Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (April 2017)

[Deleted member 8213]

..Just think if JW hired Cuonzo we would have ended up with all our recruits and added the num 1 player in the country in Porter Jr. And plus probably another 5* or 2 and that would of got us in Final 4 next year...Say what u want about Cuonzo but the guy can recruit with the best of them he might be lacking on the coaching side but talent will get you a long way heck i think Calipari isnt so great as a coach but hes the best recruiter out there

 

[cam]

This is my favorite sport and favorite team but this whole Tilmon thing sickens me. NCAA needs to hammer some people. Who is the last team that got nailed for cheating?

 

[RockfordIllini]

I am sorry to see Tilmon go. Filled a big position of need. However, I don't think he would have been a "program changer." I doubt he would have been as impactful as Diamond Stone or Swannigan were as freshmen, and both of them got around 10 and 6. Hurts, but not crushing.


And for that matter, I am about done with the bulk of these 5* McDAA types. Too much drama. If we can turn into a Wisconsin type program where we are a consistent winner with 3-4* kinds, sprinkled with the occasional "low drama" high 4*/low 5* (they do exist. Think JCL for us. Decker and Berggren (sp?) for Wisconsin), I am fine with that. And I think Underwood is more than capable of doing that.


The one n done model is proving to be not as effective as every one thinks. The last 2 NCs have been laden with upper classmen. 'Nova didn't have 1 sure fire NBA player on their roster last year, and no one who looks to have all star potential. And for all of Coach Cal's pomp and circumstance, he has won, what, 1 NC in 7 years or so? Would CA really been a "program-changer" in his 1 year here? Do we really think he wouldn't have still had the eligibility issues with the "loan" from an agent had he come here? Or that Carlton Bragg would have somehow stayed out of trouble (we have had our share of off-court issues too)? Bragg wasn't impactful at KU, so if he comes here all of a sudden he transforms into First team all BIG?


I am beginning to think these 5*s that we are all pining for are more trouble than they are worth, and are certainly no guarantee of success. Find us an athletic, rebounding big to go with Pickett, Frazier and Williams and lets go win some games!

 

[IlliniCyborg]

I agree Gabe and Dave are very non biased fact reporters. I think the Tilmon saga has brought out the fanboy side of the Illinois media.

Agree to disagree. You know as well as I do every sports reporter at the PD (minus Jesus Ortiz) goes to bed wearing their anthracite and gold jammies.

 

[Adnarel]

This is my favorite sport and favorite team but this whole Tilmon thing sickens me. NCAA needs to hammer some people. Who is the last team that got nailed for cheating?

The NCAA will only really go after programs like Samford. Though did they keep Mizzou down for a season after all of the Haith stuff.

 

[Mike]

So much butthurt. Dead period doesn't mean no contact (though him still having his NLI with Illinois does) it just means no face to face. Recruits can still call coaches and talk on social media.

Well fans have the right to be BH if they want to, but we still need to aggressively sweet talk him before we let him out of his NLI.

Glad it's not me having to sweet talk him bc I'd go off big time...

 

[FatGreg]

I'm just glad that after years of apathy I have a strong desire to punch Missouri fans in the face. It feels good to care. A month ago, I would look to the southwest and wonder if I was the Tin Man.

 

[thunderwear]

I'm from Chicago, coached in the CPL in the mid 2000s, and have a very close group of friends in coaching in the Chicagoland area and the STL/downstate IL area. Now I am in East Lansing and attend private MSU practices from time to time.

I live in East Lansing as well, can I come to Private MSU practices?

 

[Calvin]

The NCAA will only really go after programs like Samford. Though did they keep Mizzou down for a season after all of the Haith stuff.

I don't think that explains most of their behavior. The NCAA is a PR arm of their sporting interests, and that's it. They are driven to keep revenue high, and costs low, nothing more. They go by public opinion to gauge how much they can get away with pushing those interests. If a program causes public outrage, they will go after that program regardless of who it is. They cherry pick enforcement, as you allude to, by generally going after programs with less revenue at stake. That way they look like they're enforcing rules, even when they rarely do anything to hurt P5 revenues. They will however, pull out the lawyers if they have a PR nightmare on their hands.

