Disagree. Chester has already upgraded our ‘21 class. Epps/Harris > Storr/Bass. He gets coffee!New staff hasn’t earned coffee . . . yet.
Disagree. Chester has already upgraded our ‘21 class. Epps/Harris > Storr/Bass. He gets coffee!New staff hasn’t earned coffee . . . yet.
I already know what I'm gonna yell when we see him at SFC... "SAFETY SCHOOL!!!"I'm trying to put this delicately...umm...Iowa seems like a good fit. I will be excited to cheer for our guys against him.
Hamilton also played class A ball so maybe that?Not sure what is "misleading" about that statement. As Combes simply stated. Hamilton was, in fact, rated #1 in the country while we recruited him.
Hope they didn't spend too much time at the football game. Boos from your own fan base isn't a good look.JJ had an awesome visit this weekend. Spent a little time with him and Geoff before the football game and He was loving it...eating up the love he was getting. Said some really really encouraging things. Now just keep Cal and OA/Chin away and get some good NIL projections for him....
OA and Chin also missed on top 60 guys.They do seem really good, but let’s see them land the same caliber players OA and Chin managed to before claiming a straight flush IMO. No disrespect to the current recruits, but we’ve missed on numerous top-60 guys since the turnover.
I don't know....the hiring of T. Beckman sure made me want to spit up quite a bitI’m not sure if impressing Mike Thomas should be be regarded as a positive. His judgment in all things measured up to spit.
They didn't really light the world on fire as far as getting top-ranked guys. Miller top 30, Ayo - 30s, Curbelo and Kofi - top 50. Those really aren't than impressive in themselves. However, what they (and Underwood obviously) did is find guys who were generally more productive than their ranking. Ayo, Kofi, and likely Curbelo are/were more productive college players than their rankings would indicate. Same for Giorgi. And I think J Grand was an excellent find also.OA and Chin also missed on top 60 guys.
OA and Chin pulled in 5 top-50 guys in a 3 year span. Groce pulled in I think 2 in his entire tenure. This staff hasn't pulled in any top-50 guys yet (Epps' best ranking is 60). I think this staff is going to do great when it's all said and done, but I think it's fair to say they haven't lit the world on fire yet. I think the point made earlier that they've done a good job getting a foot in the door but still need to show their closing ability is a good one.They didn't really light the world on fire as far as getting top-ranked guys. Miller top 30, Ayo - 30s, Curbelo and Kofi - top 50. Those really aren't than impressive in themselves. However, what they (and Underwood obviously) did is find guys who were generally more productive than their ranking. Ayo, Kofi, and likely Curbelo are/were more productive college players than their rankings would indicate. Same for Giorgi. And I think J Grand was an excellent find also.
ThisOA and Chin pulled in 5 top-50 guys in a 3 year span. Groce pulled in I think 2 in his entire tenure. This staff hasn't pulled in any top-50 guys yet (Epps' best ranking is 60). I think this staff is going to do great when it's all said and done, but I think it's fair to say they haven't lit the world on fire yet. I think the point made earlier that they've done a good job getting a foot in the door but still need to show their closing ability is a good one.
Also, OA and Chin were getting those top 50 guys when Illinois was still in the dumpster, which helped bring us back to where we are now, so we should be thankful. The new staff just needs to continue that roll. I think they will.OA and Chin pulled in 5 top-50 guys in a 3 year span. Groce pulled in I think 2 in his entire tenure. This staff hasn't pulled in any top-50 guys yet (Epps' best ranking is 60). I think this staff is going to do great when it's all said and done, but I think it's fair to say they haven't lit the world on fire yet. I think the point made earlier that they've done a good job getting a foot in the door but still need to show their closing ability is a good one.
All due respect to Chin. 2 of his top 50 recruits were from his former AAU program. 1 left after a single season.Also, OA and Chin were getting those top 50 guys when Illinois was still in the dumpster, which helped bring us back to where we are now, so we should be thankful. The new staff just needs to continue that roll. I think they will.
Uh, and one was the single most important piece of our turnaround. Your point?All due respect to Chin. 2 of his top 50 recruits were from his former AAU program. 1 left after a single season.
My point is…. It’s not like Chin was some Ace recruiter pulling top 50 players from all over the country. He was very good at recruiting from a single Chicago AAU team. Don’t get me wrong, I’d take him back in a second. I just think he is a bit overrated as a recruiter.Uh, and one was the single most important piece of our turnaround. Your point?
The 3 current assistants will be better recruiters, as well as coaches, than Coleman. The question is, did Ayo come to Illinois because of Coleman or did he come because he wanted to play at Illinois?My point is…. It’s not like Chin was some Ace recruiter pulling top 50 players from all over the country. He was very good at recruiting from a single Chicago AAU team. Don’t get me wrong, I’d take him back in a second. I just think he is a bit overrated as a recruiter.
Would Ayo have come to Illinois even if Coleman wasn't on the staff?Uh, and one was the single most important piece of our turnaround. Your point?
So who is at the top of the board, Fears or Boswell? I'd try to get both.
True, but isn't that also kind of what we're asking Anderson to do? It's not like we replaced him with a guy who's strength is as a national recruiter.My point is…. It’s not like Chin was some Ace recruiter pulling top 50 players from all over the country. He was very good at recruiting from a single Chicago AAU team. Don’t get me wrong, I’d take him back in a second. I just think he is a bit overrated as a recruiter.
Pretty sure Tim Anderson had the following credentials:True, but isn't that also kind of what we're asking Anderson to do? It's not like we replaced him with a guy who's strength is as a national recruiter.
And yet the only recruits I've seen him linked with are Meanstreets kids. His prior coaching experience is with DePaul. He's a Chicago guy through and through. Which is no knock on him. I think it's a good idea to have a Chicago recruiter on staff, and I'm optimistic he'll end up being even more successful than Chin. Let's just not pretend he's was brought on for his national recruiting chops when it seems clear his strength is with one (huge) AAU program in one (very important) city.Pretty sure Tim Anderson had the following credentials:
1. ran an NBA draft training camp which brought in players from all over the country.
2. Strong ties to Meanstreets AAU program
3. Has actual NCAA coaching experience.
4. His brother played in the NBA.
You are creating a straw man. I never said that Tim Anderson was some superstar national recruiter. I am a fan of Chin Coleman and everything he did for this program. He is just over-rated as a recruiter.And yet the only recruits I've seen him linked with are Meanstreets kids. His prior coaching experience is with DePaul. He's a Chicago guy through and through. Which is no knock on him. I think it's a good idea to have a Chicago recruiter on staff, and I'm optimistic he'll end up being even more successful than Chin. Let's just not pretend he's was brought on for his national recruiting chops when it seems clear his strength is with one (huge) AAU program in one (very important) city.
I’m gonna need a list of those top 5. I seem to struggle at counting and only count 4OA and Chin pulled in 5 top-50 guys in a 3 year span. Groce pulled in I think 2 in his entire tenure. This staff hasn't pulled in any top-50 guys yet (Epps' best ranking is 60). I think this staff is going to do great when it's all said and done, but I think it's fair to say they haven't lit the world on fire yet. I think the point made earlier that they've done a good job getting a foot in the door but still need to show their closing ability is a good one.