Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (February 2021)

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#551      

IllinoisssssssVarsity

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IllinoisssssssVarsity
mhuml32 said:
We have (1) the most electrifying transition player in the country and (2) a 300-lb monster that is destroying everyone else in the post, yet we are missing an "athletic freak"? This site....
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Yes. We are. Baylor is out there playing 5 athletic freaks at a time. We don’t have those guys that can switch every screen, guard 1-4/5 and then run the wing and throw it down on top of you or catch the alley on your head when you jump to defend it.

The “athletic freak” is a piece we don’t have, a role that was probably waiting for Hutch. My feeling is he is on 0440’s potential transfer list and that’s why RJ was such a key grab.

We’re at the point again where we aren’t satisfied with being back. We’re trying to compete for championships again and filling holes in your roster is precisely how you do that.
 
#555      

Deleted member 747903

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Deleted member 747903
Rockhound said:
I just hate to see transfers. Hutch maybe. If he doesn't get his back sorted out, he might not play anymore anywhere. Lieb/BBV/Hamlin might continue to develop and give us nice players in the rotation during their Jr/sr years. WI always did a good job developing players
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If Hutch transfers so be it (my guess is he never plays a minute for us anyways). At some point the staff has to cut their losses and move on. Neither side was at fault in this case, just an unfortunate situation.
 
#557      

O&B4Ever

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O&B4Ever
nycillini said:
If Hutch transfers so be it (my guess is he never plays a minute for us anyways). At some point the staff has to cut their losses and move on. Neither side was at fault in this case, just an unfortunate situation.
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If he's able to resume basketball activities by overcoming this back injury, I don't see him leaving. He's not gonna be scared off by a couple of Freshmen coming into the program. If Kofi leaves, we'll need all the bodies we have to replace what he brought to the table, and definitely so if Trent and/or DWill decide not to return. I have a feeling Trent may decide to go pro and play overseas. He knows he's not an NBA player and will be ready to make some cash in Europe or elsewhere. JMO.
 
#560      

Cairo

Cairo
Cairo
Some of them need to do research period.
Some need to stop saying things like, "Trent knows he's not an NBA player" Hearsay much?
This post will be deleted in 5...4...3...2...
 
#561      

ChiefGritty

ChiefGritty
Chicago, IL
ChiefGritty
IllinoisssssssVarsity said:
Yes. We are. Baylor is out there playing 5 athletic freaks at a time. We don’t have those guys that can switch every screen, guard 1-4/5 and then run the wing and throw it down on top of you or catch the alley on your head when you jump to defend it.
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Baylor is a tough comparison given that they're one of the freak-iest teams I've seen in years in terms of having length and athleticism all over the floor. Though interestingly that's not really a team loaded with big time NBA prospects, "more talented" isn't exactly the way to say it, it's just that they are jarringly bigger and more athletic than we are, which jumped off the screen when we played them. They exploit that advantage brilliantly, that's an insane perimeter defensive team. That tape is going to be a skeleton in Ayo's closet throughout the draft process.

Anyway though, totally agree those are the kind of players we're looking for (who isn't?). Stinks that Tevian Jones couldn't figure things out here, he was a guy with that sort of ability.
 
#562      

IllinoisssssssVarsity

I
IllinoisssssssVarsity
ChiefGritty said:
Baylor is a tough comparison given that they're one of the freak-iest teams I've seen in years in terms of having length and athleticism all over the floor. Though interestingly that's not really a team loaded with big time NBA prospects, "more talented" isn't exactly the way to say it, it's just that they are jarringly bigger and more athletic than we are, which jumped off the screen when we played them. They exploit that advantage brilliantly, that's an insane perimeter defensive team. That tape is going to be a skeleton in Ayo's closet throughout the draft process.

Anyway though, totally agree those are the kind of players we're looking for (who isn't?). Stinks that Tevian Jones couldn't figure things out here, he was a guy with that sort of ability.
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I agree completely that Baylor is a tough comparison, it’s actually the reason I chose them. IMO they are the best team in the country, but more importantly a top natty favorite, which is obviously the next level we’re working toward in our progression.

Secondly, with the way offensive basketball has evolved, we know the ability to switch defensively to counter is huuuge. You’re at a disadvantage nowadays when you need to stick to particular matchups. Grabbing guys who can do that is a huge deal for defensive versatility and stability.

Historically, the trade off for athletic freaks has been skill, which is no longer really an option. Hopefully RJ has the dribble/pass/shoot to not be an offensive liability.
 
#563      

ChiefGritty

ChiefGritty
Chicago, IL
ChiefGritty
IllinoisssssssVarsity said:
Historically, the trade off for athletic freaks has been skill, which is no longer really an option.
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Not to say Baylor's guys aren't skilled, because they are, but they ARE making that tradeoff on some level. Like I said, it's not a bevy of lottery picks on that team.

I think it's kind of an open question where Underwood wants to be long-term along that line. He's got X's and O's dancing in his head that could exploit super skilled players, but he comes from a coaching lineage of club-you-to-death-with-athletes type of teams. And we're a little bit neither here nor there currently, but we make it work (because of DaMonte Williams!)

Melendez, like DMW, like Grandison, is another guy you can kinda see either way. But he does have great length which is a good place to start.
 
#564      

IllinoisssssssVarsity

I
IllinoisssssssVarsity
ChiefGritty said:
Not to say Baylor's guys aren't skilled, because they are, but they ARE making that tradeoff on some level. Like I said, it's not a bevy of lottery picks on that team.

I think it's kind of an open question where Underwood wants to be long-term along that line. He's got X's and O's dancing in his head that could exploit super skilled players, but he comes from a coaching lineage of club-you-to-death-with-athletes type of teams. And we're a little bit neither here nor there currently, but we make it work (because of DaMonte Williams!)

