larry bird's highschool coach said same thing...not that BC is a larry bird. I think high motor, tenacity and BB IQ can offset athleticism shortcomings.
Larry Bird did play at a mid major.
larry bird's highschool coach said same thing...not that BC is a larry bird. I think high motor, tenacity and BB IQ can offset athleticism shortcomings.
I think it's obvious that Ayo Dosunmu, Talen Horton-Tucker, Tim Finke, Torrence Watson, and Kezo Brown will be on the radar for 2018. Dosunmu is the only top-50 talent in that group. Kezo likely won't get an offer and we'd probably only take one of the remaining three.
I'm making some assumptions here, but if we end up taking four in the '17 class (no Tilmon or Smith, but get one late commitment/enrollee - HS or JUCO), sign a 5th year big, and lose one player to attrition, we could have three scholarships available for 2018. Any sense for what C/PF types Underwood and Antigua might be able to get in on? Any of these (?):
Moses Brown
Emmitt Williams
Darius Days
Russell Barlow
Brock Cunningham
Bragg is over-rated and couldn't keep his nose clean or stay out of the dog house...pretty sure he is NOT a BU option.
Larry Bird did play at a mid major.
I saw a list of Jeter's schools, they are all out west.
Bragg got arrested for battery but the charges were dropped, then after that he got arrested for possession. Kansas had 4 starters get arrested this year alone. His character is very questionable. I would rather have Chase Jeter.
How hard is he being recruited by schools closer to his hometown than CU IL? Schools like Louisville + Butler (Indianapolis) have to have a better shot given his situation, no? This seems like a reach.
If Underwood wants to fight for Tilmon (which he should) then the best way to do that is simply to delay the release for a couple weeks, and no sooner than April 13th (after signing day).
This will allow Underwood some time to introduce the new staff to Tilmon (particularly Antigua and his experience with NBA bigs), and may foil Martin's attempt to put together a monster class (Kevin Knox is visiting this weekend). It will also give us visibility on Smith.
The best scenario for Illinois would be for Knox to go elsewhere (Duke leads in his Crystal Ball), Antigua makes a strong NBA development pitch, and Smith signs here. The worst case is that we've made Tilmon wait a few weeks.
It's time to step up and fight not run away. We're holding the cards here - not Mizzou.
Edit: This is what I expect Whitman to do. He's made it clear he's playing to win, so I don't expect him to fold easily on this. He's quite capable of managing any short-term PR hits.
If Underwood wants to fight for Tilmon (which he should) then the best way to do that is simply to delay the release for a couple weeks, and no sooner than April 13th (after signing day).
This will allow Underwood some time to introduce the new staff to Tilmon (particularly Antigua and his experience with NBA bigs), and may foil Martin's attempt to put together a monster class (Kevin Knox is visiting this weekend). It will also give us visibility on Smith.
The best scenario for Illinois would be for Knox to go elsewhere (Duke leads in his Crystal Ball), Antigua makes a strong NBA development pitch, and Smith signs here. The worst case is that we've made Tilmon wait a few weeks.
It's time to step up and fight not run away. We're holding the cards here - not Mizzou.
Edit: This is what I expect Whitman to do. He's made it clear he's playing to win, so I don't expect him to fold easily on this. He's quite capable of managing any short-term PR hits.
If Underwood wants to fight for Tilmon (which he should) then the best way to do that is simply to delay the release for a couple weeks, and no sooner than April 13th (after signing day).
This will allow Underwood some time to introduce the new staff to Tilmon (particularly Antigua and his experience with NBA bigs), and may foil Martin's attempt to put together a monster class (Kevin Knox is visiting this weekend). It will also give us visibility on Smith.
The best scenario for Illinois would be for Knox to go elsewhere (Duke leads in his Crystal Ball), Antigua makes a strong NBA development pitch, and Smith signs here. The worst case is that we've made Tilmon wait a few weeks.
It's time to step up and fight not run away. We're holding the cards here - not Mizzou.
Edit: This is what I expect Whitman to do. He's made it clear he's playing to win, so I don't expect him to fold easily on this. He's quite capable of managing any short-term PR hits.
Not trying to call you out here, but I think you're implying that BU doesn't take risks on kids that have had off-court issues. Do we know that to be true?
Tilmon holds cards too. If we do delay his release, he can throw a big stink and claim we are trying to sabotage his recruitment. That would make us look super petty.
Let's not be naive, this thing is a lot more complicated than just Tilmon not being familiar with our new staff. I don't want to be a program that plays these BS games. If Tilmon wants out, let him out. It's his life. I'll be ready to boo come Braggin' Rights.
For everyone saying Tilmon wouldn't have that large if an effect on next years team is rediculous. He was our only big man on the team! Sorry Finke doesn't count. We will be seriously hurting next year if we can't resign him or find someone to replace. We are not that athletic with 4 or 5 6'6 guys that can jump out of the gym, guard and rebound.
Illinois was in Carlton Bragg's final 3 before he committed to Kansas, correct? I say we should go get him
Tilmon holds cards too. If we do delay his release, he can throw a big stink and claim we are trying to sabotage his recruitment. That would make us look super petty.
Let's not be naive, this thing is a lot more complicated than just Tilmon not being familiar with our new staff. I don't want to be a program that plays these BS games. If Tilmon wants out, let him out. It's his life. I'll be ready to boo come Braggin' Rights.
Literally no one has said that Tilmon wouldn't have a big effect on next years team. And you're right that we'd be hurting without a replacement. We have no front court depth. Gotta assume the staff is working on that right now.
At the same time, I think Finke does count as a big. He's got more than enough size to be considered a college big, even if his offensive game is primarily outside shooting.
Edit: Also, height and size isn't everything in the college game. The 2005 starting front court was 6'5" Roger Powell and 6'9" James Augustine.
Powell is 6'6 and Augustine is 6'10
Talk about Mark Smith, Jordan Brangers, Kiir - they should be the focus now.
Just stop worrying about Tilmon, he would fill a need but I don't believe he'll be that impactful as a Freshman. The same people who have been in his ear to collect more money to go to Mizzou will be in his ear to leave for the NBA after one season to get paid. He'll leave to early and end up overseas.
I'm passing. The guy was suspended two different times this year with one being for drug paraphernalia. I don't want his off the court issues clouding our new culture/team.
I disagree with your observation if it's implying we're suddenly going to start having a reall shot at the Karl Anthony Townes of basketball. That's not realistic with where we're at as a program right now. Groce already had us in the door with the players a notch below that level I.e the Brunsons, Wilkes, Braggs, Alexanders Tilmons, and Evans of the world. Antigua just needs to do what Groce couldn't and close on those kind of players.
I'm passing. The guy was suspended two different times this year with one being for drug paraphernalia. I don't want his off the court issues clouding our new culture/team.