Look, most fans don't care how their schools get their recruits, and the ones that do are the ones going around the rules. I hope we play by the real rules, not the ones the PR team wrote.

My 2 cents.....

 

[Fighter of the Nightman]

I'm just glad that after years of apathy I have a strong desire to punch Missouri fans in the face. It feels good to care. A month ago, I would look to the southwest and wonder if I was the Tin Man.

I'll echo this. I'd hate to see Tilmon wind up at MU, but this will help a rivalry that is in much need of a buzz. If some of the negative nancies here were Missouri fans, they'd be talking about how our coach just got great talent but he had that great talent at Cal and did nothing with it and our border rival - who is currently riding a four-year winning streak vs. us - has a coach that many consider to be a better Xs and Os guy, just hired one of the best recruiters in the nation and has a recent history of recruiting very well in a metro area that we NEED to succeed ... and they'd be right on all accounts.

Count me as not scared of Mizzou, and I welcome the challenge.

 

[SescIllini]

Another reminder that John Groce was so close, yet so far from having this program rolling.

I truly think that Groce selection of assistants with the exception of Walker really let him down. He is the head guy so he gets axed for making the selections. But getting a couple of plan B instate guys over chasing the Canadian pipedream would of got him into the tourney a couple of times.

 

[t7nich]

I spoke to Smith's camp (my uncle) & I KNOW the BOLD is NOT TRUE......

I know this is an opinion poll but unless you want people to bad mouth Smith or say negative things about his recruiting ...you should have your facts correct....Smith got an offer from Kentucky, visiting a school this weekend...maybe talking to another school (already in the mix on Sunday), playing in an All Star game (April 15, 2017) .... a list is forthcoming in the next few days., nor has the Smith's camp texted anyone that he committed .....and those my friends (ndandrid & Ratdawg) are the "REAL" facts.....smh.....

Thanks Hooping. Always appreciate your info. Can you shed any light on how the Smith camp might feel about Mizzou and how they handled the Tilmon situation?

 

[WesterveltVictoryCigar]

Could someone please forward this article to the NCAA's investigative office ?

Why?

 

[Mike]

I don't think that explains most of their behavior. The NCAA is a PR arm of their sporting interests, and that's it. They are driven to keep revenue high, and costs low, nothing more. They go by public opinion to gauge how much they can get away with pushing those interests. If a program causes public outrage, they will go after that program regardless of who it is. They cherry pick enforcement, as you allude to, by generally going after programs with less revenue at stake. That way they look like they're enforcing rules, even when they rarely do anything to hurt P5 revenues. They will however, pull out the lawyers if they have a PR nightmare on their hands.

Look, most fans don't care how their schools get their recruits, and the ones that do are the ones going around the rules. I hope we play by the real rules, not the ones the PR team wrote.

My 2 cents.....

The NCAA's rules are more what you'd call "guidelines" than actual rules.

 

[EJ33]

I'll echo this. I'd hate to see Tilmon wind up at MU, but this will help a rivalry that is in much need of a buzz. If some of the negative nancies here were Missouri fans, they'd be talking about how our coach just got great talent but he had that great talent at Cal and did nothing with it and our border rival - who is currently riding a four-year winning streak vs. us - has a coach that many consider to be a better Xs and Os guy, just hired one of the best recruiters in the nation and has a recent history of recruiting very well in a metro area that we NEED to succeed ... and they'd be right on all accounts.

Count me as not scared of Mizzou, and I welcome the challenge.

#ALTERNATIVEFACTS

With the loss of Tilmon, Illinois has neither a recent or long history of recruiting well in the St. Louis Metro Area. This year we'll miss the top 3 players. Sure we've gotten some players, but we've lost on every major, national recruit over the last 50 years, with the exception of Richard Keene (5 star McDAA that chose us over Duke). We've actually done much better in the Chicagoland area than the St. Louis area.

 

[alexander58]

This is my favorite sport and favorite team but this whole Tilmon thing sickens me. NCAA needs to hammer some people. Who is the last team that got nailed for cheating?

