I think you've nailed it--probably about the best we can do. If Ayo commits first (unlikely), BU might be able to leverage that to pull in a stronger wing.
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (July-August 2017)
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I think you've nailed it--probably about the best we can do. If Ayo commits first (unlikely), BU might be able to leverage that to pull in a stronger wing.
IlliniDent
- Chicago, IL
I don't see Okoro or Liddell being turned off by having to outplay the current bigs we will have when they come in. They would come in and immediately move to the top of the depth chart.
Think Stewart and Sow are both great prospects, but pushing hard for them let's other recruits know we're looking everywhere for recruits. Now Stewart is committed elsewhere, that leaves us to look hard elsewhere. Sow making a visit here might be nice , but I don't think there's any chance a West coast kid will come to play here.
As it looks at most our recruits going to be in state. Plain and simple. They know what they are getting here, whereas out-of-state guys get little info. We will see who will visit, how they like it, and what they say. Ayo made 1st visit here, which should be a hopeful sign, but doubt he commits anytime soon. After that anyone that commits, will force staff to start making choices.
Liddell has already expressed interest in coming here, Mark Smith is all over him, so I really think he's gonna be here. 1 big in 2018, which ever works. Gonna be interesting once the first one makes a commit soon.
Joel Goodson
- ties will be resolved
That is the ONLY bright side to the THT saga for me. Really hope that's the driver. I'd love, love, love to have THT playing for our team.
I'm to the acceptance stage, but I'd sure like to know why. Is it Ayo? (doesn't make much sense), is it the Irvins and the Fire (again, doesn't make sense, he'd be playing for us, not the Fire) or is it something we've done? (doubt it). A perceived sleight? Or is it that THT knows he'll be second banana and he won't accept that? Total mystery.
Just a total, uninformed guess: Is it possible that Talen Horton-Tucker's declining interest in attending the beloved University of Illinois could be related to DJ Williams' and Jaylon Tate's playing (or non-playing) experiences in Champaign? Just asking.
THT wants to be the man wherever he goes and I think he realizes he wont be here at ILL. Especially with 2 Mr. Basketballs on our team.
Joel Goodson
- ties will be resolved
If true, MSU's out.
IlliniDent
- Chicago, IL
I mean I get the theory but if thats the case his top 5 doesn't make much sense. He would be a monster on our team and able to play any of the top 4 spots. The beauty of this offense is how flexible it is. In Groce teams- players only had 1 to 2 spots they could play in, meaning log jams at positions happened often. In this offense, a player like THT could play any of the top 4 spots.
The only log jam is at the 5 in this offense but I think that's why we have seen BU go for guys that can stretch it out and allow them to play the 4 as well. Conditt and Castelton could both play the 4 down the road in this offense due to their ability to stretch the court. Okoro is the kind of player that would probably be stuck at the 5 in this offense but he would get so many good looks from that spot and having everyone else cleared out that it should be appealing regardless.
My projection of our '18 class in order from heavy consultation with my magic eight ball:
First, a wing not yet on the radar. Maybe European.
Second, Pearson
Third, Ngumezi
Fourth, Ayo. With drama. CBs to tilt 100% off of us to whatever direction his OVs go, but finally he'll sign on with us.
First, a wing not yet on the radar. Maybe European.
Second, Pearson
Third, Ngumezi
Fourth, Ayo. With drama. CBs to tilt 100% off of us to whatever direction his OVs go, but finally he'll sign on with us.
MSU was supposedly a "dream offer" for THT. Had visited there back in Oct.
Joel Goodson
- ties will be resolved
Exactly. How does one reconcile his "dream offer" with his need to be the man? 'Cause he's not going to be the man at MSU.
Joel Goodson
- ties will be resolved
He'll be a man at MSU, which is precisely what he'd be at Illinois. Plus, we run an offense where he'd absolutely feast. So, what the heck?
Deleted member 10676
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[FONT="]Interesting that I go on other team's boards that are recruiting THT, I go on other Illinois boards, I talk to a couple guys I know who know people involved in basketball in Chicago and the only place I hear that THT wants to be 'the man' wherever he goes is on here. Anybody got any sources for that beyond 'word on the street'? I have no idea where he's going to end up but I'm pretty sure wherever he goes it won't be because he's asking to be the 'the man'. [/FONT]
[FONT="]At this point he says:[/FONT]
[FONT="]THT5 @_Tal0w [/FONT]
[FONT="]IM WIDE OPEN[/FONT]
[FONT="]And while I don't expect that to mean we're going to get him, although I certainly would like to, that's about all he's said about his recruitment.
[/FONT][FONT="]And as for any animosity between him and Ayo and/or the Fire, all I've heard him say is He's got no problem with Ayo or the Fire. Which is him being a lot bigger than Mike Irvin has been. I mean, can anybody guess who else the tweet below could be about? It just popped up on the MIF twitter tonight and even after being asked, they haven't said who it refers to but after six weeks of non-subtle digs at Talen for leaving the Fire, I'm pretty sure I can guess who they're talking about. And by 'they', I mean Mike. Nick has to play Simeon this year so I don't think he's going to throw too much shade at a kid who can go off for 30 or more if you get him riled.
