Probably already rationalizing his decision to go elsewhere: "well, of course Smith chose School X. His main thing was playing time and he saw Lucas, Frazier, DMW, JCL, et all on the roster, so..." It's how fans weave the mythology of the program.
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (January-March 2017)
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Probably already rationalizing his decision to go elsewhere: "well, of course Smith chose School X. His main thing was playing time and he saw Lucas, Frazier, DMW, JCL, et all on the roster, so..." It's how fans weave the mythology of the program.
If only it were possible to field a team with an unusually strong lineup of guards, all of whom get lots of playing time. I wonder if a program has ever managed to field a nationally-successful team like that.
Wouldn't get your hopes up here. Situations always change, but Mr Collins has made more than a good impression on him, his family, and coaches. A Kansas offer would certainly change the landscape, but as of now Collins and NW are sitting well
Yes, Illinois is a high major but Kansas is a Blue Blood that regularly lands top talent. Yes they do underperform (as far as tourney success goes) with the talent they have.
Just saying it'd be much more likely for smith to be recruited-over at a Blue Blood than at Illinois. Also, it would be much easier to earn playing time at Illinois than a Blue Blood. When smith gets there, as it stands right now, he will be competing for 3 positions at Illinois. I know it looks like Illinois has a logjam at guard but DJ will be transferring, smith would play over Aaron jordan and tejon Lucas today. If JCL doesn't develop the rest of his game smith will be more valuable than him from day one. I think Smith, Frazier, and Monte on the floor together would be amazing to watch. Shades of 04-05 amazing. Especially if they all stay together 3-4 years, it will be one of the all-time great backcourts at Illinois. I believe that backcourt would work over our current backcourt. I get excited just thinking how explosive, athletic, and dominating that will be to see if it happens.
Please oh please let it happen!!
From what I've read and gathered playing time is important to him and his family. The importance may not be as documented and as important as it was in the Mayan Kiir recruitment but I do believe that will be a big factor they consider before choosing. But like I said above, if he can't earn substantial time over the guards currently at or on their way to Illinois it's even more unlikely he would earn much tick at Kansas.
Even if he thinks he's better than our current players, he's got to be concerned about playing in this system.
JG plays whoever has seniority whatever the cost
Agree. If Mark Smith looks at DJW, AJ, JCL,and Lucas, then looks at DMW, Frazier and Pickett and is "scared" that he might not play then SIUE or Western might be a better choice for him.
Now if he's scared about who will be coaching him or who he would be playing with then I'd completely understand.
Why would Smith need to be scared of any of the aforementioned players?
IMO I've seen Smith play & he is hands down as good or better than most players on the list.
No worries I don't know about SIUE, Western or Parkland Community College but I do know Northwestern, Indiana, Nebraska, K-State, Boston College, DePaul or Vandy would all take Smith .....
gibbs was saying that Smith wouldn't be afraid of competition based on that group. If he doesn't come here, it's likely due to the instability of the program and concerns about the team's overall talent level.
Tevo
- Wilmette, IL
Makes sense. Collins is proving his worth, and solidly in place for years, NW is better than us right now, MacIntosh has a year left. He could come in and be a part of possibly the best teams NW has ever had. (Which is, of course, not saying much...)
But I think he grew up more of an Illini fan -- we'll see...
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I would think Collins is making a pretty good case to take that Duke position when K retires
Wittsdream
- Chicago
Instability with the UI program is THE primary reason Smith would go elsewhere. He has a better overall skillset than any guard Illinois currently has on the roster and among incoming recruits next season.
If Collins lands him, NU is setting themselves up to be perennial NCAA tourney bid contenders, especially if CC can land a quality big and another scorer in the '18 class.
Like some have stated on here before, and those familiar with Smith's game can corroborate, he would instantly become one of Illinois' Top 3 players on next year's roster (perhaps alongside JCL and Tilmon). That's how good he is, and you're talking about someone who divided up his non-academic time playing baseball throughout his formative years, including high school.
Once he sticks to just playing hoops, and chisels his body with a year or so in a weight room, the kid is going to be a Jamal Murray type player by the time he's a 2nd or 3rd year collegian. Take that to the bank!
Would be yet another disappointing recruiting loss (considering that he's a Big Ten ready scoring PG) if Illinois lets him slip through their fingers, especially to in-state and conference foe NU.
We'll see how things shake out over the next 6 weeks, as far as the future of the program is concerned.
If Collins lands him, NU is setting themselves up to be perennial NCAA tourney bid contenders, especially if CC can land a quality big and another scorer in the '18 class.
Like some have stated on here before, and those familiar with Smith's game can corroborate, he would instantly become one of Illinois' Top 3 players on next year's roster (perhaps alongside JCL and Tilmon). That's how good he is, and you're talking about someone who divided up his non-academic time playing baseball throughout his formative years, including high school.
Once he sticks to just playing hoops, and chisels his body with a year or so in a weight room, the kid is going to be a Jamal Murray type player by the time he's a 2nd or 3rd year collegian. Take that to the bank!
