Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (January-February 2018)

[ChiefIllini]

I think we are at that point where the shininess of Ayo has worn off. Similar thing happened to Frazier last year. He might not fix all our problems, buts just because he's a guard doesn't mean he wont impact this team in a major way. Maybe he wont put up TF stats (not that he couldn't/isn't a better player, but Trents stats are FOY worthy), but he makes this team instantly better. Replace Alstorks contributions with Ayo's. Thats a huge leap forward offensively. And if we are being honest, Alstorks defense is largely made up of uncalled hand checks, hes a good defender, but skates by a lot.

Ayo means a lot off the court, but he's going to impact this team mightily.

 

[CoalCity]

One other aspect, we will have a future NBA player in Ayo, something that we really need through the program which younger Chicago kids (and Fire players) will know and remember... we're getting that in Ayo.

I think the Ayo/THT decision also took into heavy account the closeness of Ayos family with the Okoro family and the influence Ayo might have with Adam Miller. Trading the present for the future. Now if those two dont pan out and THT winds up being a beast...well we better hope Ayo is a transcendent talent at illinois.

 

[TheGMan]

Yah I hope these influences come to fruition as much as anyone. And I love Ayo I just still think something went down w the Irvins and set rules were made about who ILL could or could not recruit. If true I am not happy about it .

Can we not get into this again?

 

[TheGMan]

Your'e right. No one have an opinion on an opinion based message board.

I'm glad you agree.

 

[IlliniBrave75]

Corey Evans @coreyevans_10
Taking all of your college basketball and recruiting related questions for this week’s #TwitterTuesday



Margarita Jake @MargaritaJakeHH

It seems as though Illinois has become serious players for Tevian Jones and Courtney Ramey. As it stands today, do you feel they land 1, both, or neither of them?
9:42 AM - Feb 18, 2018



Illinois continues to chase after some of the top available talent remaining in the 2018 class, including Tevian Jones and Courtney Ramey. While the Illini aren't a sure thing to land either prospect, the Big Ten program has begun to gain some traction.

Jones, a 6-foot-5 wing that can defend, finish and shoot, would be a quality piece to what the Illini have begun to accumulate on the perimeter. With the upcoming departure of grad-transfer guard Mark Alstork, Jones would have the opportunity to step in and immediately grab some minutes. Things are far from a done deal with Jones and while the Illini are in a good spot, Oregon, Arizona, Cincinnati, Texas and a slew of others remain in contention.

For Courtney Ramey, what we know right now is that he has taken official visits to Texas and Oklahoma State. Villanova and UCLA, two programs that had scheduled official visits with Ramey, are no longer in contention but SMU, Ohio State, South Carolina, Minnesota, Oklahoma and Tennessee now are. No visits are scheduled for the time being so there is still some time before a decision is made.

Jones may be the likeliest of the two to pledge to Illinois, though Brad Underwood and his staff are doing all that they can to grab both.


https://basketballrecruiting.rivals...linois-armando-bacot-iowa-state-j-raan-brooks

 

[Ubermensch]

Ramey and Jones would be unreal. They would instantly give the program a boost of positive energy.

I don’t expect it, but you never know.

 

[Deleted member 631370]

Ramey and Jones would be unreal. They would instantly give the program a boost of positive energy.

I don’t expect it, but you never know.

Personally, I don't expect either of them. Arizona for Jones, and Texas for Ramey (or perhaps even Villanova if Quinerly doesn't materialize for them). But we shall see.

I'm thinking we end with Trice, Jacobs, and a 5th year senior. Wouldn't be a bad class by any means. But probably not enough to make us feel confident going into next season.

 

[PlayAZ]

Weber didn’t sign many players on the level of THT. Leonard, maybe. THT is the guy who won’t play here that really irritates me. He was a game changer. I hate so much that he’s not going to suit up for Illinois. He’s going to be a great college player.

I think he might be a "great" Iowa State player when all is said and done, I don't think he will end up being a "great" college player. That wording is thrown around way to often, and there are actually very few "great" college players when all is said and done. Many help their teams, collectively teams may end up great with a sum of all parts, very few players transcend the sport individually...especially any longer with the one and done's etc in place.

 

[PlayAZ]

lol, GMAB! There's always going to be stiff competition for high major kids. Always. This article basically maps out ISU fans' fever dream. Let's see how they do with Chicago area kids the next couple seasons.

I think you missed the point? The whole article was basically laying out the formula for what they thought could happen the next few years? Getting 3 out of the top 5 in Chicago is a BIG deal, I don't care how you spin it or what schools name you insert here, but, it is still a big deal.

If a Kentucky would have pulled this off, you and I and many others would be saying well of course they could do this and maybe they will again being Kentucky etc...We should at least consider that this could happen again for an Iowa State especially with their coaching ties in the city. No different than our hopes for Coleman in Chicago or Antigua in say New York...right?

 

[Ubermensch]

I think he might be a "great" Iowa State player when all is said and done, I don't think he will end up being a "great" college player. That wording is thrown around way to often, and there are actually very few "great" college players when all is said and done. Many help their teams, collectively teams may end up great with a sum of all parts, very few players transcend the sport individually...especially any longer with the one and done's etc in place.

THT will be a “great” college player.

 

[Ubermensch]

Personally, I don't expect either of them. Arizona for Jones, and Texas for Ramey (or perhaps even Villanova if Quinerly doesn't materialize for them). But we shall see.

