Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (January-March 2016)

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#326      

ssanti13

ssanti13
ssanti13
A part of me wants to see TJL get significant tick next year, because like so many of you I'm craving some offense from our pg play. Ultimately I think TJL will see the court a fair amount next season, mainly because apparently he's a really good defender... but it won't be much. And that's ok.

Regading that situation, I think the most valuable thing for TJL and the team next season will be the fact TJL gets to learn under Abrams and Tate. Knock either of those guys however you will for their shortcomings. Even though Tracy's body has failed him and Tate has limited offense, I think we can all agree the tutelage of Abrams and Tate will be extremely valuable. The combined senior leadership, basketball IQ/knowledge of the system those two bring to the table I think will help Lucas come along nicely.
 
#327      

Jreed322

J
Jreed322
FatGreg said:
I don't think people realize how hard it is to come back from a torn Achilles. I'm sure Tracy will provide terrific leadership next year and I'm guessing he'll "start at PG," but there's a very real chance he won't have the quickness to be a functional B1G guard, especially on defense. He's never been a gifted shooter or passer and I doubt he turns into one now. I think people feel like the Achilles injury is equal in severity to the torn ACL the year before, but ACL surgery has come a long way. The current injury has a much more grave prognosis. I'm hoping for 15 minutes per game from Tracy playing at a below-average level and partially making up for it by being a coach on the floor and the team's motivational catalyst. If TJL isn't ready for prime time next year, I think we'll see a 3-headed monster approach at PG and it won't be real pretty. Hope I'm wrong!
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The only positive if you want to call it that with regards to Tracy's injury is the timing of it. With it occurring in September that will give him more than a year to recover and regain strength and explosiveness.
 
#329      

rtbritt

rtbritt
rtbritt
aluma said:
I'm in an unusually positive mood when it comes to the future of this program (this will probably change by the end of the day). But it's hard not to be optimistic about next years team (which to be fare, I've thought this many times as an Illini fan.)
Let's say worse case scenario:No Abrams, No Thorne, and no center transfer
Pg: Tate, Lucas
Sg: Nunn, JCL, Jordan
SF: Hill, DJ, Nichols
PF: Black
C: Morgan, Finke

Granted this team is not a world beater. I do think this is a team that would have the talent to make a tournament. Most of our success would be dependent upon how well Lucas develops and if our 4 & 5's can learn to play sufficient defense. Morgan will always be a poor defender, but Finke has the potential to be serviceable on defense in the post.

Best case scenario:

Pg: Abrams, Tate, Lucas
Sg: Nunn, JCL, Jordan
SF: Hill, DJ, Nichols
PF: Black, Finke
C: Thorne, Morgan

Now this is a team that would, in my mind, literally have everything we would need to be successful and make a run in the tournament.
-Toughness and leadership from Abrams(and someone who can sufficiently run our offense), with serviceable backup point guard play
-Possibly the best shooting guard and small forward lineup in the Big Ten, maybe the nation with Hill and Nunn and guys like JCL, Jordan, DJ and Nichols playing back up
-A healthy black gives us the rebounding we desperately need along with toughness and a short midrange game. If Finke continues to develop like he has you get a great shooter that stretches the defense, a nice passer, high basketball IQ.
-Thorne you get a traditional banger with post moves, good rebounding, and serviceable defense. With an ok scoring option as a backup in Morgan.

This is a team that in my mind could at least compete for a Big Ten championship.
If Groce could get this team, have some success, and sure up some spots in recruiting, he really has built a team that could be successful.

The questions that would remain:
How good is Lucas going to be?
Can Groce get another good point guard in the fold, and soon?
Will Groce be able to recruit a true center and will he at least be able to rebound and play serviceable defense?
Can we snag at least 1 decent center or power forward transfer if Thorne can't play next year? Because Finke, Black, and Morgan won't be enough unfortunately.
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I'm not sure if this is supposed to be a depth chart, but I don't think there is really any chance that Finke isn't a starter next year. If we have Thorne, Finke starts at the 4 ahead of Black, in my opinion. And if we don't have Thorne, then Finke is our 5 ahead of Morgan.
 
#331      

stuemke5

stuemke5
stuemke5
Got some good information today re: Tilmon. Announcement soon perhaps. Positive for Illini. More to come...
 
#333      

aluma

A
aluma
You are correct, it was meant to be more of depth chart because I agree with you that Finke will likely start if we don't have Thorne next year. The nice thing about a Finke and Black lineup is that both can hit the midrange shot quite consistently, that will stretch defenses and unclog the paint. If either Finke or Black can develop a post move or two that can add 4-6 points a game that would be HUGE!
 
#335      

combes

C
combes
aluma said:
I'm in an unusually positive mood when it comes to the future of this program (this will probably change by the end of the day). But it's hard not to be optimistic about next years team (which to be fare, I've thought this many times as an Illini fan.)
Let's say worse case scenario:No Abrams, No Thorne, and no center transfer
Pg: Tate, Lucas
Sg: Nunn, JCL, Jordan
SF: Hill, DJ, Nichols
PF: Black
C: Morgan, Finke

Granted this team is not a world beater. I do think this is a team that would have the talent to make a tournament. Most of our success would be dependent upon how well Lucas develops and if our 4 & 5's can learn to play sufficient defense. Morgan will always be a poor defender, but Finke has the potential to be serviceable on defense in the post.

