Think it's more usage and role than money. One ball and several mouths to feed is steering him away from us apparently.

Also would contradict what he said about winning a championship since UCLA is no closer than Wisconsin was to doing that.

Agreed with last comment, those 2 programs are SO FAR away from a C-Ship that's a crazy comment while throwing them into the mix. Cronin is a psycho so I would rather not have that little midget getting Blackwell's talent. The only school in the mix that can NOW make a argument with recent pickups "might" be the Ville but even they will not be there at the end.

Hell maybe we won't either, but I think our squad is head and shoulders ahead of any of them.

C'mon HQ2 clones, games start this afternoon!

I joined out of peer pressure...I admit I do not follow, watch, care, or have any real interest....but I joined. LOL

Rumors online are showing that Blackwell will end up at UCLA? I still think the ILLINI have the inside track though. UCLA has already gotten 2 PG (not CG) out of the portal....Blackwell is on record as wanting to be the PG on the next team to show out for NBA scouts. UCLA just doesn't make sense as far as position goes, Louisville has Shelstad who is ONLY a PG, size wise not able to play any other position. Again, doesn't make sense Shelstad didn't pick the Ville to play out of position. Being unbiased (for the most part) the ILLINI make the most sense, he will be the PG with Vaaks, and Coleman, with Mirk helping. He will get 30 minutes a game, and he can easily get 20 pts per game with his skillset I mean Wagler got nearly that as a freshman.

Anyway, if he comes, he comes, if not well it's been ONE hell of a week, don't think we are done either.

Potential pickups yet (using Blackwell $$$) in order to preference:

Alex Wilkins, Not even close imo, McNeil is ranked higher per transfer portal, but man Wilkins can play and he is a true 6'5 Pt guard to go with Vaaks, and Coleman, and others.

Paul McNeil

Brown and Davis are both high likelihood red shirts imo, Jakstys is probably staying, although no real PT. Lee could see the court, but again no real minutes with this squad...I mean we are STACKED so far and we keep getting some more good news....Blackwell could be the last, and if not....Well Wilkins would be a great get also.

Zavier Zen commits!!! Man we are loaded...Stoyakovic 2.0 maybe, Domask 2.0, Zens 1.0 welcome aboard young man

https://247sports.com/college/illinois/article/zavier-zens-commits-to-illinois-fighting-illini-basketball-wisconsin-lutheran-281702792/

Andrej is back!! #TheRetention

https://x.com/IlliniMBB/status/2045185658348601367

In the infamous words of South Park.....Fuck Yea!!!

Ty Rodgers in the portal. Hate losing an EDG but I don't see how he would have gotten much, if any, tick on next year's squad. Good luck at your next stop, Ty!

Grand Canyon University would be a very good landing spot for Rodgers. He can reach higher, but with an injury history, and the locale, and the Coach and atmosphere would have a lot to offer TR to get him back!

Ty Rodgers in the portal. Hate losing an EDG but I don't see how he would have gotten much, if any, tick on next year's squad. Good luck at your next stop, Ty!

Agreed Best of Luck to a young man that epitomized the ILLINI culture while here, injuries derailed him, life's not fair. He stands a much better chance to get PT somewhere else.

Sorry to lose ya TR, ILLINI for life though.

Feel like his song to come out too during introductions should be the Good the Bad and the Ugly....