Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (April 2017)

[IlliniMed]

Pic of Tilmon and Smith.
Jeremy Werner Retweeted Jeremiah Tilmon‏ @jeremiahtilmon_ 23m23 minutes ago



I'm tryna get it

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSrSApTBWhS/

Its so painfully obvious that this recruitment was tampered with its almost comical and he doesn't even realize how obvious it is.

 

[King Kriptor]

All this missouri crap is so frustrating to see

 

[IlliniKat91]

All this missouri crap is so frustrating to see

It's only frustrating now because it feels like we're standing still. Give our staff a chance to respond to these moves and then we'll all see how we feel.

 

[MrNutrition]

Any insight on the probability of landing the following recruits?:
Mayan Kiir
Alonzo Verge
Amauri Hardy
Tremont Waters

Also, any other potential recruits to keep an eye on besides the obvious, i.e. Mark Smith (sounds MSU bound), McCoy, etc.?

 

[Dvick217]

It's only frustrating now because it feels like we're standing still. Give our staff a chance to respond to these moves and then we'll all see how we feel.

Why is it so quiet from us?

 

[King Kriptor]

It's only frustrating now because it feels like we're standing still. Give our staff a chance to respond to these moves and then we'll all see how we feel.

That's whats unnerving since the signing deadline is coming up. Although we might see a lot of stuff happening in a few days

 

[MrNutrition]

Why is it so quiet from us?

It may be my naïve optimism, but to me, all signs point to the recruiting staff having other targets, and strategizing to land other targets. Pickett's de-commitment appears to have been a move initiated by the coaching staff to open up scholarships to allow the staff to recruit better talent, that fit Underwood's system.

 

[Branson53]

Why is it so quiet from us?

I would assume because things really aren't going as planned on our end. We still don't have our third assistant locked down and we have lost Tilmon and it looks like Mark Smith isn't coming here either.

It is hard to see Missouri having so much success on the recruiting trail. What could Cuonzo Martin possibly say to all these top recruits that make them all want to go play for him?

I think it's naive to think we have some secret plan that is going to be revealed in the coming weeks. If we can't convince Tilmon and Smith to stay home there is no way we are able to convince other top recruits from out of state to come here. I was hoping we'd keep the class together and add Smith and get this thing turned around in two years. But now it's looking like it will have to be a longer slow rebuild.

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[IlliniKat91]

Why is it so quiet from us?

That's whats unnerving since the signing deadline is coming up. Although we might see a lot of stuff happening in a few days

I'm no insider; I'm just saying we're probably better off with a wait-and-see approach than flying off the handle (easier said than done around here, I know).

I know someone suggested we keep on the lookout for something happening at the end of the week. I'm contenting myself with that for the time being.

 

[TCTORNADO]

It may be my naïve optimism, but to me, all signs point to the recruiting staff having other targets, and strategizing to land other targets. Pickett's de-commitment appears to have been a move initiated by the coaching staff to open up scholarships to allow the staff to recruit better talent, that fit Underwood's system.

Davon Dillard

 

[combes]

Porter, Jr. Is the key to their class. Missouri hired his daddy. They can't hire daddies every year.

We will be fine.

 

[MrNutrition]

I would assume because things really aren't going as planned on our end. We still don't have our third assistant locked down and we have lost Tilmon and it looks like Mark Smith isn't coming here either.

It is hard to see Missouri having so much success on the recruiting trail. What could Cuonzo Martin possibly say to all these top recruits that make them all want to go play for him?

I think it's naive to think we have some secret plan that is going to be revealed in the coming weeks. If we can't convince Tilmon and Smith to stay home there is no way we are able to convince other top recruits from out of state to come here. I was hoping we'd keep the class together and add Smith and get this thing turned around in two years. But now it's looking like it will have to be a longer slow rebuild.

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There are a lot of recent de-commits that have ties to either a.) a coaching staff b.) the illini program or c.) both. Which is reason to believe the coaching staff may have something planned.

For example, Amauri Hardy (OSU de-commit), Mayan Kiir (VCU de-commit), Tremont Waters (Georgetown de-commit)

 

[Takeittothehoop]

I can probably only wish at this stage of late recruiting, but I wonder if Tugs Bowen would still consider Illinois with the new staff. He would be the perfect replacement for Hill. I would expect that the staff could also make a late play for McCoy or just fill the 5 spot with a 5th year transfer like Mark Donnal or Sean Obi.

 

[TownieMatt]

Any insight on the probability of landing the following recruits?:
Mayan Kiir
Alonzo Verge
Amauri Hardy
Tremont Waters

Also, any other potential recruits to keep an eye on besides the obvious, i.e. Mark Smith (sounds MSU bound), McCoy, etc.?

Mayan Kiir - Seems oddly quiet on this front, although we know the staff was in FL this past week. Did they visit Kiir? Would seem natural, but don't know. Would have guessed LSU would get involved and have a good chance, but haven't heard anything more in that direction. My uneducated guess if that we'll be one of 3 or 4 teams in that one until the end.

Alonzo Verge - Doesn't have the grades by most accounts, JUCO or prep school is likely his next stop.

Amauri Hardy - His comments about Illinois "needing a scholarship to open" suggests that if we don't land Smith, he could be our plan B.

Tremont Waters - Absolutely no idea.

