Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

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#827      
hoopsfan47
The real question now is how much AS and JB value an opportunity to join a team that will live in the highlight films all season and battle for a national title.

I am simply undecided on AS. If he does not reveal his return before the weekend, my probability for return becomes less than 50% and drops rapidly each day.

As for Blackwell, after stating he wanted to join the Illini, he has started to seek the highest bidder, knowing that BU will not match that offer. I never could come to terms with the idea that a guy with his profile wanted to become a part of a team that could win it all with him just filling is role for less than max $...albeit a very high profile and valuable one. In his case, my probability estimate rises every day for him to go to the highest bidder. Like all here, I wanted to see his talents in an Illini uniform and his Dad smiling and cheering away in the stands. I do not feel like that will happen now.

But, as I have stated previously, the entire world is in a conspiracy against me personally....and that is fact and not a perceived paronoia!! So, if things go as normal, both my predictions will be proven wrong....and I will become an Illini Nation hero for my personal sacrifice. Pretty obvious...huh?;)
 
#828      
March2TheArch
The crowd was chanting his name but just didn’t get the feeling he was returning from watching him. I was sitting up front, my friends thought the same. Who knows, hope I’m wrong, just an observation .
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Sad if true. He was our most potent offensive threat in the NCAAs alongside Keaton. He was a point and couple rebounds shy of a double double in the Final Four. The team made it a point to feature him offensively at key points in the Houston, Iowa and UConn games. I’m really not sure how this ain’t a win-win if he chooses to remain in college.

I suppose he could also be done with collegiate basketball. But no chance he’s landing a meaningful NBA contract in this loaded class. At best he’ll be a late, late second round pickup or potentially even undrafted. But I suppose with his dad’s backing he can work his way through G League development.

I seriously doubt we don’t pony up respectable NIL $$ for him. It’s not like the slasher transfer market is all that enticing this year. Players who can get to and finish at the cup are unicorns. Vaaks and Blackwell paired with Mirk and Tomi’s respectable 3balls would open up INSANE space for him to operate into the paint. Doubt any other collegiate environment provides this NBA-esque spacing for him to play to his strengths.

What collegiate or professional environment is going to be more conducive to his near non-existent outside shot and semi-turnover prone penetration, which feeds into his subpar assist-to-TO ratio?

Staying at Illinois is about as win-win as it comes for both parties - he can continue to develop while the team wins a lot of games. Perhaps that benching mid-season (in favor of Jake Davis, no less) played on his mentals more than we all realized. But he has to realize he and Boswell could not be played concurrently. And Boswell was our POA defender - for better or worse.
 
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#832      
Poe's Law
Indy Illini Fan said:
boom smile GIF
boom smile GIF

boom smile GIF
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This is how you build a cult
 
#841      
Idea Gardener
Andre tends to not show emotion expect in rare cases. If you look at the caTAGory video, Andre covers up his mouth when he starts to laugh.

Also, it's kind of funny that you're commenting on him not being back when he's literally at the optional postseason team event and isn't in the transfer portal nor declared for the NBA.
 
#842      
1867
He signed up during the season since hes basically the third Ivisic at this point. If they had a sister they probably would have married her off to Jake already lol.
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They do have a sister, but she is older.
 
#847      
Baskins Tiger
Andre comes back and has 25 andre games and shoots 37% or better from deep he's going top5 next year
 
#849      
hoopsfan47
The twins are the two guys I really expect to see a big improvement from next year. Tomi was never healthy but finally showed what he can do both inside and outside during the NCAA tournament. Get him healthy and confident. He did not intitiate a ton of scoring at the rim last year, by finally showed a willingness and competence to do so. I expect that will improve and hopefully used wisely.

Z has a huge upside in many areas that will not take a lot of work but will take some coaching, He is as valuable as anyone on the team, and there are 4 guys in the fold that will be wily and talented veterans plus a pretty talented soph who can score from 30 ft. and in. But in my mind, getting Z to a higher level of consistent play, eliminating chronic tendencies, and re-establishing his confidence from the arc are critical to next season's success...as well as getting him on the floor for 25 min. a game. We need King Z!!!!!

And as for Coleman and Morrillo, we should all be silent until Dec....having learned our lesson thanks to Mr. Keaton Wagler...but we all want them to surprise.

I will plan to be silent about AS and JB until we know whether they will join this Illini March for a Title. AS is much needed and deeply appreciated. We have no idea what Blackwell will in fact bring...if he does....but BU will see that he adds what is needed... and he can.
 
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