Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (July-August 2016)

[TCTORNADO]

I believe it was because of an interview of Lewis in which we were not mentioned.

Or maybe the rumor that Lewis wanted to commit during June visit and that the staff had to explain scholarship availability to him.

 

[Joel Goodson]

Or maybe the rumor that Lewis wanted to commit during June visit and that the staff had to explain scholarship availability to him.

Perhaps it's better not to know. Love what Goodwin brings, but am unconvinced his ceiling is higher than Lewis'. One more wing and that's it. Gotta go big with the last ride.

 

[Greensboro]

Yes, please. I suppose Scruggs could beat Frazier to the punch, but that's unlikely. That recruitment is so quiet though, eerily reminiscent of JCLs. Hoping Goodwin advances his timeline.

I wouldn't be surprised if the staff took a lead guard and two of goodwin, smith, lewis or wilkes. I think they see those guys a ball players that can defend and rebound a size up from their offensive position.

I could also see this playing out this way with 2 wings depending how long Goodwin holds out before announcing & how we are doing on the big (there are a bunch of names out there, but no idea how likely any of them really are at this point). If Goodwin hasn't committed I'm not sure you say no to Smith, Lewis, or Wilkes. With Goodwin's 6'10" or whatever wingspan I would also throw him in the mix as a potential stretch 4 in a pinch. We really need a big, but those are some really good wings to say no to if you think you might have to settle for a mediocre plan C+ big.

 

[TCTORNADO]

Lewis taking an UV this weekend to Iowa State.

 

[TCTORNADO]

IU people think that Scruggs leaves Bloomington today w/o committing. Next stop, XU this weekend.

 

[Greensboro]

Taking another wing (besides Goodwin) boils down to "How bad do we need another (true) big?" IMO, the answer is badly. A true PF (or PF/C) is a way bigger priority than another wing. And, no, I'm not suggesting taking a scrub over an quasi-elite wing.

I don't disagree, I just think there are various shades of gray on the scrub vs quasi-elite. To me Smith, Lewis, Goodwin, Wilkes are in the elite to Quasi-elite range, certainly higher rated than the bigs we hope to land. I would hate to turn down one of those guys and end up missing on our top 3-4 bigs. If it is Kiir, easy call, take him, but we still look like 1 in a large field at this moment for all the bigs...so it may come down to a scrub over a quasi-elite wing.

 

[Greensboro]

I actually think that given Smith's ability to play the small-ball 4, we might take him even with another wing. A class of:

Frazier (PG)
Williams (Combo)
Goodwin (Wing)
Pickett (Wing)
Smith (Wing/F)
Tilmon (Big)

would still be fantastic IMO, even if we are becoming "WingU".

It would be a fantastic class...I also think with the length of DJ, AJ, Kipper, Goodwin, & Smith you start looking bigger at the 3 at the same time & all of a sudden you don't notice being undersize at the 4 anymore.

 

[FatGreg]

I don't disagree, I just think there are various shades of gray on the scrub vs quasi-elite. To me Smith, Lewis, Goodwin, Wilkes are in the elite to Quasi-elite range, certainly higher rated than the bigs we hope to land. I would hate to turn down one of those guys and end up missing on our top 3-4 bigs. If it is Kiir, easy call, take him, but we still look like 1 in a large field at this moment for all the bigs...so it may come down to a scrub over a quasi-elite wing.

To your point, although I expect his ranking to go up after a nice July, Kiir is currently ranked #191 composite. Uyaelunmo is #103, I think. John is something like #132. Epperson is not in the top-247, although that obviously has to do with his lack of exposure in the US. There's good reason to believe that Kiir, Uyaelunmo, and Epperson are all under-ranked; John has been on the radar a long time and is probably ranked pretty accurately, but he's the kind of gritty, defense-oriented player that serves as the 7th/8th man on lots of top teams.

The only problem is that you may have to pass on a player like Eastern (#62), Smith (#67), or Lewis (#99) to take a big who's much less of a sure thing/known quantity. Wilkes is in a different category - you oversign for a top-15 player categorically. Regardless of the scholly situation, we'll recruit him and Bowen until they sign their LOIs.

 

[coryfor3]

I wasn't saying that it was a big deal. I was just answering your question as to why some people may feel that way!

I know and I appreciate it. I was just saying if that's what people are worried about, that I don't think it is a big deal.

