Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (September 2018)

[sacraig]

and IIRC, wasn't there a "typo" of some sort on that chart?

I remember a typo in some recruit's official offer letter that was posted to Twitter (though I want to say that was a letter from MS State?), but I don't remember there being one in the OV material. I could just be misremembering, though.

 

[bobbob]

I'm now irrationally optimistic about EJ.
He already has a real good idea of what Illinois can offer, he's been around the program for years. If he wasn't given it serious thought, he wouldn't bother.
I'll trust the staff to handle all three at once, definitely feels like a boom or bust situation. Either they all will love it or they all will hate it.

 

[Obelix]

From that perspective, part of the sell is how we would use EJ if he were to come. The only reason Leron is referenced with this, is as a blueprint to how he could be used in the offense, how we can get him enough touches ect. And it doesn't have to be Leron. If BU has a better example from SFA or OSU, show that footage. Leron just so happens to be the most recent and the only one wearing an Illinois uniform.

A few comments:

1) As mentioned, IMO the key sell to EJ is that we have some extremely talented guards (Frazier, Ayo) and we need some equally (or better) talented players in the frontcourt to compete not only in the B1G but nationally. And in the process, we will get you to the league. That would be the key sell for ALL 3 recruits.

2) Given that we will also have 3 talented frontcourt recruits at the same time, overplaying the message of "you will be the cornerstone of our offense" would be counterproductive and fake. It would be better IMO to focus on collective impact to overall frontcourt, synergies with backcourt (see#1), style of play, ability to coexist and achieve both individual and team success, etc.

3) On the point of Leron utilization/blueprint, I also have some reservations on similarities. Leron was forced to play more C/low-post than was ideal for his development IMO. Part of the reason is that we had no other player with any kind of low post skills last year. That was not the best utilization as far as his own career development, and the end result (low level 2nd division league in Europe) show that. I have seen EJ LIddell many times and I think he is an absolue fantastic player, much deserving of the accolades. He will be a difference maker in college. But his best utilization is not like Leron last year. His best utilization would be playing along a talented C/low-post (like Oscar T or what we thought Okoro would have been) so he can play inside/outside. That would not only be different than Leron, but also to his best interest because the only reservations scouts have on Liddell (on his potential at next level) is his ability to transition more to the outside, which will be needed for him to the NBA. Leron, unfortunately due to roster limitations, did not have that luxury.

 

[dbeverly26]

and IIRC, wasn't there a "typo" of some sort on that chart?

Yes, was a misplaced apostrophe as I recall. I cringed and then realized that nobody in the room probably cared...

 

[wewillwint]

The fact that BU has three amazing recruits doing an OV on the same day should shut the naysayers about his staff's recruiting ability down. Yeah sure, we may not get a commitment, but this is incredible. I feel so much better with BU and his staff handling this than Groce- and I like Groce just not here.

 

[Deleted member 643761]

A few comments:

1) As mentioned, IMO the key sell to EJ is that we have some extremely talented guards (Frazier, Ayo) and we need some equally (or better) talented players in the frontcourt to compete not only in the B1G but nationally. And in the process, we will get you to the league. That would be the key sell for ALL 3 recruits.

2) Given that we will also have 3 talented frontcourt recruits at the same time, overplaying the message of "you will be the cornerstone of our offense" would be counterproductive and fake. It would be better IMO to focus on collective impact to overall frontcourt, synergies with backcourt (see#1), style of play, ability to coexist and achieve both individual and team success, etc.

3) On the point of Leron utilization/blueprint, I also have some reservations on similarities. Leron was forced to play more C/low-post than was ideal for his development IMO. Part of the reason is that we had no other player with any kind of low post skills last year. That was not the best utilization as far as his own career development, and the end result (low level 2nd division league in Europe) show that. I have seen EJ LIddell many times and I think he is an absolue fantastic player, much deserving of the accolades. He will be a difference maker in college. But his best utilization is not like Leron last year. His best utilization would be playing along a talented C/low-post (like Oscar T or what we thought Okoro would have been) so he can play inside/outside. That would not only be different than Leron, but also to his best interest because the only reservations scouts have on Liddell (on his potential at next level) is his ability to transition more to the outside, which will be needed for him to the NBA. Leron, unfortunately due to roster limitations, did not have that luxury.

Really nice post.

This isn't counter to anything you've written, but I just get the sense that about 20% of a recruit's decision is based on rational factors. About 80% is irrational (relationship with coach, teammates, history, etc.) Our coaches are going to have a weekend to build an irrational relationship with these recruits and among themselves and future teammates. Hope it works well.

 

[Deleted member 643761]

I'm now irrationally optimistic about EJ.
He already has a real good idea of what Illinois can offer, he's been around the program for years. If he wasn't given it serious thought, he wouldn't bother.
I'll trust the staff to handle all three at once, definitely feels like a boom or bust situation. Either they all will love it or they all will hate it.

Or two will love it. Or maybe one will love it.

Not sure where the all or nothing notion is coming from.

 

[sacraig]

The fact that BU has three amazing recruits doing an OV on the same day should shut the naysayers about his staff's recruiting ability down. Yeah sure, we may not get a commitment, but this is incredible. I feel so much better with BU and his staff handling this than Groce- and I like Groce just not here.

I wouldn't consider myself a naysayer, but I would still like to point out that having them on OVs counts for nothing if none of them sign.

 

[NeaforThree]

If weather is good they had better stop by Grange Grove before the game when DJ Vanic hits the stage. Last years Dj concert for the students in the Grove was the definition of LittyVille!

THIS PLEASE! Probably Illinois' biggest sell right now (that the Football team has rightfully tapped into) is that we're a well known party school with smokin' hot chicks. I know a lot of people don't like this kind of stuff but it is a major selling point like it or not, especially when we've been devoid of on court/field success lately.