I imagine nothing was done illegally in a technical sense. Martin found the weak link and exploited it (if you'd like to coach at Missouri, leave your moral compass at the door). I was told 2 weeks before Groce was fired that Martin was begging for the Illinois job. Perhaps Illinois' lack of interest in him is fueling some of this. Or, maybe this is how everybody does it.

 

[PhillyIllini]

These are pretty strong words from Tate

Cuonzo is scum.

 

[Greensboro]

Hard to be bullish or bearish when we don't even know what our roster is going to look like next year.

I'm actually finding it pretty easy to be bullish knowing where I roster is today.

 

[PhillyIllini]

I truly think that Groce selection of assistants with the exception of Walker really let him down. He is the head guy so he gets axed for making the selections. But getting a couple of plan B instate guys over chasing the Canadian pipedream would of got him into the tourney a couple of times.

Lol Dustin Ford. May you forever RIP. :thumb:

 

[PhillyIllini]

I am sorry to see Tilmon go. Filled a big position of need. However, I don't think he would have been a "program changer." I doubt he would have been as impactful as Diamond Stone or Swannigan were as freshmen, and both of them got around 10 and 6. Hurts, but not crushing.


And for that matter, I am about done with the bulk of these 5* McDAA types. Too much drama. If we can turn into a Wisconsin type program where we are a consistent winner with 3-4* kinds, sprinkled with the occasional "low drama" high 4*/low 5* (they do exist. Think JCL for us. Decker and Berggren (sp?) for Wisconsin), I am fine with that. And I think Underwood is more than capable of doing that.


The one n done model is proving to be not as effective as every one thinks. The last 2 NCs have been laden with upper classmen. 'Nova didn't have 1 sure fire NBA player on their roster last year, and no one who looks to have all star potential. And for all of Coach Cal's pomp and circumstance, he has won, what, 1 NC in 7 years or so? Would CA really been a "program-changer" in his 1 year here? Do we really think he wouldn't have still had the eligibility issues with the "loan" from an agent had he come here? Or that Carlton Bragg would have somehow stayed out of trouble (we have had our share of off-court issues too)? Bragg wasn't impactful at KU, so if he comes here all of a sudden he transforms into First team all BIG?


I am beginning to think these 5*s that we are all pining for are more trouble than they are worth, and are certainly no guarantee of success. Find us an athletic, rebounding big to go with Pickett, Frazier and Williams and lets go win some games!

You don't hire Coach O if you aren't planning on pursuing "these 5* McDAA types". Buckle up.

 

[Ga65]

If the decision is made on rational basis Antigua should have been a huge plus for Tilmon based on his development of big men for Kentucky. Discussion has all been about his recruitment record but my understanding is his coaching was centered on the front court which has resulted in many NBA draftees. Sounds like he is being pushed around by adults and in a difficult position. Would love to have him but not a program changer.

 

[Adnarel]

You don't hire Coach O if you aren't planning on pursuing "these 5* McDAA types". Buckle up.

ding ding ding

Coach O is a statement hire. We are going to be playing with the big boys on the recruiting trail. Buy an industrial strength cup.

 

[VA Illini Chief]

I agree that Tate's article is strong and clearly shares our frustration as well as our resolve in battling back to prominence.

 

[OrangeSoda]

#ALTERNATIVEFACTS

With the loss of Tilmon, Illinois has neither a recent or long history of recruiting well in the St. Louis Metro Area. This year we'll miss the top 3 players. Sure we've gotten some players, but we've lost on every major, national recruit over the last 50 years, with the exception of Richard Keene (5 star McDAA that chose us over Duke). We've actually done much better in the Chicagoland area than the St. Louis area.

I believe he was noting that our recent hire (Antigua) has a history of success recruiting metro areas. No #AlternativeFacts here.

 

[PhillyIllini]

ding ding ding

Coach O is a statement hire. We are going to be playing with the big boys on the recruiting trail. Buy an industrial strength cup.

Lol, couldn't have said it better myself. :thumb: