Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

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#627      

CoalCity

C
St Paul, MN
CoalCity
Mitch Hennessey said:
Hey folks,

Full-time Baylor fan, part-time IllinoisLoyalty lurker. You may remember I posted back in November when Dain Dainja committed and I poured a little cold water on the party that was in full swing. I will do no such thing this time.

Matt Mayer is awesome. Great player who got better every year he played for Baylor, great teammate, great hair. I'll break down his game below and why I think he left Baylor ultimately, but congratulations and please, please, treat him well.

Matt Mayer's progression over 4 years at Baylor:

Freshman year - Averaged 12 mpg, 4.6 ppg, shot 31% from 3. Complete loose cannon. Never met a shot he didn't like, and was just as likely to come in the game as the 7th-8th guy in the rotation and jack up a shot from the logo as he was to even pass to a teammate. He would come in the game and then frequently get benched immediately. You could tell the potential for him to be a big-time player was there, though.

Sophomore year - Averaged 12 mpg, 4.8 ppg, shot 38% from 3. Steady improvement. You could tell that the light was starting to come on. When Mayer entered the game, you knew what kind of night he was going to have within the first minute. He would either make smart passes, take shots in the flow of the offense, play solid defense, and eventually score double digit points, or he would jack up an out of rhythm 3 in transition, brick it, lose his man on defense and give up a layup, and then dribble the ball off his foot and get benched for the rest of the game. It was one or the other, no real in-between games. The difference was, when he was on, Baylor was unbeatable.

Junior year - 16 mpg, 8.1 ppg, 3.7 rpg, shot 40% from 3. Mayer was the ideal 6th man on the best team in the country. He knew that his role was to be instant offense when he came in the game, and he delivered. Spectacular dunks, timely defense in the passing lanes leading to run-outs, fantastic three point shooting, and creative driving and passing. He declared for the draft after the season, but got sick in the predraft process and didn't perform as well. Got a 2nd round grade and came back for his senior year.

Senior year - 23 mpg, 9.8 ppg, 5.0 reb, shot 32% from 3. Last year was a weird year for Matt. He started the year in a horrible shooting slump (he was shooting something like 17% from 3 through the first 10-12 games of the year), yet Baylor was rolling over everyone they played, and other guys were starting to step up and fill the alpha role it was assumed would be Mayer's. He eventually came around and got his shooting numbers back up to average, but he seemed to be forcing things too much. He would have games where he scored 0 points the entire game and then scored 9 in the final two minutes to seal a victory on the road. He would take out of rhythm shots or play iso ball to try and get himself into the flow of the game. He rarely got benched, but for foul trouble, yet only played the 6th most minutes on the team. Despite all of that, he improved in every other aspect of the game (on ball defense, passing, playmaking, off-ball rotations, etc.). He took good shots, for the most part, yet they didn't seem to want to go in. You could tell he was frustrated in many games. Declared for the draft, saying there was a 2% chance he was coming back to college, and entered the transfer portal the final day it was open. He got a tooth knocked out early in the season, then got the same tooth knocked out in a home game against Texas Tech that would end up being Baylor's first loss last year, and I wonder if that wasn't bothering him the whole season. Oral pain is a real b-tch.

Strengths - shooting, playmaking, passing, defense, rebounding. Never, ever lacks for confidence. A great presence in the locker room and on the practice court. I never heard a bad word about his work ethic or attitude.

Weaknesses - tries to do too much at times. Not as good off the dribble as he seems to think he is, which can result in silly turnovers from time to time. Before the Villanova game this past year, he admitted to Kris Budden (I think she was the sideline reporter for that game?) that he gets incredibly nervous before big games and gets in his own head. It was a strange thing to say publicly, but once he said it, you could kind of notice it in his game. He would play great against teams Baylor was supposed to wax, but would seem off in tight games, or in games against top tier opponents. He commits silly fouls and gets himself out of games due to foul trouble too often.


Why I think he left - only Matt and his family can say why he truly left, but my best conjecture is as follows: four years is a long time to stay in a college program, especially when you have the potential to be playing at the next level. I think Matt came into last season thinking he'd be "the man," with a chance to show pro scouts that he deserved to be in the Association, but it didn't work out like that.

Baylor had a really balanced team until injuries kneecapped the season, and there wasn't the need for an alpha to take over until the regular season ended, and by that point Mayer was kind of in the third-scorer role he had occupied all season and wasn't able to break out of it (although he balled out in the tournament).

To compound matters, Baylor basically gave away his scholarship. That's not to say that the player who fills it next year will be a better player than Mayer; on the contrary, there won't be many better players than him on the Baylor roster, period, much less newcomers. But I think the relationship had run its course, and both parties had some interest in moving on.

Mayer wanted someplace he would be playing 30 mpg, and that isn't Baylor next year. He's good enough, but that's not how Baylor's rosters are typically constructed on the wings.

Last thing I'll add: if you read any Baylor message boards, you may see a small number of fans disparaging him on the way out the door. Keep in mind that Baylor's fanbase is almost myopically focused on football, and many of them either don't pay attention to basketball until football season ends, or don't know how to observe the game. A lot of fans formed opinions of Mayer when he was a freshman/soph and never adjusted their opinions as he improved the last two years. They would only see the bad passes, occasional bad shots, and silly fouls and assume he was the same player that frustrated them years earlier.

Ignore those comments. Matt Mayer is great. He's probably not going to be an All-American, or even a first team All Conference player, but he's going to have a long career playing basketball, whether it's the NBA or overseas. Best of luck to him. He'll always be a Bear in my book, but you guys can borrow him for a year.
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That's a great detailed scouting report, thanks for taking the time!
 
