Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (January-March 2016)

[PostersLastStand]

Do you you think our recruiting staff, which I must admit I can't remember who can and who can't recruit, puts more weight on the performance of prospects in AAU ball or High School games? I'm not a big fan of AAU ball, too crooked, but a Class 1A kid it might help, but 3A or 4A kids play some great competition. And is it a fair evaluation of a prospect in the AAU style of play, more individual than team?

 

[Newman]

Do you you think our recruiting staff, which I must admit I can't remember who can and who can't recruit, puts more weight on the performance of prospects in AAU ball or High School games? I'm not a big fan of AAU ball, too crooked, but a Class 1A kid it might help, but 3A or 4A kids play some great competition. And is it a fair evaluation of a prospect in the AAU style of play, more individual than team?

AAU ball for sure. They can get a feeling on players during high school but if they aren't going against talented players, it's hard for them to gauge how their talent would translate to higher levels.

Chastain was playing against teams with 6'2-6"6 centers with the former being the most common. It was like he was playing against jv competition at the 3A or 4A level. Just too many question marks for a high major team to offer a legit scholly. I really doubt the Utah one was even committable.

 

[The Pontiff]

Yep, Ryan has found some good players who were under ranked. But he also has had more than his share of 4 and 5 star players.

I don't think so. The last 4- or 5-star player that Bo recruited was back in 2012 (Sam Dekker). According to 24/7, here's how Wisconsin's most recent classes stack up for the last five years...

• 2016 – NR overall, zero recruits so far
  
• 2015 - class ranked #46 overall with five recruits: #94 (BPritzl), #146, #331, #353 (KIverson), NR
  
• 2014 - class ranked #120 overall with one recruit: #149 (Happ)
  
• 2013 - class ranked #39 overall with six recruits: #111 (Koenig), #145 (Hayes), #230 (VBrown), #254, #322 (JHill), NR
  
• 2012 - class ranked #50 overall with two recruits, #12 (Decker), #239 (Showalter)

After Pritzl last year and Decker in 2012, the last top 100 guy Wisconsin landed was Jared Berggren in 2008. Seems pretty clear that Bo & co. were outstanding at either coaching them up or finding the right guys for his system or both. But not for landing more of his fair share of 4/5-stars.

 

[UofIChE06]

AAU ball for sure. They can get a feeling on players during high school but if they aren't going against talented players, it's hard for them to gauge how their talent would translate to higher levels.

Chastain was playing against teams with 6'2-6"6 centers with the former being the most common. It was like he was playing against jv competition at the 3A or 4A level. Just too many question marks for a high major team to offer a legit scholly. I really doubt the Utah one was even committable.

Also they see someone like Damonte in his true position not trying to play inside like happens in the HS game. Playing with one of the bigger AAU teams ensures the scouts can evaluate them at their collegiate position

 

[WesterveltVictoryCigar]

I don't think so. The last 4- or 5-star player that Bo recruited was back in 2012 (Sam Dekker). According to 24/7, here's how Wisconsin's most recent classes stack up for the last five years...

• 2016 – NR overall, zero recruits so far
  
• 2015 - class ranked #46 overall with five recruits: #94 (BPritzl), #146, #331, #353 (KIverson), NR
  
• 2014 - class ranked #120 overall with one recruit: #149 (Happ)
  
• 2013 - class ranked #39 overall with six recruits: #111 (Koenig), #145 (Hayes), #230 (VBrown), #254, #322 (JHill), NR
  
• 2012 - class ranked #50 overall with two recruits, #12 (Decker), #239 (Showalter)

After Pritzl last year and Decker in 2012, the last top 100 guy Wisconsin landed was Jared Berggren in 2008. Seems pretty clear that Bo & co. were outstanding at either coaching them up or finding the right guys for his system or both. But not for landing more of his fair share of 4/5-stars.

Koenig was a 4 star on both Rivals and Scout, #79 RSCI

Evan Anderson was RSCI #95 in 2010

 

[GameOfThrows]

Coach K of Utah played in the NBA. He also has Utah humming along pretty well. If he thinks Chasten can play in the Pac 12, I will trust him over anyone on this board. Period.

 

[Newman]

Coach K of Utah played in the NBA. He also has Utah humming along pretty well. If he thinks Chasten can play in the Pac 12, I will trust him over anyone on this board. Period.

It was an assistant coach that offered him, if I'm remembering it correctly. Could be wrong.

 

[combes]

I don't think so. The last 4- or 5-star player that Bo recruited was back in 2012 (Sam Dekker). According to 24/7, here's how Wisconsin's most recent classes stack up for the last five years...

