Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (July-August 2017)

[IlliniJim20]

Stress? I think I see a flaw in your logic.

I disagree with you here. Some recruits do love all the hype and attention, others view it as part of the process, some view it as tedious.

How many times have we seen recruits NOT take all five visits, even when they are scheduled? It may be they verbal to school A because they feel it, or some just get sick of the process and stop visits.


Every case is different. What's that famous phrase? Something about fluidity?

 

[IlliniJim20]

2018 F AARON HENRY TALKS FINAL FIVE Evan Flood — Contributing Editor - NY2LASPORTS.COM


Illinois: “The numbers Coach Underwood (Brad Underwood) put up at Oklahoma State are hard to say ‘no’ to. I can’t wait to see what Illinois does this year. I can definitely see myself in blue and orange.


Henry will unofficially visit Xavier on Aug. 20 and Ohio State on Aug. 27. He may narrow things down to a final three and then use officials before making a decision prior to his senior season.


http://ny2lasports.com/article_one.aspx?articleid=3908

While we all share the Bolded enthusiasm above, isn't it a moot point? Meaning, won't he sign his LOI before we even play a game, rendering this year's performance "somewhat" irrelevant?

 

[Deleted member 186590]

When someone says a player is a lock, but there is no verbal, I'm a skeptic. Here's how I think about it:

If:
(a) the player knows for certain where he wants to go; and
(b) the player has support for that decision from his family, HS/AAU coaches, etc; and
(c) the recruiting coach welcomes a verbal

Then:
(d) the player will make a verbal, especially if it will enhance the recruitment of other players and/or end the stress of the recruiting process ; or
(e) no verbal indicates one of the premises is false.

In addition, if a player continues to take OVs, even though he has verballed, I assume (a) is false.

The best indication that a player might verbal, regardless of the odds, is if the coaches remain in active pursuit. Those who say Ayo is a lock must explain why he has not verballed. Those who say THT no longer has interest in our program, must explain why the coaches are still actively recruiting him.

I agree with your premise that the concept of being a "lock" is overused. I do think that having recruiting gurus saying a top national recruit is a "lock" for your program is very positive for multiple reasons, even though it's overblown as you point out. So, even though it's a bigger disappointment to lose the kids you think are coming, it's much better than recruiting gurus saying you don't have a chance. So, enjoy the hype! Even if a small percentage end up being disappointing endings, we'd rather have it this way!

 

[Deleted member 186590]

While we all share the Bolded enthusiasm above, isn't it a moot point? Meaning, won't he sign his LOI before we even play a game, rendering this year's performance "somewhat" irrelevant?

I don't think he was saying he's going to "wait and see" how we do this year before making a decision. I think he was just expressing enthusiasm to seeing what BU can do at Illinois.

 

[CAHALL15]

Conditt will never be big. He doesn't have that frame for it.

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I reckon it depends on your definition of "big." Additionally, name a player under Fletcher who has not become stronger/added a noticeable amount of muscle.

 

[Illiniguy13]

I reckon it depends on your definition of "big." Additionally, name a player under Fletcher who has not become stronger/added a noticeable amount of muscle.

While I agree that Fletch is fantastic & Conditt would likely get bigger/stronger under his tutelage, some people naturally have difficulty putting on mass. It's never a guarantee. See: Austin Colbert.

 

[HR217]

Conditt has tremendous upside. Do you take a guy with potential versus a guy like Castleton who looks like more of a sure thing at the college level? Even though they played a head to head and Conditt made Castleton look like a d3 player at best?

The narrative that these guys NEED to put on a lot of mass is just completely false. I mean I'd put good money that most of our team is more muscular and stronger than a lot of guys in the NBA right now. The league has a lot of really good players who are long and athletic and skinny. At every position. There's a lot of guys in the league who really don't even lift st all. Incredible, natural length and athleticism will more than make up for a lack of bulk or strength. See: Durant, Unibrow, Greek Freak etc. as the best of the best examples.

