Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (April 2017)

CARPET · Apr 16, 2017

sacraig said:
So... are you suggesting we are all about to be herded onto Higgins boats?

Not suggesting anything

sacraig · Apr 16, 2017

aluma said:
As a whole, the Groce staff trusted people too much and often felt innocently confident with a lot of the kids we recruited.

I don't even know how much I can blame them... initially. His experience prior was as a great recruiter for Matta, but at the time he had a much better program to sell at Ohio State than what he inherited at Illinois. I think one of his failings was ultimately not realizing that soon enough.

jmm · Apr 16, 2017

CARPET said:
The Sky is Bright Orange

westcoastillini · Apr 16, 2017

jmm said:

As in the future is bright :/

Second and Chalmers · Apr 16, 2017

aluma said:
Now that Groce and his staff are gone

Well...

illinidday · Apr 16, 2017

CARPET said:
There is good news coming I think a lot of people are going to be surprised with what this staff brings in to offset departures.

Got to Love Frazier and Da' Monte loyalty they are going to strive under Coach Underwood's style of play.

This transformation for Illinois Basketball has not been easy for anyone it had to be done. The future for ILLINOIS BASKETBALL IS ORANGE BRIGHT.

Keep you ear to the ground We Will Win.

CARPET said:
My glimmer of hope to land Mark Smith has been put out.

CARPET said:
The Sky is Bright Orange

I love your optimism Carpet, but I need Dramamine following you.

jmm · Apr 16, 2017

westcoastillini said:
As in the future is bright :/

I remember those pics of orange skies posted back in be Cliff and Snider days.... it always seemed to mean that there were some very good things developing

I guess I was thinking more of what that is meaning currently. Can't wait to see what develops

sacraig · Apr 16, 2017

Second and Chalmers said:
Well...

MrOizo · Apr 17, 2017

IlliniElite said:
Its going to play out the same way it did with Groce u cant sit and say well hes new we will give him a year then see how he does the following year you cant do that in College hoops this isnt the nba where there is a draft and you can rebuild....If you fire a Coach in college u better hope whoever u hire is a homerun JW is a football guy he went out and snagged up a stud Coach in Lovie he mad a huge mistake hiring BU mark my words Illini Basketball going to be rough to watch for years to come and i love the Orange and Blue

I like that college and coach are capitalized but NBA isn't. It's interesting to ponder.

Adnarel · Apr 17, 2017

CARPET said:
The Sky is Bright Orange

The Moore the merrier, right? :thumb:

(still desperately need another big though)

Redbirds33333 · Apr 17, 2017

So with 4 scholarships. Lots of moving pieces here and options.

At first I didn't really want Bruninga as I thought he was mid-major, but after watching him some more and the fact he hasn't focused on basketball to this point, I think there is a ton of upside with his size and skill set. BU wants skilled players who are tough. I think he would be a nice replacement at the high post once Finke graduates. Sign me up!

The 6 options I read the most about are:

Smith
Moore
Badocchi
Ernst
Bruninga
Cam Johnson

Who else have been mentioned as options?

Adnarel · Apr 17, 2017

Nah, I'll dial you back on that. Being an Illinois fan, I'll call nothing a done deal until they're on the court playing in a regular season game.

But it looks pretty good, that I'll say. We'll have to fight off Kansas.

Future Walk-On · Apr 17, 2017

foby said:
They are now the favorite for Bowen, I believe. Leaving the Valley for the Big East helps a lot.

And they somehow always get 15000+ fans at their games when their enrollment is like 8000

Calvin · Apr 17, 2017

Adnarel said:
Nah, I'll dial you back on that. Being an Illinois fan, I'll call nothing a done deal until they're on the court playing in a regular season game.

But it looks pretty good, that I'll say. We'll have to fight off Kansas.

That doesn't seem like it should be hard, if in fact the statement about wanting to be closer to home for an ailing family member is the main reason for the transfer.

I'd asked this question before but don't recall seeing an answer --are we in fact recruiting Moore? I'm much more concerned about getting a big or two....

Future Walk-On · Apr 17, 2017

http://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-basketball-men/article144866734.html

Here is an article on the Derby Classic or whatever. The end talks solely about Mark Smith and they do mention Illinois recruiting him.

The only player in the Derby Classic who hasn’t picked a college yet is Illinois Mr. Basketball Mark Smith, and he was a focus of attention for the smattering of UK fans in the crowd.

Smith — a 6-5 guard — picked up a scholarship offer from the Wildcats last week and is planning to visit Lexington in the next few days. He was roommates with Gilgeous-Alexander in Louisville this week, and the two were palling around on the court before Saturday night’s game.

“We became good friends,” Smith said. “He’s a great basketball player. But he’s a great person, too. He’s a fun guy to be around and a fun guy to play with.

