Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (January-March 2016)

[schnaurt]

It is crazy watching Jawun Evans score 40 tonight against Oklahoma.

What could have been.

Happy 1000 to me.

 

[TCTORNADO]

Paul Scruggs had 21 pts tonight in a win over North Central and Wilkes with Groce present. Scruggs goes to Southport HS, the same HS that JCL's Dad and Uncle attended.
Don't count Groce out on this one. Crean and UK were there too.

 

[schnaurt]

Jawun Evans puts up 42 on Oklahoma. Dang.

 

[justsomedude]

This is it, right there. Everyone wanting a point guard that shoots a lot, whose shots will he be taking. A pg shooting doesn't add shots to the final shots taken statistic. Whose shots get taken away? Hill? Nunn? Finke, etc? Also, as others have pointed out, Tate's injury impacts his shooting. You lose your ball stability that the last finger gives you. I also don't remember Abrams being very vocal, nor a good shooter or passer. He had toughness but, I'm not sure how the officiating emphasis impacts that.

In John Groce's own words

"Any time you talk about our system," he said, "it starts with great point guard play."

As Groce looks forward to the July evaluation period — his first as the head coach at Illinois — he has a better idea of what pieces he would like to add to the Illini's future.

At the top of the list is a dynamic point guard.

But not just any point guard. This isn't a guy who simply initiates the offense with a bounce pass to the wing. Groce allows his point guards great freedom and demands a great deal in return.

So he has specific qualifications he searches for in a point guard. And he's picky, as shown in the detail with which he describes his type of point guard.

"Other teams that see our guy (at the point) might say, 'He plays like a combo (guard) more than he does a pure point,' " Groce said Friday. "He needs to be able to score at a certain level. If he doesn't, then guys don't guard him. He has to be a dangerous scorer.

"Then, because of the speed that we play at — that up-tempo, up-and-down-the-court style — that guy also has to be able to make decisions at different speeds and gears. I think that's the tough one. That's what separates guys that fit us the best.

"He has to be a strong, confident decision-maker. And get in the lane. He has to have that get-by or blow-by ability to get in the lane. Some guys call it go-go ability. Those are the basketball aspects that we look for."

 

[BananaShampoo]

It is crazy watching Jawun Evans score 40 tonight against Oklahoma.

What could have been.

Happy 1000 to me.

He had 42 total out of 72 total for his team. Only 5 players scored. The second highest point scorer for OSU had 12 pts. Even for all that, his team still lost.

Just think what he'd have looked like surrounded by some real talent, like say, Hill and Nunn. I'm sure we'd be a lot better than our record now, and certainly better than the 9-7 record that OSU has right now. :tsk:

 

[BlueChipBridesmaid]

If Tilmon commits to Groce tomorrow and Groce gets fired at the conclusion of this season there will still be an entire AAU season for Jeremiah between his decommit and the early signing period.

How on earth will he find another scholarship????

I think we all agree that if Groce is retained at the end of the year that next year's team will be much better than this year and his seat will be considerably cooler this time next year.

I suppose this is true. If Groce lands Tilmon it'd certainly bring in great talent and thus save Groce but I just think the administration being in such a disarray will hinder our chances of a high level early commit. I hope more than anyone that I'm wrong

 

[89illinigrad]

I suppose this is true. If Groce lands Tilmon it'd certainly bring in great talent and thus save Groce but I just think the administration being in such a disarray will hinder our chances of a high level early commit. I hope more than anyone that I'm wrong

If the story is true that tilmon wants to end his recruitment early that bodes well for us as we've been on him the longest and the blue bloods haven't really gotten involved yet.

 

[pfeifale000]

I didn't realize that JCL had a little brother for La Lumiere. He is a 2017 PG. Looks really small but he can shoot and get to the rim, something we haven't seen from our PG in a while.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uphVtzOM-YI&list=PL7eyjXx2Wvrmb4TsNxiT9mwfc2RcjFJbK&index=3

http://www.scout.com/college/basketball/recruiting/story/1476447-making-his-own-name

 

[Combo]

He had 42 total out of 72 total for his team. Only 5 players scored. The second highest point scorer for OSU had 12 pts. Even for all that, his team still lost.

Just think what he'd have looked like surrounded by some real talent, like say, Hill and Nunn. I'm sure we'd be a lot better than our record now, and certainly better than the 9-7 record that OSU has right now. :tsk:

It's sickening to think about Groce's near-misses at PG. Any one of these guys that we were close on (Jackson, Snider, Evans) would have dramatically changed the direction of this program.