• 2016 – NR overall, zero recruits so far
  
• 2015 - class ranked #46 overall with five recruits: #94 (BPritzl), #146, #331, #353 (KIverson), NR
  
• 2014 - class ranked #120 overall with one recruit: #149 (Happ)
  
• 2013 - class ranked #39 overall with six recruits: #111 (Koenig), #145 (Hayes), #230 (VBrown), #254, #322 (JHill), NR
  
• 2012 - class ranked #50 overall with two recruits, #12 (Decker), #239 (Showalter)

After Pritzl last year and Decker in 2012, the last top 100 guy Wisconsin landed was Jared Berggren in 2008. Seems pretty clear that Bo & co. were outstanding at either coaching them up or finding the right guys for his system or both. But not for landing more of his fair share of 4/5-stars.

Those are recent classes. I can give you a list of 4 and 5 star players that he has recruited over the years.

 

[combes]

Coach K of Utah played in the NBA. He also has Utah humming along pretty well. If he thinks Chasten can play in the Pac 12, I will trust him over anyone on this board. Period.

How about over all of the Big Ten coaches?

 

[combes]

Correct. Followed by Aj then Nunn. And Chastain blows them out of the water. But as stated, he's at a position we don't need. If we were short on wings I'd be all about it. I like what someone else posted about him being a preferred walk on. That would be a great thing. But doesnt he have an offer from Utah and some mid majors? So walk on seems unlikely.

I don't think he blows them away at all. You are comparing how he looks against the lowest level of competition in Illinois against how Nunn looks against the BT. Chai stain stands out athletically against Heyworth and Fisher. He's 6-6 and can dunk easily. Ok.

 

[The Pontiff]

Koenig was a 4 star on both Rivals and Scout, #79 RSCI. Evan Anderson was RSCI #95 in 2010

Good point. I should have used RSCI. Just not as user-friendly as 247Sports. Still, a handful of guys in the 75-100 range doesn't make the statement "more than his fair share of 4- and 5-star recruits" ring true. Even some of the Ryan's best players, like Kaminsky and TJackson, were well outside the top 100 in 2011. Love Ryan, but just don't equate big-time recruiting as one of his primary value props.

 

[Sleepy Floyd]

How about over all of the Big Ten coaches?

Yeah I loved the argument that we should recruit him for an end of the bench role. If you are recruiting someone to that role they shouldn't be here. We need difference makers especially if we are going for a position we are already loaded at. I went to a 1a school The competition level is not good.

 

[WesterveltVictoryCigar]

Good point. I should have used RSCI. Just not as user-friendly as 247Sports. Still, a handful of guys in the 75-100 range doesn't make the statement "more than his fair share of 4- and 5-star recruits" ring true. Even some of the Ryan's best players, like Kaminsky and TJackson, were well outside the top 100 in 2011. Love Ryan, but just don't equate big-time recruiting as one of his primary value props.

No, but the point remains he didn't do it all with 3 star kids, either. He had a nice blend of stars and then kids that he found/developed to where they exceeded expectations.

 

[The Pontiff]

Those are recent classes. I can give you a list of 4 and 5 star players that he has recruited over the years.

Hey Combes, I had to peek for myself. The only 5-star players I could find, according to RSCI, are Joe Krabbenhoft (#28) in 2005 and Brian Butch (#7) in 2003.

• In 2002, which I think was his first class, he landed Maurice Wade (#90). Even if it wasn't, Wisconsin didn't have any Top 100 guys in the 2001 class.
• Butch was his only one in the Top 100 in 2003.
• Greg Stiemsma was a high 4-star in 2004 (#37 RSCI), with DeAaron Williams also checking in at #91.
• Krabbenhoft was his only 2005 Top 100 guy.
• In 2006, he came up empty in the Top 100.
• Then in 2007, Jon Leuer was his only Top 100 (#88)

I mean, I think Weber may have recruited more Top 100 guys at Illinois than Bo did at Wisky.

 

[dsboyce]

Well I'd say think of Happ of Wiscy , or Anunobe of Indiana, Levert .I could comeup with more at Michigan, Players like that that weren't household names are a few.

It's been well documented that Happ committed to Wisconsin as a sophomore. He committed there less than 3 months after Groce was hired at Illinois. Groce had a committment from Levert at Ohio. If I remember correctly, he wanted to follow Groce to Illinois, but Groce didn't feel it would be right to take players from his former team. I'm not sure what your point is to Anunoby.

 

[dsboyce]

I know absolutely nothing about Chastain (which I think puts me in the majority). Any sense if he would accept an preferred walk-on offer from us? Seems like a good situation if he can pay his own way, with a shot to earn a scholarship down the road.

He has full ride scholarship offers from several schools. There would be no reason for him to walk-on at Illinois.

 

[illini8507]

So, like approximately 10 top 100 recruits in 15 years? On paper that is less than impressive. If you didn't know it was wisconsin and you were looking at those numbers you wouldn't believe it's a top 4 team in the B1G year in and year out.

