Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (March 2017)

[Second and Chalmers]

I don't think any conversation can take place until Carroll announces his intention.

There's one Underwood in the Illini basketball program that can't talk to him. Luckily there's another than can. It's all in the game.

 

[UofIChE06]

I agree it might be best to get some answers about Walker and Tilmon in the next few days then waiting until April. These issues need to be resolved in the short term so we know if Walker and Tilmon are both leaving then Underwood can work to replace them both.

Does anyone really think that Walker, Tilmon, etc don't know the outcome already? Just because you aren't talking to the press about it does not mean they don't know what the decisions will be. Pretty simple to allow the team to play and focus on the NIT and tell the parties of interest what will happen afterwards at the same time.

 

[RedRocksIllini]

I can't be the only one getting tired of the Tilmon drama. Round 3. First on the initial commitment, then on 'will he sign the LOI or join Goodwin', and now 'will he ask out of his LOI. Maybe this is just part of the territory with this level of recruit, but it seems to have a very 'Illinois ish' tinge of ongoing drama to it. That hasn't ended well for us over the last several years. It is bringing back painful memories of losing Villanueva after Self left.

Far as I can tell, the only "drama" around Tilmon has been generated by these boards.

 

[spillini]

There's one Underwood in the Illini basketball program that can't talk to him. Luckily there's another than can. It's all in the game.

oh indeed

 

[DragonIlliniFan]

Northwestern is really bumming with this move. Hope they enjoyed be on middle for 1 season. Even with their solid core returning, I still think we'll either be on par- or above- NW next season. I say this still knowing the roster will go through some real changes....mostly for the better.

 

[Deleted member 8213]

Northwestern is really bumming with this move. Hope they enjoyed be on middle for 1 season. Even with their solid core returning, I still think we'll either be on par- or above- NW next season. I say this still knowing the roster will go through some real changes....mostly for the better.

Northwestern who? I watched the game last night and heard repeatedly that UI is the only BIG10 program in the state. :thumb:

Then again I didn't realize our Dee Brown won a dunk contest in the NBA either...

 

[CoalCity]

He has more experience in BU's system than anyone. Id think this would make his transition less than a lot of other people's

We're going to be very short on senior type leadership and he could be a coach on the floor to help the existing players unlearn the old system and learn the new system. Could be a very important cog in the wheel should be choose this option. Definitely worth looking into.

 

[EJ33]

I can't be the only one getting tired of the Tilmon drama. Round 3. First on the initial commitment, then on 'will he sign the LOI or join Goodwin', and now 'will he ask out of his LOI. Maybe this is just part of the territory with this level of recruit, but it seems to have a very 'Illinois ish' tinge of ongoing drama to it. That hasn't ended well for us over the last several years. It is bringing back painful memories of losing Villanueva after Self left.

Far as I can tell, the only "drama" around Tilmon has been generated by these boards.

Tilmon didn't fire Groce. He's not creating drama. He's just doing what he should do - waiting to see who's on the staff and thinking about his options.

 

[FiveStar]

We're going to be very short on senior type leadership and he could be a coach on the floor to help the existing players unlearn the old system and learn the new system. Could be a very important cog in the wheel should be choose this option. Definitely worth looking into.

Agreed. He comes in as a senior in position to be a natural leader if he chooses.

 

[wettsten]

Speaking of creaning, is it usual for a new coach to send scholarship players packing to make room for new ones. Cuanzo has a full roster for next year at MO (loses one senior and has one commit) and he is bringing Porter. If he were going to add Tilmon and Smith also, that would require him to dump 3 scholarship players - seems rather excessive.

according to verbal commits, they still have two spots open for next year. so bringing in porter jr, tilmon, and smith would only require one current scholarship player to transfer, which is very possible given there was a coaching change.

 

[bleedsorangenblue]

Far as I can tell, the only "drama" around Tilmon has been generated by these boards.

Isn't that the truth! :hand: I don't understand why it is so hard to understand that is in these kid's best interest to keep their options open right now. They don't know Underwood and it is going to take some time for this all to settle out. The core group of guys here and the new recruits that are committed can also help to sway anyone who might be on the fence. If walker ends up staying, I sincerely doubt that there will be much of an exodus.

