Michael Finke commits to Illinois

[DG1985]

Apparently, someone put a time release formula in my Koolaid. while I was happy about this recruitment earlier this week, I feel even better about it today.

Welcome Mr. Finke.

[Kramer116]

http://www.illinihq.com/blogs/recrut...ommitment.html

"Last year at this time," the younger Finke said, "I had no schools interested in me."

"It's a combination of a little bit of exposure, a lot of hard work, and the bottom line is the world has shrunk," ESPN recruiting analyst Dave Telep said. "Good news travels fast. When you get a 6-10 guy who thinks the game and has legitimate skill, South Dakota State knew they had a window of about a week. What it says is it can happen at anytime."

"He has gone from basically completely off the radar 12 months ago to legitimate high-major," Henricksen said. "He's not a reach at all at this point. He made up a lot of ground in a short period of time. What's so exciting about him is that he has so much more room to grow physically and as a player. He's just barely started to tap into his potential."

"What's nice for (Illinois) is it's a natural fit and a position of need in terms of a guy of size who can spread the floor for them and knock down shots," Henricksen said. "He's a skilled four man. He can pass it and shoot it. His body is really going to fill out, and that's going to lend himself to be a better and more productive player down the road than he is probably right now."

[DaytonIllini]

Originally Posted by Kramer116

http://www.illinihq.com/blogs/recrut...ommitment.html

Thanks for posting that.

[Illini70math]

Originally Posted by job71188

Cole had his limitations, but he was definitely not well utilized. I know for a fact that Weber consistently told him that his role in the offense was not to score so he should pass up shots. He was always a decent 3 point shooter at Illinois. While he certainly couldn't have held his own in the post against a Big 10 PF, he played the 3 position at Illinois. Cole was 6'9"; I would have liked to see once Weber spread the floor and allow Cole to go 1 on 1 against his 6'4" defender closer to the basket.

In his first season in Europe, he averaged 16.8 ppg and 8 rpg and led the league in blocks.

I was always a big Bill Cole supporter (unlike many who bashed him from the day he was recruited), but in all fairness the "league" he played in was a Scottish(?) club league that paid room, board, and pocket change, IIRC. I was really happy that Bill got to live his dream of playing basketball as a "pro" overseas, but I doubt his competition in that league was as good as typical midmajor teams, let alone the Big Ten.

[MTILLINOIS]

Originally Posted by Illini70math

I was always a big Bill Cole supporter (unlike many who bashed him from the day he was recruited), but in all fairness the "league" he played in was a Scottish(?) club league that paid room, board, and pocket change, IIRC. I was really happy that Bill got to live his dream of playing basketball as a "pro" overseas, but I doubt his competition in that league was as good as typical midmajor teams, let alone the Big Ten.

This staff is open to letting the guys just play. That's reason #1 why we haven't lost yet.

[rmlsr]

Originally Posted by midastouch11

Finke to Illinois.

Michael Finke ‏@Finke_Michael
OUR STATE OUR TEAM! Proud to call myself part of the #ILLINI

I am a little late with my post(been busy this week) but I am very excited to get Michael Finke locked up!!! Welcome aboard Finke!!!

[Chilliniwek]

Originally Posted by Clete1

What's not to like about this commitment?

By several expert accounts Finke is already more accomplished than Griffey was at the same age and has more upside to play back to the basket and also defend. And we see how Griffey is flourishing under Groce.

As for the lack of scholarships, it's not as though there is a long line of superstar talent eager for the slot just grabbed by Finke. If by some miracle (like the National Championship we are on the way to winning this year) some 5* wants it, there will be room. It makes no sense to disparage his other offers. Purdue and Wisconsin have both been better than us in recent years, as has KSU.

And on a personal level I enjoyed the kid's comments. My daughter is bouncing off the walls waiting until 4 PM tomorrow to find out if she gets into UI. I have a soft spot for any kid, athlete or otherwise, who says "this is where I belong".

I know I'm off topic, but I hope she got good news today.

And if MF needs to gain some weight, maybe we can bring in Mike T and get him on the 7,000 calorie a day diet.

[rbachhuber]

Originally Posted by whitesxfan2012

I think we can all agree Coach Groce is NOT done with 2014 class
This was posted by someone on page 2 of this thread:

Turns out Illinois' quick start helped Finke's decision.

"I watched how they played and saw how I can fit in," Finke said.

Finke is Groce's first commit in the Class 2014. At least one more scholarship will be open for Groce to use.

http://www.illinihq.com/sports/illin...-illinois.html

Could be referring to the +1 oversign a school is allowed.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by rbachhuber

Could be referring to the +1 oversign a school is allowed.

That link is broken (was posted earlier in this thread), so here it is if someone wants to read it: http://www.illinihq.com/sports/illin...-illinois.html

[IlliniEX2011]

Originally Posted by Chilliniwek

I know I'm off topic, but I hope she got good news today.

And if MF needs to gain some weight, maybe we can bring in Mike T and get him on the 7,000 calorie a day diet.

Haha that reminded me of the time I saw Tisdale wandering the aisles of county market. He looked lost until he spotted some Pepperidge Farm Milanos and went on his way. I wanted to tell him that a 5,000 calorie diet shouldn't include an entire package of cookies, but the season was already hopeless.

[combes]

Originally Posted by rbachhuber

Could be referring to the +1 oversign a school is allowed.

As I am sure you know, a school can over sign by one but must be back down to 13 by the time the school year starts. Over sign gives a school time to figure out the roster, but someone would still have to leave.

[combes]

Originally Posted by IlliniEX2011

Haha that reminded me of the time I saw Tisdale wandering the aisles of county market. He looked lost until he spotted some Pepperidge Farm Milanos and went on his way. I wanted to tell him that a 5,000 calorie diet shouldn't include an entire package of cookies, but the season was already hopeless.

Our current team could really use a Tisdale this year. He would be great in this system, IMO.

[TCTORNADO]

Originally Posted by combes

Our current team could really use a Tisdale this year. He would be great in this system, IMO.

I actually like Egwu/McLovin rather than MT. Stats on a 40 minute basis are very close and defensively no comparison. Now if you want to put ML on the current team and JR (with a proper mind), I'll take that and even predict a
Final Four.

[Dan]

Michael Finke's father - former Illini football player Jeff Finke - on this morning WDWS.

Starts at 1:20:00 -

http://www.illinihq.com/audio/2012-1...-12-15-12.html

[combes]

Originally Posted by TCTORNADO

I actually like Egwu/McLovin rather than MT. Stats on a 40 minute basis are very close and defensively no comparison. Now if you want to put ML on the current team and JR (with a proper mind), I'll take that and even predict a
Final Four.

Disagree. Tisdale would be a major upgrade. Hopefully, Egwu will develop but right now we could use a player like Tisdale. You had to put two players together to match what Tisdale did. I would take Tisdale and a backup over what we currently have.

[illinicb]

Originally Posted by Dan

Michael Finke's father - former Illini football player Jeff Finke - on this morning WDWS.

Starts at 1:20:00 -

http://www.illinihq.com/audio/2012-1...-12-15-12.html

I listened to it earlier today. It was interesting to get a little insight into the process. Michael's journey has been a little different in that he was not a can't miss five star from the start.

BTW, Jeff Finke has a very late night FM DJ quality to it. I may have to listen to a reply tonight if I can't fall asleep.