Not yet sold on THT, strikes me as a strong kid that does well in high school but will have harder time against bigger college players. Looking at tools such has shooting, dribbling, athleticism, etc.. I think at the big conference level he is pretty average right now. Much rather look to get some bigs in 2018 if we end up with M Smith in 2017.
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (April 2017)
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I feel this is a good thread to bring this up. I heard on the Score yesterday that in Roy Williams 14 seasons at Chapel Hill he has not had a player that has become an NBA All-Star. Now I understand that college and the NBA are too different animals, but that just seems crazy considering he has won 3 National Championships at UNC. Some of this may be that the kids he is recruiting are multiple year college players and not one and done kids!
Not sure if that logic holds up considering he's hauling in McDonald's All American 5 stars. Pinson, Hicks, & Jackson were all consensus blue chip. Whether they leave after a year or not is semantics.
MikeDavis!
Remembers when...
- Portlandia
Maybe he felt jilted? I could see him being upset at Wade and staff for selling him on VCU all this time, then splitting. I think about the parallels to the Charlie Moore recruitment. We might have forgotten he was originally a Memphis recruit under Pastner when he left for GT. Rather than follow him there he went to Cal.
Yeah, as much as I want to believe in Meyer, I'm not buying what he's selling. The latest being the Tilmon Mizzou switch and he might have switched to SLU in November, but I don't recall that for sure. Also of note, I believe a few crystal balls came our way after Nick Noskowiak decommitted from ISU for the simple fact that we needed a guard and had offered him prior to. There isn't any real information out there, this is all conjecture/feeling at this point.
IWannaBeLikeDee
- rockford, il
Is it possible Mayan Kiir is frustrated or disappointed that the coach of the team he committed to left for another job?
Not PRO Illini Smith mentioned at bottom....MSU?
https://www.seccountry.com/kentucky/kentucky-recruiting-2017-bamba-knox
I feel like the "Smith is heading to Michigan St" quote pretty much blew the credibility of the whole article.
Time to fire up Flightaware.
hope you're right
Deleted member 236589
D
Guest
Well, first you misquoted him and left out the word APPEARS. "Smith appears headed to Michigan State."
From the in home, to the comments about watching MSU and Izzo growing up, to the pictures of Izzo and his mother, to the love affair people have with MSU, to us having a brand new coach with no prior relationship, not being in the tournament in give years, sending no players to the NBA in quite a while and already having 6 guards on the roster....I'd say the odds would be in MSU's favor...From what it APPEARS. Now, if he values playing for his home state, grew up an Illini fan and want to be part of a recruiting class assembled from the area, which could be special....It's a consideration. We from the state know that angle, nationally however, if you look at the on court/program facts, it would appear to be Michigan State from most unbiased observers as well
brapp33
- Normal IL
I have felt the same way for awhile. It really feels like Illinois has been on the top of his list this whole time, so I question the credibility of some of the "experts". They give the Illini almost no mention or love when talking about Smith. We definitely have a real chance at him.
Oldtoysrock
- Sarasota, Florida
I don't remember much, but I remember like it was yesterday the night Eddie Johnson hit that shot from the corner to take down Michigan State and make us (the hypothetical) number one for the next two days. Tickets to this game had been sold out for ages. My best friend drove over from Western, so without tickets the only way we get to see the game, was by signing up to be ushers. I wasn't too proud to put on a silly little vest for a couple hours. Ahhhh college!
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Agreed, kid has a nice game to him, still not sure where he would fit in 2018 or after more importantly with BIGS leaving as of now, a lot can change. Finke is over-rated imo and I think he was ahead of the curve when ranked, he will drop also some more.
Just think the ILLINI need BIGS and this kid doesn't fit that mold at all...he is an early 6'5, growth is probably over already, others will catch up as well to his game. But again if we offer and he comes, I will root for him to succeed.
I think BB IQ is underrated....I give "extra credit" to son of a coach. A top 150 kid with IQ and tenacity and you have the Wisconsin model for recruiting pretty much. agree with your comment that we need bigs though but would love to get Finke.
http://advantagenews.com/sports/whirlwind-continues-for-edwardsville’s-mark-smith/
"Coach Groce, when he left that was big because now I have to build a relationship with coach (Brad) Underwood. I have to get a feel if I can trust him. He’s a good guy and we’re building a relationship now. I like coach Underwood a lot.”
"“I’m just trying to find an environment where I can fit in and a place I can develop at; where I can make an impact immediately as a freshman,” Smith said. “Obviously the head coach matters, that I trust the head coach and he has that trust in me. That’s really what I’m looking for in a school.”
Coach Underwood won't be going anywhere, close to home, parents will see every game, can go back home if he wants whenever, great academics, solid foundation, starter probably first day...lot to like and trust....ILLINI!!
http://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/sports/lsu/article_a21f0b5e-196e-11e7-b748-33728daa5b90.html
Think you can cross off Kiir as possibility...he will be at LSU, their class is good as well.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
Addressing a common trope that has been brought up several times in this thread regarding "Orange and Blue Kool-Aid" or "Orange-Colored Glasses" ... I'm so sick of that accusation. Do you guys seriously think our fans on here are biased in favor of Illinois?! Go read other boards. Even with programs who haven't been more successful than we have, we have some of the least confident fans out there who are always weary of good news and ready for the impending bad news. Excessive Orange Kool-Aid hasn't been a problem with this fan base since 2006, quite frankly. We'll always have a few blind homers, but we have FAR fewer than your average Big Ten school, which is not a good thing.
I say this as someone who grew up/came of age during the 1998-2006 run, when our fans actually had some swagger. Hopefully it's coming back soon after next year. :thumb:
I say this as someone who grew up/came of age during the 1998-2006 run, when our fans actually had some swagger. Hopefully it's coming back soon after next year. :thumb:
Stevegarbs
- Mokena, IL
In taking this information into account, if I were Smith, I'd look the recruiter in the eye and ask: "How many other guards are you visiting?" That question would be followed with: "It sounds like you are just checking a box by visiting me." The question and comment would be followed by showing the recruiter the door and ending the conversation by saying: "I have universities recruiting me who will showcase my skills, see you at the NCAA Tournament."
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Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
Fans are wary of good news, not weary...
Haha, sorry, haven't had my coffee today ... we certainly aren't weary of good news.
Also, amazing movie.
Mark Smith. The keys are yours.
It's a 2 horse race right now between Illinois and MSU. Izzo's visit made a big impression.
Underwood & staff have work to do yet.
ILLINI IN NE
- Omaha,Ne.
I wonder if its going to be Cal himself. He'll be wearing his championship rings and have the poster with all the UK guys in the NBA and their combined salaries. Its a really big number, lots of zeros.
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