IlliniHQ 2
General Category => Fighting Illini Basketball Forum => Topic started by: ILLINICHIEF on March 22, 2022, 07:44:59 PM
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I know it's along way out but since we have no skin in the game past 2nd game AGAIN....
Known Players Gone:
Williams
Frazier
Grandison
Hutcherson
Probable Players Gone:
Kofi
Belo (?)
Possible Players Transfering/Creaned?
BBV
Payne
6 or more Players more than likely gone.
Newcomers for sure
Dainja
Epps
Harris
Rodgers
Existing Players that "should" be here:
Hawkins
Melendez
Goode
Lieb
Pods
9-11 players if I am counting correct when it is all said and done.
Where do we go for more options?
No other offered players in 2022 are "warm" to the ILLINI as of now...per 24/7?
No player offered in 2023 other than JJ Taylor is "warm", doubt a reclass is an option?
Obviously there will be another round of large numbers of transfer's coming into play.
Starters as of now:
Hawkins-Melendez-Rodgers-Goode-Epps(?)
That lineup will be more athletic but man we will get beat down alot with this....any proven athletes that already have rumors to come to us from the portal...we are going to really need help?
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Call Iowa State and Houston and get some pointers.
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You should probably bank on this 5* PG decommit from Kentucky coming here for next year.
https://247sports.com/player/skyy-clark-46085556/
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You should probably bank on this 5* PG decommit from Kentucky coming here for next year.
https://247sports.com/player/skyy-clark-46085556/
Thats 3 stars to high for a team that underperforms during their less than shining moments. :P
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On a side note the following players have spurned us and are available now:
Javon Pickett
Keon Ambrose-Hylton
Antonio Reeves
Xavier Foster
Jalen Bridges
Isiah Cottrell
Blake Hinson
I am sure there are more.
How many can we get to help right away?????
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I'd be surprised if Lieb or Podz is on the team next year. Podz didn't play much this year and there's other guards coming in that are more athletic than him. Lieb will be like that kid from Lincoln that came in, didn't play for 2 years, and then transferred out.
I think 4 starters are set for next year already:
Melendez, Goode, Hawkins, Epps. 5th guy who knows. I think the main guy Illinois needs to try to keep out of the portal is Melendez. I think he showed enough talent this year that other good teams would want him. Plus, he's going to be the only Puerto Rican player on the team next year with Antigua, Plummer, Curbelo all gone.
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I'd be surprised if Lieb or Podz is on the team next year. Podz didn't play much this year and there's other guards coming in that are more athletic than him. Lieb will be like that kid from Lincoln that came in, didn't play for 2 years, and then transferred out.
I think 4 starters are set for next year already:
Melendez, Goode, Hawkins, Epps. 5th guy who knows. I think the main guy Illinois needs to try to keep out of the portal is Melendez. I think he showed enough talent this year that other good teams would want him. Plus, he's going to be the only Puerto Rican player on the team next year with Antigua, Plummer, Curbelo all gone.
You’re forgetting Skyy Clark. He’s about a 98% lock currently. He will start if he comes here and Belo leaves
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You’re forgetting Skyy Clark. He’s about a 98% lock currently. He will start if he comes here and Belo leaves
Why would a guy from Nashville TN, with no connection to anyone on the team, decide to decommit from Kentucky and come to Illinois?
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Why would a guy from Nashville TN, with no connection to anyone on the team, decide to decommit from Kentucky and come to Illinois?
Tim Anderson is the connection you’re missing.
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Epps, RJ, Goode, Hawkins, Dainja could be fun if Epps can step in and play ASAP.
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Known players gone (3):
Frazier, Williams, and Plummer. They were super seniors and have no eligibility remaining.
I am guessing will not be back (2):
Grandison has a covid year. He took a senior night, but there has been no final decision announced. He may or may not be invited back, and might not accept if he is.
Hutcherson has a medical red shirt and a covid year. He may or may not be invited back, and might not accept if he is.
Tough decision (2):
Kofi: his options have been analyzed.
Lieb could probably play at a lower level, but may want the UI education.
Likely staying (4):
Payne: He could benefit from a full season with Alexander and Anderson. I see no reason why he'd transfer and sit a year.
Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk: He has lotsa eligibility left. If Kofi leaves, he is at least the 2nd big off the bench.
Podz: I am guessing he and his dad talk it over snd decide to give it at list a year. He can shoot and you need shooters.
Curbelo: He already said he'll be back. I guess Clark could scare him off.
Very likely staying (3):
RJ, Hawkins, Goode
New (4) Epps, Harris, Rodgers. Dinja
Maybe new (1) Clark
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Is there anything firm that Clark is considering Illinois?
https://bustingbrackets.com/2022/03/07/ncaa-basketball-recruiting-8-teams-target-5-star-guard-skyy-clark/ (https://bustingbrackets.com/2022/03/07/ncaa-basketball-recruiting-8-teams-target-5-star-guard-skyy-clark/)
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Is there anything firm that Clark is considering Illinois?
https://bustingbrackets.com/2022/03/07/ncaa-basketball-recruiting-8-teams-target-5-star-guard-skyy-clark/ (https://bustingbrackets.com/2022/03/07/ncaa-basketball-recruiting-8-teams-target-5-star-guard-skyy-clark/)
Nothing. Just blind hope being sold by the clueless shysters that run Illinois premium sites. They are absolutely scamming their readers
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Is there anything firm that Clark is considering Illinois?
https://bustingbrackets.com/2022/03/07/ncaa-basketball-recruiting-8-teams-target-5-star-guard-skyy-clark/ (https://bustingbrackets.com/2022/03/07/ncaa-basketball-recruiting-8-teams-target-5-star-guard-skyy-clark/)
He is playing with Rodgers so maybe that can sway him?
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4kCpwyBleo
Already heard from Illinois?
https://247sports.com/college/arizona-state/Article/Basketball-recruiting-Ball-State-Payton-Sparks-Pittsburgh-Virginia-Oklahoma-Indiana-Illinois-Cincinnati-Iowa-State-Loyola-Chicago-West-Virginia-Arizona-State-184974136/
Nebraska Center transferring as well and picked them over us
Payton from Pitt is as well?
Tchikou from Alabama is transferring as well and recieved an offer from us?
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Is there anything firm that Clark is considering Illinois?
https://bustingbrackets.com/2022/03/07/ncaa-basketball-recruiting-8-teams-target-5-star-guard-skyy-clark/ (https://bustingbrackets.com/2022/03/07/ncaa-basketball-recruiting-8-teams-target-5-star-guard-skyy-clark/)
About as solid as it gets in the twitterverse rumor mill. 247hoops says Illinois is the favorite. Barstool Carl says it's a done deal.
https://twitter.com/247HSHoops/status/1505284944662310920?t=1YxigV7ohndeZPqqIxHzeQ&s=19
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Could be a game changer if we get him. If he and Dainja are as good as their highlight videos looks, we could bounce back pretty quickly. I did just read that Clark is coming off an ACL injury but came back quickly. Wonder if that had anything to do with his Kentucky de-commitment.
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Sounds like we might be better than this year next year.
I'm all in. Top 3 seed. Yee hah !! Lol.
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Maybe the whole Illini Guardians thing is working?
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Maybe the whole Illini Guardians thing is working?
Guardians play in Cleveland I hear?
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Clark and Tim Anderson are tight. Might be in pretty good shape in that one.
We're in on the Trevon Brazile kid transferring from Mizzou. Played well against us.
Also showing interest in Fardaws Aimaq. Big man from Utah Valley.
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Also heard we’re in on Shizzle Midizzle.
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Also heard we’re in on Shizzle Midizzle.
He can pop it like it's hot. That'd be a good get.
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Thing is if you are offering guys in the portal then a few guys aren’t coming back that haven’t announced it yet
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No shit?
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Thing is if you are offering guys in the portal then a few guys aren’t coming back that haven’t announced it yet
No shit sherlock.
There are 15 on sholarship now including Dainja. Three are super seniors that don't count. There are three signed for one opening. Super seniors count next year.
So two are definitely leaving that have not officially announced.
There is talk that Grandison will move on.
We'll know soon on Kofi. If he declares for the draft a third time, he can't return.
Curbelo says he is returning, but he will be meeting with Uberwood, so who knows.
Decisions to transfer or not are not always logical.
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Over 1 in 4 players (1740) entered the portal last year. Illinois is no different than other programs. There will be players in and players out.
We did pretty good last year getting a starter who was 3rd team All BT and our second leading scorer, and a rotation backup player. We lost a starting guy who was unhappy and who then got hurt, and some other fringe guys.
We will see what happens.
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Nm
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Lander from Indiana is in portal now officially as well....
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Lander from Indiana is in portal now officially as well....
I. Any believe he was a 5* recruit coming out of HS. He sucked at Indiana and was really never any good for them.
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I. Any believe he was a 5* recruit coming out of HS. He sucked at Indiana and was really never any good for them.
If Curbelo leaves (?), then Epps/Lander/Skyy would give us some very good options. Paired with Melendez/Goode/Rodgers/Sencire on the wings and Hawkins/Dainja/Payne in the middle....or 4 at times for Hawkins/Dainja...I think we could be okay with some games under our belts.
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I’d pass on Lander
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Lander sucks, why they hell would we pursue him?
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Lander sucks, why they hell would we pursue him?
I 2nd this post.
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Lander sucks, why they hell would we pursue him?
Fair enough...he would have to not suck in order to pass the other two in the rotation, and if Belo stays, won't need a PG or whatever he is anyway
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USC and LSU having several transferring, yes one is Pinson
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Pinson is a solid PG but man it'd feel like Illinois is just building a team of average free agents if they start to target guys like that. Pinson would be on his 3rd college team. If i had a championship level team and just needed to add a piece, then I'd take him. But if you are rebuilding, you don't bring in a guy like that because it would diminish the playing time of the younger guys.
I'd roll with Harris/Epps/Goode/Melendez/Hawkins and see how they do.
And Lander stinks.
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Pinson is a solid PG but man it'd feel like Illinois is just building a team of average free agents if they start to target guys like that. Pinson would be on his 3rd college team. If i had a championship level team and just needed to add a piece, then I'd take him. But if you are rebuilding, you don't bring in a guy like that because it would diminish the playing time of the younger guys.
I'd roll with Harris/Epps/Goode/Melendez/Hawkins and see how they do.
And Lander stinks.
Pinson was not an option in my eyes, just confirming him and others are jumping ship, he did have ILLINI interest in the past, no I wouldn't want him now.
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Another Indiana guard in the transfer portal…
https://twitter.com/travisbranham_/status/1507345838011465735?s=21&t=1Yd0kxw602vdadhURrmGUQ
Woodson is cleaning house it appears. Fired Fife as assistant coach and now two of the highly-rated guards are out.
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Not sure how reputable this is but-Plummer/Grandison/Hutcheson/Frazier/Williams all gone this year. I realize the last 2 didn't count against the program for schollies....but?
https://www.thesportsbank.net/illinois-illini/reset-illini-basketball-now/
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Congrats to Harris for Player of the Year award from Cleveland.com, and a D-2 C-Ship as well.
https://www.cleveland.com/highschoolsports/2022/03/st-vincent-st-marys-sencire-harris-leads-clevelandcom-fab-50-boys-basketball-all-stars.html
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Another Indiana guard in the transfer portal…
https://twitter.com/travisbranham_/status/1507345838011465735?s=21&t=1Yd0kxw602vdadhURrmGUQ
Woodson is cleaning house it appears. Fired Fife as assistant coach and now two of the highly-rated guards are out.
Was Fife brought to IU by Miller or Woodson? I know he'd been an assistant for Izzo for quite a while.
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Another Indiana guard in the transfer portal…
https://twitter.com/travisbranham_/status/1507345838011465735?s=21&t=1Yd0kxw602vdadhURrmGUQ
Woodson is cleaning house it appears. Fired Fife as assistant coach and now two of the highly-rated guards are out.
Phinisee will be a 5th year grad transfer. Another guy that sucks
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Was Fife brought to IU by Miller or Woodson? I know he'd been an assistant for Izzo for quite a while.
Woodson brought him in. There’s some really good articles online regarding the situation that transpired and what not.
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Phinisee will be a 5th year grad transfer. Another guy that sucks
Agreed.
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Terrence Shannon Jr in the portal. And yes, we’re interested.
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Terrence Shannon Jr in the portal. And yes, we’re interested.
As we should be. Here’s the two we have reached out to so far. I’d take both if they wanted to come here.
https://247sports.com/college/illinois/Article/Illinois-Fighting-Illini-basketball-Terrence-Shannon-Jr-Texas-Tech-Brandon-Murray-LSU-185165852/?fbclid=IwAR0Qb2pCjzB15o1r1uPfTpZR7YD9MBmyVoyHnXyGPIHhkKtAVtE5f3v2_rE
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No question our biggest weakness at every position is athleticism.
