New Illini head coach Brad Underwood hiring ex-Bradley assistant Chin Coleman

[tornado]

I noticed Northwestern has Rick Malnati's son, Tino Malnati!
He's a freshman and he's redshirting but maybe he can contribute next season.

Northwestern returns almost all significant players, losing only Lumpkin & Taphorn..
but then that means they don't have a lot of scholarships to play with and aren't likely to be bringing in much this fall.
They have a LOT of offers out for 2018, tho and should have at least 5 scholarships to use.

[Da Coach]

Illinois just got a major commitment- Mr. Basketball of Ilinois, Mark Smith of Edwardsville HS just committed to the Illini-

http://www.scout.com/college/illinois/story/1772269-mark-smith-pledges-commitment-illinois

[Vent]

Don't be surprised if Tilmon still goes there.

[wily coyote]

As a very very long Bradley fan, I never will.

I'm in your corner Chico. Big big mistake.

[TNel]

I'm in your corner Chico. Big big mistake.

Ditto!

[tornado]

Don't be surprised if Tilmon still goes there.

well it isn't going to happen, as Jeremiah Tilmon just verbaled to Missouri

[Vent]

That's a tough loss for Illinois, but they'll survive. Maybe someday, Bradley will get the talent of Illinois and Illinois State and we won't have to talk about other schools talent.

[tornado]

I am interested to see how Tilmon does...
he's been rated Top 50 since he was a freshman - largely based on potential..
and he's hopped around every year changing high schools, then when he left La Lumiere they were seemingly better without him and won the National Championship.
In the meantime, even on a stacked ESL team this past season, they went 18-8 and didn't win their Regional.

[Vent]

Players coming out of high school are always rated on their potential. Often times people see personal highlight films from AAU teams. Spectacular dunks, uncontested 3 point shots, and on and on. The proof is in the pudding, a couple years down the road. The bottom line is, I'd rate her take a chance on a player rated in the top 50 than one that isn't.

[Da Coach]

There are rumors that one of the key players slated to return to Illinois next year is leaving school and will not return.
They lost their top 3 scorers and several other key players due to graduation (Hill, Morgan, Abrams, Tate, Thorne), and sophomore reserve D.J. Williams announced he was transferring a couple weeks ago.

[Vent]

If another player leaves that will just open up another scholarship for Underwood to use for a future recruit. Won't be a big loss. It's not as if he is inheriting a team that set the Big 10 on fire last year or was expected to this coming season. I really think next year at this time you will see the fruits of his recruiting starting to take shape. The level of potential he recruits will be higher than that of Groce.

[tornado]

All the La Lumiere kids are headed to DePaul I guess, thinking that will make them a powerhouse...
so, wouldn't surprise me of the best La Lumiere kid they have leaves and heads there.

[Da Coach]

Illinois coach Brad Underwood is targeting several transfers-

http://writingillini.com/2017/05/23/illinois-basketball-brad-underwoods-transfer-target-list/

Akoy Agau of Georgetown
Dwight Coleby of Kansas
Mark Alstork of Wright State
MiKyle McIntosh of ISU

Alstork will announce his decision tomorrow (Wed. 5/24) between a final four of South Carolina, LSU, Illinois and Pittsburgh. There are many saying there is a high likelihood he will choose Illinois. He averaged 19 ppg last season at Wright State.

http://www.daytondailynews.com/sports/decision-new-college-home-coming-soon-for-former-wright-state-standout-mark-alstork/7kmso10eRujYIBHdKub3dJ/

OTOH, it's expected that MiKyle McIntosh will withdraw from the NBA draft and transfer to a team that will have a good chance to advance far into the NCAA tournament next year, and that is not likely to be Illinois. Oregon and Pitt are strong favorites.

[tornado]

Illinois coach Brad Underwood is targeting several transfers-...
Mark Alstork of Wright State....

Illini land Alstork, a very good scorer

[tornado]

...
so, wouldn't surprise me of the best La Lumiere kid they have leaves and heads there.

it is now confirmed, Jalen Coleman-Lands is leaving Illinois and transferring - rumor is he's headed to DePaul

NCAA also just ruled the brother of new Illini assistant Orlando Antigua violated NCAA impermissible benefits rules while at USF

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/aac/2017/05/25/ncaa-cites-south-florida-oliver-antigua-providing-impermissible-benefits/102143506/