Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (July-August 2017)

[IlliniBrave75]

Bossi's Best: Big summers have these 10 players on the rise

Talen Horton-Tucker

Why he's trending up: During the summer, I remember a few conversations with coaches whose question was, "What's his position?" My response was always "on the floor." I don't care about labeling him a small forward or a shooting guard, I just know he's savvy, plays hard, is very productive and is still only 16 years old.

Recruitment: Illinois, Iowa State, Northwestern, Kansas, Michigan State, DePaul, Missouri, Dayton and more have offered.

Prediction: Michigan State


https://basketballrecruiting.rivals.com/news/bossi-s-best-already-ranked-and-trending-up-in-2018

 

[Tevo]

Following recruiting is like trying to read a seismograph.

Seismography is fluid.

 

[Tevo]

After Ayo, THT is my number 2 choice. It would disprove the Simeon butthurt over Tate, Nunn, and DJW.
Ayo is a must.

Then#3, Castleton, which I hope commits b4 practice starts, and nothing changes in Florida.

Castleton is certainly playing a higher-priority position, but from a pure player perspective, I'd be much more excited about Iggy. Ayo, THT and Iggy would be ridiculous.

 

[FiveStar]

I hope we get THT just because I really wanna see what Fletch can do with him for 8 weeks over the summer.

The basketball part I'm not really worried about. He's clearly a multifaceted talent who would be able to play everywhere in our halfcourt offensive system.

 

[ChiefIllini]

After Ayo, THT is my number 2 choice. It would disprove the Simeon butthurt over Tate, Nunn, and DJW.
Ayo is a must.

Can they really be butthurt over Tate? He played close to 2000 minutes, started numerous games over 4 years, and was given every chance to prove he could be a quality starter.

Likewise, unless you're going to blame the school/old Groce regime for Nunn's actions, it was all on him. He made a dumb move that forced the administrations hand.

I can see them being salty with how we treated DJW, but again that was almost 100% on Groce (not to mention rumor's of DJW's work ethic, for what it's worth).

Not trying to disprove that they are butthurt, just curious as to why/how they could be. Maybe I'm missing a piece here...

 

[kuhl84]

Castleton is certainly playing a higher-priority position, but from a pure player perspective, I'd be much more excited about Iggy. Ayo, THT and Iggy would be ridiculous.

Would be pretty sweet. Ayo, Iggy, THT, and DeSousa would be even sweeter.

Maryland leads for both Moses Brown and DeSousa. They aren't both going there. I think if Brown commits to Maryland, we have as good a shot as any at DeSousa.

No way it happens, but I think we are still actively involved with them all.

 

[illiniguy24]

Can they really be butthurt over Tate? He played close to 2000 minutes, started numerous games over 4 years, and was given every chance to prove he could be a quality starter.



Likewise, unless you're going to blame the school/old Groce regime for Nunn's actions, it was all on him. He made a dumb move that forced the administrations hand.



I can see them being salty with how we treated DJW, but again that was almost 100% on Groce (not to mention rumor's of DJW's work ethic, for what it's worth).



Not trying to disprove that they are butthurt, just curious as to why/how they could be. Maybe I'm missing a piece here...

We also stuck true to him even after the allegations of domestic abuse. He was proven innocent and we honored that and stuck with him.

Nothing you couple possibly be salty about with him if you're a Simeon coach, alum, etc.


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[OldGreg]

Last year at this time we had Williams, Pickett and Tilmon. Trent didn't sign until the fall.

Put me down for thinking this was a weird title for an article.


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Yeah I was looking at some internet threads the other night, specifically when Trent committed and man how times have changed so quickly

 

[illinitiger]

After Ayo, THT is my number 2 choice. It would disprove the Simeon butthurt over Tate, Nunn, and DJW.
Ayo is a must.

Hey Tornado...did you mean to say "relieve" Simeon butthurt?

I don't know any way to "disprove butthurt"...unless there is no real true pain in the posterior and it is merely psychosomatic (sorry for my literal mind

agree we should maintain healthy relationship with all Illinois HS and AAU programs and I also would love to get THT and Ayo.

 

[Joel Goodson]

I hope we get THT just because I really wanna see what Fletch can do with him for 8 weeks over the summer.

The basketball part I'm not really worried about. He's clearly a multifaceted talent who would be able to play everywhere in our halfcourt offensive system.

I really, really hope we get THT because he's a flat out baller. But, yes, Fletch (along with THT's drive) will make his body, strength and explosion into a monster. Fingers crossed! Side note: THT has definitely slimmed down as he's gotten older.

 

[Joel Goodson]

Would be pretty sweet. Ayo, Iggy, THT, and DeSousa would be even sweeter.

Maryland leads for both Moses Brown and DeSousa. They aren't both going there. I think if Brown commits to Maryland, we have as good a shot as any at DeSousa.

No way it happens, but I think we are still actively involved with them all.

haha, I'll start chugging barrels of orange kool-aid to that!

 

[ILL in IA]

I hope we get THT just because I really wanna see what Fletch can do with him for 8 weeks over the summer.

The basketball part I'm not really worried about. He's clearly a multifaceted talent who would be able to play everywhere in our halfcourt offensive system.

I want to see what Underwood can do with him for the month of March

 

[SescIllini]

"Can they really be butthurt over Tate? He played close to 2000 minutes, started numerous games over 4 years, and was given every chance to prove he could be a quality starter."


Exactly that became the expectation, that he was a primary player. So when an out of state freshmen, coming off a fractured leg displaced him at the end of the season and post season there was butt hurt. Not sure if the butt hurt extended back to Coach Smith and Simeon, but definitely for the Tate family.


