2017 Basketball Transfer Thread

#901      

IlliniBrave75

IlliniBrave75
IlliniBrave75
Grad transfer Mark Alstork sets Illini visit

"Coach Underwood is a phenomenal coach and knows what he's doing as far as allowing scorers to become the best they can be," Alstork said. "Executing offensive game plans. That showed with him leading the nation in offensive efficiency. I feel like they have a good situation."

"He knows how to get players good looks. He knows how to put people in the right position. All of that is at a high level. That's important for a guy like me. Just an IQ for the game of basketball. You don't get that at that level at a mid-major. Me being in a more serious environment will definitely bring out the best in me."

http://www.scout.com/college/illinois/story/1776084-alstork-sets-illini-visit
 
#902      

Sal Iacuzzo

S
Yonkers, NY
Sal Iacuzzo
That is pretty positive. He is definitely listening to what the staff is selling. Seems like Underwood's direct approach and offense suits him well.
 
#903      

LannyBudd

L
Chicago, IL
LannyBudd
combes said:
No, we are not. Add Smith, this kid, a big to go with the rest of the roster and we will win this coming year.
Click to expand...

Just to be clear, I am not saying I don't like the direction that Illinois basketball is heading but lets be reasonable. We are loosing 5 of the 10 players that average 15 min/gm. Most sites have Illinois finishing 11 in the BIG, ahead of tOSU, Nebraska, and Rutgers.

Sure, if we add Alstork and another stub big like Tilmon we will be competitive. If you think we are competing for a BIG Championship next year and a deep run in the tourny...you are really drinking the Cool Aid.
 
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#904      

Ubermensch

Ubermensch
BOOM! Feed my ego.
Ubermensch
Sal Iacuzzo said:
That is pretty positive. He is definitely listening to what the staff is selling. Seems like Underwood's direct approach and offense suits him well.
Click to expand...

He certainly seems to understand what Underwood is about and what he can do in the offense. I'd written this young man off a while ago, assuming all our young guards would scare him off. Looks like that was foolish of me. He's definitely serious in his interest in UI. A couple big 6'4"-6'5" guards like Smith and Alstork can't hurt in the rebounding department. He also hit 85% of his free throws last year. Add him and the Georgetown big and suddenly we're in business.
 
#905      

Adnarel

A
Adnarel
I really like how this guy interviews. Seems well-spoken, confident, and intelligent.
 
#906      

Peoria Illini

P
Peoria, IL
Peoria Illini
IlliniBrave75 said:
Grad transfer Mark Alstork sets Illini visit

"Coach Underwood is a phenomenal coach and knows what he's doing as far as allowing scorers to become the best they can be," Alstork said. "Executing offensive game plans. That showed with him leading the nation in offensive efficiency. I feel like they have a good situation."

"He knows how to get players good looks. He knows how to put people in the right position. All of that is at a high level. That's important for a guy like me. Just an IQ for the game of basketball. You don't get that at that level at a mid-major. Me being in a more serious environment will definitely bring out the best in me."

http://www.scout.com/college/illinois/story/1776084-alstork-sets-illini-visit
Click to expand...

Sometimes you don't get that at a P5 team either... :hand:
 
#908      

illiniknight

I
illiniknight
How are we losing 5 guys tha average 15 min a game.? Thorne and Tate were not in the rotation by the end of the year. That being said we are losing 3 key pieces from last year's team. I think the team as it currently stands can more that compensate for Abrams. If we as Combes stated add a big to replace Morgan and Alstork to take over some of the scoring that we lost in Hill, we can have a team that has more talent than last year with better coaching. If those things happen it is not unreasonable to think the team can win games next year. Not win the Big good but go to the tournament good. Now having said that, there are quite of few ifs invoved.
 
#909      

kuhl84

K
Orlando, FL
kuhl84
LannyBudd said:
Just to be clear, I am not saying I don't like the direction that Illinois basketball is heading but lets be reasonable. We are loosing 5 of the 10 players that average 15 min/gm. Most sites have Illinois finishing 11 in the BIG, ahead of tOSU, Nebraska, and Rutgers.

