Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (April 2017)

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#51      
I know that you're a big Bruninga supporter - you bring him up frequently on here. I think he could end up being a P5 contributor: good length and basic skill package, not a bad athlete. However, to say in one breath that the Illini should take Bruninga, but Talen Horton-Tucker is not a B1G caliber player is ludicrous. Horton-Tucker is a plus athlete, terrific shooter, and gifted playmaker. He's also got a Jordan Goodwin-like motor. Bruninga is a possible P5 player; Talen Horton-Tucker is a bonafide top-150 talent who will end up top-100 by August.

Agreed with you on all points, if Bruninga would get the PR that EVERY single good Simeon player seems to get, he would rated that high as well. I just think the ILLINI in general overlook some small school players sometimes and I think they would be well suited to look at this kid vs a THT player who is undersized and a tweener to begin with.
 
#52      

Deleted member 10676

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It has nothing to do with who is with what team or the level they play at now...the Bruninga kid with his size/abilities "fit" a need the ILLINI have more than THT....6'5 vs 6'8-9".

The ILLINI and almost every other team in the B1G won't be looking or need a tweener aggressive player such as THT this late in the game, with exception of maybe Nebraska who needs to replace Morrow.

Bruninga I think fits the bill for more teams and has as much talent if not more upside than THT, no alternate universe needed for that. THT is the typical stud that ends up at say a MVC school not a B1G school.

I think we'll just have to agree to disagree. btw - Horton-Tucker is a junior and has a year to go so he's just getting started, it's not late in the game for him. And as for more talent -- I'm not even going to go there.
 
#53      
I think we'll just have to agree to disagree. btw - Horton-Tucker is a junior and has a year to go so he's just getting started, it's not late in the game for him. And as for more talent -- I'm not even going to go there.

Fair enough, I never said the kid isn't talented, I just meant factoring in all variables, he doesn't seem to fit the bill for the ILLINI, maybe overstepped the whole B1G player caliber. I still think only a few B1G teams would apply for his size/set/needs. Agree to disagree, wish the kid well. If we would take him I would root for him to succeed obviously.
 
#54      
I think THT will be essentially a cross between Roosevelt Jones and Lenzelle Smith in college - the best attributes of both, overall better than either. I think a lot of people are sleeping on the kid because he doesn't have a "basketball body." He's a beast.
 
#55      
I think THT will be essentially a cross between Roosevelt Jones and Lenzelle Smith in college - the best attributes of both, overall better than either. I think a lot of people are sleeping on the kid because he doesn't have a "basketball body." He's a beast.

So if you had to choose between THT and Tim Finke (and roster balance wasn't an issue), who would you take?

P.S. Your player evaluations are well-written and filled with relevant information and analysis. They're my favorite contributions to this board.
 
#56      
So if you had to choose between THT and Tim Finke (and roster balance wasn't an issue), who would you take?

P.S. Your player evaluations are well-written and filled with relevant information and analysis. They're my favorite contributions to this board.

Finke definitely needs to pick up his game. I saw him several times this year and did not see the great shooter he is reputed to be.

I'm hoping he proves his worth going forward. Many will remember that I was an early supporter of his brother.
 
#57      

MrOizo

Chicago
It has nothing to do with who is with what team or the level they play at now...the Bruninga kid with his size/abilities "fit" a need the ILLINI have more than THT....6'5 vs 6'8-9".

The ILLINI and almost every other team in the B1G won't be looking or need a tweener aggressive player such as THT this late in the game, with exception of maybe Nebraska who needs to replace Morrow.

Bruninga I think fits the bill for more teams and has as much talent if not more upside than THT, no alternate universe needed for that. THT is the typical stud that ends up at say a MVC school not a B1G school.

