Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (January-March 2016)

[89illinigrad]

I do not think anyone is saying the kid is not solid. But you already have JCL, Jordan, DJ Williams, and Kipper at the wings. We have already added Pickett, and Damonte is a combo. We definitely want Goodwin. The real question is not whether the kid is solid, but whether we need to add another SF type at this point when we still have major gaps at C, PG, and great uncertainty at PF. One of our main problems has been positional gaps, positional balance, and players forced to play out of position, more than overall recruiting.

So the question is priorities more than ability, sans the obvious recruiting of top ranked players who you take no matter what. Unless of course there is knowledge of possible attrition at the wing positions or we are not confident on what we already have at the wings.

We just sat through over 3 pages of people arguing the merits of offering Chastain, are we now going to argue against Lewis? Yes we definitely want Goodwin, but what if he goes elsewhere? Could Lewis be the backup plan perhaps?

 

[Bubba Eder]

You talk about what you know and see and don't talk about what you don't know.

This is rarely true here, lol

 

[IlliniDent]

We just sat through over 3 pages of people arguing the merits of offering Chastain, are we now going to argue against Lewis? Yes we definitely want Goodwin, but what if he goes elsewhere? Could Lewis be the backup plan perhaps?

Right? Everyone goes nuts over this offer but Chastain would be huge for some people. How about we don't act so disappointed that a talented player is visiting when we don't have Tilmon or Goodwin signed up yet.

 

[Keisersose]

We just sat through over 3 pages of people arguing the merits of offering Chastain, are we now going to argue against Lewis?

Seriously this...:tsk:

 

[Adnarel]

We just sat through over 3 pages of people arguing the merits of offering Chastain, are we now going to argue against Lewis?

Welcome to the off season at Illinois Loyalty. It isn't going to improve until November.

 

[schnaurt]

Welcome to the off season at Illinois Loyalty. It isn't going to improve until November.

It is fun to watch though. Should be an interesting recruiting season this year. We will get some and lose some. We need to get through these quiet/dead periods and then enjoy the ride.

 

[Bomb Squad 217]

SO whoever said wednesday was correct. Again...

 

[ChiCityHoops34]

We aren't good enough to pass up on a guy like Terrence Lewis.

 

[thefuture25]

Kid looked good in that video, 6-6 so maybe he can gain enough strength to be a stretch 4 in Groce's system.

Yeah because 6'6 4's have had so much success in Groce's system...Bertrand at times and of course Hill have been forced to play the 4 and both hurt our rebounding and interior defense. Terrence Lewis should play the 3. What successful teams in college basketball are playing 6'6 guys at the 4?

 

[89illinigrad]

Yeah because 6'6 4's have had so much success in Groce's system...Bertrand at times and of course Hill have been forced to play the 4 and both hurt our rebounding and interior defense. Terrence Lewis should play the 3. What successful teams in college basketball are playing 6'6 guys at the 4?

How about the Flyin' Illini or the 2005 team (Powell)?

 

[dsboyce]

This board is hilarious. People are complaining about a visit from a 4* co-POY in Milwaukee because he would likely play the 3. At the same time, we have people losing their mind because we aren't recruiting an unranked kid from a small town in Illinois who would likely play the 3. It's rarely boring around here.

 

[ChiCityHoops34]

Yeah because 6'6 4's have had so much success in Groce's system...Bertrand at times and of course Hill have been forced to play the 4 and both hurt our rebounding and interior defense. Terrence Lewis should play the 3. What successful teams in college basketball are playing 6'6 guys at the 4?

Draymond Green has done alright for himself.

 

[thefuture25]

How about the Flyin' Illini or the 2005 team (Powell)?

That team is an exception, just like the Golden State warriors are in the NBA (who at times play Draymond Green at center). I checked each of the final four teams and Villanova does have a 6'6 starting 4 I believe, so it can be successful, but it's just not ideal

 

[Gorilla Gorilla]

:congrats:

This board is hilarious. People are complaining about a visit from a 4* co-POY in Milwaukee because he would likely play the 3. At the same time, we have people losing their mind because we aren't recruiting an unranked kid from a small town in Illinois who would likely play the 3. It's rarely boring around here.

