Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

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#1,276      
Grandpa
We went from
1) We are getting Blackwell, no doubt.
2) We are getting Blackwell. There are more teams after him, but we have him
3) We shouldn't pivot because we have him
4) We are looking at some other guys, we have a list
5) Blackwell is going elsewhere.
6) We aren't getting anyone else. The freshmen are good enough.
7) These guys will be better that our Final Four team. Haven't you seen the highlights*? Anyone who disagrees is crazy and a bad fan. Why would you think that a proven 4th year player is better than a freshman who looked good against high schoolers?

*There is a reason they are called highlights

We either need another experienced guy or to be lucky on 17 year olds.

I'll be rooting for us.
 
#1,278      
sacraig
Fly Illini Fly! said:
It's always a parent or agent with these kids. Hope he finds his spot, but that sucks.
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It's literally the job of a parent or an agent to be looking out for the best interest of their child or client. Whether you believe they are getting the best advice is another story, but the fact that they are getting it from those sources should surprise no one.
 
#1,279      
HouTexIllini
Some of you need a nap or a shot or both. The amount of negativity after #theretention is absolutely off the charts.
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I don’t think it’s too much to let people take a bit to process and wind down. It was preached here about Blackwell and Illinois from the moment he enters the portal…actually before he officially entered.

The line up covos, the money ain’t a thang convos, the inside confidence about trusting the staff and our status with Blackwell is a hit to some. Even today after the #retention, it was the #addition.

Now, after all that hype it looks like the addition of Vaaks and retention of Dre (even though they seem slotted in different positions/roles) isn’t what Blackwell’s camp feels comfortable with. I know nothing is for certain, but didn’t the staff have conversations or did they over play their hand and snd themselves right out of the Blackwell sweepstakes?

Not that there should be a grieving process, but the over justifying of the pivot after the “there is no pivot” is ironic.
 
#1,280      
Pweezy
If we're not getting Blackwell I'd like to use the money to get the best 3 and D wing that is willing to come here. It gives us some level of protection in case Coleman doesn't come jumping out the gate, or someone suffers an injury.
 
#1,282      
redwingillini11
Petition to make the agent our public enemy #1 for 2026-27?

What a POS, especially if he funnels the kid to UCLA…
 
#1,283      
Pweezy
WeWillWhen said:
My ideal final add would be a veteran who projects as a three-and-D guard at the next level. Point of attack defender who doesn’t need to have the ball in his hands at the offensive end, and is fine being the 4th or 5th option. A more athletic Jake Davis, if you will. Thank you.
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Yeah you said it better than me. A guy who can hit 3s but isn't demanding the ball in his hands and is a point of attack defender. Perfect complement to all the guys on this team who deserve high usage %
 
#1,284      
Gunner23
Indy Illini Fan said:
Putting this as nicely as possible …

Blackwell has some certain people in his ear telling him how the role for him isn’t what he needs here … Too many mouths to feed … He wouldn’t be successful …

It has nothing to do with us “whiffing” or not having the money … He’d start … He’d get 30+ minutes a night and he’d get an absolute BAG …

But some people who in my opinion don’t know ball think somehow he wouldn’t have the role he needs … Just what it is …

Vaaks will be the primary handler … Morillo and Coleman are going to play big roles …
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Which is exactly why Blackwell will not make it in the NBA. If he can't be successful here, with this roster, he won't do anything in the NBA. He won't ever be the focal point on any NBA team. He would potentially play a role to make a team better. I hope that he and his family invest this "BAG of $" well for his future.
 
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#1,286      
GrapplingIllini
I swear we Illinois fans are the most annoying fanbase. We are bringing 5 people back from our final 4 team and we still find things to complain about.
Iron Man Eye Roll GIF
 
#1,288      
ColSLU69
Ethan Brown says Hello. Brown can play he was underrated tucked away in Rolla Missouri. The coaches know what they got in him.
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Hello right back at you, Ethan! I love the Ethan Brown addition. You're correct. The young man can play. I watched him play live in the postseason. And I've watched videos of his play. (BTW, I know where Rolla is. We played them in high school... over 50 years ago. They were in our Conference at the time.) I think that he can develop into an excellent player for Illinois. But do you think that right now, or even in the coming season, that Brown is or will be a better player than Brandon Lee, a rising Illinois sophomore, a former 4-star recruit from a NJ prep school, one who has already had a year of practice and development with the Illini? I have my doubts in that regard, even though I like Brown a lot. And as I said previously, I would like to see the Illini add a guard, preferably one with some experience, who's even a better backup option than Lee (or Brown). I just feel that adding such a player would make Illinois a better TEAM next season, perhaps a championship team. But I think that the Illini are primed for an excellent 26-27 season even if they end up going with Vaaks and Lee (sophomores), plus Coleman, Morillo, and Brown (freshmen) as their guards. I will cheer for the Illini all the way. But I still think the Illini could (should?) add an experienced guard (or a backup power forward) to next year's roster. But heck, Brad might be holding that last scholarship/roster spot open for a Euro recruit that we've not yet heard about!
 
