Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (January-March 2017)

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#101      

ILHoff

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ILHoff
Calvin said:
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.
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I've never seen Frazier other than highlights so I can't really comment on him. We definitely need a big. My preference is a high schooler as I like to see bigs develop in our system, which makes the team a little more cohesive. I can see the draw to land a 5th year guy because they will help right away, but I feel like we get stuck in a loop by continually signing those transfers. I can see both perspectives, but count me in for a high school big that can develop here for four years.
 
#102      

combes

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combes
ILHoff said:
I've never seen Frazier other than highlights so I can't really comment on him. We definitely need a big. My preference is a high schooler as I like to see bigs develop in our system, which makes the team a little more cohesive. I can see the draw to land a 5th year guy because they will help right away, but I feel like we get stuck in a loop by continually signing those transfers. I can see both perspectives, but count me in for a high school big that can develop here for four years.
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We could take Smith and still get a high school big.
 
#103      

Ga65

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Ga65
Epperson is not being mentioned recently. Is it because we no longer believe he is a possibility? Do not believe he would be a factor next year but would be in the future. I believe Finke would be fine as the back-up to Tilmon and Blackmon. Problem only if we have an injury.

Also wonder if AJ will stay. Four star that doesn't seem to have a future here.
 
#106      

Illiniguy13

Illiniguy13
Illiniguy13
SescIllini said:
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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Agree with all of this, except I'm not so sure Smith is the most point guard ready guard of the bunch...at least not in Groces offense. I haven't seen Smith play to be fair, but high ball screens are Frazier's bread and butter.
 
#108      

MrOizo

MrOizo
Chicago
MrOizo
Calvin said:
Not sure I understand this recruitment. Only seen video, so there's a LOT I'm missing about how good he may be. He reminded me of Sergio --kind of a bruising look to him. However, I don't even see him on 247, and rivals has him without a rating. The only offer I'm seeing was from DePaul. From my look at the roster, we need a big, not an unrated SG (or combo if that's what he is -only saw him listed as a SG).

Does anyone else share this view? Or are we universally happy with this?
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Calvin said:
Not sure I understand this recruitment. Only seen video, so there's a LOT I'm missing about how good he may be. He reminded me of Sergio --kind of a bruising look to him. However, I don't even see him on 247, and rivals has him without a rating. The only offer I'm seeing was from DePaul. From my look at the roster, we need a big, not an unrated SG (or combo if that's what he is -only saw him listed as a SG).

Does anyone else share this view? Or are we universally happy with this?
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http://www.suntimeshighschoolsports...ot-mark-smith-edwardsville-no-longer-unknown/

This helped catch me up on him -

Sent from my LG-H811 using Tapatalk
 
#109      

gottaluvillini

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gottaluvillini
Does anybody know if Coach Groce or any of the assistants will be at the Edwardsville versus East St. Louis game tonight? A great chance to see Jeremiah Tilmon, Hargrove of East St. Louis and Mark Smith of Edwardsville.
 
#110      

nwebb1

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nwebb1
Coach walker just walked in to the smith and tilmon hame
 
#111      

gottaluvillini

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gottaluvillini
Thank you for the update nwebb1. Please give some updates from the game. Are there coaches from other Division 1 schools in attendance?
 
#113      

nwebb1

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nwebb1
Chris Collins looks like he brought his whole staff. Lot of purple next to him
 
#116      

nwebb1

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nwebb1
Smith not looking great tonight. Jumper isn't falling and the smaller quick guards giving him a few issues. He's looked to post up a little bit with some success
 
#117      

nwebb1

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nwebb1
Tilmon just got ejected for kicked the ball. He was getting hacked all night clearly frustrated. PlAying at edwardsville is brutal
 
#119      

nwebb1

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nwebb1
Not sure I've seen smith ever drive hard right. He consistently goes to his left
 
#120      

SescIllini

SescIllini
SescIllini
That is too bad of Tilmon, stay in the game big fella. Lots of Illini fans came to see you.
 
#121      

IlliniCards24

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IlliniCards24
2 games in the 618 tonight. Pickett really struggled against O'Fallon this evening.

Mark Smith has 26 points and just threw down another huge dunk. Kid is absolutely rolling and didn't play great in the first 3 quarters. Had 16 points in 4th and almost had a triple double. Epenesa did not play due to being at All American game for football.
 
#124      

nwebb1

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nwebb1
Smith did finish with 26 but he didn't play great. The ESL quickness gave him a lot of issues IMO. Didn't finish a lot of shots I think he normally does and couldn't hit a jumper. Most points cat the line it seemed like to me.
 
#125      

Deleted member 14522

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Guest
Deleted member 14522
Smith may have ended up with a lot of points but he did not have a great game. I was hoping for a good game between the two teams but it just wasn't the case tonight. Tilmon never had a chance to do anything, got 2 fouls in the first. Benched most of the second. And then had 2 fouls plus a technical to get ejected in the 3rd quarter. On a positive note I got to meet Coach Walker at halftime, very nice guy!
 
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