Not quite the same but some similarities to Cliff Alexander/Jahlil Okafor. That should have taught everyone to take skills over raw talent. Sure it is a lower ceiling but they won't hit their ceiling until they are in the pros anyway
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (January 2019)
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Not quite the same but some similarities to Cliff Alexander/Jahlil Okafor. That should have taught everyone to take skills over raw talent. Sure it is a lower ceiling but they won't hit their ceiling until they are in the pros anyway
Fluidity
I think Kaden Archie is coming. I have no proof of this other than I think Saturday’s initial report was correct.
That being said, how does he really fit? He seems to be similar to Mark Smith in that he doesn’t have the speed, shooting, or ball skills to play the 3 at a high level. Yet he is too small to play the 4 effectively. This is why his playing time has been limited at TCU and he wants to transfer.
In other words, he reminds me of Kipper, Tevian Jones, and Anthony Higgs. Three guys who seem to be tweeters between the 3 and 4 spot. (I could be wrong about Higgs as I haven’t seen him play.). We also have Alan Griffith who is 6’ 5” and hasn’t done much at the 3 spot.
Don’t get me wrong, I’ll be thrilled if he chooses the Illini. Archie is a talent and he could become a great player with this team. But it’s going to take time. And right now we have several unproven players at the 3-4 spot. As Archie seems to want immediate playing time, how does he fit???
NBB1979
UIUCFAN1
- Springfield, IL
Gotcha - i was using Roberts post from illiniboard. My fault!
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Charles Matthews?
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I agree that we need at least GB, Kofi, and Samba all eligible for next season. If Higgs and January are unable to play for next season, we need to be legitimately 3 deep at "big" to make a run at the tournament imo.
As for counting on players improving a great deal, too much can be unrealistic, but there may be a reasonable mix where enough players improve 'enough'. Say DaMonte and Tevian all improve somewhat, and Griffin makes a good leap in ball security and poise in hitting open threes. Also, there's what we will lose (AJ and AD). Improvements need to make up for that. In some ways, one could make the case that we're real close. AJ was held scoreless against Northwestern. If he sinks one 3 pointer, we win. If Kipper is halfway to form that he has been previously (scoring 20+ against Mich St.) consistently, maybe a few more W's are on the record. Perhaps a player like Kofi can both open up the court offensively and stem the other team's offensive effort, helping to quell the horrendous second half runs of the other teams and tipping more games in our favor.
While that is yet to play out, the best case is that Kofi, Ayo, Trent and the others can convince a difference maker like Patterson to join.
Fwiw I think Christian Brown is no longer an option. The crystal balls are indicative of dominoes falling behind the scenes.
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My thoughts exactly in terms of getting a guy like AP, does everything well and makes others better
This is big. If BU can successfully turn this around with mostly out of state/out of Chicago kids that completely flips the script. Winning and national exposure will get these Chicago kids to want Illinois to be their “Kansas” or “Kentucky”
It wasn’t unti his sophomore year when he broke his jaw. His body change and he was able to find his stroke. If you would have told me his freshman year he would become a dominant nba player I would have thought you were nuts
“I want kids who want to come here and be apart of something special “ Brad Underwood. #changingtheculture
No worries, as far as I'm concerned they are effectively equally rated. I don't know that one service is really superior to the others and they are all so close on those two.
In other words, he reminds me of Kipper, Tevian Jones, and Anthony Higgs. Three guys who seem to be tweeters between the 3 and 4 spot. (I could be wrong about Higgs as I haven’t seen him play.). We also have Alan Griffith who is 6’ 5” and hasn’t done much at the 3 spot. I couldn't agree with you more on KN, TJ and AH about being tweeters, but I believe AG is different. From what I have seen of him, he is a fantastic rebounder at 6'5''.
Thoughts?
Thoughts?
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I am confused about the Archie transfer. Some on here have mentioned him as impacting our team in 2019-2020. UoI starts class on 1/14. I can’t see him getting a waiver of any sort as he is from Texas and sounds like he just isn’t getting playing time. From my view he is going to have to sit next season per the traditional transfer rule. Am I missing something?
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the relevant question is whether Archie left before the beginning of the second semester at TCU. If he did, then he can enroll here for the second semester (last minute or even a week or so late shouldn't be a problem), sit this second semester, next first semester, and be eligible as soon as first semester grades are posted, which in previous years has usually been right before Mizzou.
TCU's website indicates their semester also begins 1/14, so he should be fine on that end.
How's everyone's day?
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
Still getting over a cold, tbh
The worst man I feel for you.
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Great, so far, how's yours?
Note to Illlini: just saw Deron score the 3 to send ILL into OT versus Arizona in 2005. Sidestepped defender, PERFECT shooting form. What a beauty! Maybe this shot should be required viewing for current and future Illini.
Also, we have a big man, Kofi, who can do to others what May did to Illini in that championship game. No disrespect to James Augustine at all.
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skyIdub
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I just started mine yesterday....fml.
I hear whiskey helps
soupy17
- MI
I hear whiskey helps
One from a Canadian Club?
skyIdub
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