Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (March 2017)

[DragonIlliniFan]

I'd be more worried about high* players who are currently on the roster who will not be here. We have some stings coming to us and that's to be expected with the turn-around. It's how well they're quelled by the additions of the new staff going forward that will decide what is truly what for next year and after.

Oh and if you think that Tejon is going to be okay being anything besides the STARTING pg next year then you got another thing comin'.

 

[DragonIlliniFan]

When there's a new sheriff in town, everybody's job is up for grabs and everybody has to prove themselves all over again. It's why change is good sometimes. People get too comfortable and when that happens, there's no urgency and when that happens, results slide. I don't want to say that there wasn't enough effort last year, but I'm not sure there was enough urgency. It wasn't until the last 6 or 7 games when it was basically win out or the season was over that the team pulled it together. If that was there since day 1, we're not here talking about these recruiting issues today.

There's nothing wrong with player's seats getting a little hot. If they don't like it or can't take it, they probably aren't the right fit for the program. You want guys who want to compete for starting jobs and welcome the competition. They don't want to be handed anything, just because they were here the year prior. If Frazier comes in and takes Tejon's spot because he outperforms him....too bad, so sad. If he wants to be the guy....go out and prove that you're the guy.

You got it :thumb:

The cream will rise my friends, as sure as the sun, the cream will rise....

 

[Peoria Pipeline]

After being recruited by, and then committed to, a staff led by Groce for 3+ years, wouldn't you assume the players want to actually meet the new guy before deciding anything? They've literally had a week to try to figure out Underwood's coaching philosophy and set up a meeting with him.

So far, none of the commits have asked out of their LOI. That's better than a lot of programs that make coaching changes. I posted last page that Underwood was still coaching SFA when Pickett and Williams committed to Illinois. They've probably never met the guy and I highly doubt they were getting recruited by SFA. These players have a lot to digest in a very short period of time. The fact that none have asked out of their LOI signals to me that they are at least open to meeting Underwood and giving him a great chance to sell his vision for them at Illinois.

None of the players committed really had relationships with any other schools either.

 

[Peoria Pipeline]

If he does, then we get DMW. Maybe it's a false dichotomy I've created here, but I haven't taken the time to formulate an opinion on which player I prefer to suit up for us. I know people are going to jump on me for not immediately saying Mark Smith, but in the back of my mind I wonder if we would be better for having a solid, 4-year player in DMW.

I predict Monte and Smith both end up at Illinois. There is room for both of them. I think they would compliment each other on the court very well. Smith is such a unique player. Depending on the player i believe he could guard some 4's especially with the game trending towards smaller stretch 4's. He's built like a tank, can jump, very good rebounder. I could potentially see a 4 guard lineup with Tilmon. There will be plenty of playing time for both IMO.

 

[Adnarel]

I predict Monte and Smith both end up at Illinois. There is room for both of them. I think they would compliment each other on the court very well. Smith is such a unique player. Depending on the player i believe he could guard some 4's especially with the game trending towards smaller stretch 4's. He's built like a tank, can jump, very good rebounder. I could potentially see a 4 guard lineup with Tilmon. There will be plenty of playing time for both IMO.

Oh, I sincerely agree and hope you're right. If I'm DMW, however, I'm going to be eyeing all of my fellow incoming guards (in addition to JCL, TJL, AJ, and DJW!) and mentally adding up minutes per game. A few other people have pointed this out as well.

But I do agree that Underwood would be able to create a product on the floor that utilizes both players wisely and effectively, given the opportunity.

 

[Adnarel]

Beginning to think this thread needs a soap sponsor and an afternoon time slot.

Just wait until we really get to the offseason and people are desperate for anything related to Illini hoops or football. :thumb:

 

[kuhl84]

Oh, I sincerely agree and hope you're right. If I'm DMW, however, I'm going to be eyeing all of my fellow incoming guards (in addition to JCL, TJL, AJ, and DJW!) and mentally adding up minutes per game. A few other people have pointed this out as well.

But I do agree that Underwood would be able to create a product on the floor that utilizes both players wisely and effectively, given the opportunity.

You left out Kipper.

 

[Adnarel]

You left out Kipper.

I stand corrected.

Goes to show how set with are with guards!

 

[Saybrook]

I know it's been said before but with all the worry on this board just gotta love Trent's ATTITUDE! Welcome to ILLINI nation young man. Looking forward to the Trent Frazier era!

 

[Illini B-Ball Fan]

I know it's been said before but with all the worry on this board just gotta love Trent's ATTITUDE! Welcome to ILLINI nation young man. Looking forward to the Trent Frazier era!

