Assuming we have $ to spend, do you think there's anything we could do to improve our odds of a natty next year? It seems like any idea being floated here is laughed at, yet there have been some pretty stacked teams in recent years that evidently figured out how to convince that many talented guys to come play together. Why not us?
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread
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Lost what would have been #1 guard in portal and replaced with #5 (now that Anderson is in).
Our big non conference game who has had our number picked up a "bum" from duke that was a higher recruit than our #2 ever recruit just last year.
Espn has us 8th, which seems just about right.
The problem isnt that we won't have a solid team. It is we are static and done while the teams around and above us are dynamic and aggressive.
Too many freshman gaurds in that mix. We need a veteran point gaurd for stability in case the gamble on the freshman doesn't work out.
Fan Since '70
- OBS, Florida
I agree we need a veteran point gaurd for stability and backup even if the freshman work out again.
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.
the team can make the final four even if Coleman is just good and not a star. they have enough talent already for that.... but that requires a lot to go right.
with any freshman, I usually think they will have a tough time defending immediately and usually have a bad month at one point in the season. will and kj each had rough spells during their time for whatever reason and we're first rounders. so relying on Coleman may be fine but adds more variability in play at that position because of the youth. I just thought how Michigan put their stud freshman in they roles really helped mitigate the swings yet still let them thrive. also the depth piece is huge... cason went down and they barely noticed. love to have that luxury if possible
Ya I could understand if we didn't have the money but supposedly we do. What the hell. In a lot of professions if you don't use the money you were allotted for the year they will give you less the next year.
if. if IF!!! try replacing 30+ points...
we will add one or two more...
I think this is what gets me though. The "high-major coaches who have led the Illini to one of the best multi-year runs in their history" wanted Blackwell. Perhaps we still want him but he doesn't want us, or maybe now the staff realizes he's a bad fit, but regardless they thought there was money and room for improvement.
If nobody else available is a good fit, that's a bummer and I wouldn't want the staff to force something that blows up our chemistry, but then an honest assessment is: we have a very good roster and still might win a natty, but we couldn't quite put together the super-team we thought we had a chance at.
Sounds like Niccolo Moretti.
I agree it's an odd feeling to go from all in on blackwell to seemingly being "we're pretty much done here". And again, don't disagree on bringing in a veteran guard if possible.
yes the freshmen will have struggles, but in a way, do we overrate that? Kylan had his struggles, Tomi had his struggles, and those seemed just as pronounced, if not more so, than our freshmen Mirk and Keaton (I know, KW is a one of one). And i think we feel far differently about KJ's and Will's struggles surrounded by this team, instead of being the go-to guys.
I get the Cason point. Never enough guards or depth. But at the same time, isn't Cason an interesting example? Cason came into the year with practically no expectations, many Michigan fans were mad he was even brought back because he was so unproven - but the coach was right, and he ended up being a vital piece.
Also - while MIchigan did survive the Cason injury. There's just certain injuries you're not gonna survive, no matter how deep, and Cason wasn't that mission critical. If Vaaks goes down, it doesn't really matter what mid major veteran guard we brought up, our title hopes are done. Florida can bring in Christian Anderson, if Haugh is injured, they're toast.
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and what did Jake score in the tourney? Just because he's back doesn't augment the offense...
seriously, quite of few of you should chill out, take an edible, enjoy the spring weather on your deck, patio or even a lawn chair....maybe have a glass of your favorite bourbon, or mixed drink. Let the big boys cook. Not you. Enjoy the ride. Let’s see what plays out. Because you know what, we are still in April….after a final four run! Let the staff do what they do. I trust them more than you, the internet expert.
Andrej Stojakovic wasn't starting at the end of the season.So two of their starting 5 have a combined 5 starts with Hines never starting a game but somehow their starting 5 'appears to be better than ours'
Khamenia was a 5 star for a reason and Hines was Seton Halls best big, they just started a senior in Payne.
I never said it was better just that the roster has a pretty comparable talent level and the matchup with Hurley hasn't exactly worked out well for Illinois.
I know the idea seems to be that we're out on Blackwell but I wonder if something changed with Christian Anderson entering the portal and being tied to Duke.
UCLA doesn't seem like a real option and both of Duke and Louisville would have plenty of competition for shots.
Yeah. 26 points, 8 assists, 2 steals, and a number of rebounds against the #2 team in MO. Rough night.
Looks like 2022 - Ty Roders (Michigan) and Sencire Harris (Ohio).
Ironically, last year we were close. Wagler was number 1 in Kansas and Lee 2 in New Jersey - behind only freshly minted UCONN husky, Najai Hines
The Principia boys (29-2) secured their second consecutive state title on March 14, 2026, with a dominant 98-34victory over Miller Career Academy.
- Historic Scoring: Senior guard Quentin Coleman erupted for 50 points, shooting 18-of-21 from the field. This was the second-most points ever scored in a Missouri state championship game.
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Pods and Goode?
lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
What are you talking about, man?
2021: Ayo and Kofi — 1 seed — B1G Championship
2022: Kofi and Trent — 4 seed — B1G Championship
2023: Mayer and TJ — 9 seed
2024: TJ and Coleman — 3 seed — B1GT Championship — E8
2025: Will and KJ — 6 seed
2026: Keaton and Boswell — 3 seed — F4
2027: Tomi and Andrej — preseason top 5
Brad has made the NCAA tournament 6 straight seasons (and will almost assuredly make it next season), has the most wins in the B1G over that span, 3 big ten banners, and a final four banner, and those results are across 6 almost completely unique teams with brand new players each season.
Next year, we won’t be relying on the current freshman to all be starters as sophomores. We’ll bring in a star studded transfer class.
lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
To me, what sucks the most about missing out on Blackwell is who he was last year is exactly what this team needs next year.
Let Vaaks be Keaton light (there’s a Keystone Light joke in there somewhere) and then slide Blackwell into the Boswell role as our starting shooting guard. Then move Coleman to the flame thrower off the bench role.
The problem is, the role Blackwell had last year isn’t the role he wants next year. He wants to be on ball because he sees himself as an NBA 1.
But I’m not sure the staff sees him as a better lead guard for our offense than Vaaks.
Let Vaaks be Keaton light (there’s a Keystone Light joke in there somewhere) and then slide Blackwell into the Boswell role as our starting shooting guard. Then move Coleman to the flame thrower off the bench role.
The problem is, the role Blackwell had last year isn’t the role he wants next year. He wants to be on ball because he sees himself as an NBA 1.
But I’m not sure the staff sees him as a better lead guard for our offense than Vaaks.
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