I'm guessing it's whatever hole we need filled...
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread
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ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
Is 65% annual inflation sustainable? Let's ask this Argentine economist!
Perfect for our backup guard role, imo:
Yeah but if Coleman provides .75 of what Wagler provided it will be more than enough. Maybe even a lower percentage.
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skyIdub
"I can't tell you. Secret."
this got a nice laugh out of me.
he's actually humrichous 's backup plan but actually as guard... just like Jake Davis at night (he's a forward during the day kinda like a werewolf.... hence the hair)
All of these things can be true at the same time.
1. We are adding guys with a lot of potential, particularly with Coleman & Vaaks. A lot to be excited about there.
2. We are returning a strong core that went to the Final Four. They know the system, are a connected group, and have tasted success.
3. This team should be Top 10 at the worst, probably ranked 5-7ish to start the year, which is phenomenal.
4. Our offensive and defensive coaching has improved significantly. A lot of reasons to think our coaches will figure it out.
5. We missed out on a guy in Blackwell who has proven production at the B1G-level and would have made us this year's super team and the likely favorite to win it all. That's disappointing.
6. We're losing a once-in-a-generation freshman who was the engine that made our offense go last year. Seems reasonable to be concerned about what losing this kind of talent will mean.
7. What will the returnees be like without Wagler? Certainly will need a couple to show pretty significant improvement in some areas.
8. You're never really sure about what you're going to get out of freshmen so that can be a bit of a concern.
1. We are adding guys with a lot of potential, particularly with Coleman & Vaaks. A lot to be excited about there.
2. We are returning a strong core that went to the Final Four. They know the system, are a connected group, and have tasted success.
3. This team should be Top 10 at the worst, probably ranked 5-7ish to start the year, which is phenomenal.
4. Our offensive and defensive coaching has improved significantly. A lot of reasons to think our coaches will figure it out.
5. We missed out on a guy in Blackwell who has proven production at the B1G-level and would have made us this year's super team and the likely favorite to win it all. That's disappointing.
6. We're losing a once-in-a-generation freshman who was the engine that made our offense go last year. Seems reasonable to be concerned about what losing this kind of talent will mean.
7. What will the returnees be like without Wagler? Certainly will need a couple to show pretty significant improvement in some areas.
8. You're never really sure about what you're going to get out of freshmen so that can be a bit of a concern.
PizzaHutParkingLot
- Vodice, Croatia
Anyone want to take a stab at the minute distribution / projected stat lines
I don't think it's the situation that the money is "gone" - there were donors willing to contribute to getting Blackwell, but now that he's not coming, the staff seems content to go with the roster we have now instead of trying to add another starter - what is driving a lot of the confusion I believe is why isn't the staff pivoting to McNeil? He was listed as one of the few players the staff was targeting early by Indy and UK and UNC are involved with him now, but he hasn't committed anywhere. He's a 42% 3pt shooter on over 7 attempts per game, he's an absolute sharpshooter - he shoots 52% on unguarded threes, 38% guarded threes (which is 95 percentile), he took a lot of tough threes last year for NC state, the quality of his shots would be dramatically better in our offense given he would be much more catch and shoot, not having to create his own shot off the dribble, etc. The reason we're not going after him now must be:
1) The staff feels he's not much better than Coleman - McNeil will be a junior and this one would be a little tough to argue given he's a known quantity and he took a big leap from last year to this year so Junior year McNeil could be even better, so it's likely not this one
2) He's not well rounded enough as a player - he does take almost 80% of his shots from three and he's not much of a passer, he's basically going to get his shot up when you pass it to him, similar to Andrej, maybe that doesn't fit into what they are looking for, but when you shoot that well from three, I think you want him shooting it (similar to Andrej from two), he's not a great defender but he does have positional size, so this I can't believe is the issue either
3) His team is demanding a lot in terms of money and usage? Maybe he wants in the $3-4M range and the staff can't get the donors to pony up for someone like McNeil that isn't as well known as Blackwell and/or maybe his team wants some assurances on role - I think he would obviously start on the best offense in the country so I don't see what is not to like there, and he's not the type of player that needs the ball in his hands, he would be a recipient of Vaaks and Mirk passes, I can't believe this is a deal breaker
4) We don't want to upset Coleman and/or Andrej? bringing in another starter would clearly hurt minutes for Coleman and Morillo and potentially take some shots away from Andrej- maybe this is it, but the staff was willing to do this for Blackwell and McNeil will take less usage than Blackwell would have
McNeil would be another weapon with positional size and elite three point shooting - which would seem to be a fit for us, yet we don't seem to be pursuing him. That is what many of us don't understand. After McNeil there are not a lot of options out there that are better than Coleman starting for us, so I get the staff going with what we have, but McNeil seems to be one that would be - which is confusing if the staff was interested in him early on
pruman91
- interviewing new NL's daily....I really really am
What I am seeing now is the same thing I can remember seeing every year post NCAA tourney with the exception being the Illini leaving a bigger footprint regarding what our future holds for the next Illini season.............the discussion regarding what is needed for us to continue our growth is healthy and warranted in my humble opinion........respectful sharing of opinions should be the floor in these discussions and ideas given should be for the benefit of everyone who posts here as a loyal Illini Nation fanatic..........but , there has been instances of trolling and stirring the pot that are so evident that it can't be debated if it is occurring or not.....this is my humble opinion as to what is opening the door to the silly doom and gloom remarks being posted now......
