Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (March 2017)

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#126      
IMO, class balance is overrated. Four out of the top six of Michigan States players are freshmen. As I watch college basketball. it seems few teams actually have class balance. (It is much more important in football IMO).

Agreed. Class balance in basketball is way down the list of concerns.
 
#128      
Finally got around to watching Mark Smith. He'd fit really well not only in Underwood's system but next to Frazier. Smith is more PG, Frazier more scoring. Funny bc size wise, you'd think they would be reversed.

Sign me up if Smith wants to commit right now.

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I can remember a couple of guys like that
 
#129      
All three of our point guards (if Smith commits) could have all-conference potential at some point in their careers. If I had to guess, Frazier will start, Lucas will back him up, and Smith will end up on the wing. I wouldn't be surprised at all with a different outcome. However it works out, I think we'll have a top flight PG.

Comparisons to recent Illinois PGs

Smith: Demetri
Frazier: Dee
Lucas: Lucas
 
#132      
Seen the Demetri -> Smith comp before. Obvious similar in size, but I think Smith is more athletic of a scorer.

More athletic than Demetri is D Will. He was sneaky quick and had more bounce than those assumed.
 
#133      
IMO, class balance is overrated. Four out of the top six of Michigan States players are freshmen. As I watch college basketball. it seems few teams actually have class balance. (It is much more important in football IMO).

MSU's scholarship breakdown is 4/1/3/4 though. That's pretty balanced. They don't have to try to recruit 6 scholarship players in one year (Illinois this year) or have no scholarships to give in a year (Illinois next year).

I rarely hear it talked about, so I don't think it is overrated. It really did bit Groce in the !!!. The unbalanced classes is why he pursued so many transfers. All the transfers sitting out a year, burning a scholarship slot, meant less talent on the floor. We burned three scholarship years on D. Paul. Less talent on the floor means less wins.

I'd be very happy if we picked up a fifth year transfer. They don't waste a scholarship year and it would let us have something open next season even if we don't lose someone to attrition.
 
#134      
MSU's scholarship breakdown is 4/1/3/4 though. That's pretty balanced. They don't have to try to recruit 6 scholarship players in one year (Illinois this year) or have no scholarships to give in a year (Illinois next year).

I rarely hear it talked about, so I don't think it is overrated. It really did bit Groce in the !!!. The unbalanced classes is why he pursued so many transfers. All the transfers sitting out a year, burning a scholarship slot, meant less talent on the floor. We burned three scholarship years on D. Paul. Less talent on the floor means less wins.

I'd be very happy if we picked up a fifth year transfer. They don't waste a scholarship year and it would let us have something open next season even if we don't lose someone to attrition.

Groce did it because his recruiting left glaring holes in the roster, namely at PG and C. Given the holes, it made sense at the time to pursue transfers to fill holes. That was obviously a problem of his own making, but I don't think it was his strategy to rely on transfers.

One solution to this class imbalance is to redshirt kids. I think both Pickett and Da'Monte are candidates next year. This obviously isn't a perfect solution since kids don't want to come in and sit, but given the log jam on the wings (especially if we land Smith) it makes sense for them in the long run.
 
#135      
So rivals has Mark Smith as 78th nationally and a 4 star recruit. My assumption would be if we keep the entire class together and add Smith we will jump into the top 10 range nationally. That would certainly make a statement. Add to the fact that we would have 4 very good point guards on the team. Lucas is the most true point guard in the traditional sense of facilitating an offense. Then you have true cg's in Smith, Frazier, and Williams. If I'm a post player I'd love to play on a team with these types of guards.
 
#136      
Finally got around to watching Mark Smith. He'd fit really well not only in Underwood's system but next to Frazier. Smith is more PG, Frazier more scoring. Funny bc size wise, you'd think they would be reversed.

Sign me up if Smith wants to commit right now.

Sent from my LG-H811 using Tapatalk
Isn't that similar to Dee and Deron?
 
#137      
I am more worried about the position imbalance than the class imbalance. Losing Monte would be much easier than losing Tilmon. However he is the highest rated of the point guards. If Smith is truly quicker than Frasier and Lucas, than he will be perfect for a BU system and outdo Deron in his career. Will be anxious for next season.
 
#138      
MSU's scholarship breakdown is 4/1/3/4 though. That's pretty balanced. They don't have to try to recruit 6 scholarship players in one year (Illinois this year) or have no scholarships to give in a year (Illinois next year).

I rarely hear it talked about, so I don't think it is overrated. It really did bit Groce in the !!!. The unbalanced classes is why he pursued so many transfers. All the transfers sitting out a year, burning a scholarship slot, meant less talent on the floor. We burned three scholarship years on D. Paul. Less talent on the floor means less wins.

I'd be very happy if we picked up a fifth year transfer. They don't waste a scholarship year and it would let us have something open next season even if we don't lose someone to attrition.

No. Position imbalance bit Groce in the !!!. Specifically his inability (until the 2016 and 2017 class) to bring in a capable PG.
 
#139      
I know it's a common fallacy among fan bases, but man do I feel like some (all?) of our recruits are underrated. Really specific circumstances:

Mark Smith: Didn't really play AAU ball until last summer (and when he did he was coming off an injury); physically matured a lot over the last year (lost baby fat); was regarded as a D1/MLB baseball prospect. Blew up as a senior in such a dramatic way it reminded me of Anthony Davis. Really think he would have been ranked around 35-50 if he'd played AAU and focused on basketball throughout.

