Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (Week of April 5th, 2021)

Status
Not open for further replies.
#1,152      

Attachments

  • 57487712-4C9D-41EA-B211-1603E6A33045.jpeg
    57487712-4C9D-41EA-B211-1603E6A33045.jpeg
    770.2 KB · Views: 239
#1,153      
It seems with the exodus of so many players this year that we are going to need contributions from everyone, freshman included. Let's not get caught up in the description of their production. We all want the same thing here.....Go Illini! Also just teasing JG!
 
#1,155      
I think most of the scouting reports this year are pretty lacking. With very little/no AAU games, its hard to compare apples to apples when ranking players. I'm bullish on both guys, but I am typically more homer than skeptic.
I like a lot from both and think they each bring a skillset to the table we don't currently have!

RJ-Freakish athleticism, long, and from what it sounds an extremely hard worker (I know we have these guys).

Goode - Just call him drano with a side of toughness instilled from his dad's football days. Was he Mr. Indiana? I know he was in running for it

Believe they both have a chip on their shoulder and ready to do great things

Let them play, encourage them, expect mistakes and we will have them for 4 years
 
#1,163      
If I am AM and you really want to come back you say something like.........with the new portal transfer rule I was encouraged to explore other options.....I've explored those options and have decided that the UI is my best option....I love the university, my teammates and coaching staff here and want to return and help this team reach their goal of winning championships. I believe that coach Underwood and the staff are committed to winning and helping develop players. I'm confident that being a part of the University of Illinois basketball program is the best place for me at this time...thank you to the University, coaching staff and the players in being understanding and supportive of my decision in exploring these other options.
 
#1,165      
If I am AM and you really want to come back you say something like.........with the new portal transfer rule I was encouraged to explore other options.....I've explored those options and have decided that the UI is my best option....I love the university, my teammates and coaching staff here and want to return and help this team reach their goal of winning championships. I believe that coach Underwood and the staff are committed to winning and helping develop players. I'm confident that being a part of the University of Illinois basketball program is the best place for me at this time...thank you to the University, coaching staff and the players in being understanding and supportive of my decision in exploring these other options.
I’m with you on the bolded. That’s enough for me. No one ever thought he came here out of love for his in state school. He’s a young man trying to make a successful career for himself. His choices in that regard will likely mean much more financially than ours at that age. He has EVERY RIGHT to make sure he’s on the best path for HIM. He owes us nothing. He owes the U of I nothing. He owes his teammates max effort every season he chooses to play here (which he gave).
 
#1,166      
So a 12-21 team had all those guys and 2 years later nearly all the same guys are a #1 seed in the NCAA tournament, and they weren’t coached up? If anything, you made my point.
I’m talking about developing players over time. Ayo certainly didn’t show up NBA ready. He wasn’t even All -Conference. A lot of folks wondered loudly on this board if he could ever get there. Kofi was a giant mass of potential, but wasn’t really good at anything except being really big. Trent and Demonte weren’t exactly lock down defensive players & Demonte couldn’t throw water in the ocean.

Underwood did a fine job coaching up his 4/5 star talents in Ayo/Kofi. But make no mistake, without those 2 guys, we wouldn't have been much better than an average bubble team at best. Which again, goes back to recruiting. Recruiting Ayos/Kofi/Curbelo level players is far more important than assuming whatever talent Underwood does get he will coach up. Because he hasn't done it.

The difference of the team between Underwood's 1st season, and his 4th season, was a gigantic talent upgrade. Talent that is now gone. Talent that needs to be replaced immediately or we will fall back into being a mediocre team
 
#1,167      
If I am AM and you really want to come back you say something like.........with the new portal transfer rule I was encouraged to explore other options.....I've explored those options and have decided that the UI is my best option....I love the university, my teammates and coaching staff here and want to return and help this team reach their goal of winning championships. I believe that coach Underwood and the staff are committed to winning and helping develop players. I'm confident that being a part of the University of Illinois basketball program is the best place for me at this time...thank you to the University, coaching staff and the players in being understanding and supportive of my decision in exploring these other options.
Ooook dude. It’s just gonna be “I’ve decided to stay at Illinois #acewolf” and that will be plenty fine for me.
 
#1,168      
There's so much arguing, bullheaded opinions, words taken out of context, and pettiness going on in this board right now, I feel like I'm watching a congressional hearing
That's the point of sports forums.
 
#1,170      
Not necessarily. He says he’s hiring an NCAA approved agent to guide him through the process and will retain his eligibility.
Trent's smart to keep all options open.
I hope DFW does the same.
Didn't Ayo's Dad say Ayo was 99% for sure going to the NBA last year?
I bet Ayo's soon to be much fatter wallet is real glad he left that 1% on the table.
 
#1,171      
I’m with you on the bolded. That’s enough for me. No one ever thought he came here out of love for his in state school. He’s a young man trying to make a successful career for himself. His choices in that regard will likely mean much more financially than ours at that age. He has EVERY RIGHT to make sure he’s on the best path for HIM. He owes us nothing. He owes the U of I nothing. He owes his teammates max effort every season he chooses to play here (which he gave).
I agree that every athlete has the right to do what is best for themselves....but I disagree with the bold.....If AM has this attitude or approach then don't accept him back...if the coaching staff agrees to him coming back, AM owes the university and the coaching staff his gratitude for allowing him the opportunity to check out other options and still come back......the university extended him the scholarship for a good education and the opportunity to play ...he played a big role in this years team and most believe his role would only be expanded next year....to not acknowledge that and at least thank the coaching staff, teammates and the university for this opportunity would be very poor judgement
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.