Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

Status
Not open for further replies.
#476      
MULEDOG35
pruman91 said:
Not adding Mr. Blackwell could be a blessing in disguise........we have a tight well connected base of returning players who took us where we hadn't been in 25 years and everyone except KW and Bam have returned from our major tick players.....to blend in a transfer ( Vaaks ) and an excellent 5 man recruit class seems very doable and seamless , based on the personalities of said retention returnees............our strength should be our TEAM personna and nothing against Mr. Blackwell but we have many players who each could lead on any given game.....expecting Mr. Blackwell to be the Alpha on a team already full of Alpha's might cause some friction with the core EDG's ,mentality,,,,,,,,,,

After careful reflection I believe we will be better off in the course of the season to play the players who gleefully said " I'm back " , not someone chasing the Benjamins.....as BU said , these guys play for the name on the front of the uni , not the back name......

JMHO......................
Click to expand...
Meme Reaction GIF by Robert E Blackmon
 
#477      
jamarvelous31
WeWillWhen said:
Tyler, most of us here don't have a guy like Neel Ganta whose job it is to find players, but we very strongly suspect that somewhere out there exists an experienced mid-major, "team player" who has interest stepping up a level to come off the bench for a team that could compete for the National Championship. The Illini certainly have found those guys in the past: Jacob Grandison, Alfonso Plummer, Justin Harmon, Jake Davis, Ben Humrichous. I simply do not believe that there does not exist a veteran collegian who is willing to fill the 'first guard off the bench' role and provide considerably better defense than (checks notes) a freshman Ethan Brown.
Click to expand...
Davis is arguably the only guy in that list who didn't come here to start or be 1st off the bench.

All of those dudes were under this staff. Do you really think this staff doesn't know how to grab someone similar if the politics allow and fit exists?
 
#478      
hoopsfan47
Having read early in this thread a question of whether or not JJ was going to be recovered to the point of being able to go 100% in practice over the summer, I continued to read every post for the answer....and got crickets. Can anyone answer that question with any certainty or report that it is still questionable? Asking for a friend.

IMHO, if he can step up and slow the game down a little while improving his skills and confidence, he could be a big factor. (Please note I did not say big contributor, but an important contributor). I have no idea how many guys are available in Europe or through the portal that are 6' 10", athletic, can shoot, and who want to play a small role in the Illini crusade for a title who have two years of experience at B1G level play. Anyone with credible knowledge please speak up.

From what I have seen of practice clips and games over the past two seasons, he has the potential to be a solid bench piece.
 
#479      
Illiniforlife
This is not me, trying to start anything. But I am curious let’s say we have a UCONN situation where Coleman or Vaaks gets hurt this summer and is out for the year. Who takes their role right now? Then who is the back up in that role? That is what we are missing. I know insiders have said no an I get it 100% but Jalen Cox would be great. But I get it he doesn’t want that role.
 
#482      
Illiniam1984
WeWillWhen said:
Tyler, most of us here don't have a guy like Neel Ganta whose job it is to find players, but we very strongly suspect that somewhere out there exists an experienced mid-major, "team player" who has interest stepping up a level to come off the bench for a team that could compete for the National Championship. The Illini certainly have found those guys in the past: Jacob Grandison, Alfonso Plummer, Justin Harmon, Jake Davis, Ben Humrichous. I simply do not believe that there does not exist a veteran collegian who is willing to fill the 'first guard off the bench' role and provide considerably better defense than (checks notes) a freshman Ethan Brown.
Click to expand...
Those players that you listed have or had higher usage roles. We aren’t looking for that, we have enough of those type of players in the rotation. We are looking for a lesser depth piece for the bench. Based off that, again who would you get? Because it’s tough to find that in the portal….
 
Last edited:
#483      
Fly Illini Fly!
Tyler, most of us here don't have a guy like Neel Ganta whose job it is to find players, but we very strongly suspect that somewhere out there exists an experienced mid-major, "team player" who has interest stepping up a level to come off the bench for a team that could compete for the National Championship. The Illini certainly have found those guys in the past: Jacob Grandison, Alfonso Plummer, Justin Harmon, Jake Davis, Ben Humrichous. I simply do not believe that there does not exist a veteran collegian who is willing to fill the 'first guard off the bench' role and provide considerably better defense than (checks notes) a freshman Ethan Brown.
Click to expand...
This ...
GIF by Jason Clarke
 
#484      
MULEDOG35
Tevo said:
We have ZERO Juniors on the roster? Is everyone seeing this? Who is going to stop opposing Junior year players?! Do we think some slow sophomore will be able to, or some old Senior? I don't think so. If this staff doesn't see this gaping whole in our roster and act NOW to fill it, it will be a case of gross mishandling and a fireable offense. Don't get me wrong, I love our team and coaches and think they are all awesome, but this is a once in a lifetime opportunity that we haven't had since last season, and we HAVE to take advantage. Spend the money. Get a damn Junior on the roster!
Click to expand...
Lmao Lol GIF by Pocoyo
 
#485      
illini0440
WeWillWhen said:
Tyler, most of us here don't have a guy like Neel Ganta whose job it is to find players, but we very strongly suspect that somewhere out there exists an experienced mid-major, "team player" who has interest stepping up a level to come off the bench for a team that could compete for the National Championship. The Illini certainly have found those guys in the past: Jacob Grandison, Alfonso Plummer, Justin Harmon, Jake Davis, Ben Humrichous. I simply do not believe that there does not exist a veteran collegian who is willing to fill the 'first guard off the bench' role and provide considerably better defense than (checks notes) a freshman Ethan Brown.
Click to expand...
1. Vaaks
2. Mirk
3.Andrej
4. Tomi
5. Coleman
6. Jake
7. Big Z
8. Morillo
9. Davis/Brown/Transfer

The odds of you finding a player that wants to be the 8th or 9th guy that wants to play maybe 10 minutes a game that really is more talented/better than Morillo is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. Every guy you mentioned played over 20 mpg here…we don’t really have that to sell. First off the bench is going to be Davis or Coleman followed by Z. Would a Blackwell put you in the top 3 for a championship absolutely….the player type you’re describing doesn’t.
 
