Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (March 2017)

[mhuml32]

People said the same thing about Ulis, and he had a lot more physical (i.e., height) limitations. Smith deserves much credit. He did earn Mr. Basketball with his play, he did indeed beat everyone for the award proving himself on the court and he was very consistent as well.

Ullis was their only PG recruit in a class of four. Smith would their 3rd PG recruit in a class of seven. Not saying Smith won't get PT, but Ullis' path towards playing was easier.

 

[Obelix]

Ullis was their only PG recruit in a class of four. Smith would their 3rd PG recruit in a class of seven. Not saying Smith won't get PT, but Ullis' path towards playing was easier.

Class matters if you are starting from scratch and people ahead of you have left, especially at Kentucky. When the guys just one class earlier, and still in school, are the Harrison twins who are already getting playing time at UK and they were ranked #5 and #6, it is more difficult than just beating other guys in your class. Ulis definitely did not have it easy.

 

[BillyBob1]

That's incorrect. I'm not positive it was Derrick Jasper but I know it wasn't SL.

I remember the story going something along the lines that Deron was scrimmaging with him physically and he kept crying about fouls.

It's correct. Was there and saw it. Livingston didn't know how to act.

Don't recall him calling fouls, but when Williams guarded him, he didn't play matador defense.

 

[helppitch]

The one that concerns me most is MSU/Izzo. MSU I believe will be short (no pun intended) at the PG and G spot next season. But will have very talented bigs (Schilling, Ward, Bridges, J Jackson). There is a chance Bridges goes pro, and you can probably add Tuggs Bowen to that list of MSU players.


Indiana and Missouri are in more of a rebuild mode, not sure what will happen until after the MCAA game. But MSU has more structure in place. Illinois is more Guard and Wing heavy at this point, but has a very nice offense to run next season. I think it comes down to where he feels he fits in the best and comfort with program and university.

From what I've seen Bridges is possibly a first round pick, & a possibly a lottery pick, in the NBA draft. As you indicate, there is a good chance he leaves.

 

[Illiniwek06]

It's correct. Was there and saw it. Livingston didn't know how to act.

Don't recall him calling fouls, but when Williams guarded him, he didn't play matador defense.

Huh? I was also there and saw it and recall Livingston dominating.

 

[Deleted member 8213]

Huh? I was also there and saw it and recall Livingston dominating.

Well I wasn't there for that but I was in the 2nd row when Rennie dunked on Shaq! :thumb:

 

[Illiniwek06]

Well I wasn't there for that but I was in the 2nd row when Rennie dunked on Shaq! :thumb:

Haha a monster! :thumb:

 

[ballislife17]

Michigan seemed to jump on the Xavier Simpson bandwagon pretty late and that worked out alright for them

 

[IlliniBone]

In the entire history of coaches visiting players and players visiting schools I'm pretty sure Josh Brent's trip to Iowa was the only one that didn't get reported as going well.

Thought I heard something a few weeks ago about Mark Smith's trip to Northwestern didnt go well at all. If you have noticed, Collins went from being at every one of Smith's games to pretty much no longer recruiting him.

 

[Deleted member 3875]

Is Izzo mad cause his buddy Groce got fired?

I'm glad somebody else picked up on the "drinking" the Blizzard. If you are drinking it, it has become a shake?

Izzo was P-Od when his other "buddy", Bruce Weber, was fired as he is now when his other "buddy", JFG, was fired. "Buddy" equates to patsy for Izzoman.

 

[Chris Yates]

In the entire history of coaches visiting players and players visiting schools I'm pretty sure Josh Brent's trip to Iowa was the only one that didn't get reported as going well.

Mike Shaw's visit to Marquette = Complete Disaster (and reported that way)

 

[Chris Yates]

It has become Kentucky's MO. They know or guess who will go pro. and need to replace them. It seems a number of the burger boys wait to sign until the spring probably with the hopes of going to Kentucky.

Several of the McDonalds All-Americans are waiting to see how the rosters shake out as kids leave early to go pro. Brian Bowen just explained that he's doing precisely that.

 

[Centennial Illini]

Swooping in to steal at the last minute is uncommon but we actually did it one time.

Steve Lanter had committed to Kansas but after meeting with Yates and Henson immediately switched. I believe his mother and father were alums.

Also this was the Ted Owens Jayhawks who had a habit of going 19-11.

Lanter was a top shelf guard who's career practively ended with a brutal knee injury against Wisc.

 

[Peoria Pipeline]

The one that concerns me most is MSU/Izzo. MSU I believe will be short (no pun intended) at the PG and G spot next season. But will have very talented bigs (Schilling, Ward, Bridges, J Jackson). There is a chance Bridges goes pro, and you can probably add Tuggs Bowen to that list of MSU players.