 

[IlliniAttorney]

Good article about the game Groce visited in Indy:

http://www.indystar.com/story/sport...high-stakes-recruiting-battleground/78773472/

 

[FatGreg]

Maybe I'm drinking the kool-aid, but TJL seems to be exactly what the doctor ordered. Similar in size and athleticism to Tracy Abrams and seems to be at least a slightly better shooter along with being regarded as one of the best passers in the class. If he can give us 18-22 minutes as a freshman and put up something like 5 ppg, 3 apg, 2 reb, 33% from 3, and adequate defense, it gives the season a new ceiling. That's not asking him to be a stud from day one - just a B1G caliber rotation player.

If we can somehow snag Harry Froling, the 2016 class could be a real difference maker. I don't know If anyone has watched the game footage of last year's Adidas Nations on YouTube, but there's a lot of tape on Froling available. Here's what I think about him:

Strengths: big kid - 6'10 with a big base; very good shooter, very good ball handler, ELITE passer for a big man; gives solid effort - decent motor; reminds me a little of Henry Ellenson, even a little of Kevin Love

Weaknesses: very slow-footed - like to the point that he may never be able to play adequate defense in college; strength and conditioning will be problematic; despite height, doesn't have long arms (not a T-Rex, but probably has a 1:1 wingspan to height ratio); narrow shoulders

Summary: Froling is a really interesting prospect - I think he's got an elite skill set, but he's quite limited physically. Athletically, he's in the Nick Smith realm - a notch below Mav and Mike Tisdale. Because of this, he might never be able to defend B1G 4s and 5s. On the other hand, he would be a major mismatch as an offensive player. He looks even more skilled than Finke - much better in the post, better passer, probably equal as a shooter and ball handler.

Final Assessment: depending on how his body/athleticism develops, could be an all-conference player. His floor is a 7th/8th man in the rotation who offers mismatch potential as a stretch 5.

 

[Illwinsagain]

Maybe I'm drinking the kool-aid, but TJL seems to be exactly what the doctor ordered. Similar in size and athleticism to Tracy Abrams and seems to be at least a slightly better shooter along with being regarded as one of the best passers in the class. If he can give us 18-22 minutes as a freshman and put up something like 5 ppg, 3 apg, 2 reb, 33% from 3, and adequate defense, it gives the season a new ceiling. That's not asking him to be a stud from day one - just a B1G caliber rotation player.

If we can somehow snag Harry Froling, the 2016 class could be a real difference maker. I don't know If anyone has watched the game footage of last year's Adidas Nations on YouTube, but there's a lot of tape on Froling available. Here's what I think about him:

Strengths: big kid - 6'10 with a big base; very good shooter, very good ball handler, ELITE passer for a big man; gives solid effort - decent motor; reminds me a little of Henry Ellenson, even a little of Kevin Love

Weaknesses: very slow-footed - like to the point that he may never be able to play adequate defense in college; strength and conditioning will be problematic; despite height, doesn't have long arms (not a T-Rex, but probably has a 1:1 wingspan to height ratio); narrow shoulders

Summary: Froling is a really interesting prospect - I think he's got an elite skill set, but he's quite limited physically. Athletically, he's in the Nick Smith realm - a notch below Mav and Mike Tisdale. Because of this, he might never be able to defend B1G 4s and 5s. On the other hand, he would be a major mismatch as an offensive player. He looks even more skilled than Finke - much better in the post, better passer, probably equal as a shooter and ball handler.

Final Assessment: depending on how his body/athleticism develops, could be an all-conference player. His floor is a 7th/8th man in the rotation who offers mismatch potential as a stretch 5.

So, a nice change of pace from Tilmon! OK, the orange kool-aid is good.

 

[Joel Goodson]

Maybe I'm drinking the kool-aid, but TJL seems to be exactly what the doctor ordered. Similar in size and athleticism to Tracy Abrams and seems to be at least a slightly better shooter along with being regarded as one of the best passers in the class. If he can give us 18-22 minutes as a freshman and put up something like 5 ppg, 3 apg, 2 reb, 33% from 3, and adequate defense, it gives the season a new ceiling. That's not asking him to be a stud from day one - just a B1G caliber rotation player.

