I think we need a Chicago area recruiter to keep ties with coaches and players. You don't want to forfeit this. I would get input from the Irvins. They run the most successful AAU program in the city metro area. We have landed players that played for them. The Irvins know BB and the recruiting scene. BBall is the life of the Irvins just like it is for Walker and Underwood just different level and perks.
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (March 2017)
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From previous postings 1 of about 87362 actually...Smith likes Tilmon, I believe Pickett as well as the ILLINI in general. I really think he wants and will commit to the ILLINI before the April 12th deadline, he has spoke of.
I know it came up a ways back, but just how tall is Javon? You have to like his motor if he's hasn't slowed down enough for anyone to measure accurately. Tilmon we got down to the nearest 1/2 inch over a 6'10.5" total. They say a smile can add a 1/2". 
Would assume after the coach's trip to Peoria to see Da'Monte on Monday, they will have some time in the next couple weeks to sit down with each of the remaining players on campus to discuss next year's goals and objectives. Thus, there may be other openings in the scholarship grid once those meetings have occurred to see who's staying and who's leaving.
Of the two times I've watched Picket, Tillmon, and Smith play, Smith has been the most impressive of the three. He's a very "heady" bb player. High bb iq. He would be a great piece to put the puzzle together with.
Tilmon can be a monster with the right supporting cast. He didn't have a lot of help this season at east side.
Picket reminds me of Hill, will need to gain some strength.
If all three are on the roster, we should be pretty solid over the next two years. Depending on player development, we might be pleasantly surprised at the second half of conference play.
Tilmon can be a monster with the right supporting cast. He didn't have a lot of help this season at east side.
Picket reminds me of Hill, will need to gain some strength.
If all three are on the roster, we should be pretty solid over the next two years. Depending on player development, we might be pleasantly surprised at the second half of conference play.
My gut feeling is that Underwood & Walker quickly lock up the existing '17 recruits and add Smith behind the scenes with these recent visits, and then do one, big splashy press conference to announce them all together as a class--rather than bleeding the news out one by one. That would make for some killer national PR, especially if done next Saturday during the Final Four.
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Except for Smith, they've all done that.
Indeed, I meant announce that they all are staying. Frazier already jumped straight out of the gates and announced unilaterally (which was Awesome) but would be cool to present them all together as a unified group.
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While you are at it, why not go live on Facebook as well? It would be easier to point a camera than to type all those real time updates.
Most of the rankings have Smith just outside the top 100 - very close to Williams and Frazier. So he will not adjust the class rank much at all. Moving into the top 10 would be a push.
You can argue that he is under-rated, and most people would agree with you, but in terms of rankings - he is what the number is.
I'm eagerly awaiting some response from Damonte after he visits with coach on Monday, I've just got an uneasy feeling, especially when I asked a few buddies close to the Manual team and they've been less than forthcoming with a response.
afpharmdawg
- Colorado Springs
And one where you need to have a whale of a chance :thumb:
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Like I said earlier after HC Illini went on his fiasco about Tilmon...
Tilmon is 99% Illini. No need to worry about him.
DaMonte is who we need to worry about.
Tilmon is 99% Illini. No need to worry about him.
DaMonte is who we need to worry about.
Some of them haven't updated since he starting getting more attention. Rivals has moved him up to #78 in their latest, though.
I think Damonte is fine. We will know more the first of the week.
Chirpers around Peoria area aren't so sure, but I hope so!
I use 247, but whatever. They have him at 102. The gap between 102 and 78 is pretty small.
Though, I just realized that Washington's score dropped due to the Porter issue. They are still ahead of us, but now it is a fairly small gap to get to top 10.
Smith may be enough to put us into the top 10 given that.
I don't really care though. I like the class, especially if Smith signs. Pickett weighs it down a bit, but I think he'll prove to very valuable over 4 years. Smith/Williams/Frazier gives us some good redundancy at the 1/2 spots. They can call us 8th, they can call us 18th, doesn't matter.
Yep. If he'd developed his forearm/elbow issue one year earlier and decided to focus on basketball the summer going into his junior year, I think we'd be talking about a top-40 player without a shadow of a doubt. Really unusual to see a kid blow up this late in the process. He barely even played AAU last summer (which is part of why he didn't see an Anthony Davis-like rise in the rankings).
I think that people only kind of realize how this played out with Smith: basketball was literally a hobby for him until nine months ago. It was what he did for fun while he was preparing to be eventually drafted in the top 10 rounds of the MLB draft. Even though he's officially focusing on basketball now, I guarantee he'll still be drafted (as a late pick) by a Major League team - probably this June. He was a 6'5 pitching prospect with a 92 mph fastball - those don't grow on trees.
I think he realized that elbow surgeries were in his future if he stayed with baseball and something simultaneously clicked for him with regard to his love for the hardwood. Another thing that doesn't grow on trees: 6'5 sweet shooting lead guards who play above the rim and have the quickness and ball handling ability to break down a defense. This dude is a 5-star talent.
I think Monte will be fine. Maybe feels a little slighted but all should be good after the meeting. But unlike some have said, he has other options.
Looking way in the future but this kid is 2019!?!?!
Francis Okoro
Also love that slap at the ball coaching by David Williams. Feel like Mav could have really benefited from that over the last couple of years.
Francis Okoro
Also love that slap at the ball coaching by David Williams. Feel like Mav could have really benefited from that over the last couple of years.
Could be right, but chirpers around E.St.Louis had Tilmon asking out and going to Missouri.
Of course you take talent from wherever it comes from. No need to ignore any areas. But I am firmly convinced that from now on (or should I say, under the current adminitration) the Illini will be attracting such top talent from wherever that you could not keep them away with sticks. Winning, a fun style of play, and good media exposure. That's what the future holds, whether the talent comes from the South Side, Westchester, East Chicago, Florida, Ohio, Oklahoma, or the Cobden Appleknockers.
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