I agree 100% Definitely don't want to sleep on him!!
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread
Feel like dealing with that classification might be his biggest obstacle in coming here
Where does he slot in on Florida? On Duke? Why are programs like Michigan, Kentucky, UNC, Louisville able to build Avenger level teams of collegiate all-stars while we grandstand “doing more with less?”
We’ve got the money. We’ve got the returning roster. When are we supposed to be trying to win a championship? If it’s the year after next year when Drej, Davis, the Ivisicii, Mirk, and Coleman all leave for the NBA or eligibility, then fine. Save the money.
But if it’s next year when we have a golden opportunity with one of the best front courts (plus depth), and one of the best pair of forwards then why would we not double down to grab a star proven Guard instead of convincing ourselves that a couple freshman who haven’t played a Div 1 game are better than Blackwell, Anderson, or Harris.
I just scratch my head at why we’re convincing ourselves we can’t add a huge guard to a stacked team, when Florida will just go do that very thing. 2-4 teams will do it this year while we accept that fate. Why them but not us?
I totally agree.
If this is the case, you have literally nothing to worry about.
Solid handle. Better passer. Very good court vision. Has a calm, patient court presence. Played the point for Rolla, did well against good competition.
Still would love to have them try for Anderson. Understand if he already has a list of teams though.
I'd be willing to bet ALL of them don't leave.
Just a different world. You can make a ton of $$ coming back to college.
This is a good case for going all out on Blackwell.
I hope that you all realize if Coleman or (and) Vaaks go to the league, that means this team is probably a one seed.
I use it in lasagna, sometimes.I don't eat cottage cheese but because it's a long time till next season starts I will ask. After seeing so many people mention tomatoes and pepper or what not, has anyone tried it on pizza ? If so was it thin crust or thick crust? I feel if we can combine our usual pizza debate, with the cottage cheese debate we could easily get through the rest of April
Idk man, I’ll screenshot this then, because we were elated that all but Coleman (a now 5-Star CG) announced they were coming back this year, because there was a good chance they weren’t. Now toss in an extra year on that when the majority of this list will be seniors next year, or Coleman “pans out” like KJ, Riley, or even like Wagler. I think the odds are far more likely each one of those guys is gone next year. Mirk being the least because he’s just an awesome likable dude, but we’re also assuming he’s the best one.
Next year will almost certainly be a rebuild with a few sophomores, so it feels a little now or never for a program that’s never won it all
I've only been an illinois fan for 5 decades, so some of yall are more seasoned than i. For as long as I can remember good is good enough has seemed to be the way we approach things. I know 15 million is a lot, but it doesn't even get us into the top 10 from last year and things are a lot more this year.
Ill cheer for illinois every year. Trying to win like indiana did in football with solid money but not top money and undervalued recruits but not top recruits and catching lightening in a bottle seems unlikely, though not impossible.
Would be nice to improve our odds a bit with improving on both fronts. A bit frustrating watching from the sidelines as the top teams stack talent in a year like this.
Coming off a Final Four run, some fans actually believe they know more about roster construction than the high-major coaches who have led the Illini to one of the best multi-year runs in their history. The coaches who have spent countless hours scouting, studying film and talking to their recruits’ coaches and others they trust.
Just got home from hearing former Pirates and Rockies manager Clint Hurdle talking about how some GMs who have bought completely into analytics think of players as pieces on a chessboard and disregard the character side of the equation. Hurdle took the Pirates to 3 playoffs and the Rockies to their only World Series appearance.
I think Brad and his staff have done a great job of blending new-school analytics with the old-school eyeball test and finding people who fit into the team on the floor and in the locker room. Players who are willing to sacrifice some of their own stats for team wins. I trust that’s how this roster has been built to date.
Just got home from hearing former Pirates and Rockies manager Clint Hurdle talking about how some GMs who have bought completely into analytics think of players as pieces on a chessboard and disregard the character side of the equation. Hurdle took the Pirates to 3 playoffs and the Rockies to their only World Series appearance.
I think Brad and his staff have done a great job of blending new-school analytics with the old-school eyeball test and finding people who fit into the team on the floor and in the locker room. Players who are willing to sacrifice some of their own stats for team wins. I trust that’s how this roster has been built to date.
There is no more rebuilding under Underwood. I expect the money will be even higher next offseason, and I think there's a good chance Mirkovic, Vaaks, Morillo, and Coleman all are at least a decent shot to be back. Sure, one or two may go to the league, but that will only help us further with recruiting and sell along with our success for this upcoming season.
Coleman, Mirk, Morillo, and Vaaks all gone? If you screenshot, let’s make a friendly wager atleast one returns.
Even if there is a rebuild totally from the ground up calling this now or never is super disrespectful to the word never. I heard just a few weeks ago Brad would never make a final four.
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Haven't tried it on pizza, and haven't eaten it on its own since about 1987I don't eat cottage cheese but because it's a long time till next season starts I will ask. After seeing so many people mention tomatoes and pepper or what not, has anyone tried it on pizza ? If so was it thin crust or thick crust? I feel if we can combine our usual pizza debate, with the cottage cheese debate we could easily get through the rest of April
,but I mix it with mozzarella and ricotta when I make lasagna.
The Illini don’t need Christian Anderson.
They need the guy who can shut down Anderson and elite guards like him.
They need the guy who can shut down Anderson and elite guards like him.
Agreed - he's not a guard and was never considered one. I've rarely seen him dribble the ball. Which is fine for what we needed from him last year.
- Returning more quality than just about any team in the nation
- Adds the #4 guard in the portal
- Adds our 2nd highest ranked HS recruit ever
Fox Sports picked us #1 overall in their way-too-early top 25... I need an ice bath after reading some of these takes
- Adds the #4 guard in the portal
- Adds our 2nd highest ranked HS recruit ever
Fox Sports picked us #1 overall in their way-too-early top 25... I need an ice bath after reading some of these takes
That's where I am. Duke, Florida, Michigan, UConn have no problem recruiting multiple studs at different spots. I see our team as it's composed now being about an Elite Eight team (which admittedly is great). But if we have the money to add another guy that can push us farther, we should do it (if it doesn't ruin team chemistry).
Right now, I see us with 7 players you can win big with. That's too close for comfort - injuries happen.
When other teams add people, those rankings will change. Duke, UConn, Florida, Michigan, et al are still going after the big names. While we appear to be done.
Not many big names to be had, have to see… the #1 way-to-early ranking from Fox Sports was 5 days prior to Vaaks committing so they have quite a bit of catching up to do.
Fan Since '70
- OBS, Florida
Fan Since '70
- OBS, Florida
Agree, Morillo is a big guard but his game is more like Stojakovic than Wagler. Not known as a high % 3pt shooter but a slasher type.