#628      

GallopingGhost

GallopingGhost
Denver, CO
GallopingGhost
texillwek said:
UNC fans:
"We only want guys that want to be here"

Sad College Basketball GIF by NCAA March Madness
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Lol we have people who have said the exact same thing after missing out on recruits and transfers. Everyone does it. They’re just disappointed and salty. But they do have one thing right, UNC is still going to be scary good.
 
#629      

One Man Fast Break

O
One Man Fast Break
sacraig said:
I'm going to feel a little bad if it's Mikey Henn and we were all just making jokes.
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Henn's 247 article talks about taking visits with his Top 3, it doesn't sound like he's announcing tomorrow or anything... would be a little weird to lie about taking a visit somewhere that didn't offer you an opportunity to have one. I think it's certainly possible Illinois is willing to give him one of the last 2 rides as a veteran bench guy who understands his role and that playing time would be hard to come by. Also possible he was a pure backup option if both Nance and Mayer didn't come. Also possible he's not being recruited at all and is making it up for exposure, who knows.
 
#631      

The Galloping Ghost

The Galloping Ghost
Washington, DC
The Galloping Ghost
GallopingGhost said:
Lol we have people who have said the exact same thing after missing out on recruits and transfers. Everyone does it. They’re just disappointed and salty. But they do have one thing right, UNC is still going to be scary good.
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I'm not texillwek, but that's what they're referencing. It's nice that it's another fanbase having to pull out one of Loyalty's greatest hits.
 
#632      

So ILL

S
So ILL
illini0440 said:
Sounds like he’s going to stay in the draft
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Do you think this means Illinois is done adding talent for this season and solidly now keeping 2 spots open for possible mid-season add like Dainja or early enroll guys like the Mac Etienne situation?

Or they still looking at bringing in another PG and just planning to roll with 1 open?

I mean, PT is already gonna be hard to come by on this roster already, but you have to prepare for possibility of injury.
 
#633      

Illini4life79

I
Illini4life79
Mayer is an awesome get! Really like how the roster is shaping up. Imo we still need that quality, tough, and experienced backup pg to come in and give us 10 mins a game. Also one more big would be ideal, someone who can grab 3 or 4 boards a game and play solid defense. If we get these two pieces I think we are legitimate National Title contenders.
 
#636      

So ILL

S
So ILL
hoopsfan47 said:
Due to the fact that the news broke on my 75th birthday, he will be the odds on favorite to get my attention and support. Having watched the Illini for 65 years with some great teams and players but no National Championship, I am running out of time. My "wait until next year" well is getting pretty low.

That said, this season will tell a huge story about BU and staff and their ability to evaluate, coach, motivate, and fit together a lineup that has talent and potential....but virtually no experience as a team. That is not an easy task for any coach, but will be magnetic to watch.

One thing I will say about BU, his tenure has been hugely interesting and surprisingly successful. We know he can recruit and establish a very positive culture. Most posters love both of those aspects. He faces next year's task in competition in the country's toughest conference. It is a daunting task and meeting expectations of Illini fans will be a tough row to hoe. But I like the guy holding the hoe. Go Illini!!
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Well happy belated 75th! Pullin for you finally get to see that Championship!
 
#641      

Roundball Sage

R
Roundball Sage
Joel Goodson said:
Cookin' with gas! Loving it. Suck it, Carolina.

We're a big boy program with big boy backing, no doubt about it. Boom!
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The Blue Blood rushing through the veins of the Fighting Illini just got a whole lot bluer.

And Illini Orange just got sweeter.

And all this started thanks to Josh... Brad... and Trent.

It's amazing what can be accomplished with the right guys running things...

In the words of the great Hawk Harrelson, "Don't Stop Now Boys!"
 
#642      

Ga65

G
Ga65
So ILL said:
Do you think this means Illinois is done adding talent for this season and solidly now keeping 2 spots open for possible mid-season add like Dainja or early enroll guys like the Mac Etienne situation?

Or they still looking at bringing in another PG and just planning to roll with 1 open?

I mean, PT is already gonna be hard to come by on this roster already, but you have to prepare for possibility of injury.
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I would like them to bring on a athletic freshman big. Emergency backup at center who can develop but has 5 fouls to spend. Unless Lieb is that guy, we need some backup behind Hawk and Dain.
 
#643      

chudaman

chudaman
chudaman
IbleedOandB2014 said:
Also mentioned he’s finishing up classes in Waco until July 8th. He’ll be missing some time with fletch and meshing with the team.
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Yeah but that will give him time to grow the mullet back and hit the court at full strength.
 
#644      

antwix

A
antwix
Just watched Morez on a live link at the EYBL; that kid is a 5 star talent. Active, athletic, big, mean, hustles blocks and defends! I know that I left something out but he's just impressive!
 
#646      

Combo

C
Combo
Ga65 said:
I would like them to bring on a athletic freshman big. Emergency backup at center who can develop but has 5 fouls to spend. Unless Lieb is that guy, we need some backup behind Hawk and Dain.
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If someone fitting that description is out there, I hope we get him! Hawkins and Dainja isn't enough (que the "Dainja has only played 9 minutes of ball in the last two years"). And I don't think Lieb is there yet.
 
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#650      

Calvin

C
Calvin
Joel Goodson said:
I think Rogers is more versatile, but Goode is a sharpshooter. Point is, they bring different stuff to the table.
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Yup, and if you have multiple guys who can score off the bounce, then your sharpshooter gets a bigger role when the defense collapses. Not saying it will happen, but I can see a "pure" SG, especially one with size, would have a role on this squad.
 
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