Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

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#528      
Meanwhile Freshman Jamar Smith smoothly buries another 3 at a near 50% clip...

McBride also shot threes over 40% at Alfonso Plummer volume, and a young Shaun Pruitt and Randle were nothing to scoff at. Team had talent, they were just young outside Dee, Augie, and Rich. And they were a Top 20 offensive team in the nation that year.

Some of the takes in this thread are bizarre. What are we doing here? We could sign the 90s Bulls to the roster this year and people would be angry Dickey Simpkins was on the roster instead of going after Charles Barkley to back up Mirk for 10min
Don’t pretend the above isn’t an exaggerating also. Only McBride got above 9 points per game (10.0). All those guys you mentioned were one dimensional even if they had roles to play. I enjoyed that team but my point was don’t compare it to this one.
 
#529      
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? 🤔🤦🏻‍♂️
Nope that is not what any one wants. I think what people are saying is we would just like one more role player like Justin Harmon. Someone who has played college basketball, has experience and is willing to get a good pay raise and have a bench role. I know some insiders compared Brandon Lee to Andre Feliz last year. Well that didn’t happen. All people are trying to say is yes Keaton was amazing and we got lucky since Petro sucked. But what if we get a year like when we had Skyy and Jayden Epps. If that is Coleman then this team is not making the final four. That is what people are trying to say on this board. We all trust the staff but I have seen people say that after Skyy and Epps year Brad wasn’t going to trust freshman and now he is trusting that freshman are going to be big contributors. Now we are back to hoping 3 freshman are great.
 
#533      
I don’t think starting Jake was the problem….most efficient offense was with Jake on the court.
agreed that offense will be number 1 and by big margin since Purdue isn't gonna be around. likely setting the kenpom record if mirk and stojakavic take the steps I expect. that alone can get you to final four. Alabama has done it

I'm concerned a bit at defending small guards again. Boswell had issues there last year but was disruptive at points and always wanted that assignment. I don't think we have answered that question for next year. stojakavic showed promise but once again would have trouble against the small guards
 
#534      
WE DO NOT NEED THE THREE FRESHMAN TO BE PERFECT OR GREAT. ITS NOT CRAZY TO ASK TOP 50 RECRUITS TO BE THE FIFTH AND EIGHT OPTIONS ON A REALLY GOOD TEAM.
yelling steve carrell GIF
 
#536      
Why do you think they went after Blackwell? The staff can recruit/want all the talent in the world. The players have to want it too.
I know BU and staff tried to get Blackwell. I give credit for going for it.

I am assuming this is a Top 5 team as put together right now? You agree?

If Coleman and Morillo do well (which, I think they can), then the team is even stronger.

Question for me is: did other schools get that much better for next year as well? Maybe Florida?

I am hoping the Illini can stay with these teams in the Top Ten like this past year.
 
#537      
This is where I think the concerns about adding a high-usage Blackwell are legit. Sure, he'd score a lot more and make more "wow" plays than Jake, but it's not hard to imagine the offense as a unit being just one step away from firing on all cylinders consistently.

Starting tomi, mirk, andrej, jake and vaaks doesn't give me the same concerns about 'efficiency' as having blackwell in there instead of jake. But it sounds like we'll just never know.
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.
 
#538      
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? 🤔🤦🏻‍♂️
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.
Get Out Smile GIF by Get Out Movie
 
#541      
Why do you think they went after Blackwell? The staff can recruit/want all the talent in the world. The players have to want it too.
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.
 
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#542      
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.

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.
 
#543      
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.




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.
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.

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.
 
#544      
Wouldn’t shock me if our insiders just go away for the next few months. Some of you people are truly insufferable. It’s hard to read honestly.
 
#545      
agreed that offense will be number 1 and by big margin since Purdue isn't gonna be around. likely setting the kenpom record if mirk and stojakavic take the steps I expect. that alone can get you to final four. Alabama has done it

I'm concerned a bit at defending small guards again. Boswell had issues there last year but was disruptive at points and always wanted that assignment. I don't think we have answered that question for next year. stojakavic showed promise but once again would have trouble against the small guards
Watch out, by saying you’re concerned they’re going to start calling you miserable now!

Ooooh GIF
 
#546      
Why do you think they went after Blackwell? The staff can recruit/want all the talent in the world. The players have to want it too.
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
 
#547      
The staff couldn't have been serious. After all who wouldn't want to play for Illinois at any price? 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.
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.
 
#549      
WE DO NOT NEED THE THREE FRESHMAN TO BE PERFECT OR GREAT. ITS NOT CRAZY TO ASK TOP 50 RECRUITS TO BE THE FIFTH AND EIGHT OPTIONS ON A REALLY GOOD TEAM.
Well… we’re asking Brown to be the Ninth option.
 
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