Because he can shoot it so well, I think THT will be a fantastic 3 in the Roger Powell mold. Everybody can use an inside-outside tweener that is a plus athlete, shooter, and able to cause mismatches at the 3 and the 4 spot. 6'5 could be an issue at the 4 position, but if he grows a little or he can play bigger than he is, he'll be fine. We should get in on him while we can.

Either way, the key difference between he and Bruninga is that he's proving his ability against top competition and on the biggest of high school stages. With Bruninga, the mystery factor hurts him...
 
#58      

MrOizo

Chicago
Thanks, Combes - I've been wondering about Tim Finke and how good he really is. He's clearly dropped in ranking, but is still regarded top 100. Yet, when I read about his performances they reveal a lot of inconsistency.

I was just reading about a game where he missed 4 straight free throws, but redeemed himself later with a dunk to seal a win. What stuck with me... 4 straight FT misses?!

Hopefully he's putting in the work - that early high ranking would have killed me at that age. I'm hoping he has far more maturity than I did. I absolutely root for him and hope for the best. I hope he stars at Illinois. But it all starts with him putting in the work consistently and having the necessary talent.
 
#59      

Deleted member 10676

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Scott Burgess‏ @scottybscout 3m3 minutes ago
Simeon 2018 SF Talen Horton-Tucker @_Tal0w drills DEEP three. Goes end to end for a power one handed hammer. Fire up 9-0 on Brad Beal


This is a microcosm of why THT is going to be so valuable. He can shoot it out to 3 point range, he's a bull underneath - blocking and rebounding -- exceptional in transition and Smith even had him playing point guard against Bolingbrook and Young in the State finals. And he's only going to get better.

I'm not sure where Bradley Beal is out of but they have a bunch of St. Louis Eagle players from last year -- Wiseman, Garland and Okoro that I've seen mentioned so far. I think this is either the championship game of the SnD or a Final Four game.
 
#60      

Kramer116

Chicago
Scott Burgess‏ @scottybscout 3m3 minutes ago
Simeon 2018 SF Talen Horton-Tucker @_Tal0w drills DEEP three. Goes end to end for a power one handed hammer. Fire up 9-0 on Brad Beal


This is a microcosm of why THT is going to be so valuable. He can shoot it out to 3 point range, he's a bull underneath - blocking and rebounding -- exceptional in transition and Smith even had him playing point guard against Bolingbrook and Young in the State finals. And he's only going to get better.

I'm not sure where Bradley Beal is out of but they have a bunch of St. Louis Eagle players from last year -- Wiseman, Garland and Okoro that I've seen mentioned so far. I think this is either the championship game of the SnD or a Final Four game.

The St Louis Eagles became Brad Beal Elite this year
 
#61      
Scott Burgess‏ @scottybscout 3m3 minutes ago
Simeon 2018 SF Talen Horton-Tucker @_Tal0w drills DEEP three. Goes end to end for a power one handed hammer. Fire up 9-0 on Brad Beal


This is a microcosm of why THT is going to be so valuable. He can shoot it out to 3 point range, he's a bull underneath - blocking and rebounding -- exceptional in transition and Smith even had him playing point guard against Bolingbrook and Young in the State finals. And he's only going to get better.

I'm not sure where Bradley Beal is out of but they have a bunch of St. Louis Eagle players from last year -- Wiseman, Garland and Okoro that I've seen mentioned so far. I think this is either the championship game of the SnD or a Final Four game.

That type of inside-outside versatility is exactly what Underwood is gonna be looking for in this offense. I wouldn't be surprised if he offered once he gets everything settled.
 
#62      
So if you had to choose between THT and Tim Finke (and roster balance wasn't an issue), who would you take?

P.S. Your player evaluations are well-written and filled with relevant information and analysis. They're my favorite contributions to this board.

For the PRO THT crowd, I would take him over Finke actually...I have always thought Finke was ranked way to high...THT would own him...that said I still think both are in between players, so THT has the upside in this one due to his inside dominance now.
 
