Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (July-August 2017)

[IlliniJim20]

Originally Posted by miketherevelator

Finke drives the baseline for a layup. Maybe he's waking from his funk.

and a minute later splashes a 3 from the corner.

I have often heard when shooters are in a funk, lay ups and free throws gave a way of healing their shooting woes.

Seriously, the brain works in mysterious ways sometimes, sort of a reminder of " you can score!"

[BMo79]

Originally Posted by HTT

Are we too late on Hellems?

The current dream class is Ayo, DJS, Pearson/Conditt

True Dream Class would be Ayo, De Sousa, and Iggy

I'd say right now Ayo and any 2 or 3 that have an offer would be a reality dream class. Ayo just fills so many need/wants

[Obelix]

Originally Posted by BMo79

Ayo just fills so many need/wants

Not sure if Ayo fills needs. With Smith, Frazier, TJL, and DW we have filled what it used to be a very strong need. We actually have much bigger needs now at SF, PF, and C. But Ayo makes a statement for UI as the best player in Illinois, Chicago, pretty highly ranked, and critical connection with the Chin/Irvin.

[illinitiger]

Originally Posted by Obelix

Not sure if Ayo fills needs. With Smith, Frazier, TJL, and DW we have filled what it used to be a very strong need. We actually have much bigger needs now at SF, PF, and C. But Ayo makes a statement for UI as the best player in Illinois, Chicago, pretty highly ranked, and critical connection with the Chin/Irvin.

We are the destination for Illinois' Mr Basketballs and we have a positionless brand.

[robjilla]

Originally Posted by Obelix

Not sure if Ayo fills needs. With Smith, Frazier, TJL, and DW we have filled what it used to be a very strong need. We actually have much bigger needs now at SF, PF, and C. But Ayo makes a statement for UI as the best player in Illinois, Chicago, pretty highly ranked, and critical connection with the Chin/Irvin.

Yep! They don't need guards for the first time in a while. Like you stated, Ayo is the top player in the state, CPS product and a possible burger boy! #1 need is a beast down low, not a guard.

[miketherevelator]

morning chuckle. I think Mike was hitting the bottle last night.

Mac Irvin Fire‏ @TheMacIrvinFire 8h8 hours ago
Very rarely AAU teams beat #MacIrvin But when they do win they bring out videos and the players start dancing in them! We like Golden State

[miketherevelator]

BBE plays Howard Pulley at 11 in the Peach Jam quarterfinals. The championship will be on ESPNU tomorrow at 1:00 CT.

D1 Circuit‏ @D1Circuit 9h9 hours ago
Favorite in #PeachJam bracket play? Has to be @STLEaglesBBall. Winners of 13 straight won 5 pool play games by an average of 16.4 ppg

D1 Circuit‏ @D1Circuit 9h9 hours ago
#2017PeachJam 17U Bracket : http://www.d1circuit.com/2017peachjambracket …

[IlliniDent]

Originally Posted by Obelix

Not sure if Ayo fills needs. With Smith, Frazier, TJL, and DW we have filled what it used to be a very strong need. We actually have much bigger needs now at SF, PF, and C. But Ayo makes a statement for UI as the best player in Illinois, Chicago, pretty highly ranked, and critical connection with the Chin/Irvin.

I agree our biggest need is in the post but this class is light on that side. As a result it's going to be very hard to pull in a top post player this year. However, someone like Ayo solidifies the 1-3 spots- giving us 5 players for those 3 spots. Being 6-4 (along with the size that smith and DW give us) is a huge attribute because it means he should be able to guard at least the 1-2 and possibly the 3 spot as well depending on the team we are playing. This can push someone like kipper to the 4 along with black, and gives us finke, ebo, and vesel at the 5 to really help with depth. We definitely still need a pf/c and a SF- but Ayo gives this team a lot more flexibility in addition to being a statement player.

[Redbirds33333]

Vesel second half about to start at the u20 Fiba if anyone has any interest.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vReCxRmoj8k

[Obelix]

Originally Posted by IlliniDent

As a result it's going to be very hard to pull in a top post player this year.

Not sure that that means (i.e., as a result).

[kuhl84]

Originally Posted by IlliniDent

I agree our biggest need is in the post but this class is light on that side. As a result it's going to be very hard to pull in a top post player this year. However, someone like Ayo solidifies the 1-3 spots- giving us 5 players for those 3 spots. Being 6-4 (along with the size that smith and DW give us) is a huge attribute because it means he should be able to guard at least the 1-2 and possibly the 3 spot as well depending on the team we are playing. This can push someone like kipper to the 4 along with black, and gives us finke, ebo, and vesel at the 5 to really help with depth. We definitely still need a pf/c and a SF- but Ayo gives this team a lot more flexibility in addition to being a statement player.

FYI, Vesel is a 3 for his Slovenian National team. Probably recruited as a 4 in BU's system. Number 10 if you are plan to check out youtube.