Best case scenario:

Pg: Abrams, Tate, Lucas
Sg: Nunn, JCL, Jordan
SF: Hill, DJ, Nichols
PF: Black, Finke
C: Thorne, Morgan

Now this is a team that would, in my mind, literally have everything we would need to be successful and make a run in the tournament.
-Toughness and leadership from Abrams(and someone who can sufficiently run our offense), with serviceable backup point guard play
-Possibly the best shooting guard and small forward lineup in the Big Ten, maybe the nation with Hill and Nunn and guys like JCL, Jordan, DJ and Nichols playing back up
-A healthy black gives us the rebounding we desperately need along with toughness and a short midrange game. If Finke continues to develop like he has you get a great shooter that stretches the defense, a nice passer, high basketball IQ.
-Thorne you get a traditional banger with post moves, good rebounding, and serviceable defense. With an ok scoring option as a backup in Morgan.

This is a team that in my mind could at least compete for a Big Ten championship.
If Groce could get this team, have some success, and sure up some spots in recruiting, he really has built a team that could be successful.

The questions that would remain:
How good is Lucas going to be?
Can Groce get another good point guard in the fold, and soon?
Will Groce be able to recruit a true center and will he at least be able to rebound and play serviceable defense?
Can we snag at least 1 decent center or power forward transfer if Thorne can't play next year? Because Finke, Black, and Morgan won't be enough unfortunately.
Click to expand...

You are underrating Finke in all of your scenarios, imo. No way Morgan starts over Finke, for example. If Morgan can't beat Finke out this year, why would he beat out Finke next year when Finke will be stronger and have a year under his belt. He is right there with JCL as the third best player on the team this year.

If Thorne returned next year, he would start at center, but Black had better "bring it" to beat out Finke.
 
#338      

aluma

A
aluma
What is also encouraging about next years team is that the toughness of this team will increase drastically with our new additions. Lucas is suppose to be very tough and an above average defender, we know Abrams is tough as nails, and early reports on Kipper is that he is known for his defense, strength and toughness. That and you add a hopefully healthy Black and my goodness is that a tough team. Oh and I would say Nunn is a pretty tough player who plays very aggressive defense.
 
#339      

dmac279

D
dmac279
CAHALL15 said:
You think a true freshman PG not currently ranked in the top 150 by Rivals is going to beat out a 6th year senior who is, even now, the unquestioned leader of the team? Listen, I'm pumped to have Lucas on the team and I think he'll have a bright future here, but I can't see this scenario playing out if Tracy is healthy.
Click to expand...

That's he million dollar question, will he stay healthy
 
#340      

aluma

A
aluma
combes: I made a mistake in putting Morgan over Finke, it was more meant to be a look at the depth chart, but I agree completely that Finke will most likely start next year. He is my favorite Illini this year
 
#342      

illinipeoria

I
illinipeoria
stuemke5 said:
Got some good information today re: Tilmon. Announcement soon perhaps. Positive for Illini. More to come...
Click to expand...

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#344      

ILL in IA

ILL in IA
Iowa City
ILL in IA
aluma said:
You are correct, it was meant to be more of depth chart because I agree with you that Finke will likely start if we don't have Thorne next year. The nice thing about a Finke and Black lineup is that both can hit the midrange shot quite consistently, that will stretch defenses and unclog the paint. If either Finke or Black can develop a post move or two that can add 4-6 points a game that would be HUGE!
Click to expand...
I would love to see both of them develop a post move, but if I had to chose one I think I want it to be Black. As good as he rebounds, I want that guy around the basket at all times. I think you could also get some matchup problems. I think as a Jr and SR Black could really out muscle guys on the block.
 
#345      

ILL in IA

ILL in IA
Iowa City
ILL in IA
Obelix said:
There is no way Lucas redshirts, even if he is not good and ready to play. Even if Abrams comes back, two injuries back-to-back is a concern regarding minutes, level of play, and endurance. Groce will not risk going into the season with Tate as the only option at PG, and Abrams is more of a bonus rather than an option in this case.
Click to expand...
Agree. At this point, I think anything TA is able to give the team next year is a bonus.
 
#346      

CAHALL15

C
Central Illinois
CAHALL15
IAmChrisFarley said:
DJW could have benefitted from a RS year.

If we didn't have drunk players knocking out Ferrari Windows, or injuries to 4 spots - I'd be willing to bet DJW would have RS.
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If Kipper really is ahead of DJW and DJW has a tough time getting into the rotation, the redshirt could still happen.

On the subject of Tilmon and recruiting in general, I always try to not get sucked in and once I think I'm out, I get sucked right back in with tidbits similar to the aforementioned post. Ugh.
 
#349      

Combo

C
Combo
CAHALL15 said:
You think a true freshman PG not currently ranked in the top 150 by Rivals is going to beat out a 6th year senior who is, even now, the unquestioned leader of the team? Listen, I'm pumped to have Lucas on the team and I think he'll have a bright future here, but I can't see this scenario playing out if Tracy is healthy.
Click to expand...

That's a gigantic "if." I'm not counting on much from Tracy next year. I hope I'm wrong, but he's coming off two serious injuries and two years of not playing. Anything we might get from him is a bonus.
 
#350      

Psycho 86

Psycho 86
King Monkey Nut
Mooresville,Indiana
Psycho 86
:thumb::thumb::thumb::thumb:
 

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