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No question our biggest weakness at every position is athleticism.
we're slowly improving that with every recruiting class thankfully, fill in the gaps with transfers and lets keep it rolling!
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we're slowly improving that with every recruiting class thankfully, fill in the gaps with transfers and lets keep it rolling!
Agree we are taking the right steps.
These other teams bring in seemingly waves of guys who can make athletic plays on both sides of the ball.
One thing is clear - you have to have a lead guard and a wing who can beat people off the bounce and get their own shot.
Running sets is great, but against good defenses you end up having to have a guy or two who can go one on one.
Ivey with Purdue could carry them deep here if he can dictate games at the end. But the contenders all have those guys.
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Murray will stay in the SEC and Shannon will enter the NBA draft. He’s only going into the portal first bc if he enters NBA Dradt a 2nd time he can’t pull out but I think ultimately he will once he sees there’s no NIL money there from transferring
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So what’s the deal with Antonio Reeves. Is he someone we’d want?
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Kofi entered twice and pulled out twice.
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If he declares again, he can’t go back.
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That was so pure from Ivey.
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Kofi entered twice and pulled out twice.
That’s what she said.
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I’d have tossed that ball in the air if I was Edert. Would have run the clock out.
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If he declares again, he can’t go back.
Probably why he hasn’t yet. Weighing all his options well
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Wow!
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I’d have been pulling for Purdue against most teams, but St. Peter’s is too good of a story.
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St. Peter’s is a damn good team! Great story and they deserve it.
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Read on other sites Curbello allegedly blew off his exit meeting...where is Breal???
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Read on other sites Curbello allegedly blew off his exit meeting...where is Breal???
0440 hinting belo might be gone. I think 0440 is Breal
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4040 hinting belo might be gone. I think 4040 is Breal
Chatter on Loyalty is that Hawkins and Belo are gone with Shannon and Clark incoming. It's Loyalty though, so you know how it goes trusting info from there.
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Yeah Breal dropping some good stuff over there…
(https://i.ibb.co/yR6jxVR/1-EC68-C22-ED17-4-E11-AF0-E-CDCA760414-C6.jpg) (https://ibb.co/dcPYH7c)
(https://i.ibb.co/CvbBbns/1-AE39-D72-73-EF-4-E78-B569-1675-F10473-D6.jpg) (https://ibb.co/3Wp1p0Y)
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So is Breal saying Curbelo is gone and Kofi is staying???
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So is Breal saying Curbelo is gone and Kofi is staying???
Hawkins is gone?
Kofi probably coming back?
Curbelo appears to be staying?
That’s what I gathered. It appears Rod Hawkins isn’t happy with Underwood’s rotations and apparently holding grudges with players.
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Curbelo gone, Hawkins staying?
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Curbelo gone, Hawkins staying?
Sounds like they’re both gone.
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It appears Rod Hawkins isn’t happy with Underwood’s rotations .....
Anderson's rotations.
Rotations have been a rather common complaint here also.
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How nice would it be to start the season with a guard set of Belo (?), Skyy (6'3), Murray (6'5) and Epps (6'2) automatic size upgrade with Harris (6'3) and the wings we have already....and possibly Shannon to create some instance athleticism across the board.
Guards-Belo/Clark/Murray/Epps/Harris
Wings-Melendez/Goode/Rodgers/Shannon (?)
Inside-Dainja/Payne/Hawkins (gone on last 2?)
Gone in probability: Kofi/Hutcherson/Grandison/Lieb/BBV and possibly Pods (not talented enough for B1G?)
Either way with how the possibilities shake out, 2022-23 ILLINI are going to look drastically different with Anderson on staff.
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So is Breal saying Curbelo is gone and Kofi is staying???
That was my interpretation.
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Sounds like it
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How nice would it be to start the season with a guard set of Belo (?), Skyy (6'3), Murray (6'5) and Epps (6'2) automatic size upgrade with Harris (6'3) and the wings we have already....and possibly Shannon to create some instance athleticism across the board.
Guards-Belo/Clark/Murray/Epps/Harris
Wings-Melendez/Goode/Rodgers/Shannon (?)
Inside-Dainja/Payne/Hawkins (gone on last 2?)
Gone in probability: Kofi/Hutcherson/Grandison/Lieb/BBV and possibly Pods (not talented enough for B1G?)
Either way with how the possibilities shake out, 2022-23 ILLINI are going to look drastically different with Anderson on staff.
Why is anyone saying Shannon is coming here? He’s Mac Irvin Fire player and that ship sailed when Chin left.
If it was someone from Mean Streets they’d have a chance
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Why is anyone saying Shannon is coming here? He’s Mac Irvin Fire player and that ship sailed when Chin left.
If it was someone from Mean Streets they’d have a chance
So when he comes, will you leave?
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So when he comes, will you leave?
No you’ll leave when Curbelo is gone. Just like I said in December
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No you’ll leave when Curbelo is gone. Just like I said in December
You stated he wasn’t coming back after winter break. You’re always moving the goalposts 😂
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Hawkins and Curbelo both leaving and Shannon and Kofi both being on the team next year would be bizarre. Obviously if Shannon wants to come here, you take him. His detractors when he was a high school recruit were seemingly mistaken.
Hawkins should be guaranteed 30+ mpg at the 4.
Kofi you welcome back but for the love of God teach him how to pass and recognize that in the NCAA tournament running an offense with a non-NBA center and 3 guys launching from 20 feet may not work.
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someone has won over 7,000.00 on st peters on a 40.00 buy
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someone has won over 7,000.00 on st peters on a 40.00 buy
Well, it is not Tempo or else we would have heard about it!
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You stated he wasn’t coming back after winter break. You’re always moving the goalposts 😂
He did say that
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The 0440 poster also believes that an Adam Miller return is very much on the table. Has a kid ever transferred back to their original school? I can't remember such an occurrence. That would be something.
He has yet to enter the portal though.
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The 0440 poster also believes that an Adam Miller return is very much on the table. Has a kid ever transferred back to their original school? I can't remember such an occurrence. That would be something.
He has yet to enter the portal though.
That would be straight garbage and send a really poor message to the staff/university fans/players imo. Didn't stay to want to build it, don't come back to play once it is built.
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That would be straight garbage and send a really poor message to the staff/university fans/players imo. Didn't stay to want to build it, don't come back to play once it is built.
Maybe he really didn't want to leave and was fed bad advice by the people around him.
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Maybe he really didn't want to leave and was fed bad advice by the people around him.
Maybe he's a she now, but identifies as a we and sees the world as sunshine and cotton candy..... :-\ !!!!!!
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The 0440 poster also believes that an Adam Miller return is very much on the table. Has a kid ever transferred back to their original school? I can't remember such an occurrence. That would be something.
He has yet to enter the portal though.
I believe "cringe" is what the kids say.
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Yeah I’m not cool with allowing Miller and his entourage to return. They can honestly pound sand.
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I believe "cringe" is what the kids say.
They love the cringe comedy of Chad!
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So is Breal saying Curbelo is gone and Kofi is staying???
I could live with that.
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Well, it is not Tempo or else we would have heard about it!
Likely true.
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Nm
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That would be straight garbage and send a really poor message to the staff/university fans/players imo. Didn't stay to want to build it, don't come back to play once it is built.
Perhaps Miller was unhappy with the transfer? Word is he stayed in touch with Underwood and former teammates.
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The 0440 poster also believes that an Adam Miller return is very much on the table. Has a kid ever transferred back to their original school? I can't remember such an occurrence. That would be something.
He has yet to enter the portal though.
Sounds like an idiot to me. Not Adam Miller, whoever 0440 is.
Illinois ain’t gonna get any of Miller, Shannon or any other pipe dreams.
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Curbelo gone.
Grandison and Hutcherson likely moving on.
Kofi likely staying.
Hawkins likely staying.
Podz likely staying.
Shannon has been hanging out, more likely to commit soon than not.
Clark later than sooner.
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Curbelo gone.
Grandison and Hutcherson likely moving on.
Kofi likely staying.
Hawkins likely staying.
Podz likely staying.
Shannon has been hanging out, more likely to commit soon than not.
Clark later than sooner.
Nice.
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Curbelo gone.
Grandison and Hutcherson likely moving on.
Kofi likely staying.
Hawkins likely staying.
Podz likely staying.
Shannon has been hanging out, more likely to commit soon than not.
Clark later than sooner.
This wouldn't be bad at all
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I have no clue about the Clark recruitment, but if we get him and Shannon, and Kofi does stay (as does Hawkins and RJ), and the new guys contribute, we could be very good.
A lot of unknowns every off season right now and will be for awhile. It is a different world now.
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Sounds like Shannon Jr. is a done deal. Kofi's going to be back. Belo is gone for sure. Clark sounds like a coin flip either way but with a partial ACL tear so I am not putting eggs into that basket until I see how he performs.
We need to figure out how to keep Hawkins in the mix. Him and RJ on the floor at the same time would give us a lot length and quickness around the perimeter. and then when you throw in Shannon in the mix and our backcourt would be radically transformed from this past season's. Which would be a positive.
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Sounds like Shannon Jr. is a done deal. Kofi's going to be back. Belo is gone for sure. Clark sounds like a coin flip either way but with a partial ACL tear so I am not putting eggs into that basket until I see how he performs.
We need to figure out how to keep Hawkins in the mix. Him and RJ on the floor at the same time would give us a lot length and quickness around the perimeter. and then when you throw in Shannon in the mix and our backcourt would be radically transformed from this past season's. Which would be a positive.
Agree with all of this.
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If that's his momma, she fine!
https://www.zagsblog.com/2022/03/25/illinois-has-in-home-visit-with-former-kentucky-commit-skyy-clark/
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If that's his momma, she fine!
https://www.zagsblog.com/2022/03/25/illinois-has-in-home-visit-with-former-kentucky-commit-skyy-clark/
even has better hair than Curbelo lol
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even has better hair than Curbelo lol
And definitely better than Jada Pinkett-Smith. 😂
*ducks real quick under the table… 😂
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And definitely better than Jada Pinkett-Smith. 😂
*ducks real quick under the table… 😂
Ol' Will initially laughed at the joke. Which I'm sure he is paying for.
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I hear he is joining the staff at Michigan.
(https://img.etimg.com/thumb/msid-81311974,width-650,imgsize-669012,,resizemode-4,quality-100/talking-about-his-personal-experiences-with-racism-will-smith-said-people-have-addressed-him-with-the-infamous-n-word-many-times-.jpg)
(https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/lTk0YWyFwxzF1PSPD7NItKfHnzA=/0x0:6283x4191/1200x800/filters:focal(2090x1208:3094x2212)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70662403/1386559628.0.jpg)
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Belo just officially jumped in the portal…
https://twitter.com/papicurbelo11/status/1508540767232573445?s=21&t=bwJuUudHP6TpQO-u1CXs6w
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Best of luck, young man!
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Hope a fresh start serves him well, wish him nothing but success.
Here comes Truth in to pretend he was right all along, despite being objectively wrong.
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Yeah man, he has the talent and potential to be great. I hope he does.
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Best of luck to Belo. Sad his 2nd year here didn't go well. Sounds like it may have been mutual that he needs a fresh start.
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They love the cringe comedy of Chad!
I have no idea what the demographic for that show is. I'd rather watch the NAPA know-how ad on repeat.
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Belo just officially jumped in the portal…
https://twitter.com/papicurbelo11/status/1508540767232573445?s=21&t=bwJuUudHP6TpQO-u1CXs6w
Im never wrong.
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Hope a fresh start serves him well, wish him nothing but success.
Here comes Truth in to pretend he was right all along, despite being objectively wrong.
Go back to being swank59 you fucking geek
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Im never wrong.
You were undeniably, unquestionably, and objectively wrong. But other than that!
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Go back to being swank59 you fucking geek
swank is a good dude. He ain't me though.
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Look out MAC. Curbelo here you come.
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Look out MAC. Curbelo here you come.
Oh I’m sure he’ll get a high D-1 offer. I honestly wouldn’t be surprised to see him wind up at Kentucky and thrive. We pick up their reject (Skyy Clark) and they pick up ours (Curbelo) 😂
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Look out MAC. Curbelo here you come.
Got a feeling this one isn't going to age well.
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Look out MAC. Curbelo here you come.
Miami. The Florida one, not the Ohio one.
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There's no way a 2nd tier major doesn't offer him. Way too many worse players have gotten second chances at that level. Would guess schools at the Miami, Seton Hall, etc. level are already on the phone.
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Best of luck to Belo. Hopefully he gets his head screwed on straight and kills it at is his next stop.
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Updated Portal rankings have Curbelo as the second best available behind Shannon Jr.
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If the rumors are to be believed...Shannon, your table is ready.
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Updated Portal rankings have Curbelo as the second best available behind Shannon Jr.
Impossible, he’s just a back up…
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Updated Portal rankings have Curbelo as the second best available behind Shannon Jr.
Good luck to him. A lot of potential for sure. Will be interesting.
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Zion Griffin now in the portal as well?
