Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (July-August 2016)

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#3,126      
Billinkins fan if you're reading this I hope you enjoy the final four lol

This one did make me lol. The thought that 1 4 star wing will carry that terrible team to a final 4 as a freshman with 0 talent around him is an even more delusional thought than when Bilikens fans thought they had a shot at Tatum. At least they have hope though, ill give em that
 
#3,128      

Deleted member 182960

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The thing I'm most upset about is that we went to every single AAU game of his this summer and then SLU comes in 6 weeks ago and we lose him. It would make more sense if it was a blue blood but.....SLU
 
#3,131      

Joel Goodson

ties will be resolved
If we luck into either J. Smith or Eastern, total no-brainer. But if both are no-gos, would you take Epperson along with Kiir? I would. The question is, does one negate the other? Taking 3 4/5s would really fix our bigs need.
 
#3,132      
Jeebus, I go take the wife to dinner and a movie and the whole board goes haywire. We have 3 very solid 2017 players committed - DMW, Pickett, JTilmon and the potential to add more quality. The sky ain't falling. I'm so excited to see those 3 join our fam - and I'm excited for the prospect of Frazier joining the fun.
 
#3,133      

Gunner23

Panama City, Florida
The thing I'm most upset about is that we went to every single AAU game of his this summer and then SLU comes in 6 weeks ago and we lose him. It would make more sense if it was a blue blood but.....SLU

Things that make you go hmmm???
 
#3,134      
If we luck into either J. Smith or Eastern, total no-brainer. But if both are no-gos, would you take Epperson along with Kiir? I would. The question is, does one negate the other? Taking 3 4/5s would really fix our bigs need.

I would definitely take both. High caliber bigs are hard to get. Same with PGs.
 
#3,135      

Gunner23

Panama City, Florida
Pretty sure that's the only anti-Groce comment on here in awhile. I would think most on here are aware of his accomplishments in recruiting this year...

I guarantee you that I wasn't being anti-Groce... He treated my 10 y/o son with great respect in Niceville last Thanksgiving. 100% class act. I'm glad that our Coach won't tread down the Ford/SLU path to get a recruit to commit. I agree that most on here right now are aware of this year's recruiting accomplishments. However, JG committing to SLU (if it happens), will get lumped into the Cliffmas, Snider, DJax, Brunson, Evans, etc. If things get a little weird during the finish of this recruiting class, the vultures will start circling again...unfairly...

I was trying to say that if JG commits to SLU, in no way, should it be held against Coach Groce. He didn't lose JG, he got cheated out of the opportunity to sign him.

:chief:
 
#3,136      

blackdog

Champaign
The thing I'm most upset about is that we went to every single AAU game of his this summer and then SLU comes in 6 weeks ago and we lose him. It would make more sense if it was a blue blood but.....SLU

You don't think SLU was on him hard for a long time?
 
#3,137      
The thing I'm most upset about is that we went to every single AAU game of his this summer and then SLU comes in 6 weeks ago and we lose him. It would make more sense if it was a blue blood but.....SLU

Agree 100%. Illinois has been recruiting him from Day 1 and now they are going to lose him to Johnny come lately (Mid Major) SLU. It definitely would be easier to stomach if he would have chosen an upper echelon team.
 
#3,138      

westms77

Gilbert, AZ
Agree 100%. Illinois has been recruiting him from Day 1 and now they are going to lose him to Johnny come lately (Mid Major) SLU. It definitely would be easier to stomach if he would have chosen an upper echelon team.

Gonna have to say if he went to MSU we could watch all of his games and be reminded constantly...Can't remember the last time I accidentally ran into a SLU game on my 600+ Direct TV Channels...Unless he turns into an absolute superstar we may soon forget who he is.
 
#3,139      

Deleted member 8632

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Agree 100%. Illinois has been recruiting him from Day 1 and now they are going to lose him to Johnny come lately (Mid Major) SLU. It definitely would be easier to stomach if he would have chosen an upper echelon team.

