Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (July-August 2017)

[Greensboro]

I agree with your "math" but if you listen to MSU message boards they think it might be Lugentz Dort the #3 ranked SG and not the 100+ ranked Henry or THT. They definitely will not take 6 for 2018.

That makes sense, I'm sure Dort would be first choice, just not that clued into MSU recruiting to know how likely it is he choses MSU.

Do you know the story on the Former Preferred Walk-on (Kenny Goins) according to VC, is that a full time schollie or a yr to yr deal if they have an opening? If that is tentative, I would think they would & could go to 6, especially if Dort was #6 or they really liked Henry or THT.

 

[Indy Illini Fan]

Hearing no Archie. But that things with THT are good.

Hopefully that THT and Ayo package can come back to life.

 

[sacraig]

I don't know who your sources are, but you have been wrong an awful lot in the past. Please don't jinx us with Ayo.

I don't know that you can say he has been wrong a lot when he generally has refrained from making any definitive statements about what will and won't happen. He just shares what he (supposedly) hears from his (supposed) sources, and as well all know, things can change quickly.

Whatever, I just take everything with a grain of salt and try to enjoy the ride.

 

[TCTORNADO]

That makes sense, I'm sure Dort would be first choice, just not that clued into MSU recruiting to know how likely it is he choses MSU.

Do you know the story on the Former Preferred Walk-on (Kenny Goins) according to VC, is that a full time schollie or a yr to yr deal if they have an opening? If that is tentative, I would think they would & could go to 6, especially if Dort was #6 or they really liked Henry or THT.

Kenny Goins has been on ship last 2 years and averaged 18.5 min. per game. Doubt that Izzo would Crean him now.

 

[illinitiger]

The big difference is a change in strategy...Previous regimes rolled the dice without adequate fall back options.

We need a big or two, are working DeSousa, Cassleton, Sow, Conditt.

We need a wing or two, are working THT, Henry, Nolley, Archie, Finke

We want Ayo.

We want Iggy.

Lots of options to get to three rides, unlike predecessors. Many options to get to 4 as well, if its the right 4.

I believe our "needs" should be our main focus versus "wants"....partcularly Bigs. If we dont get a Big, I dont think we can call this class a success, regardless of any marquis signees.

 

[TCTORNADO]

The big difference is a change in strategy...Previous regimes rolled the dice without adequate fall back options.

We need a big or two, are working DeSousa, Cassleton, Sow, Conditt.

We need a wing or two, are working THT, Henry, Nolley, Archie, Finke

We want Ayo.

We want Iggy.

Lots of options to get to three rides, unlike predecessors. Many options to get to 4 as well, if its the right 4.

I believe our "needs" should be our main focus versus "wants"....partcularly Bigs. If we dont get a Big, I dont think we can call this class a success, regardless of any marquis signees.

Corey Evans supposedly tweeted earlier today that Illinois did not make Kaden Archie's final list.

 

[berto]

I believe our "needs" should be our main focus versus "wants"....partcularly Bigs. If we dont get a Big, I dont think we can call this class a success, regardless of any marquis signees.

I'm holding out for the Marquis de Lafayette. Big man with handles out from France. May reclassify for 2018.

 

[Indy Illini Fan]

I do not pay for any of my content that I receive. I have no need to. Just what I am hearing from people close to the situation with recruits.

FWIW Archie himself has not posted a cut list on any of his social medias, so who knows what the official list is?

 

[james81]

A few thoughts on why we are in a good position (of course, with an Illinois slant):

MSU already has a loaded class (four 4* recruits) including one wing. It's great to get an offer from Izzo, but it's going to be hard place to get playing time. MSU could disappear as an option for both THT and Henry--neither are Izzo's first pick for his last spot. In the end, I don't think either THT or Henry go to MSU.

Like us, Butler and Xavier have 0 recruits for 2018. They are both small schools with under 5,000 undergrads. That may be attractive to some recruits. I could see Henry at Butler and Castleton and Ayo at Xavier. However, Illinois has a lot to offer: academic standing, BIG status, national TV (great for parents), high-powered offense, chance to play early. I give Butler the edge for Henry; we have the edge over Xavier for Ayo and Castleton, largely due to coaching relationships.

Kansas could get Ayo but he's not their top priority. His position may disappear before he gets a chance to commit.

