I see what you did there.I dunno but I wished he would just march right in already?
I see what you did there.I dunno but I wished he would just march right in already?
Less than 40 days away from signing day and we have 1 legit commit (I don't think January makes it) and probably 4 more open slots (counting on 2 transfers out),who fills those slots??
Do you know the nature of his injury? From what I can see he missed the entire season.I think the transfer will be TJ Holyfield, from SFA. 6'8" preseason conf. player of the year, before he got hurt. Can score and rebound and would possibly start for us. Former Underwood player and recruit.
Obelix could never post anything that would favor UnderwoodCockburn, January, the SFA grad transfer and (total hail Mary*) Whitney. That should be enough to get Obelix back posting again.
* provided things break our way
I get the impression that Underwood could win a national championship here and @Obelix would say a different coach could have done it faster.
1. Ayo—his staying is 50/50. He is projected to be a mid (at best) to late (at worst) first round pick. Does he stay one more year to be a lottery pick? I hope like hell he stays but if not, I’ll be thrilled to see an Illini go in the 1st round. That hasn’t happened since . . .Question for the board's wisdom (it's the flip side of recruiting so I figure this is the right thread)...
What type of player turnover is likely this off-season?
- OBVIOUSLY AJ and ADLR are gone and their scholarships are open.
- I think it is unlikely Ayo goes pro. I think he declares, gets feedback, and comes back for another year. But there is a non-zero chance he leaves.
- What other turnover is likely to happen? I realize nobody knows, but what is the collective wisdom on
- Higgs - will he ever play or is he gone after this season?
- Kipper - Any chance he chooses to not continue in a system he apparently doesn't jive with?
- Kane - I have no idea why he's getting so few minutes. Maybe he's not "big ten ready" but was our overall results going to suffer by giving him some minutes? Does he get frustrated and jump ship? Eboigbodine 2.0? (yes, I know I slaughtered that spelling)
- Anyone else? - I can't believe anyone else would be on their way out, but i'm sitting here on the left coast and don't hear the rumors or read the papers in CU, Chicago, and St. Louis.
My memory is foggy, but didn't Kipper burn his sit out year in the transfer/ play 2nd semester-2nd season at Illinois. So I think Kipper has to graduate (in 3.5 yrs) to have any hope of transferring, count on a hardship waiver, or drop down a division. Not sure where he stands on graduation, but he might be in a tough spot to transfer.
- What other turnover is likely to happen? I realize nobody knows, but what is the collective wisdom on
- Kipper - Any chance he chooses to not continue in a system he apparently doesn't jive with?
My memory is foggy, but didn't Kipper burn his sit out year in the transfer/ play 2nd semester-2nd season at Illinois. So I think Kipper has to graduate (in 3.5 yrs) to have any hope of transferring, count on a hardship waiver, or drop down a division. Not sure where he stands on graduation, but he might be in a tough spot to transfer.
I must check entirely different 2019 mock drafts. I just glanced at 6 or so and Ayo isn't listed in the first round on any of them. So to say worst case scenario he is a late 1st round pick is silly. Basically what your saying is he's a guaranteed 1st round pick with guaranteed 1st round money. If that's the case then he's gone.....but it's not.1. Ayo—his staying is 50/50. He is projected to be a mid (at best) to late (at worst) first round pick. Does he stay one more year to be a lottery pick? I hope like hell he stays but if not, I’ll be thrilled to see an Illini go in the 1st round. That hasn’t happened since . . .
2. Higgs—He’s with the team and he looks like he’s added bulk. He “looks” like a legit 4. Considering Georgi will be playing the 4 spot next year, Higgs seems like a good fit to be his backup.
3. Kane—I’ve never been so confused by a player’s usage. Can anybody explain why he hasn’t gotten spot minutes before Thursday’s game? If we get Kofi and January, does Kane have a role next year? Any theories?
4. Kipper—he doesn’t fit well with this system. As a grad transfer, he will have an opportunity to have a great senior season with a different school. I just don’t see how his playing time will increase with us.
5. Tevian Jones—this is pure speculation on my part, but i predict he transfers. He consistently has highlight reel plays. Then he forces shots and gets lost on defense and plays 2 minutes. I get the impression that like Mark Smith, he’s not meshing well with the coaches. I hope I’m wrong as he’s a phenomenal talent. I especially hope it’s not with Missouri.
He isn’t even listed on the second round projections anymore.I must check entirely different 2019 mock drafts. I just glanced at 6 or so and Ayo isn't listed in the first round on any of them. So to say worst case scenario he is a late 1st round pick is silly. Basically what your saying is he's a guaranteed 1st round pick with guaranteed 1st round money. If that's the case then he's gone.....but it's not.
His performance as of late makes me feel like he has some work to do. I really like what he’s doing on the floor but it seems that folks outside the program have cooled on him making the jump after this year. That said, he’s not too far off.He isn’t even listed on the second round projections anymore.
Certainly possible, AJ did it, watching Cam Johnson who graduated from Pitt in 3, but I think he missed a semester between Tulane & Champaign, so it would be in 3.5 yearsI’m not 100% certain, but I believe he is set to graduate. That would allow him to transfer.
