Forget Adam Miller (COMPLETELY!). I'm expecting QC to have a better freshman year than Keaton Wagler!
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread
The games will be live streamed on the FIBA YouTube Channel. Here's the link to the first game on June 1st:
I think Millers defense was really good for a freshmen but he also played alongside some of the best defenders we’ve had recently. That helped him look a lot better on that side of the ball.
I think it’s entirely possible QC is a better individual defender than Miller was. Vaaks we need to just not be downright awful. Even in some of his highlight clips his defense is suspect.
In reality, it’s going to be even rougher this year on that end. I have faith the returners can be even better and Andrej can become a lockdown guy, but we’re going to need across the board improvement to replace Ben and Kylan.
Think more like Ayo frosh 13.8 ppg, 4 rpg, 3.2 assists
Also wonder with Dre and QC if fast break points will rise. Need Vaaks rebounding to improve as well as defense.
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And what makes you think he wants to go from 31 mpg to fewer than he played his freshman year?
Yeah, Vaaks needs to be much better on that end, but I think he can at least be serviceable. He's not a terrible athlete, and has great length. He has the things you can't teach... He needs more of the things you can. Providence was one of the worst defensive teams in the country last year. It's really difficult to stay committed to defense when no one else is playing it. Effort is contagious, but not nearly as contagious as a lack of it.
Brad isn't going to let Jake Davis sit for very long if Vaaks or Coleman aren't busting their tails on defense. He may not be the most talented guy on the roster, but we know Jake comes to play. They will learn the standard in practice this summer, or they will learn it from the bench this Fall.
Finally! Some near-term "Illinois" basketball to look forward to watching again now that Minnesota is out of the NBA Playoffs...
Details for those curious:
USA Basketball will open Group A play with Argentina, Brazil and Mexico at the 2026 FIBA U18 Men’s AmeriCup. The U.S. men will take on Argentina in their opening game at 7:30 p.m. ET on June 1. The Americans hold a 14-1 record against the Argentineans. On June 2 10 p.m. ET, the USA will face Mexico, who they have defeated in all five previous meetings. Group A play closes with Brazil at 5 p.m. ET on June 4 with the U.S. looking to improve to 12-0 all-time. The winners of both groups will advance directly to the semifinals on June 6 and the medal games are scheduled for June 7. Semifinal play-in games are set for June 5. The tournament will stream live on YouTube.com/FIBA. (Edit: Posting the game times here for anyone that wants to put it on their calendar)
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I like having him on the team, but if we're expecting Jake to come in and be the defensive stopper, that's a problem simply based off his defense from this past season.