If we can somehow snag Harry Froling, the 2016 class could be a real difference maker. I don't know If anyone has watched the game footage of last year's Adidas Nations on YouTube, but there's a lot of tape on Froling available. Here's what I think about him:

Strengths: big kid - 6'10 with a big base; very good shooter, very good ball handler, ELITE passer for a big man; gives solid effort - decent motor; reminds me a little of Henry Ellenson, even a little of Kevin Love

Weaknesses: very slow-footed - like to the point that he may never be able to play adequate defense in college; strength and conditioning will be problematic; despite height, doesn't have long arms (not a T-Rex, but probably has a 1:1 wingspan to height ratio); narrow shoulders

Summary: Froling is a really interesting prospect - I think he's got an elite skill set, but he's quite limited physically. Athletically, he's in the Nick Smith realm - a notch below Mav and Mike Tisdale. Because of this, he might never be able to defend B1G 4s and 5s. On the other hand, he would be a major mismatch as an offensive player. He looks even more skilled than Finke - much better in the post, better passer, probably equal as a shooter and ball handler.

Final Assessment: depending on how his body/athleticism develops, could be an all-conference player. His floor is a 7th/8th man in the rotation who offers mismatch potential as a stretch 5.

More good stuff. Keep it coming.

Agree w/your 1st year projection for TJL. He doesn't need to be the savior, just solid. Well within his reach.

Froling would be a big get. He and Finke on the floor together would create a ridiculous amount of space for their teammates.

 

[ssanti13]

After seeing how detrimental poor post defense can be in the BIG10, I'm concerned about Froling's defense. If what I'm hearing is true about him being a worse defensive/athletic prospect than Mav, this is a red flag for me.

 

[combes]

I don't think Froling is a center. He's a Finke type power forward, imo. In the videos, he looks way more athletic than Morgan, too.

 

[FatGreg]

Regarding Froling's athleticism, I think he looks more coordinated than Mav, as in very dexterous, soft hands, better reaction time. However, I think he looks about equally ground-bound and probably slower getting up and down the court. I think there's a good chance he turns out to be a better all around athlete than Mav, but I'm not sure he is right now. I fear that he'll always foul a lot and have trouble with athletic bigs, but I could be wrong. Like I said in my last post: if he grows into his frame and improves athletically, I think he'll be a solid starter/possible all-B1G player. Either way, he's got excellent potential and would be a huge pickup. Hopefully he doesn't follow his sisters to SMU.

It's actually nice to hear that someone's assessment of his athleticism is more favorable than mine - thanks Combes! I sometimes tend to get too excited about players' positive attributes and too pessimistic about weaknesses.

 

[BirdDog9048]

I don't think Froling is a center. He's a Finke type power forward, imo. In the videos, he looks way more athletic than Morgan, too.

Agree with all of this. He seems to have some Dirk Nowitski in his game.

 

[BlueChipBridesmaid]

I don't think Froling is a center. He's a Finke type power forward, imo. In the videos, he looks way more athletic than Morgan, too.

He's 6'10? In college, that's a center. And Mav Morgan has 0 athleticism so if Frolling has any, it's better than MM. However I do agree that post defense is crucial. Watch the second half of the Michigan game if you disagree

 

[BirdDog9048]

He's 6'10? In college, that's a center. And Mav Morgan has 0 athleticism so if Frolling has any, it's better than MM. However I do agree that post defense is crucial. Watch the second half of the Michigan game if you disagree

Finke is also 6'10"... Is he a center? :tsk:

 

[Chipatsj23h]

He's 6'10? In college, that's a center. And Mav Morgan has 0 athleticism so if Frolling has any, it's better than MM. However I do agree that post defense is crucial. Watch the second half of the Michigan game if you disagree

Just because someone is 6'10 doesn't automatically make them a center. He CAN be a center, but could be a PF. Finke is 6'10 he is certainly not a center. Frolling is more of a power forward than a center for sure.

 

[Obelix]

I don't think Froling is a center. He's a Finke type power forward, imo. In the videos, he looks way more athletic than Morgan, too.

Oh c'mon combes. Is Finke not a center? You had made several assertions that Finke is indeed a C, and the center of the future nevertheless.

 

[combes]

Oh c'mon combes. Is Finke not a center? You had made several assertions that Finke is indeed a C, and the center of the future nevertheless.

I think he is. "Of the future is the key." He needs another 20 pounds of strength and some continued work on defensive positioning. He is getting pushed around a bit right now. He is doing a really good job this year for a redshirt freshman. At 6-10, 250 he will be a monster there.

 

[justsomedude]

Finke is also 6'10"... Is he a center? :tsk:

seems to be our starting one at the moment?

 

[zpfled]

Finke is also 6'10"... Is he a center? :tsk:

Depends if you define basketball positions by what position a person plays, or what position a person is best suited to play.

 

[FeelYourPaign]

Regarding Froling's athleticism, I think he looks more coordinated than Mav, as in very dexterous, soft hands, better reaction time. However, I think he looks about equally ground-bound and

Good one, draws a very clear picture :thumb: