Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (May-June 2018)

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#651      
#654      
Illini will bring in 2018 forward Parker Braun for a visit next week. 6-foot-9 forward with athleticism, length & skill. Coming off OVs to LSU & Ole Miss.

https://247sports.com/college/illin...isit-with-2018-forward-Parker-Braun-118185901

I assume that means the Okoro ship sailed or he isn’t reclassifying.
Braun could add some braun (I know..obvious) but I like the athleticism and aggression on the court. Jump shot takes some time to set up..not the quickest shot.
 
#655      
But now Okoro is saying he may not reclassify, think best option for FO is wait and see. In the mean time we best be checking other avenues for a big. The OV issue has a lot to do with 5 failed recruits in fall, and the fact that somebody should make sure we know who are recruiting, so this doesn't happen again. I'm sure we knew how many we had left, maybe it wasn't a concern, but having a spare tire is always good.
5th year grad seems logical, where he comes from, who knows. Hines not available yet, but could be soon. Maybe we go for a 2018 guy, time to wait again, grab a few crystals balls , there good entertainment.;):illinois::popcorn::popcorn:

I'd say the use of all of our official visits had everything to do with having eight scholarships to fill but that's none of my business (kermit the frog sipping tea meme).
 
#656      

Deleted member 633632

D
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Pretty sure we get them back in August

Ok since i seem to be beating the proverbial "dead horse" here... Can someone please explain to me how this works? Do we get all 20 plus official visits back in August, as in they renew for another 2 year span? Or are they just recycling from past visit to visit date from 2 years ago??

Sorry if German
 
#657      

JJB

Chicago, IL
I have no idea. But common sense tells me that we get 10 (assuming the 20 every 2 years is a thing) new ones each recruiting year. So if we use 12 one year, we have 8 left. when the next cycle starts we get 10 so therefore we have 18 available the next 2 years.. and on and on..... I feel like they allow schools a 2 year cycle in order to account for the inconsistencies in recruiting/transfers/etc....

Someone also found info stating that exceptions can be made for new staffs. Whether BU has done that or not, no one seems to know.....

See: https://www.illinoisloyalty.com/Forums/showthread.php?p=1392683#post1392683

I was off on Amadou Sou, he never visited. But Francesco Badocchi did in April 2017. We can have one visit beginning August 19-ish and then 5 more in September.
 
#658      
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

I'd be upset if they didn't run out unless our recruiting was consensus top in conference level.



This will not effect us at all and as has been stated by Okoro himself, it has no effect on his recruitment.



I'm a little surprised that there is any throwing up of arms over this?



The problem is that Okoro himself directly states in the article how much more he got out of taking an OV to Purdue, while pointedly mentioning that the Illini “don’t have an official visit left” :

“The difference with an official was that I got a chance to play with the guys," Okoro said. "That's one thing I really enjoy and appreciate because getting a chance to play with the guys you see how you can fit with the team. You get to see how the point guards play and the relationship you can have with them and if it is a team you adjust to.”

It will just be a shame if we lose out that we never got the chance to show him all those same things Purdue and the Ducks did.

I don’t blame the staff AT ALL given the holes they had to fill. But with all Okoro’s gushing over his other OV’s, it’s hard to believe his claim that our not being able to host him for an OV in Champaign will have “no effect on his recruitment”—unless, of course, he commits to the beloved regardless. :).

Time will tell...


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#659      

Deleted member 29907

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Parker Braun is really intriguing. Besides his frame, I don't really see many weaknesses. He would be an excellent fit for us so I hope the staff pushes for a commitment. I'm surprised that he only had two D1 offers a few months ago.

Clearly you weren't looking at the hair. Can we all, as a society come together to ban the man-bun? Ok - so maybe its a man-tail - but it has the potential to get to a bun.
 
#660      
Clearly you weren't looking at the hair. Can we all, as a society come together to ban the man-bun? Ok - so maybe its a man-tail - but it has the potential to get to a bun.

Just put some Brylcreem on it and make it into a ducktail. If the guy can play some defense, offense, and fit into BU's system, bring him on. ;)
 
#661      
The problem is that Okoro himself directly states in the article how much more he got out of taking an OV to Purdue, while pointedly mentioning that the Illini “don’t have an official visit left” :

“The difference with an official was that I got a chance to play with the guys," Okoro said. "That's one thing I really enjoy and appreciate because getting a chance to play with the guys you see how you can fit with the team. You get to see how the point guards play and the relationship you can have with them and if it is a team you adjust to.”