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Oh I’m sure he’ll get a high D-1 offer. I honestly wouldn’t be surprised to see him wind up at Kentucky and thrive. We pick up their reject (Skyy Clark) and they pick up ours (Curbelo) 😂
Miami needs a PG I believe?
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Curbelo gone. EPPS/CLARK REPLACEMENT
Grandison and Hutcherson likely moving on. SHANNON/MELENDEZ/RODGERS REPLACEMENT
Kofi likely staying. PAYNE/DAINJA TAKE BACKUP MINUTES
Hawkins likely staying. DAINJA/RODGERS TAKE BACKUP MINUTES
Podz likely staying. GETS A GREAT EDUCATION
Quite a few other names already in the portal with former ILLINI ties/offers, should be interesting off season to say the least.
Starting lineup could be 6'5, 6'6, 6'7, 6'10, 7'0.....Flying ILLINI days here we come....love the size difference, will still miss Frazier on the court, Belo not so much. Still wish him the best.
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Who's the 6'5" point guard? Clark is 6'3" and Epps is 6'1".
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Who's the 6'5" point guard? Clark is 6'3" and Epps is 6'1".
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E8D-CnwVUAMJ3tj.png)
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Who's the 6'5" point guard? Clark is 6'3" and Epps is 6'1".
Sincere Harris, but they have him listed at 6’3” on 247.
https://247sports.com/player/sencire-harris-46085998/
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Thought Clark was taller I guess....6'3....was listed at 6'2 somewhere as well....won't be any bigger I guess than what we had.
To be fair though Frazier/Belo were probably listed taller as well...so we will be bigger. LOL
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Who's the 6'5" point guard? Clark is 6'3" and Epps is 6'1".
Zeb Jackson is available at 6'5? not who I meant though lol
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Elijah Woods outta Chester area and via Nebraska/Eastern Illinois is in portal? Wonder whats up with this kid....tall PG.
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Good luck to him. A lot of potential for sure. Will be interesting.
Agree, good luck to him. He has potential but he can't get himself to play under control. I used a saying from a former great NBA announcer when he made bad plays "the mustard is off the hot dog", which sums up how I feel about Curbelo. Out of control, couldn't be trusted, bad execution.. I didn't like his attitude, "I'm going to be me". What if "being me" leads to bad results? That can lead to less probability to winning. Why didn't he get off the bench in the 2nd half of the Houston game? I don't believe Underwood is a great coach but he saw/read the writing on the wall. If he couldn't/wouldn't play under control then it's best for Illinois basketball that he transfers out.
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https://youtu.be/XRQIcEe73IM
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Yeah there’s some interesting teams in the lists I’ve seen it appears. Could stay in the B1G and that would suck imo.
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No surprise here. In his Top 6…
https://twitter.com/barstoolill/status/1508860121891459082?s=21&t=4w4LbntucEq1PdWTTnuVRA
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Yeah there’s some interesting teams in the lists I’ve seen it appears. Could stay in the B1G and that would suck imo.
Good luck Belo.
But stay out of the Big10. Go to a conference that plays more open floor.
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Agree, good luck to him. He has potential but he can't get himself to play under control. I used a saying from a former great NBA announcer when he made bad plays "the mustard is off the hot dog", which sums up how I feel about Curbelo. Out of control, couldn't be trusted, bad execution.. I didn't like his attitude, "I'm going to be me". What if "being me" leads to bad results? That can lead to less probability to winning. Why didn't he get off the bench in the 2nd half of the Houston game? I don't believe Underwood is a great coach but he saw/read the writing on the wall. If he couldn't/wouldn't play under control then it's best for Illinois basketball that he transfers out.
LOL. I will have to remember that mustard/hot dog saying. He was not helping by any objective measure.
Somehow or other Curbelo ended up being subtractive with this unit when he started playing more regularly. We finished 6-5 and our offensive performance especially to a man suffered after XMAS.
It just didn't work as well. I was at the Iowa game at Iowa and the player off ball movement, the ball movement itself, and making the extra pass was all starting to become more consistent. We had four guys on the floor who could all score and we seemed to trust each other and look for each other more. We were hitting a lot of 3's, but we were getting good looks.
We became very stagnant the second half and Curbelo took a lot of shots for somebody who couldn't shoot, and had a high TO ratio.
I know he was recovering, but once it became clear he was not ready physically or emotionally - he maybe should have just sat. RJ and Goode could have played more instead and we could have gotten Hawkins on track earlier maybe.
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Good luck Belo.
But stay out of the Big10. Go to a conference that plays more open floor.
Iowa would theoretically work. But surprisingly they were low TO even though they really pushed the ball and everyone had green light.
The old white hillbilly crowd wouldn't like him much when he put a few passes into the 4th row.
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Iowa would theoretically work. But surprisingly they were low TO even though they really pushed the ball and everyone had green light.
The old white hillbilly crowd wouldn't like him much when he put a few passes into the 4th row.
A 17% shooter from 3 won't get many green lights tho.
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True. He he shot nearly 50% his first year here overall. Was much better finishing and in midrange.
He couldn't make anyhting this year.
He will have to make shots and reduce TOs wherever he goes.
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True. He he shot nearly 50% his first year here overall. Was much better finishing and in midrange.
He couldn't make anyhting this year.
He will have to make shots and reduce TOs wherever he goes.
Without seeing the stats, it seems like a lot of his points last year were on layups. Turn him over or take the layup away, and that doesn't leave him with much.
Hopefully he gets a mid-range jumper and/or a 3 point shot, or wings who can open the floor for him.
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Adam Miller could be a capable 7th man. Plays hard defense.
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Adam Miller could be a capable 7th man. Plays hard defense.
LOL. I am sure he would love coming off bench.
Maybe he is suggesting to suitors that he can play point?
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Adam Miller could be a capable 7th man. Plays hard defense.
he's short, coming off an ACL injury, and has a bad attitude. Pass
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Saw absolutely nothing during his time here to even hint at Adam Miller having a bad attitude.
I doubt he’d want to come back but that isn’t a thing.
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Saw absolutely nothing during his time here to even hint at Adam Miller having a bad attitude.
I doubt he’d want to come back but that isn’t a thing.
Supposedly issues with his family not being happy with his role, and then a controversy over BT tourney and NCAA tickets vs what Ayo's family got.
Agree, he played hard. Hard to say how he would have done if he played on the ball more.
His family allegedly believed he was one and done and was slighted in the Ayo roadshow.
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https://fansided.com/2022/03/30/kofi-cockburn-reunite-ayo-dosunmu-chicago-bulls-illinois/
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https://fansided.com/2022/03/30/kofi-cockburn-reunite-ayo-dosunmu-chicago-bulls-illinois/
He’s actually in New York right now.
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That doesn’t sound like he’s coming back
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I’m pretty optimistic he will. That NIL money is pretty nice I’m sure. He’ll get to finish his degree (which is probably important to him and his mom from that article), and become a legend here and get plenty more NIL opportunities for next year. I mean at least he’s considering it it sounds like and he’s in no rush. The comment about not caring if he gets drafted is a little concerning that he might go though. That won’t improve staying another year either.
The Underwood comment came across a little back-handed about not trying to prepare him for the next level and just focusing on winning. It’s actually the complete opposite what Ayo has said regarding Underwood.
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That doesn’t sound like he’s coming back
I agree. Ayo is a different case, but I wish Kofi the best. Ayo worked very very hard at his game to be a contributor and also had the good fortune to have opportunities present themselves (which he earned) when starters went out to step in.
He was not ready to play in NBA when drafted, and was not good in summer. He has worked his ass off in a short time, but had enough of the skill set to work from. He is a different player and is off the ball which is key. All credit to him.
Kofi showed very little of the skills needed for an NBA 5 this year. Very good college player, but I don't think staff limited him. Some big guys just can't face up shoot (Happ). Kofi can't shoot or pass. He really can't switch to smaller guys either.
Hard work is one thing, but there is also the talent and skill to do multiple things on the court that is required in today’s NBA. Cockburn is hopeful to be invited to NBA pre-draft camps and show what his game looks like without the shackles of college basketball where he was asked to play on the low block nearly every time down the court.
“My coach (Brad Underwood) is not coaching me in college basketball to send me to the next level, he is coaching me to win basketball games here,” Cockburn said. “In the future I will have the opportunity to show people what I am capable of doing– that I am capable of playing at the next level.”
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Yeah I’m not sure what he’s going to show. He has had opportunities to face up and play a different style and he hasn’t been able to capitalize. But it’s not like he’s going to come out and say, “Yeah I can’t do anything but bang in the low post, draft me please.”
Then again I didn’t think Ayo was going to transform his game and physique like he did either. He’s more the exception that proves the rule however and Kofi really shouldn’t be basing his decisions based on what Ayo has done and is saying to him.
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Yeah I’m not sure what he’s going to show. He has had opportunities to face up and play a different style and he hasn’t been able to capitalize. But it’s not like he’s going to come out and say, “Yeah I can’t do anything but bang in the low post, draft me please.”
Then again I didn’t think Ayo was going to transform his game and physique like he did either. He’s more the exception that proves the rule however and Kofi really shouldn’t be basing his decisions based on what Ayo has done and is saying to him.
Agree.
Kofi might bounce around in the G League or overseas and develop but it will take time.
An NBA team could take him as a FA on a two way to see if he can develop into a backup.
Wish him the best no matter what he does.
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“My coach (Brad Underwood) is not coaching me in college basketball to send me to the next level, he is coaching me to win basketball games here,” Cockburn said. “In the future I will have the opportunity to show people what I am capable of doing– that I am capable of playing at the next level.”[/i][/b]
Based on that quote, if Kofi plays college next year it’ll be at Kentucky. That is one terrible quote for recruiting future players to Illinois
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https://fansided.com/2022/03/30/kofi-cockburn-reunite-ayo-dosunmu-chicago-bulls-illinois/
Nothing wrong with being a GREAT person, a good student, and a basketball player in that order. This article tells you alot about Kofi, and I like that he recognizes and calls out the stereotypes to try and expose them and correct them. Well done young man.
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Damn, Underwood does his job?
Sucks we just extended him.
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Possible admissions issues with Shannon? Credits transfer, not grades.
Supposedly some interest in Jeremiah Williams.
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Possible admissions issues with Shannon? Credits transfer, not grades.
Supposedly some interest in Jeremiah Williams.
Shannon is a Mac Irvin Fire player. Illinois will never get another kid from that program after Chin left and the MeanStreets guy was brought in
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Based on that quote, if Kofi plays college next year it’ll be at Kentucky. That is one terrible quote for recruiting future players to Illinois
I don’t think Kofi was taking a shot at Brad, just speaking the truth about the situation. It is not Brad Underwood’s job to showcase a skill set Kofi may or may not be able to exhibit. He’s paid to coach him to help Illinois win basketball games. And he’s won more B1G games than any other coach has these past three years.
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Be ironic if we wind up with Shannon and Williams.
Shannon is a Mac Irvin Fire player. Illinois will never get another kid from that program after Chin left and the MeanStreets guy was brought in
And Williams is a Simeon grad.
We shall see. Supposedly Shannon is a done deal if his credits transfer.
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How much stroke does an AAU program have multiple years after one of their players is gone? Seems to me like their sphere of influence would have significantly eroded in most cases.
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How much stroke does an AAU program have multiple years after one of their players is gone? Seems to me like their sphere of influence would have significantly eroded in most cases.
especially on a guy who is transferring out of the school they were likely steered too
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I don’t think Kofi was taking a shot at Brad, just speaking the truth about the situation. It is not Brad Underwood’s job to showcase a skill set Kofi may or may not be able to exhibit. He’s paid to coach him to help Illinois win basketball games. And he’s won more B1G games than any other coach has these past three years.
Rob claims that they used to have practice scrimmages where Kofi was not allowed to shoot and had to pass. He was doing a decent job earlier in year. Had 15 assists first 15 games.
Then only 7 the next 13 games. Not sure what the change was but it coincided with the entire team being out of sync down the stretch-not just him.
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Saw absolutely nothing during his time here to even hint at Adam Miller having a bad attitude.
I doubt he’d want to come back but that isn’t a thing.
Didn’t stop people from trashing Mark Smith's “bad attitude” either.
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Didn’t stop people from trashing Mark Smith's “bad attitude” either.
He did have the flu for 3 -5 days and then complained that Underachiever didn't visit him in the hospital.
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Mark Smith's dad was a problem. Adam Miller's mom is a problem. Often, those problems trickle down to the player.
I think we all know this.
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Didn’t stop people from trashing Mark Smith's “bad attitude” either.
Yep, said the same thing about him then.
Fans - I assume ours aren't that different than most - act like total dipshits when a player leaves. In large part because they believe those players should do what they want them to do. Definitely some weird entitlement stuff.
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Payne officially in the portal
https://twitter.com/Ogomarpayne/status/1510338654736105473
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Payne officially in the portal
https://twitter.com/Ogomarpayne/status/1510338654736105473
Definitely needed to be. I’d be disappointed if he was getting big minutes next year.
