IlliniHQ 2
General Category => Fighting Illini Basketball Forum => Topic started by: ILLINICHIEF on March 09, 2026, 10:29:56 AM
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How long until the wave starts building for 2026?
Who will the ILLINI lose...........we won't know who we will get until next spring I am sure. :P
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Maybe we make a run at this guy again? I know he isn't a transfer (released), but adding a 5 star and another from Missouri (St. Louis) to go with Morillo and Brown would help us in the backcourt. Immediate minutes will be available. Keep Andrej, and these guys...we will be okay I think. Maybe one more experienced CG?
https://247sports.com/player/quentin-coleman-46146666
Sounds like someone else we know a little bit.
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In Full swing....Daquan Davis a past offer is in there....this off season for portal is gonna be brutal imo.
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Always Wright is available again...........wonder what went wrong?
https://247sports.com/player/always-wright-46157210/college-356745/
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https://247sports.com/recruitment/jahki-howard-143332/recruitinterests/
Previous offeree...............and has had issues.
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If Wagler goes pro this year which I assume will happen. That will be what, BU's 4th or 5th guard to get drafted starting with Ayo?
Seems like a place a wing would want to play at. Less worried about transfers as I once was. Actually was never that worried. It was a select few chicken little posters freaking out when we lost Adam Miller.
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If Wagler goes pro this year which I assume will happen. That will be what, BU's 4th or 5th guard to get drafted starting with Ayo?
Seems like a place a wing would want to play at. Less worried about transfers as I once was. Actually was never that worried. It was a select few chicken little posters freaking out when we lost Adam Miller.
That was never a loss, except in the Chicago perception imo. Anyone that nicknames himself...........well.
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Alright, Alright, Alright....back at it again....
Maybe we can get Alright Right, and Always Right both?
https://www.on3.com/rivals/all-wright-250224/
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Northwestern is losing a redshirt 7' as Collins is going to rebuild the entire roster per reports.
https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/5196943/cade-bennerman
https://247sports.com/player/cade-bennerman-46136809, michigan offer as well.
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Would not mind this kid at all next year....lefty dunking machine, however Alexander went to K-State, guess is he ends up there.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f189rTMLgGM
https://247sports.com/player/drew-scharnowski-46132335/college-326640/
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appreciate all the updates Chief
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appreciate all the updates Chief
Your welcome, I follow at nauseum sometimes....but oh well. Keeps the off season interesting to me. Glad you like them.
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Kwame Evans in portal, ILLINI offered him back in 2020....WOW.
https://247sports.com/player/kwame-evans-jr-46101949/college-303094
Justyn Fernandez Illini offered him 2022...38% 3 pt shooter, 42 overall, 90 from FT but those matter so much (jk)
https://247sports.com/player/justyn-fernandez-46117057/college-356549/
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B1G bag-Brinks Truck to Mirk, get at least Big Z back (Tomi) maybe too, and add this
https://247sports.com/player/paulius-murauskas-46142509/college-355375/
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Izaiah Pasha - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzfL9Mpr7OY
Likes to get into the paint, creates own shot, average double figures at Delaware, buried on bench at VT?
6'5 205 pd true PG. Obviously lesser known, but with a lot of $$$$ going to others and the need for experienced guards, good choice imo.
The kid just didn't seem to fit at VT? CAA Rookie of the year at Delaware.
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Way To Early Portal additions I would love to have (assuming $$$ work) and team fit works.
Murauskas - St Mary's 6'8 235, Backup choice-maybe 1st choice, Scharnowski 6'9 230 Illinois kid, lefty, seems to be a BU kinda player.
Shelstad - Oregon 6'1 PG/SG, Backup choice-maybe 1st choice, as I don't think Shelstad would come to the ILLINI would be the Izaiah Pash listed above. That kid wants to get into the paint, and IF we have 3 pt shooters, we don't necassarily need a PG who shoots alot of them. Great size to his game as well.
Get both Ivisic bro's to return, of Andrej leaves so be it, would love to have his game again as far as taking over and driving on anyone, but at 24% 3 pt shooting, not worth the kind of $$$ he will want imo. Mirk a whole different story.
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Way To Early Portal additions I would love to have (assuming $$$ work) and team fit works.
Murauskas - St Mary's 6'8 235, Backup choice-maybe 1st choice, Scharnowski 6'9 230 Illinois kid, lefty, seems to be a BU kinda player.
Shelstad - Oregon 6'1 PG/SG, Backup choice-maybe 1st choice, as I don't think Shelstad would come to the ILLINI would be the Izaiah Pash listed above. That kid wants to get into the paint, and IF we have 3 pt shooters, we don't necassarily need a PG who shoots alot of them. Great size to his game as well.