 

[Deleted member 10676]

I could also see this playing out this way with 2 wings depending how long Goodwin holds out before announcing & how we are doing on the big (there are a bunch of names out there, but no idea how likely any of them really are at this point). If Goodwin hasn't committed I'm not sure you say no to Smith, Lewis, or Wilkes. With Goodwin's 6'10" or whatever wingspan I would also throw him in the mix as a potential stretch 4 in a pinch. We really need a big, but those are some really good wings to say no to if you think you might have to settle for a mediocre plan C+ big.

You certainly wouldn't say no to Wilkes no matter what, but I can't see us beating UNC for two of their prime targets in the same year.

 

[Joel Goodson]

IU people think that Scruggs leaves Bloomington today w/o committing. Next stop, XU this weekend.

Think that's the big one. If he actually makes it to CU, think we're in this thing. As in, really in this thang.

 

[Joel Goodson]

To your point, although I expect his ranking to go up after a nice July, Kiir is currently ranked #191 composite. Uyaelunmo is #103, I think. John is something like #132. Epperson is not in the top-247, although that obviously has to do with his lack of exposure in the US. There's good reason to believe that Kiir, Uyaelunmo, and Epperson are all under-ranked; John has been on the radar a long time and is probably ranked pretty accurately, but he's the kind of gritty, defense-oriented player that serves as the 7th/8th man on lots of top teams.

The only problem is that you may have to pass on a player like Eastern (#62), Smith (#67), or Lewis (#99) to take a big who's much less of a sure thing/known quantity. Wilkes is in a different category - you oversign for a top-15 player categorically. Regardless of the scholly situation, we'll recruit him and Bowen until they sign their LOIs.

Hear, hear. Very accurate assessment, IMO. Passing on a higher ranked wing is a dilemma. But the need for a true big is far greater than yet another wing and I totally agree that Kiir, Epperson and Uyaelunmo are under-ranked.

 

[Mike]

I can't see us beating UNC for two of their prime targets in the same year.

I don't either, but the case could be made that UNC doesn't have Tilmon for him to play alongside. Those two together are special...

 

[TCTORNADO]

You certainly wouldn't say no to Wilkes no matter what, but I can't see us beating UNC for two of their prime targets in the same year.

I doubt we get a OV from Wilkes.

 

[Dayman]

It would be a fantastic class...I also think with the length of DJ, AJ, Kipper, Goodwin, & Smith you start looking bigger at the 3 at the same time & all of a sudden you don't notice being undersize at the 4 anymore.

I agree. I don't think you need two bigs on the floor all the time if the other 4 are long, athletic and talented. Switch everything and front the post. Villanova and Golden State both switch and once Cleveland began doing it, GSW were done. It is the best way to play defense in today's age of the 3 ball. Finke, Black, and Tilmon would be enough bigs.

 

[Joel Goodson]

I agree. I don't think you need two bigs on the floor all the time if the other 4 are long, athletic and talented. Switch everything and front the post. Villanova and Golden State both switch and once Cleveland began doing it, GSW were done. It is the best way to play defense in today's age of the 3 ball. Finke, Black, and Tilmon would be enough bigs.

Sure 'bout that? Finke and Black will have 2 seasons left (17-18, 18-19). Tilmon could bolt after 2 seasons. We'll probably have a 1 man class in '18. Lotta '19 rides, but we will totally be gambling on green freshmen.

 

[zoggle101]

We take as many of the wings we are looking at. They all seem to be able to play multiple positions but Lewis who probably could too. This is a good problem to have. Take 2 of 4, and make sure we get the pf Gordon out of St Louis in 18

 

[Greensboro]

To your point, although I expect his ranking to go up after a nice July, Kiir is currently ranked #191 composite. Uyaelunmo is #103, I think. John is something like #132. Epperson is not in the top-247, although that obviously has to do with his lack of exposure in the US. There's good reason to believe that Kiir, Uyaelunmo, and Epperson are all under-ranked; John has been on the radar a long time and is probably ranked pretty accurately, but he's the kind of gritty, defense-oriented player that serves as the 7th/8th man on lots of top teams.

The only problem is that you may have to pass on a player like Eastern (#62), Smith (#67), or Lewis (#99) to take a big who's much less of a sure thing/known quantity. Wilkes is in a different category - you oversign for a top-15 player categorically. Regardless of the scholly situation, we'll recruit him and Bowen until they sign their LOIs.