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Not surprising w/ Payne. Hopefully he can find somewhere where he can actually play big minutes.
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Payne officially in the portal
https://twitter.com/Ogomarpayne/status/1510338654736105473
Doesn't he have to sit out now though? Cant use the portal twice without the 2nd time being a sit out year
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Next year and every year on out the MVP for the ILLINI may just be T. Anderson, bringing talent to the ILLINI table. Eat dogs Eat...everyday guys!
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Next year and every year on out the MVP for the ILLINI may just be T. Anderson, bringing talent to the ILLINI table. Eat dogs Eat...everyday guys!
I think Anderson is far better connected than Chin. So that was an update.
Gentry/Alexander is a wash. Alexander probably a better recruiter given his connection to the Wolves if they start producing players.
Obviously Antigua is a heavy hitter compared to Frazier, but I think it’s fine having an alum that can sell the student athlete experience. So I liked hiring Chester.
So I do give credit that Underwood lost 3 guys to big programs and replaced them very adequately.
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Bigs: Dain Dainja, Coleman Hawkins, Benjamin Bosmins-Verdonk, Brandon Lieb, Connor Serven
Wings: RJ Melendez, Luke Goode, Ty Rodgers, Sencire Harris, Paxton Warden
Guards: Jayden Epps, Skyy Clark
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hs 247 composite tank
Skyy Clark 27
Ty Rodgers 54
Jayden Epps 71
Dain Dainja 91
RJ Melendez 94
Luke Goode 102
Sencire Harris 102
Coleman Hawkins 168
Brandon Lieb 480
Not much experience, but good talent, good mix.
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https://phenomhoopreport.com/illinois-continuing-its-role-on-the-recruiting-trail/
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Much is being made on whether Grandison and Hutcherson should/will return.
As much as we are losing from our starters/impact players from this past year, and the fact that Grand would give us some experience with a bunch of youngsters, I feel as is it may be time to move on from him, benefitting both parties. I would much rather get another player to help or even Rodgers playing time as he will be the most ready for B1G from the start.
Hutch has unfortunately been jinxed with injuries and a new place would simply be better imo than having him return yet again...
They both declared for the NBA draft also....?
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I wouldn’t mind seeing Grandison back. He’s a leader with a cool head on him that might be good for this group. I expect nothing of Hutch as he can go because he has always offered nothing. So he stays and basically just eats a scholarship. He should move on imo.
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Much is being made on whether Grandison and Hutcherson should/will return.
As much as we are losing from our starters/impact players from this past year, and the fact that Grand would give us some experience with a bunch of youngsters, I feel as is it may be time to move on from him, benefitting both parties. I would much rather get another player to help or even Rodgers playing time as he will be the most ready for B1G from the start.
Hutch has unfortunately been jinxed with injuries and a new place would simply be better imo than having him return yet again...
They both declared for the NBA draft also....?
Size, experience, leadership, 3 point shooting. Who needs that? Launch ‘em! We’re better off without him!
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I wouldn't mind seeing Slim Jake back, but I don't see it happening.
Hutcherson had been training on his own. Again. Fwiw.
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Size, experience, leadership, 3 point shooting. Who needs that? Launch ‘em! We’re better off without him!
Didn't say we we're better without them, just writing is on the wall, and you know if Grand does come back, he WILL give up minutes to Rodgers especially. Give Ty all the minutes, by most accounts he will be more ready to help right away than the others.
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We need a big.
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Or three
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I really doubt Grandison comes back given all his older teammates are gone.
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Or three
LOL.
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Or three
As I said, zero excitement level for Dainja. Surprising.
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I have modest expectations for Dainja. But even if he’s the second coming of Karl Malone we still desperately need experienced depth pieces.
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I have modest expectations for Dainja. But even if he’s the second coming of Karl Malone we still desperately need experienced depth pieces.
I'm a little more thnt modest in my expectations. He can move, and from the high school stuff I saw, he could really use some conditioning. Considering we have a Fletcher, I'm optimistic this kid could be a player once he's in any kind of shape. Plus, how do you NOT love the name.
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As I said, zero excitement level for Dainja. Surprising.
I just think no one knows exactly what we have. He clearly has some game.
We need depth inside even if he is Trayvon Williams out of the gate.
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Heard this several places today…
https://twitter.com/wischlist/status/1519486090876444672?s=21&t=aXkyT4XXgbvCHDOKURgdQA
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Sounds like it’s a possibility we’re getting Terrance Shannon Jr. tomorrow 🤷🏻♂️
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neat
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We need a big.
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Or David Jones 🤷🏻♂️
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I just think no one knows exactly what we have. He clearly has some game.
We need depth inside even if he is Trayvon Williams out of the gate.
That’s never stopped anyone from overhyping players before lol
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Heard this several places today…
https://twitter.com/wischlist/status/1519486090876444672?s=21&t=aXkyT4XXgbvCHDOKURgdQA
Hope he’s right, but I don’t put much stock in Wishnowsky. He’s just a cheerleader.
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Sounds like it’s a possibility we’re getting Terrance Shannon Jr. tomorrow 🤷🏻♂️
That would be amazing.
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We need a big.
In the meantime, we’ll take exceptional college players at any height.
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https://twitter.com/MarcFiscHoops/status/1519529989628125185?t=UbQ1L1Ak03cFFYh-H6Eglg&s=19
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In the meantime, we’ll take exceptional college players at any height.
Would love Shannon. Could lead the on the perimeter as the young guards/wings come along. Get a decent big for more depth and we will be good.
I think we can even do better than 14-18.
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We need a big.
Hyping Dainja.
https://247sports.com/college/illinois/Article/Illinois-big-man-Dain-Dainja-physical-transformation-Illini-mens-basketball-roster-head-coach-Brad-Underwood-186850344/Amp/
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Hyping Dainja.
https://247sports.com/college/illinois/Article/Illinois-big-man-Dain-Dainja-physical-transformation-Illini-mens-basketball-roster-head-coach-Brad-Underwood-186850344/Amp/
Sounds good. Games are won when nobody is watching.
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I've got some concerns about chemistry if we get Shannon. Would still probably take him, but not if it costs us any of our returning players.
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Shannon looks like a bigger athletic wing that we have lacked who has been a proven productive player at this level.
Not the primary focus of the offense, but his experience would be good.
Agree we do not want RJ, or Goode going anywhere.
Should be enough minutes for Clark/Epps/Shannon/RJ/Goode at the 1-3 in that order with Harris trying to break in at times this year. Also could go with smaller lineup with one of the 6'6" guys at the 4 at times.
Inside right now we Dainja at the 5, no backup other than Hawkins, Hawkins and Rogers at the 4.
Would love a backup 5 who can guard in space, rim run, rebound, and protect the rim at a basic level. (Like Payne was supposed to bring).
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Shannon looks like a bigger athletic wing that we have lacked who has been a proven productive player at this level.
Not the primary focus of the offense, but his experience would be good.
Agree we do not want RJ, or Goode going anywhere.
Should be enough minutes for Clark/Epps/Shannon/RJ/Goode at the 1-3 in that order with Harris trying to break in at times this year. Also could go with smaller lineup with one of the 6'6" guys at the 4 at times.
Inside right now we Dainja at the 5, no backup other than Hawkins, Hawkins and Rogers at the 4.
Would love a backup 5 who can guard in space, rim run, rebound, and protect the rim at a basic level. (Like Payne was supposed to bring).
I'd be mostly worried about Hawkins given those weird comments he made the other day.
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I'd be mostly worried about Hawkins given those weird comments he made the other day.
Did you see the entire interview? It puts the comments in context. He was asked a weird question about exit interviews. He is looking forward to taking a leadership role.
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I'd be mostly worried about Hawkins given those weird comments he made the other day.
Yeah, one never knows about Hawkins. Pretty unique kid and talent.
It is like trying to keep a race car from going off the road.
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My guess is certain guys we want to keep see the types of NIL promises we have to make to pull a guy like Shannon and wonder what they could get. We'll see, I suppose. Hopefully soon.
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It is like trying to keep a race car from going off the road.
Lol, oh man.
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My guess is certain guys we want to keep see the types of NIL promises we have to make to pull a guy like Shannon and wonder what they could get. We'll see, I suppose. Hopefully soon.
The UI business and booster community needs to get organized here. It is a new game to play.
Be able to offer all scholarship roster guys an expected minimum here, and the expected rotation guys and star players larger expected sums.
It is a vehicle for pass through money for paying kids. Nobody is fooling anyone that a grown man will buy a Chevy or Insurance because Hawkins says they should.
As long as they provide something that appears to be a service or marketing image everyone is covered.
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Lol, oh man.
He has a lot of talent. He is also kind of a hot mess out there.
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He has a lot of talent. He is also kind of a hot mess out there.
Right. But along with keeping the race car on the road, I hope he has a valid drivers license.
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He has a lot of talent. He is also kind of a hot mess out there.
He reminds me of a tall Alan Griffin in a way. Not exactly a smooth athlete, but when he plays well he can put up some quiet numbers. He cut his fouling down as the season went on and he looked ok playing the 5 at the end.
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I think 'smooth athlete' is exactly how I'd describe him.
What he's not yet is a particularly good basketball player. His contributions mostly come from that athleticism and cleaning up garbage to this point.
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Looks like Shannon might be happening after all.
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Looks like Shannon might be happening after all.
So they resolved the academic credit stuff?
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Right. But along with keeping the race car on the road, I hope he has a valid drivers license.
And any kids in the car are buckled up.
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And don't let the kids ask for any donuts.
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I think 'smooth athlete' is exactly how I'd describe him.
What he's not yet is a particularly good basketball player. His contributions mostly come from that athleticism and cleaning up garbage to this point.
I love having one or two of those players.
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So they resolved the academic credit stuff?
That is what I heard. Meanwhile, there was other MIF related drama. Then he was leaning to Michigan, but they have the same credits issue, plus they don't have a scholarship.
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I think 'smooth athlete' is exactly how I'd describe him.
What he's not yet is a particularly good basketball player. His contributions mostly come from that athleticism and cleaning up garbage to this point.
Seemed like he shot the ball well at the end of the season.
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He scored better but Houston did not even guard him from deep.
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Seemed like he shot the ball well at the end of the season.
The beginning too. Had a lull mid-season (when it seemed like all of our team had a lull) but had 10 game stretches at the beginning and end of the season when he shot around 35% from three.
I like Hawkins' potential. I hope we don't lose him.
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Jayden Epps, one on one champion, gets the chance to showcase his skills at the Iverson Classic at 3, on CBSSN.
https://www.si.com/college/2022/01/31/2022-iverson-classic-rosters-anounced-si99-allen-iverson
https://twitter.com/i/status/1520221516021043200
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Jayden Epps, one on one champion, gets the chance to showcase his skills at the Iverson Classic at 3, on CBSSN.
https://www.si.com/college/2022/01/31/2022-iverson-classic-rosters-anounced-si99-allen-iverson
https://twitter.com/i/status/1520221516021043200
Boy we really haven't had a true can get his own guy, in like...... never.
Looking forward to this kid.
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If Coleman and RJ are wondering about TSJr coming in, I did see a couple of roster suggestions with all 3 in the line-up.
Clark, RJ, TSJr, Coleman and Dainja.
or
Clark, RJ, TSJr, Rodgers and Coleman.
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If Coleman and RJ are wondering about TSJr coming in, I did see a couple of roster suggestions with all 3 in the line-up.
Clark, RJ, TSJr, Coleman and Dainja.
or
Clark, RJ, TSJr, Rodgers and Coleman.
Oh, absolutely. Lots of options with this group of players.
Nobody is going to be getting 33-34 mpg early at least, but with 200 minutes- 7 guys can avg 28, or 8 guys can get 25.
Shannon played 25 mpg last year.
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Oh, absolutely. Lots of options with this group of players.
Nobody is going to be getting 33-34 mpg early at least, but with 200 minutes- 7 guys can avg 28, or 8 guys can get 25.
Shannon played 25 mpg last year.
Hopefully play some tempo and nobody will be barking about needing to get 3-5 more minutes.
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Ty Rodgers can play.
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Hopefully play some tempo and nobody will be barking about needing to get 3-5 more minutes.
Agree. One thing you can say about a system like Samscum and Houston is they play more guys big minutes than usual and are in your face every fcking play.
They wear your ass down physically and mentally.
Would like that type of intensity and intimidation factor.
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Agree. One thing you can say about a system like Samscum and Houston is they play more guys big minutes than usual and are in your face every fcking play.
They wear your ass down physically and mentally.
Would like that type of intensity and intimidation factor.
That’s great if you either have the personnel or the depth to accomplish that.
Fun to watch if it’s effective.
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We may be going "young" at the right time for us guard wise....looking at next years returners in the B1G as far as guard play, Iowa and Northwestern may give us the most problems from an "experience" level of play only.