Get both Ivisic bro's to return, of Andrej leaves so be it, would love to have his game again as far as taking over and driving on anyone, but at 24% 3 pt shooting, not worth the kind of $$$ he will want imo. Mirk a whole different story.
Nice to have guys who will take the ball to the hoop instead of settling for 3s.....
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https://247sports.com/player/andrija-bukumirovic-46165815
Name checks out for possible addition
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Sam Orme 6'9 230 joins Sharnowski and Lundblade has high priority from Blemont gets for a program...if we keep the Ivisic's not sure of our needs, however I wouldn't mind adding Sharnowski though.
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AJ CASEY, yes that one, is at it again.
https://247sports.com/player/aj-casey-46079383/college-357361/
#4 prospect out of Illinois back in the day
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Lets add this guy next year....https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/5311829/neoklis-avdalas 6'9 215 G/F, replace Humrichous with him?
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Mar 26, 2026: Transfer
Sam Orme entered the transfer portal
https://247sports.com/player/sam-orme-46117582/
https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/stats/_/id/5176310/sam-orme
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Mar 26, 2026: Transfer
Sam Orme entered the transfer portal
https://247sports.com/player/sam-orme-46117582/
https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/stats/_/id/5176310/sam-orme
Saw that too, I think we may be in on him actually, although I would rather have the Sharnowski guy to be honest. It will depend on who we have left after losses?
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Don't know much about either. Depends on what you are looking for. Orme appears to be more of a stretch big. Almost 40% from three. Decent free throw shooter..
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Don't know much about either. Depends on what you are looking for. Orme appears to be more of a stretch big. Almost 40% from three. Decent free throw shooter..
He would be similar to Stoyakovic imo, Sharnowski would be more like Augustine imo.
Orme (Indiana guy) shoots the 3 at 42% and Sharnowski (illinois guy) is like 33%, but man he can run/rebound and pass.
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I looked at some video..
Augie might not be a bad comparison for Drew Scharnowski. He is long, rebounds, scores mostly in the paint. Shoots almost 70% from the field. But only 44% on ft, 20% on very low volume from three. Runs the court. Dunno if he is an Augie level athlete though
Don't see Andrej in Sam Orme. More like Humrichous.
Still, I would take a Stojakovic that shoots 40% from three..
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I looked at some video..
Augie might not be a bad comparison for Drew Scharnowski. He is long, rebounds, scores mostly in the paint. Shoots almost 70% from the field. But only 44% on ft, 20% on very low volume from three. Runs the court. Dunno if he is an Augie level athlete though
Don't see Andrej in Sam Orme. More like Humrichous.
Still, I would take a Stojakovic that shoots 40% from three..
Agreed they were the only two that came to mind. Orme quite a bit of Andrej here imo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9e9DJnDdWBI
Catch one of the first few sentences and subliminal messaging....BU you watching?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnpiZj7hzmc
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If we are not at least inquiring about Alex Wilkins from Furman as our next lead guard....I would be shocked. That kid can ball, has Wagler height build, and is only a freshman.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Eea476PvqaM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezkhvD6Ec_Y&t=96s
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyV6ihzW6c4 We would have 2 Tomi's
https://www.santafenewmexican.com/sports/with-buljan-lobos-benefit-from-european-pipeline/article_ad817d41-0f0b-49ec-8fe7-601efbf5b7d7.html, ILLINOIS mentions.
Mirk 2.0? Freshman record rebounding. Averaged 13.1 points and 10.3 rebounds.
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Would still love to get Scharnowski to be a solid 4/5 guy, for sure Blackwell-legacy transfer (replace Boswell position)
Starting 5 next year potentially: 61 pts per game low side - 83 on the high side....Bench will come into play for some of those pt totals obviously, #1 offense again...KEEP knocking on that door!!
Blackwell (14-18 pts per game)
Coleman (8-12 pts per game)
Stoyakovic (15-22 pts per game)
Mirkovic (12-16 pts per game
Ivisic (Tomi) (12-15 pts per game)
Bench as of now:
Ivisic - (Z) (C)
Morillo (PG/CG)
Transfer ???
Rodgers (CG/SF)
Landon Davis (Redshirt possibility-PF)
Petrovic (Tough conversation-guess is we lose him to Euro?-Transfer replacement)
Jakstys (Bench 4-5 only-here for a degree)
Fagbemi (Bench only-practice player-no time)
Lee (Probable transfer imo)
Brown (PG/CG-minimal initial minutes)
Davis (Backup CG/SF possible starter)
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https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/48412067/wisconsin-blackwell-enter-portal-test-nba-draft-process
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Get Blackwell, upgrade on Ben, retain the key pieces we already have and we might have ourselves another Final Four squad next season
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Let's go Glynn. Remind your kid that he has Orange and Blue blood.
