Admittedly I only saw the holiday tournament to base it on but Smith is a PG that can score not a SG or CG. He was the guy to bring the ball up and initiate offense almost every possession. Also not too worried about the rankings because he wasn't considered a legit bball prospect until fairly recently. He would be a perfectly acceptable replacement in the 17 class for Goodwin and may end up being better. Their games are not that different even though Goodwin has the height advantage
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (January-March 2017)
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Admittedly I only saw the holiday tournament to base it on but Smith is a PG that can score not a SG or CG. He was the guy to bring the ball up and initiate offense almost every possession. Also not too worried about the rankings because he wasn't considered a legit bball prospect until fairly recently. He would be a perfectly acceptable replacement in the 17 class for Goodwin and may end up being better. Their games are not that different even though Goodwin has the height advantage
We still have another opening to use for a big man. Though you could argue we could use 2 big guys, but they are harder to find.
Sort of, I'm ok with it if the staff wants him, because there could be a lot going on behind the scenes. But we need a big, ideal would be a couple bigs, one who can contribute next year, one that will be around for 3+ years & at this point I doubt 1 big fills both roles (if he can great, just not counting on it).
It could be the staff sees him as the next coming of DWill, McCamey, Sergio or other comp to be named later...?
The other option is we have at least 2 schollies open, Kiir is gone, Wilkes is gone, Goodwin is gone, Scruggs is gone, other bigs or at least good 2nd big are getting slimmer and we see him as best we can do with 7th scollie. To me this class is similiar to Groce's first class, he filled it, was Tate, Austin, Mav his first choices, probably not...but they were the best options available, despite as much grief as Tate catches, glad we have him over the option of no one, Austin had a chance but didn't work out & his schollie was recycled a couple years later, Mav at this point looks like a win, especially if you consider the other option was that schollie sitting empty.
I expect the truth is somewhere between the next NBA draft choice & plan "c++" because we are getting desperate.
Just a friendly reminder that has been mentioned by others: Villanova won the national title last year with one player over 6'8". FWIW they started 2 PGs. It's possible to win at the college level with 3 guards, one SF, and one big. Heck our '05 Illini followed that recipe to a 39-2 record and loss to UNC in title game. (Williams, Brown, Head, Powell, Augie)
Next year's team will be really attractive to a 5th year senior post player who wants to compete in the BIG and get some good tick.
He's better than the other 3 guards in our class and will likely beat out Tilmon in the Mr. Basketball voting. He's unranked because he didn't play much AAU and was committed to Missouri on a baseball scholarship. He's a legit 4 star talent whether or not he's been properly evaluated yet. Of course we're happy.
He played very little AAU and has improved dramatically during this year. I know Rivals is planning on seeing him soon. His is a case of not being seen. On the court, he has twice outplayed Goodwin, who is ranked in the top 60.
He can play the 1-3. Athleticism and ballhandling.
I think it is a good offer. Classic kid who blows up his senior year. Already has a BT body, can handle it, shoot it, pass it. Other schools are starting to get involved. He already has a Kansas State offer. Louisville is involved. Northwestern. He is hearing from a number of schools now. The word is out, but many schools haven't seen him in person yet.
The fact that's it's possible doesn't mean it's something to strive for. Yes, the game has been guard dominated for a long time, but if you look at the scholarship grid for 2019-20 we have Kipper and possibly Tilmon if he's still here for his JR season.
You can keep plugging the hole with 5th year guys, but it would really big a great idea to get a big man who'd be ready for that 2019-20 season.
See a bunch of answers, potential answers, just my opinion:
IMO: If Scruggs wanted to commit today we would take him.
Other theories:
- Complications around Scruggs (Seems to much like Kool-aid talking, we were in this too long for me to buy this)
- We knew we weren't going too get him, saved resources (We were within a couple of weeks of a visit & decision...I buy our chances may have been slim, but did this really save any resources?)
- Frazier courtesy (I don't see the difference between Smith Scruggs on why this would matter)
- Changing landscape - This seems likely, I think with some shot at Wilkes, a shot at Kiir, Goodwin, Epperson still wide open,... taking another wing/combo doesn't look as attractive...why I don't think we walk away from Scruggs today.
