Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (November 2020)

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#551      

altenberger22

South Carolina
Me too, but believe it might have been more due to the defense and the lack of size at the 4. Seemed to me that Giorgi was pretty good one on one but when opponent had two guys with size we got killed on the boards. Think even without big addition we are much better with Jermaine, BBV, Cole, and Lieb in addition to Giorgi than we were in 2018-19.
I would, instead, argue that Giorgi was horrible defensively in the paint pre-Kofi. Every Center he guarded simply backed him down for an easy lay-in from the paint. He's by no means a stopper.
 
#552      
I saw a couple of things that remind me of Lew Alcindor:

Height: 7'2
Jersey Number: 33

Is BU setting himself up for 10 NCAA titles over the next 12 years? Watch out for a 6'11 redhead next in the pipeline......
Here is a Hot Sports Opinion. If Brad coaches here 12 more years, he will retire right there with Lou Henson as the two best and most loved coaches in our history and will retire and hand the reins over to....Tyler Underwood. We need to revisit this in 12 years to see if I am right or a complete loon. LOL
 
#553      
I saw a couple of things that remind me of Lew Alcindor:

Height: 7'2
Jersey Number: 33

Is BU setting himself up for 10 NCAA titles over the next 12 years? Watch out for a 6'11 redhead next in the pipeline......
Would require a Sam Gilbert type.
 
#554      
Here is a Hot Sports Opinion. If Brad coaches here 12 more years, he will retire right there with Lou Henson as the two best and most loved coaches in our history and will retire and hand the reins over to....Tyler Underwood. We need to revisit this in 12 years to see if I am right or a complete loon. LOL
Harry Combes.
 
#555      

iLL 89ers

Dallas,TX , Born and raised in Alton,Illinois
Who cares! He us clearly a project. He is 7'2" and not goofy with high major offers. I just watched the draft n 2 guys in the lottery were not even ranked. There is a lot to be said for player development and trusting the men that make millions to do so. I recall Kendall Gill was the lowest rated or undervalued of all seven in his class.. Trust the pros!
Love me some Kendall !!! Scouts as you mention , swing and miss likewise...
 
#557      
Probably shouldn't be too worried, but this class is making me anxious
 
#558      
I would, instead, argue that Giorgi was horrible defensively in the paint pre-Kofi. Every Center he guarded simply backed him down for an easy lay-in from the paint. He's by no means a stopper.
Looked it up as check on my memory:
Wesson had 13 and 11 in two games
Happ had 9 and 6
Teske had 13
Oturu had 17 and 11
Fernando had 19
Garza had 20 and 7
Definitely not a rim protector like Kofi but didn’t get abused by his man. Not sure how Kofi would have done with defensive system used in 18-19. More of an issue with rebounding and definitely needs more help than a 6’5” PF.
 
#559      
I would, instead, argue that Giorgi was horrible defensively in the paint pre-Kofi. Every Center he guarded simply backed him down for an easy lay-in from the paint. He's by no means a stopper.

If you go back to the boards at the time, I think you'll find the exact opposite review --people were shocked at how well he held up as a true freshman under the circumstances. He was additionally hand-cuffed by the need for him to stay in the game, and was very smart about not fouling when we were awfully thin at the position. The lack of a defensive 4 made it even more demanding on Giorgi. I won't claim he was a plus player, but he was asked to do a ton more than a lot of bigs, certainly freshman bigs, and did an amazing job.

Kofi is a once in a generation type of big. Even guys with elite rankings don't come in with his build and power. If you think Giorgi is horrible, it pains me to think what you would say about other project bigs on the roster.
 
#560      
If you go back to the boards at the time, I think you'll find the exact opposite review --people were shocked at how well he held up as a true freshman under the circumstances. He was additionally hand-cuffed by the need for him to stay in the game, and was very smart about not fouling when we were awfully thin at the position. The lack of a defensive 4 made it even more demanding on Giorgi. I won't claim he was a plus player, but he was asked to do a ton more than a lot of bigs, certainly freshman bigs, and did an amazing job.

Kofi is a once in a generation type of big. Even guys with elite rankings don't come in with his build and power. If you think Giorgi is horrible, it pains me to think what you would say about other project bigs on the roster.
Plus our guards were allowing the opponent to drive to the bucket at will.
 
#561      

illini80

Forgottonia
I would, instead, argue that Giorgi was horrible defensively in the paint pre-Kofi. Every Center he guarded simply backed him down for an easy lay-in from the paint. He's by no means a stopper.
I agree, but I also have to admit Giorgi was a one man show in the middle without any reliable backup so he couldn’t afford to get in foul trouble quickly. Watching him wave at people on the way to the basket was tough to see.
 
#566      

altenberger22

South Carolina
If you go back to the boards at the time, I think you'll find the exact opposite review --people were shocked at how well he held up as a true freshman under the circumstances. He was additionally hand-cuffed by the need for him to stay in the game, and was very smart about not fouling when we were awfully thin at the position. The lack of a defensive 4 made it even more demanding on Giorgi. I won't claim he was a plus player, but he was asked to do a ton more than a lot of bigs, certainly freshman bigs, and did an amazing job.

Kofi is a once in a generation type of big. Even guys with elite rankings don't come in with his build and power. If you think Giorgi is horrible, it pains me to think what you would say about other project bigs on the roster.
Defensive grades vs. opposing centers:
Kofi - A
Giorgi - C- (over two seasons)
Others currently on roster - Incomplete

But I will admit that Giorgi's offensive prowess as a Freshman ranked as an A, while Kofi's was a B.
 
#567      
We have come a long way baby. Underwood began with Georgi (6'9") center with not tall backup. Now he has 7' Kofi with a 7' Leib as a backup and is recruiting a 7'2" Juco center for next year.
 
#569      
We have come a long way baby. Underwood began with Georgi (6'9") center with not tall backup. Now he has 7' Kofi with a 7' Leib as a backup and is recruiting a 7'2" Juco center for next year.
Sharp looks like a shot blocking machine but a real test of Fletch to put some weight and muscle on a pencil thin frame.
 
#575      
Jamario Scott just tweeted he commits to the Hilltoppers.
 
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