Disagree on Williams here. Damonte is already one of our better defenders and probably our best rebounding guard as a freshman. Can't assume a player even of Ramey's caliber won't struggle defensively out of the gates. We are very lucky that both Williams and Frazier have adapted well defensively in year 1.
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (January-February 2018)
- Status
Disagree on Williams here. Damonte is already one of our better defenders and probably our best rebounding guard as a freshman. Can't assume a player even of Ramey's caliber won't struggle defensively out of the gates. We are very lucky that both Williams and Frazier have adapted well defensively in year 1.
IlliniDent
- Chicago, IL
That’s true of any player ever and is also likely true of our incoming freshmen. They will have struggles and will need time to get everything together as well. We assume that every incoming freshmen won’t struggle and yet more often than not they do. Smith and Williams will have had an entire year of learning the system and working on their game at the college level. It’s far more likely that they improve than it is they drop off and are out of the team in a year or 2.
IlliniDent
- Chicago, IL
Smith has also showed significant improvements on defense lately compared to where he started
Well Frazier's average overall is 11.7 or so and in B1G games only, it's 13.7. So if B1G teams are adjusting to Frazier's tendencies, it's not working. He leads a B1G freshmen in league games with a 13.7 average, 3.9 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.9 3 pointers made per game.
He was, but with Tyger headed there I don't think that is a preferred spot for him.
Then again why not take a free trip to Cali?
Staff trying to get Ramey on campus ASAP.
Deleted member 631370
D
Guest
He was, but with Tyger headed there I don't think that is a preferred spot for him.
Then again why not take a free trip to Cali?
Staff trying to get Ramey on campus ASAP.
Unless of course the UCLA staff does what we're doing and tries to sell him on having multiple PGs running the show simultaneously.
I mean, couldn't UCLA fans look at us and see Ayo committed and think "well, they already have a 5* PG, so there's no way he goes there"?
Apparently the interest is mutual, and that's a great thing. Unless he wants to stay close to home, I really don't understand how we'd come out on top here given how loaded we are at PG. But that's really up to Ramey. If he's comfortable with it, bring it on!
TheFameProtector
- Champaign
I think they could both play the three, but Williams has a longer wingspan that really makes a difference defensively and can make up for a few inches in height.
TheFameProtector
- Champaign
Haven't seen anything on Goodwin, what happened?
t7nich
- Central IL
Nothing yet.. But Ty Graves is leaving SLU. Transfered in from Boston College but hadn't played yet.
Graves was one of three players who were not allowed to be in uniform this season after the university announced a Title IX investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct leveled against four players.
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/coll...cle_84bf7d56-ec27-5c52-945f-d6d38014fc90.html
Deleted member 654622
D
Guest
Does anyone know why Gordon has been suspended from his HS team? I know it was posted on here that the weekend of the "orgy" he was visiting. But I did not see any other post concerning this. Sorry if I missed it.
http://www.websterkirkwoodtimes.com...8363.114137-WGs-Gordon-Out-On-Suspension.html
I think Damonte, Smith, and Tejon are winners and fighters. They have had their struggles as lower classmen. If we had the 6-10 shot blocker and won those close games would that make those players "winners' now. Don't blame those 3 players for recruiting missing and gaps in our unbalanced roster.
Ben Frederickson Live says this a.m. that he is still suspended and that the vibe is he may not be able to accomplish what he needs to do to be reinstated.
tOSU game was a huge improvement defensively for Smith. Looks like he is starting to understand rotations instinctively.
mhuml32
- Cincinnati, OH
I agree that some are overstating the impact, but it can only help UI's chances that UCLA picked up a PG commit.
I didn’t say they won’t be playing. They may not have major roles though. I am expecting Underwood to have success recruiting. That will mean some of the guys will be recruited over and some may transfer. It’s probably a little extreme to state it the way I did. Maybe some of the young guys really take big steps. My point is, I think they will really need to grow as players to stay ahead of what I think is coming in terms of recruits.
I have to laugh when I read (articles) about the starting line-ups next year with AD and Ramey. These guys are great but the bird in the bush is always better than the one we know. Another year for these freshman under the system is going to make them tough to beat. If these (Ayo and Ramey) guys start out of the gate we will be really tough even without a dominate big guy. The predictions for this year had Smith and Alstork as the high scorers. If they were close we would have a much different record.
Position-less basketball y'all!
I agree with this to some extent but you better be able to guard the other team and get a rebound once in a while.
Pretty sure we already offered but I saw he tweeted it today so I thought I post it.
t7nich
- Central IL
Well he was a Depaul Commit, so that's part of it. But he doesn't really strike me as an Underwood type player, JMO.
The new highlight video of Ayo gives me hope in his jumper. Trajectory looks good. Also, he is great at finishing from 15 feet and in, and he’s automatic at the rim with his right hand. Hopefully the left hand develops to the same ability in the next couple years because he’s going to be lethal in this offense if it does.
OK, I can get behind that. My guy Darwin can tell ya, survival is for the fittest. Advance or fall by the wayside!!
- Status