To me, it seems like we've added a lot more talent than last year. After reading this thread it doesn't seem others think so. Am I wrong?
no youre correct
To me, it seems like we've added a lot more talent than last year. After reading this thread it doesn't seem others think so. Am I wrong?
Ok, I haven't seen him. Heard he was athletic but raw. Afraid I don't like our chances anyway.
Would tend to agree, but Hinson has yet to setup an OV with us that I know of, best get it scheduled.
To me, it seems like we've added a lot more talent than last year. After reading this thread it doesn't seem others think so. Am I wrong?
I would agree based on ranking, but only because current ranks are incomplete. I don't expect Alan Griffin and Giorgi Bezhanishvili to remain unrated. I doubt Griffin will be overhyped late like Smith was, but I would not be at all surprised to see Alan in the top 175. Meanwhile, Bezhanishvili challenges Eboigbodin for coolest name on the team and likely winds up at least in the top 510. Of course, depending on who they add; 2018 could wind up a lot better, but I also think what they have right now will be slightly better based on final rankings.
Ayo Dosunmu 27
Tevian Jones 117
Samba Kane 279
Alan Griffin NR
Giorgi Bezhanishvili NR
Mark Smith 79
Trent Frazier 109
Da'Monte Williams 177
Greg Eboigbodin 510
Matic Vesel NR
Wow. Glad we got him when we did! What a steal.
I don't know the ranking of the big kid from Loyola, but he was a steal. he has great footwork and ability to gain position in the post. I'd take one of those.
Feliz skills and clips remind me a little of Tony Parker.Here are a few scouting videos on Andres Feliz. It includes clips showing both his strengths and weaknesses from many different angles. I highly recommend you watch them and you'll get a pretty good idea of what we are getting (if we get him).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBv8Tz3xiBQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbW3tFfnqnk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jRPsG8i5_E
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0kdU8uPoZk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABbS8-sD4MI
Michigan State is hosting 2018 Oak Hill forward Maurice Calloo for an unofficial visit today
https://twitter.com/coreyevans_10/status/982612818565398528
This is good news in the sense that it validates Calloo's standing as a legit prospect.
Yes, it's competition. But I'd rather be chasing kids who are seen as attractive by other strong programs than kids who have no other offers.
I don't know the ranking of the big kid from Loyola, but he was a steal. he has great footwork and ability to gain position in the post. I'd take one of those.
It is not a theory it is reality, and I do account for playing a higher tempo style.
First, Oklahoma State in 2016-17 did not go 11 deep. There were 10 players who averaged 10+ mins but this is misleading as mpg are calculated only for the games you play. One of those 10 players, Tavarius Shine only played 6 games that season, and then got injured. So his minutes got distributed to other players. Oklahoma State went 9 deep in conference, which is what I expect the max will be on the Illini main rotation in B1G next season.
Second, Trent averaged 26 mpg because exactly what I mentioned. The Illini did extensive "searching" early in the season (especially at guards) with many players splitting early season minutes. Trent's minutes were very heavily skewed towards the end of the season as he averaged a whopping 34+ mpg in his last 6 games. Black would have averaged a lot more too, if not for his tendency to pick up fouls.
Next year, Trent will gobble a lot of the minutes at guard and so will Ayo. There will not be the same "searching" at the position as this year, especially when we get into conference play. I also think Kipper will eat up a lot of minutes. Minutes will be more skewed towards certain players.
I fully expect that 4 guards max will play 10+ minutes in a main rotation in conference play (Trent, Ayo, DW + 1 more), 2 players at SF (Kipper + 1 more), and 2 more players at PF/C. That is 8 total players in the main rotation. At max you add one more (most likely at wing with Kipper also playing some PF by necessity).
Numbers do not add up for a 10-11 rotation, we just do not have that quality balance to compete in the B1G. I actually believe if we do go 10-11 deep in B1G it would be bad news. It would most likely mean that BU would be searching for answers deep into conference play, and given our roster, that would not be good news. JMO.
We're not done yet, but at this moment you'd have to put our class slightly behind last year's IMO.
DaMonte Williams does not get enough hype around here. If he learns to shoot at all that's a real building block.
You could argue the pieces fit better in this class though. Kane and Jones particularly.
You're talking Bryant Notree and a host of other players. History tells us that the shot doesn't usually develop so people are going to temper their enthusiasm. But Luther's definitely developed so leaps on the shot happen.
This is good news in the sense that it validates Calloo's standing as a legit prospect.
we arent great and IDing under radar Illinois talentOne of the tnt crew called Kruetwig the most impactful freshmen in the tourney. Scored 15 in the championshp. What a steal.
I really like Da'Monte. Of course like basically every other Illini fan, I adored Franky Williams.
Da'Monte becoming a shooter has about the same likelihood of Jaylon Tate becoming a shooter. He was that bad from range last year. (Okay maybe not that bad for the WHOLE year but that bad for all but the last few games when he finally got a couple to drop)
I hope it happens but it is a bit unnerving how many people keep saying "we're sleeping on Da'Monte. He just needs to develop an outside shot." What he needs is to become a better decision-maker and learn how to finish at the rim. That's his game.
If he becomes a shooter, that's a total bonus because statistically speaking (his shot doesn't look bad) it is very unlikely he'd ever get much over 30%.
The only thing that would make sense if he is to suddenly become a great shooter is if somehow he had a lingering injury component that was somehow effecting his shooting percentages.
How about our very own Kenny Battle?? I'll take a redo
but Hinson is the recruit that really excites me the most. Usually when I hear that a recruit is a football player, my mind immediately goes to "tough, physical player but probably struggles with his shot and ball handling". However with Hinson, his shot and ball handling seem to also be strengths. And considering that some of the Illini's biggest needs are size and toughness, plus considering how much BU likes skilled players, I think he'll be a great fit and thrive in this system should he choose to come to Illinois.