Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

[Kramer116]

^^^^^

Yet another of the really talented Wolves guards.

[NxtLvelIllini7]

Something is going on in Bloomington :laugh:

[JimmyChitwood]

This IU stuff is hilarious

[illiniparkie]

Mmmmm, maybe not.

Now being told that the Roosevelt Smart visit to Illinois on Friday is off--will reschedule per @wolves10.

https://twitter.com/prepbullseye

[UofIChE06]

Originally Posted by RyanK

He also just became a top recruiting target for UI by opening up his recruitment. It will be tough now that the evaluation period is over now, though.

It would be poetic justice. I would doubt it but expect JG to get involved. I actually didn't realize Lyles was a 14 until I looked him up. With how early he committed it really will be an even race to get him. I don't think most kids that decommit end up recommitting so IU is probably out, unless he just wants to turn down UK to recommit (I kid). If multiple guys back out like is being rumored then something is definitely amiss at IU. I would look for the NCAA police to be on campus shortly.

[Indicchief]

Young men head West!!!

That is what I-74 was built for.

[ct3illini]

Originally Posted by UofIChE06

If multiple guys back out like is being rumored then something is definitely amiss at IU. I would look for the NCAA police to be on campus shortly.

If only this were true! :laugh:

[Illiniguy34]

With the remaining unsigned I would have to go with XRM over Nunn based off of my eye test with what I have seen. However, I think getting Nunn, for whatever its worth, makes a pretty big statement in Groce's first recruiting class to show he could do right away what Bruce couldn't do throughout his tenure, which is recruit one of the big fish from Chicago.

I am torn between Jackson and Ennis though. Skill wise I'm leaning towards Jackson, but boy would stealing him from Cuse out of their own back yard be pretty sweet.

[rbachhuber]

Originally Posted by ct3illini

If only this were true! :laugh:

Nice use of the subjunctive mood.

[Bluestreak]

I wonder if Lyles is considering Kansas St?

[Joel Goodson]

Originally Posted by Bluestreak

I wonder if Lyles is considering Kansas St?

Give it a rest.

FWIW, I was firmly in the Weber-has-to-go camp, but can't we collectively move on?

[BrooksTaylorFan]

Originally Posted by Joel Goodson

Give it a rest.

FWIW, I was firmly in the Weber-has-to-go camp, but can't we collectively move on?

You should talk to McColley about that one. :laugh:

[RHITIllini]

Anybody see Alex Foster absolutely go in on the Schmidts last night on twitter?

I thought it was pretty funny (and accurate)

[Illinoy]

Originally Posted by RHITIllini

Anybody see Alex Foster absolutely go in on the Schmidts last night on twitter?

I thought it was pretty funny (and accurate)

twitter handle perhaps???

[midastouch11]

Originally Posted by RHITIllini

Anybody see Alex Foster absolutely go in on the Schmidts last night on twitter?

I thought it was pretty funny (and accurate)

Do you think its possible that Roy and Harv can take the high road and not respond? I'll give you 30-to-1 odds they can't.

[BrooksTaylorFan]

https://twitter.com/AFoster34_CTMD

Alex Foster‏@AFoster34_CTMD

You two been hating on me since my freshmen year! This i guarantee is the last ur hate and negativity towards me is just motivation


They stay talkin I'm a disappointment. Well i hope you can see this cuz you can take your crappy opinion and shove it up


I really wanna meet roy and harv schmidt. I dont think they want to see me face to face.

*Go to his Twitter to read the rest. I only posted the clean ones.

[illiniparkie]

ESPN Updated Top 100 2013 Recruits

18. Demetrius Jackson, PG
23. Xavier Rathan-Mayes, SG
38. Semi Ojeleye, SF
41. Tyler Ennis, PG
56. Kendrick Nunn, SG
66. Kyle Washington, PF
71. Wes Clark, PG
85. E.C. Mathews, PG
89. Malcolm Hill, SG

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/ba...s/_/order/true

[Indicchief]

Are there any pre-recs for kids like DJack and Ennis to visit? Grades, etc?

