Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (April-June 2016)

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#1,826      
Epsilon
Illini B-Ball Fan said:
Wow - interesting article. Not an apple-to-apple comparison to the Illini since we haven't had significant transfers leaving like Memphis, but it begs to ask the question how much, if any, that JG has spoken to his players about his future in Champaign as their coach.
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The way Pastner handled it sounds completely classless to me. I think Groce has more class and stronger leadership than that. I think the stoic thing to do would be to redirect the conversation towards team and individual goals. Don't let the athletes worry about you.
 
#1,834      
Illiniguy13
Can someone give me a scouting report on Tim Finke? All I know is he doesn't have the size of his big bro and is more of a sg/sf type. Sounds like his ranking is quite a bit higher as well. That's all i know. Anyone care to give a run down of strengths/weaknesses?
 
#1,835      
Newman
Illiniguy13 said:
Can someone give me a scouting report on Tim Finke? All I know is he doesn't have the size of his big bro and is more of a sg/sf type. Sounds like his ranking is quite a bit higher as well. That's all i know. Anyone care to give a run down of strengths/weaknesses?
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I'll let someone else fill you in with the rest, but his size is similar to what Mike's was around the same age.
 
#1,836      
FatGreg
Illiniguy13 said:
Can someone give me a scouting report on Tim Finke? All I know is he doesn't have the size of his big bro and is more of a sg/sf type. Sounds like his ranking is quite a bit higher as well. That's all i know. Anyone care to give a run down of strengths/weaknesses?
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Much better athlete than Michael. Good quickness, pretty explosive leaper. 6'6 but may grow another inch or two. Ultra high BBIQ. Plus shooter, elite passer for a wing. Needs to gain strength. Very possible MCAA.

Given his bloodlines, it wouldn't be a shock if he ended up getting up to 6'9 and filling out. If that happens and he maintains his athleticism, he could be a top-10 guy nationally - if he gets up to Michael's size, I'd see him almost as an Anthony Davis type. If he turns out to be a 6'7, thinly built wing, he's still a program changer.
 
#1,837      
Illini B-Ball Fan
CAHALL15 said:
I thought more about how much our guys genuinely like and get along with coach Groce. Even those who didn't come here have said how easy it is to talk to him and relate to him. It didn't sound like anything was "forced" or that it wasn't until someone's final year that they decided that they could text or call their coach as it said in that interview regarding Pastner.
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Epsilon said:
The way Pastner handled it sounds completely classless to me. I think Groce has more class and stronger leadership than that. I think the stoic thing to do would be to redirect the conversation towards team and individual goals. Don't let the athletes worry about you.
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Agree with both replies. Coach Groce seems to be always approachable and professional with not only his team, but also with everyone else in general, in short, a good personality. Being a player on the Memphis basketball team appears not to have been the place to be over the last few years for so many reasons per that article.
 
#1,838      
Illinijose
Greensboro said:
I'm not going to be heartbroken if we don't land Moore either, if we add a 2016 recruit I would much rather it be a big. With TJL in 2016, Williams is 2017 it isn't a make or break thing. But after the last few years, I won't ever complain about taking a top 100 pg.
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I with you as well, prefer a big. Think that Abrams, TJL, and JCL have the PG position locked up this year. Next year TJL, JCL, and Damonte have it. Wouldn't complain about Moore since bb is a PG game, but really need a big.
 
#1,839      
Illinijose
Quote:
Originally Posted by CAHALL15 View Post
I thought more about how much our guys genuinely like and get along with coach Groce. Even those who didn't come here have said how easy it is to talk to him and relate to him. It didn't sound like anything was "forced" or that it wasn't until someone's final year that they decided that they could text or call their coach as it said in that interview regarding Pastner.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Epsilon View Post
The way Pastner handled it sounds completely classless to me. I think Groce has more class and stronger leadership than that. I think the stoic thing to do would be to redirect the conversation towards team and individual goals. Don't let the athletes worry about you.
Agree with both replies. Coach Groce seems to be always approachable and professional with not only his team, but also with everyone else in general, in short, a good personality. Being a player on the Memphis basketball team appears not to have been the place to be over the last few years for so many reasons per that article.