 

[Illini Beer 4 All]

I reckon it depends on your definition of "big." Additionally, name a player under Fletcher who has not become stronger/added a noticeable amount of muscle.

Not really. Your frame for ability to carry weight is most easily seen in the joints. You look at the width of the wrist, elbows knees, etc. The larger the width the larger the frame and more ability to carry weight.

Now obviously I don't have Conditt's measurements but his joints look small to me. Small framed people can add strength but it is really hard for them to add much bulk and no strength coach can do anything about that. Just look at Tisdale and all of his eating 7,000 calorie plans. Look at Tisdale's joints compared to Conditt's, pretty similar.

I just don't think that kid will ever be big.

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[ballislife17]

Conditt has tremendous upside. Do you take a guy with potential versus a guy like Castleton who looks like more of a sure thing at the college level? Even though they played a head to head and Conditt made Castleton look like a d3 player at best?

The narrative that these guys NEED to put on a lot of mass is just completely false. I mean I'd put good money that most of our team is more muscular and stronger than a lot of guys in the NBA right now. The league has a lot of really good players who are long and athletic and skinny. At every position. There's a lot of guys in the league who really don't even lift st all. Incredible, natural length and athleticism will more than make up for a lack of bulk or strength. See: Durant, Unibrow, Greek Freak etc. as the best of the best examples.

If you think those players don't lift...I don't know what to tell you...


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[illiniguy24]

2018 F AARON HENRY TALKS FINAL FIVE Evan Flood — Contributing Editor - NY2LASPORTS.COM


Illinois: “The numbers Coach Underwood (Brad Underwood) put up at Oklahoma State are hard to say ‘no’ to. I can’t wait to see what Illinois does this year. I can definitely see myself in blue and orange.


Henry will unofficially visit Xavier on Aug. 20 and Ohio State on Aug. 27. He may narrow things down to a final three and then use officials before making a decision prior to his senior season.


http://ny2lasports.com/article_one.aspx?articleid=3908

BU said blue and orange in an interview the other day, now Henry says it. It's ORANGE AND BLUE PPL!


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[Deleted member 380722]

BU said blue and orange in an interview the other day, now Henry says it. It's ORANGE AND BLUE PPL!

I'll take it over people saying Illi-noise any day of the week.

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[FiveStar]

If you think those players don't lift...I don't know what to tell you...


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This ESPN article from a couple summers ago actually talks about how many players don't lift. It's among the 4 risk factors young NBA players (college aged guys who were 1-2 and done) have for injuries.

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/13217004/the-four-injury-risks-today-young-nba-players-face

This one talks about the strength coach revolution in college.

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...ditioning-coaches-all-rage-college-basketball

 

[UCantHideYer]

Good discussion here today. Got to comment on many.

Excited about Henry comments. I'm going to say he's our first commit. Narrowed Top 5 list to us after visit. If Sparty doesn't keep up with us in matching their interest, I think he'll pop first.

I agree re. Conditt's frame being a negative. Fletch has worked magic, but there's realistic limits to not taking up horizontal space. I see reach-in fouls in his future.

Still going with the long-shot of Ngumezi for our big. No good reason why.

 

[skyIdub]

Are you sure? I'm pretty awesome.

Maybe a better discussion is what Fletch could do for FiveStar, you know, since he's already signed? I see significant room for improvement. Or just significant room.

 

[Joel Goodson]

2018 F AARON HENRY TALKS FINAL FIVE Evan Flood — Contributing Editor - NY2LASPORTS.COM


Illinois: “The numbers Coach Underwood (Brad Underwood) put up at Oklahoma State are hard to say ‘no’ to. I can’t wait to see what Illinois does this year. I can definitely see myself in blue and orange.


Henry will unofficially visit Xavier on Aug. 20 and Ohio State on Aug. 27. He may narrow things down to a final three and then use officials before making a decision prior to his senior season.


http://ny2lasports.com/article_one.aspx?articleid=3908

Boilerplate positive quote, but ratchets up the pressure on our other wing targets. Which is a good thing.

