Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (January-March 2016)

[TownieMatt]

Simeon beats Evanston 55-43.

http://suntimeshighschoolsports.com...owns-evanston-morgan-park-beats-r-b-overtime/

I think I mentioned earlier this season that Eastern's outside shot needs a lot of work. His form isn't totally broken, but it ain't good. It's really the one thing holding him back, and the thing that makes me rate Da'Monte a bit higher.

Simeon coming on strong late in the season to win the city title in Chicago. Evan Gilyard is really developing as a player, he scored 14 points in the fourth quarter of the title game. I don't think it'll be long before he starts getting B1G offers, especially if they go on to win state. I haven't seen a better on-ball defender in high school this season. Shooting is still an issue for him, but he's improving and is capable of hitting open threes. The summer will be huge for him. I'm sure many schools (maybe even us) are in wait-and-see mode.

 

[Deleted member 3875]

Losing Colbert really hurts now. He showed flashes for two years but was getting better. Often played ahead of Mav. Groce in effect has lost Black, Thorne, Colbett,and Paul.

Was just thinking what our rebounding margin would be with Throne, Paul, and Black. I highly doubt we would be in the negative.

For his survival, he'd best land Tilmon.

 

[Larry Rose]

I still find it shocking that a guy like Carlton Bragg would rather go to Kansas and play 9 mins a game than be a star here. When is this madness going to end?? Tilmon could walk in here and be "the guy" from day one. Elsewhere he will be just another guy.

 

[WesterveltVictoryCigar]

I still find it shocking that a guy like Carlton Bragg would rather go to Kansas and play 9 mins a game than be a star here. When is this madness going to end?? Tilmon could walk in here and be "the guy" from day one. Elsewhere he will be just another guy.

Because these kids always think it will be someone else sitting out, not them.

 

[Illinilosch]

I still find it shocking that a guy like Carlton Bragg would rather go to Kansas and play 9 mins a game than be a star here. When is this madness going to end?? Tilmon could walk in here and be "the guy" from day one. Elsewhere he will be just another guy.

Wow talk about a name I have barely heard a peep out of since last year when he was being recruited. Perhaps I need to watch more college bb this year, but Bragg's name has not been mentioned much at all this bb season. He was supposed to be a one-and-done....right?

 

[Second and Chalmers]

I still find it shocking that a guy like Carlton Bragg would rather go to Kansas and play 9 mins a game than be a star here.

Why do you assume Bragg would be a star here? Is he playing any less than Meyers Leonard did as a freshman on a bubble team?

 

[bigruss22]

Wow talk about a name I have barely heard a peep out of since last year when he was being recruited. Perhaps I need to watch more college bb this year, but Bragg's name has not been mentioned much at all this bb season. He was supposed to be a one-and-done....right?

He was ranked in that range where it was a possibility, but I don't think he's been considered a lock for 1 and done for awhile.

 

[Second and Chalmers]

He was supposed to be a one-and-done....right?

Not necessarily. He was, and still is, a five star with a lot of potential. Wayne Selden and Perry Ellis were the same and both were kind of mystery men early in their careers. Now they have grown and developed into key players on a juggernaut, just like Self's guys do every year.

 

[FeelYourPaign]

Why do you assume Bragg would be a star here? Is he playing any less than Meyers Leonard did as a freshman on a bubble team?

Meyers played 8 minutes per game in 2011, behind primarily Tisdale.
So, to respond (and I think you knew this), no, Meyers did not get more tic then than Bragg gets now.

 

[CAHALL15]

I still find it shocking that a guy like Carlton Bragg would rather go to Kansas and play 9 mins a game than be a star here. When is this madness going to end?? Tilmon could walk in here and be "the guy" from day one. Elsewhere he will be just another guy.

Cheick Diallo is the same. He was a 5 star, McDonald's All American, a top 5-10 player and he's barely playing. The same could be said for Jeter at Duke even with their ultra thin bench or Labissiere at UK who was ranked right behind Simmons.

I brought this point up before and as a non basketball recruit, it blows my mind, but it happens all the time. These guys really don't care a whole lot about playing time even if they say they do. Say what you want, but guys like Malik Newman obviously know where they will have an opportunity to play the most and get the ball most often.

 

[Bomb Squad 217]

Cheick Diallo is the same. He was a 5 star, McDonald's All American, a top 5-10 player and he's barely playing. The same could be said for Jeter at Duke even with their ultra thin bench or Labissiere at UK who was ranked right behind Simmons.

I brought this point up before and as a non basketball recruit, it blows my mind, but it happens all the time. These guys really don't care a whole lot about playing time even if they say they do. Say what you want, but guys like Malik Newman obviously know where they will have an opportunity to play the most and get the ball most often.

They do care about PT. They think theyll be starters day 1. Even on rosters loaded with MCDAA talent. They all think theyre the best. They all think that going to (insert school) will get them to the league. As has been discussed on here many times, we all know that school doesnt matter in that regards but the player is sold on it.

 

[illinitiger]

They do care about PT. They think theyll be starters day 1. Even on rosters loaded with MCDAA talent. They all think theyre the best. They all think that going to (insert school) will get them to the league. As has been discussed on here many times, we all know that school doesnt matter in that regards but the player is sold on it.

Curious if Simmons would have the same hype if he was at Duke or Ky.

I think brunson would have more hype here at illinois

 

[IAmChrisFarley]

Curious if Simmons would have the same hype if he was at Duke or Ky.