 

[IlliniTargetAcquired]

I know I'm jumping the gun, but there is a very real possibility that we end up with Tilmon, Smith, and Carroll. That team would have the potential to lead us to a quick and exciting turnaround

 

[chrisRunner7]

Northwestern who? I watched the game last night and heard repeatedly that UI is the only BIG10 program in the state. :thumb:

Then again I didn't realize our Dee Brown won a dunk contest in the NBA either...

We also heard about Kiwan-ee Garris, and about how Illinois hasn't had a legit big man since Deon Thomas... :tsk:

 

[chrisRunner7]

Plus, Brad took him from a fairly average player in 15-16 and made him into an All B1G 12 second teamer this year. I don't think any conversation can take place until Carroll announces his intention. He might just end up staying at OkState. He is a Texas kid.

If I'm Carroll, I'm going to be listening to offers from all over... I wouldn't be surprised if some blue bloods get interested in his 17.5 PPG. Heck, Kansas was interested in Mike Thorne, Jr.

 

[IlliniTargetAcquired]

Per OSU's board, Carroll is graduating in the spring

 

[SummerofGeorge]

I know I'm jumping the gun, but there is a very real possibility that we end up with Tilmon, Smith, and Carroll. That team would have the potential to lead us to a quick and exciting turnaround

We already have Tilmon until we hear otherwise. As for Smith, I love the guy and he would be a great get but I think we are expecting too much from him to reference him in a small group of program changers. He would make a fantastic class a little better though.

 

[TownieMatt]

We already have Tilmon until we hear otherwise. As for Smith, I love the guy and he would be a great get but I think we are expecting too much from him to reference him in a small group of program changers. He would make a fantastic class a little better though.

He will be Mr. Basketball in the state of Illinois. I think you might actually be a little down on him.

 

[Peoria Pipeline]

Is Cuonzo going to wait around to see what Walker does if Illini make the NIT championship??

 

[Peoria Pipeline]

We already have Tilmon until we hear otherwise. As for Smith, I love the guy and he would be a great get but I think we are expecting too much from him to reference him in a small group of program changers. He would make a fantastic class a little better though.

People are still sleeping on Smith? As i said on a previous post, he would be our starting PG from day one. He's quite a bit better than TJL right now IMO.

 

[FIREHAWK]

Wouldn't we restrict Tilmon from transferring to Missouri because of the bragging rights game? Just like we restrict other transfers from transferring into other B1G teams?

absolutely, and I would expect it also if he does

 

[Dan]

Mark Smith named Mr. Basketball

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sport...rea-beal-is-ms-basketball-20170321-story.html

 

[IlliniinIowa]

Northwestern is really bumming with this move. Hope they enjoyed be on middle for 1 season. Even with their solid core returning, I still think we'll either be on par- or above- NW next season. I say this still knowing the roster will go through some real changes....mostly for the better.

What?? We lose 75% of our scoring and you think we'll be better than a Northwestern team who actually made the NCAA tournament and returns their most of their top players? Wow. The Orange Kool Aid is strong with this one......

I think Underwood is a VERY good coach, but cut him some slack. It's going to be a tough go next year with with all the youth. And if no Tilman, it will be ever tougher.

 

[Illinoy]

What?? We lose 75% of our scoring and you think we'll be better than a Northwestern team who actually made the NCAA tournament and returns their most of their top players? Wow. The Orange Kool Aid is strong with this one......

I think Underwood is a VERY good coach, but cut him some slack. It's going to be a tough go next year with with all the youth. And if no Tilman, it will be ever tougher.

You also must note northwestern played a weaker OOC schedule and even their B1G schedule wasn't as tough with respect to which teams they played twice or only once at home. They got two cracks at Nebraska, Indiana (down year), and Rutgers.

 

[DragonIlliniFan]

What?? We lose 75% of our scoring and you think we'll be better than a Northwestern team who actually made the NCAA tournament and returns their most of their top players? Wow. The Orange Kool Aid is strong with this one......

I think Underwood is a VERY good coach, but cut him some slack. It's going to be a tough go next year with with all the youth. And if no Tilman, it will be ever tougher.

We'll revisit this.

 

[Hooping34]

We already have Tilmon until we hear otherwise. As for Smith, I love the guy and he would be a great get but I think we are expecting too much from him to reference him in a small group of program changers. He would make a fantastic class a little better though.

You may not be a Smith fan but the Rest of the state thinks he's pretty good....

He might not be a game changer for the Illini but where ever he lands... He's going to help some program next season.......

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sport...rea-beal-is-ms-basketball-20170321-story.html