Came down to SIUE, Mercer and Loyola.
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (April-June 2016)
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Came down to SIUE, Mercer and Loyola.
It wouldn't be the instant program changing class we're clamoring for, but honestly it wouldn't be bad at all. Da'Monte and Eastern will both end up ranked between 35 and 65 (I'm guessing around 50-ish for both). Theo John is a defensive minded, borderline top-100 big. He'd be a good fit. Frazier will end up top-100 (probably ranked somewhere 80-100). Pickett should push into the 150 range - he's a quality 3-star. It really comes down to the caliber of 5th year big: if it's a McLauren type, or comparable to Holden this year, that sounds solid and attainable. Overall, it wouldn't be a bad class. Probably 4th in the B1G/top 25 nationally if you include the 5th year guy.
That said, I haven't heard much to indicate that Eastern is likely to come here. If you trade out Eastern for someone like Negron, I'm suddenly not very enthusiastic.
5th year big next year is totally irrelevant with respect to Groce's future. Either he survives at the end of the season or he is gone. The rest of the proposed class has some good players but it is clearly not the top 10-15 class that Groce needs. Tilmon going elsewhere, followed by Goodwin, would be huge blows to Groce's chances to survive. JMO.
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[FONT="]Joe Henricksen @joehoopsreport 5m5 minutes ago [/FONT]
[FONT="]Snapshot of Francis Okoro in my column in early March .... http://suntimeshighschoolsports.com/2016/03/01/henricksen-weekly-three-pointer-2/ … ...The chiseled 6-9 freshman from Normal West impressing!
[/FONT] [FONT="]Derek Piper @DPiperScout 47m47 minutes ago [/FONT]
[FONT="]#Illini assistants Jamall Walker & Paris Parham checking out 16U Eagles vs. MeanStreets. Xavier Castaneda, Francis Okoro & James Wiseman.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Snapshot of Francis Okoro in my column in early March .... http://suntimeshighschoolsports.com/2016/03/01/henricksen-weekly-three-pointer-2/ … ...The chiseled 6-9 freshman from Normal West impressing!
[/FONT] [FONT="]Derek Piper @DPiperScout 47m47 minutes ago [/FONT]
[FONT="]#Illini assistants Jamall Walker & Paris Parham checking out 16U Eagles vs. MeanStreets. Xavier Castaneda, Francis Okoro & James Wiseman.[/FONT]
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Scott Burgess @scottybscout 11m11 minutes ago Meanstreets 16U defeat Eagles 80-76. Normal West 2019 C Francis Okoro finishes w 16 pts 11 reb 4 blk. Messiah Jones 17 pts
Okoro plays for the Eagles. Messiah is an Aurora kid who ended up at Simeon, plays for Meanstreets, will be jr under Smith next season.
Okoro plays for the Eagles. Messiah is an Aurora kid who ended up at Simeon, plays for Meanstreets, will be jr under Smith next season.
I guess Utah wasn't major enough. :hand:
That is the case with most coaches on any given year. If we play well and sneak into the tournament, keep our noses clean, and land a decent '17 class then Groce remains IMO. Losing out on Tilmon and Goodwin would hurt a lot though.
I really like Theo John's game, I really don't care if he scores 8 pts in an AAU game. I remember when Julian Wright was scoring 8 points a game (regular season) and when Derrick Rose scored 8 points against IDKWTI. John reminds me of James Augustine and I would be glad to team him up with a Tilmon or other Big.
Although I prefer Goodwin, I think Eastern would do well at the PG spot in Groce offense. His game reminds me a bit of the Depaul PG, both 6-5 and playing style. Both also ranked around #60 RCSI.
Although I prefer Goodwin, I think Eastern would do well at the PG spot in Groce offense. His game reminds me a bit of the Depaul PG, both 6-5 and playing style. Both also ranked around #60 RCSI.
Is anybody else getting tired of the Anti-Groce agenda? This is supposed to be a recruiting thread but somehow everything gets turned into a "fire Groce if ____ happens". I think Whitman and Groce have many similarities and he isn't looking for reasons to replace him. The consensus is he has this year and the 2017 class to be judged on. So let it play out.
It is becoming clear that recruits like Damonte and Tilmon want Groce at Illinois and players like Hill, Finke, and JCL strongly support him as well. Lets give players like Kiper and DJ show their stuff next year, along with Finke, JCL, and Hill. Plenty to look forward to next year.
