Evan Turner
Pregame: Illinois vs Ohio State, Thursday, February 24th, 8:00pm CT, FS1
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altgeld88
- Arlington, Virginia
Cazzie Russell was not only the #1 recruit in Illinois in 1962; I believe he was #1 in the nation in the days when the recruiting net didn't spread nearly as wide geographically as it does today, or even 40 years ago. Isaiah may have come close to this, but my understanding of the history is that losing Russell to Michigan was the greatest Illini recruitment loss of the past 60 years.
Dan Issell and Jack Sikma say hi
The loss of Cazzie Russel to Michigan can be traced to Carver High School Coach Hawkins disdain for the way Illinois treated Darius Cunningham when he was flunked out in his freshman year. He felt that the University was not helpful enough in guiding Darius academically. As I recall it was a rhetoric class that got Cunningham. Hawkins felt that he sent Darius down to Champaign with promises made by the University to take care of him. He felt that Darius was treated poorly and the rest is history. Darius Cunningham was a legendary Chicago High School star.
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Illinois didn't recruit Sikma IIRC.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
I haven't watched OSU much, but I feel like it all comes down to stopping Liddell. We outmatch them at the other positions, IMO, but the 4 is a huge advantage to OSU. If we can keep him in check and hit our shots, I actually feel shockingly comfortable about this one ... need to keep the wins comin'!
Michael Finley and the 3 amigos at Proviso East
Excellent comments alt.
I never really tried to put together a most favorite list of former Illini, because I like em all, except, well never mind, but, I think it's safe to say that Kenny Battle is very near the top. IIRC, in the Final Four game with Michigan, we were down by several baskets with seconds to go in what seemed like a sure defeat, but he willed us back into a tie. If not for that ill-timed rebound put back, it was sure to go OT, where I'm sure we would have won.
And Battle was playing hurt that game. And this was after Hamilton had to leave the game because he was injured.
If we play like we did against M. State and Indiana, I like our chances. I saw the Bucks beat Duke and lose to Purdue in the final minute at Purdue. We will need to bring the A game. This will be a test.
After seeing a completely unknown Jack Sikma in the state tournament, I remember Harv Schmidt saying that he would be at Sikma house the next morning. Sikma played for a tiny high school and preferred a small college but we definitely offered
Sikma was a 6'4"ish guard at tiny St. Anne high school for most of his career. He had a growth spurt his senior year and pretty much dominated the small school state tournament that year. It was that performance that garnered attention from college coaches. He went on to a dominant career at tiny Div III Illinois Wesleyan before a long professional career.
3 point girl
- texas
Illinois did recruit Jack Sikma.
How about Doug Collins?
DeonThomas
- South Carolina
Quite the list of Illinois High School basketball players we've put together. Lots of excellent talent that did not wear the orange and blue. Arguments can be made for everyone of them. I do believe, however, that Cazzie Russell just might land at the top in terms of individual talent & athleticism:
1. Cazzie Russell (averaged 25 pts, 26 pts and 31 pts during his 3 years of eligibility at Michigan; #1 pick in the NBA draft)
2. Quinn Buckner (4 year starter and an undefeated Natty with the Hoosiers; but he regressed a bit over the years)
3. Isiah Thomas (4 year starter and a Natty with the Hoosiers)
4. Dan Issel (2-time KY All-American)
5. Doug Collins (ISU - and starred on our infamous 1972 amateur Olympic basketball team; he also banked-in 20 consecutive shots from the top of the key at my brother's Bloomington basketball camp!)
6. Evan Turner (surprisingly developed into a mega star with the Buckeyes)
- Derrick Rose
- Jack Sikma ("grew" from a small St. Anne Guard to a great NBA center)
- And many, many others................
We play this game with an extra 2 days off. OSU has to play a physical IU team, who will hopefully wear them down today while we are relaxing and prepping.
The way Iowa defended them was impressive.
DeonThomas
- South Carolina
We hold serve and win at home. Kofi wins the battle in the paint. Hawkins continues to take big strides forward.
71 Illini
65 Buckeyes
71 Illini
65 Buckeyes
For the most part, yes. But tOSU doesn't have a top 10 offense just because of one player. Jamari Wheeler is looking much more confident offensively than he was at PSU. Branham can go off, but he is a freshman. Sometimes he plays like a stud, sometimes he disappears. Kyle Young and Zed Key can both play around the rim.
I'm interested to see how Holtman uses his bigs. He has Liddell, Zed, Young, and Joey Brunk. Brunk doesn't play much, but he's the biggest body to throw on Kofi. If Liddell is struggling to score against Hawkins and Damonte, Holtman might slide him to the 5 and play small. It would basically be a decision to trade 3's for 2's. Liddell wouldn't be able to guard Kofi down low, and Kofi wouldn't be able to guard Liddell on the perimeter.
Sikma simply was not an elite talent coming out of high school....quite the opposite. I also saw him play in high school and virtually nothing was impressive about his play. He chose Wesleyan partly because he did not picture himself good enough to compete with B1G elite. He but he grew about 4 inches or more, developed an unstoppable shot, and learned to do whatever needed to do to succeed. Hard work and common sense were his talents.
Some recriuting misses were nearly landing Maggette. Also no Q Richardson, who seemed to have an issue with Illinois. Missing on all three Proviso East players(Finley, Boyce, Ford), typically the flagship school gets at least one from a high school. Landing Rashard Griffin to play with Deon would of helped our undersized front court against Michigan and others.
Also thought we would land EJ Liddell, I think we are a final four type team x 2 years with him, Ayo and Kofi.
Also thought we would land EJ Liddell, I think we are a final four type team x 2 years with him, Ayo and Kofi.
danielb927
Orange Krush Class of 2013
- Rochester, MN
Three team race at this point. No way tOSU makes it through 6 games without a loss, IMO, and no way one of Purdue, Illinois, and Wisconsin doesn't finish with 5 (or 4) losses.
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