Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (April 2017)

[Obelix]

How does their recruiting hurt us, other then JT who are recruiting that they are recruiting.

Jeremiah Tilmon was a critical recruit for us. So yes, Cuonzo's presence is already affecting us. If your point is that Cuonzo will only hurt us if he steals every single recruit from us, including lesser recruits (e.g., Pickett), then I do not think it is a very valid point. Ford got Goodwin and Gordon. So his presence will not affect us because he did not win every recruiting battle for every recruit?

Also, it is naive to think that Cuonzo will just recruit ESL and his area and will not recruit against Illinois for other recruits in Illinois/Chicago, midwest, and beyond.

 

[troym22]

I'm interested to see what happens over the summer. I'm curious to see what direction BU and staff go with the '18 class and beyond -- go for the in state guys and try to really lock down on the area, or if they go for the big fish. Question is, if they go for the big ones, do we strike out and then come in too late with guys in our backyard? It will be interesting, but I'm ready and looking forward to when things start heating up with the next class.

 

[Fighter of the Nightman]

As a native Peorian that truly believes in the potential of Peoria and all of the Warehouse District improvements, I have to be honest: I want that tournament to stay in Peoria, even as an Illini fan; I'm not sure the advantage to U of I of having it in Champaign is that great, anyway.

EDIT: Off topic, but last I heard the baseball state tournament was in Joliet ... WHY?! Peoria is much more central and has a very nice minor league field right by the new stuff in the Warehouse District. Joliet is a HELL of a drive for someone in Southern Illinois.

 

[ChazzReinhold]

How does their recruiting hurt us, other then JT who are recruiting that they are recruiting. Smith that's more us vs MSU Pickett ? we kind of seemed to not be to worried about him,. I have been trying to think of all the players we have gotten out of the STL area since the early 80s and I really can only think of a couple Hill, Keen, who else ? I know there has been a couple more that I can not think off the top of my head, but come on we have never got the biggest and best out of down there that I can think of, so I for one really am not to worried about all this.

Arch and Griffey

 

[Deleted member 8213]

It impressed me. Yeah, I know, simpler times back then. We were impressed by Playboy centerfolds.

But I'm not saying it's the whole thing. It's a part of the whole. I'm still impressed by 614 miles of one-quarter inch steel wire. (Just think, if that ever snapped, there wouldn't be a building taller than 20 foot left standing from Kankakee to Effingham). (It's a joke, son).

I think you're selling these kids short. At least I hope you are.

But if that's the biggest thing you have against what I've said, that 17 year old kids won't say 'wow' when the see the outside--and then the inside--of the Assembly Hall, still it would be better to have the championships in Champaign than Peoria. Or Evanston. Would you like the state championships to be in Evanston?

I'd like to see the state tourney back in CU and I appreciate your passion about the Assembly Hall. I just don't think it moves the needle even a little bit when it comes to recruiting.

 

[BMo79]

Jeremiah Tilmon was a critical recruit for us. So yes, Cuonzo's presence is already affecting us. If your point is that Cuonzo will only hurt us if he steals every single recruit from us, including lesser recruits (e.g., Pickett), then I do not think it is a very valid point. Ford got Goodwin and Gordon. So his presence will not affect us because he did not win every recruiting battle for every recruit?

Also, it is naive to think that Cuonzo will just recruit ESL and his area and will not recruit against Illinois for other recruits in Illinois/Chicago, midwest, and beyond.

SO since we aren't getting the best kid from STL something we have never really done, we are doomed. I can not think of 1 five star recruit we have ever got from there, but I can think of a few we haven't. No matter who you recruit there are going to be other schools after the same kids , this is nothing new, that's why its called recruiting, instead of I pick you. Does it hurt to not get JT, sure it does unless we can find someone to fill the spot/spots we need for bigs, but I will wait and see what happens and still not worry about CM

 

[Adnarel]

So, depending on transfer turnover, what are the thoughts on how many new players we hope to bring on yet? I've heard 3-5 bandied about.

 

[TCTORNADO]

So, depending on transfer turnover, what are the thoughts on how many new players we hope to bring on yet? I've heard 3-5 bandied about.

We only have 7 scholarship players + 2 LOI's. So 4 more to go if nobody transfers out.

 

[Obelix]

SO since we aren't getting the best kid from STL something we have never really done, we are doomed. I can not think of 1 five star recruit we have ever got from there, but I can think of a few we haven't. No matter who you recruit there are going to be other schools after the same kids , this is nothing new, that's why its called recruiting, instead of I pick you. Does it hurt to not get JT, sure it does unless we can find someone to fill the spot/spots we need for bigs, but I will wait and see what happens and still not worry about CM

Huh? It makes zero sense.

First, Cuonzo and Ford are already having a recruiting impact already against Illinois. Tilmon was a very critical recruit. So was Goodwin. You do not have to win all recruiting battles to have an impact.

Second, again, it is naive to think that Cuonzo will just recruit ESL and his area and will not recruit against Illinois for other recruits in Illinois/Chicago, midwest, and beyond.

Third, there have been many recruits who have had an impact from the area, including Keene, Arch, Hill. We will always intensely recruit the area.

Fourth, we have always recruited the area and will continue to do so. There have been quite a lot of recruiting battles for great recruits in the area that we lost. Just because we lost in the past, it does not mean that you automatically concede recruiting the area, or it becomes unimportant. Just because we lost most of the big fish in Chicago and Illinois the last 12 years, does not mean that Chicago is not important either, or that we will concede it.

