At first glance, thought that was Bobby Baccalieri Jr
At first glance, thought that was Bobby Baccalieri Jr
Wasn't trying to sound too negative but...I mean...Watkins to Lathen, Kelly, or Kasparas - that gap is pretty big imo.The difference between Watkins and some of the other options isn't that huge. The difference between Watkins and nothing, or Watkins and the Mongolian Mike's of the world might be.
I'm here to get Illinois basketball recruiting information. I am interested in what information is being given by those who may be closer to the program than most and really couldn't give a s@#$ what the fanbase at large is thinking. But that's just me providing another perspective.I think our current crop of insiders are all great posters with interesting perspectives in their own right and I take the info in exactly the spirit you describe, that's well said.
I'm here to get a sense of what the fanbase at large is thinking first and foremost, and to bounce thoughts about the team off the group, so the whole "the insiders are all that matters" and "ignore anyone who annoys you" thing doesn't really compute for me, but that's just me, different people can have different interests.
But the reason I couldn't help that particular comment is because there was such an unrealistic expectation level set, not publicly by the program or in the local or national media but specifically by our insiders. Not a stray bit of commentary or hype, this was beaten to a pulp as THE reality (beating an argument to a pulp, a subject I know a thing or two about...). You were not a member in good standing of Team Underwood if you did not kowtow to our total portal overlordship on April 1.
Some do, that's true. Some don't even need the actual name said! But very strong and clear language was used with respect to Storr and the impossibility of Hawkins entering the portal, to pick two prominent examples.
Taking that stuff with a grain of salt was wise, but it's only natural that there are people feeling let down and confused at this moment, and unwilling to just pretend this is what we were sold. I'm always a fan of more talk and more argument and more words (again, why I'm here), but to just issue sneering eye-roll gifs in response to people holding up an expectation level you created, nay, demanded? That's a bit rich for my blood.
I encourage everyone to say their peace at whatever length and tone they prefer, even if I disagree. There's mine.
The only snarky remarks I've seen from insiders is when someone comes in all doom and gloom saying well be in the bottom of the big ten and be in the NIT. At that point its open season imo.No one said anyone was intentionally trying to mislead anyone.
It's their reaction when the info they receive winds up being incorrect that's the issue.
Just say, things are fluid instead of rolling their eyes or making snarky comments.
See I feel like THAT is the fruit of overconfidence about what we can do in the portal.On the contrary, we'd be silly to sign anyone right now before seeing who drops out of the NBA draft process.
I guess I'm not sure Watkins in on that level. He wasn't 1st, 2nd, or 3rd team all-ACC last year.Wasn't trying to sound too negative but...I mean...Watkins to Lathen, Kelly, or Kasparas - that gap is pretty big imo.
Watkins - we're talking a likely 1st team All Big 10 guy. Are any of those 3 that level?
I don't think anyone is saying they are all on Watkins level - he's clearly the top choice with the most proven capabilities - but to be fair he wasn't even All - ACC last year, so it's not like he's a sure fire 1st team all big ten - I think he can be, but it's not the likely outcomeWasn't trying to sound too negative but...I mean...Watkins to Lathen, Kelly, or Kasparas - that gap is pretty big imo.
Watkins - we're talking a likely 1st team All Big 10 guy. Are any of those 3 that level?
I think those guys are okay...but I'm not sure if it'd be right to label them on that level IMHO.
The difference between Watkins and some of the other options isn't that huge. The difference between Watkins and nothing, or Watkins and the Mongolian Mike's of the world might be.
And look, if the cake doesn't rise and we're an NIT type team next year, with the lesson being that we over-shot on roster churn and newness, that isn't the end of the world. The important thing is that we learn how to operate in this new landscape, that the right lessons are taken and acted upon, positive or negative.
The sneering condescension from those who fed this board a line of propaganda for months about our dominant position in the portal that was massively, comprehensively incorrect and misleading is a little disappointing, I can't help but say.
As discussed earlier, if Illinois somehow signed transfer SF Jamir Watkins (FSU), then we would leave two scholarships open and be done with recruiting.Wasn't trying to sound too negative but...I mean...Watkins to Lathen, Kelly, or Kasparas - that gap is pretty big imo.
Watkins - we're talking a likely 1st team All Big 10 guy. Are any of those 3 that level?
