Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (April 2017)

[FiveStar]

larry bird's highschool coach said same thing...not that BC is a larry bird. I think high motor, tenacity and BB IQ can offset athleticism shortcomings.

Larry Bird did play at a mid major.

 

[PlayAZ]

I think it's obvious that Ayo Dosunmu, Talen Horton-Tucker, Tim Finke, Torrence Watson, and Kezo Brown will be on the radar for 2018. Dosunmu is the only top-50 talent in that group. Kezo likely won't get an offer and we'd probably only take one of the remaining three.

I'm making some assumptions here, but if we end up taking four in the '17 class (no Tilmon or Smith, but get one late commitment/enrollee - HS or JUCO), sign a 5th year big, and lose one player to attrition, we could have three scholarships available for 2018. Any sense for what C/PF types Underwood and Antigua might be able to get in on? Any of these (?):

Moses Brown
Emmitt Williams
Darius Days
Russell Barlow
Brock Cunningham

Well unless BU/OA or Walker have some Top 10 x 3 lined up, I would rather not go into 2018 looking for 3 bigs to develop etc...Big men always take longer unless you get the Top guys. We haven't got those in the past...

 

[TownieMatt]

Bragg is over-rated and couldn't keep his nose clean or stay out of the dog house...pretty sure he is NOT a BU option.

Not trying to call you out here, but I think you're implying that BU doesn't take risks on kids that have had off-court issues. Do we know that to be true?

 

[RockfordIllini]

Larry Bird did play at a mid major.

Grizzly Adams did have a beard.

 

[Liesse1997]

I saw a list of Jeter's schools, they are all out west.

Jeter not an option.

 

[TheFameProtector]

Bragg got arrested for battery but the charges were dropped, then after that he got arrested for possession. Kansas had 4 starters get arrested this year alone. His character is very questionable. I would rather have Chase Jeter.

Just to be devil's advocate here...when a program has 4 players getting arrested, that makes me actually a bit less concerned about one individual player. Obviously not the best teammates and culture (that Bill Self is awful!!) influencing him. Not sure the potential downsides are worth it but the guy has the talent to succeed if he stops viewing himself as a wing and more as a forward.

 

[PlayAZ]

How hard is he being recruited by schools closer to his hometown than CU IL? Schools like Louisville + Butler (Indianapolis) have to have a better shot given his situation, no? This seems like a reach.

Coming out of HS he was listed as pure shooter, schools like Gardner Webb recruited him then.

The kid can flat out score, drive, seems to have a great "feel" for the game, which is what I like best from the highlights...

 

[PlayAZ]

Still would like a class of Smith, Kiir with a 5th yr or possible red shirt candidate for this year added....that said if we lose out on Smith, Brangers would be an outstanding fall back plan as well...that kid can play.

 

[sacraig]

If Underwood wants to fight for Tilmon (which he should) then the best way to do that is simply to delay the release for a couple weeks, and no sooner than April 13th (after signing day).

This will allow Underwood some time to introduce the new staff to Tilmon (particularly Antigua and his experience with NBA bigs), and may foil Martin's attempt to put together a monster class (Kevin Knox is visiting this weekend). It will also give us visibility on Smith.

The best scenario for Illinois would be for Knox to go elsewhere (Duke leads in his Crystal Ball), Antigua makes a strong NBA development pitch, and Smith signs here. The worst case is that we've made Tilmon wait a few weeks.

It's time to step up and fight not run away. We're holding the cards here - not Mizzou.

Edit: This is what I expect Whitman to do. He's made it clear he's playing to win, so I don't expect him to fold easily on this. He's quite capable of managing any short-term PR hits.

Hmm. That's an interesting idea. Personally, I think we absolutely have to grant the request to not come across looking like total jerks, but a delayed release could be a sort of happy medium there.

 

[UofI08]

If Underwood wants to fight for Tilmon (which he should) then the best way to do that is simply to delay the release for a couple weeks, and no sooner than April 13th (after signing day).

