Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (Week of April 19th, 2021)

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#302      
I guess you gotta have bench guys, but this seemed like a massive stretch when he was signed originally. Hope he learned a lot and has a great career at his next stop.
totally agree with this but still feel bad about creening him
 
#304      
If we are playing the speculation game, what if, Liddell talked to Kofi last night about his intentions? There may be a reason why Liddell isn't in the portal, yet. If Liddell is the one making inquiries to an Illini player or to the staff, then may be, he is waiting for Kofi to announce one way or the other. If Kofi comes back, it is possible that Liddell could go into the portal where the Illini can legally talk to him. I don't buy that he was just there to watch a spring game where his good friend is playing. He could have told people that he was just there for that. But what if he is sending a message? Could be a very interesting few months.
I would tell you not to get your hopes up.
 
#305      
We may or may not have a chance at Liddell, Hamlin did Illinois a major favor and we should remember that. He does not have the skill level to contribute at the high major college level, and who could blame him for wanting to okay?
The big thing is Illinois is going to need another “big” and this allows Illinois to go out and get a player like Reuvers or Mitchel or whoever they feel can help Payne man the position.

Just my guess but I think Kofi is gone mostly because I am not sure he can develop his game any further at the college level. He will need to play facing the basket and have practice guarding modern centers like Anthony Davis. Illinois would have a tough time doing that. He is just simply so powerful around the basket that we would be forced to plant him on the block. He will find a place in the NBA due to his size and his tremendous attitude and work ethic. Question is can he develop into an Azubuke or is he a role player for certain matchups?

If somehow he did come back, and some how we did get Liddell, it would be far and away the best chance for Illinois to win it all, but I think the odds of that are small. Hamlin did Illinois a huge favor to help us build a solid team for next year while the player(s) we need are still available in the portal.
 
#306      
It’s funny to me how many people on here say Kofi can’t develop his game any more at the college level. How long has he been playing ball?? I bet all of us had the game down pat after playing for 5 years with nothing left to learn. Such a stupid take. If he had nothing left to develop or learn he would be a lock for the NBA instead of not showing up on any draft boards. Payne is a backup. I don’t believe for a second that Brad plans on starting him. Kofi will be back in orange and blue next season
 
#307      
Whats the odds of EJ getting drafted?. SportsLine podcast tonight (Loren Tate) reports his parents want him to come here, and EJ has contacted Underwood . Says they've been talking for a couple weeks. He wants to play the 4 alongside Kofi. Of course if they both get drafted.............
Wow! Keep your protection on. We don't know how legit this is
 
#308      
Whats the odds of EJ getting drafted?. SportsLine podcast tonight (Loren Tate) reports his parents want him to come here, and EJ has contacted Underwood . Says they've been talking for a couple weeks. He wants to play the 4 alongside Kofi. Of course if they both get drafted.............
If this is accurate (not doubting you, just ? everything recruiting wise) I would take the chance of holding an open spot for him on the chance they both want to come back. As far as the draft, I think EJ might have higher odds of going than Kofi. Obviously they can both make a nice pro living somewhere if that’s what they choose.
 
#309      
So the stars align. Kofi returns, we get Lidell or some other killer at 4, said player and Hawkins tear it up from the 4 this year, we give Indiana folks another reason to hate us by going undefeated on the way to the ship, Do we give Hamlin a ring because of his great teamwork that allowed it to happen?
 
#312      
I really appreciated Jermaine. Seemed like a good guy/teammate and the brief times he saw the floor I thought he looked better than I expected (given the low expectations when he committed). Its always good to have guys that can play in a pinch yet know their role (mostly riding the pine) and embrace it. I wish him nothing but the best. Hope he takes advantage of his bball gifts and finds a school that is a great academic fit.
 
#313      
Jimmy Collins was awfully good...as was Dick Nagy. But, I would put this staff up against them. If tragedy hadn't struck with Ben Wilson we would have moved into the title discussion every year. Then, SATAN did his thing and we fell back from the height that this program could have gotten to.
Based upon the talent pool brought to Champaign and the subsequent results on the floor, I think we probably have to rank Tony Yates and Jimmy Collins as our #1 and #2 all-time recruiters up to this point --- but with the current staff off to a great start and with a chance to take over the top spot.

Yates had ~10 years with the program and Collins ~13 years. And one huge difference is that Tony/Jimmy spent 85% of their time in Chicago.
 
#314      
Whats the odds of EJ getting drafted?. SportsLine podcast tonight (Loren Tate) reports his parents want him to come here, and EJ has contacted Underwood . Says they've been talking for a couple weeks. He wants to play the 4 alongside Kofi. Of course if they both get drafted.............
Latest NBA mock draft has no Kofi and no EJ.
 
#317      
So, if a kid is on the team 2 years, gets very spare minutes, his prospect of significant playing time is dim and he decides to leave, that's creaning?
That seems like a pretty textbook definition of Creaning, no? We're out of scholarships and need one more, "Jermaine, it's been real and it's been fun, but you aren't going to play here. Thank you for your service. Enjoy the B1G Championship ring."
 
#319      
Anybody know how Lieb's development progressed over the last year? Did he gain some weight?

Gonna benefit by practicing against Omar, if not Kofi.
 
#321      
That seems like a pretty textbook definition of Creaning, no? We're out of scholarships and need one more, "Jermaine, it's been real and it's been fun, but you aren't going to play here. Thank you for your service. Enjoy the B1G Championship ring."
Agreed. And we didn't approve when Crean was doing it at Indiana. The times they are a changing!
 
#323      
Fine, I will concede it does not fit the “true” definition of Creaning since we aren’t currently over signed.

But we’d be naive not to admit Illinois is searching for an impact 4 and out of scholarships. Jermaine was lowest in the rotation and left before it became glaringly obvious someone had to go.
 
#325      
Fine, I will concede it does not fit the “true” definition of Creaning since we aren’t currently over signed.

But we’d be naive not to admit Illinois is searching for an impact 4 and out of scholarships. Jermaine was lowest in the rotation and left before it became glaringly obvious someone had to go.
I would say Lieb is the lowest in the rotation, albeit he's a year younger. I think Hamlin knew he was never going to see significant playing time and BU probably had a conversation with him that if he wants to get play college basketball, he likely needs to move to a mid-major. An education at UI is great, but getting to actually play something you're passionate about at a DI level while also getting a college education is likely more appealing. There are a bunch of good colleges in Illinois (if he wants to stay close to home) that he can go play at and see the floor while also getting a good education.
 
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