Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (May-June 2018)

[Peoria Illini]

I never said that BU has the same blame in Fall recruiting, and never assigned him the same responsibility on how we got here. As I said, it was a failing recruiting strategy for years now. However, I am not giving him a pass and saying that BU has done great recruiting (or even coaching) so far. He has not, he has to pick it up.

He and the staff got a start on the 2018 class in March of 2017 at Illinois. We are now connecting with kids for the 2020 and 2021 classes already. We were late to the party on most of those recruits, save for the contacts that were already made by the coaches at the different schools they were at, except for Walker.

The recruiting strategy of relying on MIF doesn't hold, as we've brought in guys from around the country, although some of them also had previous Chicago ties. I don't think we are tied to MIF exclusively, or hoping we are.

For getting in late on the 2018 class and having a top 25 recruiting class, I'd say that's pretty decent. We're 5th in the Big Ten regarding recruiting classes, and that's coming off of a bottom finish in the league.

Do I want better classes? Sure, who doesn't. But I'd say it's a pretty decent class given the amount of time we had to build relationships.

This coming fall will be a better judge of how well the recruiting chops are with this group. They've had a year to build better relationships and have a better understanding on how to sell the program and the campus, etc.

 

[EyeoftheIllini]

I do not disagree with that view, not different than mine actually. But saying we have a "talent gap, youth, whatever" and saying " I completely disagree that we have a lot of holes in our roster" are kind of contradictory. If you say that we have a talent gap, youth gap, or whatever other gap, we do indeed have holes in our roster.

No we have gaps in our roster not holes.

 

[EJ33]

The panic isn't because they lost a great prospect. The panic is because what it potentially represents.

That seems like a good reason to panic. :doh:

 

[Ga65]

I see the hole at the 4 spot. If Black had stayed I would be very optimistic. The rest of the roster is strong although young IMO. There is a future with this class and I really don't care about the scoring of Ebo and Kane if they can play defense. If Giorgio develops we have a possibility of scoring talent but not likely in the short term. BU says he can play small but we didn't see that last year so it may be a Black hole.

 

[Johnny Lawrence]

Being serious, how many here would pay their own to UI for one year with the (verbal) promise to receive a scholarship the following year or take a full ride immediately from Mizzou?

Coming from a UI family I sure would and I wouldn't even have to think about it.

 

[skyIdub]

Being serious, how many here would pay their own to UI for one year with the (verbal) promise to receive a scholarship the following year or take a full ride immediately from Mizzou?

Coming from a UI family I sure would and I wouldn't even have to think about it.

I don't know. That UMKC thing had a nice ring to it. Any chance they are Fighting Kangaroo's?

Come at me bro!

 

[Govoner Vaugn Fan]

Maybe Luther felt Braun was not a good fit for Underwood's system and paid his tuition to go to Mizzou?

 

[Obelix]

Do you have a link or statistics to back up your claim that most recruits sign in the early signing period?

Yes, of the top 100 recruits (as ranked by 247), only 10 (10%) of them remained uncommitted after March, out of which only 2 (2%) still remain uncommitted today.

From the 90 remaining top 100 recruits, 80 of them (80% of total) committed and signed in the Fall signing period (may have committed earlier) and 10 of them committed in the Winter (before March) and signed during Spring.

As per my point, the majority of highly ranked recruits (80%) commit and sign during the Fall signing period. If you wait until Spring/Summer, you are either looking for potential 5th year recruits who can help, or lower ranked recruits and projects, or transfers. The pool of quality recruits significantly decreases. You never stop recruiting, but the Fall recruiting is indeed the cornerstone of a successful recruiting strategy if you want to elevate the program to a B1G contender.

 

[foby]

No we have gaps in our roster not holes.

Experience gaps more than talent or position gaps.

 

[jmilt7]

This recruitment is pretty clear. Mom went to Mizzou - God only knows why. Cuonzo offered grayshirt opportunity (pay first year and then scholarship). Braun will sit first year and be recruited over. Braun will transfer to UMKC and average 3 points per game as a senior for the Kangaroos.

In Underwood I trust, hopefully. Oh come on we're due to win again!

Evidently not only mom but an aunt and an uncle, all three played basketball there. This tidbit is unconfirmed though. I just read it somewhere earlier today and can’t remember where.