I think brunson would have more hype here at illinois

Simmons would have even greater hype at Duke or Kentucky.

 

[Bomb Squad 217]

Simmons would have even greater hype at Duke or Kentucky.

Definitely. Hes an elite one that would be starting at one of those schools. And we know ESPN loves them.

 

[illinitiger]

Definitely. Hes an elite one that would be starting at one of those schools. And we know ESPN loves them.

ESPN loves LSU this year...pretty remarkable how much Simmons has done to put LSU on the map.

When I see LSU on the schedule I think of Simmons.

If he were playing for KY I would see them on the schedule and I don't think he would have the same "all lights on him" like he does with LSU.

 

[Obelix]

I think brunson would have more hype here at illinois

Posters often think that all these freshmen top recruits would have been automatic stars and would have catapulted to the NBA and the forefront of national media had they come to Illinois. Reality is that there is not much evidence to support that assertion.

Same thing was said about DJax, but in retrospect, he is having a pretty good career at Notre Dame. Brunson is averaging 25 mpg and more than 10 pts, on one of the most balanced teams in the nation were they go 9 deep, with 7 players averaging more than 20 mpg, and 5 players averaging in double figures, yet nobody over 15 ppg. That is great balance, oh... that team is also ranked number 1 in the nation.

Hard to criticize Brunson for his pick, and IMO is one of the players who will most likely have a breakout year as a sophomore.

 

[illinitiger]

Posters often think that all these freshmen top recruits would have been automatic stars and would have catapulted to the NBA and the forefront of national media had they come to Illinois. Reality is that there is not much evidence to support that assertion.

Same thing was said about DJax, but in retrospect, he is having a pretty good career at Notre Dame. Brunson is averaging 25 mpg and more than 10 pts, on one of the most balanced teams in the nation were they go 9 deep, with 7 players averaging more than 20 mpg, and 5 players averaging in double figures, yet nobody over 15 ppg. That is great balance, oh... that team is also ranked number 1 in the nation.

Hard to criticize Brunson for his pick, and IMO is one of the players who will most likely have a breakout year as a sophomore.

Not saying villanova was not a good choice for JB....and actually I like to see a player like JB go for a development environment rather than chasing hype.

On the other hand , JE at OSU shows what can happen as a freshmen if you are "the guy" for a lesser team that needs you. You compete for Freshmen of the year for B12 rather than wait for your breakout opportunity as a sophomore or junior.

 

[Obelix]

Not saying villanova was not a good choice for JB....and actually I like to see a player like JB go for a development environment rather than chasing hype.

On the other hand , JE at OSU shows what can happen as a freshmen if you are "the guy" for a lesser team that needs you. You compete for Freshmen of the year for B12 rather than wait for your breakout opportunity as a sophomore or junior.

Sure, but I don't think JE would have gotten more from his choice (OSU) at season's end (even without the injury). Neither will make the NBA after freshman campaign, but Brunson's team will go arguably further (expected) than JE's team. JE averages a little more for a lesser team but Brunson will get more publicity in March. Villanova is more balanced, more like Illinois in 2005.

Not sure if Brunson would have gotten more hype at Illinois. A little better averages for sure (closer to Evans) but not sure if he would have had more national exposure. Possibly a tournament team (UI), but I am not sure Brunson makes Illinois a deep tournament team. That is why I am worried about next year. Even if TJL is great, much better than expected by rankings, how good will we be without any unexpected additions in the Spring and possibly without Black?

 

[TheBucket]

What time of year does the recruiting really pick up? Obviously signing day isn't until November - but isn't there an early signing day as well?

I assume most kids are focused on their own HS seasons right now which are most of the way through the year. Summer? Or does that conflict with AAU ball?

 

[Deleted member 8213]

What time of year does the recruiting really pick up?

Recruiting news tends to get hot and heavy in late summer culminating with campus visits in the fall and then of course signing day in November.

 

[WesterveltVictoryCigar]

What time of year does the recruiting really pick up? Obviously signing day isn't until November - but isn't there an early signing day as well?

November is the "early" signing day, but most prospects chose to sign then. The "regular" signing period is in April.

You can expect things to pick up once AAU season starts in the summer.

 

[Dan]

What time of year does the recruiting really pick up?

Now-thru-mid March: Illini staff out watching high school recruits' HS games; (& some unofficial visits to Illini games if the schedule works out).

Late March thru May: The typical college hoops transfer cycle (interest&visits&commits). Note this could extend June-thru-August.

April Evaluation Period: Weekends of 15th & 22nd (Fri-Sun). Lots of new offers.

June: Unofficial visitors.

July Evaluation Period: The 3 extended weekends (Wed-Sun) after the 4th. Lots of new offers.

August: Unofficial visitors & scheduling of official visits.

Late August-early November: Official visitors.

 

[TCTORNADO]

The period of late March/April also brings the de-commits from schools that fire 25-30 coaches annually. Usually 75-100 recruits.

 

[Epsilon]

The period of late March/April also brings the de-commits from schools that fire 25-30 coaches annually. Usually 75-100 recruits.

So..., how many scholarships do we tie up with some of those transfers...?

 

[TCTORNADO]

So..., how many scholarships do we tie up with some of those transfers...?

They would be HS 2016's and not transfers. Schools usually let kids out of their LOI's once a coach is fired.