Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (April 2017)

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#26      

FatGreg

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FatGreg
If Missouri lands Kevin Knox, Braggin' Rights is going to be realll interesting. Some rumors that Brandon McCoy is considering Mizzou as well. Yuck.
 
#27      

Illini B-Ball Fan

Illini B-Ball Fan
Illini B-Ball Fan
FatGreg said:
If Missouri lands Kevin Knox, Braggin' Rights is going to be realll interesting. Some rumors that Brandon McCoy is considering Mizzou as well. Yuck.
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Knox has 10 other high-visibility offers per ESPN, so doubtful MO will get this one.

http://www.espn.com/college-sports/basketball/recruiting/player/_/id/211931/kevin-knox

McCoy has 5 other offers per ESPN, so MO may or may not have a chance on this one.

http://www.espn.com/college-sports/basketball/recruiting/player/_/id/188992/brandon-mccoy
 
#29      

MrOizo

MrOizo
Chicago
MrOizo
chiefhaunting said:
TIFWIW Just overheard a conversation at a Saluki baseball game. Guy claims to have talked directly with Mark Smith's dad. Claimed Mark had claimed the only 2 teams he'd let in on the recruitment at this point in time was Kentucky and MSU, and of course we all know now that those 2 have jumped into the recruitment. Kind of makes sense now why it was only those 2 who have jumped in late. Didn't make it sound like he's so enthralled by them that no one else had a chance. Sounded more like he was pretty set with those he felt good with but had those 2 he'd give a chance if they came a-callin'.
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Thanks for sharing!! Did you take this as good, bad, or neutral news for the Illini? Just curious. I imagine that you might have gotten some indication from their tone regarding how serious Smith is about those two schools and us. Are they his final two? Are we right there with them, but he just wanted to look at a few more to make sure?
 
#30      

MrOizo

MrOizo
Chicago
MrOizo
FatGreg said:
If Missouri lands Kevin Knox, Braggin' Rights is going to be realll interesting. Some rumors that Brandon McCoy is considering Mizzou as well. Yuck.
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We all knew the danger in having Martin right on our border. He can flat out recruit. He will be tough and will definitely bring Mizzou up quickly. They will be in the tourney about as quickly as we are I'd bet.

The only legit knock with Martin was coaching concerns - could we get to the second weekend of the tournament? Would the tourney only happen every other year? Is the style of play too boring? Legit concerns, but expect to see a ton of talent and strong defense. It's gonna be a really tough annual game and recruiting will be rough in the STL area...
 
#31      

Deleted member 10676

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MrOizo said:
We all knew the danger in having Martin right on our border. He can flat out recruit. He will be tough and will definitely bring Mizzou up quickly. They will be in the tourney about as quickly as we are I'd bet.

The only legit knock with Martin was coaching concerns - could we get to the second weekend of the tournament? Would the tourney only happen every other year? Is the style of play too boring? Legit concerns, but expect to see a ton of talent and strong defense. It's gonna be a really tough annual game and recruiting will be rough in the STL area...
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If they end up with guys like Knox and McCoy, it's because they want to play their one season with Porter. I wouldn't be giving Cuanzo much credit for their committing beyond hiring Porter, Sr. Once those guys are gone we can start to debate whether or not he can flat out recruit.
 
#32      

MrOizo

MrOizo
Chicago
MrOizo
miketherevelator said:
If they end up with guys like Knox and McCoy, it's because they want to play their one season with Porter. I wouldn't be giving Cuanzo much credit for their committing beyond hiring Porter, Sr. Once those guys are gone we can start to debate whether or not he can flat out recruit.
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My biggest reason for that feeling is getting two 5-stars at Tennessee and Cal. When's the last 5-star Illinois got? He got two to weaker schools... And now Porter.
 
#33      

Deleted member 10676

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MrOizo said:
My biggest reason for that feeling is getting two 5-stars at Tennessee and Cal. When's the last 5-star Illinois got? He got two to weaker schools... And now Porter.
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Yes, he had one exceptional class out of 6 classes at high d1 schools. I'm not taking that away from him. The other 5 were so-so. He got Porter by hiring his father, and he might get these guys because Porter Jr recruited them during the McDonald's game week. He's had very little or nothing to do with it.
 