“He was out here dominating. It would be great to play with Shai.”

Smith had seven points, six rebounds and four assists, playing alongside Gilgeous-Alexander on the victorious Team Lightning.

He’s also considering Illinois, Michigan State and Ohio State, among other schools, and he’s expected to make a college decision soon after his visit to Kentucky.

“They love their basketball up here,” he said. “I had a great time up here (in Kentucky). But I still I have to get down to campus and see if I like it.”

Redbirds33333 · Apr 17, 2017

Bragg as well

Redbirds33333 · Apr 17, 2017

Redbirds33333 said:
So with 4 scholarships. Lots of moving pieces here and options.

At first I didn't really want Bruninga as I thought he was mid-major, but after watching him some more and the fact he hasn't focused on basketball to this point, I think there is a ton of upside with his size and skill set. BU wants skilled players who are tough. I think he would be a nice replacement at the high post once Finke graduates. Sign me up!

The 6 options I read the most about are:

Smith
Moore
Badocchi
Ernst
Bruninga
Cam Johnson

Who else have been mentioned as options?

Bragg I forgot as well

Goldtop · Apr 17, 2017

Redbirds33333 said:
So with 4 scholarships. Lots of moving pieces here and options.

At first I didn't really want Bruninga as I thought he was mid-major, but after watching him some more and the fact he hasn't focused on basketball to this point, I think there is a ton of upside with his size and skill set. BU wants skilled players who are tough. I think he would be a nice replacement at the high post once Finke graduates. Sign me up!

The 6 options I read the most about are:

Smith
Moore
Badocchi
Ernst
Bruninga
Cam Johnson

Who else have been mentioned as options?

Which means who we end up with will be nobody on this list.

PlayAZ · Apr 17, 2017

Redbirds33333 said:
So with 4 scholarships. Lots of moving pieces here and options.

At first I didn't really want Bruninga as I thought he was mid-major, but after watching him some more and the fact he hasn't focused on basketball to this point, I think there is a ton of upside with his size and skill set. BU wants skilled players who are tough. I think he would be a nice replacement at the high post once Finke graduates. Sign me up!

The 6 options I read the most about are:

Smith
Moore
Badocchi
Ernst
Bruninga
Cam Johnson

Who else have been mentioned as options?

The following make the most sense:

Moore - I think this kid is pretty smart and can see how Evans fared with BU...so?
Badocchi - Wing that can get playing time
Ernst - Could walk into a starting role
Johnson - Who might make the most sense due to skill set and position out of them all...

Smith goes to Kentucky I think, he seems enamored as he probably should, I always thought the home town allure would win out but not anymore. Bruninga would have to be a preferred unless someone transfers, it doesn't seem as if that will happen.

troym22 · Apr 17, 2017

WKU is going to be good

TCTORNADO · Apr 17, 2017

Redbirds33333 said:
Bragg as well

+++ on Bragg
Also Juiston left Iowa State this weekend w/o committing. Juiston is visiting DePaul this morning.

STLIlliniMike · Apr 17, 2017

PlayAZ said:
The following make the most sense:

Moore - I think this kid is pretty smart and can see how Evans fared with BU...so?
Badocchi - Wing that can get playing time
Ernst - Could walk into a starting role
Johnson - Who might make the most sense due to skill set and position out of them all...

I don't think Evans play will be a determining factor in Moore's recruitment. I don't think many kids pick a school based off the performance of one borderline 5* star guard who they won't be playing with. Most of these kids, outside of possibly Badocchi, are going to be able to walk into a starting situation or major playing time. I hope we're selling them more than playing time.

troym22 · Apr 17, 2017

Derek Piper‏ @DPiperScout 1m1 minute ago

#Illini hosting 2017 forward Francesco Badocchi (@frankiejones23) for a visit today - per a source.

http://www.scout.com/college/illinois/story/1771383-illini-hosting-2017-target-francesco-badocchi

Illini B-Ball Fan · Apr 17, 2017

Redbirds33333 said:
So with 4 scholarships. Lots of moving pieces here and options.

At first I didn't really want Bruninga as I thought he was mid-major, but after watching him some more and the fact he hasn't focused on basketball to this point, I think there is a ton of upside with his size and skill set. BU wants skilled players who are tough. I think he would be a nice replacement at the high post once Finke graduates. Sign me up!

The 6 options I read the most about are:

Smith
Moore
Badocchi
Ernst
Bruninga
Cam Johnson

Who else have been mentioned as options?

Hardy may still be in the mix unless he's headed to Arkansas.

BigWhiteSpats · Apr 17, 2017

Not 100% sure, as I was trying to be discreet and not gawk, but Underwood and staff were at OPH about an hour ago with a young man who appeared to be Francesco Badocchi. The pancake breakfast tradition lives on!