I really like Goodwin and hope he commits to us, but I wasn't aware he could rebound the ball as well as Draymond Green.
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (January-March 2016)
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I really like Goodwin and hope he commits to us, but I wasn't aware he could rebound the ball as well as Draymond Green.
I really liked his tapes. Very fluid with incredibly long arms and above average athleticism. Looks like he could add an inch or 2 and definitely has room to fill out.
Looks like the type of kid Syracuse rolls out every year to run their zone
Joel Goodson
- dawgville
No way do we pass on Lewis if he wants to commit. Sure, we don't need wings, but he looks far too good to pass up.
If a true PF (Theo John, Derek Culver) wants to join the party, you take him.
ChiCityHoops34
- DeKalb IL
He was Big 10 player of the year before he came into that situation. Just answering the notion of no team being successful with a 4 at that height.
Culver or John would be nice as well. I'm sure we will have another 5th year player for the upcoming season, which opens up another scholarship
I mentioned that because I don't think people would have an issue with Lewis if he was a couple inches taller. I personally don't mind tweeners but that's just my preference.
Bottom line is that there are no cons to having a high motor kid with size, length, and athleticism visiting our campus on an unofficial. Would a commitment address our main deficiencies? No. But the staff would still try to recruit Tilmon, Goodwin, and legit power forwards even if Lewis were to commit.
No need to beat a dead horse about how there isn't depth at the pg and center positions, I think everyone on this board is well aware of that issue. I do understand the disappointment from some posters though, some people tricked themselves into thinking that Tilmon was committing tomorrow.. lol
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As long as you don't fake take a bite and eat a banana instead.
Goodwin is indeed a damn good player, have watched him in many games, and his tenacity really stands out. Vocal and leads by example. You do not recruit Goodwin because of his position (wing - not a priority), but because of who he is, his intangibles, and implications to in-state recruiting. So if you miss on Goodwin (bad loss IMO) it is not that you need a positional replacement. That is not true. As per previous posts, Tilmon (#1) and Williams (#2) were the two main priorities. But not enough as C, PG, and PF still remain gaps.
Pickett I liked (not at the same level as Goodwin right now) but he does not play a position of need. But if you consider the relationship dynamics with Williams-Goodwin-Tilmon he may be worth the gamble. Yet, you do not need yet another SF. Lewis may be solid IMO but not a priority. Wing positions have hardly been the problem the past few years. Anything but IMO.
Illinois still needs much help at C, PF and PG. Huge problem the last few years. Even with Tilmon, you better add some help at those positions. You miss on Tilmon (or Goodwin), you better add some difference makers from the top shelf. Just adding wing players will not save that class. JMO.
Well he's listed at 6'7, has long arms, and is very strong/buff. Not to surprising he was able to play the 4 well in college. But you don't see too many 6'6, skinny, perimeter orientated wings playing the 4 on elite teams. They better be jacked or have a 7 foot wingspan
Draymond Green becoming a really good PF in college was hardly a surprise, as it was an easy transition in the same position and style of play from HS. If there was anything of a surprise with Green, is how well his game has translated in the NBA.
Yep, no one expected Green to become a triple double machine in the NBA, and to be able to play the 4 and 5 positions as well as he has. I have been most impressed by his playmaking though. Most analysts thought he was undersized as a 4, but he has somewhat helped in staring a new era in the NBA. The big thing with Green is that he is so strong that he can match up with NBA bigs just fine, even if they are 6'11
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You make it sound like they aren't even recruiting the other positions. You can't just make kids commit in order to address the positions of need first. If a player wants to commit and he is good enough to contribute at the Big Ten level, you take him.
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread
PG is not a need. We have TJL in 16 and Williams in 17. I understand you think Damonte is a combo guard, but Groce recruited him like a PG and he will play PG. You're right, wings are not a need right now but it's not like there is only one scholarship left. Groce will still have room for Tilmon, Goodwin, and another PF/C. So I don't get the problem in taking this kid
PG is not a need. We have TJL in 16 and Williams in 17. I understand you think Damonte is a combo guard, but Groce recruited him like a PG and he will play PG. You're right, wings are not a need right now but it's not like there is only one scholarship left. Groce will still have room for Tilmon, Goodwin, and another PF/C. So I don't get the problem in taking this kid
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Yeah, that clip looked like Kendall his sophomore year at Illinois. Kendall was skinny till he got to the Ill weight room. This kid has a head start. I particularly liked the defensive highlights. Blocked shots looked good.
Not to mention that in 17 you could still have two more years of Finke and Black. One a stretch 4 and the other a power 4.
illinifaninwi
- DeForest, Wisconsin
His shot is so sweet. The arc and touch is something you rarely see. My only concern watching is tape is a lack overall athleticism. His speed and jumping ability seem average at best. That said, he looks like a great fit - you can never have enough shooters.
Go Illini!
Joel Goodson
- dawgville
+infinity
If Lewis was a middling recruit, I could see passing or slow playing him. But, clearly, he's not.
TownieMatt
CU Expat
- Chicago
Looking over Lewis' offer list and it jumped out at me that neither Wisconsin or Marquette (the two top programs in WI) have offered him. However...
Wisconsin has two Freshman wings - Iverson and Pritzl - and a commitment from 2017 wing Kobe King. Marquette has a couple wings signed for 2016 as well. Makes sense for them to focus on other positions.
Wisconsin has two Freshman wings - Iverson and Pritzl - and a commitment from 2017 wing Kobe King. Marquette has a couple wings signed for 2016 as well. Makes sense for them to focus on other positions.
UNC when they go small plays either 6'5" Theo Pinson at the 4 who checked the much bigger Ben Bentil of Providence, or Justin Jackson who is maybe 6'7" and rail thin. They usually have Brice Johnson at 6'10" as the 5 in that scenario.
So Lewis as that type of player might be effective in a small ball lineup that seems to be trending. Look at the way Villanova plays. It's fun to watch.
So Lewis as that type of player might be effective in a small ball lineup that seems to be trending. Look at the way Villanova plays. It's fun to watch.
If you allow 6'7" as well, a number of teams....
Villanova
Virginia
Oregon
Indiana
Probably others as well. It's really not about height, but skill set. And match ups. Can you defend the other team well enough or create a mismatch on the other end that makes it worthwhile to have a smaller "4" in the lineup?
Prince with a good article about Matt Chastain..
http://www.qconline.com/sports/coll...cle_228f5723-6aef-5f21-aa8c-00b7ff3ccce3.html
http://www.qconline.com/sports/coll...cle_228f5723-6aef-5f21-aa8c-00b7ff3ccce3.html
midastouch11
- New York, New York
Literally couldn't read on after the first sentence.
"College basketball recruiting is a funny and weird game anymore, almost to the point that highly skilled basketball players are constantly being overlooked because of the “recruiting game.”
worth the read if to only learn just how many players are actually dying for an Illini offer...count me in the camp that chastain is a player who will will wish we had..ha..didnt know Happ wanted to come here?
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