Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (October 2017)

[Loyalillini10]

I really wanted LN to come here too, but I am not super down on our program just because we don't have any 2018 recruits yet. I think it is waaaaay more important we have a great '17-18 season than a great recruiting class this year. Sure, I would LOVE a great recruiting class, but I do not believe that the future of the program solely (or even remotely) hinges on whether or not we land some really big fish this year. I mean, we had some good recruiting classes during the Groce era, but we did not have good seasons and THAT is what ultimately matters, as he is no longer our coach.

Look, I get it, recruiting is exciting. It is like dating: you really love it when someone chooses you; it makes you feel great. But it doesn't mean a whole lot if you don't do anything with it and it never goes anywhere.

We have a great incoming 2017 class. Let's hope BU can do something with them. If he can't, then I will be concerned. Until then, I remain hopeful.

 

[illiniguy24]

I really wanted LN to come here too, but I am not super down on our program just because we don't have any 2018 recruits yet. I think it is waaaaay more important we have a great '17-18 season than a great recruiting class this year. Sure, I would LOVE a great recruiting class, but I do not believe that the future of the program solely (or even remotely) hinges on whether or not we land some really big fish this year. I mean, we had some good recruiting classes during the Groce era, but we did not have good seasons and THAT is what ultimately matters, as he is no longer our coach.



Look, I get it, recruiting is exciting. It is like dating: you really love it when someone chooses you; it makes you feel great. But it doesn't mean a whole lot if you don't do anything with it and it never goes anywhere.



We have a great incoming 2017 class. Let's hope BU can do something with them. If he can't, then I will be concerned. Until then, I remain hopeful.

100%

People would freak out just as much if we signed Ayo, THT, LN and CC and then went out and won 15 games next season. Winning is most important for our program right now.


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[Obelix]

I think it is waaaaay more important we have a great '17-18 season than a great recruiting class this year.

Having a good or bad 2017-18 basketball season is in no way related to the 2018 class. On the contrary, a good 2018 class provides security against future success on the court, and it is no mystery that performance and success at a high level are correlated to talent and recruiting.

If we have a great 2017-18 season, fine, the 2018 recruiting class will enhance our chances taking it to the next level next year. But if we don't, the 2018 recruiting class will be even more crucial in filling gaps and making you stronger. Then, we need the 2018 class even more.

More importantly, fans have different views on what "great" means. Just making the tournament is not "great" by any means. Becoming consistently great, as shown by Illini history (e.g., 80's, 2000-05) requires a much higher level of talent/recruiting than we have had the last 12 years.

It seems many have already convinced themselves that it is almost guaranteed that we will have a "great" year in 2017-18. We all can hope... but it is far from a given right now.

 

[bombayIllini]

Winning.

And filling SFC this season

 

[sacraig]

Having a good or bad 2017-18 basketball season is in no way related to the 2018 class.

This just flat out isn't true. It is in no way related to the fall signees in the 2018 class, but having a good season in 2017-2018 can absolutely improve (or worsen) our standing with spring signees.

 

[Obelix]

This just flat out isn't true. It is in no way related to the fall signees in the 2018 class, but having a good season in 2017-2018 can absolutely improve (or worsen) our standing with spring signees.

You are reading the statement incorrectly. The 2018 basketball season, whether good or bad, is no way dependent on who we sign in 2018, not the other way around.

 

[PlayAZ]

Kevin Easley, anyone know if we reached out to him?...Likes of East Carolina recruiting him and decommitted from VCU?

 

[IlliniFin86]

I really wanted LN to come here too, but I am not super down on our program just because we don't have any 2018 recruits yet. I think it is waaaaay more important we have a great '17-18 season than a great recruiting class this year. Sure, I would LOVE a great recruiting class, but I do not believe that the future of the program solely (or even remotely) hinges on whether or not we land some really big fish this year. I mean, we had some good recruiting classes during the Groce era, but we did not have good seasons and THAT is what ultimately matters, as he is no longer our coach.

Look, I get it, recruiting is exciting. It is like dating: you really love it when someone chooses you; it makes you feel great. But it doesn't mean a whole lot if you don't do anything with it and it never goes anywhere.

We have a great incoming 2017 class. Let's hope BU can do something with them. If he can't, then I will be concerned. Until then, I remain hopeful.

What's the likelihood of Illini having a "great" season 2017-18. Not "good" but as you say "great."

I'm not sure Groce had good recruiting classes. Last two good classes I can recall without looking it up were Paul, DJ, Griffey, Joe and Meyers, Head, Richmond. Unfortunately as good as it looked that last class was a complete bust other than Meyers.

 

[PJD86]

To me we have to show kids we have a system they want to play in. I dont think anything else matters, if we win 20, or 16, makes no difference if a kid says, hey that looks like the system and game for me.

