Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (April 2017)

[I Bomb]

I wonder if Tilmon anticipated a big exodus from Illinois (and was possibly convinced of it by others). Hopefully, he's seeing the complete opposite now. Illinois fans have gone through worse recruiting antics than what Tilmon has done - if he ever wanted back in, I'm all about it. We need him.

 

[PlayAZ]

Yeah, that was last summer though. I wouldn't be surprised if they looked at it now if it was in better shape.

I wouldn't rule out Smith getting drafted either. MLB teams love taking chances on elite athletes, even guys that haven't played baseball in years.

He has stated his intentions to get to the NBA...size/build/talent is there....Absolutely ZERO chance he throws anything but a ceremonious pitch if that ever again...

 

[Smacko]

Zero chance of Pickett coming back. He was a borderline high-major guy and we took him in part to help get Tilmon and Goodwin. Him opening things back up was bad from a PR standpoint but probably good in the long term.

 

[Deleted member 8213]

Yeah, that was last summer though. I wouldn't be surprised if they looked at it now if it was in better shape.

I wouldn't rule out Smith getting drafted either. MLB teams love taking chances on elite athletes, even guys that haven't played baseball in years.

Pretty sure Mark has his sights set on the NBA at this point.

 

[Sal Iacuzzo]

He has stated his intentions to get to the NBA...size/build/talent is there....Absolutely ZERO chance he throws anything but a ceremonious pitch if that ever again...

The Trib article says those close to Smith aren't ruling out his return to baseball.

Pat Connaughton played minor league ball while at Notre Dame and has even declared his intention to return to the sport despite currently playing in the NBA.

 

[ILL in IA]

I was 100% kidding when I set the over under on games pitched by Smith. All the orange Kool-Ade had me feeling good.

 

[rockillini]

New Underwood interview

https://twitter.com/AdamZagoria/status/857596442474676225

Big day for Brad Underwood. Landed Mark Smith and was a guest on The 4 Quarters Podcast.

Adam Zagoria of zagsblog.com and Josh Newman of Asbury Park Press talk to Illinois head coach Brad Underwood.

Talks about recruiting philosophies, Coach Antigua, the Big Ten tournament in New York and other stuff. Interview starts at 1:11

http://vsporto.com/episode/21188/th...nba-draft-combine-talk-and-recruiting-update/

 

[oskeewowwowboomtime]

:thumb:

I wonder if Tilmon anticipated a big exodus from Illinois (and was possibly convinced of it by others). Hopefully, he's seeing the complete opposite now. Illinois fans have gone through worse recruiting antics than what Tilmon has done - if he ever wanted back in, I'm all about it. We need him.

Exactly right. And since he comes across as a quiet big man, imagine how beneficial it would be to have Mark and Trent out front running interference for him on campus while he just quietly goes about improving his Big Man skills under Coach "O" with unlimited minutes available. This makes so much sense for all involved that it needs to happen. For his sake, I hope that he doesn't pull a Cliff at Mizzou. That would be such a waste.

 

[Deleted member 8213]

The Trib article says those close to Smith aren't ruling out his return to baseball.

Well he isn't even playing baseball for Edwardsville this spring. One would think if his arm was healed and he had any such aspirations he would rejoin the team. :noidea:

 

[coryfor3]

Exactly. If Tilmon to Mizzou was happening, it wouldve been done by now. Porter's younger brother is likely going to take that spot.

Not sure what Tilmon's options are going to be. SLU looking more and more likely now

It isn't like he's going to run out of options. He's a Top 50 recruit. There will be plenty of schools that are interested whether Missouri can find a spot for him or not. And I wouldn't put it past Cuonzo at this point to Crean a guy in favor of Tilmon if he wants the spot.

 

[CoalCity]

So... @CoachOantigua has been doing some following tonight... of the #1 player in 2019 (RJ Barrett) and the #10 guy in 2018 (Simi Shittu).
https://twitter.com/UIHoopsRecruits/status/857436906984005632

Simi Shittu is a beast. He would be an incredible get.

 

[whitesxfan2012]

Now that its over, can you translate your follow the breadcrumbs to the matrix post. Just want to be able to translate future awesome posts. I wanna know what was in your mind at the time you were encrypting that.

just my way of dropping a hint without giving out direct info.
Smith is officially an Illini....

 

[Illiniman94]

:thumb:

Exactly right. And since he comes across as a quiet big man, imagine how beneficial it would be to have Mark and Trent out front running interference for him on campus while he just quietly goes about improving his Big Man skills under Coach "O" with unlimited minutes available. This makes so much sense for all involved that it needs to happen. For his sake, I hope that he doesn't pull a Cliff at Mizzou. That would be such a waste.

Although I agree with 90% of what you said, I don't thing him going to Mizzou would be analogous to the Alexander situation. Cliff didn't get much PT at Kansas. JT will get tons of playing time at Mizzou the risk is that it will be getting a ton of playing time but on a !!!!!! team after Porter leaves.

I agree that it makes perfect sense for him to come to Illinois and I hope he sees that. Is he really better friends and wanting to play with Porter for 1 year than he is with Mark Smith and Damonte...not to mention the home state school?

JMO

 

[coryfor3]

Well he isn't even playing baseball for Edwardsville this spring. One would think if his arm was healed and he had any such aspirations he would rejoin the team. :noidea:

Not necessarily. He's had a lot going on and if he's had an arm injury, no need to push it and play right now when there is no real need to do so. Pitching in H.S. is really just putting more miles on the arm unless H.S. is the end of your baseball career or you need to pitch to prove yourself to a college coach for an offer of some kind. If he wants to pursue baseball again, I'm sure he can without playing his senior year of H.S. Maybe we've got our own version of Pat Connaughton on our hands.

