Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (July-August 2016)

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#1,176      
For all of you insiders:

Let's say Groce and Co. land Frazier and Goodwin. (What a class that would be!!!)

I know another big would be a priority, but wouldn't a bouncy long wing who can shoot the 3 who is also a coaches son like Terrence Lewis be a nice addition to the class?

I would love to add a quality big like Kiir, Culver, or John but I don't feel confident in landing any of them.

Finally, is there any concern that Goodwin will "McBride"? by that I mean be a really good h.s. player (b/c of being already physically developed), but just an average BIG player?

I think there's some concern that Goodwin will remain a below average shooter and struggle to finish inside against B1G competition. However, there's no concern that he'll be an average overall player, IMO. Worst case is that he'll be a third option on offense who doesn't score efficiently, but still a ferocious defender and rebounder who plays with a high BBIQ and relentless energy. I think his floor is a 3-year starter, borderline all-conference guy. Ceiling is somewhere between Roosevelt Jones and a poor man's Marcus Smart.

I think a big has to be the priority if we lock up Goodwin and Frazier. We don't appear to lead for any of John, Uyaelunmo, Kiir, or Culver, so there's a good chance we either go the 5th year route or take Lewis or Smith (guys who might be able to play the 4 in small ball lineups).
 
#1,177      

ivwilsoniv

Aurora, IL
If the Illinois class ends up being...

Tilmon (0.9914)
Goodwin (0.9796)
Frazier (0.9338)
Williams (0.9265)
Pickett (0.8735)
TBD

... the class will at LEAST be rated a score of 64.71 on 247Sports. That would've been the #11 class in both 2016 & 2015. That's great, but the selfish side of me wants a "Top 10" class...
 
#1,178      
For all of you insiders:

Let's say Groce and Co. land Frazier and Goodwin. (What a class that would be!!!)

I know another big would be a priority, but wouldn't a bouncy long wing who can shoot the 3 who is also a coaches son like Terrence Lewis be a nice addition to the class?

I would love to add a quality big like Kiir, Culver, or John but I don't feel confident in landing any of them.

Finally, is there any concern that Goodwin will "McBride"? by that I mean be a really good h.s. player (b/c of being already physically developed), but just an average BIG player?

Not really. Part of McBride's problems were foot and leg injuries that took away his bounce that he had early.
 
#1,179      

Joel Goodson

respect my decision™
[FONT=&quot]Derek Piper ‏@DPiperScout 3m3 minutes ago [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]#Illini head coach John Groce is here watching Javon Pickett, who has it going early on. Just had a smooth drive and float in the lane.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Derek Piper ‏@DPiperScout 11m11 minutes ago [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Here at Summer Jam watching #Illini commit Javon Pickett in bracket play.[/FONT]

Watching Pickett and Ramey. Pickett finished with 20. Love Ramey.
 
#1,180      

CAHALL15

Central Illinois
For all of you insiders:

Let's say Groce and Co. land Frazier and Goodwin. (What a class that would be!!!)

I know another big would be a priority, but wouldn't a bouncy long wing who can shoot the 3 who is also a coaches son like Terrence Lewis be a nice addition to the class?

I would love to add a quality big like Kiir, Culver, or John but I don't feel confident in landing any of them.

Finally, is there any concern that Goodwin will "McBride"? by that I mean be a really good h.s. player (b/c of being already physically developed), but just an average BIG player?
Not an "insider" and there's a very select few who seem to have good info, but I'll offer my thoughts.

Another big, as you said, would be ideal. I think those chances increase if you show a potential recruit who they would play with. Gray, Kiir, and Uyaelenmo probably all know Frazier since they are all from Florida.

Lewis would be a great addition. I wonder how many wings the staff wants to take, however. You could make a case for Justin Smith being able to play some 4 since he's 6'7" and can jump out of the building.

As for Goodwin, I doubt he "McBrides." Goodwin, like Ray Rice when he first arrived, could probably stand to become more lean and therefore more explosive. Also, like Rice, Goodwin is not a great shooter. He has a ton of room for improvement in that area. Lastly, his drive and competitiveness is something that will make him an impact player. I see leadership qualities like Tracy Abrams has displayed. He hates to lose, doesn't take plays off, and wants to guard and shut down the opposing team's best player. He did a good job against Rako who is 6'11" and going to USC in the state tournament.
 