I do have one concern (probably wrong word to use, concern)

Rep on BU is he is a pretty tough coach. Does anyone think that will contribute to the type of player we cannot get?

 

[Loyalillini10]

Having a good or bad 2017-18 basketball season is in no way related to the 2018 class.

Woah. Man, you made me go back and read my post 3x because after reading your post, you made me question what I wrote. Turns out, I wrote what I thought I did.

I never mentioned anything about our '17-18 season being related to our 2018 recruiting season. I said I thing this year's season is more important and that it doesn't matter much if you get a good recruiting class if you don't win. Those were the main points of my post.

 

[JFGsCoffeeMug]

Rep on BU is he is a pretty tough coach. Does anyone think that will contribute to the type of player we cannot get?

People can put up with quite a lot as long as they're convinced that the results are worth the sacrifice. If we can't win and develop players for the next level, killing yourself in practice won't seem worth it. But if BU's methods generate success, they will be seen as a strength and not as a drawback.

 

[Obelix]

Woah. Man, you made me go back and read my post 3x because after reading your post, you made me question what I wrote. Turns out, I wrote what I thought I did.

I never mentioned anything about our '17-18 season being related to our 2018 recruiting season. I said I thing this year's season is more important and that it doesn't matter much if you get a good recruiting class if you don't win. Those were the main points of my post.

That's exactly what I responded to you. It DOES matter greatly! On the contrary, if you don't win, a good 2018 recruiting class matters even more.

 

[PJD86]

People can put up with quite a lot as long as they're convinced that the results are worth the sacrifice. If we can't win and develop players for the next level, killing yourself in practice won't seem worth it. But if BU's methods generate success, they will be seen as a strength and not as a drawback.

I agree with that

 

[Loyalillini10]

What's the likelihood of Illini having a "great" season 2017-18. Not "good" but as you say "great."

I'm not sure Groce had good recruiting classes. Last two good classes I can recall without looking it up were Paul, DJ, Griffey, Joe and Meyers, Head, Richmond. Unfortunately as good as it looked that last class was a complete bust other than Meyers.

This is what happens when you don't win. Good gets are forgotten. IMO, a class with Malcolm Hill and Kendrick Nunn is a good class. But, we never won with them and so, therefore, the thought becomes Groxe didn't have good classes.

And Ob, man, I just think you like to argue. If we make it to the tourney this year, after missing out for many, the fan base will be happy. If we get Ayo (really want) and THT (really want) and some other good get but miss the tourney again, people will be angry at the end of the season.

I understand that recruiting matters. Again, I am just more concerned with winning this year.

 

[SouthernIllinoisRedneck]

Anyone remember the old IB board back when Weber was whiffing on recruits after our 2005 season? I can't remember the poster's name. But he would post pics of a post it note on his desk with our recruiting targets on it. And he would draw a line through their names after each one committed to another school. The list on that Post-It note was rather long.

 

[Obelix]

If we get Ayo (really want) and THT (really want) and some other good get but miss the tourney again, people will be angry at the end of the season.

And if we don't get Ayo (really want) and don't get THT (really want) and we don't get a good 2018 recruiting class but miss the tourney again, people will be even angrier at the end of the season. Way angrier.

Not so difficult to understand. Whether we get a good 2018 recruiting class or not in now way influences the 2017-18 basketball season.

 

[IllFanInMi]

That's exactly what I responded to you. It DOES matter greatly! On the contrary, if you don't win, a good 2018 recruiting class matters even more.

STOP!!!!

Recruiting success IS VITALLY IMPORTANT for current season wins and losses. Not only does it generate program momentum and swag, which breeds court confidence, but it provides performance pressure on the players. Hasn't Kentucky built a dynasty based on recruiting? You don't think the UK kids playing in one year don't realize the pressure of performing with the 5* kid coming next year that could move him to the bench and out of draft lingo?

Sure, effects of recruiting impact current year performance intangibly more so than tangibly, but WITHOUT QUESTION recruiting affects that years team's wins and losses. Additionally, ticket sales, donors pockets, team confidence, energy, media discussion(recruiting), performance, and more are impacted, which move a program positively or negatively. Obviously the recruits affect a program tangibly more so in future years, but underestimating the importance of recruiting on the current years team is a mistake . Aside from the above, coaches can focus more on coaching when classes are filled. To think recruiting success or failures don't impact current performance is simply nativity to college sports.

 

[Deleted member 631370]

Anyone remember the old IB board back when Weber was whiffing on recruits after our 2005 season? I can't remember the poster's name. But he would post pics of a post it note on his desk with our recruiting targets on it. And he would draw a line through their names after each one committed to another school. The list on that Post-It note was rather long.

