Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

[Illini2010-11]

If all goes to plan …

1

And as a reminder for some, the 04-05 squad started ranked #5, and we remember how close we were that season.

This really may be the Golden Age of Illini Basketball we are witnessing.

 

[CrazedUIFan]

This is going to feel like the longest offseason

 

[I-L-L 1318]

An entire summer to work together with a nucleus that is already connected? oh man... Dre is going to be a beast this year. Really figured it out down the stretch (especially if he learns when to kick it out)

 

[HereSoIDontGetFined]

The only real thing to be concerned with is whether Blackwell feels like the backcourt is too crowded. That's what Brad and Co. have to sell to him - you might not be playing 35 minutes but you have the ability to lead a title team.

 

[altgeld88]

We are so fortunate to have this man leading our program.

Yes.

And yet several assured me here in early/mid-March that he was useless and deserved to be fired.

 

[mysterio2525]

 

[Mobi]

Blackwell wouldn’t be free … Lol …

It's now looking real appealing. To Blackwell: you have the best support crew to propel you to Final four/championship and NBA.

 

[Illini2010-11]

Renewals are due May 15th. If we get Blackwell, assume there will be no one giving them up.

Even if Blackwell does not become an Illini, there will be nobody giving up their seats after the Final Four last year (and the seat relocation that took place before that season). I expect season tickets to be sold out for years to come.

 

[WxIllini]

Man f*ck the rankings, f*ck the haters, f*ck anyone who’s ever done wrong to this program…

THE NATTY IS COMING HOME TO CHAMPAIGN NEXT YEAR

 

[WyattEarp]

What do we do the rest of the summer...?

Learn a Foreign Language?

 

[skyIdub]

 

[DirtyBurgIllini]

Blackwell wouldn’t be free … Lol …

Any idea if this staff can do math?

 

[altgeld88]

Said it in late January after Keaton hung 46 in Mackey, said it in March, said it in early April: we livin' in the golden age, fam. Soak it all in.

 

[Illini_Jack]

ANDREJ IS BACK BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LET'S GO!!!

#THERETENTION

 

[illiniguy24]

Having the roster set and now just going big game hunting on April 17th …

Life is good …

This x100000

 

[Emerson Bigguns]

An entire summer to work together with a nucleus that is already connected? oh man... Dre is going to be a beast this year. Really figured it out down the stretch (especially if he learns when to kick it out)

I can't wait to see what Fletch does with our front court with a full off-season of physical development. I feel like Tomi was just getting his mojo back too. If we consistently get Tournament Tomi... Very few teams will have a chance.

 

[EmeraldCityIllini]

Yes.

And yet several assured me here in early/mid-March that he was useless and deserved to be fired.

You mean fans saying a team going into the tournament as a 3 seed “was dead in the water and the reality of the business is underwood should be on the hot seat” was asinine?

Good thing we have an AD

 

[wncillini]

I hope we don't get to the point where we have no meaningful returning roster players like Louisville, I mean they are buying an entire new team of players = not ideal regardless of who. Gotta develop from within to make it sustainable.

I mean if we have a really successful year this year, we might need to do some of that next year, especially for bigs. We could potentially lose our top 8.

 

[Chuck Nuggets]

All your portal are belong to us.

All of Tomi, Mirk, and Andrej would have been top 10-15 portal entries. Z would have been way up the list, too. Add Blackwell and you're talking 4 top 10-15 guys. Wild.

 

[From the cheap seats]

There really are no words to express how much fun it is to be an Illini fan right now. I’m looking forward to every 40-minute episode in what should be an epic season.
This type of retention is not only rare in the college ranks, it’s rare in the pro ranks. Brad is the lead, of course, but from the AD to the staff (Fletch should be given a higher title, IMO) to the donors and fans, all have played a part in developing this Illini environment of success.

 

[skyIdub]

Any idea if this staff can do math?

Balkan math.
Retention math.
Portal math.
Pizza Hut math.
Elite math.
Super soaker math.
Beet juice math.
Greek math.
Assistant math.
AI math.
Shoe math.
Social media math.
B1G math.
NCAA math.
Banner math.
Ticket math.
Substitution math.
BLOB math.
SLOB math.



Still working on:
Time out math.

 

[LvilleILL1]

Fantastic news!!!!

Expecting one more add from the staff. They are going to try to make Blackwell work.

If Blackwell goes elsewhere, they will pivot for their last addition.

 

[FrankNitty30]

First post, but been reading for years. I don’t believe anyone has mentioned this…getting Zavier Zens is smart as it would get Illinois an easy look from all four of Kon Knueppel’s younger brothers- Zen’s first cousins - should they also be D1 caliber players.

This. Thought the same thing

 

[illinipioneer]

Flying back from vacation, sitting at a Bubba Gump’s shrimp, think I’ll have another one of these!!!

[failed to attach picture of a delicious Dos Equis Amber at Cancun international ]

We are cooking with gas now boys! As my girl Julia Childs would say!

Gonna be a good year!

I-L-L

 

[1m4tr]

Anyone else have a better claim than us?