Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (March 2017)

[BirdDog9048]

Yes. But the entirety of the NCAA system is not about putting the kids first. Its about money and therefore spills out into every possible related area.

Agreed. And what I'm saying is that the whole system is pretty bad. NLOI's don't really help the school that much, and they restrict the athletes as well. I'm not claiming to have the perfect solution, but I'm pretty sure a better solution exists.

 

[FiveStar]

Agreed. And what I'm saying is that the whole system is pretty bad. NLOI's don't really help the school that much, and they restrict the athletes as well. I'm not claiming to have the perfect solution, but I'm pretty sure a better solution exists.

I will agree that in situations like ours they restrict the athletes. Maybe just an automatic provision where if your coach is fired your NLOI is voided would be better for them.

For the schools, the signing of an NLOI helps quite a bit IMO. All schools involved know that particularly athlete is off the block, and their resources could be better allocated elsewhere. Think about how much money a school like UNC saves by not having to charter a flight to see Tilmon 5-6 times over the high school season. Obviously we all hate UNC, and they have the budget to do it, but nobody wants to use more their budget than they need to.

 

[Greensboro]

Off the top of my head there was that kid from near Vancouver, Jermaine Haley, that we briefly pursued (yeah that infamous Canadian pipeline). I think there were more but I'm drawing a blank.

I had something special planned for my 1,000th post but oh well.

I imagine someone has piped in by now, but this year Abu Kigab was down to ILL - Oregon.

 

[Greensboro]

Abu Kigab

Only 1 post down, but next page

 

[whovous]

Huggins likes running banana cuts off the high post anyway.

Could you dumb that down for me?

 

[Ga65]

I agree that Frazier is the most important signee, but Tilmon fills a position of dire need. I think if Smith signs, then you almost have to have a 3 guard lineup. Lucas showed some nice development as a true point guard. He should start. Frazier is capable of filling it up. He should start. Then you have Smith, an all around guard and Coleman Lands the Junior spot up shooter. Not to forget D. Williams and Jordan(who has been lost in the shuffle). I thought that Kipper vs DJ(if he stays) would materialize as a competition for the 3 position. If Tilmon stays committed and Smith does commit, that competition might not happen. Its a lot to consider.

Why isn't DaMonte mentioned in these posts. He was the highest ranked guard at one time. Is it because it is assumed he will be red shirted due to his injury or because you think the others are better? Not trying to voice opinion, just asking.

 

[FiveStar]

Could you dumb that down for me?

Guard starts on the opposite side of the floor, cuts high around the high post to the rim. Cut is in the shape of a banana. Also kind of like an extended L cut. Very similar to cutter 2 of Underwood's offense if that guy cuts high instead of low.

 

[Adnarel]

Da'Monte isn't getting as much ink spilled about him because he wasn't putting up video game numbers like Frazier was (through no fault of his own, of course) and because he's not a desperately-needed 4/5* big. It's a similar weak reason as to why we aren't wringing our hands about Pickett.

I feel that Da'monte is a bit more of a wild card as to his potential impact on the program. He could either be a yeomanlike substitute for the starters his freshman year and then move into increased PT + real impact as he goes through the program, or he could have a trajectory more like that of DJW, AJ, Myke Henry, M. Shaw, Crandall Head, etc. The list goes on for highly-regarded guards that didn't pan out as expected for one reason or another.

EDIT: should also mention that Da'Monte may also be a good RS candidate.

 

[UofI08]

Random question. Any info on the Nojel Eastern recruitment? Were we prioritizing the downstate kids? Was HE ever that interested? Were WE ever that interested? Connection to Purdue? Just curious. Seems like a great get for Purdue.

 

[Deleted member 236589]

Da'Monte isn't getting as much ink spilled about him because he wasn't putting up video game numbers like Frazier was (through no fault of his own, of course) and because he's not a desperately-needed 4/5* big. It's a similar weak reason as to why we aren't wringing our hands about Pickett.

I feel that Da'monte is a bit more of a wild card as to his potential impact on the program. He could either be a yeomanlike substitute for the starters his freshman year and then move into increased PT + real impact as he goes through the program, or he could have a trajectory more like that of DJW, AJ, Myke Henry, M. Shaw, Crandall Head, etc. The list goes on for highly-regarded guards that didn't pan out as expected for one reason or another.

EDIT: should also mention that Da'Monte may also be a good RS candidate.

Has he even reaffirmed his commitment yet? All of this talk about what he's going to do here, the last I saw was that he's on the fence. Maybe I missed something?

 

[Adnarel]

No, you're correct. He's still in limbo. They all are, except for Frazier.

 

[afpharmdawg]

If Miznoz is "poaching" Tilmon then that brings into the question of all of Martin's recruits. He does seem to leave after 3 years. Maybe, just maybe, that is the reason JW did not want the questions around the university. We have been under the microscope before and it is never fun. If we were UNC we could just bury it for 5 years now. One question, if Martin is indeed dirty, I am not saying he is, who gets punished? Him, the university or both? Ok that is 2 questions.

 

[FiveStar]

Random question. Any info on the Nojel Eastern recruitment? Were we prioritizing the downstate kids? Was HE ever that interested? Were WE ever that interested? Connection to Purdue? Just curious. Seems like a great get for Purdue.

Man he would have been a GREAT fit in this offense.

 

[helppitch]

There is a big difference between releasing a player from his LOI due to the player all of a sudden deciding on another school and releasing a player because the school itself decided to make a coaching change and fire the coach that the player committed to. Players commit to coaches/schools combinations, not just schools. So if the conditions under which the player committed change, the school should release the player. Much more so when the coaching change was initiated by the school itself (coach fired). JMO.

Of course you are correct, but the NCAA provision 11 speaks directly to that, & says the agreement is between the school & the athlete, not the coach. In fact the statement goes out of its way, to say a athlete should choose the school, NOT the coach, because if the coach leaves the LOI is still in effect.
It would be terrible, to adhere to the letter of the rule, but the rule is pretty dogmatic.
That said, in practice, it the rule doesn't seem to be adhered to (at least very often).

 

[Obelix]

Of course you are correct, but the NCAA provision 11 speaks directly to that, & says the agreement is between the school & the athlete, not the coach. In fact the statement goes out of its way, to say a athlete should choose the school, NOT the coach, because if the coach leaves the LOI is still in effect.
It would be terrible, to adhere to the letter of the rule, but the rule is pretty dogmatic.
That said, in practice, it the rule doesn't seem to be adhered to (at least very often).

This has nothing to do with "adhering" to the rule. Nobody is questioning that the LOI is in effect, if it wasn't, there would be no reason for its existence. But there is no "rule" that says that school should not release a recruit in these kinds of situations. It is perfectly within the rules to release the athlete and that is what schools should do in situations like that.

 

[HC Illini]

I don't know why I do this to myself but here we go again.

I was told Monday night that Damonte will be ready to go on August 1st. They are also aware of the logjam at the Guard position. The possible additions of Mark Smith and Carroll could make it even more crowded. I was told that if Illinois plans to redshirt Damonte he will be going somewhere else. I really hope this does not happen.

 

[Adnarel]

See, this news is actually plausible, though. Disappointed; not shocked.

 

[HC Illini]

See, this news is actually plausible, though. Disappointed; not shocked.

delete

 

[Second and Chalmers]

I don't know why I do this to myself but here we go again.

I was told Monday night that Damonte will be ready to go on August 1st. They are also aware of the logjam at the Guard position. The possible additions of Mark Smith and Carroll could make it even more crowded. I was told that if Illinois plans to redshirt Damonte he will be going somewhere else. I really hope this does not happen.

I really, really want Damonte here, I probably place more emotional weight on the "It's HRF's kid" piece of it than most. But if it's a question of Mark Smith AND Jeffery Carroll versus Damonte Williams, there is sadly only one choice to make.

 

[UofIChE06]

I don't know why I do this to myself but here we go again.

I was told Monday night that Damonte will be ready to go on August 1st. They are also aware of the logjam at the Guard position. The possible additions of Mark Smith and Carroll could make it even more crowded. I was told that if Illinois plans to redshirt Damonte he will be going somewhere else. I really hope this does not happen.

If he can't do anything until Aug 1 he should RS to be honest. Look at JCL for proof of how hard it is to miss any time early in your career. It is hard enough breaking in as a freshman that isn't a projected lottery pick. The only advantage he has is that it is a new system for everyone at UI vs going somewhere there are established players that know the system.

 

[HC Illini]

If he can't do anything until Aug 1 he should RS to be honest. Look at JCL for proof of how hard it is to miss any time early in your career. It is hard enough breaking in as a freshman that isn't a projected lottery pick. The only advantage he has is that it is a new system for everyone at UI vs going somewhere there are established players that know the system.

It is so unfortunate he suffered this injury. He improved so much over the summer and finally found the Alpha in him. I believe he would've had a huge Senior season. I don't think that red shirting him would be a terrible idea but his people don't want that. They know that he could contribute somewhere immediately.

 

[Whitman2020]

It is so unfortunate he suffered this injury. He improved so much over the summer and finally found the Alpha in him. I believe he would've had a huge Senior season. I don't think that red shirting him would be a terrible idea but his people don't want that. They know that he could contribute somewhere immediately.

Can't cater a program to players. I like DW a lot but if he doesn't want to buy into what we are building so be it.

 

[Illinoy]

Can't cater a program to players. I like DW a lot but if he doesn't want to buy into what we are building so be it.

Why does he have to wait to play if he's healthy? He bought in early and never wavered. We're the ones deviating from the schedule. I don't think Smith will impact him that much because it's easy to sell a 3 guard line-up; however if it's between Carroll or Damonte I'm going with Damonte for the long-term. We're not going to the elite 8 next year anyway.

 

[Roundball Shaman]

In recent years I hated to see Illini games come down to the last possession or two. Illini have lacked a stud shot creator that you could depend on to deliver the hoop when you had to have it. In the latest version of the recruiting Wish-List, I hope this is sonewhere near the top.

 

[HC Illini]

Why does he have to wait to play if he's healthy? He bought in early and never wavered. We're the ones deviating from the schedule. I don't think Smith will impact him that much because it's easy to sell a 3 guard line-up; however if it's between Carroll or Damonte I'm going with Damonte for the long-term. We're not going to the elite 8 next year anyway.

That 3 guard line-up would be amazing. And the rotation of it would be just as incredible.

TJL, Mark Smith, Damonte, Frazier can all handle the ball and score. JCL is kind of the odd man out in my opinion because he can't handle the ball or create his own shots.

Damonte and Smith are big physical guards. Frazier and TJL would complement them with their finesse style, I really hope it all works out.