Many teams will have young guard play overall, Skyy/Epps being our primary's may be enough within conference play. Obviously, teams could still add more transfer help as of now...but best guards returning next year in conference are:
Iowa - Perkins and the McCaff attack. Sandfort also, although young.
NW - Buie, Audige, Berry
Wisky - Hepburn, Davis, but there offense may be atrocious next year...
Add TSJ for our experience and maybe a seasoned PG we will be fine, even without another transfer Sincire may come into play also.
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Rodgers could run the offense if needed.
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I am pretty sure we are not going to add an experienced lead/point guard who wants 25-30 ppg.
Clark and Epps did not come here to watch and only play 10 mpg backing up at that guy and Shannon.
As for Rodgers- he looks versatile and appears to be able to guard 1-4. Great feet and strong. Will allow us to play Hawkins at the 5 if we want, spell Hawkins, and also play the 3.
We are close to being set unless it is a premiere big who can run and play the 4/5 like Nance.
Or a backup inside who fits the more modern system.
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I'm sure i'm not the only who would rather NOT have Kofi next year...right?
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I'm sure i'm not the only who would rather NOT have Kofi next year...right?
Definitely not. It's an Illini tradition as much as a dancing Native at halftime to wish the best player on the basketball team is not coming back.
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Boy we really haven't had a true can get his own guy, in like...... never.
Looking forward to this kid.
Ayo Dosunmu was on this roster until last season was he not?
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Definitely not. It's an Illini tradition as much as a dancing Native at halftime to wish the best player on the basketball team is not coming back.
I don't think people really have a strong opinion either way.
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I'm sure i'm not the only who would rather NOT have Kofi next year...right?
I think we will miss him quite a bit
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I'm sure i'm not the only who would rather NOT have Kofi next year...right?
Nope. I didn’t want Kofi back either. I’m always in a better mood when Illinois is a bad team and Kofi leaving assures that.
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Nope. I didn’t want Kofi back either. I’m always in a better mood when Illinois is a bad team and Kofi leaving assures that.
You're also in a better mood when you're balls deep in a 12 year old, right?
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You're also in a better mood when you're balls deep in a 12 year old, right?
🤣
Hopefully this pedo ropes himself when Illinois is good yet again next year
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This pathetic sad fck already has announced we will go 14-18.
I challenged him to leave when we don't.
He stfu like a little bitch at that point.
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This pathetic sad fck already has announced we will go 14-18.
I challenged him to leave when we don't.
He stfu like a little bitch at that point.
He's reneged on that bet he lost already.
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Definitely not. It's an Illini tradition as much as a dancing Native at halftime to wish the best player on the basketball team is not coming back.
Yeah, who wants a 1st team 2x All-American? Not ME!
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This pathetic sad fck already has announced we will go 14-18.
I challenged him to leave when we don't.
He stfu like a little bitch at that point.
https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/illinois/2008.html
It’ll be comparable to this team. Bad.
Guarantee Illinois will not make the NCAA tourney.
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https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/illinois/2008.html
It’ll be comparable to this team. Bad.
Guarantee Illinois will not make the NCAA tourney.
What do you wanna wager?!
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https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/illinois/2008.html
It’ll be comparable to this team. Bad.
Guarantee Illinois will not make the NCAA tourney.
Is there a pinned post function?
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https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/illinois/2008.html
It’ll be comparable to this team. Bad.
Guarantee Illinois will not make the NCAA tourney.
As usual you start to back off your claims once you get called out for being a total idiot, you are proven wrong, or you just start lying.
They have now gone from being 14-18 to "not making the NCAA tourney".
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https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/illinois/2008.html
It’ll be comparable to this team. Bad.
Guarantee Illinois will not make the NCAA tourney.
2008. Interesting. That's when your girlfriend was born, right? Or is that her older sister?
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What do you wanna wager?!
Nothing. The enjoyment of trolling homers is payment enough for me.
Compare the rosters.
SR-Randle is similar to SR Shannon
SR- Pruitt is better than any big on next years roster.
Brock/Frazier/Smith comparable to Melendez/Goode.
Then it’s a bunch of freshmen and it’s likely one of the freshmen is as good as McCamey.
All in all a roster not very talented and very young.
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As usual you start to back off your claims once you get called out for being a total idiot, you are proven wrong, or you just start lying.
They have now gone from being 14-18 to "not making the NCAA tourney".
Is there a pinned post function?
I’ll make a new post
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I’ll make a new post
Make a thread stating that and Custard you need to lock it and put it at the top for future reference and reminder of Truth’s incompetence.
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Nothing. The enjoyment of trolling homers is payment enough for me.
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
Times are tough for Pedonic.
A BTT title, a BT Conference title, a Top 10 recruiting class, and a Top 10 transfer class.
I think you should focus on other things based in reality.
Like, maybe see if your PO will ask the court to remove your ankle bracelet.
(https://assets-c3.propublica.org/images/articles/_threeTwo1200w/20190703-electronic-monitoring-b-3x2.jpg)
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Brad's take.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhB7jrZTveY
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Thanks for posting.
Confirms they are really only looking for frontcourt help.
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https://twitter.com/JonRothstein/status/1530318052226629632?t=jXiYEP9YC4IqimUA8bQs_g&s=19
(https://i.ibb.co/fMcnprV/Screenshot-20220527-211827-3.png) (https://ibb.co/BL1rZTH)
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Clark, Shannon, Melendez, Mayer, Hawkins
Bench: Rodgers, Dainja, Epps
Depth: Goode, Harris
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Beginning of the year: Epps may be over Skyy (injury) if all is strong and good then starting lineup would be:
Skyy - 7 pts per game and 2-1 Ast/TO
TSJ - 16 pts per game, 7 Rebounds and 3 assists
Melendez - 10 pts per game 6 Rebs-3 Assts
Mayer- 13 Pts per game, 5 Reb and 2 Assts
Hawk - 10 Pts per game, 8 Reb and 3 Assts.
Starter 56 Pts per game
Bench 18 pts off the bench 74 Pts per game next year.
Side Note, I really think Epps will mean alot to the ILLINI program before he is done here.
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BU may not be done yet....more support and inside/out help...
https://247sports.com/college/illinois/Article/College-basketball-transfer-portal-Michael-Henn-Penn-State-Illinois-Notre-Dame-188052200/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkN3Dyj8K0k
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7th year depth piece practice player.
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Grandison looks to need immediate eligibility granted as he withdrew from draft.
https://247sports.com/college/illinois/Article/Illinois-Fighting-Illini-basketball-Jacob-Grandison-2022-NBA-Draft-transfer-portal-188104826/
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"While Grandison did not enter the transfer portal by the NCAA's May 1 deadline to earn immediate eligibility, many coaches, including Underwood, have suspected players who entered the draft only to return to school may receive waivers for immediate eligibility.'
Not sure what Werner was thinking. Grandison does not need a waiver. He is a grad student.
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I’m assuming he’s assuming Grandison may transfer to another program
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I’m assuming he’s assuming Grandison may transfer to another program
He can be a grad transfer. No need for some exception. He did not need to use the portal.
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Wish him the best. He won’t play much at all if he stays.
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Not sure what Werner was thinking. Grandison does not need a waiver. He is a grad student.
Good Catch, thank you
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Rodgers made the final 13. One more player will be cut.
https://twitter.com/usabjnt/status/1531702633777336321?t=WdOue5dcqF9KyNkZ0OMvTA&s=19
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Rodgers made the final 13. One more player will be cut.
https://twitter.com/usabjnt/status/1531702633777336321?t=WdOue5dcqF9KyNkZ0OMvTA&s=19
Yeah- too bad he can't play at high D1 level, though, per Dumbfcknic.
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Has been many years since our team has had this much talent... I hope it fits together properly!!! !!!!!!
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Has been many years since our team has had this much talent... I hope it fits together properly!!! !!!!!!
Will be very interesting to see how it evolves. Not sure we have had 2 kids at same time with what looks to be serious handles like Clark and Epps.
And the versatility and length at wing has high potential.
Better athleticism across the board.
Post play will be a work in progress, but the college game is moving very quickly to the NBA game.
We will have a more mobile 5, can ideally switch everything, and can play Hawkins there to create a lot of match up issues for traditional bigs.
Of course rebounding and rim protection will be a question to be answered, but we will pose a lot of problems for others.
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Has been many years since our team has had this much talent... I hope it fits together properly!!! !!!!!!
The disrespect to guys like Ayo, Kofi, Frazier, and even Plummer is nuts.
You thinking 2 freshmen guards will be as good as Frazier/Plummer.
Then thinking Mayer is better than Grandison.
Shannon is going to replace Kofi?
Still got Underwood at coach,
Insanity
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Wow. No disrespect to anyone.
Frazier is a combo guard and a top notch defender. #109 in class of 2017. Plummer is strictly a shooting guard and not really a defensive asset. Clark was a top 10 recruit pre-injury. Current #30. Epps is consensus #67; 247 top 50.
Grandison played within himself, did not take bad shots or make bad passes. Made wide open set shot shots from three and was effective feeding the post. He has no handle and is not a defensive asset. Mayer has much better ball handling skills and is an asset on defense.
You do not replace Kofi. Dainja will be the center. Shannon will play on the wing, not center.
247 comp rank
Skyy #30 2022
Rodgers #48 2022
Epps #67 2022
Shannon #90 2019
Dainja #91 2020
Mayer #93 2018
RJ Melendez #94 2021
Goode #102 2021
Harris #106 2022
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With Dain and now Mayer on board, coincidental that we will be playing in Vegas against Baylor....that should be fun.
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Wow. No disrespect to anyone.
Frazier is a combo guard and a top notch defender. #109 in class of 2017. Plummer is strictly a shooting guard and not really a defensive asset. Clark was a top 10 recruit pre-injury. Current #30. Epps is consensus #67; 247 top 50.
Grandison played within himself, did not take bad shots or make bad passes. Made wide open set shot shots from three and was effective feeding the post. He has no handle and is not a defensive asset. Mayer has much better ball handling skills and is an asset on defense.
You do not replace Kofi. Dainja will be the center. Shannon will play on the wing, not center.
247 comp rank
Skyy #30 2022
Rodgers #48 2022
Epps #67 2022
Shannon #90 2019
Dainja #91 2020
Mayer #93 2018
RJ Melendez #94 2021
Goode #102 2021
Harris #106 2022
HS rankings mean nothing when comparing guys that have actually played 4 years of college.
I’ve seen Grandison and Mayer both play. Mayer isn’t better regardless of what his HS ranking was
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HS rankings mean nothing when comparing guys that have actually played 4 years of college.
I’ve seen Grandison and Mayer both play. Mayer isn’t better regardless of what his HS ranking was
14 wins next year, huh?! 😂
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14 wins next year, huh?! 😂
Yeah I’m sure getting rid of Kofi will lead to a national championship.
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Hey Dumbfcknic:
Grandison in 2022 averaged 9.6pts and 3.8 rebounds
Mayer in 2022 averaged 9.8 and 5.0 rebounds....oh yea he has played on a NC team as well.
He is taller, a much better passer, better rebounder and the same scorer.
Compare those stats instead of spewing crap as usual.
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The disrespect to guys like Ayo, Kofi, Frazier, and even Plummer is nuts.
You thinking 2 freshmen guards will be as good as Frazier/Plummer.
Then thinking Mayer is better than Grandison.
Shannon is going to replace Kofi?
Still got Underwood at coach,
Insanity
While I'm not expecting much from the freshmen other than inconsistency, we have a lot of good pieces in place already, Hawkins, Melendez, Shannon, Meyer is going to be good, plug and play a PG who doesn't make too many mistakes (hopefully clark and whoever) and a capable center who can play defense and we will be very good again, add Nance and wow we will be something else
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I think today is the deadline to withdraw from the NBA draft. So we’ll know more very soon
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HS rankings mean nothing when comparing guys that have actually played 4 years of college.
I’ve seen Grandison and Mayer both play. Mayer isn’t better regardless of what his HS ranking was
his ranks just show how much our overall talent has improved. They don't mean as much one on one. For example, Giorgi was a better prospect than a lot of bigs rated ahead of him.
Comparing Grandison and Mayer -- Slim Jake is an effective player because he knows his limits and does not try to do too much.
Mayer is bigger, taller, more athletic, far more skilled, much better defensively. On offense, sometimes he has tried to do too much.
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Hey Dumbfcknic:
Grandison in 2022 averaged 9.6pts and 3.8 rebounds
Mayer in 2022 averaged 9.8 and 5.0 rebounds....oh yea he has played on a NC team as well.
He is taller, a much better passer, better rebounder and the same scorer.
Compare those stats instead of spewing crap as usual.
Mayer shot 40/32/70.
Grandison 45/41/82
Next question
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Mayer shot 40/32/70.
Grandison 45/41/82
Next question
Mayer did his in 22-23 minutes a game, Grandison did his in 25-26 minutes per game...oh and there is still the "I played on a NC team experience as well" thing he has going for him, and the improvment on defense. Next dumb comment.
