Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (January-February 2018)

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#876      

Deleted member 654622

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Just wonder how Liddell and Okoro together would be any more of an issue than Liddell and Tilmon together. I'm not the kid, but Illinois' future is much brighter than Missouri's at this time, I think. Of course, a few signings can change that.

I just want to make sure everyone takes into account that I am sure a lot of teams are saying the same thing about themselves. To really make this go from a fan base opinion to reality on the national stage, we need some more games like the Rutgers one. Otherwise we are just another team with HOPE and no evidence
 
#877      

t7nich

Central IL
All Mizzery as of right now. Liddell Sr. is a huge fan of Cuonzo, and wants his son to have the ball year 1. With Okoro and Liddell that would be hard to keep both happy, along with a SO Ayo and JR Trent.

Far from over, but just what is going on right now. If Okoro goes elsewhere, ILL becomes much more likely than before.

Cause players don't want to play with other good players, right...
 
#878      
I just want to make sure everyone takes into account that I am sure a lot of teams are saying the same thing about themselves. To really make this go from a fan base opinion to reality on the national stage, we need some more games like the Rutgers one. Otherwise we are just another team with HOPE and no evidence

We have the highest % of total team points from freshmen of any B1G team. Some evidence for you, plus Kipper and Lucas are solid or better sophs. Lots of young talent.
 
#879      
How is Mizzou not a leader in this?

They need guards arguably more than we need bigs. He's a Missouri kid. And Mizzou can sell him on a new coach, talented bigs, etc.

Man, losing an in-state kid like this to a non-elite school like Oklahoma State or Texas would be a real kick in the pants for Cuonzo. Sorta like losing KBD to Ohio State.

...and the guy who runs the 247 Villanova site just crystal balled Mizzou.
 
#880      
Had some free tickets given to me so I went to the Wabash Valley College game tonight and checked out Austin Trice. Illinois staff watched him a couple weeks ago. 6'7" forward avg. 13 pts, 13 reb/game (I think he leads the nation in reb.)

He didn't do much on the offensive end as he finished with 6 pts on 3-8 shooting, but I didn't think that was all his fault as the guards were not trying to feed him in the post. His points came from hitting the boards. He had 18 total, 5 offensive. He did miss 2 bunny putbacks in a row on the offensive glass that he should have made. But other than that he had a great night rebounding and also added 4 ast, 2 blk, 1 stl while committing no fouls or turnovers.

I wish I could have seen some of his post game. He is very athletic and rebounds well. A couple times after grabbing the rebound, he took off and started the fast break himself and made solid passes to the player down court. I don't know if we will extend him an offer or not, but if we do, I would gladly take him. His game needs some polishing, but from what I could tell tonight, he seems to have a good motor. I didn't see him sulk or complain when his teammates wouldn't pass it to him or when he didn't get a call. And when he missed those 2 bunnies in a row, he busted his tail to the other end and blocked a layup attempt. He can definitely play above the rim. I could see him being on the receiving end of some of those lob passes we have been seeing in this offense. We need someone that can finish those. Never hurts to have someone like him that can throw down a few dunks, rebound like crazy and get a couple blocks every game. We don't need him to score a bunch of points. I say go get him

Just wanted to point out that these two stats combined jumped out at me. That is all.
 
#881      

Deleted member 654622

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We have the highest % of total team points from freshmen of any B1G team. Some evidence for you, plus Kipper and Lucas are solid or better sophs. Lots of young talent.

Please don't light me up with statistical evidence for why our future is bright. I drink just as much orange Kool-Aid as the next dude on here. I am in NO WAY arguing if our future is bright or not. I believe it is. I am just pointing out that I am sure on the majority of the other team's message boards, fans are looking at the good of their team and coming to the same conclusion as we are. It becomes more concrete with actual results on the floor.
 
#882      
I don't pretend to follow this recruitment at all, but this just seems like a perfect set-up for Mizzou.

I swear......Cuonzo is Mr. Sloppy Seconds. The dude poaches Porter which essentially drove the final nail in Romar's coffin, and then gets Porter's kids as a result. He benefits from the Groce firing to snatch up Tilmon. He could very well cash in on Pitino's scumbaggery to get Ramey. And if SLU completely implodes, he'll be right there to welcome Gordon with open arms.

Talk about the perfect storm.

The problem is, he has to coach his players. And he has never proven particularly good at that.

Not a problem. He also has a perfect storm of changing his employer ever so often. So, why coach?
 
#883      
FWIW I think Powell also had a cup or so in the NBA. Although if he did it was the smallest size offered

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From Wiki: "Powell continued to pursue a career in the NBA trying out for the Utah Jazz where he was reunited with former Illini teammates Dee Brown and Deron Williams. After working relentlessly over the summer, Powell made the Jazz's final roster for the 2006-07 NBA season. However, he was cut in mid-January, having scored his first points in the NBA with a pair of free throws on November 18, 2006 against the Phoenix Suns after being fouled by Shawn Marion."
 
#886      
Wondering what people on this board think are chances are of getting a big who can immediately help for next year and who that possibly could be. If we want to contend for the NCAA field next year pretty obvious we will need some help inside
 
#887      

haasi

New York
Wondering what people on this board think are chances are of getting a big who can immediately help for next year and who that possibly could be. If we want to contend for the NCAA field next year pretty obvious we will need some help inside



The $64,000 question.


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#888      

Deleted member 654622

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Any new news on the SLU situation come out yet?
 