[IlliniDent]

Originally Posted by Obelix

Not sure that that means (i.e., as a result).

I meant that as a result of the class being light on quality bigs- it's going to be difficult to bring in a top player there Bc everyone is fighting over those guys. So we will probably end up with someone like conditt who has a ton of potential but probably won't be an immediate impact guy like de Sousa would be. However, Ayo should be able to impact the team from day one, allowing us to get more flexibility at the 4 and 5 where we are light on players.

Maybe misreading your comment though...

[IlliniDent]

Originally Posted by kuhl84

FYI, Vesel is a 3 for his Slovenian National team. Probably recruited as a 4 in BU's system. Number 10 if you are plan to check out youtube.

Appreciate it
Should have put him at the 4/5- but I do think, like Finke who isn't a true 5, Having that skill set can allow him to play the high post very well in this offense as needed. Defensively it could be difficult tho.

[Obelix]

Originally Posted by IlliniDent

I meant that as a result of the class being light on quality bigs- it's going to be difficult to bring in a top player there Bc everyone is fighting over those guys. So we will probably end up with someone like conditt who has a ton of potential but probably won't be an immediate impact guy like de Sousa would be. However, Ayo should be able to impact the team from day one, allowing us to get more flexibility at the 4 and 5 where we are light on players.

Maybe misreading your comment though...

I agree, was misreading your statement as I thought you were talking about "this" current 2017 UI recruiting class.

[FiveStar]

Originally Posted by IlliniDent

I agree our biggest need is in the post but this class is light on that side. As a result it's going to be very hard to pull in a top post player this year. However, someone like Ayo solidifies the 1-3 spots- giving us 5 players for those 3 spots. Being 6-4 (along with the size that smith and DW give us) is a huge attribute because it means he should be able to guard at least the 1-2 and possibly the 3 spot as well depending on the team we are playing. This can push someone like kipper to the 4 along with black, and gives us finke, ebo, and vesel at the 5 to really help with depth. We definitely still need a pf/c and a SF- but Ayo gives this team a lot more flexibility in addition to being a statement player.

I think this is pretty well said. A couple days ago in the last interview session with reporters in the gym, BU said something to the effect of "I'm always going to have an abundance of perimeter players." This would lead me to believe he will view another guard as a need every year, particularly an elite one.

[miketherevelator]

Coach Walt‏ @CoachWalt_W 54m54 minutes ago
#MacIrvinFire 16U defeat an undefeated Wrightway Skills 66-53, behind 33 pts, 6rebs, & 4 assist from Markese Jacobs.Marquise Walker 24pts, 8 rebs, 5 assist.
Derek Piper‏ @DPiperScout 2h2 hours ago
Marquise Walker is playing well. Getting to the rim and finishing. Strong with body control.
Derek Piper‏ @DPiperScout 2h2 hours ago
Getting a look at Mac Irvin 16U this morning.. Backcourt of Markese Jacobs, Marquise Walker & Kejuan Clements.

[Thor015]

Originally Posted by Redbirds33333

Vesel second half about to start at the u20 Fiba if anyone has any interest.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vReCxRmoj8k

What number and color is he?

[Adnarel]

Originally Posted by Redbirds33333

Vesel second half about to start at the u20 Fiba if anyone has any interest.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vReCxRmoj8k

Thanks for the link. Even though the stream is over, one can watch the video just like a regular YT video.

I'm only a few minutes into the game yet, but he's already had a bad defensive play (lack of lateral quickness), a very good defensive play (in the paint), a good pass, and some good floor movement that saved a missed layup by a teammate. I can see why Underwood's interest was piqued.

[Ga65]

Need a big body in 2018 even he doesn't contribute his first year. Believe Greg E will contribute in 18-19 but need to replace MF and LB the following year and can't rely on getting a big that will contribute as a freshman. IMO

[Ga65]

Originally Posted by Thor015

What number and color is he?

No. 10 white

[miketherevelator]

Derek Piper‏ @DPiperScout 8m8 minutes ago
Derek Piper Retweeted Justin Byerly
Underwood watching #Illini target Talen Horton-Tucker

[Adnarel]

Apparently that ship hasn't entirely sailed.

[miketherevelator]

Eric Bossi‏Verified account @ebosshoops
Head coaches from UNC, Arkansas, Wake Forest, st. Johns, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt, Kentucky and Minnesota on hand watching Howard Pulley/Brad Beal.
Eric Bossi‏Verified account @ebosshoops
Add Saint Louis and Dayton to those with head coaches watching Howard Pulley/Brad Beal elite.

[miketherevelator]

Originally Posted by illini2002

Is parham coaching for Missouri now?

UW-Milwaukee

[miketherevelator]

D1 Circuit‏ @D1Circuit 8m8 minutes ago
EJ Liddell with a massive rejection on David Roddy. Fred Thatch throws down a dunk, we're all tied at 14.