 

[Calvin]

If we do worse this year than I woudlnt blame them on giving up though.

That would be quite an accomplishment, considering we won 4 games in the BIG, lost 14, and were 1 game ahead of last place Rutgers. There's virtually no where to go but up. Our defense was heavily reliant on guys fouling and hoping the opponent missed their FTs.

This wasn't a great class. 247 ranks it 23rd, not too shabby at first glance, but part of that is quantity --we brought in 6 new guys. Ayo and Trent should give us something to work with, and Kipper's pretty solid. I wouldn't rule out Tevian being a contributor even as a freshman. We're weak in the paint, plain and simple. Personally, I could see us making a little progress this year, or a lot of progress --if the fit is there and guys are capable of learning the system. We're no where near where we need to be though. I just hope that we show flashes this season and it gives us recruiting momentum. I wouldn't rule out making the dance, but I think it's a stretch.

Trent alone was worth watching as the season went on. Just wish he had some help.

 

[illini62707]

Illinois had a good recruiting class this year. Be nice to have another big man on the roster, but Kane is going to be a good player at Illinois. Finally, a 7 footer with 7'5 wing span. Whitney, is the key get for next year. He'll be good from the get go and Illini will be back in tournament.

 

[FC Illiniman]

Experience gaps more than talent or position gaps.

Agree, we have unproven players, that need some court time in real game speed. If we are fortunate enough to have 3or 4 of our new players catch on fast, we will be just fine. Don't expect miracles, just some solid defense, low turnovers, and some timely rebounding. Good lord I would like to see one game where we tap a rebound and hold on to the damn ball.
The foul situation is another thing we need to get a handle on. I believe if Ebo and Kane can play adequate defense, keep fouls down, we will be in many games. Black got into foul trouble in so many games, he couldn't play any defense in fear off leaving early in 2nd half.

The Braun situation shows how much influence a parent can have in determining what goes on in recruitment. He wanted to play closer to home we lost that battle as soon as he left the state of Illinois. We will find someone else, hope it is someone that fits. We are running out of options for this year.

 

[SublimeBeast]

Has there been any info on Christian Mekowulu?

 

[PumpFake]

That seems like a good reason to panic. :doh:

Don't know how panicking is even a consideration at this point. For all this staff's "shortcomings" in recruiting they have put together the 17th ranked class, and arguably a top-10 class considering how underrated players like Kane and Griffin are. Factor in the coaching advantage we have and it's easy to see how this class will be the one to take us back to the sweet 16 (probably not this year, but it wouldn't surprise me either) and probably a lot further! It's a very exciting time to be an Illini fan, even if some can't see it yet.

 

[Deleted member 236589]

Don't know how panicking is even a consideration at this point. For all this staff's "shortcomings" in recruiting they have put together the 17th ranked class, and arguably a top-10 class considering how underrated players like Kane and Griffin are. Factor in the coaching advantage we have and it's easy to see how this class will be the one to take us back to the sweet 16 (probably not this year, but it wouldn't surprise me either) and probably a lot further! It's a very exciting time to be an Illini fan, even if some can't see it yet.

I admire your optimism, but quite honestly, it's hard to see through even the strongest prescribed O & B sunglasses.

Coming off of a 4-14 Conference season, losing our best interior player to the pros, having no proven low post scorer/rebounder, having only one heralded recruit(not saying the others won't develop) and losing our top remaining prospect to Missouri as a preferred walk-on......none of that makes me excited.

It's hard to argue with the ultra early prognosticators picking us to finish 12th. If Underwood gets this team to the NIT, he should be Big Ten Coach of the Year.

 

[BRucks]

Don't know how panicking is even a consideration at this point. For all this staff's "shortcomings" in recruiting they have put together the 17th ranked class, and arguably a top-10 class considering how underrated players like Kane and Griffin are. Factor in the coaching advantage we have and it's easy to see how this class will be the one to take us back to the sweet 16 (probably not this year, but it wouldn't surprise me either) and probably a lot further! It's a very exciting time to be an Illini fan, even if some can't see it yet.

Coaching advantage? Are you suggesting that our staff will outcoach the other B10 staffs?

 

[Illiniguy13]

That would be quite an accomplishment, considering we won 4 games in the BIG, lost 14, and were 1 game ahead of last place Rutgers. There's virtually no where to go but up. Our defense was heavily reliant on guys fouling and hoping the opponent missed their FTs.

