Guess Coleman will play if Blackwell doesn't suite up? But if we have the money, why not pay someone else good? That at least increases our budget.
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread
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If we can’t get Blackwell, I hope Cam Crocker will talk Coach into signing Jalen Cox to go along with Andrej. Cox is fast as lightning.
Having watched Podz at Santa Clara and on the Warriors, I don't think Underwood goofed. Podz played the career game perfectly, going down a level where his athletic shortcomings were hidden, and then getting picked up by a coach who loves his 3pt shot and phenomenal effort. He is a boat anchor on the Warriors. The offense was so bad when he handled the ball that they went out and got Butler. He might be okay as a bench shooting guard who gets 10m/game spelling the starter.
And this from someone who loves the effort the kid puts forth on defense, even as he fails.
Or...by not throwing money at a bunch of guys, you focus on those 2 knowing we will be able to out bid anyone because those 2 have been in the conversation with donors the entire time and they are all in on just those 2. When you start pivoting, you have to also convince the donors they are worth it and things get messy.
Disappointing given the reception he got in Houston. We were down by the court when the nets were cut. He was loudly cheered by the fans and he participated.
Andrej has to go with
“This just f@cking in, I’m Back”
Right?
“This just f@cking in, I’m Back”
Right?
80'sIllini
- Arizona
Z's off the ball defending of the rim and blocking shots is elite but his on the ball defense is just ok, his rebounding is below average and so is his shooting if you look at his % from 3 for the whole year. Not to say he can't improve a lot in those areas and to do so it's incumbent on him to get stronger- especially in his lower body so he doesn't get pushed around so easily. He's already had one year under Fletch- I hope there is still plenty of further strength gains to be had and improvement in his outside shot.
As long as he doesn't stay in the Big Ten and haunt us.
Yeah… this is a major risk/let down if Blackwell doesn’t come. One injury to either or Coleman being a typical freshman and we’re staring down the barrel at a disappointing season. Not to mention if Vaaks is simply a good player on a bad team. Guard play wins in March and a backup guard duo of Lee and Morillo is rough
does that include not getting a backup PF? I think what you outlined makes sense in that getting Andrej back means we are a top 5 team preseason and Coleman can be our starting SG, so Blackwell is a great addition but we can be great with Coleman too
But, not getting another big and rolling with just the Balkan three in a year you can win it all is borderline malpractice in my mind - unless the staff is confident JJ can play that role, which I haven't heard anyone say
Hell yes....bros before.. others! Lol
they're so desperate, and we probably don't even bother lol.
I think he has too much respect for the program…
We will play an 8 man rotation which will be:
Andrej
Coleman
Vaaks
Mirk
Tomi
Z
Jake
Morillo
And if we get Blackwell likely bump Morillo out of the rotation. We have to cover 80 minutes at the 4-5 spots. Tomi and Mirk likely chew up 60 of those, with Z getting the other 20. If we have foul trouble/injuries we can go a little smaller at times with Jake or Morillo, both of whom are 6’6 plus. And hopefully we bring back JJ as our emergency big, which I would be willing to bet is one of the best emergency bigs in the conference.
We really don’t have a role to offer other than break glass in case of emergency/injury. And while it would be great to have a replacement level BIG 4 as our 10th/11th man, fact is no team outside of Duke goes that deep. To the extent foul trouble or injury opens up more minutes, think. Morillo and Jake are more than capable.
I choose option 2. andrej and Blackwell.
to drink, I'll be having a nice scotch to celebrate. 18 years old. thank you
I have no idea of what JJ is capable, but he is tall, quick moving for his size, can jump, and from what we have seen of practice film, he is willing to fire away when open. Now, what he does on the floor against Duke or Michigan is an unknown, but the bones seem to be there.
We are adding two veteran starting players to Vaaks, Mirk and Tomi.
So no backup 4 is in the mix? We're good with a 3 man front court?
let us not forget that we had many years of hoping/praying for other teams scraps.
appreciate where we are at but let's not forget where we came from.
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