Sure, if we add Alstork and another stub big like Tilmon we will be competitive. If you think we are competing for a BIG Championship next year and a deep run in the tourny...you are really drinking the Cool Aid.
Click to expand...

There is lots of room between 4 or 5 wins and competing for first in the B1G. That's a serious leap you just took.
 
#910      

Ubermensch

Ubermensch
BOOM! Feed my ego.
Ubermensch
LannyBudd said:
Just to be clear, I am not saying I don't like the direction that Illinois basketball is heading but lets be reasonable. We are loosing 5 of the 10 players that average 15 min/gm. Most sites have Illinois finishing 11 in the BIG, ahead of tOSU, Nebraska, and Rutgers.

Sure, if we add Alstork and another stub big like Tilmon we will be competitive. If you think we are competing for a BIG Championship next year and a deep run in the tourny...you are really drinking the Cool Aid.
Click to expand...

Sure, we lose minutes, but we didn't exactly lose Big Ten first teamers. Malcolm was respectable, but he had a lot of faults as a player. I expect IL to be very competitive next season. Add Alstork and the G'Town big and I think we're a better team overall than last year. That doesn't necessarily mean more conference wins, but I really like the potential of this group.
 
#911      

LannyBudd

L
Chicago, IL
LannyBudd
Ubermensch said:
Sure, we lose minutes, but we didn't exactly lose Big Ten first teamers. Malcolm was respectable, but he had a lot of faults as a player. I expect IL to be very competitive next season. Add Alstork and the G'Town big and I think we're a better team overall than last year. That doesn't necessarily mean more conference wins, but I really like the potential of this group.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, as we are right now, we are not better than last years team that dreadfully under-performed.

Best case, this team adds a serviceable 5, we have 20 wins, go .500 in the BIG regular season and just squeak into the tourney.

But what do I know, it's not like I stayed at a holiday inn express.
 
#912      

IlliniMed

I
Lillington, N.C.
IlliniMed
LannyBudd said:
Unfortunately, as we are right now, we are not better than last years team that dreadfully under-performed.

Best case, this team adds a serviceable 5, we have 20 wins, go .500 in the BIG regular season and just squeak into the tourney.

But what do I know, it's not like I stayed at a holiday inn express.
Click to expand...

The coaching change alone will add AT LEAST 3 more wins.... thats a tourney team right there. We don't have the most athletic/talented team but its not like they are bums. They just did not have the right coach who knew how to use what he had.
 
#913      

rockillini

R
rockillini
IlliniMed said:
The coaching change alone will add AT LEAST 3 more wins.... thats a tourney team right there. We don't have the most athletic/talented team but its not like they are bums. They just did not have the right coach who knew how to use what he had.
Click to expand...

Well, we do have some dynamic athletic guards coming aboard the Illini ship that will have an immediate impact. The future is bright.
 
#914      

Deleted member 186590

D
Guest
Deleted member 186590
IlliniBrave75 said:
Grad transfer Mark Alstork sets Illini visit

"Coach Underwood is a phenomenal coach and knows what he's doing as far as allowing scorers to become the best they can be," Alstork said. "Executing offensive game plans. That showed with him leading the nation in offensive efficiency. I feel like they have a good situation."

"He knows how to get players good looks. He knows how to put people in the right position. All of that is at a high level. That's important for a guy like me. Just an IQ for the game of basketball. You don't get that at that level at a mid-major. Me being in a more serious environment will definitely bring out the best in me."

http://www.scout.com/college/illinois/story/1776084-alstork-sets-illini-visit
Click to expand...

That might be the most intelligent answer I've ever heard from a recruit. He kinda slammed his WSU coaches in that response, but I'm sure that wasn't his intent. I feel much better about our chances with him. Sounds like he's looking at it the right way
 
#915      

FiveStar

F
FiveStar
LannyBudd said:
Unfortunately, as we are right now, we are not better than last years team that dreadfully under-performed.

