Orangetool
Give me back my Afta, heh heh
I feel like Morillo is a bigger downgrade from Ben than Vaaks is from Wagler.
Why?
I feel like Morillo is a bigger downgrade from Ben than Vaaks is from Wagler.
Absolutely no reason for any 3rd year player who can go to the combine to sit it out. Great coaching, great feedback, experience through the process, and elite competition.
These guys won’t be just getting work in, they will be playing to impress. Not your average scrimmages.
There is absolutely nothing else he could do over the next few weeks that will make him a better player than going to the combine.
Pretty big if trueThey both play basketball so there's a similarity.
Because he's not near the 3 point shooter. So, offensively, he'll need to get his points at the rim -- Andrej style. However, his game isn't as polished, and he's not as strong.Why?
oh man. I hope the story of Ben humrichous doesn't turn into a tall tale as time goes on. he was a good 8th man last year and really improved but a solid off the bench guy that's all. wish him well! let's move on.I feel like Morillo is a bigger downgrade from Ben than Vaaks is from Wagler.
I need to get some popcorn cause I am all ears for all this hot takes….Because he's not near the 3 point shooter. So, offensively, he'll need to get his points at the rim -- Andrej style. However, his game isn't as polished, and he's not as strong.
Defensively, he's definitely worse (than Ben).
I think Morillo is closer to freshman Ty Rodgers than he is to 2026 Hummer.
----
Coleman I don't have the same concerns - very good shooter, 3 level scorer, very good handle, pretty decent athlete. Great rebounder as well.
Respectfully to Ben, he was awesome this year, but Morillo has way more basketball talent.
Ya I thought Morillo was a point gaurd.I'll never claim to be the sharpest tack in the drawer, but this statement is baffling. I don't think Morillo was recruited or intended to be a Humrichous replacement. Other than Morillo being tall for a guard, their games are not really comparable.
I think this was quite obviously coming since it became widely known that Drej was in Irvine working out just days after Indy. It’s smart for him to get feedback and I expect him back in Champaign next season.
This season the 8 man rotation consisted of:Last season's bench: Davis, Humrichous, Z
(Andrej was literally our second best player, so for all intends and purposes, I'll count him as a starter)
This season's bench: Davis, Morillo, Z
Their games may be (vastly) different, but the only "replacement" there is Humrichous for Morillo.
Are you serious? A year ago everyone put Ben to the whipping post. A year later he filled a very nice role. We have not a clue what the freshman Morillo will look like until we see it…. yet you know??? Sit the f**k back and see! If your are going to be a back seat driver, at least wait until the fuc$ing car is on the roadBecause he's not near the 3 point shooter. So, offensively, he'll need to get his points at the rim -- Andrej style. However, his game isn't as polished, and he's not as strong.
Defensively, he's definitely worse (than Ben).
I think Morillo is closer to freshman Ty Rodgers than he is to 2026 Hummer.
----
Coleman I don't have the same concerns - very good shooter, 3 level scorer, very good handle, pretty decent athlete. Great rebounder as well.
I think some folks on this board have already forgotten how good Wagler was. There is zero doubt that Vaaks will be a downgrade, probably a large one.Morillo is a guard and Ben is a PF? Why compare! Apples to oranges
Btw, Vaaks as a sophomore could put up Keaton numbers this year playing on a much more talented team.
At this point we really can’t call anyone a downgrade. Might want to predict less and actually wait and see how things look once our season starts!
I agree. Andrej will take what the scouts will tell him and improve. If his outside shot improves, it will make us better. With Vaaks, Coleman, Dre, Jake and Tomi, we will stretch defenses out which will create driving lanes.For those who want a better Andrej Stojakovic, these next three weeks will be crucial for him to become a much better version for Illinois this coming season.
what do you anticipate the scouts' feedback will be, and what areas of his game do you think will improve as a result of going through the process?For those who want a better Andrej Stojakovic, these next three weeks will be crucial for him to become a much better version for Illinois this coming season.
For those who want a better Andrej Stojakovic, these next three weeks will be crucial for him to become a much better version for Illinois this coming season.
Impossible. I heard it would be very hard for our returnees to improveFor those who want a better Andrej Stojakovic, these next three weeks will be crucial for him to become a much better version for Illinois this coming season.
At my ocean front propertywhere do I sign up (for the much better version)?
That emerging as a stopper on the defensive end did more for his stock than every bucket he's gotten in college thus far, and that his path to making and especially sticking in the league lies on that end.what do you anticipate the scouts' feedback will be
That'd be great. I (and everyone else probably) would also like him to get his shooting to be as Peja-esque as possible.That emerging as a stopper on the defensive end did more for his stock than every bucket he's gotten in college thus far, and that his path to making and especially sticking in the league lies on that end.
He’ll never shoot like pops but can improve his shot selection, which should translate to a respectable percentage. Same can be said for Z.That'd be great. I (and everyone else probably) would also like him to get his shooting to be as Peja-esque as possible.
Get better at making 3's, look to pass occasionally when headramming, continue growth on defensewhat do you anticipate the scouts' feedback will be, and what areas of his game do you think will improve as a result of going through the process?