Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

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#627      
Lakes333
illini0440 said:
Shocked Season 6 GIF by Friends
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I am not the least surprised. Who would not want to come here? Hopefully stays the course and becomes a very good player.
 
#628      
EmeraldCityIllini
ugottabjoshinme said:
Vaaks is going to be the on ball, ball handler in a similar role to Wagler. We need a true SG to play with him, not a ball dominant PG.
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Maybe. Seems like Brad likes all his options on the floor to be able to handle the ball though - Andrej was ball dominant and worked with another ball dominant guard. Kylan was ball dominant and played major minutes with both KJ and Keaton.

I think his rebounding and defense, especially onball defense, would be highly valued.

It’s clear he’s not coming here though. So just my view.
 
#629      
IL309
Zens is obviously a project, but I love having undefeated, state champion, gatorade POY winners with positional size as projects.

A lot of signs point toward this kid knowing what it takes to win despite any physical limitations. Sign me up.
 
#631      
Lakes333
Todd99 said:
bigredlouie.com

Louisville just got major John Blackwell help Pat Kelsey must take advantage of

Louisville basketball and Pat Kelsey might have just received a golden opportunity to land 5-star transfer, John Blackwell. The Cardinals are one of six teams
bigredlouie.com bigredlouie.com

The article basically states that since Andrej has announced he is returning, Illinois won't pursue Blackwell. Is this a coping mechanism? Wishful thinking? :LOL:

"However, the Cardinals appear to have received major help from Illinois and Andrej Stojakovic, as the 6-foot-7 shooting guard has elected to return to the Fighting Illini, making it certainly feel like Illinois is out of the race for Blackwell."
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Haha. Keep drinking that Cardinal kool aid. They are so desperate for good news. They will have talent but their coach is not very good. Same for Mizzou.
 
#632      
skyIdub
Todd99 said:
The article basically states that since Andrej has announced he is returning, Illinois won't pursue Blackwell. Is this a coping mechanism? Wishful thinking? :LOL:

"However, the Cardinals appear to have received major help from Illinois and Andrej Stojakovic, as the 6-foot-7 shooting guard has elected to return to the Fighting Illini, making it certainly feel like Illinois is out of the race for Blackwell."
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#634      
hoopsfan47
JDL70 said:
Watched him and Mannie Jackson play even when they were high school stars at Edwardsville High School and later as teammates at Illinois. At the time they played for Illinois, Illinois had very little height and as they were both good jumpers and rebounders, they were often playing against bigger players on the inside.
As most know Mannie did well financially after graduation and bought the Harlem Globetrotters. They were both excellent players for the Illini.
They were also two of the earliest African American players to play for Illinois. I believe my good friend, Walt Moore from Mt. Vernon was the first AA to play at Illinois. I knew Walt when I was living in Macomb, IL before moving to New Canaan, CT.
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Great post JDL. Good to see another genuine Rabid Illini Old-Timer. Great story.
 
#635      
ChiefGritty
ugottabjoshinme said:
Vaaks is going to be the on ball, ball handler in a similar role to Wagler. We need a true SG to play with him, not a ball dominant PG.
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Vaaks is less of a facilitator than Wagler, whose running mate was Boswell, a true PG.

The perfect player for that missing spot would be a slick passing true PG who is money on catch-and-shoot threes and can disrupt opposing guards at a high level.

Blackwell is a great shooter, but that's the only part of the job description he fulfills. Same with Coleman.

Ace Baldwin was kind of a shaky shooter, but that's the sort of skillset I have in mind.

You can't always get the perfect player and Blackwell is really good and if he comes I trust the staff to make the best of it. But I honestly don't think he's coming, and I hope that better fitting options (even ones who are cheaper and not as "good") enter our radar.
 
#643      
PepeSilvia
WeWillWhen said:
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. 🤔
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To be fair the 21 team that went to the final four had an incredible run but made that run as an 11 seed and went to OT with MSU in the play in game.

They improved from 11 seed to a 4 seed with all their retention and then got bounced in the sweet 16 in a close game with a UNC team that was up 15 at halftime in the national championship game.
 
#645      
ptgrd23
Birdus said:
really like where we are at this point. The last 3-4 years have been especially fun with all the drama of portal season. Underwood has built a great program. I've been a fan for a long long time and I see a lot of momentum right now. Just to give you an idea how far I go back, anyone ever heard of Nick Witherspoon?
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I saw the Spoon play as an 10 year old.

My dad who went to Illinois in the 50's used to tell me about George Bonsall who was an All American forward at Illinois in 1956.
I guess we were good back (18-4 2nd in B10). Unfortunately only champion went to NCAA in those days.

Other famous names on that 1956 Phil Judson (fathers of Rob) and Bill Altenberger father of Doug. San Francisco with Bill Russell and KC Jones won the NCAA championship (played at McGaw hall NW).
 
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