Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (April 2017)
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Not as impressive of a facility, and free exposure never hurts. Get the kids on campus.
IHSA state tournament in Champaign wouldn't do a thing. Other than draw 3,000 people to the city during the small school weekend and another 3,000 the big school weekend.
Carver Arena looks pathetically empty during the tournament. SFC would look even more barren with 6,000 more empty seats than Carver Arena.
Wow, it's hard to believe IHSA state finals have been in Peoria for 22 years.
http://www.pjstar.com/news/20170325/what-peoria-gives-and-receives-from-ihsa-boys-basketball-finals
Carver Arena looks pathetically empty during the tournament. SFC would look even more barren with 6,000 more empty seats than Carver Arena.
Wow, it's hard to believe IHSA state finals have been in Peoria for 22 years.
http://www.pjstar.com/news/20170325/what-peoria-gives-and-receives-from-ihsa-boys-basketball-finals
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Jkat00
- Champaign, IL
I think it could only help.
IMO it doesn't help much unless Illinois is good again. State tournament for Missouri is at Mizzou Arena. Don't think that has helped them much. Indiana HS tournament is at Hinkle. If Illinois is any good they would be playing in the NCAA tournament while the 3/4A games are going on.
I feel we are being naive to think that Cuonzo will be a flash in the pan. If his recruits can win (and I am not talking National Championship win) more recruits will take notice and thus he will continue to recruit well. He will be able to sell putting 1-2 guys in NBA early and we will not be able to counteract that. He is actually setting himself up for pretty good long term success. If we continue to scuffle, what will we be able to sell? A hope and a dream?
He got good players to Tennessee and Cal. He had NBA talent at Cal and went to the NIT.
Obviously, we have to win. That has nothing to do with Martin, though.
Deleted member 8213
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I feel you are being naive worrying about Conzou's long term success when he hasn't accomplished that anywhere he's been. He has always been able to sell something on the recruiting trail, and yet he's had a very mediocre record everywhere he has been.
Why are we the only school that has to have a coach from Chicago to recruit Chicago? We will recruit Chicago. Antigua has had success there.
This will be a great experiment. Some like myself thought that if Cuonzo were at Illinois or even Missouri his recruiting might exceed what he has previously accomplished. That has certainly been shown to be true so far. Now the question is can he coach just enough to capitalize on the talent?
Time will tell. i'm guessing he will do well enough without turning Mizzou into powerhouse. Similar to our old buddy Norm Stewart
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Frank CusumanoVerified account @Frank_Cusumano 28m28 minutes ago
Jeremiah Tilmon will be granted his release tomorrow. Then the recruiting reopens.
Jeremiah Tilmon will be granted his release tomorrow. Then the recruiting reopens.
ILLINIShox24
Orange Krush '04 & '05
For those in the know, how many recruits do you expect in this class?
Chris Yates
Recruiting Correspondent
- Michigan
For years, we've justifiably worried about the lack of a true point guard. Now we have two good ones in TJL and Frazier, so it must be time to panic about something else.
I know about Martin's mediocre results but this feels different. He has a captive audience in a recent fertile recruiting ground and I worry they will take notice. I do not believe you can just discount what might happen based on prior stints because this is totally different circumstances.
Of course, I will not give up hope and I will use the wait and see approach with BU's Illini but I will admit being nervous about what is happening across the river.
Of course, I will not give up hope and I will use the wait and see approach with BU's Illini but I will admit being nervous about what is happening across the river.
I ran into DaMonte at the Shaun Livingston tourney on Saturday. I thanked him for his loyalty to the Illini. He said he couldn't guarantee that he would be ready for the beginning of the season and, if not, he'd have to do what's best for him and RS. I told him I completely agree. As much as I'd like to see him play this fall, he'll have 4 great years regardless of which ones they are.
Chris Yates
Recruiting Correspondent
- Michigan
Deleted member 10676
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Back in the day, numerous times Norm and Lou's teams met and both were in the top 20 or 15. It's possible for both teams to be very good at the same time. Just because both have been lousy for a while, success at Miznoz doesn't necessarily mean doom for Illinois.
Ummm...he hasn't been anywhere long enough for anyone to say whether or not he'll have good or bad long-term success. The people talking in absolutes about what Cuonzo will do long-term have no idea. He's off to a blazing start so far.
The glass half full theory of this class falling apart:
Now we really get to see how BU can recruit and coach. If this class was kept together and Smith was added then we would definitely be rolling. But in the back of my mind I would always have to tell myself "He's winning with Groce's players". At least now BU will get his own guys in quicker and we will see how good of a coach he really is.
Now we really get to see how BU can recruit and coach. If this class was kept together and Smith was added then we would definitely be rolling. But in the back of my mind I would always have to tell myself "He's winning with Groce's players". At least now BU will get his own guys in quicker and we will see how good of a coach he really is.
Chris Yates
Recruiting Correspondent
- Michigan
Several months ago, we were panicked about Ford and SLU picking our pocket time and time again. Now Martin is the adversary who terrifies us. We sure are a jittery bunch here in Illini Nation. Personally, with our new staff, I think MizNoz and SLU should be worried about us.
BTW, your handle is one of my all-time favorites, Swamp Donkey! :thumb:
BirdDog9048
The Chief Lives
- Chicago, IL
I think that was kinda the point. No reason to get all bent out of shape about something he's never proven he can actually do.
while Antigua may not have the chicago ties. . it looks to me he might be very persuasive there anyway.
In addition Cuonzo will be tasked with asking 18-19 year old Freshman to play selfless basketball with particular attention to defense. It is NOT as easy as Calipari makes it seem. Calipari is on another planet coaching wise compared to Cuonzo.
I remember reading Lou Henson's book where he recounted Marcus Liberty who thought he was trying hard on D in practice. Lou had Bardo come over and throw his jersey at Liberty to wring the sweat out and told him thats what working hard looked like
You have to use every means possible to make Illinois look like THe place to go
Hallowed grounds atmosphere. once they get there to the tourney...overwhelm them with the atmosphere even if you have to hire marketing agency to help you. That and winning.
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