Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (January-March 2016)

[JoseyWales83]

As I said, these silent commitments can change. That happens all the time. But we are very close on Tilmon and getting Williams helps.

I obviously cannot reveal my source or he won't be a source. He is also the one that told me (and I shared on here) nine days before Elijah Thomas committed that he was going to Texas A&M when everyone thought he was going to Oklahoma State or Illinois. He got his info from the coaches who told him that they could not match what A&M could offer.

He told me two weeks ago that Tilmon and Williams had committed to Groce. Like most of us, I know how shaky that can be. However, Williams came through with the verbal commit which gives me hope that perhaps Tilmon will, too. Groce has a relationship with Tilmon that goes back several years. But we also know that a blueblood can often sneak in late and change everything. That happened to Iowa two years ago with Ulis.

Also, I am not an "insider" like some in the past have claimed. I just happen to know one person well who has access to the program that very few have. He tells me what he knows, but we are dealing with teenagers so anything he hears cannot be etched in stone.

What's strange is if you had asked a lot of people the order of possible commitments between Goodwin and Tilmon a few months ago they would have said Goodwin and then maybe Tilmon. It looks like now that Tilmon could commit before Goodwin and he is the key to getting Goodwin instead of the other way around.

 

[unimaroon]

... but we are dealing with teenagers so anything he hears cannot be etched in stone.

A very valid point that can not be reiterated too much., good sir. Until the LOI is in every commitment is somewhat "hairy", combes.

 

[illiniknight]

As I said, these silent commitments can change. That happens all the time. But we are very close on Tilmon and getting Williams helps.

I obviously cannot reveal my source or he won't be a source. He is also the one that told me (and I shared on here) nine days before Elijah Thomas committed that he was going to Texas A&M when everyone thought he was going to Oklahoma State or Illinois. He got his info from the coaches who told him that they could not match what A&M could offer.

He told me two weeks ago that Tilmon and Williams had committed to Groce. Like most of us, I know how shaky that can be. However, Williams came through with the verbal commit which gives me hope that perhaps Tilmon will, too. Groce has a relationship with Tilmon that goes back several years. But we also know that a blueblood can often sneak in late and change everything. That happened to Iowa two years ago with Ulis.

Also, I am not an "insider" like some in the past have claimed. I just happen to know one person well who has access to the program that very few have. He tells me what he knows, but we are dealing with teenagers so anything he hears cannot be etched in stone.

Thanks for sharing. it is encouraging to know we are close to getting a talent like Tilmon. We do know how fickle teenagers can be, so I definitely won't question you if he changes his mind.

 

[CaptainHindsight]

Recruiting is fluid ...

 

[justsomedude]

As I said, these silent commitments can change. That happens all the time. But we are very close on Tilmon and getting Williams helps.

I obviously cannot reveal my source or he won't be a source. He is also the one that told me (and I shared on here) nine days before Elijah Thomas committed that he was going to Texas A&M when everyone thought he was going to Oklahoma State or Illinois. He got his info from the coaches who told him that they could not match what A&M could offer.

He told me two weeks ago that Tilmon and Williams had committed to Groce. Like most of us, I know how shaky that can be. However, Williams came through with the verbal commit which gives me hope that perhaps Tilmon will, too. Groce has a relationship with Tilmon that goes back several years. But we also know that a blueblood can often sneak in late and change everything. That happened to Iowa two years ago with Ulis.

Also, I am not an "insider" like some in the past have claimed. I just happen to know one person well who has access to the program that very few have. He tells me what he knows, but we are dealing with teenagers so anything he hears cannot be etched in stone.

He basically told us all on SMSL.

I see nothing positive about discussing silent verbals on a public message board. Seems it can only hurt or be neutral, but never help.

 

[spillini]

I see nothing positive about discussing silent verbals on a public message board. Seems it can only hurt or be neutral, but never help.

:thumb:

 

[TEYPAY]

But then again, most of the stuff discussed on a public message board can't be positive, only hurt or be neutral.

 

[combes]

I'll believe this when he picks up a hat and actually puts it on his head.

You will believe what? That there is a silent verbal or that he will actually come to Illinois? I am sure that the first one happened. The second part, I agree with you. I will believe that he comes to Illinois when he signs the dotted line.

 

[Deleted member 175495]

Porter wont go to KU. Family won't let that happen. Many reasons why. Howard was at District game I was at last week though.

 

[Joel Goodson]

Assuming Tilmon and Goodwin commit, who are the Plan A targets for the 5th scholly? WRT the 6th ride, bank it or use it? Don't think Groce is a bank it kind of a guy (FWIW, neither am I). If we do take a 6th, I expect Groce to be very, very picky.

 

[bigruss22]

Assuming Tilmon and Goodwin commit, who are the Plan A targets for the 5th scholly? WRT the 6th ride, bank it or use it? Don't think Groce is a bank it kind of a guy (FWIW, neither am I). If we do take a 6th, I expect Groce to be very, very picky.

I would go after a transfer big or a project big, help balance out the class and provide some depth going forward.

 

[Stucash]

You will believe what? That there is a silent verbal or that he will actually come to Illinois? I am sure that the first one happened. The second part, I agree with you. I will believe that he comes to Illinois when he signs the dotted line.

It's seems that around here, the louder the recruitment, the more we believe we're gonna get the guy. Seems the opposite has been true over the years though. I like our odds

 

[idoc13]

Why wouldn't he make it public if he gave a "silent verbal?" Why would anyone give a silent verbal? It seems if it were me, as soon as my mind was made up, I'd go public and try to bring more talented guys with me.

