Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (January-March 2017)

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#926      
TJL sees the floor really well and I love his aggressiveness in going to the rim. Just wish he had a better outside stroke and more size and athleticism, but that's a minor quibble.

Compare his numbers to Dee & Deron freshman years
.......FG% FT% 3P%
TJL--.435 .580 .375
Dee-.434 .681 .329
DWill-.426 .533 .354

Still worried about his shooting?
 
#927      
I haven't seen Liddell play but he sure sounds a lot like Trevon Blueitt, is that a fare comparison?
Other than Blueitt being a shooting guard and Liddell being a power forward... sure, why not? :confused:
 
#928      
Is there a big any where on the horizon for 2017 or 18? After Finke and Tilman we are 6'7' at the tallest . An injury to either one could be drastic. Not fond of 5th year transfers. Would rather have Epperson red shirt next year as an insurance policy but doesn't seem likely that he is coming. We have lots of guards but need at least two big men.
 
#929      
Lots of time for 2018 bigs to emerge. Nobody really on the radar as of now as far as I can tell. I assume we'll look for a banger type as a 5th year for 2017-18. If DJW and/or AJ (or anyone, for that matter) decide to move on from the program, a big will be the top priority. If we only have two 'ships for 2018 and Dosunmu and Finke want to commit, I think you have to take them and play small when necessary. Too much talent to turn down.

All that said, these things have a way of working out. I'll be surprised if we don't land a big in the class of '18.
 
#930      
To be fair, his sample size of shooting is much smaller than Dee and DWill. I'm not too concerned about his shooting either, but I'm not entirely sure these statistics are an accurate comparison.

But I think sample size is part of the point, I just remember watching a few games Dee & Deron's freshman year & thinking they are good, but not sure we can afford to have both of them on the floor at the same time the next four years if they couldn't shoot better & they had the sample size to say they were that level of shooter as freshman. That problem took care of itself, but it also made me worry a little less about how a freshman shoots. So maybe it is a small sample size on Frazier, but it isn't insignificant either, and to some extent it is probably more likely it gets better as he gains experience, but still close enough to say it is roughly similar/slightly better to where Dee/Deron where as freshman. That is not bad company and a bit early to give up on his shooting.
 
#931      
If anyone is going to the Alton vs Edwardsville game tonight I'm sure I speak for most of us here if you could give a little scouting report on Smith
 
#932      
Liddell is 2019. At 6'7" with long arms and a pretty shot that extends out to 3, I think he has a chance to be the best player to ever come out of Belleville. Obviously he'll need to keep working, but he's a heck of a player.
Crap, yes, 2019. Brain cramp.

I have seen enough from Liddell to want him very much. Perfect college big who will not likely leave early. Plays hard, strong, versatile, very good athlete and so young that who knows what he might be in two more years.
 
#933      
http://thecube.com/cube/illinois/broadcasts/athletics/basketball

Looks like ESL-Belleville West won't be on tonight, although if I wasn't going to the West Aurora game I might watch Chase Adams vs Evan Gilyard. Should be a fun one.

Also, Chicago Tribune put out this list and I actually agree with most of it. Lots of Illini. Glad they included some of the old guys -- but two I'd have put on are Red Kerr - have to go by what my dad told me on him, I barely remember him as a pro, mostly as the Bulls' broadcaster -- and Efrem Winters.
Still, these are always good to start debates with.
[FONT=&quot]100 best Illinois high school basketball players ever[/FONT]
 
#934      
http://thecube.com/cube/illinois/broadcasts/athletics/basketball

Looks like ESL-Belleville West won't be on tonight, although if I wasn't going to the West Aurora game I might watch Chase Adams vs Evan Gilyard. Should be a fun one.