#489      
Fly Illini Fly!
The odds of you finding a player that wants to be the 8th or 9th guy that wants to play maybe 10 minutes a game that really is more talented/better than Morillo is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. Every guy you mentioned played over 20 mpg here…we don’t really have that to sell. First off the bench is going to be Davis or Coleman followed by Z. Would a Blackwell put you in the top 3 for a championship absolutely….the player type you’re describing doesn’t.
Click to expand...
Say Justin Harmon -- needle in a haystack?

Also, there's things that are factually untrue here.

Every guy mentioned did not play 20 minutes. Of the 5 guys listed, 2 of them didn't... and Humrichous didn't either if we only count this past season.
 
Last edited:
#491      
I-L-L
strobes77 said:
I know everyone is excited about “the Retention” but on paper we are a worse team next year than we were this year. Lots of variables have to hit for us to maintain.

And we don’t have enough defense or athleticism yet.
Click to expand...
Interesting comment and here's why.... The big question is, can all of or a majority of the returners take the leap, right? Tomi, in my opinion took a step back from his first year here last season. At the very end of the season he started to pick it up again. I thought Mirk was fantastic, will he take a leap from fantastic? I really think Big Z could be the wild card, b/c I think he could end up being one of our best players if the he's in the right system/roll. It's very possible we could be better next year with this core or we could be worse. How many of these guys will be better than last year and by how much? I love returning the core. I'm pleased we have signed good freshmen and signed Vaaks. But how does a transfer end up fitting/playing? How often are freshmen (even 5 stars) studs their first year? Only time will tell. I'm in the camp that if we have Blackwell on this team we're one of the best team's in the nation, period. But if he doesn't want to be here we don't want him. It's still possible we could be a top 3 team without him, but it all depends on how these 5 improve heading into next season. If 3 or 4 out of 5 are better than this past year, we'll be really really good! I'd still like to add a bench roll big man who can just defend. That covers us in the event of foul trouble/injury. I love those 6'10" monsters in the paint who can body up anyone, alter shots, and rebound. If they can't score, we win! ILL
 
#493      
EmeraldCityIllini
WeWillWhen said:
Tyler, most of us here don't have a guy like Neel Ganta whose job it is to find players, but we very strongly suspect that somewhere out there exists an experienced mid-major, "team player" who has interest stepping up a level to come off the bench for a team that could compete for the National Championship. The Illini certainly have found those guys in the past: Jacob Grandison, Alfonso Plummer, Justin Harmon, Jake Davis, Ben Humrichous. I simply do not believe that there does not exist a veteran collegian who is willing to fill the 'first guard off the bench' role and provide considerably better defense than (checks notes) a freshman Ethan Brown.
Click to expand...

To be fair, the staff was mocked for bringing back Ben and counting on him to contribute, especially defensively. There was also a good amount of folks who didn’t believe in Jake either.

If the staff thinks they have enough, or that they’ve identified role players off the bench, I feel like they’ve earned the benefit of the doubt.
 
#494      
Perry Range's Van
Illini2010-11 said:
It is almost baffling to me how shortsighted some players/agents have become. It really is simple to me:

1) Illini have a big bag of money available
2) The staff has proven able to get players into the pros (with Wagler it will be 4 first round picks in the last 3 seasons)
3) Have the possibly to win a national championship with a solid core of returning players

If the above is not reason enough to jump on board, then it is best for a player to look elsewhere. It is just sad that Blackwell is finicky on potential usage here, especially considering the success that Illinois has had in recent past (as well as being a legacy).

Either way, this Illini squad will be in strong contention for the third weekend of the tourney again.
Click to expand...
Only 1 of those three puts coin in the agents pocket. That is part of the problem
 
#496      
zentrails
PeoriaIllini03 said:
The idea of it is great. Try selling two 3rd year college players that averaged double digit points on their respective teams last year to be the 8-9th players for us.
Click to expand...
I think we could get a decent 3rd year mid-major or 2nd year like Hummer with that sell
 
#497      
Thaillini22
illini0440 said:
1. Vaaks
2. Mirk
3.Andrej
4. Tomi
5. Coleman
6. Jake
7. Big Z
8. Morillo
9. Davis/Brown/Transfer

...First off the bench is going to be Davis or Coleman followed by Z. Would a Blackwell put you in the top 3 for a championship absolutely….the player type you’re describing doesn’t.
Click to expand...
Meaning one starts and one is 6th, or did you mean to say "Davis or Morillo" and have Coleman for sure starting?
 
#498      
bavanga3
Illinicpa14 said:
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.
Click to expand...
Chinyelu is almost #60 on the big board. I assume hes coming back. They also have Condon AND Fland returning and Thomas Haugh is considering returning for one last year. On top of the fact that they got Aberdeen from Kentucky who, and im not sure how it gets granted, is seeking a 5th year. If those pieces are in place, they are a runaway super team and preseason #1.

If we have an opportunity to improve our roster, we NEED to do it while the money is rolling in. We have 2 glaring holes. Defense on the perimeter and very thin big man depth. Its hard to put a number on how valuable Humrichous was last year.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back