It will just be a shame if we lose out that we never got the chance to show him all those same things Purdue and the Ducks did.

I don’t blame the staff AT ALL given the holes they had to fill. But with all Okoro’s gushing over his other OV’s, it’s hard to believe his claim that our not being able to host him for an OV in Champaign will have “no effect on his recruitment”—unless, of course, he commits to the beloved regardless. :).

Time will tell...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

If playing with the guys were really the issue, that can be very easily resolved.

When I was at EIU back in the 80's, the Illinois players used to come to Charleston and play with the Eastern guys fairly often. It was not uncommon to see T.J. Wheeler playing with Jay Taylor on the campus courts.

With B/N being only an hour drive away, the Illini players could simply drive there on their own and play with Okoro for a couple hours. It would be super convenient for Okoro.
 
#662      
I have no idea. But common sense tells me that we get 10 (assuming the 20 every 2 years is a thing) new ones each recruiting year. So if we use 12 one year, we have 8 left. when the next cycle starts we get 10 so therefore we have 18 available the next 2 years.. and on and on..... I feel like they allow schools a 2 year cycle in order to account for the inconsistencies in recruiting/transfers/etc....

Someone also found info stating that exceptions can be made for new staffs. Whether BU has done that or not, no one seems to know.....

I'm glad we used our OV , we gained many commits , that's awesome. The ones that didn't commit or were not committable offers might be the ones that leave us short. The staff did a fine job using them all, but we still have residual effects from Groce era lingering. This situation won't happen much again I would hope, 8 slots are alot to fill. Having that said, ATM, 2 OV available now would be great, water under the bridge. I trust what BU and staff have and are doing. Braun coming to visit is great, hope he enjoys and we get a commit. Okoro situation is what it is. Love to have him commit, he doesn't, we made our effort. Like the idea of having our guys going to Normal and play a little pick up ball. Think we could get Luther to get this paid for and get it together? ;):illinois:
 
#663      
247
I'm glad we used our OV , we gained many commits , that's awesome. The ones that didn't commit or were not committable offers might be the ones that leave us short. The staff did a fine job using them all, but we still have residual effects from Groce era lingering. This situation won't happen much again I would hope, 8 slots are alot to fill. Having that said, ATM, 2 OV available now would be great, water under the bridge. I trust what BU and staff have and are doing. Braun coming to visit is great, hope he enjoys and we get a commit. Okoro situation is what it is. Love to have him commit, he doesn't, we made our effort. Like the idea of having our guys going to Normal and play a little pick up ball. Think we could get Luther to get this paid for and get it together? ;):illinois:
The only issue with that idea is about 1/2 our players arent on campus until summer at best. It still sucks losing Black. I think he could have been first team all B10. I hope he makes bank for him and his family overseas. Also I hope someone could just come close to doing half what I think he would have done had he stayed. Maybe some one in the front court will have a break out freshman year we dont expect like trent did.
In the front court I think it will have to be a freshman. I think Ebo can get out back and rolls to the hoop but offensively he has a ton of improvement to make for me to see him shooting much. On Defense he can certainly help out, improve, and we can expect more for him.
 
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#664      

jmilt7

Waukegan
Illini will bring in 2018 forward Parker Braun for a visit next week. 6-foot-9 forward with athleticism, length & skill. Coming off OVs to LSU & Ole Miss.

https://247sports.com/college/illin...isit-with-2018-forward-Parker-Braun-118185901

CBs are saying LSU. Take it or leave it, that's not really my point. My question or whatever is what kind of voodoo magic does Will Wade have over these guys? I did a cursory check of LSU record for the last 10 years or so and compared to Illinois and they are pretty similar, in fact, Illinois may have a slightly better record overall. I think more tournament appearances, albeit, most of them were NIT. And yet, right now, LSU has something like the 4th best recruiting class nationally this year. And in my opinion (which, of course, could be completely wrong) not only did Illinois and LSU have similar records the last 10 years but I think Illinois has a better basketball tradition and rep. than LSU. So how does Wade do it? I have posited this before, that it does not seem as if just winning is the key to great recruiting. I certainly helps but can't be the be and end all.
 
#666      
Parker Braun is really intriguing. Besides his frame, I don't really see many weaknesses. He would be an excellent fit for us so I hope the staff pushes for a commitment. I'm surprised that he only had two D1 offers a few months ago.

VC has him at 2 stars and see him unrated elsewhere. He looked really good to me both offensively and defensively. Obviously he needs to be Fletched but he seems to be very athletic.
 
