Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (January-March 2016)
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Exactly right especially given what our record has been the last few years. We should be thrilled that any top 100 or near top 100 player is considering Illinois.
Foggy Notion
- San Francisco
If the trend continues, we won't be the only ones playing small. The idea is to have players on the bench that give you the option to go big or small, depending on situations. With so many scholarships available in 2017, we can afford to get an extra wing, especially a versatile one, and still have room for a big.
bredhartmann
- Centralia, IL
Here's Lewis's latest mixtape.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQslJgK0tbc
[youtube]iQslJgK0tbc[/youtube]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQslJgK0tbc
[youtube]iQslJgK0tbc[/youtube]
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Lewis is rated as the 19th best SF in his class and the 3rd best player in Wisconsin. These are the type of core players you need to get each year on your team to have a solid rotation of 9 deep. The best programs in the nation just don't stop recruiting after they get their ideal starter. And these type of players aren't scared away by competition because they know there is a system in place for them to succeed (ala Brunson learning under Archinado in Jay Wright's system).
It's also reasonable to assume that Lucas has a relationship with Lewis and are intrigued by what Groce is selling.
It's also reasonable to assume that Lucas has a relationship with Lewis and are intrigued by what Groce is selling.
The day you stop recruiting a certain position because you have "too many" is usually 4 years before your school's forums start arguing about your inability to recruit said position. Like, you know, pg or center for example. Not that Groce wasn't recruiting either of those but it's nice to have a plethora of a position as opposed to 0 competent people at a position such as... 2015-16 point guard situation.
And who are we, as Illini fans coming out of a sub .500 season, to be disappointed in a 4* visiting? Geesh
And who are we, as Illini fans coming out of a sub .500 season, to be disappointed in a 4* visiting? Geesh
Agree. Would be a great pick up!
I know it's a highlight tape, but I don't think any of those jumpshots touched the rim at any point. I like that sound. Sign me up
Joel Goodson
- ties will be resolved
I like that tape. Kid looks like a slightly taller version of Latrell Sprewell. High ceiling.
ChainsawRevItUp
- Chicago
Silky smooth in that video. Above average athleticism and I'm guessing his wingspan is closer to 6'9 than 6'6.
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.
Are you saying that you're worried about scholarship numbers? We would still take Goodwin and Tilmon in a heartbeat even if this kid were to commit tomorrow. Attrition is likely in any given year, and even more so when there is depth at a certain position. Besides, it's just an unofficial visit.
I'll eat my hat if all of Thorne, Nunn, Tate and Black are back next year.
No I don't. I never worry about scholarships and I do not know where you read than in my post.
My post is about priorities, positional gaps, and (recruiting) balance at positions, not overall number of scholarships. There are no worries that we run out of scholarships for either Goodwin or Tilmon (not sure again where you read that in my post). But even with Goodwin and Tilmon on board, the priorities still remain PG, PF, and C, especially with Mav graduating.
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I think everyone wants balance at those positions, but I'm failing to see how this affects the recruiting at the other positions. It doesn't take much effort to get a kid to go on an unofficial visit. Now if the staff was spending many resources at the expense of other more important recruits, then I'd be concerned but that's very unlikely.
Dead on.
His wingspan is incredible.
I would be thrilled to get this kid. Long, athletic, smooth
I'm sold bring him in coach
When you look at positional balance, it is not the addition of one player. AT C for example, even with Tilmon, you need to add players. I have seen Tilmon quite a few times and really like him, have mentioned many times, but you need to add depth with Mav graduating. At PG, you have added a combo guard (Damonte) who I hope will make the transition to PG, but you still need more. Same at PF, you have Finke but there is still a huge uncertainty with Black.
Again, it is not a new thing. Positional gaps has been the major problem of the last few years. I have no problem with a visit, or general recruiting, but I think people have hinted about a big Wednesday commitment (unless it is somebody else). When you look at what we have, I'd rather see more action at PG, C, and PF with multiple players but that does not mean that the player visiting is not solid.
I just watched a kid playing 1a ball in Indiana with the same disease. Put up 46 effortlessly and reminded me of a fellow from his same hometown, Dominic James. Problem was he had a definite defensive deficiency. Would not know line of the ball from a line on the floor and not a clue as to any man principles. Has played the back of a 2 3 zone his entire life. 6 5 shooting guard will have a tough transition to college. Taking a visit to Purdue but that will take some coaching to teach him the other end of the floor. I laughed with one of the fans about my time in Iowa watching girls playing the old DGWS 6 on 6 rules
Hope we get a good visit and commit tomorrow from a top tier player. Regarding Terrence Long, kid reminds me of a Peter Jok type. Very long, athletic, and can pop the 3's yeah we don't need these players (sarcastic). He an probably defend well with his long arms, looks like a player that will add weight nicely as he matures.
Regarding Rako, haven't seen him be a jerk. I saw him being supportive of teammates and seemed to be respectful towards teammates. He may have matured a bit. I see him as a red-shirt candidate, he is just too thin and not muscular enough. But I see him being a solid 4 year player somewhere.
Regarding needs, we need BIGs IMHO. Getting additonal bigs would help to land the skilled bigs IMHO. We went from having Mav, Thorne, Corbert, Paul and Black to possibly only having Mav next year. We need a big in 2016, either a big freshmen of JC transfer. We are already behind the 8 ball in bigs going into 2017. If Black and Throne doesn't return in 2016 we are going to be short of big bodies again. Will see few offensive rebounds and getting beaten up inside again.
Regarding Rako, haven't seen him be a jerk. I saw him being supportive of teammates and seemed to be respectful towards teammates. He may have matured a bit. I see him as a red-shirt candidate, he is just too thin and not muscular enough. But I see him being a solid 4 year player somewhere.
Regarding needs, we need BIGs IMHO. Getting additonal bigs would help to land the skilled bigs IMHO. We went from having Mav, Thorne, Corbert, Paul and Black to possibly only having Mav next year. We need a big in 2016, either a big freshmen of JC transfer. We are already behind the 8 ball in bigs going into 2017. If Black and Throne doesn't return in 2016 we are going to be short of big bodies again. Will see few offensive rebounds and getting beaten up inside again.
Sign me up. As soon as he grows into his body, he has the potential to be nightmare on D and effective on O.
DJW, AJ, Kipper, Javon, Terrence (?) keep the long wings coming!
TJL and Damonte are going to have a fun time playing with those guys.
Let's hope we can steal this kid from Wisconsin and add Goodwin, and two Bigs to the class of '17
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