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Get Blackwell, upgrade on Ben, retain the key pieces we already have and we might have ourselves another Final Four squad next season
Blackwell is NOT going NBA imo, this draft is loaded with guards, with a projected 50% of the 1st 25 picks going that way. Blackwell wouldn't even sniff the 1st rd this year......that's saying alot cause we would love to have him, he would be a huge get.
Some players are just meant to be better college standouts and not do well in the league....there is one for sure in this draft and he is going to go very very high.
Interestingly, Boswell is projected #54, Blackwell isn't even listed in 2nd Rd, Sarr took a real hit imo, and Smith from Purdue is way too high, another example.
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/48165009/2026-nba-mock-draft-top-30-first-round-picks-march-madness
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Juke Harris....I like the game, I like the name....if we can't get Blackwell, then I vote for this kid.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zS4UMPl-lrQ
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Might shed some light into what WE can EXPECT to pay to keep Mirk/Ivisic's/Andrej, same agent is listed as Jovic agent....also Jovic plays with Jokic and views him as a mentor....2 Mil for a barely double digit scorer, and rebounder....poor man's Mirk but not at 2 mil.
https://www.theplainsman.com/article/2026/04/filip-jovic-to-enter-transfer-portal-after-one-season-at-auburn
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Blackwell would be nice. Should consider offering Ryan a job to land him.
Larry Johnson from McNeese is in the portal. We offered him out of high school before he committed to Creighton. Worth taking now.
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Oh boy, any takers, Skyy Clark got his suitcase out.
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Blackwell would be nice. Should consider offering Ryan a job to land him.
Did you mean Glynn?
https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/glynn-blackwell-1.html
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https://247sports.com/player/nikolas-khamenia-46136542/college-339413/
Scheyer just lost a 5*....seems like a Zag player and being from CA, probably?
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Temple losing an entire team so far....Portal Kombat going on there!
4 players leaving so far.
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Would have loved to be a fly on the wall, the first time the Vic's all got together AFTER the tourney to discuss the future....I would assume they have already done this.
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https://247sports.com/player/nojus-indrusaitis-46125415/high-school-298021/ Poor man's Andej?
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Juke Harris....I like the game, I like the name....if we can't get Blackwell, then I vote for this kid.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zS4UMPl-lrQ
In a perfect world you guys get Blackwell and we get Juke. Sounds like the latter is probably going to happen.
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Game on!
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Moretti back in action: https://247sports.com/player/niccolo-moretti-46135520/college-323410/
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Rumor has it that we are "involved" with Alex Wilkins from Furman. This kid would be a outstanding get for us imo.
https://247sports.com/player/alex-wilkins-46166002/
Positional size, averaged 4.9 asst per game as a freshman, 18. pts per game, 44% from field 32% from 3pt range, aggressive downhill guard.
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Rumor has it that we are "involved" with Alex Wilkins from Furman. This kid would be a outstanding get for us imo.
If this is the case, I would say we are probably NOT on solid ground with Blackwell. I would think out of his supposed Top 5 schools, Wisky/Indy/Us/Bama/Duke, he would end up at Duke. He wants to chase a C-Ship, I would think if he does leave Wisky, it will be for out of the conference, and he would take a far less beating in his final year at Duke than in the B1G, it would only help his stats.
https://247sports.com/player/alex-wilkins-46166002/
Positional size, averaged 4.9 asst per game as a freshman, 18. pts per game, 44% from field 32% from 3pt range, aggressive downhill guard.
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Wisconsin buddy claiming Blackwell to Illinois for $3m.... We shall see.
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Wisconsin buddy claiming Blackwell to Illinois for $3m.... We shall see.
Considering CoHawk got 2 mil what 2-3 years ago....he is making $40,000 in G-League now, that would be a bargain.
So if accurate: Mirk 3-Ivisic combined 5-Andrej 3, Blackwell 3- 14 mil with 4-6 mil left over for the team?
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Kansas has 6 portal entries as of now, and also are losing several (3-4) seniors. Reports published online are stating issues with Self and not just about $$$, Self maybe should have retired. Don't know what their NIL budget is but damn, pretty much have to replace the entire team for next year.
Make that 7 as of today, avg 25 pts and over 10 rbs out the door, granted lions share is Bidunga, but still 7 and Self was "maybe" retiring? Maybe the players see something there that others don't...health in question for a full year?
NIL reported budget is 8-10 million for basketball and 21 million across all sports. Hard to see Self in near retirement stage getting an entire new team of STUDS for 8-10 million?