to have a respected insider reply with an all caps post shows me that some are just trying to promote an adversarial agenda and doing so to provoke discord amongst the Illini ranks.................said insider bleeds O & B and has faithfully provided truthful info that is above reproach............................it's time to realize that the Illini are a force in MBB and will be for as long as BU , staff and players live the EDG culture and represent the University in a mature and respected way..............
we have a happy and quirky team , in a good way , and I believe we are on a path to a return to the FF with a better outcome and finally a Natty for all to celebrate.......................
I'm getting closer to my home................................
to have a respected insider reply with an all caps post shows me that some are just trying to promote an adversarial agenda and doing so to provoke discord amongst the Illini ranks.................said insider bleeds O & B and has faithfully provided truthful info that is above reproach............................it's time to realize that the Illini are a force in MBB and will be for as long as BU , staff and players live the EDG culture and represent the University in a mature and respected way..............
we have a happy and quirky team , in a good way , and I believe we are on a path to a return to the FF with a better outcome and finally a Natty for all to celebrate.......................
I'm getting closer to my home................................
It is until it isn't. I said this a couple seasons ago, but I think college sports is on a similar path to how the NHL was pre-salary cap in the 90s and early 00s, where salary inflation was a runaway train until it reached that critical point >$7mil/yr for star players that had the league on the verge of bankruptcy. We're not there yet, but we are getting closer. I'd say another 2 years before we start seeing the system reach a full on breaking point for most schools.
Haugh returning for the Gators.
They will be tough.
They will be tough.
USAFILLINI
- Florida
If you came to this board expecting there to never be a differing opinion, you definitely came to the wrong place. Some days I enjoy the hot takes, other days I just scroll until I see IndyIllini or FL post. A mix of both is what makes this board great IMO.
Funny note that’s somewhat related. At the Final Four, a UConn Huskies fan behind me heard the I-L-L chants and couldn’t figure out what we were saying. After I explained it, she said, “It sounds a lot like a cult.” Thinking about this board, I laughed a little and said, you have no idea. But honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way, give me a rabid Illini fan over the bandwagon Duke and Michigan fans all day.
Funny note that’s somewhat related. At the Final Four, a UConn Huskies fan behind me heard the I-L-L chants and couldn’t figure out what we were saying. After I explained it, she said, “It sounds a lot like a cult.” Thinking about this board, I laughed a little and said, you have no idea. But honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way, give me a rabid Illini fan over the bandwagon Duke and Michigan fans all day.
Let's say Morillo's ready and the top 8 is set... I'd say we need a serviceable 9th guy.
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I will say, and not knocking either side of the Doom or Bloom aisle, but objectively when we win that elusive Natty, the recruiting threads for that next year are going to be INSANE. I think they just might cause a ripple in the space time continuum.
I mean, if I had to guess, he's likely transferring because he wasn't thrilled about his 'backup guard role' at Maryland
Idk why so many believe we can just sell portal guys on 10 minute role (its likely why they're in the portal to begin with... he can go to some other school and start)
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It’s true that QC providing 75% of Wagler is more than enough but it is very unlikely QC provides 75% of Wagler. Thats 13 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists.
Half of Wagler would be a good season for a freshman. 9 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists.
Out of curiosity, did they think it was strange we have a chant? Or that there’s an I-N-I response to it?
I now live deep in Wolverine territory, and what’s weird to me is it’s just “Go Blue!” No response or anything. So during games, or calling out to other fans you shout “Go Blue!!” And just … “ahhh yeah woo!” back. Weak af chant if you ask me. At least little bro has “Go Green!” - “Go White!”
sacraig
- The desert
We get back Ivisic, Ivisic, Mirkovic, Stojakovic, and Davis and add Vaaks and Coleman. We are very much in that conversation as well.
