Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread
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I agree. Morillo and Brown will see clock, especially in the non conference. I would love for Brad to go 10 deep and wear teams down, throwing multiple looks. This could be Brad’s best and deepest team.
Agree. Its going to be really hard replacing the ball-handling, decision making, seeing over the d, and avoiding turnovers that wagler brought....scoring aside.
If the money is literally there for him and he (or people in his camp) balk at the opportunity to get on board this train, I’ll shed no tears… 10 toes in, or see ya 
Nothing against him as a player or a person. He’s looking out for himself (as he should) and if that is a priority for him over a cool legacy story and a legit chance at a title, so be it.
Again, not sour grapes. He’s a baller. Smoked us twice this pet season. If Blackwell came here, no doubt he’d carve out a significant role. But Team chemistry is of the utmost importance. Go be an alpha and get paid somewhere else. We’ve already got plenty of (highly capable) mouths to feed.
Nothing against him as a player or a person. He’s looking out for himself (as he should) and if that is a priority for him over a cool legacy story and a legit chance at a title, so be it.
Again, not sour grapes. He’s a baller. Smoked us twice this pet season. If Blackwell came here, no doubt he’d carve out a significant role. But Team chemistry is of the utmost importance. Go be an alpha and get paid somewhere else. We’ve already got plenty of (highly capable) mouths to feed.
skyIdub
"I can't tell you. Secret."
Yep, it was always going to be about the Andrej/Blackwell fit/usage. If it was a gun to head choice I am choosing Andrej 100/100 times because of that locker room.
Blackwell had to buy in. Totally get why he might not, and that is your sure sign that we did the right thing here.
A whole summer to fine tune and plug in Vaaks?
This team is going to be a wagon come Jan-Feb.
Everyone enjoy the rest of the portal.
Blackwell had to buy in. Totally get why he might not, and that is your sure sign that we did the right thing here.
A whole summer to fine tune and plug in Vaaks?
This team is going to be a wagon come Jan-Feb.
Everyone enjoy the rest of the portal.
Agreed. Wagler was a unicorn, we can't expect another Freshman to be like him. Freshman rarely play great defense, and the one knock on Vakks is that he's a defensive liability.
IMO we still need to address last year's biggest weakness and that was a lack of overall athleticism that could lock down small quick guards.
This team has tremendous potential, but I'd rather it be ridiculously loaded rather than plain old loaded.
We finally have the cash to do that and we wiffed again.
CrazedUIFan
UI Fan in QC Land
Did @illini0440 @Indy Illini Fan @DB11Headband @sharpshot16 and @LvilleILL1 play rock paper scissors to see who would have to let us know about Blackwell?
A few things. 1) it takes two to do the portal polka. It’s not just throwing bags of money, it’s also the player thinking if he’s the right fit on an already stacked roster. Maybe said player wants not only a fat bag, but plenty of playing time and optics for the next level. 2) who gives a cr@p about pre season rankings. I’m just concerned about the final ranking in April.
No offense, but this is a ridiculous take. Wagler was an All-American and the best player on the team by a mile.
Vaaks + Coleman is a definite downgrade from Wagler + Boswell.
I have and yeah I get it!
This is a completely rational position for Blackwell to take.
Don't settle for hoping that Vaaks or one of the freshmen blow up like Wagler -- Lottery Pick/Consensus All American. The Illini have a once in a generation opportunity to build on the momentum of a Final Four season. The money is there. Bring in one more proven piece. Don't settle.
But he said he wants to be on a title contender, so does he also want to be the man? Because if he was that good, Wisconsin would have done more.
Title contenders need role players. And the best role players get the ball when teams need them.
It's maddening when we lose out on guys because we're not title contenders or don't have the cash. Now we check those boxes and a target comes up with some other exuse. My thoughts are let him go somewhere else and let's find a guy that truly wants to bring Illinois a title.
I like him for his name alone, ok I'll give that joke a rest
Welcome, ZZ! great choice!
I feel like I’m/we’re complaining that we have a Lamborghini instead of a Ferrari. Brad and Company have definitely proven themselves, and the locker room will be unparalleled next year and I’m extremely excited for the team next year if we get the leaps from the returners. Wish we got Blackwell to complement, and maybe a pivot piece to fill that transfer void but we should have the team and staff to make a splash.
This is going to sound a bit pessimistic but I’m really not. I think this is a very good team but I feel like expectations should be tempered just a little for these reasons:
* We’re losing the best freshman in program history. Wags covered up a lot of holes.
* BAM’s leadership and his play (especially pre-injury) is going to be missed.
* We have a tendency to overhype freshman. We were told Brandon Lee was going to contribute last year (just latest example.) My point with that is you just never know what you’re going to get until those guys step on campus. Feels like a big gamble to count on them.
* I love Mirk but there were matchups that he really struggled with. Same with AS. We know what we’re getting for the most part which is a team that can compete for a B1G title and should be 2nd weekend. But to suggest this is a guaranteed top 3 seems a little optimistic to me. Hope I’m wrong.
Adding a stud like Blackwell is exactly what this team needs. And Michigan was able to put together a super team with those bigs and that turned out pretty good.
The only reason that’s even being brought up is because he didn’t have super gaudy per game numbers — which is a direct result of how slow we played (300s in possessions per 40 minutes).
He was a consensus top 10 player in college basketball (if not top 5 when you factor in leading a team to the final 4). The metrics would agree as well.
His PRPG on Torvik — which directly measures a player’s value to their team (your argument) — is higher than Ayo and Kofi… and on the doorstep of TSJ’s incredible season.
Ayo — 5.5
Kofi — 5.4
Terrance — 6.6
Keaton — 6.5
Again, I do not dislike our current team, but I’ll correct a wrong perspective when I see one.
Next year’s team will be more experienced, stronger, deeper, and more versatile. Let the record show.
Also please note Quentin Coleman plays above the rim and Lucas Morillo is 6’7” and can play the 1-4.
Also please note Quentin Coleman plays above the rim and Lucas Morillo is 6’7” and can play the 1-4.
Yeah, this is well put. Time to convince the donors that another piece is worth it like they were apparently convinced for Blackwell. You don’t get this kind of retention from a final four team every year or two. Have to be aggressive now.
You guys old enough to remember that freshman Trey Mckinney from the 2026 Michigan national championship squad?
I feel it is way to early to say that. I would not be shocked at all if Vaaks is a first round pick next year with his length and shot making ability. Also think Coleman can be one day too. I think thats why they are here, to get to the NBA. I love Boz our local player but its iffy that he can get to that level unless the shot improves.
Feels like everyone is a little too confident about freshmen after Keaton.
I wish the Illini could have gotten Blackwell to seal that #1 preseason ranking and more importantly be one of the prohibitive favorites as National Champion.
I understand without Blackwell, the Illini will still be Top 5; I'd rather be #1, but really can't complain about a Top 5.
I would hope BU and staff can sign a solid PG who can defend and score a little.
I really think Wagler will be very hard to replace, but if Vaaks AND Coleman can both score (as they should), rebound and be heady, then I am confident, Illinois can reach their potential.
And if Morillo can do well, then it's a great thing.
I understand without Blackwell, the Illini will still be Top 5; I'd rather be #1, but really can't complain about a Top 5.
I would hope BU and staff can sign a solid PG who can defend and score a little.
I really think Wagler will be very hard to replace, but if Vaaks AND Coleman can both score (as they should), rebound and be heady, then I am confident, Illinois can reach their potential.
And if Morillo can do well, then it's a great thing.
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