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Mayer did his in 22-23 minutes a game, Grandison did his in 25-26 minutes per game...oh and there is still the "I played on a NC team experience as well" thing he has going for him, and the improvment on defense. Next dumb comment.
They each played 15 minutes a game on a #1 seed in 2020-21. Grandison has been the better player each of the last 2 seasons.
Fact this guy is looked at as a big difference maker by some of you (even 247 sports which is asinine) shows you just don’t look at stats.
A 6’9 guy that shoots 40% from the field is not a positive.
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They each played 15 minutes a game on a #1 seed in 2020-21. Grandison has been the better player each of the last 2 seasons.
Fact this guy is looked at as a big difference maker by some of you (even 247 sports which is asinine) shows you just don’t look at stats.
A 6’9 guy that shoots 40% from the field is not a positive.
14 wins next year… 🙄 😂
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They each played 15 minutes a game on a #1 seed in 2020-21. Grandison has been the better player each of the last 2 seasons.
Fact this guy is looked at as a big difference maker by some of you (even 247 sports which is asinine) shows you just don’t look at stats.
A 6’9 guy that shoots 40% from the field is not a positive.
40% from areas, most other 6'9" guys don't even shoot it from.
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I'll ask this here: anyone get the invite for the 6/9 Guenther, Jr., Bielema, and B1G Conference Championship Trophy meet up at Olympia Fields?
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Mayer shot 40/32/70.
Grandison 45/41/82
Next question
Sure: Why are you comparing a 6-6 3-guard with a 6-9 forward?
Anyway, if you look at field attempts per game, you're talking about a whopping 1.4 missed shots per game difference.
Mayer: 8.8*.6 + 4.12*.68 = exp. 8.1 missed shots per game
Grandison: 7.4*.55 + 4.4*.59 = exp. 6.7 missed shots per game
Mayer averaged 8.8 rebounds over 40 minutes. Grandison averaged 6.0. In real terms, the difference was 1.2 rpg, so Mayer essentially makes up for any field goal shooting discrepancy even if they played the same role and we ignore that Mayer's team was 1 seed who tied for a conference title with the national champs.
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Some numbers for Mayer from the combine:
https://www.nba.com/stats/draft/combine-strength-agility/?SeasonYear=2022-23
https://www.nba.com/stats/draft/combine-anthro/
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Some numbers for Mayer from the combine:
https://www.nba.com/stats/draft/combine-strength-agility/?SeasonYear=2022-23
https://www.nba.com/stats/draft/combine-anthro/
Well his body fat will certainly decrease.... !!!!!!
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Well his body fat will certainly decrease.... !!!!!!
Sic him, Fletch!
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Sure: Why are you comparing a 6-6 3-guard with a 6-9 forward?
Anyway, if you look at field attempts per game, you're talking about a whopping 1.4 missed shots per game difference.
Mayer: 8.8*.6 + 4.12*.68 = exp. 8.1 missed shots per game
Grandison: 7.4*.55 + 4.4*.59 = exp. 6.7 missed shots per game
Mayer averaged 8.8 rebounds over 40 minutes. Grandison averaged 6.0. In real terms, the difference was 1.2 rpg, so Mayer essentially makes up for any field goal shooting discrepancy even if they played the same role and we ignore that Mayer's team was 1 seed who tied for a conference title with the national champs.
Don't feed the troll.
Will take Mayer all day over Grandison. Anybody who understands basketball would. When Grandison was not hitting the three, he was pretty much a non factor and played below average D.
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Note that Mayer was invited to the combine.
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Illinois men's basketball signee Ty Rodgers was one of 12 players to be selected to the USA Basketball Men’s U18 FIBA Americas Championship National Team, which was announced on Friday. https://247sports.com/college/illinois/Article/Illinois-signee-Ty-Rodgers-makes-Team-USA-U18-National-team-Illini-basketball-Brad-Underwood-188289783/
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Illinois men's basketball signee Ty Rodgers was one of 12 players to be selected to the USA Basketball Men’s U18 FIBA Americas Championship National Team, which was announced on Friday. https://247sports.com/college/illinois/Article/Illinois-signee-Ty-Rodgers-makes-Team-USA-U18-National-team-Illini-basketball-Brad-Underwood-188289783/
Too bad he sucks. Going to wash out at this level per Dumbfcknic.
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Rodgers starting
https://youtu.be/Q3XHPBRt-mI
Rodgers with 7 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and a +21 in 9 minutes in the first half.
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Rodgers starting
https://youtu.be/Q3XHPBRt-mI
Rodgers with 7 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and a +21 in 9 minutes in the first half.
He needs 3-5 more minutes.
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Rodgers looks like a college football player trying to play basketball. He’s got a football body. Skill wise he’s well below average at dribbling, and shooting, in what you’d expect to see from a perimeter player. So he will probably play the 4.
Sure Underwood will compare him to Draymond Green or JaeSean Tate, but most low skill under height 4s wash out at high D1 but can put up big numbers at mid-majors which I think is a level Rodgers athleticism works at best. His role at Illinois will be similar to Verdonk, but a better finisher around the basket.
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Dumbfcknic speaks.
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He’s really is going to die on this hill, isn’t he?
Surely all nine lives are about used up.
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He’s really is going to die on this hill, isn’t he?
Surely all nine lives are about used up.
Lol. 😆
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He’s really is going to die on this hill, isn’t he?
Surely all nine lives are about used up.
You're giving him credit for having a life to begin with.
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I think he has him confused.withTy Rogers from Aurora West. Certainly not describing future Illini Ty Rodgers from Thornton. Rodgers has exceptional ball handling and passing skills. Tim Anderson says he is basically a guard, but can play all 5 positions.
7 pts, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, in 14 minutes.
https://youtu.be/-CcGxgkLdGc
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definitely doesn't have a freshman body that's for sure, dude looks like a tank already
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I think he has him confused.withTy Rogers from Aurora West. Certainly not describing future Illini Ty Rodgers from Thornton. Rodgers has exceptional ball handling and passing skills. Tim Anderson says he is basically a guard, but can play all 5 positions.
7 pts, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, in 14 minutes.
https://youtu.be/-CcGxgkLdGc
I watched the game vs Dominican Republic. He’s doesn’t have D1 guard handle at all. It’s like watching Sergio McClain dribble. That’s never what he’d be asked to do.
I don’t doubt he could be an active defensive player given his athleticism. But he’s more of a short 4.
His role on offense will probably be to just set screens, offensive rebounds. Do all the dirty hustle work. Basically what they needed Verdonk to do. I’ve seen people thinking he’s some nba player and he’s no where close.
“Rodgers and Clark” each have deficiencies in their games despite their high rankings. Rodgers has a low perimeter skill level, and Clark has limited athleticism.
That said, I do like Rodgers starting on this team because you will need someone that can be physical and grab rebounds. So I’d start these 5 guys:
Epps
Shannon
Melendez
Rodgers
Hawkins
I think this is the best lineup. Mayer is a negative if he’s going to shoot 40% like last season. I think Epps is just better than Clark. And Dainja is an unknown. I would start Rodgers over Goode in this group tho.
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Lack of basketball evaluation skills.
Rodgers may play some point 4 because they have so many wings.
Clark, Shannon, Mayer, Hawkins, Dainja.
Bench:
RJ, Rodgers, Butz,
Epps, Goode, Harris
Warden, Serven, Lieb
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Lack of basketball evaluation skills.
Rodgers may play some point 4 because they have so many wings.
Clark, Shannon, Mayer, Hawkins, Dainja.
Bench:
RJ, Rodgers, Butz,
Epps, Goode, Harris
Warden, Serven, Lieb
Drawing a blank. Who is Butz?
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Drawing a blank. Who is Butz?
Looking at 6-9 230 GS post player Jaylen Butz. Would likely be a depth piece behind Hawkins, Dainja, and quality transfer [Mayer took that ride] to be named later. Played 3 years at DePud 2017 -2020. Sat out the 2020/21 season. Played sparingly last year at WKU.
https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/jaylen-butz-1.html
looks likely right now as a back up behind Dainja, could change. Probably an upgrade over Payne and BBV if he is healthy. They want to add a depth piece big and leave one open for a midseason transfer. The big from Denver, Mikey Henn, committed to PSU on Monday. Henn said his goal is to make the NCAA tournament.
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https://www.fiba.basketball/americas/u18/2022/game/0806/USA-Puerto-Rico#tab=boxscore
https://youtu.be/zdvNTygVaz0
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I wouldn’t be surprised if Epps turns out to be better than Clark. At all. I think he probably is right now actually. Think it’s kinda crazy to be so hard on Rodgers though, not sure what else he has to prove against elite competition at his age.
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I wouldn’t be surprised if Epps turns out to be better than Clark. At all. I think he probably is right now actually. Think it’s kinda crazy to be so hard on Rodgers though, not sure what else he has to prove against elite competition at his age.
Epps and Clark are both good. As of now, Clark is better.
That is not a knock on Epps. It has been almost a year since Clark's injury; 6 months since he returned to competition. The knee is fine. He is blowing by defenders and throwing down dunks.
Epps is a nice player. 247 has him top 50 in their rankings. He and Clark are both excellent shooters. Epps's ball handling and passing skills are very good; Clark's are elite. They are both good athletes, but Clark is better.
There are whispers Clark might only be here one season.
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I don't know, but glad we have them both.
And impressed that staff have built this versatile roster.
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The knee is fine. He is blowing by defenders and throwing down dunks.
If it was Kentucky would have never cut him loose.
Not sure where you’ve watched highlights to call him an elite athlete. He’s not. He’s a McCamey type athlete. No explosion at all
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If it was Kentucky would have never cut him loose.
Not sure where you’ve watched highlights to call him an elite athlete. He’s not. He’s a McCamey type athlete. No explosion at all
Gone from McBride to McCamey? Progress. McCamey holds the Illini season record for APG.
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https://youtu.be/WDdmf5IeZk4
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What I like about Rodgers number one is his coachability. He was willing to play a role for the U18 team. He made the next pass. He guarded the other teams' best players. He averaged roughly 12/12/7 per 40 minutes. Total of 19 assists, 5 steals, 3 blocks, and only 4 TOs in 109 minutes in 6 games. His court presence and IQ stood out on an all star team. Generally, has court awareness, good positioning, and anticipation on both ends.
Defensively, he appears to have a B1G body already to go with lateral agility and plus length. In addition to the 5 steals, and 3 blocks, he had 23 defensive rebounds. He did overplay and got beat off the dribble a couple times. Gets back quickly on defense. Showed ability to half court trap and quickly recover..
Offensively, he is not yet a shooter, but can score. He has the handle, court vision, and passing skills of a lead guard. He can dribble drive, pull up, kick out, dish, or finish through contact with with either hand. Also has a decent post up game. In offensive transition, he can lead the break or throw the outlet pass. Good at the long pass.
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If it was Kentucky would have never cut him loose.
Who gives a fuck what Kentucky does?
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Who gives a fuck what Kentucky does?
You’re right. Every player that transfers or leaves Kentucky is great. Alex Legion was phenomenal here.
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They each played 15 minutes a game on a #1 seed in 2020-21. Grandison has been the better player each of the last 2 seasons.
Fact this guy is looked at as a big difference maker by some of you (even 247 sports which is asinine) shows you just don’t look at stats.
A 6’9 guy that shoots 40% from the field is not a positive.
https://247sports.com/college/rutgers/Article/Caleb-McConnell-ranked-No2-super-senior-in-college-basketball--188796428, where is Mayer again?
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Grandison is a nice role player. He is s catch and shoot guy, like Goode. Mayer is a more complete player.
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https://247sports.com/college/rutgers/Article/Caleb-McConnell-ranked-No2-super-senior-in-college-basketball--188796428, where is Mayer again?
Check out his shooting percentage. He can't possibly be better than Grandison.
https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/4397249/caleb-mcconnell
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You’re right. Every player that transfers or leaves Kentucky is great. Alex Legion was phenomenal here.
Who gives a fuck about Alex Legion in 2022?
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Oh, why not.
12-8.
Single game matchups is not ideal, but going 3-3 and taking care of business vs the gofs, NU, the Huskers and PSU would be helpful. And throw in the escaped with a big road win and the usual headscratcher, somewhere.
Granted, I really havent paid much attention to who's coming back and who left on the other teams.
Here is the breakdown of Illinois' opponents for the 2023 Big Ten schedule:
Home & Away – Indiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern, Ohio State, Penn State, Wisconsin
Home Only – Michigan, Michigan State, Rutgers
Away Only – Iowa, Maryland, Purdue
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Oh, why not.
12-8.
Single game matchups is not ideal, but going 3-3 and taking care of business vs the gofs, NU, the Huskers and PSU would be helpful. And throw in the escaped with a big road win and the usual headscratcher, somewhere.
Granted, I really havent paid much attention to who's coming back and who left on the other teams.