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#1,289      
AirTran
My ideal final add would be a veteran who projects as a three-and-D guard at the next level. Point of attack defender who doesn’t need to have the ball in his hands at the offensive end, and is fine being the 4th or 5th option. A more athletic Jake Davis, if you will. Thank you.
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How do you get to adds?

2 grads, 1 NBA declaration, 3 transfers = 6 out. 5 Freshman + 1 transfer = 6 in. That leaves 14 rostered players. Brad has always left a roster spot open.
Until we see announcements from Jason Jakstys, Brandon Lee or Blake Fagbemi, and its unlikely we add anyone and the portal deadline is April 21 (Tuesday). In truth, if and if any of the 3 were going to leave it would have been more advantageous for them to announce two weeks ago, more spots were open.

As for Blackwell, I wrote the day he declared, he's not a great fit with this particular group. But more important than that, with the 5 returnees and Stefan Veeks, we just accounted for 150 - 170 minutes on any given night. Quentin Coleman and Lucas Morillo won't be sitting on the bench this season. One other thing. Landon Davis is 6' 9" and an offensive and defensive rebounding machine. He was the number 4 player in Iowa last year. The reason he isn't a 4 - star player is that he wasn't a full time starter as a Junior.
 
#1,291      
pruman91
There used to be a Mr. Blackwelll's list for worst dressed peeps in show business....maybe now Mr. Blackwell has a remaining list for worst places to win a natty....just sayin.....I really really am ....
 
#1,293      
LouHenson
LuckyIllini said:
View attachment 49928

Lee can absolutely contribute this year. I think he’s slept on. Keaton overshadowed him this year. Another year in the system, it’s not unreasonable to think he can take a sophmore leap.
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I think this is 100% the case. I believe the kid was a tremendous scorer in HS? The fact he has not hit the portal tells me the staff wants him here? If I am in BU’s shoes now I am looking for a physical big? I am fine with guards: Vaaks, Coleman, Lee, Andrej, Morillo and really Davis.
 
#1,295      
Ga65
RichardKeene’sHair said:
You do realize Vaaks is an NBA prospect off of 16ppg as a freshman correct? And Coleman is a 4/5 star top 20?

Boz was a liability at the 3pt line. He got a lot of gritty points, Coleman will be a better offensive college player by March.

Boz best attribute was his leadership. They will miss that more than anything.
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Offensively Vaaks and Coleman will be fine. I worry about duplicating the 8 rebounds and Wagler’s defense vs Vaaks. Think we will need Lee on defense with Coleman off the floor..
 
#1,296      
ImGonnaBeILL
Blackwell literally said in his transfer decision that he was after a place for national championship.

Promise he's not seeing that at UCLA. I don't think Louisville either (personally believe Floral Bumdonga will wind up far and away the most overpaid player in portal.....he can't get own shot and while he's a solid defensive presence, he's 6'9). I don't think he's a cornerstone guy at college program that will be the reason you win title
 
#1,298      
wncillini
Ragging on posters for pointing out the obvious seems weird. Brad and the staff thought we had a big enough hole at guard they were willing to make that guard the highest paid player on the team. Us pointing that out just means we have eyes. Now pretending we weren't willing to spend a bucket of money and we never needed them anyway seems more weird to me.

I love the team. I see the same hole our coaching staff does.
 
#1,300      
Det_Illini_fan
WeWillWhen said:
My ideal final add would be a veteran who projects as a three-and-D guard at the next level. Point of attack defender who doesn’t need to have the ball in his hands at the offensive end, and is fine being the 4th or 5th option. A more athletic Jake Davis, if you will. Thank you.
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Definitely agree here. With Defense and athleticism being a pain point last year, I’d love to see this piece of our game answered for optimal confidence.

Truth be told, not saying Blackwell was that piece. Give me a promising portal guard who’s stellar on defense and 100% bought into our system and locker room, and I have no problem we’re better suited than we would be even with Blackwell.
 
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