Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

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#451      
Second place is 1st loser
From my understanding (mainly reading the insiders comments) — is that the Blackwell buzz was very strong UNTIL the Andrej announcement.

He announced his return, and either we backed off on Blackwell or his camp backed off on us (I guess it’s been said his camp backed off on us).
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Definitely seems like it was an either, or, but not both.
 
#453      
aaeismacgychel
Trueblue777 said:
I think it’s really important Z takes a step up next year, puts on muscle, gets stronger. Especially at his base. Also he matures and shoots the 3 at a 33% or + clip. Also further developing his post moves as dog gone it he’s 7’ 2” tall. Nobody will block his shot. I’d like to see him score twice as much in the paint and on putbacks than 3’s. Defensively he’ll be fine if indeed he is stronger and puts on some weight. Fletch! Do your magic!
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The biggest thing holding Z back is he still has a freshman body. Needs a full offseason with Fletch in the gym working his rear end off. First in, last out. He's not a bad rebounder or bad in the paint so much as his body is that of a crazy inflatable tube man so he gets bodied and pushed out of the way. An extra 15lbs of muscle is a big ask, but it would make a world of difference for him.

As for 3pt shooting, this Z's college career:
2024: 37.5% on low volume
2025: 37.6% on medium-high volume
2026 thru 2/4: 35.7% on medium-high volume
2026 2/4-April: 10.0% on medium volume

There is a striking anomaly here. Kid id about as consistent as they come 36-38% 3pt shooter who unfortunately went through a deep deep cold spell. Based on his prior history and his good form while shooting I'd be shocked if he doesn't return back to a 37% 3pt shooter next year. I also want us seeing at least 3 rim run 'oop attempts a game designed fir him.

Z's a big piece for us next year, if he can put on the strength and conditioning, sky really is the limit for him.
 
#455      
Illynois
SkyysNotFalling said:
DJ Wagner to Maryland, they might be solid.

He would’ve been the perfect Ty replacement. Always loved his size and game.
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Catching up in the thread here, they also got bishop boswell from TN..Someone else i would've liked (Not sure how realistic or if interest was ever there, but me being an armchair gm). He's got size, good defender, and can shoot. Boswell v2 would've been quite the coincidence, ha.
 
#456      
RabidDawgClassic
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#457      
JoeJ
I could understand Purdue guy on BTN criticizing signing of Petrovich, or perhaps Tomi at the time. Mirk was much more of a true FR.

At least nobody on the board wants to fire Brad this week!

Anybody on the board fess up to saying Wagler was unplayable a year ago?

If my count is correct we have 5 incoming FR, at least two of which are highly ranked. Expect a couple to be at minimum valuable contributors.

Vaaks looks exciting on O.

Thrilled to see the ILLINI in the Final4 and have an impressive football season plus the Bears won a playoff game!

:hailtotheorange: :ah: :hailtotheorange:
 
#458      
RML
Fly Illini Fly! said:
I don’t think it’d be that small of a role. He’d back up the guard spots. Coleman and Vaaks should sit for around 25 minutes combined. Now, he might not get ALL 25 minutes… but there’s minutes available.

Justin Harmon in 2024 played 19min with Shannon, Hawkins, Domask all over 30min… with Ty and Quincy just under 25.
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Lol, if you were a reigning all-B1G conference player, would you come here for a Justin Harmon role?
I like to think he's just taking his time. If he chooses to come (at a bag commensurate with what others on the team are getting) fantastic! He has the chance to be part of something epic! If he decides to go somewhere else, that's fine.
 
#459      
Illinicpa14
Mullins back for UCONN

Really setting up that Florida, Illinois, UCONN, Michigan (if either big stays) and maybe Duke are a notch above the rest at least heading in

Maybe you throw Michigan state in there but I just don’t see their ceiling; that rank is already with fears playing great.
 
#460      
rdk573
So it was either Andrej or Blackwell??... Hmmm.. Go with the guy you know...
 
#461      
RML
Geno33 said:
Very calm, not an emotional player, AKA Keaton. Missery is going to regret not getting this kid. Right down the road from them.
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Kept waiting to see how he passes off a drive. The one pass that was shown was ok, but not spectacular. (Obviously, the fact that the reel only shows shooting doesn't mean he doesn't ALSO have the vision and ability to pass well.)
 
#464      
sdiver68
aaeismacgychel said:
The biggest thing holding Z back is he still has a freshman body. Needs a full offseason with Fletch in the gym working his rear end off. First in, last out. He's not a bad rebounder or bad in the paint so much as his body is that of a crazy inflatable tube man so he gets bodied and pushed out of the way. An extra 15lbs of muscle is a big ask, but it would make a world of difference for him.

As for 3pt shooting, this Z's college career:
2024: 37.5% on low volume
2025: 37.6% on medium-high volume
2026 thru 2/4: 35.7% on medium-high volume
2026 2/4-April: 10.0% on medium volume

There is a striking anomaly here. Kid id about as consistent as they come 36-38% 3pt shooter who unfortunately went through a deep deep cold spell. Based on his prior history and his good form while shooting I'd be shocked if he doesn't return back to a 37% 3pt shooter next year. I also want us seeing at least 3 rim run 'oop attempts a game designed fir him.

Z's a big piece for us next year, if he can put on the strength and conditioning, sky really is the limit for him.
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15lbs of muscle is not a big ask at all. Honestly it should be the minimum given Z's aspirations and resources being thrown his way.

Speaking from personal experience on the lean weight gain.
 
#465      
Homecoming 2019
KingWolf11 said:
Love ya 0440 and maybe (hopefully) Brad will make him use said lateral quickness but there is a legit shot he was the worst defender in the country last year if you watch the tape its so bad. Keaton is also a way better defender than people think.
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There were a lot of questions of Andrejs defense too before last year. Defense is mostly effort, playing for a final four caliber team with solid defenders around him will improve most of his flaws.
 
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