Here is the breakdown of Illinois' opponents for the 2023 Big Ten schedule:
Home & Away – Indiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern, Ohio State, Penn State, Wisconsin
Home Only – Michigan, Michigan State, Rutgers
Away Only – Iowa, Maryland, Purdue
12-8 seems spot on imo. I could see a game more in the + column, I could also see a 3 game swing in the - column unfortunately.
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12-8 seems spot on imo. I could see a game more in the + column, I could also see a 3 game swing in the - column unfortunately.
So you're saying 14-18 is a possibility? ;)
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So you're saying 14-18 is a possibility? ;)
No I will not fold to peer pressure and being associated with Dumbfcknic... ;D
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Make this a new effing thread if you want. Be interesting to see how Skyy Clark and Jayden Epps stack up against the top Illinois lead guards of the past.
Elite: Andy Phillip, Derek Harper, Deron Williams
Great: Tal Brody, Bruce Douglas, Kiwane Harris, Frank Williams, Dee Brown, Ayo Dosunmu
Very Good: Manny Jackson, Jim Dawson, Tony Wysinger, Steve Bardo, Demitri McCamey, Trent Frazier, Andre Curbelo*
Good: Jerry Colangelo?, Bill Small, Jodie Harrison, Jeff Dawson, Nate Williams, Steve Lanter, Larry Smith, Rennie Clemons, Trent Meacham, Chester Frazier, Andres Feliz
Who'd I forget?
Skyy Clark can be elite, Epps great.
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Make this a new effing thread if you want. Be interesting to see how Skyy Clark and Jayden Epps stack up against the top Illinois lead guards of the past.
Elite: Andy Phillip, Derek Harper, Deron Williams
Great: Talk Brody, Bruce Douglas, Kiwane Harris, Frank Williams, Dee Brown, Ayo Dosunmu
Very Good: Manny Jackson, Jim Dawson, Tony Wysinger, Steve Bardo, Demitri McCamey, Trent Frazier, Andre Curbelo*
Good: Bill Small, Jodie Harrison, Jeff Dawson, Steve Lanter, Larry Smith, Rennie Clemons, Trent Meacham, Chester Frazier, Andres Feliz
Who'd I forget?
Skyy Clark can be elite, Epps great.
Several I would label differently myself, but just semantics at that point. That said, how do you kow Epps cannot be elite? Many may argue that Epps could and possible is as good if not better now, if not down the road as well. I am personally higher on Epps has a player for us, than Skyy, but higher on Skyy as a recruit (ranking) (stars). We will see.
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Several I would label differently myself, but just semantics at that point. That said, how do you kow Epps cannot be elite? Many may argue that Epps could and possible is as good if not better now, if not down the road as well. I am personally higher on Epps has a player for us, than Skyy, but higher on Skyy as a recruit (ranking) (stars). We will see.
Claiming Sky is better than Frank Williams and Dee Brown (who both were McDonalds All American) is bat shit crazy.
Again, there a reason Kentucky dropped this dude. If he was destined to be one the greatest guards in NCAA history, they wouldn’t have. And other than Kyle Wiltjer, and you could throw in Johnny Juzang, the guys that can’t cut it under Calipari or guys he drops/decommits/recruited over do not do anything of note.
Anyone can watch a tape of his movement last year and sees he’s slow. And if he were a 5 star guard then he’d have had far more teams other than Illinois trying to get him after Kentucky. TN is a decent program, but it’s not like Duke/UNC/Gonzaga are begging for him to come to their team.
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Make this a new effing thread if you want. Be interesting to see how Skyy Clark and Jayden Epps stack up against the top Illinois lead guards of the past.
Elite: Andy Phillip, Derek Harper, Deron Williams
Great: Talk Brody, Bruce Douglas, Kiwane Harris, Frank Williams, Dee Brown, Ayo Dosunmu
Very Good: Manny Jackson, Jim Dawson, Tony Wysinger, Steve Bardo, Demitri McCamey, Trent Frazier, Andre Curbelo*
Good: Bill Small, Jodie Harrison, Jeff Dawson, Steve Lanter, Larry Smith, Rennie Clemons, Trent Meacham, Chester Frazier, Andres Feliz
Who'd I forget?
Skyy Clark can be elite, Epps great.
You left out Hill, Richardson, Paul, Rice, Nunn.
I would never have even considered Trent Meachum, Curbello, or Chet Frazier.
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Skyy Clark vs tyrese hunter (Texas) will be interesting . The Las Vegas invitational with programs known for their defense like Baylor and Virginia will be a tough test for a fresh. PG. Even UCLA had a decent defense last year.
Should be fun though.
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Deron Williams was not a McD AA, but might be the best lead guard we've had. He was three and done, 3rd pick in the 2005 draft. Played 12 years in the NBA. Lead the 2005 team to the championship game. Three time all star. Won an Olympic gold medal.
Andy Phillip helped invent the PG position and is a Naismith hall of famer..
Harper was our first McD AA and first early entrant. #11 in 1983 draft. Played 16 years in the NBA.
Those three are my picks as the greatest of the great; the best of the best.
Should've been one between Phillip and Harper, but Collins picked ISU. I was tempted to go with Tal Brody or even Jim Dawson for symmetry.
Skyy Clark has the best potential to among the best of the best. I don't know or care much about the details of his decommitment from UK. Apparently his recruiting coach left and he got a release. He picked us over Louisville among others.
He looks fine in those Monteverde videos and has progressed a lot since then.
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You left out Hill, Richardson, Paul, Rice, Nunn.
I would never have even considered Trent Meachum, Curbello, or Chet Frazier.
I added Paul on the good line. I do not consider Malcolm Hill, DJ Richardson, Ray Rice, or Kendrick Nunn to be lead guards. Nunn may be now.
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I’m a little leery of the hype around Clark given the injury. He didn’t play much last year. His tape doesn’t really excite me. My expectations are tempered for him, especially early in the season. Brad says he’s almost 100%, but it’s going to take him a while to shake the rust off and play without thinking about the knee. Hope I’m wrong.
Epps, on the other hand, is a flat out gamer that has excelled in many different environments against high level competition. I think his ranking gets dinged a bit for being shorter than 6’3” and a thoroughly below the rim player. He’s crafty, smart, very skilled, and has all the attributes that translate very well to the college game.
I don’t expect much from Harris right away but think he’ll be a really solid 4 year player.
Was really hoping we were going to add a veteran ball handler to the mix but it appears that’s not the case. Staff appears to be content with the pieces they’ve assembled but any kind of injury/illness could really make us thin there. Really need another backup big.
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Harris might have the poorest ball handling and passing skills of the 6 new guys, and that is not really a nock on Harris either.
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Skyy Clark has the best potential to among the best of the best. I don't know or care much about the details of his decommitment from UK. Apparently his recruiting coach left and he got a release. He picked us over Louisville among others.
The same Louisville that had a coaching change in March. Louisville has no track record at all under Kenny Payne who just was hired.
And if you are a great player, Calipari will even let you come to UK just to suit up and never play, and still go to the draft like Shaedon Sharpe and Enes Kanter. Leaving UK is an absolute red flag at least as far as expectations go
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. Leaving UK is an absolute red flag at least as far as expectations go
I would think you would have to attend UK to leave UK. He did not transfer. He decommited after an assistant coaching coaching overhaul. Clark’s lead recruiter, Joel Justus, left for Arizona State after the 2020-21 season.
Nolan Hickman backed out of a commitment to UK and asked for a release last year. DJ Jeffries decommited in 2018. Were those red flags?
UK picked up Adou Thiero this spring. You think he is a better prospect than Clark? You might.You think Slim Jake is better than Mayer. I think UK wanted to keep Clark.
btw, Kenny Payne has no track record?
2004–2009
Oregon (assistant)
2010–2014
Kentucky (assistant)
2014–2020
Kentucky (associate HC)
2020–2022
New York Knicks (assistant)
2022–present
Louisville
That compares favorably with Juwan Howard and Mike Woodson.
Effing autocorrect tries to rewrite stuff.
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Predicting that Epps might be an all time great lead guard on par with Ayo, Dee, Frank, Kiwane Harris, Bruce Douglas, and Tal Brody does seem like a knock.
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Make this a new effing thread if you want. Be interesting to see how Skyy Clark and Jayden Epps stack up against the top Illinois lead guards of the past.
Elite: Andy Phillip, Derek Harper, Deron Williams
Great: Talk Brody, Bruce Douglas, Kiwane Harris, Frank Williams, Dee Brown, Ayo Dosunmu
Very Good: Manny Jackson, Jim Dawson, Tony Wysinger, Steve Bardo, Demitri McCamey, Trent Frazier, Andre Curbelo*
Good: Bill Small, Jodie Harrison, Jeff Dawson, Steve Lanter, Larry Smith, Rennie Clemons, Trent Meacham, Chester Frazier, edit Brandon Paul, Andres Feliz
Who'd I forget?
Skyy Clark can be elite, Epps great.
On what planet is Andre Curbelo better than Brandon Paul?
How could you argue Trent Frazier is even better?
Even putting Paul in the same group as Meacham, Frazier, and Feliz is an insult to Brandon Paul.
Luther Head played in the NBA. He’s as much of “lead guard” as Andre Feliz. You forget him? You could argue Tracy Abrams was a lot better than Chester Frazier and Feliz too Frazier was a bad bad offensive player.
I dont think you understand what you are looking at. Just running your mouth in the off-season like everyone does trying to hype up a team that is going to suck
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On what planet is Andre Curbelo better than Brandon Paul?
How could you argue Trent Frazier is even better?
Even putting Paul in the same group as Meacham, Frazier, and Feliz is an insult to Brandon Paul.
Luther Head played in the NBA. He’s as much of “lead guard” as Andre Feliz. You forget him? You could argue Tracy Abrams was a lot better than Chester Frazier and Feliz too Frazier was a bad bad offensive player.
I dont think you understand what you are looking at. Just running your mouth in the off-season like everyone does trying to hype up a team that is going to suck
You don't know what you are looking at. I used 5 categories. Elite, Great, Very Good, and Good. Players in each category are obviously listed in historical order. Not in how good they are.
All of this was was based on memory.
I almost had Brody on the elite line and Jim Dawson on the great line. Still undecided. Also maybe Jodie Harrison should be very good?
Waffled on including Jerry Colangelo on the good line.
I waffled on including Head, Paul, Abrams, Nunn, as lead guards.
I have Head as a wing guard, same position as Gill. I am still undecided on Abrams. He kind of suckef. Maybe Paul should be listed as a wing guard.? He was out of position at the 1. Was Nunn ever a lead guard here?
debated with myself on including Curbelo. He was B1G 6th man of the year, deserves credit.
Maybe include Abrams on the good line, and remove Paul. Neither one wás really point / lead guards.
I actually saw most of them play except for a couple.
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You left out Hill, Richardson, Paul, Rice, Nunn.
I would never have even considered Trent Meachum, Curbello, or Chet Frazier.
yeah seriously what are those 3 doing on that list hahaha
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yeah seriously what are those 3 doing on that list hahaha
DJ Richardson was a good player for us, but he could not dribble the ball unguarded past half court. He played strictly off the ball.
Hill and Rice were wings. Paul only played point because Abrams was so bad. Nunn was pretty good for that other team
Meacham, not Meachum, could actually play the 1 position. Averaged 10 ppg his last 2 seasons. Shot over 40% from 3.
Curbelo, with one l, was the B1G 6th man of the year before the injury. We were thinking he would turn pro early.
Chester became a good offensive player and was very good on defense. 3 x All B1G defense. That one team was actually pretty good before he broke his hand. Other than that ...
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Chester became a good offensive player
When? His senior year? He averaged 5.7 points a game that year. Wow what a stud 5 points a game.
https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/chester-frazier-1.html
Rayvonte Rice and Brandon Paul both were ball dominate lead guards way moreso than a guy like Trent Meacham.
A “lead guard” is a guard that can create for himself or others off the dribble. Paul, Rice, Nunn were all way way way better than Curbelo/Meacham/Chester Frazier, and Feliz.
Curbelo was one of the worst guards in the Big 10 last year. No outside shot, tons of turnovers.
Meacham was a role player. Spot up shooter. Certainly not a guard to take guys off the dribble.
Chester Frazier was a good defensive player but on offense it was 4 on 5.
Feliz another marginal role player
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I really do not know why I still read this thread. (I am sure people feel the same about the WTF Is Wrong With X threads.) Just start the damned season already and get on with it.
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I really do not know why I still read this thread. (I am sure people feel the same about the WTF Is Wrong With X threads.) Just start the damned season already and get on with it.
We are going to go 14-18.
Dumbfcknic has already announced that.
You can skip the season.
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A “lead guard” is a guard that can create for himself or others off the dribble. .
Which player is also called lead guard?
point guard
The point guard will be an excellent ball-handler and essentially the 'playmaker' running most of the side's attacking plays. They are also known as the 'lead guard' or 'one guard'.
https://www.realbuzz.com/articles-interests/sports-activities/article/basketball-players-positions/
Lead guard is a another name for the 1 position. Sometimes it used to distinguish a scoring point over a facilitator point. Clearly I am using it in the sense of the 1.
