All players should spend 2 years in college for maturity and development reasons, especially big men. But that won't ever happen, sadly.
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (January-March 2016)
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All players should spend 2 years in college for maturity and development reasons, especially big men. But that won't ever happen, sadly.
Why should that be a reach? Mav used to be an inviable option in the B1G and now he's not. That's the definition of player development.
ivwilsoniv
- Aurora, IL
Working from home this morning, and here are some observations about Tilmon after watching this first half (first time I've had a chance to watch him live).
- Illini fans will recognize Tilmon's hands. Very Egwu-esque on a couple plays around the rim.
- Looks like a great rebounder sometimes, but has gotten outworked or out-jumped for a couple boards. He is playing against a team whose tallest player is 2" shorter than he is. Crashing the boards/around the rim on most plays.
- None of the opposition has really tried posting him up yet (height advantage), so I can't tell how good his post defense is.
- Already has a good set of post moves on offense. Pivots well on the block. Hasn't attempted a jumper yet.
- Has made a few good passes, keeping his head up.
- Will likely need to bulk up a bit, but already has good size.
- Illini fans will recognize Tilmon's hands. Very Egwu-esque on a couple plays around the rim.
- Looks like a great rebounder sometimes, but has gotten outworked or out-jumped for a couple boards. He is playing against a team whose tallest player is 2" shorter than he is. Crashing the boards/around the rim on most plays.
- None of the opposition has really tried posting him up yet (height advantage), so I can't tell how good his post defense is.
- Already has a good set of post moves on offense. Pivots well on the block. Hasn't attempted a jumper yet.
- Has made a few good passes, keeping his head up.
- Will likely need to bulk up a bit, but already has good size.
illinifan87
- The Windy City
You can see the natural ability though. Soft hands, good footwork, lateral quickness for a big, doesn't rush it. First time I've seen him play and his potential is salivating.
Also that Bowen kid is real good.
Also that Bowen kid is real good.
Also take a look at the development of Malcolm. He came in as the #66 RSCI recruit in his class and next year he's in contention to win Player of the Year award in the Big Ten. I know a lot of you think this staff does nothing right, but player development has been quite solid during Groce's tenure here. Imagine what he can do with our '17 class.
Man that Tillman pass to bowen earlier was nice
Joel Goodson
- ties will be resolved
I think Tilmon will start for us.
illynifan34
That's a winner!!
- OH
Egwu-esque hands and soft hands in back to back posts. Interesting.
So the grand answer to our recruiting woes is to do it the Calipari way. Mmmkay.
FeelYourPaign
- So Cal
Well, I don't think it is, but I lack the basketball acumen of many of our posters, so I defer to their better judgement. I have a generally good holistic view of things, but the finer points of skills and game planning I leave to those who know a great deal more.
midastouch11
- New York, New York
He's got good hands. Not elite, but they're good. Without hyperbole, Egwu had literally the worst hands of any basketball player I've ever seen. I imagine Tilmon could do a handstand and catch the ball just as well with his feet.
Illinithad
- Northeast Missouri
So Williams talks about not having tolerance for players who aren't of high character, and then in the same article, says if Illinois is going to be successful in Chicago, it needs to be willing to get its hands dirty. Not a real consistent philosophy or way of thinking. There wasn't anything in here that I didn't already know.
Sal Iacuzzo
- Yonkers, NY
Egwu had terrible hands, his defensive footwork and positioning was his strength.
You're taking what he said out of context. He used get hands dirty, as in working hard to make the proper connections.
It's a pretty sobering article on what our national perception is. It's not good.
Would really love to see Bowen here but don't see it happening. He is pretty impressive
wettsten
- Chicago
what's so dirty about knowing the right people?
sounds like he said what he meant at first and then backpedaled to make it look like he wasn't condoning cheating.
ivwilsoniv
- Aurora, IL
Haha, I saw that. Fair enough - hands are "inconsistent" so far.
Get yours hands dirty is an idiom for doing hard work. Although you are right, probably best left out of the college basketball context.
Cliffhanger for Greg Marshall as coach...
He then went on to say, "I think it’s going to take somebody who’s... you have to be willing to play the game, and I’m not going to sugarcoat you things. There’s a reason John Calipari is so successful."
I didn't see the John Calipers thing in there. But there's this: “Not dirty in terms of cheating, but you need to know the right people in this city. With the talent that comes out of this area Illinois should be a powerhouse within the Big Ten, and it’s a problem that needs to be figured out.”
I don't know what he means exactly, but there's a game you have to play in Chicago to get to kids whether you're cheating or not. (Not saying Groce doesn't play either).
wettsten
- Chicago
ah, good call. just a poor choice of idiom in this context.
46-45 La Lu up after 3. Tilmon has 9 and 8
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