#34      

MrOizo

MrOizo
Chicago
MrOizo
miketherevelator said:
Yes, he had one exceptional class out of 6 classes at high d1 schools. I'm not taking that away from him. The other 5 were so-so. He got Porter by hiring his father, and he might get these guys because Porter Jr recruited them during the McDonald's game week. He's had very little or nothing to do with it.
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I hope it's an abberation. It would be helped by some bad luck here on out with recruiting and some poor coaching. May both of those things happen to Martin!
 
#36      

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[FONT=&quot]Last night I was just sticking up for him, but now I'm just thinking, is there some way we could get this kid on the roster? I saw him in about 10 games online this year and he was good to great in almost all of them. MSU is on him and while Izzo doesn't do well in Chi, I would sure hate to see him end up at Sparty, NW or Mich (NW has offered, the 2 Michigans are sniffing around and I have a feeling after this summer, Horton-Tucker is going to be as highly regarded as Ayo or Finke).
[/FONT][FONT=&quot]Joe Stokowski‏ @RedbirdRecon 26m26 minutes ago [/FONT]
Talen Horton-Tucker's stroke is ridiculous. @TheMacIrvinFire 17U cruising right now. – at Homestead High School
[FONT=&quot]DEREK ELLISON‏ @REALPREPREPORTS [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]2018 rankings about to get shook up...no secret...Talen Horton-Tucker has emerged as the #2 prospect in the state of Illinois #BigTime[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]MW Hoops Spotlight‏ @MidwestHoopsSL [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Top performers so far today at Swish N Dish; Khalil Whitney, Jordan McCabe, Mick Sullivan, Talen Horton Tucker, Jeameril Wilson, LJ Johnson.[/FONT]
 
#38      

bbpeoria

B
bbpeoria
westcoastillini said:
I'm totally confused. AAU season starts immediately after high school basketball finishes?? I always thought it was a summer thing
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AAU is Spring as well. My son's club soccer team is at a soccer tourney in St Louis this weekend and one of our top players is missing due to AAU basketball tourney in Milwaukee.
 
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#40      

chiefhaunting

C
chiefhaunting
MrOizo said:
Thanks for sharing!! Did you take this as good, bad, or neutral news for the Illini? Just curious. I imagine that you might have gotten some indication from their tone regarding how serious Smith is about those two schools and us. Are they his final two? Are we right there with them, but he just wanted to look at a few more to make sure?
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My opinion, from what I overheard and based upon quotes we've seen from Mark himself, is that we are on equal footing. I can't assume it's good news for us, purely in that it's 2 HOF coaches; a blue blood, and a slight step below blue blood programs. I'd guess we have as much of a chance as MSU and Kentucky. He claimed he wants a great relationship with the coach. I'm not sure he has time to make that happen with us or them, though I'd assume Walker has at least a chance to be seen that way. Other stipulations would put others in front of us; NBA development, winning programs, etc.
 
#42      

combes

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combes
chiefhaunting said:
My opinion, from what I overheard and based upon quotes we've seen from Mark himself, is that we are on equal footing. I can't assume it's good news for us, purely in that it's 2 HOF coaches; a blue blood, and a slight step below blue blood programs. I'd guess we have as much of a chance as MSU and Kentucky. He claimed he wants a great relationship with the coach. I'm not sure he has time to make that happen with us or them, though I'd assume Walker has at least a chance to be seen that way. Other stipulations would put others in front of us; NBA development, winning programs, etc.
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Our shot is that he has been an Illinois fan, he knows our recruits well, and Underwood can hand him the keys to the team as a freshman.
 