This wasn't a great class. 247 ranks it 23rd, not too shabby at first glance, but part of that is quantity --we brought in 6 new guys. Ayo and Trent should give us something to work with, and Kipper's pretty solid. I wouldn't rule out Tevian being a contributor even as a freshman. We're weak in the paint, plain and simple. Personally, I could see us making a little progress this year, or a lot of progress --if the fit is there and guys are capable of learning the system. We're no where near where we need to be though. I just hope that we show flashes this season and it gives us recruiting momentum. I wouldn't rule out making the dance, but I think it's a stretch.

Trent alone was worth watching as the season went on. Just wish he had some help.

That is just not true.

 

[PumpFake]

Coaching advantage? Are you suggesting that our staff will outcoach the other B10 staffs?

Definitely. Watching the team fight like crazy to compete against opponents with far superior roster construction and talent told me everything I need to know about the coaching ability we have on our hands. It's hidden by all the close losses but this team was a few bounces away from a respectable record last season, and they still didn't let the bad luck break their spirits. We would've beaten a top-10 Purdue team at the end of the year had Carsen Edwards not come up with the game of his life.

 

[ejam21]

Just like Matic did


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Not a real good comparison...we had veterans Finke and Black last year. This year, we have Ebo & Kipper as the big men veterans, and one of those isn't even a true big man, he's just played some 4 in the past.

Frosh bigs will need to play it seems

 

[Newman]

I see the hole at the 4 spot. If Black had stayed I would be very optimistic. The rest of the roster is strong although young IMO. There is a future with this class and I really don't care about the scoring of Ebo and Kane if they can play defense. If Giorgio develops we have a possibility of scoring talent but not likely in the short term. BU says he can play small but we didn't see that last year so it may be a Black hole.

We're improved at the 1-3, and the 5(because all we can do is improve in that area) so I think we have much more potential going small ball this year. There's a chance that Kipper gives us similar production to Black too. That being said, I think we're NIT bound but hopeful that it'll be fun to watch.

 

[illiniguy24]

Not a real good comparison...we had veterans Finke and Black last year. This year, we have Ebo & Kipper as the big men veterans, and one of those isn't even a true big man, he's just played some 4 in the past.



Frosh bigs will need to play it seems

Matic was given a chance and was a lost soul out there. I expect Braun would have been much of the same, maybe slightly more composed. If he proves otherwise THIS year I’ll be shocked.

There’s a reason he is a preferred walk on now, right?? Nobody passes up a scholarship from the schools he was said to have offers from to walk on. I don’t care what anyone says.

I was a preferred walk on at Georgia Southern only because I didn’t want to play D2 or D3. Had I actually gotten a offer from any of the D1 schools that were looking at me I would have been there. By the time this year is over I imagine our post rotation will be Ebo, Kane, Kipper, and a touch of Jones and GB at the 4. Braun wouldn’t have broken that lineup imo.


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[rtbritt]

Don't know how panicking is even a consideration at this point. For all this staff's "shortcomings" in recruiting they have put together the 17th ranked class, and arguably a top-10 class considering how underrated players like Kane and Griffin are. Factor in the coaching advantage we have and it's easy to see how this class will be the one to take us back to the sweet 16 (probably not this year, but it wouldn't surprise me either) and probably a lot further! It's a very exciting time to be an Illini fan, even if some can't see it yet.

ThaKid????! That you?!

 

[imdball]

Angst.

Losing out on an unrated recruit and we are near apoplectic. Seriously??? PB was a total project who MIGHT contribute in 2-3 years. If U of I fandom has reached the point where the coaching staff is expected to want every Tom, Dick and Harry who comes down the pipe heaven help us all. Actually this class is just fine and having another scholarship for next year is a much better option.

 

[Bailey]

Losing out on an unrated recruit and we are near apoplectic. Seriously??? PB was a total project who MIGHT contribute in 2-3 years. If U of I fandom has reached the point where the coaching staff is expected to want every Tom, Dick and Harry who comes down the pipe heaven help us all. Actually this class is just fine and having another scholarship for next year is a much better option.

It's as much about program perception as it is immediate need. A kid turned down our scholarship offer and possible minutes out of the gate for a walk on spot at our rival during one of it's most intense periods. No sugarcoating that.