Tevo
- Wilmette, IL
In shoes?
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (May-June 2018)
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In shoes?
TownieMatt
CU Expat
- Chicago
Was originally an '18, but will go to prep school and become a '19.
So, any news on Braun's next move - more visits elsewhere, wait for awhile, commit to UI, go on a cruise, etc.?
Turkey sandwich eating contests for the rest of the summer.
Big Mac's have more calories
TownieMatt
CU Expat
- Chicago
I think we're on commitment watch.
Haven't heard about other teams getting involved. Arizona apparently isn't pursuing and the LSU visit was a while ago and he didn't pull the trigger.
sacraig
- The desert
There are sort of two sides to this coin as well. First, teams with holes the fill are more likely to take chances on riskier or less-polished prospects this late in the Spring. Second, it is well past the point where any late bloomers would have had their rankings changed by a ranking service.
This ends in tears
Gotta think Whitney is number one, he’d come in when AJ leaves. We’d be scary good in fall 2019....
TownieMatt
CU Expat
- Chicago
We'll see. The true blue bloods haven't gotten involved yet (Louisville is in there though). We've been on him as long as anyone and the fact that he's still playing with MIF is big.
Now if Duke, NC, Nova, etc jump in...
You are such a great Illini fan! I bet you are fun to sit next to at a game. Pessimism at it's finest. Do you have anything good to say about the Illini?
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3DegreeIllini
- Chicago,IL
Can it be called pessimism when there is a strong track record to support the prediction?
DudeIllini
- Malibu
To be fair, it could also be tears of joy. Probably not intended, considering the source, but I choose to believe that Whitney's recruitment will end in tears of joy.
I meant that more glibly than it appears to have been taken.
Regardless, that will not be as simple as the Ayo thing, I'm guessing.
Regardless, that will not be as simple as the Ayo thing, I'm guessing.
Doesn't keep it from being correct. =PP
TownieMatt
CU Expat
- Chicago
I prefer to look at the Whitney recruitment from a glass-half-full perspective. How often do we have this much of connection to a 5 star kid who plays in New Jersey?
That would be the hope.
Though as I said before, yes, we actually do expect them to send us essentially all of their high end players, because even the best AAU programs have precious few.
Couple of Points
1. Getting a player like Whitney against the field is always going to be difficult. Going to a blue blood may not be his best interest as he might be the 3-4 best player recruited just in that year (Kentucky, Duke, Kansas). Illinois gets him heavy minutes to go along with a very good group of Trent, Damonte, Ayo, Kipper, Tevian, General. That group might be the best crop of guards and wings in the big ten in two years.
2. The THT stuff has to come to an end. Who would trade Tevian for THT? I think THT is a less effective Mark Smith, and I like Mark Smith the player/person. I think Griffin gives you the D and 3 at the wing and SG. Not sure what role THT would fit in the BU offense.
1. Getting a player like Whitney against the field is always going to be difficult. Going to a blue blood may not be his best interest as he might be the 3-4 best player recruited just in that year (Kentucky, Duke, Kansas). Illinois gets him heavy minutes to go along with a very good group of Trent, Damonte, Ayo, Kipper, Tevian, General. That group might be the best crop of guards and wings in the big ten in two years.
2. The THT stuff has to come to an end. Who would trade Tevian for THT? I think THT is a less effective Mark Smith, and I like Mark Smith the player/person. I think Griffin gives you the D and 3 at the wing and SG. Not sure what role THT would fit in the BU offense.
https://www.suntimeshighschoolsport...linois-passed-on-simeons-talen-horton-tucker/
https://herald-review.com/sports/il...cle_f9f6a712-6ca0-580f-af6c-f88c2d497350.html
Here's an article where the Irvin's categorically deny that they had any responsibility, in response to report that they were involved http://www.chicagotribune.com/sport...n-fire-statement-spt-1029-20171028-story.html
I don't have Kedric Price's tweets on hand though.
foby
- Bonnaroo Land
As of right now I would take Tevian without a doubt. Feel Tevian is the type of player we haven't gotten often (6'7 with uber athleticism, good bb skills).
THT type players are available, solid college players but that skill type and measurables typically don't equate to major college success. Look at Wayne Blackshear (Louisville) and Sergio McClain.
Tevian a better fit for the BU offense and defense IMHO. But in two years who knows, he may end up like a DJ Williams (doubt it) and THT turn into Marcus Smart.
Dren1
- Glenview, IL
I would love to agree with your premise and I think Tevian has great upside, but THT is rated 53 in his class (as opposed to 114 for Tevian) for a reason. I am afraid THT will be more than just a "solid college player" by the time he is done. With all of that said, I think we made the right choice in Ayo if we were only going to get one of him or THT.
FWIW, Joe Henricksen thinks Tucker will be a more productive college player, but that Jones has pro upside because of his length and athleticism.
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