Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (July-August 2016)

[Bomb Squad 217]

@BSnowScout
Izzo, Painter, Mack, Beilein, Brey, as well as Ohio State, Nebraska, Indiana, Butler, & Illinois here for Paul Scruggs and Kris Wilkes

Look for us to be making headway with Wilkes. Not that its likely but we have a new avenue now.

 

[TCTORNADO]

Revised 247 Composite rankings out.
#12 Bowen
#24 Tilmon
#31 Scruggs
#48 JGood
#61 Eastern
#68 Smith
#99 Lewis
#103 Uyelumno
#112 Frazier

Just a few might have missed some.

 

[Joel Goodson]

Heads will explode if we land Scruggs and Wilkes. That they'll largely be Indiana cabezas makes it all the sweeter. 'Course the cheating accusations will be coming like a tsunami of bitter tears. That said, I'll be shocked if we can get in w/Wilkes. Can't hurt to try though. Maybe the idea of joining a super class is appealing.

 

[Johnny Lawrence]

This whole "Smith is not a 4" narrative is getting old. Traditionally, that is correct but guess what...Villanova just won a championship with 6'5" maybe 6'6" Kris Jenkins basically being their 4 man. Smith can without a doubt fill that type of role and after two years in the program and with Fletcher bulking him up, Smith could be even better at it. As long as you have a competant, rim protecting 5 (we just landed one) and your whole team commits to rebounding, there's absolutely no reason Groce can't make that work.

Perhaps Smith doesn't want to go somewhere where he'll knowingly be expected to play out of position. That's not exactly the best way to develop his skill set for the next level.

 

[soupy17]

Revised 247 Composite rankings out.
#12 Bowen
#24 Tilmon
#31 Scruggs
#48 JGood
#61 Eastern
#68 Smith
#99 Lewis
#103 Uyelumno
#112 Frazier

Just a few might have missed some.

Adding a few:

#13 Kris Wilkes
#54 Derek Culver
#119 DaMonte Willimas
#129 Theo John
#192 Mayan Kiir
#218 Javon Pickett
NR Thomas Allen

 

[Joel Goodson]

I would imagine there's a spring in the staff's step these days. Heady times.

 

[jrichisamazing]

Which AAU team is Pickett playing for? Haven't heard his name yet this summer.

 

[OldGreg]

That's fine if you have the center position manned, but when Smith is a junior who is that going to be? Incoming freshmen? A 5th year transfer? It just seems like a really good time to take a project big that doesn't need to do a whole lot for his first couple of years other than develop and adjust.

That's fair. Maybe we land a big that transfers after this year, maybe Groce pulls another rabbit out of his you know what and lands Gordon in 2018. I know this is kind of silly, because I absolutely love Scruggs, Lewis and Frazier, but I would love even more an all Illinois class. That would just be the f***ing coolest thing IMO. Add Goodwin, Eastern and Smith and I'd be in lala land. Even if they don't all fill needs, it would just be awesome. In dream land still, if they all stuck around for say 3 years, that could be like 30 for 30 material. But I'd still take Kiir or John, no questions asked, but that all Illinois class would be so dope.

 

[AnticipatedSerendipity]

Anyone care to explain Scruggs and Wilkes style/play?

 

[ritster]

I would imagine there's a spring in the staff's step these days. Heady times.

In sales , the best time to get a new sale is right after a sale. Confidence is high and clients (recruits) can smell this.

 

[First2Ten]

Carte'Are Gordon mentions a future visit to Illinois - big area name we'll continue to talk more about https://basketballrecruiting.rivals.com/news/interest-picks-up-for-2018-s-gordon

 

[WesterveltVictoryCigar]

@EvanDaniels
2018 PG Courtney Ramey is putting on a show at @ny2lasports. His vision/passing is impressive. Five three-pointers. Playing on both ends.

 

[TCTORNADO]

That's fair. Maybe we land a big that transfers after this year, maybe Groce pulls another rabbit out of his you know what and lands Gordon in 2018. I know this is kind of silly, because I absolutely love Scruggs, Lewis and Frazier, but I would love even more an all Illinois class. That would just be the f***ing coolest thing IMO. Add Goodwin, Eastern and Smith and I'd be in lala land. Even if they don't all fill needs, it would just be awesome. In dream land still, if they all stuck around for say 3 years, that could be like 30 for 30 material. But I'd still take Kiir or John, no questions asked, but that all Illinois class would be so dope.

Wow, you might want to contact Joel to see if his contractor will give you a referral discount. 30 for 30 material LOL.

 

[Joel Goodson]

Wow, you might want to contact Joel to see if his contractor will give you a referral discount. 30 for 30 material LOL.

Fever dream: it's happening! Got to keep chugging the kool-aid.

 

[TCTORNADO]

Groce and PP top row (left on pic) @ Summer Jam in Milwaukee.

 

[t7nich]

https://mobile.twitter.com/Evan_Flood/status/753417478051663872

Evan Flood – ‏@Evan_Flood

Illinois commit Damonte Williams forgot to request NASA for lift off. Just took off from about the free throw line and put home a huge dunk.
7:34 PM - 13 Jul 2016

 

[TCTORNADO]

Evan Fllod tweeted:

Justin Smith is so athletic it's not fair. He jumps then has the ability to hit the pause button and just hand and finish.

MIF wins in 2OT and Smith with 22pts.
Yup Groce and PP were there.:thumb:

 

[americanoutlaw11]

So what has happened to Da'Monte to experience such a fall in the rankings? I know he missed some time with a sprained ankle, but falling from the 40's to outside the top 100 seems pretty significant

 

[illiniguy24]

Has Goodwin mentioned a timeframe on when he is would like to commit by?


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[Illiniguy13]

So what has happened to Da'Monte to experience such a fall in the rankings? I know he missed some time with a sprained ankle, but falling from the 40's to outside the top 100 seems pretty significant

Didn't have a very good spring. It's a consistency concern with him, not talent. He oozes with talent. On a good day, he is a top 50 player in 17' without question...Just gotta see more of those good days.

 

[WesterveltVictoryCigar]

Has Goodwin mentioned a timeframe on when he is would like to commit by?

IIRC he's said he wants to wait until after the AAU season is over.

 

[SescIllini]

Going to update my big man wish list, would take Derek Culver over the others. If all he did was dunk and block shots which appears he could do that in the college level I would take him. But he is very skilled for a legitimate college level big man. His passing skills and mid-range jumper would compliment playing alongside J Tilmon. Appears that he could also back-up Tilmon at center as well.

I know that the stretch 4 is becoming the norm, but I'm tired of getting killed inside and constantly losing the rebound battle. A combo of Tilmon and Culver would give us an elite level talent at the PF and C spots.

OSU and WVU appear to be the leaders, but Groce knows Ohio well. Possibly at 6-10 could be sold on not being the center but being developed as a PF for the next level.

 

[HC Illini]

In a recent interview Tilmon said Goodwin is waiting on an offer from a particular school. It's not a blue blood and they didn't make the tourney last year. He is not going to go there it's just somewhere he'd like to have an offer from. Anybody know who he might be talking about?

 

[IanKEvans2]

In a recent interview Tilmon said Goodwin is waiting on an offer from a particular school. It's not a blue blood and they didn't make the tourney last year. He is not going to go there it's just somewhere he'd like to have an offer from. Anybody know who he might be talking about?

 

[TCTORNADO]

In a recent interview Tilmon said Goodwin is waiting on an offer from a particular school. It's not a blue blood and they didn't make the tourney last year. He is not going to go there it's just somewhere he'd like to have an offer from. Anybody know who he might be talking about?

Morehead