Florida could get Castleton, but I don't think he'll wait an extra year.

The schools that have offered Conditt are too convoluted to figure out. One thing is clear: he's got a national, wide-open field to choose from. I always thought he would be our first commitment, but no longer. He's got too many options and there's no news about what's he thinking.

Of the main schools we are competing with (Kansas, MSU, Xavier, and Butler) we are at the bottom in terms of recent NCAA appearances. Does that matter? It might. That is something that BU must overcome, but he has a lot of good selling points.

My general feeling is we end up with 3 recruits from Ayo, THT, Castleton, Henry, and Conditt. We don't get the other out-of-state recruits.

 

[LakesideKid23]

THT had gotten more offers, that's all that I have seen, KU and MSU, both of which are probably non-committable. That being said I too think we are still in the running.IMO

what would make you say non-comittable in regards to tht going to ku or msu................... he is really supposed to be going into his jr year he is playing up will not make 18 until after his first college game he is going to be a pro needs a program to get him there and u of i hasnt produced many pros in the recent years last pro i can think of is meyers leonard

 

[Smacko]

All of the talk of THT may be moot if we get Ayo. If the rift there is as bad as some people have speculated, then they will not play together.

 

[Paigncake]

A few thoughts on why we are in a good position (of course, with an Illinois slant):

MSU already has a loaded class (four 4* recruits) including one wing. It's great to get an offer from Izzo, but it's going to be hard place to get playing time. MSU could disappear as an option for both THT and Henry--neither are Izzo's first pick for his last spot. In the end, I don't think either THT or Henry go to MSU.

Like us, Butler and Xavier have 0 recruits for 2018. They are both small schools with under 5,000 undergrads. That may be attractive to some recruits. I could see Henry at Butler and Castleton and Ayo at Xavier. However, Illinois has a lot to offer: academic standing, BIG status, national TV (great for parents), high-powered offense, chance to play early. I give Butler the edge for Henry; we have the edge over Xavier for Ayo and Castleton, largely due to coaching relationships.

Kansas could get Ayo but he's not their top priority. His position may disappear before he gets a chance to commit.

Florida could get Castleton, but I don't think he'll wait an extra year.

The schools that have offered Conditt are too convoluted to figure out. One thing is clear: he's got a national, wide-open field to choose from. I always thought he would be our first commitment, but no longer. He's got too many options and there's no news about what's he thinking.

Of the main schools we are competing with (Kansas, MSU, Xavier, and Butler) we are at the bottom in terms of recent NCAA appearances. Does that matter? It might. That is something that BU must overcome, but he has a lot of good selling points.

My general feeling is we end up with 3 recruits from Ayo, THT, Castleton, Henry, and Conditt. We don't get the other out-of-state recruits.

I've seen nothing from Ayo or Castleton to suggest either wants to play for a school with a small student population. I'm unsure why you believe that would be a pro in any way.

 

[Illini Beer 4 All]

All of the talk of THT may be moot if we get Ayo. If the rift there is as bad as some people have speculated, then they will not play together.

They rift was with Mike Irvin, not Ayo and Talen.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[Smacko]

They rift was with Mike Irvin, not Ayo and Talen.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Yes, but that doesn't mean it couldn't prevent them from playing together. If Irvin tells BU and the staff that Ayo is only coming if they stop recruiting THT, the staff will have to make a choice. If the Irvins don't want them to be on the same team, then they won't be on the same team.

 

[illinitiger]

Yes, but that doesn't mean it couldn't prevent them from playing together. If Irvin tells BU and the staff that Ayo is only coming if they stop recruiting THT, the staff will have to make a choice. If the Irvins don't want them to be on the same team, then they won't be on the same team.

I feel sorry for kids and their family if they relinquish that much control to a HS or AAU coach. I know it probably happens though,

If I was a parent dealing with a coach thats drawing redlines and making moves with my kid as a chess piece, Id be very frustrated.

 

[Combo]

what would make you say non-comittable in regards to tht going to ku or msu................... he is really supposed to be going into his jr year he is playing up will not make 18 until after his first college game he is going to be a pro needs a program to get him there and u of i hasnt produced many pros in the recent years last pro i can think of is meyers leonard

Welcome to the board Talen. Hope you join the Illini.