Fifth, recruiting is not an "all or nothing" game. We should counter in recruiting with some excellent recruits of our own. I certainly believe BU and staff can do that, and certainly hope so. We have to win our fair share of recruiting battles, not all. That does not mean, however, that Cuonzo and his recruiting are irrelevant or that they will not have any impact. I do not downplay what Mizzou is doing. It will be many fierce recruiting wars against them, I do not underestimate the opponent.

Finally, on the contrary, I do not share the we are "doomed" attitude. I really like how our staff is shaping up. But I do not share the "Cuonzo is garbage" or irrelevant attitude either.

 

[PNWIllini]

All these pictures of how great the Mizzou fanbase is, funny how quickly the story changed...

What's the smallest home crowd that's happened for the Illini these days? 8,000 on the day after new years' with the students away during a snowstorm?

 

[Fighter of the Nightman]

What's the smallest home crowd that's happened for the Illini these days? 8,000 on the day after new years' with the students away during a snowstorm?

As hard as we can be on our own fans/team, that's the product of having a very successful basketball program over the years (including as recently as the early and mid-2000s) and a very large fan base: there will usually be a pretty high floor for attendance.

 

[Adnarel]

We only have 7 scholarship players + 2 LOI's. So 4 more to go if nobody transfers out.

DJW is brought up frequently as a transfer candidate. Are there any others that may want out?

 

[troym22]

DJW is brought up frequently as a transfer candidate. Are there any others that may want out?

I think its mostly DJW and AJ

 

[Deleted member 10676]

Francesco Badocchi

Now on the lookout for an available wing, new coach Brad Underwood was in Kansas on Saturday to check on three-star small forward Francesco Badocchi – who has also seen Virginia jump into the mix – of Roeland Park (Kan.) Bishop Miege.

https://basketballrecruiting.rivals.com/news/starting-five-four-star-jemarl-baker-a-hot-commodity

Here's some more of Badocchi. This is a Kansas video but I don't think Kansas offered.
[YOUTUBE]DbmO1q0VEn4[/YOUTUBE]

 

[MadSeason]

Here's some more of Badocchi. This is a Kansas video but I don't think Kansas offered.
[YOUTUBE]DbmO1q0VEn4[/YOUTUBE]

For you older fans like me, the guy kind of reminds me of Robert Bennett

 

[Obelix]

Here's some more of Badocchi. This is a Kansas video but I don't think Kansas offered.

I have never watch him play in a game, but looks like a PF type of player more than a SF as many have him listed. I like his game, looks a lot more like an undersized Augie type of player than a Brian Randle that some others have mentioned.

 

[Obelix]

For you older fans like me, the guy kind of reminds me of Robert Bennett

Bennett could dunk, rebound, and block shots. But he never had the mobility and short drive ability and agility that this guy seems to exhibit (obviously he is shorter).

 

[MadSeason]

Bennett could dunk, rebound, and block shots. But he never had the mobility and short drive ability and agility that this guy seems to exhibit (obviously he is shorter).

I was thinking more in terms of build and being much stronger than their size would indicate.

I agree with your assessment that he's a post guy not wing. Andre Hutson from Mich St comes to mind

 

[TEYPAY]

FYI -- off topic response - Class 1a and 2a (small schools) state tourney is in Peoria.. Dozer field.

 

[PapaKvells]

If it's of no importance, this forum wouldn't have it as an emoticon. It's a face of Illinois basketball.

True, no kid is going to say, I want to go play basketball anywhere simply because of a building. But if you can have kids saying, wow, this is where the Illini play? Cool. Of course we have to win to make that happen, but #WeWillWin.

In this place:

OK, Mr. Moderator, I'm done. I promise.
:deadhorse:



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It's a free unofficial visit for every prospect on a top 8 team in the state. If a team goes downstate in constructive years, it's multiple UVs. The kids can see themselves playing on that court in college one day. It would be influential, IMO. We also have to get good to make that a dream worth having.

 

[TEYPAY]

It's a free unofficial visit for every prospect on a top 8 team in the state. If a team goes downstate in constructive years, it's multiple UVs. The kids can see themselves playing on that court in college one day. It would be influential, IMO. We also have to get good to make that a dream worth having.

FYI -- only 4 teams per class make it to state now.

 

[Second and Chalmers]

[YOUTUBE]TIqUe0d-X1s[/YOUTUBE]

Newer video.

He can put the ball on the floor and finish off of ball reversal, he can finish off of a catch on some off-ball action, and he defends the rim. You can see the fit there.

I like that Virginia is also sniffing around. Tony Bennett knows raw athletes who are going to fit in a structured offense. Of course the bad news is Virginia may get him, but you can tell a lot about a player by who else is involved.

 

[PapaKvells]

FYI -- only 4 teams per class make it to state now.

That didn't stop us when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor!

 

[Second and Chalmers]

Also, Badocchi is obviously a great athlete playing for a powerhouse high school, why doesn't he have more offers?

Note that there are only two shots in that video that aren't at the rim and one of them is a free throw.

Recruit videos are like Tinder profiles, you always have to be aware of what they're NOT showing you.

 

[HR217]

Really like Francesco's tape. At the very least he has to be a player you took a chance on and try to develop. You can't teach that length and athleticism. The tools are there.