Keaton Wagler, Big Ten Player of the Year?
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Noblesville Illini
- Nappanee, IN
Aww shucks! Missed it by a day! Mine’s tomorrow.HAPPY BIRTHDAY Keaton Wagler!
Old, but still applies to this kid.
Joel Goodson
- how was I to know, she was with the Russians too?
warms the old cockles:
With Wagler's stellar background as a high school player in Kansas, it is unfathomable to me that Bill Self missed out on a kid who played in a gym just 36 miles from Allen Fieldhouse at the University of Kansas. Bill must have nightmares about the lost opportunity of coaching an NBA two lottery pick backcourt of Darryn Peterson and Keaton Wagler!
"Keaton Wagler, a 6'6" guard from Shawnee Mission Northwest, finished his high school career as a highly decorated two-time Kansas Class 6A Player of the Year (2024, 2025) and the 2025 Gatorade Kansas Player of the Year. He led his team to back-to-back Class 6A state titles, finishing his final two seasons with a 47-3 record."
NarrowJ: Obviously you were not an English major at the University of Illinois, like some of the rest of us on Loyalty.
- "Warm the Cockles of [one's] Heart": This means to give someone a feeling of deep warmth and happiness.
- Origin: While not slang, it's a common phrase, possibly linked to the Latin cochleae cordis (heart's ventricles) or simply the resemblance of cockle shells to heart chambers, with the phrase appearing in the 17th century.
Have heard the phrase before, was just being silly lol
skyIdub
"I can't tell you. Secret."
Around 2:40:
These guys are just so ignorant. The ball has been in his hands EVER SINCE DEC 1st.
Why do people think he's just now the point guard? He's had the keys to the offense every game since the Tennessee game, with or without Boswell.
Also, he doesn't take that many shot attempts either. Most he's taken in a game this year is 17 - @Purdue and @Northwestern (a game Boswell played).
Watch the games for once.
These guys are just so ignorant. The ball has been in his hands EVER SINCE DEC 1st.
Why do people think he's just now the point guard? He's had the keys to the offense every game since the Tennessee game, with or without Boswell.
Also, he doesn't take that many shot attempts either. Most he's taken in a game this year is 17 - @Purdue and @Northwestern (a game Boswell played).
Watch the games for once.
not sure what your saying here, I thought this was very complementive of the team. They said Wagler has been the point guard and is getting more shots now, completely true. They also said when Boswell comes back he is the best defender and we will be even more complete, also true. The guy on the left was over the moon for the team. They didn't sound ignorant at all.
Not really. Here’s his game logs, games without Boswell staring on Jan 21 against Maryland:
Keaton Wagler 2025-26 Stats per Game - NCAAM - ESPN
The 2025-26 NCAAM season stats per game for Keaton Wagler of the Illinois Fighting Illini on ESPN. Includes full stats, per opponent, for regular and postseason.
Last 4 games WITH Boswell: 50 Field Goal Attempts
First 4 games WITHOUT Boswell: 53 Field Goal Attempts
That’s barely any difference at all.
What’s frustrating about certain comments is that they don’t understand what makes Keaton great. What makes him great is EFFICIENCY — not shooting 25 shots a game.
The guy literally went to Mackey and put up 46pts on 17 shots. The most FGA he’s even had in a game this season is 17.
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Not really. Here’s his game logs, games without Boswell staring on Jan 21 against Maryland:
Keaton Wagler 2025-26 Stats per Game - NCAAM - ESPN
The 2025-26 NCAAM season stats per game for Keaton Wagler of the Illinois Fighting Illini on ESPN. Includes full stats, per opponent, for regular and postseason.www.espn.com
Last 4 games WITH Boswell: 50 Field Goal Attempts
First 4 games WITHOUT Boswell: 53 Field Goal Attempts
That’s barely any difference at all.
What’s frustrating about certain comments is that they don’t understand what makes Keaton great. What makes him great is EFFICIENCY — not shooting 25 shots a game.
The guy literally went to Mackey and put up 46pts on 17 shots. The most FGA he’s even had in a game this season is 17.
We've played 5 games without Boswell, not 4. In those 5 games, Keaton's averaging 13 shots per game.Not really. Here’s his game logs, games without Boswell staring on Jan 21 against Maryland:
Keaton Wagler 2025-26 Stats per Game - NCAAM - ESPN
The 2025-26 NCAAM season stats per game for Keaton Wagler of the Illinois Fighting Illini on ESPN. Includes full stats, per opponent, for regular and postseason.
Last 4 games WITH Boswell: 50 Field Goal Attempts
First 4 games WITHOUT Boswell: 53 Field Goal Attempts
That’s barely any difference at all.
What’s frustrating about certain comments is that they don’t understand what makes Keaton great. What makes him great is EFFICIENCY — not shooting 25 shots a game.
The guy literally went to Mackey and put up 46pts on 17 shots. The most FGA he’s even had in a game this season is 17.
In the last 5 Boswell DID play, Keaton averaged 11.8 shots per game.
So there is an increase, but very slight. Only 1 more shot per game.
RabidDawgClassic
- Los Angeles, CA
Without looking, I’d guess that Jake’s shots per game have increased in the last five games.
FeelYourPaign
- So Cal
I know it's not the human voters, but KW has moved to #1 in the Ken Pom Player of the Year stats for the Big Ten and #4 nationally.
Boozer's lead is amazing, but to watch Keaton consistently climb the board is extremely satisfying.
Boozer's lead is amazing, but to watch Keaton consistently climb the board is extremely satisfying.
LMAO disrespect in these clips are absurd. Guy doesn't even mention Wagler, but sites "three freshman having 40 points."
GMAB.
GMAB.
I don't know who is causing the frustration though, that is what I am saying. Wagler is getting flowers from all corners. He is properly respected as our team on a local and national level. I live on the east coast and people are on this Illini team. I saw that video and thought they were giving mad love to all things illinois.Not really. Here’s his game logs, games without Boswell staring on Jan 21 against Maryland:
Keaton Wagler 2025-26 Stats per Game - NCAAM - ESPN
The 2025-26 NCAAM season stats per game for Keaton Wagler of the Illinois Fighting Illini on ESPN. Includes full stats, per opponent, for regular and postseason.
Last 4 games WITH Boswell: 50 Field Goal Attempts
First 4 games WITHOUT Boswell: 53 Field Goal Attempts
That’s barely any difference at all.
What’s frustrating about certain comments is that they don’t understand what makes Keaton great. What makes him great is EFFICIENCY — not shooting 25 shots a game.
The guy literally went to Mackey and put up 46pts on 17 shots. The most FGA he’s even had in a game this season is 17.
What makes Wagler great is not only his efficiency but its his poise, well and he is a great shooter, which is beyond his years. Bad stretches, a forced drive, nothing phases him at all, just all business. I love it. Also, this offense as a whole makes sense, must be a lot of fun to be part of.
I guess it wasn't quite 50%, but still pretty darn good
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