Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

[skyIdub]

I think the mistake many made was thinking there was ever a real chance that it was going to be Andrej and Blackwell.

It was sure fun to fantasize about, but it was never going to happen. We made the right choice, and watching highlights of Vaaks assists, I am absolutely sold on this group.

I'm brining Bam and Wagler into summer workouts/practices as much as allowed and let them have at it with Vaaks and the freshmen.
It could be one of the most intriguing summers ever.

 

[STLini25]

I’d never heard of Principia until this year. I looked into their schedule and am surprised they even play in the Missouri association playoffs. Place feels like a La Lumiere, which has two teams - one that plays a national schedule and one that operates as a typical high school team.
Principia won all of its playoff games, championship included, by 50 points. But they played a pretty decent schedule otherwise. They beat one of the best teams in Illinois (East St Louis) handily and played a bunch of other out of state powers. They have multiple players who are definitely not local kids, including a few from Ghana/Ivory Coast.
All this to say that Coleman is at least familiar with excellent comp and saw it in practice every day.

Principia is a private high school in a small college like setting. They made a commitment a few years ago to go all out in sports especially basketball. Their facilities are as nice as most small colleges. They basically want to be the number 1 basketball school in the country. QC will not be the last Principia player we will want.

 

[WolfpackIllini]

Loyalty: "OMG WHAT ABOUT THE Y-FACTOR???"

FWIW: We already have the Z factor covered.

 

[I lost Kofi's blue binder]

For all of you hand wringing about “we need another guard” please go back and read all of the posts after Petro signing last summer.
Then make your case for doing the same thing again this summer.

“Petrovic the vet guard was bad, therefore we don’t need a depth guard” is as fallacious an argument as “Wagler was incredible, therefore we can unquestionably count on freshmen guards to be incredible” would be. Nobody is making the latter argument even as many people are very optimistic about the freshmen. You don’t need to make the former just to misrepresent what the less optimistic crowd are saying.

 

[thefalcon5]

I think the mistake many made was thinking there was ever a real chance that it was going to be Andrej and Blackwell.

It was sure fun to fantasize about, but it was never going to happen. We made the right choice, and watching highlights of Vaaks assists, I am absolutely sold on this group.

I'm brining Bam and Wagler into summer workouts/practices as much as allowed and let them have at it with Vaaks and the freshmen.
It could be one of the most intriguing summers ever.

Yeah I think some wires got crossed along the way regarding both Andrej and Blackwell.

I don’t think from start to finish it was an either or conversation, but it sounds like both sides soured a bit after we officially got the gang back.

Which we should all know isn’t a certainty. And I think that’s what drove the narrative that we could get both Andrej and Blackwell. Because the mists that were moving then were massive. Way too many what ifs to just say ya Andrej and Blackwell together will never be a thing.

The roster took shape, we had minimal attrition and already an A+ guard transfer. Frankly if Blackwell wanted to be high usage and if he couldn’t handle having less of the ball, he could’ve been a net negative addition. It’s not all sunshine.

 

[illini0440]

Sure. And that all makes sense. But if the staff still wants Blackwell and can’t get him or don’t like his usage mandates why is it considered nuts by some people here to suggest the team go get a different guard?

WHO ARE YOU GOING TO GO GET!?

 

[March2TheArch]

If you look at how UConn is slowly stacking talent (returning an amazing back court including a 2027 lottery pick), Duke’s squad, Florida’s squad esp. if Haugh returns, and you know Michigan is far from done based on Dusty’s track record… we just have to accept that we’re not yet an NIL era big dawg.

Michigan, Duke, and Zona showed what kind of squad is required to win the ‘ship. We lost a Top 5 NBA pick who was All B1G 1st and All American 2nd team.

Is our current squad in the realm of those teams from this year? I’d argue no.

I think replicating last season’s outcome, i.e. a 3-seed should be considered a success for this squad.

Cameron Boozer, Isiah Evans, Braden Burries, Koa Pete, Braylon Mullins, and Keaton were the impact freshmen on Elite 8 teams. That’s a high, high bar to hold Coleman to.

Let’s compare our projected starting squads.