#64      

Kramer116

Chicago
Kramer, I love the signature. Not to be a hater, but you need to add a Groce quote to your "Hall of Shame". That Paul Kowalczyk quote... I somehow forget just how bad that statement was. My goodness.

I like where your head is...

Can anyone find me a post game quote where Groce referenced something fun like connectedness?
 
#65      
So if you had to choose between THT and Tim Finke (and roster balance wasn't an issue), who would you take?

P.S. Your player evaluations are well-written and filled with relevant information and analysis. They're my favorite contributions to this board.

I'd be thrilled to land either, but I'd currently prefer Horton-Tucker. They should both be good college players. THT is probably a better shooter, definitely a better ball handler, has a better motor, rebounds/defends better, and is a slightly more explosive athlete.

That said, Finke is still a good shooter, good athlete, good hustle player...he has no real weaknesses (I guess creating off the dribble and lateral quickness are weaknesses, but not severe ones). He actually shares a lot of strengths with THT (even though their bodies/games look very different aesthetically) - I just think that THT is a little better at a lot of the things they're both good at. On the plus side, Finke's 6'6 and has a prototypical build for a 2/3.

I envision both slotting in as high-level glue guys at the Big Ten level. Somewhere between 2nd offensive option and reliable bench scorer. Both will be gritty do-everything wings that will help a P5 team in numerous ways. Both should probably be ranked between 75 and 100, with THT a little higher.

All that said, I don't think we lead in either recruitment.
 
#66      

Deleted member 10676

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Scott Burgess‏ @scottybscout
Simeon 2018 SF Talen Horton Tucker is putting on a scoring clinic! Dominant percormance!


Ok, I know Underwood has things to do this weekend. How does a fan offer a scholarship to a kid?
j/k
I have one of these every year for those new guys who think I'm off my rocker. Last year it was Charlie, this year it was Alonzo Verge, looks Talen will be my new guy to beat the drum for.
#ny2lasnd2k17
 
#67      

Kramer116

Chicago
"I felt like our energy level — our connectedness — was good in parts, but it needs to be more consistent." - John Groce

Thoughts? I feel we can find better there were a lot of golden quotes over the years.
 
#68      
Matt Chastain is at Loyola. I don't think Bruninga is as good as Chastain.

I'd be for taking a chance if this was the last spot on a roster filled with Gill, Bardo, Anderson, et al. But Illini aren't in that position currently.
 
#69      
"I felt like our energy level — our connectedness — was good in parts, but it needs to be more consistent." - John Groce

Thoughts? I feel we can find better there were a lot of golden quotes over the years.

Good start, ensure the sentence has the word "obviously" within it.
 
#70      

skyIdub

Winged Warrior
I like the Smith family article. I think mom and dad would love the easy driving to the SFC to see young Mark rocking the Krush!
 
#71      
I like where your head is...

Can anyone find me a post game quote where Groce referenced something fun like connectedness?

"Championship choices" or "Stay the course" or "That's an update on the paddywagon crew" or "Hottest fire=strongest steel"
 
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#72      

Deleted member 10676

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#73      
Thanks, Combes - I've been wondering about Tim Finke and how good he really is. He's clearly dropped in ranking, but is still regarded top 100. Yet, when I read about his performances they reveal a lot of inconsistency.

I was just reading about a game where he missed 4 straight free throws, but redeemed himself later with a dunk to seal a win. What stuck with me... 4 straight FT misses?
...

He is practicing for when he leads us to the final four.
 
#74      
I saw Finke play a year ago in an easy win over Mattoon. Small sample size and very little effort required. That all said, I wasn't bedazzled even a little. I've talked to others who have seen him play in high school games in the area who were not overly impressed either.

So is he better in AAU settings? I'd understand if he was underwhelmed by high school basketball.
 
#75      

afpharmdawg

Colorado Springs
It seems that now some are not so fond of Tim Finke. What has happened? I don't get to see players live.
 
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