 

[Obelix]

The fact that BU has three amazing recruits doing an OV on the same day should shut the naysayers about his staff's recruiting ability down.

No offense, but it has nothing to do with naysayers, at the end results speak for the themselves and in recruiting you either close or you fail. Unfortunately, second place is first loser. Groce had multiple amazing recruits who we made final lists with, but he could not close, many of the those in critical positions leaving positional gaps. In addition to some highly ranked recruits that he closed (Nunn, Black, JCL, Tilmon--too late), he also missed on DJax, Snider, Brunson, Evans, Elijah Thomas, Bragg, Cliff, and many others. We are talking multiple McD AAs in that group.

There were multiple articles in local and national press that Groce was making recruiting inroads at UI and pushing the recruiting geo boundaries. Some articles on how you had to get into highly contested recruitments and the benefit of finishing second/third even if you did not close (anyone remember the Sun Times or Tribune article on that?).

Yet, he could not close at positions of need. That's what counts. This is not the first time we are getting highly ranked recruits to show interest or make the short list. But at the end, we have to close, and that is what BU and staff need to do.

 

[Obelix]

Really nice post.

This isn't counter to anything you've written, but I just get the sense that about 20% of a recruit's decision is based on rational factors. About 80% is irrational (relationship with coach, teammates, history, etc.) Our coaches are going to have a weekend to build an irrational relationship with these recruits and among themselves and future teammates. Hope it works well.

Thanks! My view is a little different. From my experience, recruits mainly value factors like relationship/comfort with coach, playing time, ability to reach next level in that school, recent history of success, exposure/media, facilities, etc. I would not call these factors irrational, most of them are rational IMO. But each recruit's view of how a particular school stacks up against those factors widely differs. Blue bloods will always have an advantage, but good recruiters find ways to convince recruits that their school is the best match against those factors. Totally rational? Of course not, but at the same time some irrationality may help us because right now UI is not exactly a totally rational decision for highly ranked recruits.

 

[Joel Goodson]

I'll trust the staff to handle all three at once, definitely feels like a boom or bust situation. Either they all will love it or they all will hate it.

Eh?

 

[BirdDog9048]

Literally every school save a select few could make this same case. If the goal is to stand out, we aren't going to do it against the likes of OSU and Mizzou with this pitch. Maybe if these three were down to use vs. BYU...

There are actual rankings for this kind of thing (top party schools), and we are routinely in the top 10 nationally every year. There have been a couple years in the past decade with us at #1. So, no, not "literally every school save a select few" can make the same case we can.

 

[IlliniTarHeel]

I bet my about to be destroyed beach house that BU shows EJ how he made Carroll into an NBA player and not Black into a Euro player

 

[Tacomallini]

I feel like that is a little like saying that I would be drawn to play on a specific European team because they had an Argentinian on the roster.

Ummm, it makes sense if you are from Bolivia. Both Senegal and the Congo are francophone countries. If you've got a French speaking player on the team and a recruit comes for an OV from a different French speaking country, you can bet dollars to donuts that staff is trying to establish a bond between the two.

 

[Tacomallini]

1. Give Pitch
2. *Shrug*
3. Profit!

love me some phase 3 profit!

 

[Deleted member 29907]

THIS PLEASE! Probably Illinois' biggest sell right now (that the Football team has rightfully tapped into) is that we're a well known party school with smokin' hot chicks. I know a lot of people don't like this kind of stuff but it is a major selling point like it or not, especially when we've been devoid of on court/field success lately.

This goes against my idea for a Sister Jean approach to recruiting - but I guess it might work...

 

[bobbob]

Or two will love it. Or maybe one will love it.

Not sure where the all or nothing notion is coming from.

I rarely have a good time while hanging out with two people having a horrible time. I also rarely have a bad time hanging out with two people having a good time (that time I got stood up on a double date notwithstanding).

 

[bobbob]

Thanks! My view is a little different. From my experience, recruits mainly value factors like relationship/comfort with coach, playing time, ability to reach next level in that school, recent history of success, exposure/media, facilities, etc. I would not call these factors irrational, most of them are rational IMO. But each recruit's view of how a particular school stacks up against those factors widely differs. Blue bloods will always have an advantage, but good recruiters find ways to convince recruits that their school is the best match against those factors. Totally rational? Of course not, but at the same time some irrationality may help us because right now UI is not exactly a totally rational decision for highly ranked recruits.

Subjective/Objective is more accurate than irrational/rational.

 

[Deleted member 645583]

I just don't know. If Liddell says he likes the system, home state school, fan base, moved up official visit to Champaign, it's a good thing. A real good thing.

But as for punches a los juevos, I've been wearing a cup for the last 13 years.

 

[skyIdub]

I just don't know. If Liddell says he likes the system, home state school, fan base, moved up official visit to Champaign, it's a good thing. A real good thing.

But as for punches a los juevos, I've been wearing a cup for the last 13 years.

I just went ahead with a testicle transplant a few years ago....titanium wrapped in graphene.

 

[Newman]

I'm going to guess that Tshiebwe will commit after his in-home with Kentucky. I doubt he makes it to his OV here.

 

[westcoastillini]

I'm going to guess that Tshiebwe will commit after his in-home with Kentucky. I doubt he makes it to his OV here.

Boo....

 

[Deleted member 643761]

I just don't know. If Liddell says he likes the system, home state school, fan base, moved up official visit to Champaign, it's a good thing. A real good thing.

But as for punches a los juevos, I've been wearing a cup for the last 13 years.

Probably time to buy a new one. Yours is getting worn out

 

[infamous]

If we get one commit it will be a “Miracle in Champaign”.