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Will Hornseth from Northern Iowa just went to Utah State....for what's it worth Zens also was committed and will probably end up Utah State as well....visit is a formality, but maybe BU and staff can sway him
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MISKO alert here:
Sergej Macura MSU- committed to UCLA
Filip Jovic - Auburn-committed to UCLA
See a pattern here....Misko is doing a ILLINI 2.0 with UCLA, lets hope these signings mean the ILLINI are keeping all the Vic's.
Misko is on record as stating ANY team getting Euro players should have 2 for various reasons....These 2 are both from Belgrade.
Next up: https://www.on3.com/rivals/aleksa-ristic-281151/ could he be next since Clark in in Portal? My $ says he is.
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Wisconsin buddy claiming Blackwell to Illinois for $3m.... We shall see.
Just imagine what we could do if you and John ponied up for NIL money!
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Just imagine what we could do if you and John ponied up for NIL money!
I could have gotten better seats to see the Illini choke away a FF game?
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JP Estella to Fichigan from Tennessee
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Sam Orme to Nebby
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Oh boy, any takers, Skyy Clark got his suitcase out.
I just saw Skyy is back in the portal. I wish the kid well, but also would encourage Indiana to offer him.
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I like this suggestion....we were looking at him before as well.
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/brad-underwood-eyes-kylan-boswell-215427132.html
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I’ve been going at it with my fellow Michigan fans for the last three days because I really don’t like Flory Bidunga. I just don’t think we need a tiny 5 with a one dimensional skill set from one of KU’s worst teams.
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I’ve been going at it with my fellow Michigan fans for the last three days because I really don’t like Flory Bidunga. I just don’t think we need a tiny 5 with a one dimensional skill set from one of KU’s worst teams.
No worries I don't think you will be getting him, my guess would be St. Johns.
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Down to us and Duke for Blackwell
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Down to us and Duke for Blackwell
I would venture to guess we have landed him already behind the scenes. Duke can offer the pedigree and getting players to the league, however, the ILLINI can boast being a legacy recruit, he doesn't need a team to "help" him get anywhere. He would be large large piece to the puzzle and IF we retain all the Vic's, then we stand a far better chance returning to Final 4 than Duke with their heralded recruiting class imo.
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Flo -rida just got a good one....Aberdeen from UK, if he can get his waiver
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Elijah Freeman from Auburn is avail....6'8 30+ from 3 and almost 10pts a game. 14 rebounds in NIT C-Ship win
Wellington Alum....Trent Frazier where ya at, need some recruiting help here.
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I would venture to guess we have landed him already behind the scenes. Duke can offer the pedigree and getting players to the league, however, the ILLINI can boast being a legacy recruit, he doesn't need a team to "help" him get anywhere. He would be large large piece to the puzzle and IF we retain all the Vic's, then we stand a far better chance returning to Final 4 than Duke with their heralded recruiting class imo.
Wisco fan now called me and said Blackwell was going to Duke...
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Wisco fan now called me and said Blackwell was going to Duke...
Don't see it, I already saw that the number was 7 million....if so Duke can have him...I would take KJ Lewis or Alex Wilkins in a heart beat and give more $$$ to The Vic's.
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Give Blackwell 7.5 million and pay the Vic’s less.
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Don't see it, I already saw that the number was 7 million....if so Duke can have him...I would take KJ Lewis or Alex Wilkins in a heart beat and give more $$$ to The Vic's.
MAJOR UPDATE! Wisco Fan just called and said that maybe he spoke too soon! And Blackwell is now following Illinois guys on socials!
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MAJOR UPDATE! Wisco Fan just called and said that maybe he spoke too soon! And Blackwell is now following Illinois guys on socials!
Cup is on
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Petrovic to UCLA....don't be surprised...the Belgrade connection? They need a PG/SG?
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This may change the PG bidding process that seems to be going on with Blackwell it seems....
https://247sports.com/player/desmond-claude-46102817/college-346000/
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Damn Louiville just hit it out of the park
Shelstad and Bidunga!!
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We got Vaaks
https://x.com/jeffborzello/status/2043403799474188457
Come on down, Blackwell.
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Good pickup for us....great positional size, however, his weakest traits is what we may need more of.
https://247sports.com/player/stefan-vaaks-46161939/college-345582/
Rebounding D-
Defense D-
Assist A
Scoring A
Plays off the ball or on B
Gonna have to learn how to adjust his game like Ben H did for this to be a homerun get imo...lets see.
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Good pickup for us....great positional size, however, his weakest traits is what we may need more of.
https://247sports.com/player/stefan-vaaks-46161939/college-345582/
Rebounding D-
Defense D-
Assist A
Scoring A
Plays off the ball or on B
Gonna have to learn how to adjust his game like Ben H did for this to be a homerun get imo...lets see.
