Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

#126      
As much time as he possibly needs …

I don’t think the situation is miss out on Blackwell and immediately pivot … We’ve got other pieces already … It would have to be a pretty perfect fit …
Exactly. The Illini are in a position of strength when it comes to the quality of the roster to date. There is absolutely no reason to jeopardize getting the last piece of a national title contender to simply make the team marginally better at best.
 
#127      
If B Lee leaves not even a natty would cheer my depression
angry jim carrey GIF
 
#130      
You’re a believer in a guy that has one single tournament win in his career? And it was this year against USF with a team that should have been much better…
I am, yeah. This year didn't go that well, but the same guy went 18-2 in the ACC cleaning up Kenny Payne's mess the prior year, has a really lengthy and high quality mid-major resume prior to that and clearly has an appeal to good players.

If I were a Louisville fan I'd be feeling real confident about the immediate future.

People used to ding BU for a lack of tournament success, but in both cases I say look to the fundamentals. A coach that can attract good players and win in the crucible of a major conference is going to find success in March if by nothing else than getting enough dice rolls to get lucky.
 
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#131      
As much time as he possibly needs …

I don’t think the situation is miss out on Blackwell and immediately pivot … We’ve got other pieces already … It would have to be a pretty perfect fit …
Would feel pretty good if we can get Blackwell on campus. Lots of commitments happening this cycle during the visit.
 
#133      
To be fair, we were #5 going into the preseason that year. We get both Andrej and Blackwell, we'll be higher than that. Doesn't mean I expect 37-2.
I definitely agree if we get both. What I was disagreeing with was the statement that we would be equal with 05 team with only 1 of AS or Blackwell.
 
#134      
Was thinking (and hoping) he was referencing Lee portaling, not Coleman.
Lee would make more sense. Coleman is going to play. How much is really up to him. He is bringing a unique player profile, that really no one else on the roster offers. He is an explosive athlete. If he has a similar role to a guy like Trey McKinney on Michigan last year, he can still have big impact on winning and get himself on the NBA's radar.

If Blackwell commits, Lee's path to significant playing time is going to be dependent on him making a HUGE leap, or injury. My amateurish scouting report based on the few times he got run is that he is a guy who does a lot of things well, but he isn't elite at any particular skill. He is going to be a good player, but will he ever be a big contributor on a team with National Championship aspirations? It's really hard to get really comfortable at this level when you only get to break a sweat in practice.

It's similar to the Ty situation in my mind. He could play a lot in many other programs. I'm just not sure how he fits in this particular roster, other than serving as a depth piece and an awesome practice player.

We'd obviously be lucky to have him back, but honestly, if I were him, I'd be looking around.

I think similarly about a guy like Ethan Brown. That kid can get buckets and would help a lot of teams this year. His shooting ability, however, could definitely earn him a big role here down the line if he has the patience. I have to believe he'd look pretty nice in 27 taking over Jake's role.

Landon Davis needs to get a lot stronger, and I have to imagine he knows it. For him, I see the fit.

I hope they all stay. They are all really talented guys, and obviously Brad sees something in each of them, but I'd get it if any of them wanted to re-assess.

The program's 26-27 paradigm has shifted from potential re-build to a complete re-load. That may not be exactly what they thought they were signing up for, but hopefully it is.
 
#136      
If we don't get Blackwell we won't go for any other guard. We have plenty of options on this roster.

PG options:
Mirk
Vaaks
Coleman
Morillo
Lee (if he doesnt leave)

People didn't even think Keaton would play this year lol Coleman is already a stud and can play both 1 and 2.
 
#137      
I dont like it when bench guys leave but i dont sweat it either. It seems what we bring in to replace our bench gets better each season. Thats one reason guys leave.

Also, it may not be Lee. I mean Blake F is a guard that is buried on the bench.
I get the feeling — and I could be 100% wrong on this — that Fagbemi is happy getting a UI education and, for now, is happy being a practice body. Of course, every player wants to play, but given his light recruitment, attending the UI must seem like winning the lottery.
 
#142      
You’re a believer in a guy that has one single tournament win in his career? And it was this year against USF with a team that should have been much better…
Kelsey has finished in the top-3 of his conference 11 of 14 seasons as a head coach. He has a career .717 win % in conference. Before these last 3 years, BU had a pretty iffy tournament record. IMO, it's just a matter of time before Kelsey has his breakout.
 
#144      
Care to make that interesting? Avatar bet?

I'm a Pat Kelsey believer, and it's hard not to like the roster they're putting together.
PK is a very good coach, an excellent recruiter and has a lot of $ behind him. As you noted elsewhere, he went 18-2 a year ago coming off a disaster left by the previous coach. It would be pretty silly to underestimate the Ville next year
 
#146      
I just read that Notre Dame and Villanova women's teams are opening their season in Rome. Would this open the door for BU to try and schedule a game overseas? I know he's talked about it, but could this become a reality? It would make sense with our strong ties and further our relationship IMO.
 
#149      
To be extremely clear …

I don’t anticipate anyone that is in line to play meaningful minutes leaving …

I expect Andrej back … Very soon …

All focus goes to Blackwell after that …

Everyone relax … Throw in a Zen …

😎
LOL! Sometimes, you just got to spell it out for us.
 
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