Thanks for taking the time to look up/est. rankings, it is to my point + I'm still not convinced we land any of Kiir, Uyaelunmo, Epperson, John or are willing to wait around for the last one to fall...the thing with Wilkes/Bowen is if either is schollie number 6 before the big, will you then oversign for the 100 - 200, or higher ranked big? Depends on how confident you are in getting a big & how confident you are that they will pan out in a couple years.
The added caveat in this is that we technically have no 2018 scholarships, so this year more than any it would make sense to hold one for a big transfer or 2018.
In the end, we have still put ourselves in a very good place where having to say no to a very good wing is at least a subject of debate.

 

[Joel Goodson]

We take as many of the wings we are looking at. They all seem to be able to play multiple positions but Lewis who probably could too. This is a good problem to have. Take 2 of 4, and make sure we get the pf Gordon out of St Louis in 18

How do we guarantee that? What if he wants to play heavy minutes right away? Best he's going to get with us is splitting time at PF. Say 20 mpg. What if he likes KU, UNC, or another blue blood better?

 

[Joel Goodson]

Thanks for taking the time to look up/est. rankings, it is to my point + I'm still not convinced we land any of Kiir, Uyaelunmo, Epperson, John or are willing to wait around for the last one to fall...the thing with Wilkes/Bowen is if either is schollie number 6 before the big, will you then oversign for the 100 - 200, or higher ranked big? Depends on how confident you are in getting a big & how confident you are that they will pan out in a couple years.
The added caveat in this is that we technically have no 2018 scholarships, so this year more than any it would make sense to hold one for a big transfer or 2018.
In the end, we have still put ourselves in a very good place where having to say no to a very good wing is at least a subject of debate.

Unless we fail to land our Plan A or B targets, I don't see us holding a ride.

 

[Greensboro]

Sure 'bout that? Finke and Black will have 2 seasons left (17-18, 18-19). Tilmon could bolt after 2 seasons. We'll probably have a 1 man class in '18. Lotta '19 rides, but we will totally be gambling on green freshmen.

+1, ...we could use a backup 5 in 2017 but if everything goes well we can get by, any attrition/injury and the big situation starts looking like this past year for 2017 or 2018 except for the addition of several long wings, but come 2019 we need a couple bigs just to hold serve & at least one needs to be ready to play major minutes. You take a big that needs to develop and it could be brutal if he has to play year 1 or 2, you get to year 3/4 and you have a chance. So if we don't take one in 2017, the bar for 2018 goes up a notch, and probably for 2019 as well.

 

[WesterveltVictoryCigar]

We take as many of the wings we are looking at. They all seem to be able to play multiple positions but Lewis who probably could too. This is a good problem to have. Take 2 of 4, and make sure we get the pf Gordon out of St Louis in 18

I know Illini fans have the strange delusional desire to re-create the '89 team, but no, we don't need 3 more wings. We already have several on the roster and 2 in this class. Get Goodwin hopefully, a PG and a big man. If you have the chance to swap the big man for Smith, well OK, but not sure I'd agree on the others.

 

[Greensboro]

Unless we fail to land our Plan A or B targets, I don't see us holding a ride.

For what it is worth, I see it the same way...just saying there is maybe more of an incentive this year than in the normal year, so you aim higher & the bar for the plan B you take this year might be a bit higher.

Again, the idea that we might pass on some one with the upside of Lewis, Smith, or even Goodwin is crazy, in an amazingly good sort of way. Sort of like the will Brunson/Evans be able to play together sort of argument, which is why if we have the chance to sign 2 of those 3 & give up on the big or a shot at Frazier (who is still 1 of 7) I could see it happening. Bird in the hand philosophy.

 

[FeelYourPaign]

I know Illini fans have the strange delusional desire to re-create the '89 team, but no, we don't need 3 more wings. We already have several on the roster and 2 in this class. Get Goodwin hopefully, a PG and a big man. If you have the chance to swap the big man for Smith, well OK, but not sure I'd agree on the others.

Agree with you on the need for a good big over almost any "extra" wing.
Wings are terrific and we should have 4-5, but then we need 3 PG's and 5 bigs, given that the bigs tend to need another year to be college ready.

 

[combes]

I know Illini fans have the strange delusional desire to re-create the '89 team, but no, we don't need 3 more wings. We already have several on the roster and 2 in this class. Get Goodwin hopefully, a PG and a big man. If you have the chance to swap the big man for Smith, well OK, but not sure I'd agree on the others.

imo, Lewis is better than Smith.