Groce hasn't had the best of luck or success we all imagined after the first year. But Groce has always been a professional and unlike many of the big time coaches isn't self promoting. If Whitman has supported Groce, than IMHO Groce doesn't need to push the "I might be fired" speech to players or recruits. I'm not a fan of his offense, but I will never question his work ethic, integrity, or support for his players and the university.
 
#1,840      
Greensboro
Illinijose said:
I with you as well, prefer a big. Think that Abrams, TJL, and JCL have the PG position locked up this year. Next year TJL, JCL, and Damonte have it. Wouldn't complain about Moore since bb is a PG game, but really need a big.
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I'm not convinced JCL will ever play pg for us, I suspect Hill will still be ahead of him on depth chart at pg. We have a lot of eggs in 1 basket with Tracy at pg next year. Moore could be our 2nd best pg next year & could be the starter as a sophomore, at the very least it gives us 2 non freshman options in 2017 vying for playing time. None of that is bad.

I just have fears that at big we miss the window for any decent 5th yr transfers, Thorne is denied and/or we generally lose a big to injury, suspension, transfer... so we end up in a similar situation to this year. Regardless in 2017 we lose Thorne & Mav, so it is likely a freshman big will need to play...I would feel much better if it was a sophomore big with a year in the system.
 
#1,842      
TheBucket
FatGreg said:
Much better athlete than Michael. Good quickness, pretty explosive leaper. 6'6 but may grow another inch or two. Ultra high BBIQ. Plus shooter, elite passer for a wing. Needs to gain strength. Very possible MCAA.

Given his bloodlines, it wouldn't be a shock if he ended up getting up to 6'9 and filling out. If that happens and he maintains his athleticism, he could be a top-10 guy nationally - if he gets up to Michael's size, I'd see him almost as an Anthony Davis type. If he turns out to be a 6'7, thinly built wing, he's still a program changer.
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I'm all for optimism and stuff - but Anthony Davis is an absolute monster and is the type of big man that only comes around once every 5-10 years. That's a hefty comparison for Tim Finke...
 
#1,843      
FatGreg
Not at all saying he'd be at Unibrow's level. Just saying IF (big if) Tim Finke grew 3-4 inches and filled out, the toolbox would be similar. Just a similar mix of size, quickness, motor, IQ, ball handling, shooting. Not saying that would translate to production. Comparisons aren't generally meant to be 100% "this dude will be exactly as good as" or "he'll play exactly like" some other player. If that were the case, point-of-reference player comparisons would be thoroughly useless.
 
#1,844      
Hoppy2105
TheBucket said:
I'm all for optimism and stuff - but Anthony Davis is an absolute monster and is the type of big man that only comes around once every 5-10 years. That's a hefty comparison for Tim Finke...
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Anthony Davis was class of 2011 and Tim Finke is class of 2018. 7 Years apart is right in the sweet spot of your 5-10 range! :D
 
#1,845      
KansasIllinifan
Illinijose said:
I with you as well, prefer a big. Think that Abrams, TJL, and JCL have the PG position locked up this year. Next year TJL, JCL, and Damonte have it. Wouldn't complain about Moore since bb is a PG game, but really need a big.
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If we ever have to rely on JCL to play point we're in a world of hurt.
 
#1,846      
Deleted member 4960
KansasIllinifan said:
If we ever have to rely on JCL to play point we're in a world of hurt.
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I agree. JCL scared me every time I me he put the ball on the floor. I don't see PG in his future unless he dramatically improves his handles and passing.
 
#1,848      
Bomb Squad 217
JCl was just a little shaky handling the ball. But on multiple occasions showed great vision and decision making while driving and dishing.
 
#1,850      
Obelix
FatGreg said:
Much better athlete than Michael. Good quickness, pretty explosive leaper. 6'6 but may grow another inch or two. Ultra high BBIQ. Plus shooter, elite passer for a wing. Needs to gain strength. Very possible MCAA.
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I have seen Tim Finke a few times, and really like him. But an explosive leaper he is not.
 
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