Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

#827      
I lost Kofi's blue binder
WeWillWhen said:
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.
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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.
 
#829      
HailtotheChief
STLini25 said:
Not even close. Boz/Wagler WAY better
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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.
 
#831      
CleverHandle1
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.
 
#832      
PepeSilvia
illiniguy24 said:
I would hate to see him at UCLA. And I can’t imagine his camp looks at Louisville as a place to win a title under Pat Kelsey.

It’s a huge bummer knowing we would fork up the money to pay him. We need more quickness at guard as others have alluded to imo, even if it’s a backup guard
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If we miss on Blackwell I would want to pivot to Alex Wilkins.

Good size and quickness. Think a backcourt of him, Vaaks, and Coleman would be incredibly good.

I obviously would love to have Blackwell but Wilkins has a pretty absurd combo of size and quickness.
 
#833      
LvilleILL1
Keaton was amazing. It's very likely none of our guards are as good as he was this year. However, I think the sum of them can be as good or better than the guard play this year.

Kylan cemented himself as a program legend, but we made a final four with him being borderline unplayable offensively the last bit of the season after he came back from injury.
 
#838      
RichardKeene’sHair
LvilleILL1 said:
Keaton was amazing. It's very likely none of our guards are as good as he was this year. However, I think the sum of them can be as good or better than the guard play this year.

Kylan cemented himself as a program legend, but we made a final four with him being borderline unplayable offensively the last bit of the season after he came back from injury.
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This is correct.
 
#843      
Aillini32
I see two things being true:

1. We can be a very good team next year and even great if our returners make jumps.

2. None of that matters without great guard play and our guard play is a major question. Vaaks is not a PG and Coleman isn’t either. Needing both to be very good next year is likely what will give this team a ceiling that is short of a title.

Bonus: The way I see this team becoming a true title contender is if Andrej becomes a true dude at the end of games, which is possible.
 
#845      
STLini25
Crazy that people are assuming Vaaks/Coleman going to average over 30 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists combined. Crazy. I’ll wager ANY amount that doesn’t happen.
 
#846      
DeeIL89
The Blackwell conversation now that Andrej is returning is interesting now. I have no doubt that Blackwell would still get his minutes if he comes here even with this loaded of a roster we already have. What interesting is the whole Blackwell wants to be THE guy. The three years he was at Wisconsin it came across like he was fine playing the Robin role. Whether it'll be playing alongside Nick Boyd or John Tonje. If Blackwell doesn't join Illinois, can he get out of the Big Ten? Don't want to deal with him again considering he torched us this past season. Lol.
 
#847      
RimPressure
LvilleILL1 said:
I think Vaaks/Coleman/Morillo can be really damn good, yes.
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No doubt they can be, but I also do wonder why we wouldn't at least attempt a pivot here and go after a different veteran guard. Not getting Blackwell is not a surprise, he joins a list of early targets we've missed on - it happens and we will be fine; Brad has more than earned the benefit of the doubt.

But I can also see the logic in bringing in a veteran player, maybe just a 3 and D type of guard, that can compete with the Freshmen for minutes and provide some insurance that you at least have another playable option in case one or more of the Freshmen turn out to not be ready yet (or if Lee doesn't make a significant step if he stays). I guess unless there are some big boosters and donors that were willing to help pony up for Blackwell but aren't interested in a pivot option, in which case maybe we just don't have the funds left. (And I'm not saying we aren't well-funded - we clearly are this year with all of the retention, but we don't have infinite money either obviously)

edit: I guess the miss with Petrovic is probably what's giving me pause. And I'm not throwing shade at Brad and the staff - there are bound to be misses here and there, and obviously there have been way more hits than misses (and a grand slam with Wagler). But everyone thought that Petrovic was going to be Braden Smith lite last year, and it just didn't work out. We're very fortunate that Wagler was so amazing, but certainly you can't rely on that kind of fortune on the positive end every year either. But we'll see. I do ultimately trust that Brad and the staff know what they are doing and we will be very good either way. We'll see about natty good.
 
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#849      
Petefrom3
Da88 said:
We need another stud scorer and ball handler. You can never have too many. We were one player hitting their shots v. UConn away from advancing.
We have a fantastic roster, but you need great guard play in March to advance.
Blackwell is another in a long line of big name guards that we hear are near locks, only for it to drag out before they go somewhere else.
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Relax, this Coleman kid is going to be a special player.
 
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