This will allow Underwood some time to introduce the new staff to Tilmon (particularly Antigua and his experience with NBA bigs), and may foil Martin's attempt to put together a monster class (Kevin Knox is visiting this weekend). It will also give us visibility on Smith.

The best scenario for Illinois would be for Knox to go elsewhere (Duke leads in his Crystal Ball), Antigua makes a strong NBA development pitch, and Smith signs here. The worst case is that we've made Tilmon wait a few weeks.

It's time to step up and fight not run away. We're holding the cards here - not Mizzou.

Edit: This is what I expect Whitman to do. He's made it clear he's playing to win, so I don't expect him to fold easily on this. He's quite capable of managing any short-term PR hits.

As good an idea as this may sound, I can't see this being anything other than a total mistake and disaster. What better way to put your new coach and staff in a giant hole than by disrespecting your highest profile recruit in years. In a very fertile recruiting area with tons of competition, no less.

 

[TownieMatt]

If Underwood wants to fight for Tilmon (which he should) then the best way to do that is simply to delay the release for a couple weeks, and no sooner than April 13th (after signing day).

This will allow Underwood some time to introduce the new staff to Tilmon (particularly Antigua and his experience with NBA bigs), and may foil Martin's attempt to put together a monster class (Kevin Knox is visiting this weekend). It will also give us visibility on Smith.

The best scenario for Illinois would be for Knox to go elsewhere (Duke leads in his Crystal Ball), Antigua makes a strong NBA development pitch, and Smith signs here. The worst case is that we've made Tilmon wait a few weeks.

It's time to step up and fight not run away. We're holding the cards here - not Mizzou.

Edit: This is what I expect Whitman to do. He's made it clear he's playing to win, so I don't expect him to fold easily on this. He's quite capable of managing any short-term PR hits.

Tilmon holds cards too. If we do delay his release, he can throw a big stink and claim we are trying to sabotage his recruitment. That would make us look super petty.

Let's not be naive, this thing is a lot more complicated than just Tilmon not being familiar with our new staff. I don't want to be a program that plays these BS games. If Tilmon wants out, let him out. It's his life. I'll be ready to boo come Braggin' Rights.

 

[PlayAZ]

Not trying to call you out here, but I think you're implying that BU doesn't take risks on kids that have had off-court issues. Do we know that to be true?

Not implying that at all, no exception taken, my implication is that Bragg is not as good as he might think, is not as athletic of a player as he should be (considering he thinks he is a wing not an inside player--haa), and that he now has the other issues.

Don't think all things added up BU would be interested based on his systems...nothing to do with risk as you state..+ I think Bragg is your typical I got good offers from many schools...couldn't refuse saying I chose a blue blood instead of another "less" viewed institution. Many "blue bloods" end up transferring through the years due to PT/etc...he is just another

 

[Peoria Illini]

Tilmon holds cards too. If we do delay his release, he can throw a big stink and claim we are trying to sabotage his recruitment. That would make us look super petty.

Let's not be naive, this thing is a lot more complicated than just Tilmon not being familiar with our new staff. I don't want to be a program that plays these BS games. If Tilmon wants out, let him out. It's his life. I'll be ready to boo come Braggin' Rights.

Agreed. Let him go. If he doesn't value his relationship with Walker over an old guy coming back to ESL, then that's his choice to make.

Should be plenty of room on the Mizzou campus as I read their enrollment is down again this year and they are closing more dorms.

http://fox2now.com/2017/04/04/university-of-missouri-to-temporarily-close-more-dorms/

 

[Deleted member 4960]

For everyone saying Tilmon wouldn't have that large if an effect on next years team is rediculous. He was our only big man on the team! Sorry Finke doesn't count. We will be seriously hurting next year if we can't resign him or find someone to replace. We are not that athletic with 4 or 5 6'6 guys that can jump out of the gym, guard and rebound.