I think those guys are okay...but I'm not sure if it'd be right to label them on that level IMHO.
I don't know. When I go bowling I've had people tell me I look like I know what I'm doing. I then disabuse them of that notion with a final score of about 75.
Ivisic's 3pt shooting stats are lights out, DGL is a good shooter, Booth is a plus shooter for the position, this isn't really my worry at all, and Watkins and Kelly are decent shooters as well.Looking at this roster Boswell, Humrichous, and Davis are the only good 3pt shooters.
I don't think anyone is saying they are all on Watkins level - he's clearly the top choice with the most proven capabilities - but to be fair he wasn't even All - ACC last year, so it's not like he's a sure fire 1st team all big ten - I think he can be, but it's not the likely outcome
The question is can we still be competing for a big ten title with one of the others and I think we still can
Lathon - I don't think is as much of a step down as some think - we saw for ourselves how good he was with Ty/TSJ on him
Kelly - we'd be betting on him returning to his shooting form from two years ago - but the talent is there
Kasparas - he has all the skills we'd want, but it will be an adjustment to the college game, how quickly that happens is anyone's guess
Ivisic's 3pt shooting stats are lights out, DGL is a good shooter, Booth is a plus shooter for the position, this isn't really my worry at all, and Watkins and Kelly are decent shooters as well.
All of these guys are better 3pt shooters than Domask.
The only snarky remarks I've seen from insiders is when someone comes in all doom and gloom saying well be in the bottom of the big ten and be in the NIT. At that point its open season imo.
Did I say that they would gravitate to Illinois? No. But we shouldn't be taking people we don't think are right if the portal is going to fill with a glut of talent when players don't grade our for the draft.See I feel like THAT is the fruit of overconfidence about what we can do in the portal.
If we have a deal to make for a good player who will fill a major role for us we should make that deal this second. As was the case for Storr and Maddox, in retrospect.
The idea that any great opportunity that leaves the draft is just naturally going to gravitate to Illinois was a fairy tale.
I guess I'm not sure Watkins in on that level. He wasn't 1st, 2nd, or 3rd team all-ACC last year.
He'd be my pick of those four, but I don't think there's a world of difference, except with the extremely young and inexperienced (but more talented) Kasparas.
Do we have any sense for how many players will drop out of the draft? And how many of them are wings? And on the flip side, do we have a sense for “better” programs (however that’s defined) needs where we would be competing for the same players? Just curious what the world of supply and demand looks like at this point for wings we need…See I feel like THAT is the fruit of overconfidence about what we can do in the portal.
If we have a deal to make for a good player who will fill a major role for us we should make that deal this second. As was the case for Storr and Maddox, in retrospect.
The idea that any great opportunity that leaves the draft is just naturally going to gravitate to Illinois was a fairy tale.
I guess I'm not sure Watkins in on that level. He wasn't 1st, 2nd, or 3rd team all-ACC last year.
He'd be my pick of those four, but I don't think there's a world of difference, except with the extremely young and inexperienced (but more talented) Kasparas.
A guy from my neighborhood in CHS gym class bowling at Arrowhead threw one of these. But righty. It skipped over and hit 7 in the lane next to ours.
Holy cow, amazing stats departmentBooth is a better 3 point shooter than Domask? Domask struggled last year, but he shot 34.5% for his career.
What happened to him? He went from snapping necks to snapping Slim Jims
I don't know. When I go bowling I've had people tell me I look like I know what I'm doing. I then disabuse them of that notion with a final score of about 75.
I guess I'm not sure Watkins in on that level. He wasn't 1st, 2nd, or 3rd team all-ACC last year.
He'd be my pick of those four, but I don't think there's a world of difference, except with the extremely young and inexperienced (but more talented) Kasparas.
First of all, he'll get better. Secondly, Uhhhh...who is better than him?I don't think anyone is saying they are all on Watkins level - he's clearly the top choice with the most proven capabilities - but to be fair he wasn't even All - ACC last year, so it's not like he's a sure fire 1st team all big ten - I think he can be, but it's not the likely outcome
Well, look back a couple pages then buddy. All the guy said was that if we don't land Watkins we're in trouble because we don't have any other elite wing options.
There was no mention of the NIT or the bottom of the Big Ten.