Michigan 2026 vs. Illinois 2027
- Junior Cadeau (Final Four MVP) >= Sophomore Vaaks
- Senior Burnett = Freshman Coleman
- Yaxel >> Andrej
- Sophomore Morez = Sophomore Mirk
- Junior Mara >= Senior Tomi
- Michigan bench (McKenney, Cason, Gayle) > Illinois bench (Z, Jake, Morillo)

Arizona 2026 vs. Illinois 2027
- Jayden Bradley (Big) >= Sophomore Vaaks
- Freshman Burries (Top 10 pick) > Freshman Coleman
- Freshman Kharchenkov <= Senior Andrej
- Freshman Pete = Sophomore Mirk
- Junior Krivas >= Senior Tomi
- Zona Bench (Awaka, Del Orso, Aristode) > Illinois bench
- - -

Michigan and Arizona last year were historically strong teams. Michigan alongside UConn 2024 and Kentucky 2012 may even be a Top 5 college team in the modern era.

- - -

The way UConn (Mullins, Demery back, Solo likely, Khamenia and Hines as transfers), Duke (already have Cayden and Ngonba back plus good chance Foster, Evans, Sarr return, maybe BLACKWELL), Michigan (with Morez likely back, Brandon McCoy, Sophomore McKenney and Cadeau), Arizona (Pete could come back, plus Caleb Holt), Florida (Haugh could come back, Condon back, Fland back, Chineylu rumored, Milan M rumored)….

All of these teams are on par to superior to our projected team.

We don’t know how dark horses like the Louisville super team, Michigan State, UCLA, Texas Tech, etc. are going to perform.

- - -

I’m happy with the squad the staff have assembled. I don’t think we addressed our defense against guards like Cadeau, Mullins, Evans, etc. I don’t think we picked up a proven back to the basket scorer like Tarris Reed Jr. Neither twin was an elite rebounder last year. And Z got some blocks but didn’t defend the cup the same way as a Mara or Krivas.

We don’t have to plug every glaring gap to a title favorite last year. But would have been encouraging to address at least one.

I feel like this team as constructed is a paper tiger ala Purdue 2026. Till we beat UConn at the United Center, the jury is very much out on this team.

Homers feel free to homer. I’m just being a realist.

 

[jamarvelous31]

I’m curious what everyone thinks about our depth.

If we had our best player go down with injury, do we think we have a backup good enough to come in and win a national championship?

Ha how many teams can actually say that?

 

[WolfpackIllini]

When Blackwell entered the portal, he stated he was chasing a bag and an NC.
I suspect that at that time he forgot about the primary goal - going pro.
Add that into the equation and at 6-4 he's got work to do to get to the lottery.
Maybe the role we offered him wasn't the best to get that done?

 

[zentrails]

17 million percent I’m far more concerned with replacing Ben’s rotation minutes than being caught up in ballhandler depth.

I agree, Ben had a somewhat quiet year but looking back he was consistently good, 3 point shot, rebounding and especially defense. A 6' 9" replacement almost as good to come off the bench would be amazing to get.

 

[JFGsCoffeeMug]

Sure. And that all makes sense. But if the staff still wants Blackwell and can’t get him or don’t like his usage mandates why is it considered nuts by some people here to suggest the team go get a different guard?

If we're unwilling to make certain sacrifices to land a "good fit" like Blackwell, how much do you think we're willing to sacrifice to bring aboard someone we're less excited about?

 

[mysterio2525]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2046333096950149470

I know who it is. it's a name we are familiar with. he fits on with every team across the board. his family is full of pros and play in a lot of sports. impact player and immediate starter. the name... you guessed it .... Frank Stallone

 

[IlliniCaboose]

So back about 10 or so days ago, when all the smoke around Blackwell was positive was he under the impression that someone was going to leave and they wound up coming back?
Or did he (and his dad) know and not care who was coming back and later his agent or another 3rd party changed his mind that illinois wasn't a good fit because of the roster construction?

 

[Calvin]

Wagler has certainly spoiled us.

100%.
Wagler was a unicorn. So was Kofi. There have been a lot of elite players here since Brad took over, but those two for my money are full-on unicorns. I'm not sure about Mirk yet, but he's got my attention. He didn't need to be a floor general with Keaton here, but he's got a crazy skill set and boss attitude.

Looking back, I'd still put Ayo as our #1 overall player for the Underwood years. Coming here when he did, getting to AA, EDG, having a great NBA career after moving on, he really started something special here. He and TSJ in the open floor were both jaw-dropping and great momentum stealers. Watching Illinois bball has just kept getting better and better.

The hand-wringing in this thread boggles my mind. Every team has question marks, but the spot we're in is about as good as it gets. And we're coming off a FF where the thing that kept us from the championship game was a suprisingly off shooting night. Supporters have bought in, and as a regular fan, I'm just happy to be on board.