 

[illiniguy24]

Boilerplate positive quote, but ratchets up the pressure on our other wing targets. Which is a good thing.

Maybe some day we will be in more of a position to have recruits fighting for our open spots


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[Whitman2020]

Excited about Henry comments. I'm going to say he's our first commit.

What? I think we're first two out. Those comments don't mean anything, and even if they did, compare to the rest of the article.

 

[Deleted member 10676]

Prezkop just changed his THT CB from NW to foggy. (Good ole Foggy U.) Interesting that Henry is 100% MSU and THT is 67% MSU but obviously they aren't both going there. Just glad to infer that the momentum that NW seemed to have for Talen is fading. Anywhere but there (and Miznoz although I don't think that was ever a possibility.)

Also, Henricksen said on Tay and J last week that Conditt might be a 3 year project. Should be red-shirted as a freshman, and then expect him to have major growing pains his first year or two on the court - especially if he signs with a B1G school or other high d1 conference. That is probably why Castleton and Sow are bigger targets right now for the staff.
http://247sports.com/PlayerInstitution/Talen-Horton-Tucker-at-Simeon-183602/CurrentExpertPredictions
http://247sports.com/PlayerInstitution/Aaron-Henry-at-Ben-Davis-180829/CurrentExpertPredictions

 

[Deleted member 633632]

Conditt will never be big. He doesn't have that frame for it.

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This is hilarious! Made me chuckle a bit. Maverick Morgan say hi!

 

[RedRocksIllini]

Are you sure? I'm pretty awesome.

I realize it's tough to draw many conclusions from such a brief highlight reel, but a couple things stand out. First, it's been awhile since we've had someone go so aggressively to the hoop. Big ups for that. Second, I like that you held on to the ball all the way to the finish. Suggests that you won't be prone to turnovers. Can you tell us anything about your growth plates?

 

[MC06]

Conditt has tremendous upside. Do you take a guy with potential versus a guy like Castleton who looks like more of a sure thing at the college level? Even though they played a head to head and Conditt made Castleton look like a d3 player at best?

The narrative that these guys NEED to put on a lot of mass is just completely false. I mean I'd put good money that most of our team is more muscular and stronger than a lot of guys in the NBA right now. The league has a lot of really good players who are long and athletic and skinny. At every position. There's a lot of guys in the league who really don't even lift st all. Incredible, natural length and athleticism will more than make up for a lack of bulk or strength. See: Durant, Unibrow, Greek Freak etc. as the best of the best examples.

IMO, which is based only on highlights so take it for what it's worth, Conditt looks better than Castleton right now and in terms of potential. He looks so fluid athletically, which I value way more than bulk and strength (and vertical, although I don't see anything wrong with his). Regardless of whether he gets bigger, he looks to have the aggressiveness to block shots and rebound outside his area. Combine that with seemingly very good handling and shooting for a big, and I think he projects to be a very good college player.

I just don't see Castleton being much of a contributor at the high D1 level.

 

[Deleted member 4333]

I realize it's tough to draw many conclusions from such a brief highlight reel, but a couple things stand out. First, it's been awhile since we've had someone go so aggressively to the hoop. Big ups for that. Second, I like that you held on to the ball all the way to the finish. Suggests that you won't be prone to turnovers. Can you tell us anything about your growth plates?

I think too many plates is the main factor contributing to his growth.

 

[CoalCity]

I think too many plates is the main factor contributing to his growth.

POTD! :congrats:

 

[RichBradIllini]

I would like to announce that I am ending my recruitment and committing to Illinois!

BOOM! Dominoes starting to fall!

 

[james81]

What? I think we're first two out. Those comments don't mean anything, and even if they did, compare to the rest of the article.

I think we've got a shot to get Henry, but everything would have to fall in place, including some other schools losing ground. He seems like a guy who has good instincts about finding the right fit. I'm impressed he made such a quick cut down to 5 schools. I think he'll commit fairly quickly once he takes his visits.