Would be yet another disappointing recruiting loss (considering that he's a Big Ten ready scoring PG) if Illinois lets him slip through their fingers, especially to in-state and conference foe NU.
We'll see how things shake out over the next 6 weeks, as far as the future of the program is concerned.
Doesn't take a rocket scientist to see, either. I think we're all a bit frustrated with the state of the program, but we should be especially grateful to recruits who want to become Illini right now. I'm expecting things to improve, but that's based on my own assumptions about the future.
Sleeping on Frazier.
Deleted member 500209
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Re: "Instability with the UI program is THE primary reason Smith would go elsewhere. He has a better overall skillset than any guard Illinois currently has on the roster and among incoming recruits next season."
My opinion only- the likelihood of Illini having Groce (or better) is greater than the chance of Chrissy hanging around NW for 3-5 more years. Capels recent performance as interim at Duke may open up the door for CC. I am aware of his suburban ties, but I think NBA, like his dad, or a higher tier coaching job is in his future vs long term NW future.
Hopefully the fellow downstate recruits that we have make him want to join them in the O&B. Half full viewpoint.
My opinion only- the likelihood of Illini having Groce (or better) is greater than the chance of Chrissy hanging around NW for 3-5 more years. Capels recent performance as interim at Duke may open up the door for CC. I am aware of his suburban ties, but I think NBA, like his dad, or a higher tier coaching job is in his future vs long term NW future.
Hopefully the fellow downstate recruits that we have make him want to join them in the O&B. Half full viewpoint.
We need a win today. I really want Groce to stay . I think this class with Mark Smith is loaded and significantly upgrades the talent which is the biggest problem we have. Tillmon is the best big we will have had with Groce and Lucas, Frazier and Smith will be the best point guards we have had.
Wittsdream
- Chicago
Au contraire, mon frere...........love Frazier's game. In fact, I think he's a better overall talent than TJL is right now. I just believe Smith's size and skills translate really well at the next level, out of the gate.
Would love to see a Frazier, Smith and JCL starting backcourt take shape in Champaign, with Black and Tilmon up front. Plenty of versatility off the bench, too, with TJL, Finke, Nichols, DJW, Pickett and DMW (if he's healthy).
Oh, and of course.........a new coach who can infuse some confidence, cohesion and culture (the 3 Cs), and run an offensive scheme that maximizes the strengths of each player, while allowing the inexperienced frosh to grow and have some fun with creative two-man ball! It's gonna take some kind of mini-miracle to find a replacement HC who can retain all of our 2017 recruits, and land Smith.
On a slightly different tangent, Nunn was one of the few Illini players of recent vintage who could consistently drain a three, attack the basket, and dunk the ball with authority on breakouts (would have been nice watching him paired with Brandon Paul on the wing for a season). KN would have filled a huge void currently missing on this squad.
It's ironic to think that he was viewed as Groce's breakthrough recruit back in 2012, a harbinger of great things to come. Yet his transgressions and ultimate dismissal last Spring is emblematic of the fractured culture of the program (with the uncouth behavior of several players and stop-gap transfers under-performing), along with the crucial recruiting misses and miscalculations, all of which are root causalities of the program's failures under Groce's stewardship; though one can certainly empathize with his travails in having to deal with countless injuries over the last two seasons.
But what we've seen this season easily discredits his proclamation that "we're not an excuse-based organization."
MrOizo
- Chicago
I absolutely drool over Frazier and Smith on the same team. This is a ridiculous comparison, but it makes me think of Dee and Deron *if only* in that you can see their games complimenting each other. They could play together and you wouldn't even ask who is the PG and who is the SG. It would just work.
Agree 100%. One lightning quick and one that can bully his way to the rim. Would be an amazing pair of we can just land Smith. I don't think even Groce could screw that up, primarily because he wouldn't have the 3 F's to sub in just as things got rolling.
Recruits
Frazier and Smith would be ridiculous together, perfect compliments and also free up even more of the 15-18" shots for others also...they both could start on this team right now...
Williams may not be far behind...see him as more combo swing guard...
Tilmon will be good, but he is not even a 2 and done player imo...4 years I think, and not as sudden impact as many want to believe....
I think we will be 4 guards and Black quite often next year....
Frazier and Smith would be ridiculous together, perfect compliments and also free up even more of the 15-18" shots for others also...they both could start on this team right now...
Williams may not be far behind...see him as more combo swing guard...
Tilmon will be good, but he is not even a 2 and done player imo...4 years I think, and not as sudden impact as many want to believe....
I think we will be 4 guards and Black quite often next year....
Deleted member 3875
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The type of combo Nova, Louisville, UK have shown work.
Agree 100%. One lightning quick and one that can bully his way to the rim. Would be an amazing pair of we can just land Smith. I don't think even Groce could screw that up, primarily because he wouldn't have the 3 F's to sub in just as things got rolling.
3 T's. Damn autocorrect.
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