Vaaks don’t give no faaks…
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Don't be anti-Vaaks
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Vaaks don’t give no faaks…
That's the Vaak's jack!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9IFc9BwPCg
Deep range, but drifts on almost every shot, but hell if he is gonna make near 40% on 3's shoot and drift
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Being reported Blackwell is visiting UCLA tomorrow, Andrej/Mirk in LA right now? UCLA just got a commitment from another PG, Petty (4*) from Texas Tech. Blackwell is on record as wanting to play more ON BALL next year, not just SG/CG.
Let's see what shakes out here.
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Good pickup for us....great positional size, however, his weakest traits is what we may need more of.
https://247sports.com/player/stefan-vaaks-46161939/college-345582/
Rebounding D-
Defense D-
Assist A
Scoring A
Plays off the ball or on B
Gonna have to learn how to adjust his game like Ben H did for this to be a homerun get imo...lets see.
Rebounding as we all know is a non-negotiable with Brad. He better get down and dirty crashing the boards or he'll grab some bench. Simple as that.
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Sooooooooooooo 2026-27 is looking like this so far:
PG Blackwell (?) Coleman and Vaaks
CG Blackwell (?) Vaaks and Morillo and Davis
Wings Stoyakovic (?) Vaaks and Morillo and Davis and Rodgers (?)
Big Wings Mirkovic (?) Ivisic (T)
B1G's as of now are the Ivisic brothers.
Lee/Fagbemi who knows at this point, I would suspect Lee will stay, but with minutes at a premium maybe not.
Coleman and Morillo are the only freshman I think will contribute anything substantial right away. Davis and Brown I fully expect could redshirt.
Still building with possibly Zens as a HS recruit, he would be nice, Domask 2.0 maybe, but we need 1 more really functional interior/perimeter player imo.
This squad is lacking rebounding for the most part, otherwise we will be a Top 3 team as far as makeup for next year if all pans out.
This team could easily get mid 80's again scoring wise.
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MAJOR UPDATE! Wisco Fan just called and said that maybe he spoke too soon! And Blackwell is now following Illinois guys on socials!
Were he and Sean Livingston spotted wearing their Illini jerseys together?
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Wisco fan now called me and said Blackwell was going to Duke...
Ever think the Wisco guy called cause he had too much Wisky?
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Ever think the Wisco guy called cause he had too much Wisky?
He is way too into social media (like some others around here!). Then again, he works in marketing.
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He is way too into social media (like some others around here!). Then again, he works in marketing.
Love that new avatar, beat me and Mn to it!
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He is way too into social media (like some others around here!). Then again, he works in marketing.
You can now go into social media and read the only transcript from the HPSCI hearings in 2019 that was withheld. The rest were released years ago.
Nothing in today's fishwrap. 🤷
If I goggle the failing NYT and Democracy Dies in Darkness WaPo I don't see a story. But then I don't subscribe to either.
WaPo just happened to write a story the day before the 2019 hearing.
Reports indicate that the FBI would now like to know more about how Ellen Nakashima and the others were able to write their story.
(https://i.ibb.co/nT58bM1/Screenshot-20260414-071524-Chrome.jpg) (https://ibb.co/3wLY7mF)
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No surprise, but there is information and misinformation on social media.
This is a transfer portal thread, so further social media complaints should go to The Deuce.
Fake and non-fake news on transfer portal stuff can remain here imo.
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Back in Portal
https://247sports.com/player/jalen-quinn-46098075/college-352586/
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Wisco Fan reporting Blackwell to Illinois a done deal. Says he will no longer watch NCAA basketball. Also says Wisconsin AD was pushed out and Barry Alvarez got the B1G to create a job for him.
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Wisco Fan reporting Blackwell to Illinois a done deal. Says he will no longer watch NCAA basketball. Also says Wisconsin AD was pushed out and Barry Alvarez got the B1G to create a job for him.
Great. That beats Jalen Quinn imo.
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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!
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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.
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The question now becomes with Ty leaving....
A) Andrej hasn't announced....obviously spot is there
B) Blackwell coming aboard?
C) Zens is about to announce..now an addtional spot is cleared.
D)Constanza with NY ties could be back in play?
E) One B1G athletic still to be got if another spot opens?
Lee still going to be here? I just don't see him getting any meaningful minutes...I mean we are stacked with more to come.
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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. Go get healthy, stay healthy and good luck wherever you end up.
Thanks for giving the in state school your best.
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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!
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I'm not fully up on how bad his injury is or recovery is going, but I'd assume he'd be a rotation player and is leaving b/c Brad can't guarantee him starter minutes.