 

[dsboyce]

I'm not arguing whether or not the staff should offer Chastain, because I don't know enough about him. Just curious how many times you have seen him play and what you think of his overall game?

I will preface this by stating that, just like everyone else here, I am not nearly as good at evaluating talent as a college coaching staff.

Chastain is a good player. At the 1A level of the IHSA he is absolutely dominant. I think this is the part of the problem. Everyone sees him playing against 1A talent. I played basketball in high school at a 1A school. If you would have seen Chastain next to me, he would have looked like Michael Jordan. The overall talent at that level is just really bad.

I haven't seen him play a ton, but I watched both of his televised games in the state tournament. I think he has the potential to be a solid player at a mid-major. I wish SIU, my alma mater, would offer him. He just doesn't look like a Big Ten player to me. He might be able to develop to a point where he could play 10 minutes a game as an upper classman on a Big Ten team.

Of course, I could be completely wrong about all of this. It wouldn't be the first time. Given his offer list, though, I trust what I have seen with my own eyes.

 

[dsboyce]

Like most on here Iv'e only seen highlights , but watch them for yourself then tell me who Illinois has that is that athletic . Besides defense , ballhandling and such can be taught . But better yet watch the highlights and be honest with yourself when comparing him to the current players . I could not care less whether he went to a 4A , 5A or no A school , just be your own judge.

I have watched the highlights. I went to high school with a guy who was every bit as athletic as Chastain is. This particular player had multiple windmill and reverse dunks in game action. His highlight tape would have been every bit as impressive as Chastain's. He didn't get recruited to play in college anywhere. Being able to jump high doesn't make you a Big Ten player.

 

[HoustonIllini]

Haven't look at any video of Chastain, don't know him from a hole in the ground, but given our history, we'll pass on him and be watching him play for someone else year after year in the tourney, making an big imoact for someone else's program,

Or we DO offer him, and he flames out in spectacular fashion, never achieving his potential. We are after all, Illinois.

I am not a Div. 1 coach, never played college ball, but I did sleep in a Holiday Inn Express last night.��

 

[Shaign]

Chastain has been good for the board . Good discussions. He has some "it" factor watching him. Most 6'6 small school guys would be centers on their teams. Again it's a highlite reel but it seems we could do worse. I'd like to know how he did against any larger schools they may have played. Was he a consistent scorer all season? What about last year?
.

 

[ILHoff]

I will preface this by stating that, just like everyone else here, I am not nearly as good at evaluating talent as a college coaching staff.

Chastain is a good player. At the 1A level of the IHSA he is absolutely dominant. I think this is the part of the problem. Everyone sees him playing against 1A talent. I played basketball in high school at a 1A school. If you would have seen Chastain next to me, he would have looked like Michael Jordan. The overall talent at that level is just really bad.

I haven't seen him play a ton, but I watched both of his televised games in the state tournament. I think he has the potential to be a solid player at a mid-major. I wish SIU, my alma mater, would offer him. He just doesn't look like a Big Ten player to me. He might be able to develop to a point where he could play 10 minutes a game as an upper classman on a Big Ten team.

Of course, I could be completely wrong about all of this. It wouldn't be the first time. Given his offer list, though, I trust what I have seen with my own eyes.

Thanks for your assessment. In fact you are probably one of the few that has seen him play a game, which also includes college coaches. For a kid that grew a couple inches and was injured during summer ball I'm sure it is tough to get a look playing 1A ball. I would typically agree that we should look at offers, but in this case he's a bit of an anomaly because not many high major coaches have actually seen him play. I'm not saying we should offer him a scholarship, but I hope the staff at least does a little research to give an assessment and whether or not he fits into the plan. That would be my only ask.

 

[Gomers Pile]

I have watched the highlights. I went to high school with a guy who was every bit as athletic as Chastain is. This particular player had multiple windmill and reverse dunks in game action. His highlight tape would have been every bit as impressive as Chastain's. He didn't get recruited to play in college anywhere. Being able to jump high doesn't make you a Big Ten player.

I really don't think you understand why I even posted on the kid . I said he's more athletic than anyone on the team. Thats all. You're the one hung up on his leaping ability . and yes he can get up better than anyone Illinois has . And I'll stick to my guns on it , you can stick to yours. I'm good either way.

 

[alexander58]

No, but the point remains he didn't do it all with 3 star kids, either. He had a nice blend of stars and then kids that he found/developed to where they exceeded expectations.

My point is only that Ryan doesn't always just follow the crowd . He has shown that he can evaluate with his own eyes.

 

[WesterveltVictoryCigar]

My point is only that Ryan doesn't always just follow the crowd . He has shown that he can evaluate with his own eyes.

One thing I find odd is how many Illini recruits he wanted but couldn't get. Egwu, Bertrand, Henry, Finke, Jordan...probably others I'm forgetting.