 

[frozenrope9190]

As I said, these silent commitments can change. That happens all the time. But we are very close on Tilmon and getting Williams helps.

I obviously cannot reveal my source or he won't be a source. He is also the one that told me (and I shared on here) nine days before Elijah Thomas committed that he was going to Texas A&M when everyone thought he was going to Oklahoma State or Illinois. He got his info from the coaches who told him that they could not match what A&M could offer.

He told me two weeks ago that Tilmon and Williams had committed to Groce. Like most of us, I know how shaky that can be. However, Williams came through with the verbal commit which gives me hope that perhaps Tilmon will, too. Groce has a relationship with Tilmon that goes back several years. But we also know that a blueblood can often sneak in late and change everything. That happened to Iowa two years ago with Ulis.

Also, I am not an "insider" like some in the past have claimed. I just happen to know one person well who has access to the program that very few have. He tells me what he knows, but we are dealing with teenagers so anything he hears cannot be etched in stone.

I have to say this is the nicest format in which to post information. Nothing cryptic, nothing absolute, listing there's a source with credentials without breaking the source's confidence. Whether or not he signs, I appreciate the info and more importantly, how you went about posting it.

 

[Obelix]

Why wouldn't he make it public if he gave a "silent verbal?" Why would anyone give a silent verbal? It seems if it were me, as soon as my mind was made up, I'd go public and try to bring more talented guys with me.

They want to keep it "silent" so only people on message boards (everyone and their mother) know about it

 

[CAHALL15]

I'll believe this when he picks up a hat and actually puts it on his head.

Yeah, one too many punches to the nether region for me. I'm assuming either he's not ours or we are still working to get him.

 

[Joel Goodson]

We're going to let the kid announce on his terms. And yes, of course, anything can happen in the interim. Whole lotta smoke on this recruitment. Very positive news.

 

[CAHALL15]

Assuming Tilmon and Goodwin commit, who are the Plan A targets for the 5th scholly? WRT the 6th ride, bank it or use it? Don't think Groce is a bank it kind of a guy (FWIW, neither am I). If we do take a 6th, I expect Groce to be very, very picky.

I'd think that maybe Tilmon's teammate, Brian Bowen could be a target. He would be a 3/4 type guy and is 6'7" or better. Justin Smith could be another guy. He's a similar mold, but not rated quite as high. Kris Wilkes would be awesome and could become more possible with a Tilmon commitment. Wilkes took an unofficial here, but he has no reason to come here unless he knows there are other talented guys coming. They could also look at Negron as he's a decent rebounder and shot blocker with his length, but my understanding is that he struggles offensively against guys his own size. Guys like Derek Culver or Malik Williams could come into play, also.

 

[Tevo]

Yeah, one too many punches to the nether region for me. I'm assuming either he's not ours or we are still working to get him.

Even when he DOES commit and sends out a tweet, we STILL have to keep working to get him until he signs the LOI. The announcement just lets you breathe a LITTLE easier.

 

[Illini_1979]

... "hairy", combes.

Nicely done.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Combes

 

[Joel Goodson]

I'd think that maybe Tilmon's teammate, Brian Bowen could be a target. He would be a 3/4 type guy and is 6'7" or better. Justin Smith could be another guy. He's a similar mold, but not rated quite as high. Kris Wilkes would be awesome and could become more possible with a Tilmon commitment. Wilkes took an unofficial here, but he has no reason to come here unless he knows there are other talented guys coming. They could also look at Negron as he's a decent rebounder and shot blocker with his length, but my understanding is that he struggles offensively against guys his own size. Guys like Derek Culver or Malik Williams could come into play, also.

Thanks.

Bowen would be great, but he's not coming. Justin Smith I could see. Wilkes would be great, let's hope the class sways him. Culver, Williams and Theo John are all possible, but Williams is a longshot.

 

[Greensboro]

Assuming Tilmon and Goodwin commit, who are the Plan A targets for the 5th scholly? WRT the 6th ride, bank it or use it? Don't think Groce is a bank it kind of a guy (FWIW, neither am I). If we do take a 6th, I expect Groce to be very, very picky.

I would go after a transfer big or a project big, help balance out the class and provide some depth going forward.

We still are short bigs even with Tilmon onboard, ideally 2 if we don't get one this year. Tilmon likely gives you the luxury of developing any other bigs in 2017. In the end you take the best available, but I think ideally you use this opportunity to get a couple freshman in the system and give them 2 years to develop before Finke & Black graduate. So I don't think we are that picky with a 2017 freshman bigs.

 

[illini8507]

Well, nice knowing ya, combes. Lol

 

[Joel Goodson]

Combes' word is gold. If he says it's so, it is. Tilmon can always change his mind. That said, it sounds like we're in very good shape.

 

[TCTORNADO]

I'd think that maybe Tilmon's teammate, Brian Bowen could be a target. He would be a 3/4 type guy and is 6'7" or better. Justin Smith could be another guy. He's a similar mold, but not rated quite as high. Kris Wilkes would be awesome and could become more possible with a Tilmon commitment. Wilkes took an unofficial here, but he has no reason to come here unless he knows there are other talented guys coming. They could also look at Negron as he's a decent rebounder and shot blocker with his length, but my understanding is that he struggles offensively against guys his own size. Guys like Derek Culver or Malik Williams could come into play, also.

Recent offeree Terrence Lewis will be a factor before it's all over and Ford was into see Kyle Young last week. Theo John is a really interesting recruit,too.