#667      

Illiini

In the land of the Nittany Lion
Clearly you weren't looking at the hair. Can we all, as a society come together to ban the man-bun? Ok - so maybe its a man-tail - but it has the potential to get to a bun.

Maybe he could make a mullet from it: business in front, party in back, with a nod to Illinois rednecks.
 
#668      

sacraig

The desert
VC has him at 2 stars and see him unrated elsewhere. He looked really good to me both offensively and defensively. Obviously he needs to be Fletched but he seems to be very athletic.

Could simply be a late bloomer. There are some other solid to great programs after him as well (I see he has an Arizona offer), so that should tell you as much more more than stars would this late in the game.
 
#669      
Could simply be a late bloomer. There are some other solid to great programs after him as well (I see he has an Arizona offer), so that should tell you as much more more than stars would this late in the game.

He’s been scouted out as a player that won’t really be servicable until year 3-4. Strength and stamina being two of his issues. I’ve heard he’s looked slow of foot a few times.
Not exactly the kind of kid you want to put into the fray as a freshman. I like his upside though.
 
#670      
Parker Braun looks further ahead of where Finke was in high school with better offers (Arizona, LSU). That being said, I think we need players like this in the program to go along with the high 4 and 5 stars to be successful. Looks like a good contributor 2-3 years down the road and fits the system. He is the type of stretch 4 I like (inside/outside scoring), can still give you the traditional 4 defense/rebounding. He is difficult to gauge without seeing him against other top tier players.

Still prefer to land an Okoro type, whose path to success in college bb is much shorter.
 
#673      

Deleted member 645583

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Clearly you weren't looking at the hair. Can we all, as a society come together to ban the man-bun? Ok - so maybe its a man-tail - but it has the potential to get to a bun.

I'm all in favor of banning man-buns. The only problem I have is that I'm a silverback and I've got too few locks to fashion into a bun - so I'm envious of these hairline creations. Bun, mullet (isn't that a fish?) who cares? Personally, I like flat-tops. But for the want of hair ...
 
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#674      
Parker Braun looks further ahead of where Finke was in high school with better offers (Arizona, LSU). That being said, I think we need players like this in the program to go along with the high 4 and 5 stars to be successful. Looks like a good contributor 2-3 years down the road and fits the system. He is the type of stretch 4 I like (inside/outside scoring), can still give you the traditional 4 defense/rebounding. He is difficult to gauge without seeing him against other top tier players.

Still prefer to land an Okoro type, whose path to success in college bb is much shorter.

Him joining us, which is one thing, would 1st of all give us mins for 4/5. Think our main focus is to get one more big with creditability. Without seeing him in person, hard to say exactly what is playing ability. Video shows he has had a few moments around the basket which he looks good. Also he has shot some perimeter shots, if he makes 30% or better on regular basis that would be great. See what happens with the visit. Looks to me this is a plan C player, not that he's not worth a shot just saying he was not in any of plans a month ago.

We put a lot of effort into all our recruits last 2 months, we have a really good group. The last month we focused on 2, Golden and Okoro, Golden took OV, then surprised all with Butler commit. Okoro will let us all know what is up, when he wants, he may not even reclassify now. Braun , if we could get commit ,is an insurance policy for our bigs. We need at least one more big to start season, the foul thing. He could turn into exactly what we need. I'm not so sure that he is exactly what BU ordered, but ATM, we don't have a lot of options.
 
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#675      
Parker Braun looks further ahead of where Finke was in high school with better offers (Arizona, LSU). That being said, I think we need players like this in the program to go along with the high 4 and 5 stars to be successful. Looks like a good contributor 2-3 years down the road and fits the system. He is the type of stretch 4 I like (inside/outside scoring), can still give you the traditional 4 defense/rebounding. He is difficult to gauge without seeing him against other top tier players.

Still prefer to land an Okoro type, whose path to success in college bb is much shorter.
I dont think we know what these young men can do. Remember last year? We can speculate on young players like Mark Smith, Trent Frazier or examples like the big kid from Loyola.. We really dont know though do we?
I loved the way Braun moved and spun and took one step dunks going to the bucket. Offers by certain programs impress me much more than some rating services stars. It seems Michigan is always adding tall slim kids that can move and shoot that are often not top 50 recruits that come on late and cause opponents lots of trouble. He or Geogi or another may help sooner than you think. Parker Braun looks to have some of that imo but who really knows huh? 73% shooting from the field from someone who shoots from all three levels is amazing. Should have taken more shots it seems .
 
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