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Mac Irvin Fire @TheMacIrvinFire 5h5 hours ago
If he was 3 inches taller he will have a position. I'm not sure what's his position at the college level because he's not a good defender.
[FONT="]At this point he says:[/FONT]
[FONT="]THT5 @_Tal0w [/FONT]
[FONT="]IM WIDE OPEN[/FONT]
[FONT="]And while I don't expect that to mean we're going to get him, although I certainly would like to, that's about all he's said about his recruitment.
[/FONT][FONT="]And as for any animosity between him and Ayo and/or the Fire, all I've heard him say is He's got no problem with Ayo or the Fire. Which is him being a lot bigger than Mike Irvin has been. I mean, can anybody guess who else the tweet below could be about? It just popped up on the MIF twitter tonight and even after being asked, they haven't said who it refers to but after six weeks of non-subtle digs at Talen for leaving the Fire, I'm pretty sure I can guess who they're talking about. And by 'they', I mean Mike. Nick has to play Simeon this year so I don't think he's going to throw too much shade at a kid who can go off for 30 or more if you get him riled.
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Mac Irvin Fire @TheMacIrvinFire 5h5 hours ago
If he was 3 inches taller he will have a position. I'm not sure what's his position at the college level because he's not a good defender.
Tevo
- Wilmette, IL
I think this has been asked before: Is THT a more mobile version of Sergio McClain? Crafty, good basketball IQ, very effective without being an eye-popping athlete, does many things well, but possibly a step or two slow, and/or a few inches too short to have a natural college position?
Sergio won a TON in high school, but was also on good teams. In college, it felt like he never quite found his place. Sort of a less-effective Draymond.
Is THT considerably more skilled than Sergio was? I suppose stats could answer some of that, but I'm too tired to look it up.
I would think for sure we would take both, I am one of the ones who feel like we will take 2 bigs, as others said Sow and Conditt are very different type players , BU says he wants a lot of different type players with different skill sets so to me this would be a perfect example of what he is saying.
This is my thinking as well, EJ and Okoro aren't being recruited to play the same spot here, if that was the case no chance your going to get both, same I think with Conditt and Sow or any other big in 18, It will be so nice once this season starts so we can see how BU uses the guys we have, so we can have a better view of where recruits can see time. I wonder how many of you would faint if you see, Spicy G, Finke and Black all on the floor at the same time.
Deleted member 380722
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Guest
We need just one domino to fall to get things rolling. That domino is Ayo. He commits and others will follow suit. Look at what has happened at Indiana and Mississippi State as references. Also please remind yourselves that unfortunately we have been a losing program for a decade and BU only has so much to sell. We won't get major classes until we prove to be an exiting program. Until then, we all need to have confidence in the evaluations our staff makes for projected targets. Remember how Trey Burke, Aaron Kraft, Robbie Hummel, etc. we're all 3-stars? You get the right players for your system, and have competent coaching and you will have success. TRUST. THE. PROCESS!!!
The offer over the weekend to Amanze Ngumezi shows BU is committed to getting a big man this class, and in part, I think it purposively sent a message to the other potential big recruits--specifically Conditt. If Ayo doesn't commit, I could see us take two bigs (if we can get them). If that happens, it would provide some flexibility for the next two recruiting classes where the focus would shift to the perimeter players--the best recruits that fit his system regardless of position. No doubt, BU is going national. Groce had limited success. That may change. I will not be surprised if years 2 and 3 continue what occurred this year--a balance between instate and out-of-state recruits.
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Just a total, uninformed guess: Is it possible that Talen Horton-Tucker's declining interest in attending the beloved University of Illinois could be related to DJ Williams' and Jaylon Tate's playing (or non-playing) experiences in Champaign? Just asking.
New coach so very doubtful.
Tht was very very interested in Illinois until all this mac Irvin fire drama started.
The coaches haven't given up on THT. We are buried in a fog of rumors and speculations which probably won't clear up until we get a short list from THT.
Deleted member 10676
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[FONT="]THT5 @_Tal0w 9h9 hours ago [/FONT]
[FONT="]nobody can stop you from getting blessed[/FONT][FONT="] [/FONT][FONT="]let people talk[/FONT]
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[FONT="]Jack Jackson @JaxonJackson22 9h9 hours ago[/FONT]
[FONT="]Replying to @_Tal0w [/FONT]
[FONT="]Coaches tweeting out stuff is ridiculous. You young men are taking the higher road and props on that.[/FONT]
Deleted member 10676
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Guest
Agreed. As long as Underwood and Coleman keep watching his games, and they are, I'm not listening to the BS. I'm one of the crazies who want him more than Ayo, so I'm keeping up hope. (And no, that does not mean I dislike Ayo or wouldn't want him to play for us.)
Joel Goodson
- ties will be resolved
+1
Why can't we have both! (cue cute clip). Just to be clear, I don't want THT more than Ayo.
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