the ball away several times. listed at 6’… no way! 5-11 at best. It is too late which is good!
How would Coleman feel about that? Also damn how do we have all this money? Is Andrej still coming back?
Kylans leadership was intangible.
That being said, you’re spot on. Honestly pre injury Kylan kept his 24-25 tournament form. He was pretty darn good. After the injury it felt like he never found his shot again. And honestly his defense was overrated. I’d have to go back and actually analyze film to put money on it, but it felt like Ben was more impressive consistently on the defensive end compared to Kylan. Maybe it was just the difference between the previous year but he had some seriously good contests and was rarely the point of breakdown defensively.
I guess this turned into a Ben appreciation post. He will be missed. For all the crap (and it was A LOT) he got in 24/25 he was one of the most consistent this year. Hat tip to the kid from Tipton.
6’7, 6’4, 6’7, 6’9, 7’1
Sign me up.
Sign me up.
Morillo!
Congratulations to one of the all-time best freshmen basketball players in our long storied history. Maybe the best ever. I can't wait to see him go at it in NBA. I will tune in for the first time in nearly 15 years to watch him. This has a huge impact for Illini nation.
Keaton and the final four are God sent.
(1) In the Brad system minutes are not fungible and no one has a predetermined "spot" offensively or defensively
(2) Next year similar to the past 9 years Brad and staff will play primarily straight MTM defensively with some 2-3 zone and run the regular spread until the first 2 B1G 10 games and weeks where they can have 3 practices at least.
(3) The B1G 10 scouting and film breakdowns start in November well ahead the B1G regular season. By the time the B1G season happens Brad and staff make changes (sometimes significant) to both the offensive sets and defensive sets based on the match - ups they know they are going to see over the next 20+ games.
(4) Minutes are determined ONLY based on how players perform in their match ups in given games.
We aren't going to run the exact same offense or defense that we ran last year. We are going to run the offense and defense that best fits the players' abilities and match ups we have next season.
People keep talking about replacing Keaton, Kylan and Hummer next year. We aren't going to replace them. And I hate to speculate. But its entirely possible that Mirk plays guard and Z plays 4 next season. I am NOT saying that is what is going to happen, I am just saying that is possible.
Let's just wait an see what unfolds and who comes in.
FightinIllini30
Future insider
Love it
We got killed by small, quick guards game after game during the past season. If we roll with the speculated lineup of Vaaks, Blackwell, Andre, Mirk, and Tomi next season, we’ll get torched even more by quick guards.
I don’t see how that’s a viable lineup defensively. Vaaks would need to guard the opposing 3, so you’d need Blackwell or Andre to guard the opposing team’s point guard.
Off a garbage pass no less.
I said this a few days ago, but there isn't much of a chance we get a guy we'd get excited about to play the backup 4 spot. Mirk will be a 30 min guy, plus we have Tomi and Z...and potentially Ty....there just aren't many minutes available, so if we do get a guy, he would be projected to probably be the 9th, 10th, or 11th guy in our rotation.
Thank you for bringing up Kylan’s injury. It’s like people don’t care the kid broke his primary hand.
As for Ben and his defense…. I love the kid, but IDK what y’all see about his defense. He gives really good effort, but he was still bad. Mostly it was him playing gaps and totally losing his man a lot. The main bad thing, which I blame his lack of development was his feet and stance. His entire body goes one way all the time. His head, shoulders, hips, and feet were all in unison and bad lateral mechanics.
He ran past or went flying past his guy when they hit the brakes, pump faked, or made a counter move. He always swiped late in the air at shots like was going to block/affect them when they were already shot. Again, great effort, but terrible foundation. He has the tools to be good, but they were never coached up to be better.
DeonThomas
- South Carolina
Let's just say, DEON THOMAS knows Illini basketball......
Bigger payroll than our football team.
altgeld88
- Arlington, Virginia
Sitting here a mere seven days after our season ended in the Final Four, and am rather grateful for where our portal and retention prospects reside. Especially as I recall the thirst for and stalking of one Ray J Dennis in May ‘23, and subsequent positionless basketball.
What a difference three years makes. It’s good to be us, fam.
What a difference three years makes. It’s good to be us, fam.
I seriously doubt Vaaks will be coming off the bench.
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