Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

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#1,201      
LubbockIlliniFan
I want guys who want to be here…if you don’t want to come on the ride, win a bunch of games so be it. Maybe you won’t score as much, but you could be playing on the biggest stage with the most eyeballs. See Dre.
 
#1,202      
Da88
Putting this as nicely as possible …

Blackwell has some certain people in his ear telling him how the role for him isn’t what he needs here … Too many mouths to feed … He wouldn’t be successful …

It has nothing to do with us “whiffing” or not having the money … He’d start … He’d get 30+ minutes a night and he’d get an absolute BAG …

But some people who in my opinion don’t know ball think somehow he wouldn’t have the role he needs … Just what it is …

Vaaks will be the primary handler … Morillo and Coleman are going to play big roles …
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So his agent convinced him that Illinois made him a priority, was willing to give him a huge bag of cash, all just to play a supporting role?
That sounds like an agent who has some other motive than his clients best interest in mind.
 
#1,204      
Det_Illini_fan
wc_illini said:
Yeah, I'm not upset with anyone about losing out on Blackwell, especially if that's the reason (not the right fit anyway). But if we thought we wanted/needed him, I'm surprised there isn't/won't be someone else who could make us better- even a defensive piece or extra insurance in case of injury/underperformance.

Yes, we have a stacked roster and #TheRetention is something to celebrate. I don't care about pre-season media rankings, though pre-season odds are interesting and they have us around #3-7 and a definite step down from UM and Duke. Those are of course wild predictions, but it isn't crazy to wonder if a little extra could end up being the difference that gets us a natty.
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The Office Thank You GIF
 
#1,207      
ColSLU69
FI_890526 said:
Man, there are some insane posts in this thread.

Illinois fans should be dancing in the streets.

If you’re worried about point guard, they plan to put the ball in the hands of Vaaks.
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I'm dancing... but not in the streets. LOL I'm not worried about point guard. I'm looking forward to Illinois putting the ball in the hands of Vaaks. I just happen to think the Illini could use ANOTHER guard in addition to Vaaks and Coleman. Perhaps a guard with some experience? One who's better than Brandon Lee. And one who's better (at least initially) than Morillo at Guard. Plus, I think the Illini will need minutes from Morillo at SF and PF. (No great candidates to play those minutes at those positions if Morillo is forced to start at Guard for an injured Vaaks or Coleman.)
 
#1,208      
bschulte1978
Oldskoolkoach said:
I can't with some that think this team right now as it stands is blahhh.

I think we are already better than last years team and im not really sure its close.

Vaaks can flat out stroke it...we didnt have that this year. Yes, Keaton was very good, but not the pure shot Vaaks is from anywhere on the court.

Coleman will be better than Bam by end of the year.

AS/Z/T/Mirk all one more year in the program, typically players improve number 15-20% each year and have chemistry

Throw in Jake Davis bangin baseline 3s to spread the floor.

Morillo is pure gravy and he looks really really skilled for a true freshman.

I watched a lot of video of Wagler last year and thought he could be a 10 ppg type freshman. Coleman and Morillo both look better on film than wagler did, IMO. Chew on that a bit.

Can only feed so many mouths and we have enough to be excited about! Enjoy it!
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Wagler shot 39.7% from three this year. Vaaks? 35% Wagler was the better shooter, period. I don't care about the "eye test." I care about results. That said, I'm excited Vaaks is coming next year and hope he gets even better and sees more wide open threes, which are both reasonable assumptions to make.
 
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#1,209      
Illinirog70
To be fair, we’ve had freshman as key contributors most years with underwood.

Ayo
Kofi
Miller/Curbelo
Epps/Clark/Ty/Harris
KJ/Riley/Morez
Wagler/Mirk
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soooo....your conclusion is that we're better off without Blackwell or the equivalent,
 
#1,210      
Da88
I say we should have a new policy that we are open to any transfer that fits our needs, unless they are a Badger. The heck with those guys.
 

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#1,213      
Heisenbobble
wc_illini said:
Yeah, I'm not upset with anyone about losing out on Blackwell, especially if that's the reason (not the right fit anyway). But if we thought we wanted/needed him, I'm surprised there isn't/won't be someone else who could make us better- even a defensive piece or extra insurance in case of injury/underperformance.

Yes, we have a stacked roster and #TheRetention is something to celebrate. I don't care about pre-season media rankings, though pre-season odds are interesting and they have us around #3-7 and a definite step down from UM and Duke. Those are of course wild predictions, but it isn't crazy to wonder if a little extra could end up being the difference that gets us a natty.
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This x10000!! If the injury bug hits the team, depth will be a major concern.