Melendez, like DMW, like Grandison, is another guy you can kinda see either way. But he does have great length which is a good place to start.
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Yeah I’m not taking next level projections into my account here. Purely effectiveness for the college game. Which is strange, because usually really athletic, long, skilled guys are highly projected NBA guys.
 
#565      

GrayGhost77

GrayGhost77
Centennial, CO
GrayGhost77
ChiefGritty said:
Baylor is a tough comparison given that they're one of the freak-iest teams I've seen in years in terms of having length and athleticism all over the floor. Though interestingly that's not really a team loaded with big time NBA prospects, "more talented" isn't exactly the way to say it, it's just that they are jarringly bigger and more athletic than we are, which jumped off the screen when we played them. They exploit that advantage brilliantly, that's an insane perimeter defensive team. That tape is going to be a skeleton in Ayo's closet throughout the draft process.

Anyway though, totally agree those are the kind of players we're looking for (who isn't?). Stinks that Tevian Jones couldn't figure things out here, he was a guy with that sort of ability.
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The only thing stopping Tevian Jones from becoming a great player is Tevian Jones.
 
#567      

GrayGhost77

GrayGhost77
Centennial, CO
GrayGhost77
ChiefGritty said:
He's playing great at Southern Utah, albeit a lower level.

Would not shock me in the least if he pulls a Myke Henry and one day I look at an NBA box score and am like, "wait, is that OUR T. Jones?"
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I think Southern Utah is about the best environment for him to succeed as there possibly could be. I mean, it's probably kinda hard to score the ganj in rural, middle of nowhere Mormon country.
 
#568      

pruman91

pruman91
Paducah, Ky
pruman91
GrayGhost77 said:
I think Southern Utah is about the best environment for him to succeed as there possibly could be. I mean, it's probably kinda hard to score the ganj in rural, middle of nowhere Mormon country.
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Christopher-Walken-dp-profile-pics-whatsapp-Facebook-71.jpg


He just needs to weed out his own evils......
 
#569      

Emerson Bigguns

Emerson Bigguns
Emerson Bigguns
IllinoisssssssVarsity said:
Yeah I’m not taking next level projections into my account here. Purely effectiveness for the college game. Which is strange, because usually really athletic, long, skilled guys are highly projected NBA guys.
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Honestly, they aren't that big. Top 6 guys in MPG (over 20m/gm):

D. Mitchell - 6'2" (Jr)
M. Teague - 6'4" (Sr)
J. Butler - 6'3" (Jr)
A. Flagler - 6'3" (RS So.)
M. Vital - 6'5" (Sr)
Jon T-T - 6'8" (RS So.)

They are simply a veteran team that executes and plays defense with intensity for 40 minutes. Their ability to switch 1-5 on defense can't be understated. They share the ball. (4 guys over 10 pts a game) All of their guards shoot over 35% from the arc. (Seriously... ALL of them; 43.4% as a team)

#4 in points per game in the nation; #24 in points allowed in the nation. (24 point differential; #1)

No Burger boys to be found. A bunch of 3 & 4 star guys who fit together well. I think Mitchell was the highest rated coming out of HS and was in the 50's per 247.
 
#570      

skyIdub

skyIdub
Winged Warrior
skyIdub
It just continues to amaze me how anyone on here can continue to dismiss DMFW. A guard with a 7' wing span and a bulldog on defense.

With Trent and DMFW back next year, even if Kofi and Ayo are gone....Trent, DMFW, Miller, Curbelo/ CoHawk, and Giorgi....we are a top 25 team and competing for another B1G title, guaranteed.

If they both leave, and it's 2nd year Curbelo, Miller, CoHawk, (insert your favorite transfer/current player projection), and Sr. Giorgi....plenty of potential, but all bets are off.
 
#571      

PapaKvells

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PapaKvells
Rockhound said:
I just hate to see transfers. Hutch maybe. If he doesn't get his back sorted out, he might not play anymore anywhere. Lieb/BBV/Hamlin might continue to develop and give us nice players in the rotation during their Jr/sr years. WI always did a good job developing players
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Is it common for someone to transfer multiple times? I feel bad for him. He sat out a year only to go through this. He'll be 40 by the time he's able to play meaningful basketball somewhere at this rate. But at least he'll have that old man strength.
 
#573      

BretMyBeachHouse

B
BretMyBeachHouse
Emerson Bigguns said:
Honestly, they aren't that big. Top 6 guys in MPG (over 20m/gm):

D. Mitchell - 6'2" (Jr)
M. Teague - 6'4" (Sr)
J. Butler - 6'3" (Jr)
A. Flagler - 6'3" (RS So.)
M. Vital - 6'5" (Sr)
Jon T-T - 6'8" (RS So.)

They are simply a veteran team that executes and plays defense with intensity for 40 minutes. Their ability to switch 1-5 on defense can't be understated. They share the ball. (4 guys over 10 pts a game) All of their guards shoot over 35% from the arc. (Seriously... ALL of them; 43.4% as a team)

#4 in points per game in the nation; #24 in points allowed in the nation. (24 point differential; #1)

No Burger boys to be found. A bunch of 3 & 4 star guys who fit together well. I think Mitchell was the highest rated coming out of HS and was in the 50's per 247.
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Out of curiousity, with all the cheating that Drew is accused of, how come he can't get better recruits?
 
#575      

illiniswish09

illiniswish09
Northwest Suburbs
illiniswish09
TCTORNADO said:
Some of you need to do a little more research on Hutch.
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Correct me if I’m wrong but he’s still trying to make a comeback this year no?? Longshot but not ruling it out... Not sure if that’s what you were referring to
 
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