Krombopulos_Michael
- Aurora, Illinois (that’s a suburb of Chicago)
If someone’s willing to pay it we call that “agent doing their job”
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread
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They are doing what it takes to get him. We will see.
With the potential retention plus Vaaks, Coleman and Morillo, the Illini are in a position they, or anyone else, will rarely be in. To not add the final piece (and I’m not saying it has to be Blackwell, though he seems the perfect fit) would be difficult to swallow not only for us fanatics, but also for Brad I would think.
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
In 2023 we lost RayJ Dennis, and wound up better off.
In 2024 we lost AJ Storr and Egor Demin, and wound up much better off.
In 2025 we lost Dame Sarr and Josh Dix, and wound up COLOSALLY better off.
It doesn't take an AI supercomputer to see that we're going to lose John Blackwell, nor should it take one to see how that can benefit us yet again.
In 2024 we lost AJ Storr and Egor Demin, and wound up much better off.
In 2025 we lost Dame Sarr and Josh Dix, and wound up COLOSALLY better off.
It doesn't take an AI supercomputer to see that we're going to lose John Blackwell, nor should it take one to see how that can benefit us yet again.
In fairness to Blackwell, If I was in his shoes I could see the appeal of playing in another conference. I don’t blame kids for chasing bags, the bags these days are too big not to do it. But they are still college age kids and on some level it’s got to sting to leave your school/friends/coach etc for primarily financial reasons. If you’re bag chasing a Louisville offers the biggest bag and you also don’t have to play your former team I see the appeal. I mean Coleman said as much when he left.
Think we will be fine regardless, but I can understand if he wants to leave the BIG.
Think we will be fine regardless, but I can understand if he wants to leave the BIG.
If we dont get Blackwell I still think we will be fine. I see Morillo and Coleman being huge for us.
Vaaks is a big time pick up.
Vaaks is a big time pick up.
And there it is. Everything was going WAY too smoothly. I bit on where everything being said the last couple of days. I always promised myself that I wouldn't do that given our history of early excitement leading to late disappointment. It's always a parent, a camp, an agent, driving prices despite being told money was an issue, etc.
Pencil me down as extremely disappointed if we don't close that deal.
illinifan31
Former Krush Cow
- South Bend, IN
Does anyone know Blackwell's barber though? Maybe he can start posting.
How exactly is Blackwell the perfect fit if we lose Sto when they are two completely different types of players and realistically play different positions.
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Not necessarily … Kayden is at Oklahoma today I think …
As an NBA prospect I totally agree.
But a Freshman Wagler vs Soph Vaaks as college player might not be a huge difference.
Is it naive to assume that we can/should match whatever his agent is asking or what Louisville may be offering? If Brad truly feels Blackwell is the final piece, at what point do we just give in to his demands?
Vaaks is really, really good. He is MAJOR part of the equation.
I’ve never seen a more accurate description of loyalty.Our insiders: everyone that we want back is back and we got Blackwell
Us: soooo what’s going on????
Insiders: Blackwell is coming and Mirk and Andrej and T and Z and Jake and who knows probably Ty too
Us: THE ANXIETY IS KILLING ME!!!
Insiders: ya we should be preseason #1
Us: How did the LA trip go??? Why is he going to UCLA? OMG. But Andrej is already in LA?? What’s going on?
Our insiders: guys we literally got everything we could ask for and more
Us: butt stuff
OnlyOrange
- Belleville, IL
I guess others have mentioned this, and I haven't included him in the equation - certainly an oversight!
Haven't heard a ton about him before this portal season so I didn't have much idea of his fit here, especially without being a good defender.
It would free up 30 minutes for Coleman and Morillo. Those 2 might be able to recreate Blackwell’s production in the aggregate and would likely increase the odds of a second year for each.
Maybe a slightly lower ceiling for next year but potentially much higher ceiling 2 years from now and beyond.
RabidDawgClassic
- Los Angeles, CA
Illwinsagain
- Cary, IL
Also, we would be losing most of the team after next season, 5 seniors, and two sophomores that could enter the draft. But, we can worry about that after we confirm who is going to be here.
The key is what does it cost for Paulius and can they get that deal done ?
Plus Vaaks will be in a much better system surrounded by greater talent! I have high expectations!
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