This team is an extraordinary combination of talent, funny, respectful, chill, and fun. They could easily become national media darlings with all these characters.
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread
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. 
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).
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).
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.
As someone who still cringes about the “fart noise” press conference, this literally made me LOL.
Ehhh, Blackwell will play A LOT.
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
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? That's easy. Yes.
I am confident the coaching staff will remind them of this possibility and have them prepared to not take anything for granted.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
lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
Vaaks (30) / Blackwell (5) / Coleman (5)
Blackwell (25) / Coleman (10) / Andrej (5)
Andrej (25) / Davis (15)
Mirk (30) / Morillo (10)
Tomi (25) / Z (15)
(30) Vaaks
(30) Blackwell
(30) Andrej
(30) Mirk
(25) Tomi
(15) Coleman
(15) Davis
(15) Z
(10) Morillo
Blackwell (25) / Coleman (10) / Andrej (5)
Andrej (25) / Davis (15)
Mirk (30) / Morillo (10)
Tomi (25) / Z (15)
(30) Vaaks
(30) Blackwell
(30) Andrej
(30) Mirk
(25) Tomi
(15) Coleman
(15) Davis
(15) Z
(10) Morillo
The tournament is still always a crap shoot... Most teams need to catch a couple of breaks to get to the Final 4. (Michigan and Arizona this year being exceptions) We had the good fortune of only having to play one team seeded above a 9.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
That said, the 2020-21 UCLA Final Four squad finished 4th in the PAC 10 (13-6), and were 22-10 overall, prior to getting white-hot during the tournament.
One could certainly argue that they were better the next year, that squad just ran into a UNC that was on their own improbable journey to the National Title game.
I think Z will play more than 15 mpg. And towards the end of the year, I think whoever's 9th in the rotation (guessing Morillo) will see their minutes go way down. Brad, like most coaches, wants a tight rotation by tournament time.
Just hoping everyone is relatively healthy so this comes to fruition. A few injuires and all of a sudden you don't look that deep.
skyIdub
"I can't tell you. Secret."
RabidDawgClassic
- Los Angeles, CA
Ah.. that’s right. All that after rumors of Tyger coming to Illinois.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
Z’s gotta be at the 4 in SOME capacity. I think he needs to push 20 minutes.
4: Mirk 30 / Morillo 6 / Z 4.
Play Duo Ivisic for 4 minutes.
I think this is the kind of "pivot" we can all endorse.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 …
altgeld88
- Arlington, Virginia
It was, however, the most concise and accurate description of an on-court performance that I've ever seen.As someone who still cringes about the “fart noise” press conference, this literally made me LOL.
That sounds about right - the experience we will have I think will make a huge difference in the tournament as well. Come on Blackwell - come join the fun
Announces his return on April 17th as well!
Just a slight tweak as IMO T and Z play together more often, and Morillo is a 3-4 combo-forward:
Vaaks (30) / Blackwell (5) / Coleman (5)
Blackwell (25) / Coleman (10) / Andrej (5)
Andrej (25) / Davis (10) / Morillo (5)
Mirk (30) / Morillo (5) / Tomi (5)
Tomi (22) / Z (18)
B_Goeck
- Cleveland
Yes!!!!!!