Also, Chicago Tribune put out this list and I actually agree with most of it. Lots of Illini. Glad they included some of the old guys -- but two I'd have put on are Red Kerr - have to go by what my dad told me on him, I barely remember him as a pro, mostly as the Bulls' broadcaster -- and Efrem Winters.
Still, these are always good to start debates with.
[FONT=&quot]100 best Illinois high school basketball players ever[/FONT]

The link with the 100 best IL HS basketball players ever is IMO what makes Illinois the best state in the country for basketball players. Yep, let the debates begin.
 
#936      
Here's a player in the 618 that no one is talking about, yet I think Illinois can look into. He's 6-8, 230 pounds and one of his teammates has already committed to D-1 hoops. I think mid-major for him, yet he's only a junior and potential abounds. I have yet to see him play in person, but my friends who follow and broadcast high school basketball stated he is a joy to watch.

In fact, I'm surprised Illinois hasn't offered him in football as he has attracted SEC attention. Either way, great athlete and he's been fantastic on the hardwood as of late. He's been getting double-doubles in points and rebounds like as if he was in an all-you-can-eat buffet.

http://http://www.hudl.com/profile/4663623/jackson-marcotte
 
#937      
The link with the 100 best IL HS basketball players ever is IMO what makes Illinois the best state in the country for basketball players. Yep, let the debates begin.

Like seeing the Judson brothers from Hebron - a true life "Hoosiers" story that really happened in Illinois.
 
#939      
Watch him play and you'll have your answer.

Yeah I see.

His team kind of has a "Pele" type offense...give him the ball and get out of the way.
 
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#940      
Okoro is more of a mystery to me, does anyone have any insight? Does he have any UI ties? For some reason he just feels like a guy that might go elsewhere, but maybe I just have a bad feeling about Normal kids thanks to Keita Bates-Diop.

NC is his dream school. Not saying Ol' Roy will offer him but if he does, it's over.
 
#941      
Frazier and Wellington's dream season comes to an end with a Osceola 52- 50 game. Frazier with 32 points but 0 assists.
 
#944      
[FONT=&quot]Edwardsville 66, Alton 53 - Epeneza 24 pts, Mark Smith 13 pts[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Belleville West 67, ESL 60 - Tilmon 19 pts, Liddell 34 pts[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]West Aurora 64, Neuqua Valley 54 - Donatlan 19 pts. (Hey, I heard tonight that Illinois is really on Donatlan for track and field so I may get my wish for another Aurora basketball player in Champaign. He'll just be doing the high jump. Although he's getting a lot of mid major basketball offers so depends on what he wants to do.) [/FONT]
 
#945      
Frazier

Saw Frazier in person tonight. He had 22 first half points, sprained his ankle to open the 3rd quarter, then missed most of the 3rd. He was well on his way to 40, and I'm sure a comfortable victory.
More importantly, he's a GREAT shooter, really good penetrator and shows star athlecism finishing around the rim over taller defenders. His assist numbers were low this game simply because his team is AWFUL, but he made some great passes that weren't converted.
It'd be a dream backcourt of Frazier and Mark Smith if Mark commits. Both will be BIG TEN stars, and I'm usually a tough Illini critic. Groce hit the jackpot with Frazier and it will be a fun next four years! Can't wait (Bart Scott voice)!!
 
#948      
#950      
[FONT=&quot]Joe Henricksen‏ @joehoopsreport 51m51 minutes ago [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Joe Henricksen Retweeted Michael O'Brien[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]There's the 'ol put-my-team-on-my-back-and-let-me-entertain-you Alonzo Verge ....[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Joe Henricksen‏ @joehoopsreport 34m34 minutes ago [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Best individual week? Belleville West's 6-6 sophomore EJ Liddell: 77 pts in two regional Ws over Javon Pickett & Jeremiah Tilmon[/FONT]

Liddell was the best player on the court tonight...scoring from everywhere on the floor, blocking shots (including a Tilmon two handed dunk attempt), grabbing rebounds, and hitting his free throws. He plays with a great temperament and has a very high IQ. Best sophomore in the state.
 
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