Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (March 2017)

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#1,251      

Dan

Dan
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Dan
illinifan87 said:
Was Cuonzo recruiting him hard when he was at Cal? Or did he even have a relationship with him?
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Mark Smith began to blow up in December 2016 (well after the November early signing period). Illinois offered on Jan 1st. Cuonzo Martin at Cal offered on Feb 9th. The regular signing period begins April 12th.
 
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#1,253      

Obelix

Obelix
Obelix
illinifan87 said:
But look at Frazier. He committed to the university. Not the coach and never wavered.
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Again, you are reading too much into what Frazier did. Groce was a huge reason why Frazier ended up at UI. Huge. It is not that Frazier was mesmerized with Illinois while in Florida, heck, he does not even pronounce Illinois correctly. :)

Frazier really liked Groce and Groce was a huge factor in his commitment. Without Groce, Frazier would likely never had ended up at UI, and Frazier made proactive positive statements in favor of Groce (before fans unfairly jumped on him on twitter).

Yet, when Groce was fired, he felt comfortable enough with Underwood, and Whitman had also forged a close relationship with his family, that he decided to stay. But you can't say that Frazier committed to UI and not Groce. That is a totally false statement.
 
#1,254      

Peoria Pipeline

Peoria Pipeline
Peoria Pipeline
Obviously the Coach is a big deal, but some of you are underestimating falling in love with a certain school. This is a big factor for guys who aren't one and done's.
 
#1,257      

sacraig

sacraig
The desert
sacraig
ReademandWeep said:
St Louis PD reports number 7 ranked recruit looking at Missou.


http://www.stltoday.com/sports/colu...cle_7902cf93-e917-54d2-b8ff-f0bcc3efb059.html


1st time trying to link. Apologies if it isn't done right.
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It's amazing how quickly the PD writers have gone full homer as soon as Porter committed. I figure they may have a pretty good year or two to start off as a result of this recruiting uptick, and then it will come back down to Earth as Cuonzo slowly squanders that talent.
 
#1,258      

Adnarel

A
Adnarel
It was definitely positive. But know that Mark Smith isn't going to pull the trigger until after the upcoming dead period. Expect another visit from Underwood after that.
 
#1,260      

SescIllini

SescIllini
SescIllini
topaz said:
Barkley commented during the NCAA that today's game is " guards runnin around throwing up 3's...no more in and out big guy game.
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I think Underwoods' offense is tailored to run with more guards and a minimum of big men. Really just need true big men to defend. Finke, Black and Tilmon could run the 5 spot. No true "posting" in most looks in his offense. Typically have one guy running down the baseline and another one cutting towards the bucket from the wing. The true 5 usually goes toward the free throw line and picks, passes, or shoots from the area. Groce offense was more dependent on a big man than Underwoods' constant motion and multiple option offense. Still would like a 6-10+ leaper on the team to go along with Tilmon.
 
#1,261      

Deleted member 8213

D
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muskyman99 said:
Do we know fore sure that all 4 of our recruits are coming?
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It seems we are pretty certain of all but Pickett. I did read somewhere he had a good visit with Underwood last week, but I haven't read any confirmation that he told him he's in... maybe I missed it.

Edit this to add: The more important point may be that no-one has told him they want out.
 
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#1,263      

FiveStar

F
FiveStar
SescIllini said:
No true "posting" in most looks in his offense. Typically have one guy running down the baseline and another one cutting towards the bucket from the wing. The true 5 usually goes toward the free throw line and picks, passes, or shoots from the area.
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Not picking on you, I think a lot of people think this because they are particularly enamored by the guard action, but it is simply untrue. The second cutter in the continuity cuts directly into a "true" postup. After that the pinch post action on the weak side is a pick/handoff and roll. If the big is not open on the roll, he will immediately look to post. If he's not open on the post after the roll, the ball will reverse one spot to the slot for a high/low look back to the big. Only after that postup is not there will the big return to the HP.
 
#1,264      

SescIllini

SescIllini
SescIllini
FiveStar said:
Not picking on you, I think a lot of people think this because they are particularly enamored by the guard action, but it is simply untrue. The second cutter in the continuity cuts directly into a "true" postup. After that the pinch post action on the weak side is a pick/handoff and roll. If the big is not open on the roll, he will immediately look to post. If he's not open on the post after the roll, the ball will reverse one spot to the slot for a high/low look back to the big. Only after that postup is not there will the big return to the HP.
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I agree with your point, but that posting is not by a traditional big man but often by a SG or SF. That is why I think the Kippers, Damonte, and Mark Smith are great for this offense. If Black channels his Roger Powell he can be the 3 point threat and cutter who then post. Great point. But once again I don't think we need to rely on true bigs. But we do need the true bigs on defense for shot blocking, interior defense, and rebounding.
 
#1,265      

SescIllini

SescIllini
SescIllini
miketherevelator said:
Meyer on McDonald's game participants - explains why Miznoz fans are over the top lately and why other uncommitted top players might see the Tigers as a destination.
http://247sports.com/Bolt/Break-down-on-the-McDonalds-AA-Game-roster-52023171
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Sounds like Kentucky already has a point guard on the MCAA game, not sure why M Smith would be interested joining a team with both a MCAA PG and SG. Also I'm sure Briscoe will also be on the team next year. Right now M Smith would have to beat out some talent to see the floor first year.
 
#1,266      

Jeffcobrad

J
Jeffcobrad
FiveStar said:
Not picking on you, I think a lot of people think this because they are particularly enamored by the guard action, but it is simply untrue. The second cutter in the continuity cuts directly into a "true" postup. After that the pinch post action on the weak side is a pick/handoff and roll. If the big is not open on the roll, he will immediately look to post. If he's not open on the post after the roll, the ball will reverse one spot to the slot for a high/low look back to the big. Only after that postup is not there will the big return to the HP.
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100% correct but you have to have really talented guards that can shoot or drive in this offense. Its not really a offense made for 2 bigs but is made for guards that are good in the post also. Tilmon will be a monster in this offense.
 
#1,268      

Greensboro

Greensboro
Greensboro
Calvin said:
I'm really concerned with the lack of bigs. Based off today's scholarship grid, we'll have something like*

Guards
Lucas
Frazier
[possibly Smith]
Da'Monte
JCL
AJ
Pickett

Wings
Kipper
DJW

Forwards
Black
Finke

Center
Tilmon

with 1 to give. To me, this says we absolutely have to get a center, or or 4/5 that is able to defend. We're painted into a corner with our guard heavy roster, and pursuit of Smith.

*positions are arguable, and not knowing BU's system, I'm even less comfortable than usual assigning them. Still, our need for another center is pretty glaring.
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Agree, we are very thin. Be nice if Kiir became available again.
 
#1,269      

FiveStar

F
FiveStar
Jeffcobrad said:
100% correct but you have to have really talented guards that can shoot or drive in this offense. Its not really a offense made for 2 bigs but is made for guards that are good in the post also. Tilmon will be a monster in this offense.
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For sure. I'd just say not a fit for 2 traditional bigs. A guy like Finke could play on the perimeter of this offense. I Just wanted to get it out there that there will be big man post looks, multiple times per possession, on top of the guards doing their thing. Inversions skills for bigs and wings will be a huge necessity in this offense.
 
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