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Guy hasn’t played in two years, can’t think of many times someone in college sat out that long and came back and tore it up. Especially someone that limited in a major aspect of the sport
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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 $$$) in order to preference:
Alex Wilkins, Not even close imo, McNeil is ranked higher per transfer portal, but man Wilkins can play and he is a true 6'5 Pt guard to go with Vaaks, and Coleman, and others.
Paul McNeil
Brown and Davis are both high likelihood red shirts imo, Jakstys is probably staying, although no real PT. Lee could see the court, but again no real minutes with this squad...I mean we are STACKED so far and we keep getting some more good news....Blackwell could be the last, and if not....Well Wilkins would be a great get also.
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Would be a tough pill to swallow if we can’t land the son of a former captain coming off a Final Four berth, and primed for another.
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Would be a tough pill to swallow if we can’t land the son of a former captain coming off a Final Four berth, and primed for another.
Agreed, but if winning is in fact NOT the primary concern, as he has stated, then $$$ is the driving force. We can provide both....who knows.
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Agreed, but if winning is in fact NOT the primary concern, as he has stated, then $$$ is the driving force. We can provide both....who knows.
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.
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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.
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Would be a tough pill to swallow if we can’t land the son of a former captain coming off a Final Four berth, and primed for another.
Who are you talking about im ootl
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Who are you talking about im ootl
Blackwell.
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Blackwell as set visits....ILLINI are not one of them, I am sure that kid has been to C/U many times, he's played against us, he knows what we can offer.
Wilkins is centerpiece at UK now....
McNeil offered before, and Brumbaugh feels like a settle? Don't think we get either.
5th yr if awarded could bring back Boswell, that would be sweet.....not happening, at least not in time imo.
Coleman can run this show with Vaaks.
We still need one thought to solidfy the massive retention with a perimeter/slasher or 1 more inside athletic type. Still not sure we won't have any other defection though as time is running out.
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I read that Blackwell wants to play point to improve his draft status. How that fits into championships and NIL is his decision.
Other than that, he should make up his mind and play where his Dad played.
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The message I get is they would like Blackwell on their terms, but they are happy with the current roster
Bigs: Tomi, Mirk, Z, JJ, Landon Davis
G,/F: Andrej, Jake, Morillo, ZZ
Guards: Vaaks, Coleman, Ethan Brown, Lee, Fagbemi
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The message I get is they would like Blackwell on their terms, but they are happy with the current roster
Bigs: Tomi, Mirk, Z, JJ, Landon Davis
G,/F: Andrej, Jake, Morillo, ZZ
Guards: Vaaks, Coleman, Ethan Brown, Lee, Fagbemi
I agree that they will be content with what they have, I do think 1 more will be added at some point. Remember BU likes to add a mid season player if he can.
Not sure he will do that this year, but I do believe we will get 1 more portal guy.
Brown/L. Davis, and maybe even Zens could all be redshirt candidates....that said, IF we don't add 1 more guy, lets coach them up with some PT when we can and get them ready for next year. That team WILL be a complete overhaul, so enjoy this team and this season, next year might not look so promising.
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Brandon Lee is gone portalling....WE get one more for sure now.
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So Lee means 2 vacant? Sounds like they will add one more. No idea who.
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How about we add this guy to round out and play along Z when he comes in....guess who his agent is?
https://x.com/DraftExpress/status/1912585933863428453
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/63kU96s5NbY
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If Blackwell is going elsewhere, we desperately need a 1 / lead guard for depth.if we're banking on Coleman or Brown to rotate at the 1, that is not ideal.
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If Blackwell is going elsewhere, we desperately need a 1 / lead guard for depth.if we're banking on Coleman or Brown to rotate at the 1, that is not ideal.
Not sure anyone is banking on Brown at all...he is a red shirt candidate unless he bulks up quickly. Coleman and Vaaks are the answer, but we could use another person who could play 1-3 or a B1G inside.
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Dare I say Seth Trimble?
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In Brad I trust…
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In Brad I trust…
exactly
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In Brad I trust…
Don’t necessarily disagree, but that sounds pretty culty.
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Don’t necessarily disagree, but that sounds pretty culty.
It’s pretty clear at this point the staff knows what they’re doing, and last year at this time we still had all kinds of unknowns
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We do NOT need any other guards.....Vaaks is the real deal, and man is he gonna be fun to watch with Andrej with the ball in their hands.
