If you want to pay for his NIL, go ahead. IMO it would make little sense to pay him what other programs likely will. Absent multiple injuries, we're good at PF/C/SF.
I don't think NIL money is unlimited.
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread
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I don't think NIL money is unlimited.
If you use the 247sports calculator and substitute top 25ish ranking scores for the Jakucionis and Ivisic (since they don't have scores), you end up with the number 7 overall recruiting class in the country. Illinois is right where it should be on recruiting. These coaches are doing an amazing job!
I find it difficult to get excited about what we will look like in 2025-26. The environment dictates one year at a time. You don't even know for sure if Morez or Fears will be here let alone the newly acquired guys and there's not much you can do to change that.
That's great. My mind is freed up to do something else all summer. See y'all in the fall....
Shocked at how critical they were of Kasparas. Basically made it seem like Brad and staff settled on him and maybe should've looked elsewhere.
I legitimately think this is the deepest Illini team in history. Going to be some question marks but the top 10 is about as deep as you can be. Might not be a single player that averages over 30 mins.
I expect the top 9 to get pretty regular playing time with Ivisic and Morez basically platooning and Davis to get minutes situationally.
Could realistically run 2 different lineups out there hockey style. Maybe KJ, DGL, Ty, Booth, and Morez then Boswell, Davis, Tre, Hum, and Ivisic.
Also, can run out some lineups with 5 shooters and still have good size.
I expect the top 9 to get pretty regular playing time with Ivisic and Morez basically platooning and Davis to get minutes situationally.
Could realistically run 2 different lineups out there hockey style. Maybe KJ, DGL, Ty, Booth, and Morez then Boswell, Davis, Tre, Hum, and Ivisic.
Also, can run out some lineups with 5 shooters and still have good size.
Loyalillini10
- Urbana, IL
Dayumn!
While those 1 for 1s look nice, those 5 are also replacing TSJ, Domask, and Coleman so it's not entirely the fairest of comparisons as the top 3 players from last year are omitted in that simple 1 to 1 eval. That said, I really like where we stand and this is somewhat beating a dead horse, but I really would've liked Sencire on this year's team, would give us much needed guard depth, and really improved our ability to play guard heavy teams. I also think Booth has the higher pro potential, but I think Amani might have a better season this year. That said, fantastic job done by the staff. Should be a fun and dynamic team to watch next year and I can see this being a 2nd weekend team if all goes well and the chemistry is good.
RichardKeenesCousin
Richard Keene's Cousin
Handlebarmustache can play the 2 if needed.
Fan Since '70
- OBS, Florida
These guys are fairly clueless. Have not really appreciated Kasparas dual playmaking plus scoring skills. KJ not considered possible 1st round draft pick for nothing.
This was recorded on May 21st, before KJ’s weekend performance. I wonder how much their opinion will change now?
Yeah. I was going to say Havlicek too. He plays a lot like him. Both about 6’5”
With TSJ out, the one thing that showed more was TY being more of a key hub in offense and posts. Domask obviously stepped up as did Coleman. Guerrier also stepped up, but he was really inconsistent. This group should have more spacing if they can live up to hype. Our defense I have concerns with in our starting lineup, but the floor spacing and ball movement with more scoring options will be there, but it really depends on Hum, Boswell, Kasparas, Ivisic all living up to offensive hypes. If it does, we are going to be hard to stop. We have not TSJ out there to push transition.
Yea it was recorded on the 21st and do agree from past tournament he showed out.but this isn't the first tournament he's shown out.they should be ashamed of there scouting fr.the thing that really blew my mind when he said he was a average passer makes me wonder if he even watched his film
“Average passer” is what stuck out to me, as well.
Also… what’s his problem with the Papa Del’s lunch slices? Whenever I’m in town, I’m there at 3pm to scoop as many up as I can!
RichardKeenesCousin
Richard Keene's Cousin
fixed it for you.
Well those 5 on the right would be in the same boat if they had stayed instead of who we ended up with instead, in terms of replacing TJ, Domask and Coleman. I was coming at it from an angle of: how did we do, before vs after, with the whole "recruiting over" thing in the portal.
But I agree that comparing the teams from last year to next is a different question. And note that Tre White and Humrichous were not included in the direct comps, although you could say they are sort of replacements for Domask and Hawkins, although there the comparison isn't so favorable to next year's team, obviously. And of course then there's TJ who, again, is irreplaceable in my book.
I agree with your outlook for next year. We won't have the same star power and won't be so top-heavy across our top 3 players, but I do think we got significantly better throughout the rest of the roster. Hopefully it all comes together well. Seems like the next step is just making sure we get the 2 international players actually on campus and working with the rest.
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New user here, from Lithuania. Registered after I heard Jakučionis committed to Illinois. I believe he's going to be a great fit to the American style of basketball. Šarūnas Jasikevičius, who's currently one of the best coaches in Europe, has said a couple days ago that he thinks Jakučionis is the future PG for the Lithuanian national team. He's typically not the one to hype any young players too much.
Jakučionis might not be a prodigy at any 1 skill (although his vision is very good), but he does a lot of things at a very good level on both sides of the floor. Good character kid too, high motor.
Jakučionis might not be a prodigy at any 1 skill (although his vision is very good), but he does a lot of things at a very good level on both sides of the floor. Good character kid too, high motor.
I don’t think it is that easy. Last year team had players who could get their own basket and we could play iso and generally were better than the opponent guarding them on a nightly basis. Last year we had 2 players who could score 20+ each night, one around 15 and a couple others depending on the night 10 points. Defense was not the number one priority because we could score 90+
This year team doesn’t need to try and score as much but could be a much better defensive team. Looking at the roster we will have several scoring options it will be interesting to see the consistency
Fan Since '70
- OBS, Florida
https://www.illinoisloyalty.com/post/illinois-hoops-recruiting-thread.34617/post-2088550
Illini coaches have lined up a very well balanced dynamic team with ability to contend.
I like this coming season's team, have high hopes for them and am anxious to watch them.
Illini coaches have lined up a very well balanced dynamic team with ability to contend.
I like this coming season's team, have high hopes for them and am anxious to watch them.
That was 2 weeks ago or so
From 1-9 I would agree with you. But last year's team was better at the top. There's no one close to TSJ or maybe even Domask and Hawkins.
PizzaHutParkingLot
- McPherson, KS
This layperson will humor you...
T Ivisic or Dain?
T.I. offers more flexibility on both sides vs. Dain. The Dancing Bear will likely put up better numbers in the coming year.
Carey Booth or Amani?
This is a wash, depends on who you think can make the jump.
Jake Davis or Luke Goode?
I would take LG for '23-'24, but it's been mentioned here that Jake has a higher ceiling as a shooter.
Luke probably offers better intangibles & rebounding ATM.
Kasparas or Jase Butler?
JB strikes me as one of those multi-year guards who hits their stride in year 3/4. KJ might bounce after one year.
But for '23-'24, I'll bet on KJ's international pedigree.
Boswell or Sencire Harris?
Sencire's defense is game-wreaking, and he's more athletic, but Bos gets the edge in every other facet.
My question is, how long does this thing take to gel?
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If you want to get technical we really played with 0 guards last year.
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