 

[Illiniman94]

I thought it was well known that Underwood basically told him he wouldn't be playing at Illinois and he should seriously consider going somewhere else. Calling it a mutual decision might even be an understatement.


Honestly--I have wondered if the Pickett situation pissed off Tilmon and had a part in his decommittment.

I had not heard/seen anything but speculation that it might have been a mutual decision because of a candid conversation.

 

[ivwilsoniv]

Adding just Tilmon would put as at #6 according to 247. Thats with Da'Monte dropping 100 spots in their composite from the time he committed and since his injury.

Adding both wouldn't change much but Pickett would push us to #5 over Duke.

Adding Badocchi doesn't change our score at all.

Actually, just adding Tilmon would put us at a composite team score of 62.40 (up from 54.41). That class would rank at #10 overall, just ahead of Oregon (62.35) and behind Xavier (63.21).

Either way, this is just one metric to judge a recruiting class. It would be a great class whatever number it ends up being "ranked."

 

[Obelix]

I thought it was well known that Underwood basically told him he wouldn't be playing at Illinois and he should seriously consider going somewhere else. Calling it a mutual decision might even be an understatement.


Honestly--I have wondered if the Pickett situation pissed off Tilmon and had a part in his decommittment.

Fake news.

 

[coryfor3]

I thought it was well known that Underwood basically told him he wouldn't be playing at Illinois and he should seriously consider going somewhere else. Calling it a mutual decision might even be an understatement.


Honestly--I have wondered if the Pickett situation pissed off Tilmon and had a part in his decommittment.

Not sure what was communicated to Pickett or how it impacted Tilmon. But I don't see Pickett coming back. There hasn't been much (if any) high major interest on Pickett since he got his release. My understanding is that he's planning a visit to Bradley and has offers from SLU, BU, and Western Kentucky. With the recruiting that Stansbury is doing at WKU, that school might be considered his closest "high major" option right now.
I don't think the staff was upset to release Pickett.

 

[Illiniman94]

Not necessarily. He's had a lot going on and if he's had an arm injury, no need to push it and play right now when there is no real need to do so. Pitching in H.S. is really just putting more miles on the arm unless H.S. is the end of your baseball career or you need to pitch to prove yourself to a college coach for an offer of some kind. If he wants to pursue baseball again, I'm sure he can without playing his senior year of H.S. Maybe we've got our own version of Pat Connaughton on our hands.

It is just me probably because baseball, even though I am a Cardinals fan, is like watching paint dry until August. I can't figure out why any kid would rather play MLB than NBA given the option. Both sports pay stupid money, especially compared to wear and tear on the body as compared to the NFL where they get paid Jack for what their shorter career and body damage.

 

[FrankDavis]

Zero chance of Pickett coming back. He was a borderline high-major guy and we took him in part to help get Tilmon and Goodwin. Him opening things back up was bad from a PR standpoint but probably good in the long term.

I really an scratching my head why ol JFG hasn't reached out to Pickett at all. I would think he would be a perfect fit at a place like Akron. I think the fact that he HASNT reached out is pretty telling.

 

[Sal Iacuzzo]

Well he isn't even playing baseball for Edwardsville this spring. One would think if his arm was healed and he had any such aspirations he would rejoin the team. :noidea:

Amir Garrett didn't play baseball in HS at all, played one year of hoops at St. John's and is now in the Reds starting rotation. I'm not saying he is 100% going to pursue baseball, but I don't know why we wouldn't consider the possibility when his family is.

 

[Sal Iacuzzo]

It is just me probably because baseball, even though I am a Cardinals fan, is like watching paint dry until August. I can't figure out why any kid would rather play MLB than NBA given the option. Both sports pay stupid money, especially compared to wear and tear on the body as compared to the NFL where they get paid Jack for what their shorter career and body damage.

a lot more spots in baseball.

 

[oskeewowwowboomtime]

Although I agree with 90% of what you said, I don't thing him going to Mizzou would be analogous to the Alexander situation. Cliff didn't get much PT at Kansas. JT will get tons of playing time at Mizzou the risk is that it will be getting a ton of playing time but on a !!!!!! team after Porter leaves.

I agree that it makes perfect sense for him to come to Illinois and I hope he sees that. Is he really better friends and wanting to play with Porter for 1 year than he is with Mark Smith and Damonte...not to mention the home state school?

JMO

Alexander expected to be a one and done at Kansas and would have been unlikely to stay academically qualified after his first year. I could see the exact same thing happening to Tilmon at Mizzou since they are being watched more closely right now by the NCAA as to who is writing papers and taking on-line tests after the tutor's whistle-blowing scandal last fall while they were already on probation. That's where I see the Tilmon/Alexander comparison as to him washing out.

 

[Peoria Illini]

Not sure what was communicated to Pickett or how it impacted Tilmon. But I don't see Pickett coming back. There hasn't been much (if any) high major interest on Pickett since he got his release. My understanding is that he's planning a visit to Bradley and has offers from SLU, BU, and Western Kentucky. With the recruiting that Stansbury is doing at WKU, that school might be considered his closest "high major" option right now.
I don't think the staff was upset to release Pickett.

Brian Wardle at Bradley would be a good place for Javon to end up, IMO. He's been at Bradley 2 years now and is moving them in the right direction. Quality AD there in Chris Reynolds, and close to his family, easy shot up I-55 and I-155 to come to Peoria to watch his games.

 

[AnticipatedSerendipity]

I really an scratching my head why ol JFG hasn't reached out to Pickett at all. I would think he would be a perfect fit at a place like Akron. I think the fact that he HASNT reached out is pretty telling.

If memory serves me right, Groce didn't reach out to Levert either. I think he looks down upon taking recruits from his previous school