Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

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#476      
Rebounding Dog
ColSLU69 said:
Let's assume that Blackwell signs with Illinois. Who will our top 4 guards be? Blackwell, Vaaks, Coleman... and Morillo? Or Lee? That would be an excellent group!

Now, let's assume that Blackwell does not sign with the Illini. And let's assume that another player, say Brandon Lee, enters the portal. What if the Illini then signed both G Paul McNeil Jr (NC State) and G Terrence Hill Jr (VCU)? Our top 4 guards would be Vaaks, McNeil, Hill, and Coleman. Again, those would be excellent guards!

Could Illinois sign both McNeil and Hill for the same amount of money that it would have taken to sign Blackwell alone? Don't get me wrong. I really want the Illini to add John Blackwell to the roster!! He seems like the perfect fit. The icing on the cake. I'm just pondering what could be possible IF Blackwell goes elsewhere.
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I don't see signing two guards at this point...makes zero sense. Coleman and Morillo will need playing time. I see Vaaks and Blackwell (or other portal G) starting with rotation of Coleman and Morillo. Morillo could see some minutes at wing or maybe the 4 spot.
Other than a portal guard, I would think a little depth at the 4 spot is where we might go!
 
#482      
Greensboro
Glynn HAS to be exerting some influence here. Although I do understand that cash is king to these young guys.
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so is dad throwing in some NIL? I mean with all Luther has done over the years, seems like it is time for another alumni to step up.
 
#483      
Aillini32
Let's assume that Blackwell signs with Illinois. Who will our top 4 guards be? Blackwell, Vaaks, Coleman... and Morillo? Or Lee? That would be an excellent group!

Now, let's assume that Blackwell does not sign with the Illini. And let's assume that another player, say Brandon Lee, enters the portal. What if the Illini then signed both G Paul McNeil Jr (NC State) and G Terrence Hill Jr (VCU)? Our top 4 guards would be Vaaks, McNeil, Hill, and Coleman. Again, those would be excellent guards!

Could Illinois sign both McNeil and Hill for the same amount of money that it would have taken to sign Blackwell alone? Don't get me wrong. I really want the Illini to add John Blackwell to the roster!! He seems like the perfect fit. The icing on the cake. I'm just pondering what could be possible IF Blackwell goes elsewhere.
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If Blackwell does not commit I’m worried the only other add would be McNeil or someone similar. Need a creator pretty badly still to be true contenders
 
#484      
CleverHandle1
Indy Illini Fan said:
Just got a text from Ubben … With this gif …

As I’ve said all along … #TheRetention was always the plan and has been in the works …

Now it’s time for #TheAddition …

Kobe Bryant GIF
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Yeah Right Nod GIF by Big Brother
 
#488      
warhog6g
I’m sure the staff is trying to make it work, but I feel like it was a Stojakovic OR Blackwell kind of situation. We’ll see.
 
#491      
WeWillWhen
RabidDawgClassic said:
One was Florida Atlantic and I’m guessing the other was UConn.
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UCLA 21-22: all rotation players returned from the prior year’s Final Four team, including Jaquez, Juzang, Tyger Campbell, Jules Bernard, Jaylen Clark … they added 5⭐️ Peyton Watson … and they finished 2nd in the PAC 12 and got bounced out of the Dance in the Sweet Sixteen. 🤔
 
#492      
TheodoreRex
I'm so hyped... An unbelievable season followed by an already outstanding offseason..

I'm probably drinking the koolaid (even without Blackwell)

But this lineup is already insanely good:
Vaaks
Coleman
Andrej
Mirk
Tomi

Bench:
Big Z
Jake
Morillo

Spot minutes: Lee or tbd...

IMO- there's no reason to think that Coleman and Vaaks can't be a similar dynamic duo as Wagler and Boswell.. You expect growth and more cohesion between the 5 guys we are already bringing back (plus a standard that is set and expected). You already know they are bought in and care for each other. AND Morillo can absolutely can provide talent similar to Ben (maybe not defensively, but Morillo can make up for it with talent and skill IMO, plus the kid is already physically ready for the moment).
 
#493      
Combo
bbpeoria said:
I think it easy to start at least...It is a 3-guard rotation with Vaaks and Blackwell starting and Coleman coming off the bench. SB something like 30mpg/30mpg/20mpg. This is why there is speculation another guard (Lee?) could leave. I could even see some 3-guard lineups at times as all those guys will need/deserve serious minutes. I see Jake as exclusively a 3 (getting less mins than this year unless overall rest of game improves) and Morillo as a 3-4 getting 10-20mpg.

From a Blackwell perspective, this would be like passing up on a chance to be the last piece on a college dream team. Go be legendary young man and pick up a nice bag while doing it at your father's alma mater!
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Good breakdown. If we get Blackwell, 8-man rotation is the starters plus Coleman (SG), Davis (SF) and Z (C/PF). Morillo would likely be 9th man playing any of the 1-4 spots. This assumes everyone healthy.
 
#499      
EwGroce
gville90 said:
🥹🥹🥹 This is a POTY candidate imo. (As a physician, I’m extremely biased lol). So happy for you and kudos for spreading the word good sir. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

In non-health care news, HE’S BACK! WE’RE SO BACK. NOW LETS GET BLACKWELL AND WIN THAT NATTY LFGGGGGGG 😤😤😤🧡💙
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As if we didn’t need any more feel good stories on here lately! Love this for you @Emerson Bigguns.

@gville90, you wouldn’t happen to be one of the team physicians would you? 👀 do we have a medical insider? 👀👀👀
 
#500      
IL309
If Blackwell doesn’t want to come here with the current roster we have in place, I’m not sure he was being honest about leaving Wisconsin to win a national championship. COME HOME!!!! I L L
 
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