I also think waiting the last few weeks to offer is also a sign that it wasn't an easy decision by the staff to walk away from other opportunities, especially a shot at a 2nd big.
TheFameProtector
- Champaign
I think we can all agree that getting another big is ideal, and should be (presumedly is) a staff priority. You're right, plugging the hole hasn't been the most successful route these past few years.
But, we can never have enough ballhandlers who can drive, pass, and shoot. Our persistent inability to get into the paint and create is what (in my humble opinion) leads to the classic stagnant offense we've grown accustomed to. I'll take a bulldog with a handle and a shot any day of the week.
And then I'll hope and pray we can move on and land one more big. Has there been any word on Epperson of late???
http://www.suntimeshighschoolsports...ot-mark-smith-edwardsville-no-longer-unknown/
Good article from Henricksen on Smith.
Good article from Henricksen on Smith.
+1
and to add, Kipper isn't that big man, I personally haven't seen enough of him to be convinced that he is the stretch 4 that we would need around the 1 big the OP suggested. Last year should also teach us that a back up or 4 at big is also a nice idea.
2019 scares me for bigs if we don't add one more in 2017. I think we need to think of Mav's development timeline when you think of when do you want to bring in a big for 2019.
I expect we will as well, but that is different from being the primary plan and the backup plan. With Tilmon, Black, Finke I'm not convinced we will be as easy of a sell for a 5th year; but when we still have an open schollie after the season sure, we will dabble. But if we could fill up before then, we would.
After seeing Williams, Pickett, and Smith all play in person I like Smith the best. Just one opinion.
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
This. Lack of ranking is understandable. Smith is 100% legit. He's more versatile than Goodwin. He brings a lot more size than TJL and Frazier. We should be thanking our lucky stars, rather than doubting him. Multiple ball handlers on the floor together? Gee, that worked out fairly well before.
I thought it would be Froling as he had a great OV last year. However it looks like he is down to Dayton and Oregon State and says he will decide by 1/10/17.
Deleted member 500209
D
Guest
In addition to everything else stated by others who have seen video or live action of Smith, IF Groce goes, possibly so goes Frazier and maybe a current roster guard. I have no connection to Smith, but I think he come to Illini regardless of Groce's status. Other schollies will open up for bigs (from guards) IF Groce goes. We need a quick jumping rim protecting big man that can catch a pass. Not a fitness shooter.
Another great article on Mark Smith, not sure if it has been mentioned but both parents played college ball at SIUE.
http://thetelegraph.com/sports/94610/prep-boys-basketball-illini-board-bandwagon-for-tigers-smith
http://thetelegraph.com/sports/94610/prep-boys-basketball-illini-board-bandwagon-for-tigers-smith
Great to hear. Doesn't mean I'm not concerned about getting a big, but if he's got grit and is a baller, I'm all for it. I'm a big believer in prioritizing guards, but there's a limit to that for obvious reasons. From what I've read on this board, a number of folks are high on Frazier, so it makes me wonder where Smith would land.
Just not convinced that Groce plans for this case..would think he would be all in on the if Groce stays line.
It has to do more with tools than rankings or being concerned about missing a quality player. Smith is the most PG ready player from the guards we have. I think Damonte and Frazier can start plays from top of the key but both have played off the ball most games I have seen them. My hope is that Damonte can be a PG, his size and athleticism would be huge at that position, just look at Lyle of OSU. The fact that Smith is big and athletic are huge bonus playing against bigger and aggressive scoring guards.
I'm glad he is not a flashy recruit, he is a steady player with a good head on his shoulders. You will win a lot of games with these types. I hope he improves like Watson, but at this point he is further ahead than Watson was in high school. Much better shot and much more in control. I'm glad at this point we are his best offer, I like easy recruitments and not long drawn out losses.
I think Goodwin and Smith are different type players, even though they have similar size. At this point Smith has been named the MOP of a tourney in which Goodwin, Tilmon, and Pickett played in. He has averaged 36 points in the two games against last years states top team and player.
Like somebody mentioned already, he might just win Mr. Illlinois BB. No knock on Matt Chastain, but Smith is show casing his skills against the top teams and players.
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