One of the biggest challenges for people is having self-awareness. Tate didn't see the writing on the wall. He was not supposed to be our PG for 4 years, it just turned out that way.

 

[Calvin]

When you have a small focus area, pretty easy to follow the bread crumbs. Seems we all know targets, and that 17 year olds can change their mind pretty fast. Sounds like Loren is like rest of us, just waiting .:noidea:

Yeah, I don't have a problem with his article. He's not writing for the folks already in the know.

As far as panicking goes, I saw someone post we had 3 guys committed for the class this time last year....which sounds like a big deal until you realize that Underwood has already brought in 4 commitments! Let's not forget that he's brought in these guys in just a few months on the job, as well as getting his staff together:

Mark Smith
Mark Alstork
Spicey
Matic

He was going to be behind for the 2018 class when he agreed to come here --just have to accept that. We still have some very talented guys on the board, and this staff has some time before the early signing period.

 

[james81]

Originally Posted by Calvin
Let's not forget that he's brought in these guys in just a few months on the job, as well as getting his staff together:

Mark Smith
Mark Alstork
Spicey
Matic

Excellent point. The fact we are one of two BIG schools without a 2018 verbal does not concern me in the least. BU has engaged recruits in a way we haven't seen in a long time: more offers than ever; a national presence; targeted priorities focusing on good players, guys who fit his system, who we have a realistic shot at. Recruiting involves taking risks, and we may come up short, but I wouldn't change anything. Watching the effort our coaches have made since they arrived this spring has been fantastic. What makes it energizing is knowing if BU is successful with this first class and the team performs well during this coming season, we'll be in an even stronger position for the next class.

 

[sacraig]

"Can they really be butthurt over Tate? He played close to 2000 minutes, started numerous games over 4 years, and was given every chance to prove he could be a quality starter."


Exactly that became the expectation, that he was a primary player. So when an out of state freshmen, coming off a fractured leg displaced him at the end of the season and post season there was butt hurt. Not sure if the butt hurt extended back to Coach Smith and Simeon, but definitely for the Tate family.


One of the biggest challenges for people is having self-awareness. Tate didn't see the writing on the wall. He was not supposed to be our PG for 4 years, it just turned out that way.

I just really doubt that a guy like Rob Smith, an actual basketball coach, would be upset over this. The family, sure, but his former coach who ought to understand that he wasn't performing would have to be the ultimate homer to be upset about that.

 

[kuhl84]

Excellent point. The fact we are one of two BIG schools without a 2018 verbal does not concern me in the least. BU has engaged recruits in a way we haven't seen in a long time: more offers than ever; a national presence; targeted priorities focusing on good players, guys who fit his system, who we have a realistic shot at. Recruiting involves taking risks, and we may come up short, but I wouldn't change anything. Watching the effort our coaches have made since they arrived this spring has been fantastic. What makes it energizing is knowing if BU is successful with this first class and the team performs well during this coming season, we'll be in an even stronger position for the next class.

When our primary targets drop us, then I will be concerned. So far, that has not happened.

 

[ChiefIllini]

When our primary targets drop us, then I will be concerned. So far, that has not happened.

Exactly. Our priority recruits, for the most part, have not eliminated us nor have there been lots of commitments from targets. Every recruit timeline is different, none of our top guys have had short ones.

 

[james81]

When our primary targets drop us, then I will be concerned. So far, that has not happened.

That's the risk. I'd be disappointed for sure if we don't get Ayo, but BU has already shown he can recruit. We've entered into the Boyle's law period of recruiting. The pressure increases as the window to commit shrinks. Pressure is released with each commitment. So far, all we're feeling is more pressure and until someone commits, it's going to worse.

 

[Paigncake]

Per twitter/Scott Burgess Maryland has offered George Conditt.

 

[ChiefIllini]

Per twitter/Scott Burgess Maryland has offered George Conditt.

Wow what a pickup by Conditt. Gives me less anxiety if we end up with him as the only big next year.

 

[IlliniMed]

Wow what a pickup by Conditt. Gives me less anxiety if we end up with him as the only big next year.

Because Maryland is such a powerhouse? Yes, they have been good recently but they are the farthest thing from what you could gauge as a "good pickup". People could have said that about the Illini several years ago. With that being said... I would be thrilled with Conditt

 

[Paigncake]

Because Maryland is such a powerhouse? Yes, they have been good recently but they are the farthest thing from what you could gauge as a "good pickup". People could have said that about the Illini several years ago. With that being said... I would be thrilled with Conditt

They're a pretty darn good program right now and they allegedly are a among leaders for Moses Brown and are the favorite for De Souza.. Ignoring they already have 2 centers in the Mitchell brothers (4*s) committed they must thing Conditt brings something unique to offer him with that plethora of bigs committed/interested.

 

[james81]

Per twitter/Scott Burgess Maryland has offered George Conditt.

I think that offer works to our advantage. It's an affirmation to Conditt that he has the capability to play in the BIG. One of my concerns is that he might feel more comfortable at a school like Western Kentucky. I felt the same thing was true for Griffin and I won't be surprised if he chooses Illinois State. If it comes down to deciding between us and MD, we have big advantages. I think MD's offer is one of positioning, in case we get Castleton.

 

[Joel Goodson]

Per twitter/Scott Burgess Maryland has offered George Conditt.

That offer is an affirmation that Conditt's potential is very high. Think many here knew that, but wow! Good for the kid.