#43      

PlayAZ

P
PlayAZ
miketherevelator said:
[FONT=&quot]Last night I was just sticking up for him, but now I'm just thinking, is there some way we could get this kid on the roster? I saw him in about 10 games online this year and he was good to great in almost all of them. MSU is on him and while Izzo doesn't do well in Chi, I would sure hate to see him end up at Sparty, NW or Mich (NW has offered, the 2 Michigans are sniffing around and I have a feeling after this summer, Horton-Tucker is going to be as highly regarded as Ayo or Finke).
[/FONT][FONT=&quot]Joe Stokowski‏ @RedbirdRecon 26m26 minutes ago [/FONT]
Talen Horton-Tucker's stroke is ridiculous. @TheMacIrvinFire 17U cruising right now. – at Homestead High School
[FONT=&quot]DEREK ELLISON‏ @REALPREPREPORTS [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]2018 rankings about to get shook up...no secret...Talen Horton-Tucker has emerged as the #2 prospect in the state of Illinois #BigTime[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]MW Hoops Spotlight‏ @MidwestHoopsSL [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Top performers so far today at Swish N Dish; Khalil Whitney, Jordan McCabe, Mick Sullivan, Talen Horton Tucker, Jeameril Wilson, LJ Johnson.[/FONT]
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http://www.news-gazette.com/sports/...-01/2017-all-state-boys-basketball-teams.html

Bruninga fits the bill for a swing big man....give the kid a look? Possible Red-shirt player or minimal initial relief minutes?

Horton Tucker is Special Mention here? Still don't think this kid is B1G type of player, also doesn't fit in when we need a bigger player in the class?
 
#45      

Trakis

Trakis
Chicago, IL
Trakis
I had a dream last night that Smith committed to UI. I need help.
 
#47      

FatGreg

F
FatGreg
PlayAZ said:
http://www.news-gazette.com/sports/...-01/2017-all-state-boys-basketball-teams.html

Bruninga fits the bill for a swing big man....give the kid a look? Possible Red-shirt player or minimal initial relief minutes?

Horton Tucker is Special Mention here? Still don't think this kid is B1G type of player, also doesn't fit in when we need a bigger player in the class?
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I know that you're a big Bruninga supporter - you bring him up frequently on here. I think he could end up being a P5 contributor: good length and basic skill package, not a bad athlete. However, to say in one breath that the Illini should take Bruninga, but Talen Horton-Tucker is not a B1G caliber player is ludicrous. Horton-Tucker is a plus athlete, terrific shooter, and gifted playmaker. He's also got a Jordan Goodwin-like motor. Bruninga is a possible P5 player; Talen Horton-Tucker is a bonafide top-150 talent who will end up top-100 by August.
 
#49      

Deleted member 10676

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PlayAZ said:
http://www.news-gazette.com/sports/...-01/2017-all-state-boys-basketball-teams.html

Bruninga fits the bill for a swing big man....give the kid a look? Possible Red-shirt player or minimal initial relief minutes?

Horton Tucker is Special Mention here? Still don't think this kid is B1G type of player, also doesn't fit in when we need a bigger player in the class?
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Come on. Bruninga is, but Horton-Tucker isn't? Let's create some kind of alternate fantasy world where Bruninga is on a CPL Red South team and Horton-Tucker is on Illini Bluffs. Bruninga wouldn't be making first team All-State in the hometown newspaper I can pretty much assure you.
 
#50      

PlayAZ

P
PlayAZ
miketherevelator said:
Come on. Bruninga is, but Horton-Tucker isn't? Let's create some kind of alternate fantasy world where Bruninga is on a CPL Red South team and Horton-Tucker is on Illini Bluffs. Bruninga wouldn't be making first team All-State in the hometown newspaper I can pretty much assure you.
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It has nothing to do with who is with what team or the level they play at now...the Bruninga kid with his size/abilities "fit" a need the ILLINI have more than THT....6'5 vs 6'8-9".

The ILLINI and almost every other team in the B1G won't be looking or need a tweener aggressive player such as THT this late in the game, with exception of maybe Nebraska who needs to replace Morrow.

Bruninga I think fits the bill for more teams and has as much talent if not more upside than THT, no alternate universe needed for that. THT is the typical stud that ends up at say a MVC school not a B1G school.
 
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