If Blackwell truly backed away and the money is still there, try to persuade someone like Paul McNeil to join. He’d be a great fit.
 
#1,214      
Second place is 1st loser
BBlock24 said:
No one is blaming the agent. It's the posters who automatically assumed Illinois wouldn't pony up for Blackwell that are the issue.
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We can't help those posters. I've given up trying to make people understand how good we're going to be and how difficult it had to have been for Brad to pull this off-season off. People have the ask themselves what Drej, Mirk and the twins would have been worth it they all hit the portal? Drej and Mirk would have been 5 stars for sure....guessing Tomi would have been as well.

To pull Vaaks out of there and secure plug n play freshmen that you can mold for when our seniors leave after next year....you keep that retention pipeline flowing.

You can't just live out of the portal. You have to be able to develope guys, retain them and use the portal as an accent, which is pretty much what we did this year.
 
#1,218      
pruman91
I seem to remember the Illini' offensive # 's this past year being described as " historic " on Kenpom.............that's without a contribution from Mr. Blackwell , wasn't it???????..............

we had a top 150 recruit transition to a probable top 7-8 lottery pick coming up in a couple weeks.........maybe some of our freshmen coming in can do the same.....maybe ??.......................maybe the newest commit's dad said it best about the Illini program being best at player development in the country........................maybe some of our retention 5 players actrually improve ......maybe ????...

MAYBE some posters need to think more before posting some of the fodder showing up here now.......

I believe in this program like never before as to making the right decisions as to what's best for us to succeed.....I wish more felt that way , but it's your right to post an opinion........MAYBE give most thought before you post......JMHO......
 
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#1,219      
Illini4Christ
Blackwell isn’t coming here to sit behind anybody — he’d be competing with guys who earned their roles, not blocked by them.

And Tyler has shown they’ll play multiple guards together if they can score and defend. If you can produce, you’re on the floor.
 
#1,220      
SkyysNotFalling
We’re still a natty favorite without Blackwell..

Maybe not #1 preseason but I don’t know if there’s a group with such retention that is for sure better. We’re going to have a season where the final four & a national championship will be the bar for success.

we rode with these guys last year, Zen’s dad is right.. we are the premier development program. Morillo & Coleman are fantastic additions as freshmen & Vaaks will be a first round pick….

Nothing to be upset about- especially if the kid isn’t focused on winning. Everyone that’s coming back is sacrificing to win. Andrej could go anywhere he wants.. he could
Be averaging 25ppg at Cal right now but instead he’s locked in on bringing a national title to Champaign.
 
#1,221      
Combo
RichardKeene’sHair said:
Doomers, please do yourself a favor and watch this Vaaks vid. He’s even better than I thought. Incredible athlete. Illinois is not going to miss a beat next season. They are better.

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He's an exciting addition. Excellent shooter, adept passer, and very good run/jump athlete.

The only question is can we get him to play acceptable defense.
 
#1,222      
Illinifan74
pruman91 said:
I seem to remember the Illini' offensive # 's this past year being described as " historic " on Kenpom.............that's without a contribution from Mr. Blackwell , wasn't it???????..............

we had a top 150 recruit transition to a probable top 7-8 lottery pick coming up in a couple weeks.........maybe some of our freshmen coming in can do the same.....maybe ??.......................maybe the newest commit's dad said it best about the Illini program being best at player development in the country........................maybe some of our retention 5 players actrually improve ......maybe ????...

MAYBE some posters newed to think more before posting some of the fodder showing up here now.......

I believe in this program like never before as to making the right decisions as to what's best for us to succeed.....I wish more felt that way , but it's your right to post an opinion........MAYBE give most thought before you post......JMHO......
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All of THIS ^^^^^
 
#1,223      
Illinirog70
Reading some of these takes......you would think that we lost Mirk, Andrej, the Twins, and Jake and no squad for next season. LMAOO!

Tom Cruise What GIF
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obviously reading isn't your strong suit. are we better off with or without Blackwell? That's the only question on the table...and what's being discussed...
 
#1,224      
hiberto
if Blackwell is concerned about too many mouths to feed and not being successful, then he's not, as BU says, "playing for the name on the front of the jersey". like when he saw Keaton score 2 points in high school and came away still ecstatic about him because he got his teammates involved and didn't care that he only got 2 points.
 
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#1,225      
ColSLU69
Those of us watching the Jordan Game, Quentin with a filthy move, lay-up. The doom squad is going to be really disappointed how good this kid is.
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Who are those doom squad members? All I've read here are posters opining that freshman guard Quentin Coleman will not be as good next season as freshman All American guard Keaton Wagler was this past season. And I'm pretty sure those same posters will be thrilled if their opinion is proved wrong by Coleman next season.
 
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