Spot on

 

[ShellbackMB]

This kid can flat out play. Hope he commits. Best of luck to the staff tomorrow.

 

[Newman]

That team is an exception, just like the Golden State warriors are in the NBA (who at times play Draymond Green at center). I checked each of the final four teams and Villanova does have a 6'6 starting 4 I believe, so it can be successful, but it's just not ideal

I thought that I read that he was averaging 10 rebounds a game last year. Rebounding translates well.. quick queston, would you be surprised at all if a current 6'6" junior grew an inch or two in the next 20 months?

 

[thefuture25]

Draymond Green has done alright for himself.

Draymond Green is a good rebounder for his size (plays bigger than he is) and is also one of the best defenders in the league, can guard both bigs and wings. Along with spectacular playmaking and basketball IQ, he just fits in perfectly playing along side Curry,Thompson,iggy,etc. But not everyone can be Draymond Green, he's a rare player

 

[Obelix]

I thought that I read that he was averaging 10 rebounds a game last year. Rebounding translates well.. quick queston, would you be surprised at all if a current 6'6" junior grew an inch or two in the next 20 months?

Height is not really the issue. There are indeed players at 6'6" who are really PF, especially in college. But does that not make Hill or Lewis or even DJW PFs.

 

[thefuture25]

I thought that I read that he was averaging 10 rebounds a game last year. Rebounding translates well.. quick queston, would you be surprised at all if a current 6'6" junior grew an inch or two in the next 20 months?

Very possible he could grow, looks like his body is definitely still developing. If he get's to 6'8 he could play the 4, but with his skillset and abilities he seems to be a more natural 3.

Look at Leron Black for example. He is only 6'7 (does have long arms though) and is clearly a 4 due to his innate ability to rebound the ball, and the fact that his handles and speed are not good enough to be a wing. It's more so about what a player is actually good at, not just their height. Just because a wing is long doesn't mean he should play the 4, if anything his length would be better used playing his natural position then trying to play up.

 

[ILHoff]

Draymond Green is a good rebounder for his size (plays bigger than he is) and is also one of the best defenders in the league, can guard both bigs and wings. Along with spectacular playmaking and basketball IQ, he just fits in perfectly playing along side Curry,Thompson,iggy,etc. But not everyone can be Draymond Green, he's a rare player

You just described Jordan Goodwin.

 

[AnticipatedSerendipity]

Finish this class with Lewis, Goodwin and Tilmon.....yes please

 

[wettsten]

Welcome to the off season at Illinois Loyalty. It isn't going to improve.

FIFY :thumb:

 

[IAmChrisFarley]

That team is an exception, just like the Golden State warriors are in the NBA (who at times play Draymond Green at center). I checked each of the final four teams and Villanova does have a 6'6 starting 4 I believe, so it can be successful, but it's just not ideal

Smaller teams are becoming the norm across basketball. Warriors started a trend, and its picking up steam.

 

[MadSeason]

That team is an exception, just like the Golden State warriors are in the NBA (who at times play Draymond Green at center). I checked each of the final four teams and Villanova does have a 6'6 starting 4 I believe, so it can be successful, but it's just not ideal

Just illustrates that there is no one perfect way to build a winner. You have to trust your staff who can blend the talent to make it work.

Henson had much better traditionally constructed teams that never came close to the Flyin Illini, who were never an ideal makeup. No true Point Guard or Center on that team but you had incredibly smart, athletic determined kids.

Same with Kruger and the 97-98 team. No Center, no true point guard but they melded together.

I'm less interested in the traditional roles and more interested in players who are smart, athletic and willing to buy in.

 

[IAmChrisFarley]

You just described Jordan Goodwin.

Goodwin is just a damn good basketball player. He might not have a position, but you want him on the court at all times.