I must check entirely different 2019 mock drafts. I just glanced at 6 or so and Ayo isn't listed in the first round on any of them. So to say worst case scenario he is a late 1st round pick is silly. Basically what your saying is he's a guaranteed 1st round pick with guaranteed 1st round money. If that's the case then he's gone.....but it's not.[/QUOTE
Dang. I admit, i check the draft web sites when it pops up on my Twitter, “Ayo projected to go #16 . . .” I gotta apologize for not doing more research. As of right now, his stock has dropped. On a side note, I was stunned to see that Talen Horton Tucker is projected to go in the first round.
While I’ll be happy as hell whenever Ayo does go in the first round, it’s exciting to think how great this team will be if he returns.
I agree, I think he peaked when he made a few dagger threes down the stretch, I think our slump hurts him .His performance as of late makes me feel like he has some work to do. I really like what he’s doing on the floor but it seems that folks outside the program have cooled on him making the jump after this year. That said, he’s not too far off.
I'm going to have to disagree here. I think Ayo is at best a late first rounder an more likely a second so I see at best. He is very talented but he still needs a lot of work to make it at the NBA level. Most mock drafts I have looked at do not regard him very highly.1. Ayo—his staying is 50/50. He is projected to be a mid (at best) to late (at worst) first round pick. Does he stay one more year to be a lottery pick? I hope like hell he stays but if not, I’ll be thrilled to see an Illini go in the 1st round. That hasn’t happened since . . ..
1. Ayo—his staying is 50/50. He is projected to be a mid (at best) to late (at worst) first round pick. Does he stay one more year to be a lottery pick? I hope like hell he stays but if not, I’ll be thrilled to see an Illini go in the 1st round. That hasn’t happened since . . .
2. Higgs—He’s with the team and he looks like he’s added bulk. He “looks” like a legit 4. Considering Georgi will be playing the 4 spot next year, Higgs seems like a good fit to be his backup.
3. Kane—I’ve never been so confused by a player’s usage. Can anybody explain why he hasn’t gotten spot minutes before Thursday’s game? If we get Kofi and January, does Kane have a role next year? Any theories?
4. Kipper—he doesn’t fit well with this system. As a grad transfer, he will have an opportunity to have a great senior season with a different school. I just don’t see how his playing time will increase with us.
5. Tevian Jones—this is pure speculation on my part, but i predict he transfers. He consistently has highlight reel plays. Then he forces shots and gets lost on defense and plays 2 minutes. I get the impression that like Mark Smith, he’s not meshing well with the coaches. I hope I’m wrong as he’s a phenomenal talent. I especially hope it’s not with Missouri.
I see a lot of certainty in your statements. I'm guessing you must have connections to the department or coaching staff somehow? If so and with what you know do you think this transfer from out west or Holy field are players that would have an immediate impact next season? Would they be likely to take us to the next level, or would we still need someone like a Whitney or Patterson to really have something to get excited about next year?Let me chime in here for a second. For starters Ayo isn't going anywhere. He wants to win and knows he can improve his draft stock with another year. Plus he is why Kofi is coming aboard and they want to play together.
As for Anthony Higgs he will never play a game for the Illini and I highly doubt he ever plays a college game. There has already been talk that he will going on a medical scholarship for his epilepsy (his symptons were unknown untill he got to school) and remain with the team as a manager but not on a basketball scholarship. As for Samba he's really an unknown and word around campus was that he got in the doghouse with BU for be lazy in practice and goofing off, but based on his play the other night against Indiana one could say he showed more energy than anyone when he was on court. Regardless he's still a very raw project who may find him redshirting or transferring next season. With January and Cockburn coming in and in all likelihood Holyfield coming aboard hes gonna be buried on the depth chart even more than he was this year. And I'll add that we are also getting another frontcourt transfer from out west. I'm not gonna say who it is but I will say he's a 6'8-6'9 215 flighty 3/4. Think Warren Carter type.
Kipper is said to be gone, he graduates in May and and can transfer and play immediately. On that note I would look for Akron to be a good possibility reuniting with Groce.
Also all indications point to Tev staying. He's bought into the system and sees an opportunity. The most encouraging thing about Tev is how's he's taken accountability for his actions and trying to better himself. He loves the coaches and is especially close with BU and Fletch. So personally I'm not worried about him leaving. I also wouldn't count on Christian Brown coming for a visit and that makes it that much more appealing for Tev to stay.
Hope you're right about Higgs and that he's gotten himself into shape.2. Higgs—He’s with the team and he looks like he’s added bulk. He “looks” like a legit 4. Considering Georgi will be playing the 4 spot next year, Higgs seems like a good fit to be his backup.
I see a lot of certainty in your statements. I'm guessing you must have connections to the department or coaching staff somehow? If so and with what you know do you think this transfer from out west or Holy field are players that would have an immediate impact next season? Would they be likely to take us to the next level, or would we still need someone like a Whitney or Patterson to really have something to get excited about next year?