DB11Headband
- Chicago Burbs
Kid is going to find a way to make an impact on a loaded roster next year. Staff anticipated him playing a ton next szn before recent developments of Coleman and in the portal.
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread
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Remind me to never watch the Nike Hoops Summit! God awful! Sure there is incredible talent but it is so sloppy. Just a bunch of guys going solo!
Morillo must not have gotten the memo: “When you have the ball do not give it to anyone else” “Drive to the hoop “( fu** those other guys). While there is no I in team… there is ‘ME’.
Just hit his second three! Good boy
Ty could guard a lot of positions. Very valuable defender.
The question is can he make someone guard him, or does the other team get to station their center in the paint and not have to leave?
Important to point out to our future geographically challenged people: Vaaks is from Estonia, which is nowhere near the Balkans, but I can't wait for people to just assume he's another Lithuanian player.
Yeah the lateral foot speed to stay in front will be challenged.
We didn't get killed by anyone other than Michigan last year.
Your "analysis" is just speculation as it relates to the "quick guards remark." Factually speaking that is not correct. In fact it isn't even close. But more importantly the defense we ran in final 28 games was designed to allow guards to dribble drive without double and there was a specific reason we didn't double even Bradon Smith.
We aren't going to have the same team we had last year and how any of our players performed at whatever position they played last year, won't be the same as a next year.
Kylan Boswell when healthy was a completely different player in 2025 - 26 than he was in 2024 - 25, as was Tomi Ivisic and Ben Humrichous. That has to do with (1) personal development, (2) health, (3) the offensive and defensive system we ran in 2025 - 26 and (4) The specific roles they had given the offensive and defensive sets that we ran and the skill of their teammates.
Next year isn't last year and whatever happened last year isn't a predictor in any way shape or form of next year.
Hence, why I said some changes were possible and was specific I was WASN'T saying that was going to happen.
Planning what the team is going to look like without actually knowing the personnel or seeing the scheme from the coaches, not worth a conversation.
If we get Vaaks he will be starting.
That all changed in the tournament. There was definitely a lot more emphasis on not giving up any easy baskets in the paint or at the rim. If someone got by us there was better rotation and help contesting shots. Thats how you compensate for athleticism on the defensive side. There were teams that played better defense last year than we did until the tournament who were less athletic than we were.
RabidDawgClassic
- Los Angeles, CA
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Ok…If this happens, this kid is going to be a problem for the B1G in our offense.
And a defensive minded true veteran point guard
I know a lot of posters were partaking in celebratory libations tonight. If you were as well, then I’m going to ask you not to drive. Anything is possible, but his is very much improbable.. There is no way Mirk will play as a guard next season. Some possessions/sets as a point forward here and there is possible bc of matchups. If Mirk plays guard, things have gone very wrong.
RabidDawgClassic
- Los Angeles, CA
Narrator: it’s not.
Really like Morillo. Big strong kid with high bb IQ.
NCAA proposing major changes to eligibility rules, including age limits
The proposal eliminates the ability for athletes to regain seasons of eligibility through redshirts (even for medical reasons) and waivers.
I know a lot of posters were partaking in celebratory libations tonight. If you were as well, then I’m going to ask you not to drive. Anything is possible, but his is very much improbable.. There is no way Mirk will play as a guard next season. Some possessions/sets as a point forward here and there is possible bc of matchups. If Mirk plays guard, things have gone very wrong.
I’m also not impressed with Vaaks’ speed, defense, and short arms. However, the kid is 6’7 and can shoot fairly well. I’m 50-50 with the same concern of not stopping quick guards as well.
True but we ended up in the FF! And we lost to a team that did not have little quick guards!
I would guess other boards have guys saying “ our small quick guards got torched by 6-6 guys who shot over them” Two sides to the coin!
This. I've followed the Bulls (after a long hiatus) and Wolves (same) casually lately bc of Ayo and TSJ but Keaton is, IMO, going to be an All Star at some point or better. I can't wait to watch whoever he gets minutes with next.
Now it's Mirk's turn.
Yea almost no chance
lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
Vaaks
Blackwell
Andrej
Mirk
Tomi
Coleman
Z
Davis
Ty
Morillo
That’s insane team. Likely better than this year’s F4 team.
I know that’s 10 players and Brad typically settles into an 8-man rotation, but having more than 8 playable players is smart. Odds are a guy goes down with an injury even if just temporarily (Tomi, Andrej, and Boswell each missed games due to injury) or you have a guy that doesn’t work out (Petro).
So to find your core 8, you really need to start with 9-10.
FWIW, Duke fans seem confident in landing Blackwell. I’m sure they win most recruitments, so they likely see it as Duke visit = Duke commitment. But it really does seem like that recruitment is still up in the air.
If he goes elsewhere, I’m still confident the staff will find a suitable replacement.
Blackwell
Andrej
Mirk
Tomi
Coleman
Z
Davis
Ty
Morillo
That’s insane team. Likely better than this year’s F4 team.
I know that’s 10 players and Brad typically settles into an 8-man rotation, but having more than 8 playable players is smart. Odds are a guy goes down with an injury even if just temporarily (Tomi, Andrej, and Boswell each missed games due to injury) or you have a guy that doesn’t work out (Petro).
So to find your core 8, you really need to start with 9-10.
FWIW, Duke fans seem confident in landing Blackwell. I’m sure they win most recruitments, so they likely see it as Duke visit = Duke commitment. But it really does seem like that recruitment is still up in the air.
If he goes elsewhere, I’m still confident the staff will find a suitable replacement.
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