2005 was an epic recruiting failure. Absolutely epic. When you combine with the 2006 class and consider that those classes came in the midst of our 2005 run, it's incredible to see that we winded up with 2 classes consisting of Jamar Smith, Chester Frazier, Charles Jackson, Richard Semrau, and Brian Carlwell.

The whiffs that I can recall (starting with 2005 and then going into 2006):

Julian Wright
Luke Zeller
Byron Eaton
Jamont Gordon
Austin Jackson
Jovan Adams
Devan Downey
Chris Douglas Roberts
Leo Criswell
Jared Carter
Jamal Boykin
Rashad Woods
Andre McGee
Abdul Herrera
Sherron Collins
Jon Scheyer
Duke Crews
Ramar Smith
Willie Kemp
Derrick Jasper
Scottie Reynolds
Jerry Smith
Eugene Harvey
Marques Johnson
Bryce Webster

Good times.

 

[IlliniDent]

STOP!!!!

Recruiting success IS VITALLY IMPORTANT for current season wins and losses. Not only does it generate program momentum and swag, which breeds court confidence, but it provides performance pressure on the players. Hasn't Kentucky built a dynasty based on recruiting? You don't think the UK kids playing in one year don't realize the pressure of performing with the 5* kid coming next year that could move him to the bench and out of draft lingo?

Sure, effects of recruiting impact current year performance intangibly more so than tangibly, but WITHOUT QUESTION recruiting affects that years team's wins and losses. Additionally, ticket sales, donors pockets, team confidence, energy, media discussion(recruiting), performance, and more are impacted, which move a program positively or negatively. Obviously the recruits affect a program tangibly more so in future years, but underestimating the importance of recruiting on the current years team is a mistake . Aside from the above, coaches can focus more on coaching when classes are filled. To think recruiting success or failures don't impact current performance is simply nativity to college sports.

Not sure you read that correctly at all....

 

[westcoastillini]

Elias

Ok everyone... imagine hearing this in State Farm center:

Vaaaaaaaltonen for three!!

Weve got a 50/50 chance

 

[DReq]

Who knows? Maybe BU is too tough. I mean nice guys get all the recruits. Like Bobby Knight. Now there was a softy for you. [emoji12]

 

[GortTheRobot]

Maybe if we land Valtonen, he and Vesel can be our new Krupalija and Archibald.

 

[IllFanInMi]

However, an individual's perception of the program includes both recruiting and on the court success in both the near and long-term. So those that aren't freaking out may be expecting better near-term results on the court, and/or better long-term success. It makes sense to look at a coaching change as a process and be patient with the program's development. And let's stop playing "keeping up with the Jones" and looking at what recruits other first year HCs have, and just relax and enjoy having a true professional at the helm for the first time in a while. We will win some basketball games and we will have an on-court product that we will enjoy watching. That is a huge win. Don't let the myriad bumps in the road get you down!

I suppose I'm just not ready to accept that all the good BU and staff bring to our future hopes and expectations should override or be independent of how our recruiting is going so far. It's not Armageddon, but I would vote for having both a solid recruiting start to 2018 and future aspirations 11 out of 10 X

 

[jrichisamazing]

I am not paying any more attention to AYO, THT, the Fin, etc...; I get the next man up mentality, but the signs are pointing away from us, so please stop "lean" posting the next and best name as it only fuels the flames of temporary recruiting bliss, which will more than probably end up as a sack blast. I so wish I could ban myself from this site, but I can't. If we get one of the three then I will be happy, but the little voices in my head are telling me we go 0 for.

Whatever, we have a talented group who will be taking the court pretty soon, albeit; a talented core with a lot of question marks. If the stars align we could shock many people, if inexperience plays out then it will be another ho hum, Cubbies, wait til next year season.

No matter what happens, there is NOTHING any of us here can do but hope, pray, and believe great times are ahead. Until then, it is what it is, and we are striking out more than Sammy Sosa before the juice, one day the homeruns will come!

1) If you don't want to follow our recruits then why are you on the RECRUITING thread?

2) It is extremely easy to ban yourself from this site. The rules are really simple and Dan doesn't let the bad stuff slide. Go ahead and give it a try.:thumb:

 

[jrichisamazing]

I suppose I'm just not ready to accept that all the good BU and staff bring to our future hopes and expectations should override or be independent of how our recruiting is going so far. It's not Armageddon, but I would vote for having both a solid recruiting start to 2018 and future aspirations 11 out of 10 X

This is why I don't understand the pessimism. Yes, we don't have any 18' commits. But the key wording is "so far". It's the first week in October, there is still a long way to go. This isn't football where we would need 20+ commits. We just need 2 or 3, maybe 4. Let it play out before being pessimistic.