Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

[bavanga3]

Saying they lost a lot is an understatement to say the least.

They lost three potential lottery picks. What other team lost that type of firepower? That frontcourt was everything to them. Just ONE of them missing would have changed their season. I'm sorry, but losing all three, plus their normal graduating seniors(Barnett, most notably), that's four starters gone. No way they reloaded to a point where they can be just dropped into the top 5.

Now, can they come together and be a top 5 team? Absolutely. The talent is there to be very, very good. There are a lot of teams like that. I look at Louisville. They loaded up, but nobody is making any assumptions on anything with them.

You just don't lose an NBA roster and pick up where you left off. May is a really, really good coach, but he didn't have to be John Wooden to win with that team last year.

They didn't lose 3 potential lottery picks. I would say 1. McCoy isn't the only one expected to contribute. Their entire class of transfer bigs are going to be starting or first off the bench. And by the way, all those transfers had better numbers than Aday Mara and Morez Johnson the year before they transferred. So quite honestly, to expect them not to take a leap forward as well with superior talent around them is questionable. They've earned every bit of their ranking.

 

[OB positive]

They didn't lose 3 potential lottery picks. I would say 1. McCoy isn't the only one expected to contribute. Their entire class of transfer bigs are going to be starting or first off the bench. And by the way, all those transfers had better numbers than Aday Mara and Morez Johnson the year before they transferred. So quite honestly, to expect them not to take a leap forward as well with superior talent around them is questionable. They've earned every bit of their ranking.

I seriously doubt they take leaps forward. I look for Michigan's frontcourt to be a level or two lower this year. Especially considering the gaurds and wings they have returning. They are going to want their time in the spotlight.