Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (January-March 2016)

[IlliniBrave75]

Derek Piper ‏@DPiperScout

#Illini target on a mission. Althoff the team to beat in 3A. Goodwin having huge year & still underrated nationally. https://twitter.com/illini_dave34/status/704858904279134208 …

Dave Boduch – ‏@Illini_Dave34

@JWernerScout @DPiperScout Saw Jordan Goodwin play tonight. 27 points. Couple threes. 4-5 steals. Really good defense and a few good assists

 

[Deleted member 346957]

Derek Piper ‏@DPiperScout

#Illini target on a mission. Althoff the team to beat in 3A. Goodwin having huge year & still underrated nationally. https://twitter.com/illini_dave34/status/704858904279134208 …

Dave Boduch – ‏@Illini_Dave34

@JWernerScout @DPiperScout Saw Jordan Goodwin play tonight. 27 points. Couple threes. 4-5 steals. Really good defense and a few good assists

I want Goodwin on Illinois so bad.

 

[illiniknight]

Derek Piper ‏@DPiperScout

#Illini target on a mission. Althoff the team to beat in 3A. Goodwin having huge year & still underrated nationally. https://twitter.com/illini_dave34/status/704858904279134208 …

Dave Boduch – ‏@Illini_Dave34

@JWernerScout @DPiperScout Saw Jordan Goodwin play tonight. 27 points. Couple threes. 4-5 steals. Really good defense and a few good assists

It would be huge if we can get Goodwin locked up before the summer. He will get all kinds of attention if he is still available.

 

[Dan]

(btw I moved some posts to the 2016-2017 thread)

 

[westcoastillini]

Bigs

Bigs.... We need bigs....

 

[CIIF]

I will be checking out Manual Friday!

 

[Illini2018]

I still think we need to grab a PG in the 2017 class as Da'Monte is more of a combo

 

[OrangeDeeLight]

I did see a Nick Weatherspoon at #72 in the new Rivals rankings. Isn't he a bit old and out of eligibility? Not to mention dead for 7 years.

 

[BuddyJ]

I still think we need to grab a PG in the 2017 class as Da'Monte is more of a combo

The team needs a big much, much more. In the 17-18 season Finke will be the only center on the roster, and he's considered more of a PF than a center already.

 

[Illini2018]

The team needs a big much, much more. In the 17-18 season Finke will be the only center on the roster, and he's considered more of a PF than a center already.

I was saying that assuming we get Tilmon (wishful thinking I know)

 

[Cubby Blue]

I still think we need to grab a PG in the 2017 class as Da'Monte is more of a combo

grabbing one in either 17 or 18 will work though if TJL is what some think he will be. Damonte would be his backup and actually since JCL will still be here, point is where most of Damonte's minutes will be.

 

[rtbritt]

grabbing one in either 17 or 18 will work though if TJL is what some think he will be. Damonte would be his backup and actually since JCL will still be here, point is where most of Damonte's minutes will be.

While I hope that TJL is a stud and thus our PG of the future, and I think JCL is a stud and is probably best as a "pure 2", I do not think it relegates all Damonte's minutes at the 1.

I can easily see TJL, JCL, and DW playing in a 3 guard lineup. I could also see JCL being the backup 1 as a junior over DW. It is likely that he is better there for a year or two.

Let's just hope they're all awesome and can be very multiple positionally.

 

[BirdDog9048]

Speaking of other PGs, does anyone have any recent news on Nojel Eastern? Could we still be in the mix for him?

 

[Cubby Blue]

While I hope that TJL is a stud and thus our PG of the future, and I think JCL is a stud and is probably best as a "pure 2", I do not think it relegates all Damonte's minutes at the 1.

I can easily see TJL, JCL, and DW playing in a 3 guard lineup. I could also see JCL being the backup 1 as a junior over DW. It is likely that he is better there for a year or two.

Let's just hope they're all awesome and can be very multiple positionally.

That is why I didn't say All, I said most.

I still haven't seen anything that tells me JCL will be a point. I have seen more from DJ than from JCL in that area. DJ looks good with the ball in the open court and handling the rock overall.

I think JCL will be a wing for his entire career and I think it will be a record setting career. Why move him?

 

[Obelix]

grabbing one in either 17 or 18 will work though if TJL is what some think he will be. Damonte would be his backup and actually since JCL will still be here, point is where most of Damonte's minutes will be.

Damonte Williams is a top 50 recruit who will be a PG in college, I have seen him play quite a few times. Let's not relegate him to backup yet.

