Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

#577      
PleaseMakeABowlGame
typagliara7 said:
I think Ethan Brown and Lucas Morillo have good handles as well
So 5 Lead Guards. Yet not 1 True PG .. Only issue without one .. Last year both MSU and Wisc
guards lit us up b/c we didn't have anybody quick enough to stay in front of them
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Fly Illini Fly! said:
Vaaks is a true PG. Everyone else is a secondary ball handling option.

The only reason you think he isn't a PG is because he's 6"7. That's it. Nothing more, nothing less.

His screen navigation and PnR ability (which by basketball norms defines a point guard) is terrific.

.....

For those still confused about point guard, please listen to this portion of the MLT interview:

24:53

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But that's kind of the point. He is 6"7, but that's a disadvantage because he isn't a traditional PG with superb quickness TO STAY IN FRONT OF OPPOSING TEAM'S quick guards.

Offensively we'll be fine, since we have so many creator options (and of course Vaaks).

Defensively, we don't have someone who can matchup with the quick PGs on other teams.
 
#578      
Fly Illini Fly!
PleaseMakeABowlGame said:
But that's kind of the point. He is 6"7, but that's a disadvantage because he isn't a traditional PG with superb quickness TO STAY IN FRONT OF OPPOSING TEAM'S quick guards.

Offensively we'll be fine, since we have so many creator options (and of course Vaaks).

Defensively, we don't have someone who can matchup with the quick PGs on other teams.
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Fair enough.

But to that I'd argue "staying in front" has nothing to do with being 6"1 instead of 6"7. It's about being a good defender.

We had Petro last year who was 6"1, but was unplayable defensively. Keaton, who was 6"6, was a lot better.
 
#579      
NarrowJ
PleaseMakeABowlGame said:
But that's kind of the point. He is 6"7, but that's a disadvantage because he isn't a traditional PG with superb quickness TO STAY IN FRONT OF OPPOSING TEAM'S quick guards.

Offensively we'll be fine, since we have so many creator options (and of course Vaaks).

Defensively, we don't have someone who can matchup with the quick PGs on other teams.
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Why would Vaaks get the assignment of that particular archetype? Andrej/Coleman are far better suited for that.
 
#580      
hoopsfan47
PleaseMakeABowlGame said:
But that's kind of the point. He is 6"7, but that's a disadvantage because he isn't a traditional PG with superb quickness TO STAY IN FRONT OF OPPOSING TEAM'S quick guards.

Offensively we'll be fine, since we have so many creator options (and of course Vaaks).

Defensively, we don't have someone who can matchup with the quick PGs on other teams.
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The fact is that no team has a defensive player who can stay in front of really quick PGs with a handle. But you can keep them from running a layup drill with good team defense and making them do what they are least effective doing. After watching "Kooleymon", he likely will be as effective as Boswell...some day... though not likely today. However, as coachable and determined as he seems to be, it will be sooner rather than later. The real challenge will be teaching Vaaks exactly what is expected. My greatest hope, and I am sure also BU's, is that he is determined to do is best on both ends. The two starting guards will be the newcomers, and Jake will add some experience if not foot speed when he is in. What he lacks in foot speed he will make up with leadership, confidence, and knowledge...I am hoping.
 
#582      
Illinisnake
Fly Illini Fly! said:
This is not true. This perfectly illustrates LaTulip’s point on a recent pod… if he were 6”2, everyone would’ve called him a point guard.

PG isn’t based off of height. It’s based off of ball skills and PnR ability. Keaton always had that ability and simply being a point guard.

Now… he wasn’t thought to be THE TEAM’S point guard (which is a completely different point) because Kylan and Petro were said to be very good.

Boswell still was, Petro was a bust, and Wagler was just a generational Illini freshman.
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It is true, you just don't agree with it lol Brad trusted him to run the offense and trusted his ability to score. Also, nobody ever said PG is based on height, at least I didn't. I view it as the ability to run the offense and get your team involved.
 
#583      
skyIdub
Basketball Universe: "Here's your 9th man Loyalty, you can relax now."


Loyalty: "OMG OUR NOT A PG THAT'S OUR PG IS TOO TALL!!"
 
#585      
Fly Illini Fly!
Illinisnake said:
It is true, you just don't agree with it lol Brad trusted him to run the offense and trusted his ability to score. Also, nobody ever said PG is based on height, at least I didn't.
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Illinisnake said:
I view it as the ability to run the offense and get your team involved.
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Well then there's no reason for you to say "Keaton wasn't known to be a ball handler coming into last season at all."

He always had "ball handler" ability coming out of HS. It was whether or not he could get on the court and earn the staff's trust.
 
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