 

[Deleted member 10676]

Davon Dillard

No idea if he'd transfer-- it would give us a MIF guy and he did come to life with Underwood-- but just mentioning the name gives me the excuse to post this dunk by DD. Would love to see stuff like this in SFC.
http://www.pistolsfiringblog.com/watch-davon-dillard-dunks-entire-state-west-virginia/

 

[MrNutrition]

Mayan Kiir - Seems oddly quiet on this front, although we know the staff was in FL this past week. Did they visit Kiir? Would seem natural, but don't know. Would have guessed LSU would get involved and have a good chance, but haven't heard anything more in that direction. My uneducated guess if that we'll be one of 3 or 4 teams in that one until the end.

Alonzo Verge - Doesn't have the grades by most accounts, JUCO or prep school is likely his next stop.

Amauri Hardy - His comments about Illinois "needing a scholarship to open" suggests that if we don't land Smith, he could be our plan B.

Tremont Waters - Absolutely no idea.

Thanks for the reply!

Tremont Waters is a 4* PG from Gtown who was just granted a release. He has ties to Antigua, I believe, or at least one of the other staff.

And I also believe we have reached to Carlton Bragg, of Kansas. Recruitment is quite right now, but starting Monday, its going to heat-up very quickly.

 

[lucasjohnsonhustle]

I hope by the following message Im not violating any rules- but after reading some of the posts I have to wonder how many will know the name I am about to refer to.


I don't like to think like this but my dad has said it for years....is it possible that Illinois is losing on several levels right now to Missouri bc they hired a black coach? ESTL is predominantly black and Martin is a popular St Louis native that is black. John Groce was able to recruit a good class but lets not be naïve....signing day didn't get here yet. And yes...there are coaches that are not black that are at the top of their sport but they are BLUE BLOODS.


When Jimmy Collins was passed over it was said that Illinois would never get another Nick Anderson or Marcus Liberty.....guess what....that's exactly what has happened. No Rose, Alexander, Brunson just to name a few on a VERY long list.


I am hopefully that Underwood can get the talent in here but lets call the score what it really is right now....Mizzouri a lot and Illini 1 which is keeping Frazier and Williams. One guy said a decent coach can win with high 4 stars and 5 stars at every position. It doesn't take a great coach. MArtin may not be a great coach but he DOES have recruiting chops and he is flexing his muscle right now. WIth each passing day it is getting harder to be optimistic about the battle with Missouri and we haven't even discussed the problem Archie Miller and Chris Collins in Chicago is going to be. Bottom line.....we need more talent and speed at just about every position. Lucas is a nice player but his a 3 star that needs to improve a ton shooting. Someone please help us off the ledge!

 

[jltp93]

We will be fine. Underwood, Antigua, Walker, & Chin/Martin are going to be a LONG TERM success. Clownzo is a flash in the pan who hired the #1 recruit's father.

 

[Seagee]

Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

Given the history on both sides, at least it will be fun to watch Hardy & Smith guard each other when we play MSU if things end up that way.


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[helppitch]

Mayan Kiir - Seems oddly quiet on this front, although we know the staff was in FL this past week. Did they visit Kiir? Would seem natural, but don't know. Would have guessed LSU would get involved and have a good chance, but haven't heard anything more in that direction. My uneducated guess if that we'll be one of 3 or 4 teams in that one until the end.

Alonzo Verge - Doesn't have the grades by most accounts, JUCO or prep school is likely his next stop.

Amauri Hardy - His comments about Illinois "needing a scholarship to open" suggests that if we don't land Smith, he could be our plan B.

Tremont Waters - Absolutely no idea.

Hardy? If Coach Underwood thinks he can contribute, great. But, at this point there is no need to sign another guard, especially a frosh guard, unless he could develop into a premier player. A good 5th year would be great. We already have two frosh guards coming in (both, incidentally, rated higher than Harris, who committed to Missouri today).

 

[Illini B-Ball Fan]

Mayan Kiir - Seems oddly quiet on this front, although we know the staff was in FL this past week. Did they visit Kiir? Would seem natural, but don't know. Would have guessed LSU would get involved and have a good chance, but haven't heard anything more in that direction. My uneducated guess if that we'll be one of 3 or 4 teams in that one until the end.

Alonzo Verge - Doesn't have the grades by most accounts, JUCO or prep school is likely his next stop.

Amauri Hardy - His comments about Illinois "needing a scholarship to open" suggests that if we don't land Smith, he could be our plan B.

Tremont Waters - Absolutely no idea.

Hardy is the man that would appear to be one to go after since he still has a desire to play for BU. His HS stats are incredible as a finalist for MI Mr Basketball:

* 2016-17 stat averaged: 29 points, 7 rebounds, 6 steals and 6 assists

* Junior year averaged: 21 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists and 6 steals

* Sophomore year averaged: 19-20 points (Only four games because of MCL injury)

* Freshman year averaged: 12-13 points per game

http://www.mlive.com/sports/2017/03/meet_mr_basketball_finalist_am.html

 

[robjilla]

I can probably only wish at this stage of late recruiting, but I wonder if Tugs Bowen would still consider Illinois with the new staff. He would be the perfect replacement for Hill. I would expect that the staff could also make a late play for McCoy or just fill the 5 spot with a 5th year transfer like Mark Donnal or Sean Obi.

I saw tugs last month at the bulls game.. he mentioned every school except illinois

 

[TCTORNADO]

Twitter rumors out there that Smith has verbaled to MSU but wants the surprise hat ceremony on Wednesday. Ugh

 

[Illini B-Ball Fan]

Twitter rumors out there that Smith has verbaled to MSU but wants the surprise hat ceremony on Wednesday. Ugh

Not to worry, swap him out with Hardy.

 

[BananaShampoo]

Not to worry, swap him out with Hardy.

Smith would have been better, but it is what it is.