Predicting a whole lot of lob dunks next year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nR4MDwmKeKo
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We could use this guy though: we lost one Mahailo.....lets get one back, let him come in with Z or Tomi, and be the future when those 2 leave. Easy sell I would think to his agent....3 guess'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EsXsf3ENn4
https://www.on3.com/rivals/mihailo-boskovic-246433/
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Blackwell trending to Duke
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Blackwell trending to Duke
Wisco Fan called today and said the same thing
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Blackwell trending to Duke
Least kept secret from the portal in the past week or so....Blackwell will find out that Scheyer IS NOT a C-Ship winning coach. At least not imo! He can win a lot of games, due to the talent that Duke has always gotten, but he can't navigate the tournament or at least hasn't yet. 2015 with K was the last and he has had the helm since 2022, with the likes of Banchero, the Boozers, Flagg and others....Blackwell ain't better than all of them, the Boozer guard he is but no one else and Scheyer couldn't win with them.
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Blackwell would have been nice but the staff did all they could there. We made continuity and retention a priority and we accomplished that. It’s good that we got Vaaks already instead of tossing all of our eggs into the Blackwell basket much like UCLA and Louisville did.
Excited to see what this group will look like with a whole summer together.
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Blackwell has committed to Duke, thank God we can all move on now.
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Don’t necessarily disagree, but that sounds pretty culty.
Very. Love Brad and where he's got the program. Love the Vaaks pickup. But if we try to play in the B1G with the current guards we will lose games we should not.
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Very. Love Brad and where he's got the program. Love the Vaaks pickup. But if we try to play in the B1G with the current guards we will lose games we should not.
Pretty sure EVERYONE if told Wagler was going to lead us last year would have said something similar to this...worked out pretty good, and Vaaks and Coleman BOTH are going to be something for us imo!.
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Pretty sure EVERYONE if told Wagler was going to lead us last year would have said something similar to this...worked out pretty good, and Vaaks and Coleman BOTH are going to be something for us imo!.
I agree. People need to chill lol…
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I agree. People need to chill lol…
Some of us do not have the time!
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Wisco Fan called today and said the same thing
Didn’t he say Illinois was a lock a couple weeks ago?
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Can’t count on a Keaton Wagler to pop up on your team annually.
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Didn’t he say Illinois was a lock a couple weeks ago?
Of course. He's terminally online, like some others here, and takes everything he reads on The Twotter as fact.
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Can’t count on a Keaton Wagler to pop up on your team annually.
What a weird take
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Would be a perfect fit to the end of the bench, sell the Fletch program, and the you will be one of our inside/out leaders after next year.
https://www.on3.com/rivals/niko-bundalo-236234/
Previous offer and the agent checks out.
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Of course. He's terminally online, like some others here, and takes everything he reads on The Twotter as fact.
The Twotter? You were making it sound like he’s “connected.”
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What a weird take
How is that possibly “weird?” Bringing in top 250 guard and having him make 2nd team All-America as a freshman is a once in a lifetime occurrence.
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Of course. He's terminally online, like some others here, and takes everything he reads on The Twotter as fact.
Also, you’re online as much as anyone here.
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How is that possibly “weird?” Bringing in top 250 guard and having him make 2nd team All-America as a freshman is a once in a lifetime occurrence.
It’s weird because I don’t think anyone is counting on having a Keaton Wagler pop up on the team every year. Against normal Illini fashion, people are actually going out of their way not to overinflate expectations for the incoming freshmen.
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Pretty sure EVERYONE if told Wagler was going to lead us last year would have said something similar to this...worked out pretty good, and Vaaks and Coleman BOTH are going to be something for us imo!.
My comment was in response to this and being told to “chill.” But expecting Keaton Wagler like production out of good but not “great” players seems a little delusional. It’s not quite “Weber will coach up the 3 stars” delusional, but unless we land a bonafide AA talent, we’ll likely not replace him.
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My comment was in response to this and being told to “chill.” But expecting Keaton Wagler like production out of good but not “great” players seems a little delusional. It’s not quite “Weber will coach up the 3 stars” delusional, but unless we land a bonafide AA talent, we’ll likely not replace him.
Fair enough, KW brought a lot more than just stats to the ILLINI for sure. That kid took on the role of being the leader, maker of B1G shots, clutch in the moment. All that said, though I actually think he had the talent AND the mindset to already be ready in his mind to do this, to his credit and our benefit he was right.
Sure coaching helped, however even the coaches stated multiple times all year THEY didn't even know what they had....KW DID. I think we have replaced the stats and the mentality already. Vaaks has B1G game nerves of steel already, and Coleman IS the man every bit as much as KW became IMO.
Also both Coleman and Zens are from multiple winning programs....another thing that BU looks for in recruits. Coleman is a 5* and it's justified. Vaaks will be all B1G ten next year, we could have 4-5 guys on those 3 teams imo.
I'd say we are better than last year, and we will continue to be better moving forward.
