Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

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#1,029      
The Sprouting Divot
Now that there's nothing to lose by saying so (and not like there ever was...), I've always thought Blackwell was kind of a !!!!head punk on the court.
I would have been happy to have him, of course, but he always seemed like he talked considerably more trash than necessary or justified.
 
#1,032      
OrangeBlue98
I’m not too worried about not landing Blackwell or with the current (apparent) situation. It feels like the staff is going to be picky and only bring someone in if the fit and value are right. Brad and his staff have absolutely earned the benefit of any doubt.
 
#1,034      
Fly Illini Fly!
If Blackwell will be PG… then I change my answer about Foster coming off the bench and Boozer stating.

Just never really envisioned Blackwell as a PG. It’s weird that Duke does given they have Boozer.
 
#1,035      
Bucktown
IllinoisIntegrity said:
Blackwell is the Storr of 2026.
let it go GIF
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That was and is still my opinion as well.

Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

Mara in particular has been creeping up boards too. Great block percentage plus he’s 7”3, he should go top 20 he's the one we need to leave... he was the key to their great defense
www.illinoisloyalty.com www.illinoisloyalty.com
 
#1,036      
PleaseMakeABowlGame
LvilleILL1 said:
UCLA and Louisville put all their eggs into the Blackwell basket.

They are in deep trouble now, exactly why Illinois pursued and closed on Vaaks and QC.
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Louisville is not in trouble by any stretch of the imagination for losing on Blackwell. Their projected starters:

Jackson Shelstad
Adrian Wooley
Karter Knox
Alvaro Folgueiras
Flory Bidunga

UCLA may be a different story.
 
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#1,037      
HailtotheChief
Fly Illini Fly! said:
Boozer already announced his return. Foster will likely be coming off the bench.

Does he actually have eligibility? Usually these tweets say something like “needs a waiver” or “applying for waiver.”

https://twitter.com/x/status/2046693299029778558
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I am not that guy that bangs others going elsewhere. Hell thats a boat load n blackwe likely isnt a NBA bound player. Much like boz or Domask. However after Vaaks commitment and Coleman, who i honestly believe both have much brighter NBA careers. Would i have like Blackwell? Of course, but with out team i would prefer a solid 4 that can defend n shoot. We will miss Ben. If Z Tomi, Z, or Mirk goes down then what?...im not a billionaire or a coach anymore but if i was id want someone in that role. If one of those 3 get hurt especailly Z. Then what? We need someone in that role more than another wing.
 
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#1,041      
hoopsfan47
OrangeBlue98 said:
I’m not too worried about not landing Blackwell or with the current (apparent) situation. It feels like the staff is going to be picky and only bring someone in if the fit and value are right. Brad and his staff have absolutely earned the benefit of any doubt.
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Agree. Has BU ever done anything else? For whom has he ever overpaid?. Maybe Petrovic, but what was he paid? You want to play for the Illini, you play for the Fighting Illini and not for your bank account or the name on the back. Not sure anyone who ever did that has any regrets.

Underwood's playbook for dealing with the portal and NIL should be the lawbook for college hoops. Players love playing in the program because the best players get the minutes and no one is guaranteed anything. And yet, regardless of court time, they all seem to love being a part of the team success....the way it should be.
 
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#1,043      
NarrowJ
Fly Illini Fly! said:
Good, yes. Very good, I don't think so.

Replacing Dent and Bilodeau will be tough. At most 7-10 seed -- IMO.
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Good vs very good is splitting a hair a bit, but they have probably the 3rd best roster in the B1G right now

They return more minutes than anyone sans Illinois & Michigan State

6 top 100 players, same number as Michigan has (just for example)
 
#1,044      
HailtotheChief
Fly Illini Fly! said:
Boozer already announced his return. Foster will likely be coming off the bench.

Does he actually have eligibility? Usually these tweets say something like “needs a waiver” or “applying for waiver.”

https://twitter.com/x/status/2046693299029778558
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Who do you think gets drafted higher one day or even next year Blackwell, Vaaks or Coleman? I question if any do next yr but my money is on our guys. Blackwell is an amazing college player but someone created space for him. He is an amazing colliegate player. If he was elite pro prospect he would be gone. We need a 4/5 at can shoot n defend case mirk z or tomi go down. This Moriilo can guard n play that role if needed is dumb. Throw him n the 4 n he is gone next year unless he grows 4 inches.
 
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#1,045      
MurphysBurger
WolfpackIllini said:
When Jake starts, the opposing D will spread out, and will begin to tire a bit.
Insert a fresh Drej and maybe he gets the lane a bit more open, and gets a half step advantage.
If so, from a team standpoint, this might be the better approach than Drej starting.
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He is our Manu Ginobili. Manu is a HOF as a 6th man and a big part of the reason the spurs were so good.
 
#1,046      
Fly Illini Fly!
NarrowJ said:
Good vs very good is splitting a hair a bit, but they have probably the 3rd best roster in the B1G right now

They return more minutes than anyone sans Illinois & Michigan State

6 top 100 players, same number as Michigan has (just for example)
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There's no way that's 3rd best.

Illinois / Michigan / MSU / USC all above them (at the very least).
 
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