Trent Frazier: Played AAU for a small team in Florida through almost his entire high school career - didn't get exposure at big tournaments. Furthermore, he mostly played with his high school team in local summer leagues - even less exposure than a small AAU outfit. When he finally joined a big AAU program last summer, he barely played (kind of like Lovett, Jr behind Brunson on the Fire). That dampened the already limited hype a little. Finally, finally got to start in two big AAU tourneys and BLEW THE DOORS OFF. Averaged something like 30 per game and garnered heavy praise from national pundits (this is when he surged up the rankings very late in the process). Also improved his athleticism a ton over the last year: he's always been quick, but he was very skinny and could barely dunk as a junior. Now he can hammer it (look up the recent all-star game he played in - 2 massive throwdowns). I think he's a legit top 50-75 player.

Da'Monte Williams: Shot up the rankings as a rising junior because scouts saw his NBA-caliber physical profile. A 6'3/6'4 kid with long arms, a muscular build, and high-major athleticism who can also shoot and handle a little is going to set off the alarm bells. Ended up ranked as a borderline 5-star (between 30 and 40 depending on the service). Then, he had an up-and-down junior year, a bad spring on the circuit, and a rough start to his summer. Dropped like a rock. Two reasons: 1) he didn't develop true point guard skills (he's settled in as a wing with above average dribbling and passing ability), and 2) questions about his motor, love of the game, focus, and consistency. Tends to float. Big time athlete with a nice handle, but settles for contested jumpers. Sometimes a game changing defender, but prone to frequent lapses. Guess what, though? He finished the summer with some strong performances and then looked like a different player this high school season. I watched two of his games early in the season and it seemed clear that the switch had flipped. He was dominant and intense. Then he tore his ACL. If he hadn't, he'd have been challenging for Mr. Basketball.

Javon Pickett: What he always had going for him was a good frame, sweet mid-range scoring tools, and tremendous heart/motor. However, he was very skinny, only an average athlete (especially laterally), and an average shooter. Scored a lot, but mostly garbage buckets. He's filled out a little, become a better shooter, and improved his run-jump athleticism. I don't think he's necessarily a top-100 type of player, but he's a good building block. He's a physical, 6'6-ish wing with a nose for the basket and a relentless motor. He'll make the team better even if he's never a rotation player. However, I think he'll be a big contributor as an upperclassman.

Jeremiah Tilmon: Obviously, he's very highly regarded nationally. Still, he might be underrated due to a lack of exposure over the last year. He was hurt almost all the way through AAU last year, so he didn't get to square off against top competition on the summer circuit. Then, he moved back to ESL and out of the national spotlight. If he'd played (and played well) at the big summer tournaments last year and then started all season for #1 ranked La Lumiere, I think he would have maintained his top-20 ranking and made the McDonald's game. He's got some rough edges, but we're talking about a 6'11 kid with an NBA body who can run the floor and play above the rim. He has great hands, a few post moves, and a nice mid-range face up game. Good passer, good timing as a shot blocker. This is a future NBA player. He's athletically similar to Nnanna Egwu, but has way more offensive potential. Not going to be a star as a freshman, but could be an All-American type if he stays three years and will be a game changing presence from day one.

This is an unbelievable group. I hope they all end up in Champaign. If we add Jeffrey Carroll and a 5th year big, I think we'll be a top-25 team next year. I feel the turnaround coming.
 
#141      
I feel the turnaround coming.

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#145      
Let us enjoy the fact that BU will recruit to his system ... and if, God forbid, we land elite talent that also fits the system ... LOOK OUT.
 
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#146      
Congrats to him...let this lead to some McD's coming our way as well...

I think next year we end up with

Tilmon 6'10
Williams 6'3
Pickett 6'3-5?
Frazier 6'2

Add Smith at 6'4 and Bruninga at 6'9 (redshirt him if need be) I think this class becomes Top 6-8 range then.

Bruninga is not coming here. He has Missouri Valley written all over him. I have heard its probably Loyola, unless some late big offer comes.
 
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#147      
I will gladly eat crow if either Williams or Jordan (hopefully both) become contributors next season.

They both have the potential to fit so well. DJ especially. If either were to leave I'd be hugely disappointed.

I'd be eating crow if they stayed and didn't fit as I anticipated, cause I'm really high on those 2 in this offense, especially DJ.
 
#148      
They both have the potential to fit so well. DJ especially. If either were to leave I'd be hugely disappointed.

I'd be eating crow if they stayed and didn't fit as I anticipated, cause I'm really high on those 2 in this offense, especially DJ.

I should also caution that my hype for DJ is physical fit. If he doesn't fit the other aspects of what Underwood wants its all moot.
 
#149      
Bruninga is not coming here. He has Missouri Valley written all over him. I have heard its probably Loyola, unless some late big offer comes.

Bryce Drew is looking at him as a potential late recruit...Vandy and Valpo both, kid is still growing supposedly as well....just because he has no high level offers, doesn't mean he shouldn't be looked at.

If Underwood is serious with his comments, and this kid fits, he might get an offer? What would a redshirt hurt, groom him for next year?
 
#150      
I should also caution that my hype for DJ is physical fit. If he doesn't fit the other aspects of what Underwood wants its all moot.

FiveStar, I hope you are right. I am just disappointed about this season. I believe that the fact that Groce had these two guys for two full seasons and got nothing from them is a large reason why Groce is no longer the basketball coach at the University of Illinois.
Now, maybe they can help Coach Underwood.
 
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