 

[IlliniFan17]

Guys, I have some information regarding Goodwin. I'm not claiming to be an insider and this is the first time I've ever had info regarding a recruit. I'll go ahead and share everything i have. My old sports editor from my high school years currently lives in the O'fallon/Belleville area, so I thought I would ask if he's watched Goodwin play. His exact reply when I asked was "Yeah, he's the real deal. He's going to Illinois." I told him I sure hoped he was right. I just figured he was assuming he would pick the Illini. The next the he said to me was that Goodwin actually told him Illinois and SLU are the only choices. I had to be at work and that is all the info I have to pass along as of now. Have a good day and Go ILLINI!

 

[Joel Goodson]

Guys, I have some information regarding Goodwin. I'm not claiming to be an insider and this is the first time I've ever had info regarding a recruit. I'll go ahead and share everything i have. My old sports editor from my high school years currently lives in the O'fallon/Belleville area, so I thought I would ask if he's watched Goodwin play. His exact reply when I asked was "Yeah, he's the real deal. He's going to Illinois." I told him I sure hoped he was right. I just figured he was assuming he would pick the Illini. The next the he said to me was that Goodwin actually told him Illinois and SLU are the only choices. I had to be at work and that is all the info I have to pass along as of now. Have a good day and Go ILLINI!

Works for me. Thanks for sharing.

 

[StLouIllini]

Goodwin's dad was a really good high school player. He grew about 4 inches after high school. He is huge now. I am not saying that Jordan will do the same but if he does add another couple of inches his game at 6'5 or 6'6 would translate a lot differently to the BIG. He could post up SF's and has the skills to play outside as well. I really hope he commits sooner and then him, Pickett and Da'Monte all recruit Tillmon.

 

[illiniwil]

i am from the peoria area and seen damonte a number of times. he's absolutely capable of playing point guard and can move over to the 2 spot easily. He has the in-charge attitude of his dad, not quite as "school yard creative". i think the idea of two guys on the court together that can play the 1 or 2 and both can guad the 1 or 2 is the flexibility we have missed. both being able to dribble penatrate, shoot 3's and find the open man gets us closer to the
past we hope for. yes, a big would be great, but a backcourt wins come tournament time.

 

[ILL in IA]

I know its a little progressive thinking, but some of the things you see in the NBA right now (they will eventually work down to college) don't really have guys playing a true position any more. Its lead guard, a "big" and guys that can play with skill. I really see our roster being able to do that in a few years. It wont have huge size with a true 7 footer on the block, but I think the roster can have 5 guys on the floor with good length, skill to handle the ball at all 5 sports, and guys who can hit shots at all 5 spots. I really hope the rest of this class can come together. Its hard to see it with the season we are finishing up, but I still think we are close to something special.

 

[89illinigrad]

I know its a little progressive thinking, but some of the things you see in the NBA right now (they will eventually work down to college) don't really have guys playing a true position any more. Its lead guard, a "big" and guys that can play with skill. I really see our roster being able to do that in a few years. It wont have huge size with a true 7 footer on the block, but I think the roster can have 5 guys on the floor with good length, skill to handle the ball at all 5 sports, and guys who can hit shots at all 5 spots. I really hope the rest of this class can come together. Its hard to see it with the season we are finishing up, but I still think we are close to something special.

Yes, in addition to TJL, we have JCL, Damonte, DJW and AJ who have all played PG in HS, so there are some skills there. That can only make the team better in terms of handling the ball, limiting turnovers and creating better looks.

 

[illiniwil]

ypu are right, plus it doesn take a great memeory to recall the flying illini with one starter over 6-7 and the last final four illini team that had augustine at 6-10 and powell at 6-6. really nothing progressive about that.

 

[ILL in IA]

Yes, in addition to TJL, we have JCL, Damonte, DJW and AJ who have all played PG in HS, so there are some skills there. That can only make the team better in terms of handling the ball, limiting turnovers and creating better looks.

And we got a glimpse of what I think DJW can do to make this thing really go. He grabbed a defensive rebound against Minny and turned and took off with the ball. With shooters on the court, this thing can get dangerous with him leading a break and JCL, AJ, Finke taking off and getting some good open looks in transition.

 

[ILL in IA]

ypu are right, plus it doesn take a great memeory to recall the flying illini with one starter over 6-7 and the last final four illini team that had augustine at 6-10 and powell at 6-6. really nothing progressive about that.

Progressive may have been a stretch, but so many people want to put a number or position next to each player or recruit name. I think if Groce gets the roster he wants, it will be basketball player as the position. And we heard Mr. Jordan talk about it in preseason when he called AJ a basketball player and not a 1 2 or 3. Woke up on the right side of the bed today. Poured a big glass of JFG coffee. Feel good about things. Hope that Goodwin news will work out.

 

[icengineer]

ypu are right, plus it doesn take a great memeory to recall the flying illini with one starter over 6-7 and the last final four illini team that had augustine at 6-10 and powell at 6-6. really nothing progressive about that.

Ha! ILLinIA's description was Flying Illini all the way!