[illiniparkie]

ESPN Updated Top 60 2014 Recruits

3. Jahlil Okafor, C
8. Kevon Looney, SF
10. Cliff Alexander, C
17. JaQuan Lyle, PG
30. Keita Bates-Diop, PF
50. Trevon Bluiett, SF
51. Larry Austin, PG
57. Paul White, SF

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/ba...014/order/true

And Hyron Edwards, PG, Charles Mathews, PG, and D.J. Williams, SG, are rated #11,#12, and #24, respectively, in the ESPN Top 25 list for 2015.

[Illinoy]

Originally Posted by illiniparkie

ESPN Updated Top 100 2013 Recruits

18. Demetrius Jackson, PG
23. Xavier Rathan-Mayes, SG
38. Semi Ojeleye, SF
41. Tyler Ennis, PG
56. Kendrick Nunn, SG
66. Kyle Washington, PF
71. Wes Clark, PG
85. E.C. Mathews, PG
89. Malcolm Hill, SG

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/ba...s/_/order/true

I think Hill's very mild decline was all due to his medical condition and had he been able to play in the evaluation period, his stock wouldve rose in a similar manner to KBD (albeit in he '14 class). I think this helps us because I dont want him feeling so good he opens his recruitment.

Secondly, I've said all along the D Jack was real deal and him and XRM would be great. XRM wants to play the combo wherever he does bc he understands at 6'3"/6'4", proving you can play the point greatly increases your chances of getting to the next level.

I do think Ennis is a great get as well, but D Jack has a much more explosive look about his game and seems to be that hard-nosed pg required fror Groce's system.

[RHITIllini]

Originally Posted by midastouch11

Do you think its possible that Roy and Harv can take the high road and not respond? I'll give you 30-to-1 odds they can't.

It'll be an indirect response something like:

"We don't stoop to the level of getting in arguments with teenagers"

Sleazebags

[jhayton]

I think it became pretty clear that Jackson or/and Ennis were the focal point of our July Evaluation period. Yes, we watched others and made a few new offers, but it was clear that Illinois wants one of these two elite PG's.

I don't know if the staff has a preference, but they know that it is imperative to the program to get one of these two on campus. If we don't then we "settle" for Powell, Clark, Matthews.

I will be honest though if Powell, Matthews, or Clark is ready to commit then I think the staff will take those guys in a heart beat. This staff has said that there are no conditional offers. I take them at their word on that.

I will not be surprised at all if we land one of the elite guys, but I highly doubt we end this class without at least two guys who can run the point.

[RHITIllini]

Originally Posted by jhayton

I think it became pretty clear that Jackson or/and Ennis were the focal point of our July Evaluation period. Yes, we watched others and made a few new offers, but it was clear that Illinois wants one of these two elite PG's.

I don't know if the staff has a preference, but they know that it is imperative to the program to get one of these two on campus. If we don't then we "settle" for Powell, Clark, Matthews.

I will be honest though if Powell, Matthews, or Clark is ready to commit then I think the staff will take those guys in a heart beat. This staff has said that there are no conditional offers. I take them at their word on that.

I will not be surprised at all if we land one of the elite guys, but I highly doubt we end this class without at least two guys who can run the point.

Their preference is to get either of those guys. Can be hopeful that we do, but nobody should really feel let down if we don't. The odds weren't great from the start, but never underestimate the underdog role.

[katu06]

Originally Posted by Illinoy

I think Hill's very mild decline was all due to his medical condition and had he been able to play in the evaluation period, his stock wouldve rose in a similar manner to KBD (albeit in he '14 class). I think this helps us because I dont want him feeling so good he opens his recruitment.

I don't see how you could ever argue a teen age kid getting a blood clot and sliding in the rankings would ever be good for anyone.

[jhayton]

Originally Posted by RHITIllini

Their preference is to get either of those guys. Can be hopeful that we do, but nobody should really feel let down if we don't. The odds weren't great from the start, but never underestimate the underdog role.

Yeah, I don't think I came across very clear with that comment. I meant I don't know if the staff has a preference between Jackson or Ennis, but clearly there is quite a drop-off from those two.

When I say drop-off I am not trying to be condescending toward Powell, Clark, Matthews. Just saying that right now their skill levels aren't the same at this time. I have no idea where their floors and ceilings lie.

I certainly won't shed tears if we don't end up with Jackson or Ennis, the only way this class won't impress me is if we don't get one of the PG's that we are in on. (small caveat, I would definitely be disappointed if Hill has to give up his career because of the blood clot, but JG has no control over that)