Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (March 2021)

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#976      

Keisersose

Keisersose
Keisersose
We’ve been at this place in the program before and were burned big time by passing on players ranked like Goode, Melendez, and Bass because we were waiting on (or chasing) “better” players. It was a huge mistake then and it would be a mistake now IMHO.
 
#977      

flyingillini3.0

flyingillini3.0
flyingillini3.0
mhuml32 said:
Taking a page from my football recruiting studies: I trust the offers more than the rankings. Offers from TTU, Oregon State, Florida, Kansas State tells me he's better than his ranking.

And for those wanting to watch his highlight video (The Trent comparisons make sense. Gifted passer and willing to shoot it from outside. Concerns are whether he's willing to attack the rim and finish because his passing ability will make defenders sheepish about helping too much):


Video is a little bouncy, just to warn those ahead of time.
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Looks promising but in terms of his outside shooting - release looks really low without much of a jump and doesn't look all the quick. Will likely get blocked quite a bit in the B1G unless he changes that form...
 
#978      

mhuml32

mhuml32
Cincinnati, OH
mhuml32
flyingillini3.0 said:
Looks promising but in terms of his outside shooting - release looks really low without much of a jump and doesn't look all the quick. Will likely get blocked quite a bit in the B1G unless he changes that form...
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I noticed this too. More of a push in his shooting mechanics. I'm guessing the response when he gets to college is (1) coaching staff + increased strength will improve his shooting stoke and (2) he'll adapt a viable step-back to give him the room to get off his shot.
 
#981      

FromTheLogo

F
FromTheLogo
skyIdub said:
If you listen to Bardo, Gill, and Nick talk about Lou....it's exactly the same. If you don't play defense, you'll never see the court.
BU knows what he's doing, and he's surrounded himself with great people.
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Absolutely. And really, as a fan, if a guy doesn't play defense, do YOU wanna see him on the court? Nope.
 
#982      

TCTORNADO

TCTORNADO
TCTORNADO
Melendez, no doubt, is going to be an impact player for us.

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#985      

Kofiisforclosing

K
Kofiisforclosing
I personally think Underwood has more time to gauge personality/fit and if he's taking a guy now he has very good reason to believe he fits.

Undoubtedly there will still be some guys that don't pan out that's the frequent nature of the business these days unfortunately.

I'm not sure how many agree Underwood will get a low effort kid to play hard. I think he's just going to vet better and most here likely hope that.
 
#986      

Emerson Bigguns

Emerson Bigguns
Emerson Bigguns
BretMyBeachHouse said:
Interesting that you used the word better. I specifically mentioned effort and not better. Some here believe that underwood is going to get a low effort kid to play hard. We saw that not work with Smith. I prefer starting with a hard worker.

Of course none of us really has the knowledge on Bass. One tape doesn't tell the tale.
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I can't imagine this type of player being attracted to playing for BU, or BU offering them. For some players, the game just looks easy.

The very limited video I saw showed a young man with some length, athleticism, and signs of a high basketball IQ. He seems to know where his teammates are and anticipates well. You don't learn those things w/o putting the time in.
 
#988      

GloryDays

GloryDays
GloryDays
BretMyBeachHouse said:
Interesting that you used the word better. I specifically mentioned effort and not better. Some here believe that underwood is going to get a low effort kid to play hard. We saw that not work with Smith. I prefer starting with a hard worker.

Of course none of us really has the knowledge on Bass. One tape doesn't tell the tale.
Click to expand...

I've now watched 4 games at Elevation Prep, and the effort is the same in all of them. That is why I've said I wish I could find some full games from Hamilton Heights or Muncie Central. It could be just the culture created at Elevation because that whole team just stands around and watches one guy. The fact that the coach isn't screaming at anyone or benching anyone, makes me really wonder what they're being taught. The coach clearly isn't concerned with a guy literally standing behind the 3 point line and not moving.
 
#991      

ptgd1

P
ptgd1
mhuml32 said:
Taking a page from my football recruiting studies: I trust the offers more than the rankings. Offers from TTU, Oregon State, Florida, Kansas State tells me he's better than his ranking.

And for those wanting to watch his highlight video (The Trent comparisons make sense. Gifted passer and willing to shoot it from outside. Concerns are whether he's willing to attack the rim and finish because his passing ability will make defenders sheepish about helping too much):


Video is a little bouncy, just to warn those ahead of time.
Click to expand...
Looks like the opponent is the Washington Nationals.
Has good handles, quickness, good passer and jumps good, but needs to learn to shoot a jump shot.
 
#993      

Joel Goodson

Joel Goodson
respect my decision™
Joel Goodson
Fanview said:
Honestly, all this is just gossip as none of the parties involved will validate these claims lol.

I'm not a Mark Smith fan just as much as anyone else, but to say he is a disappointment at the NCAA level is a bit of a stretch.
Mark Smith: 2020-21 season average: 9.6 pts, 3.2 reb, 1.0 ast, 37% FG for comparison...
Trent Frazier: 2021-21 season average: 10.4 pts, 2.9 reb, 2.7 ast, 40.7% FG

I'd say those are good numbers for a starting role player. Fans on the other hand have absurd expectations and think every recruit is the next Michael Jordan.
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2 points:

- 37% for a senior SG is not good
- Smith is a mediocre defender, whereas Frazier is great
 
#998      

SescIllini

SescIllini
SescIllini
aaron2108 said:
I think Bass is a smart move. Everyone on here obviously wants superstars, but we need player development as well. Look where we would be this year without Trent and Monte. You need these types of guys that know the system and can stick around more than 1-2 years.
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I read and saw more video on Bass. As a freshmen was considered a must get for IU. Nationally was honorable mention all-american. Looks to fill a position as a back up Pg and combo guard. Im liking this recruitment much more, good size, handles, and shooting.
 
#999      

JFGsCoffeeMug

JFGsCoffeeMug
BU:1 Trash cans:0
Chicago
JFGsCoffeeMug
KnoxIllini2 said:
The same was said about a certain All American currently on our roster.
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You now have me looking forward to a time in the not-too-distant future when new recruits will be compared to Ayo (instead of Larry Bird). Someone will casually remark that one aspect of a recruit's game reminds them of Ayo. Then someone else will chime in that we should "pump the brakes" before making any comparisons with an all-time Illinois great. And that will then spark a side conversation about where Ayo slots in on the all-time Illinois list.

Followed by two pages of recycled puns.

Emergence GIF by ABC Network


:illinois:
 
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