Remember when the team stood around and waited for Ayo to make the play? It was so frustrating. He would pass the ball and they would all pass it back to him and stand around the 3 point parameter.
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread
Noblesville Illini
- Nappanee, IN
I think it all boils down to not having a “superstar” to the complainers. Problem is nobody knew about KW this time last year. In short, fear of the unknown. No one is pretending to have a one and done all American but Vaaks, Coleman, and Morillo are pretty impressive in the back court. Brown may surprise, he may not. Either way….the same staff is coaching this year. I trust their judgement. They’ve earned it.So we should have gone to the portal instead of retaining our guys who all would’ve been top guys in the portal had they entered?
He’s going to Duke…Guess they don’t have anybody with high usage there? Besides the multiple top 25 guards…
The staff couldn't have been serious. After all who wouldn't want to play for Illinois at any price? /s
Forget the fact that being a part of a team and passing on shots might drop you from a lottery pick to 25th. It's roughly $10 million less on a rookie contract.
Last edited:
Do you know with certainty that the staff thinks they have enough? Or are they also concerned and looking for an answer? None of us know what they think.
I have to say, this is a pretty good idea. I’ve never watched these guys at all, but just from stats, if they are willing to take the role, I would do it.Oh, absolutely.
As a baseline, Justin Harmon - who was very glad to come play here - averaged 14pts, 3.8rebs, 2.9ast at UTAH Valley. At Illinois, he played 18.7 minutes per game.
You could literally go on and on, but here's 3 guys with similar profiles at their most recent stops.
Armoni Zeigler - Ball State Cardinals Guard - ESPN
View the profile of Ball State Cardinals Guard Armoni Zeigler on ESPN. Get the latest news, live stats and game highlights.www.espn.com
Makaih Williams Career Stats - NCAAM - ESPN
Complete career NCAAM stats for the Grand Canyon Lopes Guard Makaih Williams on ESPN. Includes points, rebounds, and assists.
Rodney Brown Jr. - Loyola Marymount Lions Guard - ESPN
View the profile of Loyola Marymount Lions Guard Rodney Brown Jr. on ESPN. Get the latest news, live stats and game highlights.
Actually... it's the other way around. You'll make much more playing 15 minutes here than starting for a penurious school like Boston College, Utah, DePaul, etc.
The question remains, are they willing to do it? I can’t come up with a good reason our coaches would balk if the the price was right…unless they want a back-up PF.
Perfect. Thank you for responding. I get it he doesn't want to come because the usage isn't there, I get it. Facts are there are still over 1,000 players still in the portal probably closer to 2K. There is no doubt that there are players out there that want to come whether it be price, championship aspirations whatever it may be. If in fact they want the best chance to win they will continue adding. Thank you for letting me know they aren't done. We can't rely on 4 freshmen in the top 10. I will stand by
All the “his numbers not being as high could hurt his draft stock” is absolute BS.
No one is drafting Blackwell to be a high usage player in the NBA. Anyone in his camp saying that is disingenuous and is just masking him wanting numbers for his own edification. I’m sorry but it’s true.
NBA doesn’t want a 23 year old because they averaged 20 points over 14. If you think they look at empty calorie stats over defense, playmaking, efficiency, and being a part of a winning team…Then you are sorely mistaken.
Look at Yaxel’s numbers…there is a comp for an uber talented older player who took a lesser usage at a winning team and boosted his draft stock.
delete
Last edited:
FightinIllini30
Future insider
I mean we appreciate the inside info I don’t want you guys to ever feel like it’s you guys against us.
But also… relax man haha. Most people on this board agree with you and you’re just going to take years off of your life worrying about people who think this team will be anything short of incredible
I’m done explaining why we don’t need another elite guard on the team….Ya’ll figure it out.
sacraig
- The desert
Jalen Brunson
I think we’re more safely Top 10 than Top 5 as put together, but after summer and Non-Con we could look closer to Top 5 if things progress on the right track. Everything else I agree with.
Lots of yelling... but can we get Ty back or has that ship sailed? Can't we just pay him a bit more than market value to keep him happy and willing to accept a spot role?
I just don't trust our ability to defend with this roster and Ty would go along way to ease that worry.
I just don't trust our ability to defend with this roster and Ty would go along way to ease that worry.
Tevo
- Wilmette, IL
Since nobody EVER knows how good anyone will be in the upcoming season, every team makes assumptions, projected from what they know about the players and what they know about their plans for those players, and how they expect them to develop. Any transfer or new addition (whether they were a star last year or a role player) could regress, or not fit in, or worst become a locker room cancer or distraction. As a coach or program leader, if you don't see options that you believe clearly make your team better, then it's probably better to hold with what you have. There might also be uses for funds later in the summer. You could even argue that spending every possible dime for players that don't turn out great could hurt your chances for those donors' support next season.
LadyLoyalty
- Indian Wells, CA
Ugh, These takes. Flashback to last May when all the doomers, who think they know everything said our season would be awful, we wouldn’t finish in the top half of the Big Ten, outwardly hostile to Ben, none of the incoming freshmen would play minutes, and BU reached his ceiling. Seriously, stfu and be grateful. This staff is amazing and they always have a plan.
sacraig
- The desert
I assume this is intended to apply to the whole thread.
No idea what the staff thinks. only said "if the staff thinks that" then I trust it.
Krombopulos_Michael
- Aurora, Illinois (that’s a suburb of Chicago)
Been on this board long enough to know how it goes
Who do you think they should have gotten that they didn't? Literally every year we hear about how Brad cant keep recruits...what's he doing? Keeps everyone here that was part of the run. You guys then say he didnt do enough. I guess I'm just confused about what this guy needs to do. Also where would Andrej rank if he portaled? Mirk? Tomi? Big Z? Let's say none of them played for Illinois last year and he brought all them in this year...what would you guys think then?
Last edited:
