This hurts me. He was my most desired recruit after ayo.
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (July-August 2017)
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This hurts me. He was my most desired recruit after ayo.
1m4tr
Cliffmas
Well darn.
Well that really stinks. Ill be disappointed if we don't land at least 1 of Ayo, conditt, THT
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
If we can't get THT (and I'm not saying we can't), Landers Nolley is up to at least plan B status, amirite?
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
Kudos to you. You stated Stewart was going to stay down south ~ a week ago, IIRC.
The writing was on the wall. Mississippi State was his favorite all along. He grew up a fan. Illinois was the only northern school on a big list. Not surprising at all.
Nolley is no plan B. He would be the best shooter on our team.
Illinois still pursuing quality big men
"I'm still wide open; I do know Illinois is really recruiting me very, very hard. I can't say I have a favorite at this point. They're trying to get me out there for a visit soon," Sow said.
Sow said, "The chances of me coming to visit is pretty high. How hard they're pursuing me makes me feel good about myself and my game overall."
http://www.qconline.com/sports/coll...cle_3a7c2270-31e1-56e2-a065-db4f85cc270e.html
"I'm still wide open; I do know Illinois is really recruiting me very, very hard. I can't say I have a favorite at this point. They're trying to get me out there for a visit soon," Sow said.
Sow said, "The chances of me coming to visit is pretty high. How hard they're pursuing me makes me feel good about myself and my game overall."
http://www.qconline.com/sports/coll...cle_3a7c2270-31e1-56e2-a065-db4f85cc270e.html
I really like Sow's game. Knows his game and plays within himself. He played like a total winner in the peach jam and only took high quality shots, much like our big ten opponents...he's my top realistic big man option right now
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Good article. Thanks for sharing. There is no doubt that BU is recruiting nationwide--even internationally. In a recent interview he said he doesn't think the program is at a disadvantage recruiting outside of the state. It will be interesting to watch. Historically, we've typically had a few out of state recruits, mostly role players and transfers, and rarely more than one starting at a time. Perhaps that is about to change, but it will never be the primary focus. Historically, we're the 11th most winning program in the country, second in the BIG. The state produces the necessary talent to win. We just haven't been getting it.
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
Ditto. Would we take Sow and Conditt? (assuming both want to come, of course)
Unlikely. I wouldn't be surprised if Conditt is the next player to verbal.
A craft wing would be a welcome addition as well.
TownieMatt
CU Expat
- Chicago
It's interesting because Conditt and Sow are such different prospects. Sow is a more college-ready kid who could come in and give 10-15 mins a game rebounding and defending as a Freshman. That being said, I'm not sure his ceiling is all that high, maybe a Sam McClaurin type player as an upper-classman (which isn't bad at all).
On the other hand, Conditt is a big-risk, big-reward, type prospect. He has the length to be a rim-protector on defense, and is a skilled offensive player. On the other hand, he has a lot of developing to do physically before he can contribute. Is the staff willing to risk it and hope he blossoms by the time he's an upper-classman?
On the other hand, Conditt is a big-risk, big-reward, type prospect. He has the length to be a rim-protector on defense, and is a skilled offensive player. On the other hand, he has a lot of developing to do physically before he can contribute. Is the staff willing to risk it and hope he blossoms by the time he's an upper-classman?
As much as I believe in BU and his ability to recruit and showcase his system to recruits, landing out-of-state guys and top 40 players in his first full year is unlikely. A lot of kids from outside of the Midwest probably don't know much about Illinois basketball and none of them are old enough to have memories of how great our program was. 2018 kids were in preschool in 2005, and middle schoolers in 2013 and haven't been exposed to Illinois basketball on a national level in 4 years. This is a great group of coaches and a system that has yet to been showcased at Illinois in 10+ years. If we can display an exciting brand of basketball this season and just as importantly get the atmosphere at SFC back to how it was 10 years ago then that is going to play a big role. We've had a coaches last 5 years and fan base that has done a lot of talking of how great we are and then when things go south we have fleed. It takes a system, staff and culture to land kids and winning/scoring points. If we can get those seats filled and play an exciting brand of basketball and win20+ games our 2019 class might be absolutely loaded. This is the first time since Self was here that I feel legitimently optimistic on what we can accomplish. Now it's time to flex our muscles on a national level and once we do, we will be big ten and national contenders in 2-3 years. 
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
Very good analysis. I don't think both will want to be Illini, but, if they do, you've made a compelling argument for taking both. Obviously, Okoro is huge in 2019, but there's no way you can bank on him coming.
TownieMatt
CU Expat
- Chicago
If we end up with four spots in 2018 (which wouldn't be too surprising) it will be interesting to see if the staff recruits two bigs. I think they would rather take two wings than two bigs, but if the right guys are there, it might be tough to turn a kid down. The issue for them will be weighing the prospects in '18 vs '19. Sign two bigs in '18 and it essentially eliminates your chances with '19 bigs (you would have four underclassmen bigs at that point). Okoro is going to be a tough get, but I think Liddell is a very gettable and a guy that's trending up. Personally I'd rather have an '18 big and Liddell than any two of the realistic '18 options.
Deleted member 633632
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Guest
Without any inside knowledge of what the staff is planning, I would have to think this staff would undoubtedly take both! Sow & Conditt are two totally different players, in that, one has a solidified position that is an extreme need for this program right now, and the other is positionless and has a potential as high as maybe any other player out there right now outside of the Top 30... so yes I think they certainly would take both!
But, just because both have now been mentioned on this board on the topic of "would we take both" ... there is now ZERO chance they both come here and play together!
But, just because both have now been mentioned on this board on the topic of "would we take both" ... there is now ZERO chance they both come here and play together!
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
Liddell is the primary reason I see us only taking 1 wing in 2018. Also, Whitney is another excellent '19 wing. Not saying those guys are locks or anything close though.
I just can't see Sow coming here. He may come and take a visit, but ultimately I think he remains on the west coast.
Ayo, Finke, Pearson, Conditt is what is realistic right now.
Ayo, Finke, Pearson, Conditt is what is realistic right now.
THT I have heard will possibly come out with a list then take a few visits before deciding.
Decision timetable from what I have heard is before school season.
Heard his top 5 schools are MSU, NW, Iowa State, Xavier, and tOSU.
Decision timetable from what I have heard is before school season.
Heard his top 5 schools are MSU, NW, Iowa State, Xavier, and tOSU.
Great point. I think you are right about Okoro and Liddell. Plus, BU is recruiting to a system more than to a position. It's largely about fit more than size alone. No doubt, the '19 class is hovering over the recruitment of possible bigs for this fall. Looking at the options, I only see one likely big for 18.
Have heard the same thing. Conditt first, then the dominoes begin to fall....
IlliniDent
- Chicago, IL
Exactly. I see us more likely taking 2 bigs especially if one is Conditt because he will take time to mature. Liddell is more likely to play the 4 in this offense and Okoro would probably start or would end up starting over any 5 we have anyway. I really don't think if would deter EJ or Okoro to have a 4 bigs who weren't even in the top 100 in front of them.
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