I'm thinking we end with Trice, Jacobs, and a 5th year senior. Wouldn't be a bad class by any means. But probably not enough to make us feel confident going into next season.

Agreed. Watching Jones, he reminds me a little of a young Kendall Gill. All arms and legs.

 

[aluma]

To me the term "great player" is a player that likely achieves an all conference 1st or 2nd team by their junior and senior years. For example, Diop, Happ, Carr, etc... are all great college basketball players. By this standard I do think that THT will eventually be a great player. Trent is on his way and I hope that Smith still arrives to this classification.

 

[Ga65]

I don't understand the love for a 6'2" two star guard Jacobs. Is this another case of thinking all recruits are better than our roster? I certainly would not trade TeJon for him.

 

[3 point girl]

I don't understand the love for a 6'2" two star guard Jacobs. Is this another case of thinking all recruits are better than our roster? I certainly would not trade TeJon for him.

How many teams in the BIG can win with a point guard averaging 5 points a game shooting 14% from 3 point range. Did you see the last few games where the defense just backed off of him daring him to shoot (just like Tate). Give me a guy that can fill it up -opens all the passing lanes & down low.

 

[Ubermensch]

I don't understand the love for a 6'2" two star guard Jacobs. Is this another case of thinking all recruits are better than our roster? I certainly would not trade TeJon for him.

I think it’s a case of a) he’s a very good athlete and b) all recruits are better than empty scholarships.

 

[Oldtoysrock]

Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

I don't understand the love for a 6'2" two star guard Jacobs. Is this another case of thinking all recruits are better than our roster? I certainly would not trade TeJon for him.

I love TeJon’s effort, but I’d make that trade.


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[Illiniguy13]

I don't understand the love for a 6'2" two star guard Jacobs. Is this another case of thinking all recruits are better than our roster? I certainly would not trade TeJon for him.

I think he's a 3 star to be fair, but point taken. With that said, he's *significantly* more athletic than Lucas and has the tools to be just as good if not a better defender. And offensively Lucas isn't going to show much without shooters/playmakers around him. Jacobs is much more capable of getting his own shot at this level and can't possibly be a worse shooter.

 

[BlindLoyalty]

I don't understand the love for a 6'2" two star guard Jacobs. Is this another case of thinking all recruits are better than our roster?

Many on here are calling for a dangerous remedy. The disease must be desperate.

 

[foby]

By all means, trade a bulldog 3rd year TJL for an unproven freshman guard ranked in the 300s. Sounds legit.

 

[Illinoise]

By all means, trade a bulldog 3rd year TJL for an unproven freshman guard ranked in the 300s. Sounds legit.

Not that’s this is how this really works but if the staff sees potential in Jacobs you would definitely make that trade. TJL is a fine player but he doesn’t really get you closer to competing for a BiG 10 title. We need explosive athletes and if Underwood and staff see potential I am in.

 

[whatahack]

When do players normally announce their intention to leave....after the team's season is over or after the tournament is over??

 

[Joel Goodson]

I think you missed the point? The whole article was basically laying out the formula for what they thought could happen the next few years? Getting 3 out of the top 5 in Chicago is a BIG deal, I don't care how you spin it or what schools name you insert here, but, it is still a big deal.

If a Kentucky would have pulled this off, you and I and many others would be saying well of course they could do this and maybe they will again being Kentucky etc...We should at least consider that this could happen again for an Iowa State especially with their coaching ties in the city. No different than our hopes for Coleman in Chicago or Antigua in say New York...right?

I think pretty much all of us Illini fans took note of ISU's haul this year. We wanted all 3 kids and they're headed to Ames. But as to their aspirational hopes for landing elite Chicago kids (e.g. Miller), I'll believe it when I see it.

C'mon, UK? UK wouldn't touch Conditt or Griffin. And probably not THT either.

 

[foby]

Not that’s this is how this really works but if the staff sees potential in Jacobs you would definitely make that trade. TJL is a fine player but he doesn’t really get you closer to competing for a BiG 10 title. We need explosive athletes and if Underwood and staff see potential I am in.

Starting TF, AD and maybe MS. TL and DW come off the bench. That's winning depth to me. Should a miracle happen and Ramey comes aboard. That's guard play.

 

[jrichisamazing]

Starting TF, AD and maybe MS. TL and DW come off the bench. That's winning depth to me. Should a miracle happen and Ramey comes aboard. That's guard play.

Need some depth to push these guys to compete. Tejon, Damonte, and Smith aren't good enough to be given minutes, which is what is happening right now. They need to earn them. Bringing in at least 1 guard is pretty important to keep a chip on the shoulder of these young guys. That's how you create a culture.

 

[PlayAZ]

Starting TF, AD and maybe MS. TL and DW come off the bench. That's winning depth to me. Should a miracle happen and Ramey comes aboard. That's guard play.

Frazier and Ayo will run most out of the gym I think.

Smith still needs to continue his growth, cant overall be lumped in depth conversation.

Lucas (if he stays) will be Alstork next year.

Williams will be the swing guard out of all of these.

Still need Jacobs and Ramey imo to have solid depth overall.

5-6 guards 2-3 swing type players from this list. Smith/Williams/Jacobs would be more the swings imo. Hence the extra needs for a Jones/Taylor type to go with them and Leron again.