It is becoming clear that recruits like Damonte and Tilmon want Groce at Illinois and players like Hill, Finke, and JCL strongly support him as well. Lets give players like Kiper and DJ show their stuff next year, along with Finke, JCL, and Hill. Plenty to look forward to next year.
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+1 million! Best quote I have read on here in quite awhile.
Dan
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Joseph Thompson, 2017 F, with an Illinois offer
http://www.verbalcommits.com/players/joseph-thompson
My nightly sweep of Illinois offers on Twitter uncovered this. Small forward from Bonnabel HS in Louisiana.
https://twitter.com/ALionEye/status/724088622673104897
http://www.verbalcommits.com/players/joseph-thompson
My nightly sweep of Illinois offers on Twitter uncovered this. Small forward from Bonnabel HS in Louisiana.
https://twitter.com/ALionEye/status/724088622673104897
I can't find much on Joseph Thompson. Doesn't even seem to have a 247 profile. He can jump, though:
Joseph Thompson dunk from 12/15
Joseph Thompson dunk from 12/15
Given that recruiting and a coach's potential status and future are closely inter-related, I do not think there has been inordinate negatively. I would guess a significant percentage of people really hope Groce can land a Top 10 2017 recruiting class.
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Did anyone else see that Jordan Goodwin was also offered a FOOTBALL scholarship at Iowa as well??? They want him to play basketball AND football...
Haven't heard of him before, but he is athletic. Did you watch fatgreg's video clip above?
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Derek Piper @DPiperScout https://twitter.com/DPiperScout/status/724102114063060992 6-foot-7 forward Joe Thompson picks up an #Illini offer. Averaging 7.7 pts & 7 rebs per game on the UA circuit.
It could be true I guess, but who do we have on the UA circuit to make the offer? Walker, Parham and Groce have all been in Indianapolis all weekend.
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This is 2 good games in a row for Da'Monte. And 2 out of 3 for Negron.
[FONT="]D1 Circuit @D1Circuit 24m24 minutes ago [/FONT]
[FONT="]Mac Irvin Fire F Christian Negron (@dirhardcubs11): 11 PTS, 16 REB, 2 STL in a win vs Team Griffin @TheMacIrvinFire http://www.d1circuit.com/game/show/13729702?subseason=282324 …[/FONT]
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[FONT="]D1 Circuit @D1Circuit 25m25 minutes ago [/FONT]
[FONT="]Mac Irvin Fire G DaMonte Williams (@DAWilliams14): 17 PTS, 4 AST, 2 REB in a win over Team Griffin @TheMacIrvinFire http://www.d1circuit.com/game/show/13729702?subseason=282324 …[/FONT]
[FONT="]D1 Circuit @D1Circuit 24m24 minutes ago [/FONT]
[FONT="]Mac Irvin Fire F Christian Negron (@dirhardcubs11): 11 PTS, 16 REB, 2 STL in a win vs Team Griffin @TheMacIrvinFire http://www.d1circuit.com/game/show/13729702?subseason=282324 …[/FONT]
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[FONT="]D1 Circuit @D1Circuit 25m25 minutes ago [/FONT]
[FONT="]Mac Irvin Fire G DaMonte Williams (@DAWilliams14): 17 PTS, 4 AST, 2 REB in a win over Team Griffin @TheMacIrvinFire http://www.d1circuit.com/game/show/13729702?subseason=282324 …[/FONT]
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And going up against a 5 star in [FONT="]Hamidou Diallo[/FONT]. JG is going to zoom up rankings I'm afraid. Walker and Parham were watching.
[FONT="]Scott Burgess @scottybscout 14h14 hours ago [/FONT]
[FONT="]I have seen Jordan Goodwin more than anyone and this is the best he has EVER looked. He is playing at an elite level! @jGoodwin1123[/FONT]
[FONT="]Scott Burgess @scottybscout 14h14 hours ago [/FONT]
[FONT="]Jordan Goodwin putting on another clinic tonight going head to head with a 5-star. Power drives to hoop, pull up 3, unreal passer[/FONT]
[FONT="]Scott Burgess @scottybscout 15h15 hours ago [/FONT]
[FONT="]Close out night w @STLEaglesBBall vs Rens. Jordan Goodwin w a great test vs top 10 prospect Hamidou Diallo[/FONT]
Boy do we need to get this guy.
I think it might be. There are posts all over his Twitter page claiming he has an offer. Could he make that part up? Sure, but that seems a lot less likely than actually having an offer.
As stated above, check out the clip posted by fatgreg. He fits the bill as an athletic power forward as he gets about eye level with the rim.
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