 

[UofI08]

For everyone saying Tilmon wouldn't have that large if an effect on next years team is rediculous. He was our only big man on the team! Sorry Finke doesn't count. We will be seriously hurting next year if we can't resign him or find someone to replace. We are not that athletic with 4 or 5 6'6 guys that can jump out of the gym, guard and rebound.

Literally no one has said that Tilmon wouldn't have a big effect on next years team. And you're right that we'd be hurting without a replacement. We have no front court depth. Gotta assume the staff is working on that right now.

At the same time, I think Finke does count as a big. He's got more than enough size to be considered a college big, even if his offensive game is primarily outside shooting.

Edit: Also, height and size isn't everything in the college game. The 2005 starting front court was 6'5" Roger Powell and 6'9" James Augustine.

 

[CAHALL15]

Illinois was in Carlton Bragg's final 3 before he committed to Kansas, correct? I say we should go get him

I'm passing. The guy was suspended two different times this year with one being for drug paraphernalia. I don't want his off the court issues clouding our new culture/team.

 

[mhuml32]

I'll guess Bragg ends up with Jankovich at SMU.

 

[Calvin]

Tilmon holds cards too. If we do delay his release, he can throw a big stink and claim we are trying to sabotage his recruitment. That would make us look super petty.

Let's not be naive, this thing is a lot more complicated than just Tilmon not being familiar with our new staff. I don't want to be a program that plays these BS games. If Tilmon wants out, let him out. It's his life. I'll be ready to boo come Braggin' Rights.

Yes, and I'm sure our coach understands that. You don't burn bridges when it comes to recruiting --you just don't. We'll do everything reasonable to accommodate him.

 

[chief9]

Literally no one has said that Tilmon wouldn't have a big effect on next years team. And you're right that we'd be hurting without a replacement. We have no front court depth. Gotta assume the staff is working on that right now.

At the same time, I think Finke does count as a big. He's got more than enough size to be considered a college big, even if his offensive game is primarily outside shooting.

Edit: Also, height and size isn't everything in the college game. The 2005 starting front court was 6'5" Roger Powell and 6'9" James Augustine.

Powell is 6'6 and Augustine is 6'10

 

[UofI08]

Powell is 6'6 and Augustine is 6'10

Listed yes.
Leron, DJ, and Kipper are all listed at 6'6 or 6'7. And Finke is listed at 6'10.

 

[HC Illini]

Talk about Mark Smith, Jordan Brangers, Kiir - they should be the focus now.

Just stop worrying about Tilmon, he would fill a need but I don't believe he'll be that impactful as a Freshman. The same people who have been in his ear to collect more money to go to Mizzou will be in his ear to leave for the NBA after one season to get paid. He'll leave to early and end up overseas.

 

[Foggy Notion]

I'm passing. The guy was suspended two different times this year with one being for drug paraphernalia. I don't want his off the court issues clouding our new culture/team.

 

[Ubermensch]

I disagree with your observation if it's implying we're suddenly going to start having a reall shot at the Karl Anthony Townes of basketball. That's not realistic with where we're at as a program right now. Groce already had us in the door with the players a notch below that level I.e the Brunsons, Wilkes, Braggs, Alexanders Tilmons, and Evans of the world. Antigua just needs to do what Groce couldn't and close on those kind of players.

Keep swinging and eventually you hit the ball straight.

 

[IlliniRunIn07]

That and your username have me cracking up right now

 

[FatGreg]

I'm passing. The guy was suspended two different times this year with one being for drug paraphernalia. I don't want his off the court issues clouding our new culture/team.

I've got bad news: it is likely to the point of near certainty that several of our players use marijuana and/or other substances recreationally. Several also almost certainly did/do consume alcohol underage. No inside info re: the current team, but I knew several D1 basketball and football players at UIUC and elsewhere. Unless the culture has changed dramatically over the last decade (it hasn't), these guys work very hard 95% of the time and play very hard the other 5%.