Notice Trent said, "....play for an awesome coach," not, "....play for an awesome assistant coach."

 

[OldGreg]

Notice Trent said, "....play for an awesome coach," not, "....play for an awesome assistant coach."

Well said by you both

 

[Roundball Shaman]

Beginning to think this thread needs a soap sponsor and an afternoon time slot.

But the Illini already have numerous discussions going on in these Soap groups...

AS THE WORLD TURNS - the thread about the yearly college coach churnings

DARK SHADOWS - the thread about the Illini roundball years after 2005

DAYS OF OUR LIVES - the Illini Discussion group discussing The Illini Discussion Group

FOR BETTER OR WORSE - the thread that discusses the Groce years

GUIDING LIGHT - the Whitman thread

ONE LIFE TO LIVE - the “Are They Coming to the Illini?” thread

SEARCH FOR TOMORROW - the thread about the new Illini Assistant Recruiters

THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL - The new Illini uniforms thread

THE BRIGHTER DAY - the thread about the yearly Illini Top 20 rankings from now on

THE SECRET STORM - the thread about those who seek to flip Illini commits

THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS - the thread that worries about future Illini recruiting

and then there’s... ALL MY CHILDREN - the Lavar Ball thread

 

[Combo]

I stand corrected.

Goes to show how set with are with guards!

Kipper's not a guard.

 

[Adnarel]

I was giving him the benefit of the doubt even though I didn't include him in my original list. Kipper does have a guardlike skillset in addition to the other stuff he brings.

 

[Govoner Vaugn Fan]

There will be growth in the spring.

 

[Dakota Orange]

But the Illini already have numerous discussions going on in these Soap groups...

AS THE WORLD TURNS - the thread about the yearly college coach churnings

DARK SHADOWS - the thread about the Illini roundball years after 2005

DAYS OF OUR LIVES - the Illini Discussion group discussing The Illini Discussion Group

FOR BETTER OR WORSE - the thread that discusses the Groce years

GUIDING LIGHT - the Whitman thread

ONE LIFE TO LIVE - the “Are They Coming to the Illini?” thread

SEARCH FOR TOMORROW - the thread about the new Illini Assistant Recruiters

THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL - The new Illini uniforms thread

THE BRIGHTER DAY - the thread about the yearly Illini Top 20 rankings from now on

THE SECRET STORM - the thread about those who seek to flip Illini commits

THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS - the thread that worries about future Illini recruiting

and then there’s... ALL MY CHILDREN - the Lavar Ball thread

Well needed for this and Coaching thread

 

[HTT]

Playing a bunch of guards running around the perimeter like headless chickens, and then gifting the paint to the opponent when defending is typical John Groce style game. I do not want to see that anymore given we have Black and Tilmon for the next 2 seasons.

 

[BetaSigIllini]

There will be growth in the spring.

Post of the day, Mr. Gardner.

 

[Foggy Notion]

There will be growth in the spring.

:thumb:

 

[Renegade19]

Oh, I sincerely agree and hope you're right. If I'm DMW, however, I'm going to be eyeing all of my fellow incoming guards (in addition to JCL, TJL, AJ, and DJW!) and mentally adding up minutes per game. A few other people have pointed this out as well.

But I do agree that Underwood would be able to create a product on the floor that utilizes both players wisely and effectively, given the opportunity.

"Players play players."
I'll find the door myself. Thanks.

 

[mattcoldagelli]

I'm blocked from seeing their tweets, but our favorite rotund prep writers with crippling insecurities are saying Kentucky is sniffing around Mark Smith.

 

[gailmoore1949]

in response to HTT, The 2005 team played three guards most of the time with one forward and one center. Deron Williams, Luther Head, and Dee Brown, along with Roger Powell and James Augustine and That seemed to work out pretty well!! I would take that again in a heartbeat, go Illini. Maybe we need 6 guards so every one can play hard all the time ?

 

[westcoastillini]

I'm blocked from seeing their tweets, but our favorite rotund prep writers with crippling insecurities are saying Kentucky is sniffing around Mark Smith.

https://twitter.com/coachmcmurray/status/846524045097095168

 

[FatGreg]

I'm blocked from seeing their tweets, but our favorite rotund prep writers with crippling insecurities are saying Kentucky is sniffing around Mark Smith.

I mentioned this the other day, but it would be totally reasonable for Mark Smith to not sign anywhere in April, wait for transfers and NBA early entries to get sorted out, and then enroll at Kentucky/Duke/Kansas/UNC in the fall. Haven't previously heard the possibility discussed, but he could probably find a blue blood fit if he wants to go that route.

 

[OneTime3]

Wouldn't that be heinous.