A guy like Meacham was a combo guard, so he could be a 1 or 2. I included Bardo, but he was really a defensive big guard playing out of position.
Chester averaged 5.3, 4.9, and 5.6 as a senior. He shot 38% from 3, 52% from 2.
Rayvonte Rice
6-4, 233 Shooting Guard/Small Forward
https://www.nbadraft.net/players/rayvonte-rice/
Brandon Paul
6-4, 200 Shooting Guard
https://www.nbadraft.net/players/brandon-paul/
Same arguments happen when fans discuss the best at other positions. Was Kenny Battle a small forward or power forward? Same with Eddie Johnson. Was Brian Cook a center or forward? It's arbitrary.
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Assessing that Trent Meacham is more of a guard than Brandon Paul, Kendrick Nunn, and Rayvonte Rice were makes no sense.
Pick any 4 players to start a game. Then have 5th guy come from a pool of (Paul, Nunn, Rice, Meacham). Meacham isn’t starting over any of them. Feliz wouldn’t. Neither would Chester Frazier.
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We are going to go 14-18.
Dumbfcknic has already announced that.
You can skip the season.
Well if Sky Clark is as good as Deron Williams like illiniray believes, then they’ll be better than 14-18.
But judging from his highlights, he looks like another Mark Smith. A functional D1 player but certainly not a superstar
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Well if Sky Clark is as good as Deron Williams like illiniray believes, then they’ll be better than 14-18.
But judging from his highlights, he looks like another Mark Smith. A functional D1 player but certainly not a superstar
First it was McBride, then McCamey, now Smith? I agree he shoots like King Rich and is a good passer like Meechie, but see zero resemblance to Smith.
Ty Rodgers kind of reminds me of the late Mark Smith from Peoria Richwoods. Except Smith had a more laid back back approach to the game.
There aren't any current videos of Skyy Clark. The Monteverde videos are after the injury. He sat out 6 months and returned in January. He looked fine and has progressed since.
https://youtu.be/bcTg_VqYaqY
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First it was McBride, then McCamey, now Smith? I agree he shoots like King Rich and is a good passer like Meechie, but see zero resemblance to Smith.
Ty Rodgers kind of reminds me of the late Mark Smith from Peoria Richwoods. Except Smith had a more laid back back approach to the game.
There aren't any current videos of Skyy Clark. The Monteverde videos are after the injury. He sat out 6 months and returned in January. He looked fine and has progressed since.
https://youtu.be/bcTg_VqYaqY
He has the same size and handle as Mark Smith. The same Mark Smith that Underwood called Jason Kidd before he even played a game at Illinois.
Turns out he really wasn’t that good.
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He has the same size and handle as Mark Smith. The same Mark Smith that Underwood called Jason Kidd before he even played a game at Illinois.
Turns out he really wasn’t that good.
Clark played against vastly superior high school competition and won't need 3-5 more minutes. He worked hard to come back 6 months early. It seems unlikely he would view workouts as punitive. Clark is top 30ish post injury. Smith was top 80ish and that was probably about right.
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We get Cuse at home in the challenge. Get your zone buster offense out for that one, Brad.
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We get Cuse at home in the challenge. Get your zone buster offense out for that one, Brad.
We'll start getting the 'we'll be better shooters' stories soon.
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This is a huge get for the staff. Great looking French international prospect for 2022. 6’11” and only 17. Picked him up over UCLA, Texas, and Memphis.
https://twitter.com/draftexpress/status/1541471005897523202?s=21&t=Gt583J1VD58SfRQOjvI5Lg
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In 4 years the refrain will be, The Illini are better off without him.
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Updated 4 year scholarship grid. Still one opening for next year…
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/17bU0wNmoZ2ybG9Zi23D6w2sWWeT4e2v6icCxNJQEIxQ/htmlview
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Updated 4 year scholarship grid. Still one opening for next year…
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/17bU0wNmoZ2ybG9Zi23D6w2sWWeT4e2v6icCxNJQEIxQ/htmlview
Well Done, thank you
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The kid looks like a quick jumper.
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Just start the season and get on with it.
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Just start the season and get on with it.
Jesus, lighten the fuck up.
This is the best recruiting class we have had in years.
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Jesus, lighten the fuck up.
This is the best recruiting class we have had in years.
So let's stop talking and start playing.
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So let's stop talking and start playing.
Yeah, but let's just skip the season and go right to the NCAA tourney. That's all that matters, right!
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Yeah, but let's just skip the season and go right to the NCAA tourney. That's all that matters, right!
Good point. Let's just go to Selection Sunday and get it on.
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Where is Dominique to tell us Perrin is a low major prospect?
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I was really hoping for an experienced backup big body but we’ll see
Looks like Butz was the best still available and he hasn't done anything for 2 years. The pre-injury 2019/20 Butz would be a take, but he would have finished his eligibility at DePud.
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Good point. Let's just go to Selection Sunday and get it on.
Ok you get the DeLorean and take us there
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Ok you get the DeLorean and take us there
I have actually driven a DeLorean....
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I have actually driven a DeLorean....
I bet that line is a real panty-dropper with the lady folk
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I bet that line is a real panty-dropper with the lady folk
Never thought to even use it. I have a magnetic personality as it is. Can't you tell?
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https://twitter.com/srrichey/status/1554527571362054144?t=eTivkbqnov1UO3XtvhDmhQ&s=19
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https://twitter.com/bestof_espoirs/status/1554808783116931072?t=WqRhJ5MzYLax70Jh9FVNnw&s=19
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(https://i.ibb.co/kM0MrCq/Screenshot-20220803-175603.png) (https://ibb.co/GFkF1SC)
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I’m not sure what Skyy is saying? He did injury his knee and was rehabbing it.
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I’m not sure what Skyy is saying? He did injury his knee and was rehabbing it.
What injury?
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Nothing happened.
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Nothing happened.
So he didn’t tear up his knee?
Per Illini Inquirer…
“Since arriving on campus in May, Clark has been limited as he worked with strength and conditioning coach Adam Fletcher and head athletic trainer Paul Schmidt to fully recover from a partially torn ACL suffered in July 2021. Clark wasn’t completely held out of practice, but working him back came with a cautious approach.
“The rehab process is very slow,” Clark told Illini Inquirer’s Derek Piper last week. “You gotta have a lot of patience for it, but it’s been great. Coach Fletch and Paul (Schmidt), the athletic trainer, put me in a position to where I came back better than I was before. So, it’s been great.””
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FULLY CLEARED AS OF NOW....Skyy's the limit!!
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Need Robb to weigh in.
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Need Robb to weigh in.
Not literally though, he might break the scale. 🐋
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Not literally though, he might break the scale. 🐋
🤣
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From a Sparty fan who puts us at #20.
20. Illinois
1 - Skyy Clark, Jayden Epps
2 - Terrence Shannon, Ramses Melendez, Sencire Harris
3 - Luke Goode, Ty Rodgers
4 - Matthew Mayer, Zacharie Perrin
5 - Coleman Hawkins, Dain Dainja, Brandon Lieb
I want to have Illinois in the top-15 like some others do, but I am just skeptical that it will all come-together for the Illini. Hawkins is the only high-minute returner, and this team will rely on two freshman lead-guards (both with NBA aspirations) to feed veteran wings with their own NBA resumes to burnish. This team will also run the risk of playing some really offense-defense lineups with only Shannon being the best option at his position and a two-way player. Every other spot will likely have to choose offense or defense (unless Clark can really defend much-older point guards as a freshman); that and the lack of continuity are a recipe for disaster.
But I think it can work: Shannon has to play like an NBA player, Mayer has to hit shots like he did two years ago at Baylor, Goode has to defend well enough to stay on the court to hit shots, and intriguing freshmen Rodgers and Perrin have to contribute right away. Most of all, Clark and Epps have to find a real rhythm and cohesion with all of these new faces in what could become a transactional and mediocre season if this group cannot mesh and find a way to build trust. Big Ten chase-group, for now.
https://www.theonlycolors.com/2022/8/12/23220499/2022-2023-ncaa-mens-basketball-top-60-teams-preseason-rankings-no-1-30-michigan-state#comments
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That's a fair assessment.
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That's a fair assessment.
Thought so too.
Go Izzo/PAMan thinking for this year. Prep for March Madness.
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Thought so too.
Go Izzo/PAMan thinking for this year. Prep for March Madness.
I am AOTI...Ahead of Tom Izzo....actually he was well ahead of me on this one.
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Perrin might not be on campus right away.
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Perrin might not be on campus right away.
Apparently not.
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Perrin will not be here until next year. Sunrise Academy
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I am hearing he plans to stay at Sunrise until December to fix a clearinghouse issue.
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I am hearing he plans to stay at Sunrise until December to fix a clearinghouse issue.
Publisher’s?
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Walked past Hawkins at the game last night. Does he know you guys have a weight room?
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Walked past Hawkins at the game last night. Does he know you guys have a weight room?
He’s too busy charging $2,000+ for an autograph.
Is he serious?
https://opendorse.com/profile/coleman-hawkins
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Walked past Hawkins at the game last night. Does he know you guys have a weight room?
He has a slender frame. Was a beanpole in high school. He is never going to be a wide body.
Coleman Hawkins
6-10 195
https://247sports.com/Player/Coleman-Hawkins-46055197/high-school-216919/
Hawkins, Coleman
6-10 / 225
https://fightingillini.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coleman-hawkins/13021
(https://i.ibb.co/pvn8qTx/Screenshot-20221009-171341-3.png) (https://ibb.co/BVwxkJt)
(https://i.ibb.co/N3Q0sg0/Screenshot-20221009-170835-4.png) (https://ibb.co/QczWf7W)
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Hawkins is pretty ripped
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Switchable big Hawkins and the Illini at #15 in 247 Sports
(https://i.ibb.co/jkvcgcc/Screenshot-20221009-205211.jpg) (https://ibb.co/zVhyGyy)
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Switchable big Hawkins and the Illini at #15 in 247 Sports
(https://i.ibb.co/jkvcgcc/Screenshot-20221009-205211.jpg) (https://ibb.co/zVhyGyy)
Crazytalk. 14 wins tops.
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Crazytalk. 14 wins tops.
Big10 media days are tomorrow and Wednesday.
Underwood has 10 minutes scheduled to preview those 14 wins.
Maybe I'll go and ask if 16-16 and an NIT bid is asking too much. :D
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Big10 media days are tomorrow and Wednesday.
Underwood has 10 minutes scheduled to preview those 14 wins.
Maybe I'll go and ask if 16-16 and an NIT bid is asking too much. :D
Tell him Dumbfcknic says we suckass and 14 wins is the best we will do.
Also that Clark and Rodgers and Mayer suck.
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And we're nothing without Kofi. Might as well fold the whole program.
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Yeah makes you wonder how any other teams won games the past three years without Kofi on their team.
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https://twitter.com/skyyclark/status/1582786458221674498?t=0q8YghOnPf1Cjom6IrWhMw&s=19
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https://twitter.com/skyyclark/status/1582786458221674498?t=0q8YghOnPf1Cjom6IrWhMw&s=19
Looks pretty healthy there.
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Looks pretty healthy there.
Nothing happened.
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Secret scrimmage against Kansas today. Sounds like Shannon was the best player on the floor.
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I'm excited that bball season will be starting soon!
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From a Kansas City Star story about the secret scrimmage.
https://amp.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/university-of-kansas/article267735792.html
"... the Jayhawks and Illini played one 20-minute period then three 10-minute sessions followed by four four-minute situational periods.
The scrimmage lasted 3 hours, 20 minutes and ended with the two teams playing against specific situations, mainly zone defenses.
According to NCAA rules, Division-I teams the past 10 years or so have been allowed to either play two exhibition games against Division-II squads or play one exhibition game to go with one closed scrimmage against a Division-I school, or play two closed scrimmages and no exhibition games."
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Secret scrimmage against Kansas today. Sounds like Shannon was the best player on the floor.
Sounds like from who? There’s no media or fans there. How would you know what happened?
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Per sources. Word gets around.
(https://i.ibb.co/pfJK3Lh/Screenshot-20221023-212147.jpg) (https://ibb.co/rx4pZwd)
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https://twitter.com/IlliniMBB/status/1584357515823022082?t=h4-ltemQWWlCZ9g9v8J72w&s=19
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https://twitter.com/IlliniMBB/status/1584357515823022082?t=h4-ltemQWWlCZ9g9v8J72w&s=19
14 wins tops.
They all suck.
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Goode having foot surgery. No timetable on his return. Bummer.
On the plus side, it opens up more tick for the younger guys now.
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At least we're fairly deep for guys who can cover what Goode would have played.
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Foot problems no bueno....
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Too bad. Tough kid and can shoot.
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We have plenty of guys who can play the 2,3, or 4; but not with his shooting skills.