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I agree. I don’t think we’re “hurting,” but this seems to be our national championship window. As good as any we’ve ever had. I’d like to capitalize on it. The Illini winning a national title is the last box to check on my lifetime of championships as a fan. Although I’d like to see at least one more Bears Super Bowl Champion.
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My comment was in response to this and being told to “chill.” But expecting Keaton Wagler like production out of good but not “great” players seems a little delusional. It’s not quite “Weber will coach up the 3 stars” delusional, but unless we land a bonafide AA talent, we’ll likely not replace him.
Pretty good likelihood that all the guys we brought back will improve with another year and a full offseason together. Vaaks wasn’t far off Wagler numbers this past season in a major conference, and was a top 10-12 guy in the portal. He should get better.
Then we’ve got the 8th ranked recruiting class coming in. Quentin Coleman is now a consensus 5 star guard that has looked great against high level competition while Camillo can play 1-4 and has been impressive too.
The others look more like developmental pieces, but there are years past we’d be expecting a guy like Zens, the Mr BB and GPOY in Wisconsin to come in and give us something right off the bat.
I still want to get another veteran guard from the portal, but even if we don’t get an AA in the portal, which we won’t, I think we will be able to replace him by committee.
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I still want to get another veteran guard from the portal, but even if we don’t get an AA in the portal, which we won’t, I think we will be able to replace him by committee.
I would really like the staff to take another look at Niko Bundalo as a building block piece...IF we aren't going to add another top player from the portal, and I doubt we will. Lets take another look at a piece we can Fletch, build up and on, and also one we offered before and one that is represented by Misko and keep that pipeline open as well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44WAPmSvPn8
BTW he is also from Prolific Prep....you know where CoHawk played!!! He is a former McD' All American also.
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The Twotter? You were making it sound like he’s “connected.”
I explained previously he was terminally online.....and a Wisconsin guy.
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I still want to get another veteran guard from the portal, but even if we don’t get an AA in the portal, which we won’t, I think we will be able to replace him by committee.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlKDQqKh03Y
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Jalen Cox to USC, in other news Whiny Izzo just got the big from Charlotte also.
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Jalen Cox to USC, in other news Whiny Izzo just got the big from Charlotte also.
Michigan state is gonna be good next year. Awaiting Michigan players and the draft. Get Morez and Maya outta here lol. Billy Donovan stepping down as Bulls coach, would love to see Dusty May got here and get outta the B1G…
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Michigan state is gonna be good next year. Awaiting Michigan players and the draft. Get Morez and Maya outta here lol. Billy Donovan stepping down as Bulls coach, would love to see Dusty May got here and get outta the B1G…
Michigan St I think will be only has good as Fears can stay out of dirty play foul trouble, otherwise, I just don't expect much, they will NOT win the B1G imo. Would not be upset with a May departure for Maya and Morez as well.
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The Texas Tech matchup just got a bit more interesting.
https://x.com/JonRothstein/status/2047318820327407997
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The Texas Tech matchup just got a bit more interesting.
https://x.com/JonRothstein/status/2047318820327407997
Good for DGL. 👏👏
A few days ago I saw that he had led the Mountain West in scoring.
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Fichigan just got Jalen Reed from LSU....maybe thats a sign that Rez is gone for sure?
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Good for DGL. 👏👏
A few days ago I saw that he had led the Mountain West in scoring.
Hopefully he leaves his crazy mom at UNLV…
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My comment was in response to this and being told to “chill.” But expecting Keaton Wagler like production out of good but not “great” players seems a little delusional. It’s not quite “Weber will coach up the 3 stars” delusional, but unless we land a bonafide AA talent, we’ll likely not replace him.
Here is another perspective. A bit off topic, but oh well. This time last year hardly anybody expected Keaton Wagler to even be playable, let alone be the team leader and an AA.
In contrast, Vaaks and Coleman both have a high a high floor in addition to a high ceiling. They are expected to be good at minimum.
The better comparison might be to Ethan Brown (6-4 180) lead guard Rolla MO. The staff likes him a lot for his intangibles -- court presence, court awareness, etc. Brown also has plus passing and shooting skills. He figures to be behind Vaaks, Coleman, and Morillo.
Junior Season (2024-25): Averaged 22.2 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 6.1 APG, and 3.8 SPG while leading Rolla to a 23-6 record.
AAU (17U): Averaged 17.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.2 steals per contest
Senior: 24.0 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 6.4 APG, 3.2 SPG
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Fishigan landed Thiam from Cincy.....they are for sure reloading. They get Juke, and they will be very hard to beat again.
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Ty Rodgers to Boise St.
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And Brandon Lee is headed to James Madison
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Ty Rodgers to Boise St.
Thats a good landing spot for him, they are losing a lot of scoring/minutes. Great level coming back also.