#1,182      

Joel Goodson

respect my decision™
Not an "insider" and there's a very select few who seem to have good info, but I'll offer my thoughts.

Another big, as you said, would be ideal. I think those chances increase if you show a potential recruit who they would play with. Gray, Kiir, and Uyaelenmo probably all know Frazier since they are all from Florida.

Lewis would be a great addition. I wonder how many wings the staff wants to take, however. You could make a case for Justin Smith being able to play some 4 since he's 6'7" and can jump out of the building.

Good points. Almost certainly, this is going to be a 6 man class. Can't see Groce not landing one of Culver, Kiir, Uyaelenmo, Gray, Smith, Lewis and John. Pickett will redshirt, so he's our first '18. Think Ramey (or Garland or Dosunmo) and Gordon are higher priorities than Finke.
 
#1,184      

EJ33

San Francisco
Not really. Part of McBride's problems were foot and leg injuries that took away his bounce that he had early.

Yes, and McBride wasn't a high motor guy to begin with.

Is it fair to say that Goodwin's floor is a Serge-like career with his ceiling All Big Ten? Either outcome would be great.
 
#1,185      

Deleted member 10676

D
Guest
Florida Elite wins another close one 78-76. Play in the BOTS championship bracket quarterfinals tonight at 6 CT against Team Corey Brewer. No stats anywhere yet.
 
#1,188      
Yes, and McBride wasn't a high motor guy to begin with.

Is it fair to say that Goodwin's floor is a Serge-like career with his ceiling All Big Ten? Either outcome would be great.

Seems about right to me.
 
#1,193      

CAHALL15

Central Illinois

Jacob Epperson highlights. 6'11" with a 7'1" wingspan. He seems like a good rim protector, crashes the glass, showed a decent mid range jump shot, mobile, and has a good motor.

[YOUTUBE]pl6EGl1kFyc[/YOUTUBE]

Here's the link in case the video doesn't work: https://youtu.be/pl6EGl1kFyc
 
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#1,194      

Deleted member 10676

D
Guest
Evan Flood's analysis of Epperson from Thursday at Summer Jam.
http://ny2lasports.com/article_one.aspx?articleid=3550

Jacob Epperson – 2017 – F/C – AUSA Platinum
This one has a lot of upside and promise. A 6-foot-10 big that can run, jump, shoot, and handle the basketball, Epperson’s best days are ahead of him. Epperson had a nice effort in Thursday’s win over All-In Y&R, although he didn’t finish as well around the rim perhaps as well as he would have liked. Still, he flashed that high ceiling, especially in transition. Epperson can get out and run on the break and did a nice job of chasing down misses. He also attacked the offensive glass a ton as the opposing bigs couldn’t keep him away from the ball.
 
#1,195      

Joel Goodson

respect my decision™
Jacob Epperson highlights. 6'11" with a 7'1" wingspan. He seems like a good rim protector, crashes the glass, showed a decent mid range jump shot, mobile, and has a good motor.

Here's the link in case the video doesn't work: https://youtu.be/pl6EGl1kFyc

Different than last year's Aussie big, Froling. Doesn't have nearly the outside J or range. But, damn, pretty impressive clip (albeit weak competition). Kid has a very high ceiling, IMO.
 
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#1,197      

Joel Goodson

respect my decision™
Listed as a PF/C. Having Tilmon, Illinois can now sell him on being a power forward. That is important to some bigs who don't want to be labeled a center. Don't know if that is the case with him, but it is an angle.

+1

Can easily envision those two playing together. Initially, though, he'll primarily be a 5, as we have Black & Finke as 4s.
 
#1,198      

MountainmanMitch

Where God lost his shoes
An interesting tweet...

Roy Schmidt
‏@prepbullseye
Am beginning to wonder if it could be two exciting Mondays in a row for the Univ Of Illinois recruiting-wise. We shall see...
4:44 PM - 16 Jul 2016
 
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