It’s a weird argument since literally every college basketball player is a pro athlete getting paid to play basketball. How is Mirk a professional basketball player and the thousands of paid basketball players in the portal aren’t?
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread
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It’s a weird argument since literally every college basketball player is a pro athlete getting paid to play basketball. How is Mirk a professional basketball player and the thousands of paid basketball players in the portal aren’t?
First, I’m very excited about next year’s team. Don’t underestimate the value of the culture and genuine camaraderie among the returning players. Think this will generate benefits throughout the season.
It’s also interesting to compare the mindset of Blackwell versus Yaxel regarding winning and NBA draft position. While Yaxel’s numbers weren’t always great, during the biggest games he was always about doing whatever it took to WIN. Sometimes defense or rebounding was the key. Think the NBA appreciates guys who are all about winning versus putting up stats. It was one of Keyton’s biggest strengths, too. Blackwell might be overlooking this in figuring out where he should play and what he role helps him most.
It’s also interesting to compare the mindset of Blackwell versus Yaxel regarding winning and NBA draft position. While Yaxel’s numbers weren’t always great, during the biggest games he was always about doing whatever it took to WIN. Sometimes defense or rebounding was the key. Think the NBA appreciates guys who are all about winning versus putting up stats. It was one of Keyton’s biggest strengths, too. Blackwell might be overlooking this in figuring out where he should play and what he role helps him most.
Justin Harmon type would be perfect.
5ppg, first guard off the bench, provides decent spark… hopefully shoots it well from 3.
This is an incorrect take but let’s pretend it is not. No shame against the most athletic HS players on the planet. Wagler would not have stood out in that game athletically.
Get him on campus if he’s willing to take visits ?
drsmitty74
- Rochester
If Blackwell doesnt want to come here, becuase we have a roster full of high-level players, and he won't get his stats......then take your scared butt to another team and continue finishing the years like you have been used to.
Nice to have a roster full of guys that intimidates a guy like Blackwell and his posse.
Nice to have a roster full of guys that intimidates a guy like Blackwell and his posse.
Not concerning, but I am wondering why they haven't signed. Is there any particular reason?
I don't know exactly what Blackwell's demands were, but the idea that they just watched an Illini team with three different guys who bring the ball up and multiple guys capable of getting their own shot go to the Final Four, and now he's like nah I don't want that because I won't get used enough? Sounds like he should have just stayed at Wisconsin.
See my earlier post on QC.
If not JB, I do think we need another veteran guard.
I have faith in Fletch. But QC will not be able to get past Cadeau/Demery-level guards unless his game has as much finesse as Keaton. Keaton was also 2 inches taller and a top tier deep threat assassin. The physicality of High Major and later round tourney basketball will weigh (pun intended) on him.
If we’re saying Vaaks will handle primary ball distribution ala Keaton, then we’re thinking of QC as a Boswell-esque off guard. We’re asking a lot of him to play well without the ball (for a guy who scored 50 in his state championship game), defend some strong/fast opposition guards, and be a reliable deep threat (especially if Dre returns to the starting 5).
Look at the Final Four. Lot of the star freshmen struggled (Mullins, Burries, Pete, Keaton). Cadeau showed out.
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Maybe the ship has sailed with Blackwell. We do need to consider a pivot if we’re serious about contending for the 1 seed from day 1. As you saw with Duke/Michigan/Zona this year, you’re basically hoping to be close to undefeated in non-con (max 1 loss) and then win your conference (likely need 17-18 wins in the B1G) to secure a 1 seed. That means across 34 games you’re hoping to go 31-3 leading into Selection Sunday. That’s 1 loss for every 10 wins while playing 10 B1G road games, UConn @ UC, Missouri, etc.
We all know the power of OSOC for Natty hopefuls.
Just my humble take but we need to shore up our guard situation. We’re missing that final piece.
I trust that Andrej/Jake, Mirk/bench, Tomi/Z will cover the 120min in the front court.
Vaaks covers 30-35min of the backcourt but we’re looking at 45-50min across QC and Morillo. No word on Brandon Lee.
I sense a small gap for us to truly contend…
If not JB, I do think we need another veteran guard.
