Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (May-June 2017)
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Sal Iacuzzo
- Yonkers, NY
I don't think Coach Underwood is worried. In his most recent press conference he noted that he relied on a lineup of players 6'4" or shorter to beat WVU this year.
Ubermensch
BOOM! Feed my ego.
TBH, I don't know if it matters for next year unless someone comes jogging in out of left field. The ISU guy would probably help, but I don't know much about him. I have no idea if he's a good fit or not. He's certainly a big body. I'd kill for a Sam McLaurin right now. I'm wondering if maybe rolling over those scholarships might be our best move at this point.
I've been spooked, even before Tilmon jumped ship we were short a big. We need someone to play this year & very few freshman bigs are ready. If you go for a 5th yr big that just kicks the can down the road a year & the two bigs that will be left will both be 5th yr seniors that could leave early, ideally we should have 2 bigs this year & another in 2018 before I start to feel clsoe to ok about the big situation.
Illiniwek06
- N of I-80
That was awesome (the statement you noted as well as the entire clip). IIRC, he responded to a question re: concern over lack of size by saying he used a lineup of 5'8, 5'10, and three 6'4 guys to beat WVU.
Do you remember 2 years ago when we thought we had 5 bigs heading into the season & finished with 2? We don't even really have a true 5 to cover a decent big. Right now I doubt Finke/Black play much together because we will need their minutes at the 5, so Kipper ends up playing most of his minutes at the 4, where we lose the opportunity to put him on the opposition's best wing.
A 5th yr is essentially rolling over the schollie to next year, but with the added advantage of getting you someone this year, so it is a better option if available. I think we need a freshman big with a fair chance to play in 2018 & a 5th year senior big to fill a gap this year.
mattcoldagelli
- The Transfer Portal
Legitimately asking- is this even how our current staff thinks about positions?
He also said height was a priority and he likes diversity. The opportunity to play big or even normal sized is a good thing. Just because you play 1 game small & it works doesn't mean you only want that option. He wasn't going to come out and say we are doomed unless we get another big.
This vividly illustrates what's got me the most spooked. First of all, the memory of the '15-'16 season is fresh enough for me to fear the injury bug. Secondly, we're going to be pushing people into the 5 that really would shine better elsewhere. It'll be awkward.
We'll have to rotate Finke and Black conservatively to prevent foul trouble, especially in the conference season. I don't even care if it's a true C, I just want another big forward or two.
EDIT: @ mattcoldagelli, it's been argued with some persuasiveness that they do not. BUT... we will still have to guard and address teams that will have true 5's on their roster. It's nice to have somebody that physically can go toe-to-toe with the Sean Mays and the Isaac Haas's (or what have you) of the world.
Good question & I am only guessing at the answer. On offense I think it matters a lot less, however, I still think on defense it matters.
Speak of Dayton , they just signed a 6'7 guy from Czech republic. Savabod? Bad spell , but just reported less than 1 hour ago
+1. I think the concern for bigs is mostly the defensive presence.
ILFaninFL
- Nature Coast in Florida
Illiniwek06
- N of I-80
For sure. To clarify, I did not mean to imply that bigs aren't desired/necessary. But, worst case scenario, I take some level of comfort in knowing that he has been successful using small lineups in the past.
Ubermensch
BOOM! Feed my ego.
Oh yeah, definitely. I just wonder what the realistic options are. Maybe I'm just impatient, but it feels like if it isn't McIntosh then it won't be anybody. Aside from him, what big man transfers' names have been tossed around?
I'd take Tilmon back with open arms. I can't imagine what the holdup is with his recruitment.
My read of things as well. It's a huge hole. Here's our current scholarship roster from tallest down:
6' 10" Finke
6' 7" Black
6' 7" DJW
6' 6" Kipper Nichols
We're not just thin, we don't even have a rotation. Anyone who wants to sign can get as much PT as they could want. I personally believe we'll add a big before the season --the opportunity is just too good. I think we'll take the best fit we can find if we have to.
I agree. I have nightmares of Purdue's Issac Haas parking himself under the basket.
I would love to add some size/strength in the post as well, but there is a flip side to this argument. Who is Haas going to guard? If he just camps in the lane, we should be able to get good open looks for our shooters!
I trust in HCBU ability to coach/gameplan better than the previous staff!
Our class will be just fine. I've got a good feeling that we will hear some good news on JT here very soon. Mark Smith has been recruiting him hard to come with him and they were wanting to play together when Smith started to blow up. Even took a visit together to see a game. I think JT will come back.
That leaves 2 schollies. I expect BU to only use 1 on an athletic wing. Someone who can develop and is a good fit for system, the guy he goes after may be someone no one would be thinking of, but BU knows what he is after and he will get one.
With the remaining scholly I expect it to be rolled over. However from what I hear the 2018 class will be a 2 man class. Ayo, THT, Finke, Ignas. First ones to commit get em.However if somehow De Sousa wants to come BU would take him of course. If De Sousa comes it would wind up being him and Ayo.
From what i have heard Chin has Ayo on board. List will be cut after EYBL from what I have heard but could be sooner. It will come down to Illinois and Xavier and we all know how that ends in the end.
That leaves 2 schollies. I expect BU to only use 1 on an athletic wing. Someone who can develop and is a good fit for system, the guy he goes after may be someone no one would be thinking of, but BU knows what he is after and he will get one.
With the remaining scholly I expect it to be rolled over. However from what I hear the 2018 class will be a 2 man class. Ayo, THT, Finke, Ignas. First ones to commit get em.However if somehow De Sousa wants to come BU would take him of course. If De Sousa comes it would wind up being him and Ayo.
From what i have heard Chin has Ayo on board. List will be cut after EYBL from what I have heard but could be sooner. It will come down to Illinois and Xavier and we all know how that ends in the end.
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sacraig
- The desert
Don't believe I said that. First, assuming we add someone to guard the center position, I wouldn't expect them to be 6'8". Second, if by 3 or low 4 star, you're talking hs ratings, I wouldn't expect them to necessarily be a freshman. Finally, even if it is a freshman, I would still expect them to get immediate PT at some level. My reason is 2-fold - lack of depth means you'll dig deeper into the bench, and confidence/optimism that they they can find a good fit.
foby
- Bonnaroo Land
You may want to check into the stats for OSU's opponents last year. Unless we get an immediate impact big (And are almost none to be had), then the important things are having several consistent scorers, getting steals on d, crashing the boards, and outscoring as many opponents as possible.
ivwilsoniv
- Aurora, IL
Can you send this to Tilmon and get him to commit? I don't know why the staff hasn't explained this to him yet... :tsk:
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