Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

[Cravingschampaign]

 

[wettsten]

Let's call it the Shannon year

i'm looking forward to the same

 

[wettsten]

Staff is really excited about immediate minutes for coleman and morillo fyi

this is probably why they're not too worried about blackwell's decision

 

[hoopsfan47]

I think they were always flawed going in unless you thought Braden was gonna be NPOY; still think Edey made all those guys look better then they were.

I think we have multiple paths even without Blackwell to be elite
1. Mirk takes a step forward
2. Andre takes a step forward
3. Either of the freshmen are better then expected
4. We keep the defensive intensity all year from the F4 run
5. Good shooting + offense Z I think also unlocks us more
6. Vaaks takes another step forward
I can easily see 2-3 of those 6 happening and at worst we’re a top 2 seed. Purdue didn’t have a good year and yet they still were a 2 seed with everything in front of them

4 and 6 are the only two of the six that I have any doubt will prove true....and both have a high probability of proving to be true.

 

[HouTexIllini]

Today years old that I knew Ludacris was born in Champaign.

His mom went to UofI with my mom and her cousins, which is why he was born in Champaign. Good family friends.

 

[jezzadownunder]

Until @Indy Illini Fan tells me differently, I will wait patiently, believing we will secure Blackwell at some point soon.

 

[sacraig]

The band is back together! Now we finally get that Natty. There's no way we're not #1 or #2 entering the preseason...


View attachment 49917

What's important is being #1 exiting the postseason.

 

[Altuve27]

I think they were always flawed going in unless you thought Braden was gonna be NPOY; still think Edey made all those guys look better then they were.

I think we have multiple paths even without Blackwell to be elite
1. Mirk takes a step forward
2. Andre takes a step forward
3. Either of the freshmen are better then expected
4. We keep the defensive intensity all year from the F4 run
5. Good shooting + offense Z I think also unlocks us more
6. Vaaks takes another step forward
I can easily see 2-3 of those 6 happening and at worst we’re a top 2 seed. Purdue didn’t have a good year and yet they still were a 2 seed with everything in front of them

Really, really good list. Just to add to it, I think you’ll see more post-ups from Tomi. He unquestionably has that in his skillset. He helped us finish off Iowa with 2 late post-ups. I want much more of that.

Put teams in a bind as to whether they should double him or not.

 

[GrayGhost77]

Is it just me or does ZZ look a bit like Christian Laettner (obviously Laettner a bit taller)? If he plays even remotely to his level I think we'll be in good shape. Welcome to the O & B, Mr. Zens!

 

[DReq]

I have always thought the preseason and early season rankings were pretty meaningless. There is truly only one ranking I care about and that is the one that some out after the National Championship game. It is prestigious to get that number 1 ranking but it is a prediction by a group, some of whom are poorly informed and a bit biased. The proof is in the pudding (pudding = NCAA Championship) and I'd like a big bowl of that, please.

 

[Fly Illini Fly!]

Jeremy Werner just said on his podcast that he thinks Illinois is done adding people this offseason

Take it for what it’s worth…

39:10 —

46:50 —

 

[LvilleILL1]

Don't expect Blackwell at this point.

This is a top five team already.

I still think at some point they are going to add one more, either a guard or four.

 

[RabidDawgClassic]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2045257241654067343

Let’s see if things shift back the other way now

Edit: oops. Perhaps a different acquisition?

 

[fuggles]

I guess JB doesn't listen to his father.

 

[kyillini]

Welcome Xavier to the Illini. We got a very good Freshman class this year. We will be surprised how good this class is with this year and next.

 

[GrayGhost77]

If Blackwell really wanted to have a chance at a Natty he'd come on board. If he doesn't it's his loss, really. I'm a believer in Brad and co's development and think regardless of whether he comes we're a FInal Four team again, and natty worthy if either of Coleman or Morillo can even slightly exceed their billing.

 

[sacraig]

Don't expect Blackwell at this point.

This is a top five team already.

I still think at some point they are going to add one more, either a guard or four.

 

[OrangeBlue98]

I believe your idea has legs!

(We’ll see who gets this one…….)

 

[Illini90]

Don't expect Blackwell at this point.

This is a top five team already.

I still think at some point they are going to add one more, either a guard or four.

Until Indy verify’s Blackwell is going to be an Illini

 

[millineum]

Nobody knows anything

 

[bbpeoria]

Don't expect Blackwell at this point.

This is a top five team already.

I still think at some point they are going to add one more, either a guard or four.

Is that just your own thinking or something from staff?

 

[Altuve27]

Don't expect Blackwell at this point.

This is a top five team already.

I still think at some point they are going to add one more, either a guard or four.

I’d like one more guard for some depth there. I haven’t been shy about that, but this is a damn good roster.

Was just watching some video on Coleman, and those step back threes look awfully familiar.

I don’t care what league it is, if you shoot 50.6% from three for a season that is beyond impressive.

 

[TampaToo]

We didn’t want him anyway?

 

[Illinisnake]

I might be the only one that thinks we are fine without Blackwell. Team Coleman and Morillo.

 

[AndyKaufmanstutor]

Am I the only one thinking Zens will likely be Podz 2.0? Mr. Basketball in Wisconsin who barely plays his freshman year and transfers? Don’t know if this kid will make the NBA, but unless he makes a surprise ala Wagler, he’s not seeing the floor next year.