#889      
Believe Greg will be very functional next year and Matic looks large enough to be of some support. Not sure that shooting is not more critical. Our consistency in three point shooting will kill us. Don't really believe Ayo is the answer for that.
 
#890      
Wondering what people on this board think are chances are of getting a big who can immediately help for next year and who that possibly could be. If we want to contend for the NCAA field next year pretty obvious we will need some help inside

As of now, there are none listed that would fit your criteria as far as grad transfers. The list is always changing, however, probably wont drastically until the spring/end of season comes around.:chief:
 
#891      

TownieMatt

CU Expat
Chicago
Wondering what people on this board think are chances are of getting a big who can immediately help for next year and who that possibly could be. If we want to contend for the NCAA field next year pretty obvious we will need some help inside

Pick a name... Any name... https://www.verbalcommits.com/transfers/2018

It should be noted that most 5th-year transfers (especially the good ones) aren't going to announce until their season is over. Alstork committed to us in late May of last year.

Thanks to the promising emergence of Ebo, I think the staff has decided not to reach for a project big in the '18 class. People act like we're going to find a HS recruit to replace Finke in the starting lineup next year. Uhhhh, it ain't happening.

Finke + Black + Ebo + Fifth year rotation big is enough up front for this team to make the tournament next year. It also sets up well for recruiting '19 bigs.
 
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#892      
Pick a name... Any name... https://www.verbalcommits.com/transfers/2018



Finke + Black + Ebo + Fifth year rotation big is enough up front for this team to make the tournament next year. It also sets up well for recruiting '19 bigs.

You don't think Matic will make a contribution next year? I would be surprised if he doesn't make as much as Greg this year I.e. 15 mins per game in conference.
 
#893      
You don't think Matic will make a contribution next year? I would be surprised if he doesn't make as much as Greg this year I.e. 15 mins per game in conference.

Too early to tell isn't it? He hasn't looked good in very limited minutes. If he can give us that kind of playing time next year it would be absolutely amazing. Anything more than 5ish minutes should be considered a positive. Time for Antigua to make his money.
 
#894      
You don't think Matic will make a contribution next year? I would be surprised if he doesn't make as much as Greg this year I.e. 15 mins per game in conference.

I have a hot take -- Matic is going to turn out to be a good player. No doubt he's a project but I'm picturing a more athletic Finke with more consistency a couple years down the line. Seems like he'll be able to do some more damage out of the pinch post than Michael. We shall see.
 
#895      

TownieMatt

CU Expat
Chicago
You don't think Matic will make a contribution next year? I would be surprised if he doesn't make as much as Greg this year I.e. 15 mins per game in conference.

I would be shocked if he contributed. I'm all for glass-half-full optimism, but I'm curious what you've seen from him that gives you that impression.
 
#896      
I would be shocked if he contributed. I'm all for glass-half-full optimism, but I'm curious what you've seen from him that gives you that impression.

Admittedly have not seen much as he seems lost in the offense but he seems to move well and has the size and has been praised by BU for his shooting ability. Guess I have some faith in the coaching staff developing him. Didn't think he was more of a project than Greg just not the same athletic ability. Pretty weak case I guess.
 
#897      

TownieMatt

CU Expat
Chicago
Admittedly have not seen much as he seems lost in the offense but he seems to move well and has the size and has been praised by BU for his shooting ability. Guess I have some faith in the coaching staff developing him. Didn't think he was more of a project than Greg just not the same athletic ability. Pretty weak case I guess.

I think Matic's issue is that not only is he adapting physically to the B1G and to our brand of offense, but he's having to adjust to American basketball itself. If you watch his European highlights, it's a lot of drives to the basket, open jumpers, and put-backs. He doesn't have the strength or skill to do any of that at this level. Beyond that, I can't see him defending even low-level B1G bigs in the post.

I'm not saying Matic is a lost cause, but man was he ever a prime candidate for a redshirt. He needs to add a bunch of strength before he sees much PT. Until then, he's just far too much of a liability on defense. I legitimately believe we have one of the best strength coaches in the country, but there's only so much that can be done in one off-season. Given that all of our current bigs should be back, I can't see a path to playing time for him next year.
 
#898      
I'm not saying Matic is a lost cause, but man was he ever a prime candidate for a redshirt.

I personally think this has been BU's biggest mistake so far. Virtually no reason to burn his RS. It's not that big of an issue, and maybe it was a sticking point to getting Matic, but it would've been nice.
 
#899      
I personally think this has been BU's biggest mistake so far. Virtually no reason to burn his RS. It's not that big of an issue, and maybe it was a sticking point to getting Matic, but it would've been nice.

If there is a lot of hand wringing about Matic having used up his eligibilty 4 years from now I would be stunned. If Underwood and his staff aren’t recruiting way over him they might not even be here.
 
#900      
If there is a lot of hand wringing about Matic having used up his eligibilty 4 years from now I would be stunned. If Underwood and his staff aren’t recruiting way over him they might not even be here.

Give me a good reason to play a scholarship player less than 60 mins throughout what 20ish games. And all of those minutes coming at meaningless times.

Are you suggesting they are trying to get him out of here quicker? There are much easier ways to do that. We obviously aren't hurting for open scholarships. Trying to predict if we will be 4 years down the road is a crap shoot.

I'm making a much bigger deal of this than I should be, but I dont see why we wouldn't give him an extra year to develop if we could (and obviously we could've given his limited playing time). Nobody knows what he will develop into. I dont think anyone expected Ebo to be this good this quickly, or for MS to have fallen as far as he has.
 
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