 

[Illinicpa14]

To all the “all star team” comments;

UCONN just lost solo ball for all of next year
Chinyelu declared he’s going through the draft process

Nobody is entering the year as a super team…these teams are all adding because the news wasn’t out yet.

 

[DrunkWastedHammeredIllini]

I know who it is. it's a name we are familiar with. he fits on with every team across the board. his family is full of pros and play in a lot of sports. impact player and immediate starter. the name... you guessed it .... Frank Stallone

 

[I-L-L 1318]

we don’t need to go get as much when we retain high level players, that’s the difference. And we did have a slam dunk (imo) add at our biggest need in Vaaks.

 

[illini0440]

So back about 10 or so days ago, when all the smoke around Blackwell was positive was he under the impression that someone was going to leave and they wound up coming back?
Or did he (and his dad) know and not care who was coming back and later his agent or another 3rd party changed his mind that illinois wasn't a good fit because of the roster construction?

No. Staff was doing everything they could to get everyone back and Blackwell. Retaining everyone from the roster was priority number 1. Had a pretty good idea everyone was coming back from the jump. Everything always sounds good and easy on paper and they tried but when things actually get down to it people start getting second thoughts.

 

[iLL 89ers]

As much as I love the 88-89 team, the 04-05 team is the best Illini team ever as they came within a couple of plays short of 39-0. If James doesn't fumble the pass under the basket, Sylvester doesn't even get the three point shot off. It was so fun watching him play so awful in the BIG Tourney in person at the United Center that year. He was booed every time he touched the ball.
Secondly, hadn't we fallen so far behind NC, are legs wouldn't have been too tired to make those go ahead 3's at the end of the game.
The 88-89 team may have been more entertaining, however, the 04-05 team had the best guard trio in the history of D1 basketball.

Just think what 88-89 team record would have been if Gill didn't break his foot? And miss quite a few of games....? Like 11 games or more... Started 15-0 or 16-0, then after Gill broke his foot the Illini' lost like four out of their next five games...or something close to that.

 

[Chase321]

If we're unwilling to make certain sacrifices to land a "good fit" like Blackwell, how much do you think we're willing to sacrifice to bring aboard someone we're less excited about?

I have no idea what we are or aren’t willing to do to get Blackwell. I doubt anyone not on the staff knows for sure. But why do we assume we have to get a different (not a star like Blackwell)? I don’t think people are saying go find another Blackwell caliber guy. Just someone to diversify the risk.

 

[bbpeoria]

No. Staff was doing everything they could to get everyone back and Blackwell. Retaining everyone from the roster was priority number 1. Had a pretty good idea everyone was coming back from the jump. Everything always sounds good and easy on paper and they tried but when things actually get down to it people start getting second thoughts.

0440, I think you're missing the point of the question. From the Blackwell's perspective, were they anticipating Andrej would not be back or did his retention simply give them 2nd pause that they previously did not factor in? I agree with caboose that all indications were the Illini led w Blackwell and went from lead to out the minute Andrej came back. (Perhaps that narrative is not right but it is the narrative as insiders gave it)

 

[WyattEarp]

David Robinson grew during his time at the U.S. Naval Academy, starting as a 6'7" freshman and growing to roughly 7'0" by the time he graduated.
A.I assisted.

I’m starting to change my tune about A.I.
If my 6 year old wants to be a hoopster; perhaps I could utilize it to assist my son in growing 5-6 inches??

And since A.I is capable of growth AND time travel…(because I don’t think AI existed in 83-87)
I might look into it for myself.
[6’4” + 6 inches…noice!!] /s. Obv.

 

[BashCtIllini]

Every year there is some highly rated transfer that places higher emphasis on money, goes to a lesser team, and ends up mid-pack in their conference and any early exit from the tourney. What do you want kid, do you want to win, or are you scrapping for every penny. Let me know now, so I know if you're worth my time.

 

[blackdog]

WHO ARE YOU GOING TO GO GET!?

Seth Trimble? He's in the portal right?

 

[PNWIllini]

Hope Coleman can transition from a small private school in St. Louis County, MO to the BIG. The change in completion will be a huge change for him. Being Wagler 2.0 would be like finding 2 needles in 2 haystacks or discovering 2 matching snowflakes. Sure hope he is IT. Wagler has certainly spoiled us.

I’m for giving Brad and the staff their due. Four first round NBA picks in three years while competing at a high level, making one E8 and one F4.

I watched UW (Washington) develop NBA talent and overall kill team chemistry. One set of rules for the 1-and-done, one set of rules for everyone else. While qualifying for nothing post-season.

Brad’s killing it on so many of the modern NCAA challenges.