I have faith in Fletch. But QC will not be able to get past Cadeau/Demery-level guards unless his game has as much finesse as Keaton. Keaton was also 2 inches taller and a top tier deep threat assassin. The physicality of High Major and later round tourney basketball will weigh (pun intended) on him.
If we’re saying Vaaks will handle primary ball distribution ala Keaton, then we’re thinking of QC as a Boswell-esque off guard. We’re asking a lot of him to play well without the ball (for a guy who scored 50 in his state championship game), defend some strong/fast opposition guards, and be a reliable deep threat (especially if Dre returns to the starting 5).
Look at the Final Four. Lot of the star freshmen struggled (Mullins, Burries, Pete, Keaton). Cadeau showed out.
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Maybe the ship has sailed with Blackwell. We do need to consider a pivot if we’re serious about contending for the 1 seed from day 1. As you saw with Duke/Michigan/Zona this year, you’re basically hoping to be close to undefeated in non-con (max 1 loss) and then win your conference (likely need 17-18 wins in the B1G) to secure a 1 seed. That means across 34 games you’re hoping to go 31-3 leading into Selection Sunday. That’s 1 loss for every 10 wins while playing 10 B1G road games, UConn @ UC, Missouri, etc.
We all know the power of OSOC for Natty hopefuls.
Just my humble take but we need to shore up our guard situation. We’re missing that final piece.
I trust that Andrej/Jake, Mirk/bench, Tomi/Z will cover the 120min in the front court.
Vaaks covers 30-35min of the backcourt but we’re looking at 45-50min across QC and Morillo. No word on Brandon Lee.
I sense a small gap for us to truly contend…
I guess that surprises me too. To not even take a visit is odd. Sounds to me like once "x" happened (thinking that's Drej), he and his agent shut it down. Maybe it was a wait and see approach.
From 5 years ago to now, my anxiety level has gone from a 100 to a 20. The thought of the ole agent, handlers, parents, etc coming out of nowhere is still present.
It's a fair question why Coleman and Vaaks haven't signed. Would that wait and see approach to make sure there are no more out of the blue additions are made? In this day and age, it's not a bad idea to protect yourself.
When I watched David Mirkovic in the Hoops Summit last year I sort of thought the same thing. Good player, had a couple moments in the game that gave you a glimpse, but certainly didn’t stand out.
One year later and he’s the 2nd best player on a Final Four team.
I would be the happiest incorrect person on the planet if true.
Love to be proven wrong.
Wouldn’t mind a bit of insurance with a veteran gaurd who’s played in the NCAA tournament.
Alternatively, if we’re content with the gaurd situation, it would be nice to add a Chineylu/Awaka-esque demon on the boards back-up forward.
OrangeBlue98
Iowa is not in a great spot right now (LvilleILL1)
- Des Moines, IA
Because Davis is Purdue through and through. His take is purely based on that and not on any sort of actual critical thought.
Yaxal has measurables that are off the chart. A guy of his size and athleticism does separate him. There was nobody on the Michigan team like him. He wasn't going to get his toes stepped on when it comes to role. Morez was the banger, brute and just nasty guy. Again, nobody kind him in the roster. Mara, he speaks for himself. He's the unicorn. Again, nobody like him. They just fit.
With regards to Blackwell, a 6'4" guard who's a high volume guys, he can DEFINITELY get lost in the system. There are a lot of guys like him.
foby
- Bonnaroo Land
Selfishness rules in a game like this so it is virtually impossible to evaluate someone's potential on a team like ours. Coleman's game fits perfectly in our system and he should flourish.
altgeld88
- Arlington, Virginia
Purdue man. Also: Purdue, man.
Bruce Pearl (Satan) said the same thing as an NCAAT analyst. It’s a dig for sure to try and minimize and disrespect our success. They need to be corrected by the networks because it’s BS.
Not to mention: this is Club basketball. It’s an exaggerated YMCA men’s league.
Claiming Andrej can’t stop dribble penetration is silly
The problem will be when we play the teams with multiple quick guards like Wisconsin last year
I didn’t see the game, but from stat sheet looks like Coleman suffered from some of that selfishness being 4th on team in shot attempts but 7th in minutes. And considering he shot under 50%, not like the number of shots was because he was on a heater. Don’t get me wrong, I’m excited we got him and look forward to him doing good things, but just saying.
Are we saying 12 points in 15 minutes wasn’t good enough?……
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