Best case, this team adds a serviceable 5, we have 20 wins, go .500 in the BIG regular season and just squeak into the tourney.

But what do I know, it's not like I stayed at a holiday inn express.
Click to expand...

Lol
 
#917      

CARPET

C
CARPET
Mark Alstork looks and feels the part on paper.

Only hesitation is he wants to be a lead point guard wherever he goes- Don't see that happening with Illinois players coming in.

Louisville is also calling- Looks to be a fall back plan for them.
 
#918      

jmilt7

J
Waukegan
jmilt7
Ubermensch said:
Sure, we lose minutes, but we didn't exactly lose Big Ten first teamers. Malcolm was respectable, but he had a lot of faults as a player. I expect IL to be very competitive next season. Add Alstork and the G'Town big and I think we're a better team overall than last year. That doesn't necessarily mean more conference wins, but I really like the potential of this group.
Click to expand...

Agree with this and with what LannyBud wrote to which the above is a response. I wrote something similar in one of these threads a while back, a month ago maybe. Anyway, Akoy Agau. the aforementioned "G'Town big", is Illinois on his list? Do we know his interest in coming here?
 
#919      

FeelTheLovie

F
Louisville, KY
FeelTheLovie
CARPET said:
Mark Alstork looks and feels the part on paper.

Only hesitation is he wants to be a lead point guard wherever he goes- Don't see that happening with Illinois players coming in.

Louisville is also calling- Looks to be a fall back plan for them.
Click to expand...

I can tell you that Q is running the point at Louisville
 
#920      

CARPET

C
CARPET
FeelTheLovie said:
I can tell you that Q is running the point at Louisville
Click to expand...

No doubt about that which makes his potential role at Louisville a huge question mark. Good player with NBA aspirations has a visit set with Illinois on May 17.

Alstork has visits starting 5-5-2017 with Pitt. Gtown-Illinois (5-17) South Carolina LSU and Louisville ending May 17.
 
#921      

FC Illiniman

F
FC Illiniman
Information I read on Agua ,gave general info but , played high school ball in Kansas and won championship couple times. Wondering I he still had ties in Kansas, would WSU might be a landing spot? He would fit the needs, have to again wait and see.
 
#922      

jmilt7

J
Waukegan
jmilt7
CARPET said:
No doubt about that which makes his potential role at Louisville a huge question mark. Good player with NBA aspirations has a visit set with Illinois on May 17.

Alstork has visits starting 5-5-2017 with Pitt. Gtown-Illinois (5-17) South Carolina LSU and Louisville ending May 17.
Click to expand...

Do grad transfers abide by the May 17 deadline like high school recruits? I'm confused. If so, he is cutting it pretty close isn't he? If not, then never mind.
 
#923      

jmilt7

J
Waukegan
jmilt7
CARPET said:
No doubt about that which makes his potential role at Louisville a huge question mark. Good player with NBA aspirations has a visit set with Illinois on May 17.

Alstork has visits starting 5-5-2017 with Pitt. Gtown-Illinois (5-17) South Carolina LSU and Louisville ending May 17.
Click to expand...

Thought it was May 11.
 
#925      

Illinimobile

Illinimobile
Illinimobile
tsaxflyer said:
I will put funny money on being ahead of NW in the standings next year. They caught lightning in a bottle and look for a somwhat fallback by them next year. I don't think they have the horses. The cool aid is just fine and I will keep drinking it.
Click to expand...

I'm not so sure about that. Experienced starting lineup of McIntosh (SR), Lindsey (SR), Law(JR), Falzone(JR) & Pardon (JR) is pretty good. Also returning from last years NCAA tournament team are Vito Brown (So), Jordan Ash (Jr), Gavin Skelly (Sr) & Barrett Benson (So). Also will add Rs Fr Rapolas Ivanauskas.

I won't bet any $ - funny or otherwise - against my Illini, but I would bet that Northwestern finishes top half of B1G and has a good shot at reaching the tournament again next year.