Indiana and Missouri are in more of a rebuild mode, not sure what will happen until after the MCAA game. But MSU has more structure in place. Illinois is more Guard and Wing heavy at this point, but has a very nice offense to run next season. I think it comes down to where he feels he fits in the best and comfort with program and university.

MSU wont be short at the PG or G spot. They have Cassius Winston back and Tum Tum will be a senior and Izzo loves him. Langford and McQuaid are also back on the wings.

 

[SampsonRelpenk]

I wonder what happens on a visit to make it "disastrous". Seems like those things are micromanaged to a T and tailored for the specific recruit.

 

[Deleted member 10676]

The Power of Izzo. Smith took a visit to KSU, had IL, MZ in for visits but Izzo stops by and offers and immediately a guy from Wisconsin gives a CB on Smith to MSU.
http://247sports.com/Player/Mark-Smith-46038443

http://247sports.com/PlayerInstitution/Mark-Smith-at-Edwardsville-189294/CurrentExpertPredictions

 

[Adnarel]

Not sure where the DJ Doctor got the Martin quote!

It is true that CM is sniffing around Tilmon still. I am confident that he's trying to get away with as much as he thinks he is allowed to without blatantly committing any violations.

 

[afpharmdawg]

I never followed Cuonzo's career or recruiting until he was a possibility for the UI job. I wondered how he got 4* and 5* recruits. After seeing him sniff around Tilmon, I am no longer wondering. I think he crosses the line and that could be why he only stays for 3 years at places. I am glad we did not get him and our recruits are staying solid.

 

[Deleted member 236589]

It is true that CM is sniffing around Tilmon still. I am confident that he's trying to get away with as much as he thinks he is allowed to without blatantly committing any violations.

It's what makes him a successful recruiter with the athletes/coaches today. He pushes just hard enough to get the deal done, toeing the line, but not crossing the line.

Some people call it slimy, some call it successful....I guess it depends which side you're on.

 

[Roundball Shaman]

I know it said on this thread a lot that Mark Smith would be a great fit, and it's almost used as a reasoning of why he would/should come here but can we be real for a second? Mark Smith is a big athletic guard who can get to the rim, shoot, and play defense.

Could someone who has watched Smith for a while answer a few questions? How good is he at getting to the rim against a defender who can match up with him size-wise? Is he good at getting a shot and delivering in a last-possession situation? Is his mid range shooting as good, better, or worse than from 3 point range? How good a defender is he? What are his weaknesses, if any?

 

[Obelix]

I never followed Cuonzo's career or recruiting until he was a possibility for the UI job. I wondered how he got 4* and 5* recruits. After seeing him sniff around Tilmon, I am no longer wondering. I think he crosses the line and that could be why he only stays for 3 years at places. I am glad we did not get him and our recruits are staying solid.

His moves had nothing to do with that. Cuonzo is a recruiter, if he is recruiting for your team, you love him. If he is recruiting for a rival, you hate him. As simple as that.

 

[Deleted member 10676]

Haven't seen this posted yet, apologies if it has.
Henricksen's All-State team. Dosunmu, Pickett, Mark Smith and Verge make first team. Finke, Liddell and Tilmon make 2nd team.
http://www.suntimeshighschoolsports.com/2017/03/27/henricksen-citysuburban-hoops-reports-state-team/

 

[coryfor3]

The one that concerns me most is MSU/Izzo. MSU I believe will be short (no pun intended) at the PG and G spot next season. But will have very talented bigs (Schilling, Ward, Bridges, J Jackson). There is a chance Bridges goes pro, and you can probably add Tuggs Bowen to that list of MSU players.


Indiana and Missouri are in more of a rebuild mode, not sure what will happen until after the MCAA game. But MSU has more structure in place. Illinois is more Guard and Wing heavy at this point, but has a very nice offense to run next season. I think it comes down to where he feels he fits in the best and comfort with program and university.

I see what you did there...

 

[afpharmdawg]

His moves had nothing to do with that. Cuonzo is a recruiter, if he is recruiting for your team, you love him. If he is recruiting for a rival, you hate him. As simple as that.

I am not saying he is not a recruiter. I just think he crosses the line. This is just my personal opinion. I don't think he is the only one. For all I know UI coaches could be "dirty" too. I think some of the rules in the NCAA regarding recruiting are say ridiculous. But the rules are there and should be followed.

A person who has a restraining order is not allowed to contact someone even through a third party. So if Cuonzo is using his sister to get into Tilmom's ear is that a violation? I am not saying a restraining order and recruiting are the same. Just using this as an example of third party contact.

The 3 year thing is pure speculation, but in the age of accusations being fact with some people...not saying you. I know speculating has never been done before on this board.

 

[TheGMan]

Successfully working in the gray areas without breaking any rules is a pretty good quality in a good recruiter.

I'm as anti-mizzou as the next guy, if not more, but let's not try to pretend we wouldn't love to land 4 and 5 star recruits consistently. And if we have to push the limits of the rules without ever breaking the rules, then so be it.