We haven't produced a lot of pros recently because we haven't gotten a lot of top recruits. That's pretty much the way it works. Kentucky, Kansas, etc don't "produce" pros. They recruit kids that would be pros regardless of where they go to college.

 

[Kathy]

Welcome to the board Talen. Hope you join the Illini.

We haven't produced a lot of pros recently because we haven't gotten a lot of top recruits. That's pretty much the way it works. Kentucky, Kansas, etc don't "produce" pros. They recruit kids that would be pros regardless of where they go to college.

Brandon Paul

 

[Paigncake]

what would make you say non-comittable in regards to tht going to ku or msu................... he is really supposed to be going into his jr year he is playing up will not make 18 until after his first college game he is going to be a pro needs a program to get him there and u of i hasnt produced many pros in the recent years last pro i can think of is meyers leonard

"Production of pros" is greatly exaggerated. Top kids that have pro potential go to top 15 programs and low and behold become pros.

Most of these guys could literally go anywhere. Michael Porter Jr. Will be a pro a year from now and it will have absolutely nothing to do with Martins coaching.

 

[BMo79]

Tamell Pearson cut his list to 6


https://www.prephoops.com/2017/08/tamell-pearson-cuts-list-6/

 

[TCTORNADO]

Welcome to the board Talen. Hope you join the Illini.

We haven't produced a lot of pros recently because we haven't gotten a lot of top recruits. That's pretty much the way it works. Kentucky, Kansas, etc don't "produce" pros. They recruit kids that would be pros regardless of where they go to college.

Stan Simpson played professionally last year in the Czech NBL. Does that count??

 

[TCTORNADO]

Tamell Pearson cut his list to 6


https://www.prephoops.com/2017/08/tamell-pearson-cuts-list-6/

Supposedly, we were # 7, but Cleveland State beat us out for the 6th slot.

 

[james81]

Welcome to the board Talen. Hope you join the Illini.

We haven't produced a lot of pros recently because we haven't gotten a lot of top recruits. That's pretty much the way it works. Kentucky, Kansas, etc don't "produce" pros. They recruit kids that would be pros regardless of where they go to college.

Couldn't agree more. The pros draft 60 players a year. About 15 come from outside the US, leaving 45 from all college programs, across all four classes, from freshman to senior. Not good odds. Of course, every kid has his dream.

 

[BMo79]

Supposedly, we were # 7, but Cleveland State beat us out for the 6th slot.

The only thing I really thought about when I read it was , that it looks more like we are only going to have a 3 man class

 

[LakesideKid23]

Welcome to the board Talen. Hope you join the Illini.

We haven't produced a lot of pros recently because we haven't gotten a lot of top recruits. That's pretty much the way it works. Kentucky, Kansas, etc don't "produce" pros. They recruit kids that would be pros regardless of where they go to college.

LOL NO DISRESPECT TO THE PROGRAM BUT PEOPLE TALK OF THE KID LIKE HE IS CHOPPED LIVER IF HE DOESNT COMMIT LIKE HE CANT PLAY ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE COUNTRY LIKE HIS ONLY CHANCE FOR QUALITY PT IS WITH U OF I KID IS THE STEAL OF THIS CLASS.............AND THE KID IS TOO BUSY WORKING TO RESPOND TO THESE SITES.........HE HAS BEEN ON IZZO RADAR FOR A FEW YEARS NOW

 

[BMo79]

LOL NO DISRESPECT TO THE PROGRAM BUT PEOPLE TALK OF THE KID LIKE HE IS CHOPPED LIVER IF HE DOESNT COMMIT LIKE HE CANT PLAY ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE COUNTRY LIKE HIS ONLY CHANCE FOR QUALITY PT IS WITH U OF I KID IS THE STEAL OF THIS CLASS.............AND THE KID IS TOO BUSY WORKING TO RESPOND TO THESE SITES.........HE HAS BEEN ON IZZO RADAR FOR A FEW YEARS NOW

you mean steal out of the states class ? if so I would tend to agree him or Big George could turn into being. THT will only get better as his body changes, He is still a young man who will grow into a grown mans body. same could be said for GC if he added weight and strength could be a big steal down the road. if you meant out of all the recruits, I would have to say Iggy would be the biggest steal out of the guys we are after