Meh....it is what it is. Doesn't matter if its SLU or KU. What I'm trying to understand is why all the freaking out? If someone would have told me a week after KN's arrest that we would have the verbal commits we do at this point in the summer I'd call BS. Let us not forget what a trainwreck this was earlier this year. Lets be thankful that we HAVE recruits.......lets be ecstatic at the caliber they are. If JGood goes elsewhere so be it........things could be so much worse.
 
#3,140      

CAHALL15

Central Illinois
Can anyone who did/is listening to Tay and Jay fill us in on what was said? Unfortunately, I can't listen in at work! Thanks!

I heard the whole interview. The reporter said Illinois was the leader up until the assistant coach hire. He also said that Ford could be selling him on being the next Marcus Smart since he coached Smart. He also predicted a verbal on Friday or Monday.

I want Goodwin as much as the next guy, but he's not going to make or break this class. If there is an imminent announcement or a big run of crystal balls all at once to SLU, you can probably mark him off. However, I guess I don't see him ending it early after he said he would announce in 2 months. Peer pressure could also be a factor. In any case, let's wrap up Frazier and let the chips fall where they may. Groce has done everything possible to sew this up and we can still add great pieces to this already good class.
 
#3,141      
If we luck into either J. Smith or Eastern, total no-brainer. But if both are no-gos, would you take Epperson along with Kiir? I would. The question is, does one negate the other? Taking 3 4/5s would really fix our bigs need.

Yes, I think Kiir with Epperson is also a no brainer. Need a PG and big, but after that take the best available. But Groce can be picky with that last spot. No need to reach, only take a guy you really like. So if we assume we get Frazier and Kiir (yes I know this is far from guaranteed) then the 6th and final scholly would be up for grabs between

Smith
Eastern
Kigab
Epperson
Scruggs
Uyaelunmo? (Don't know much about him)

I feel like we could be in another Lovett scenario with Verge next spring. That is if we don't find anyone for that last scholly before then. I'm sure that will be a circus.
 
#3,144      

chiefinillini7

Champaign, IL
All is well in JG & Josh Whitman land! When your boss moves you into his penthouse suite on the top floor, its hard to hear the chirps & crickets from down below!

Oh yeah, its Good to be back ya'll!! ��
 
#3,145      
Did we really get "outgunned" or did we just choose not to play that game? I'm not saying Groce runs a completely clean program because I have no clue. But if I were to push the limits of recruiting, or just flat out cheat, it wouldn't be for a top 60 wing. Not worth it at all.

We're certainly up at bat. I'll give you that.
 
#3,146      
Did we really get "outgunned" or did we just choose not to play that game? I'm not saying Groce runs a completely clean program because I have no clue. But if I were to push the limits of recruiting, or just flat out cheat, it wouldn't be for a top 60 wing. Not worth it at all.



Exactly. You don't "do whatever it takes" for a top 50-60 wing. You do that for top 20 player at a school like Illinois.

On the flip side, if you're a school like SLU; you definitely "do whatever it takes" for a player of Goodwin's caliber. This is their 5* type player


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
#3,147      
Meh....it is what it is. Doesn't matter if its SLU or KU. What I'm trying to understand is why all the freaking out? If someone would have told me a week after KN's arrest that we would have the verbal commits we do at this point in the summer I'd call BS. Let us not forget what a trainwreck this was earlier this year. Lets be thankful that we HAVE recruits.......lets be ecstatic at the caliber they are. If JGood goes elsewhere so be it........things could be so much worse.

Agree with this. "Illinois is in a great place". I can't remember the last time we had such a deep and talented roster, maybe the Lon Kruger years. If we were going to miss at any position, wing is the best one. We would have a great class if we ended it with Frazier and Kiir. Then save the last one for a 5 star, or carry it over to '17.
 
#3,148      
If we luck into either J. Smith or Eastern, total no-brainer. But if both are no-gos, would you take Epperson along with Kiir? I would. The question is, does one negate the other? Taking 3 4/5s would really fix our bigs need.

Dreamer...but absolutely, at this point the 6th scholarship should go to the best player who can make a difference down the road and we absolutely have room for another big today on the depth chart.
 
#3,150      
Illini fans might want to be careful with using mid-major term. Based on last 10 years I would say Illini results have been very mid-majorish.
 
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