NCAA or NIT????
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (May-June 2018)
- Status
NCAA or NIT????
Adding just Whitney in addition to our current roster developing**
IMO Liddell is still a huge get for Illini getting a player who has a good chance to be a two time Mr. Basketball in the state of Illinois creates an image with younger players in Illinois that we go after and get the best players in the state. Those who compare him to Mathews may be right but I don't see that as a negative Mathews sure looked good for a final four Michigan team this year. Liddell will be a good player for whatever program gets him hope it is the Illini
I figured that was what you meant.
I mean seriously, how can we not think this roster, over the next two years, plus adding Whitney, wouldn't be a tourney team/potential SW16 contender?
If it isn't, we have failed miserably.
That being said, the goal is to win titles, per Josh. To win titles, more will be needed, I think we can all agree. But we have to start somewhere.
What's going on with Parker Braun? I was talking to an Attorney friend that's close to the program that said the staff feels he will be an Illini. Anyone else hearing anything like that? I like what I've read and seen on him. He looks to be aggressive driving to the basket and shoots it very well from all levels. With todays perimeter oriented rules both skills are vital to our success. ScuM has done well with these types of players even though I despise them.
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Talking it over with Mom this weekend. Mom wasn’t able to attend the unofficial with Parker and Dad. Should have a commitment early this week.
IlliniDent
- Chicago, IL
Because we didn't even get close to making the NIT let alone the NCAA this year and we are adding a bunch of developmental talent this year. Adding a single top 30 freshman will not be enough of a jump to suddenly make us a sweet 16 contender. Whitney is great and will be a fantastic player but he will need time to develop just like almost all freshmen do. We are in a massive hole right now and are taking the long developmental route to getting out of it. I am optimistic it will work but I think it's going to be a bumpy ride getting there as players develop. Even if we add Whitney, Liddell, and Kofi, they are all still going to be freshmen that year. While they would all contribute, they will need time to develop and adapt. None of the guys we have a shot at are top 10 talent, and as we've seen in the past, almost everyone takes time to develop despite what we all may want.
I agree thats why I said two years, not expecting it in 18/19 but a tourney should be expected in 19/20, I think thats fair. I also think anyone who makes the tourney is a "sweet sixteen contender" I guess its better to just say tourney berth.
You dont have to be a top ten talent to make significant contributions. Having followed the Illimi since the 70s. It's almost as frequent that one of the lower rated recruits often surprises us like TF. While you are correct that most freshmen dont make significant impacts I do feel that with a recruiting class of this size and the playing time available to them to gain experience I have faith one or two of this years new recruits could pop. Plus, Feliz brings experience as a incoming junior.
I hope Parker Braun signs this week. I like what I saw from him and that if I recall correctly he comes from a two time state championship team. He is long, fairly agile for his size, aggressive, and shots at 73% from the field as a senior! I love that he attacks, is aggressive, and tries to dunk everything. I keep thinking about Loyola's'freshman big man and i just hope we can find another surprise here at U of I in this years class . SInce there is more opportunity and more players coming in that at least one can pop sooner than most expect
I think someone will. Usually with classes of this size and given playing time someone will step up and surprise us. Maybe if Parker signs it will be him. We really have no idea what recruit may do regardless of rankings. Last year is proof of that.
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According to kenpom we were right on the cusp of being a top 100 team. Our record made it seem like we were worse but we weren't as awful as some people think.
IlliniDent
- Chicago, IL
I don't think we were awful, I just meant that Whitney alone won't be what makes us a sweet 16 team. 100% we should be a tourney team by that point but we have a ton of unknowns going forward. We have the chance to be a sweet 16 team but Whitney won't be the one that puts us over the edge his freshman year as he plays a position that we will already have some depth at.
Totally agree with this. Plus moving TF to the 2 and bringinging in shooters and slashers like Ayo, Feliz. And Tevan I expect us to play smaller and score much easier than before. I have faith that BU is recruiting and bringing in some of the players like he wants in his second year. He said from day one that he recruits players that bring certain skill sets and doesnt get hung up on rankings of players. He has had a very good recruiting class. He is bringing in some experience. Shooting from all levels, length, agility for our more athletic bigs than in the past, and an aggressive mind set. I know BU's track record and past success and I think these guys as a unit will surprise people. I love the class that we have coming regardless of ranking. All the wings can score and the bigs seem to be able to rebound, have length, and move well. I wouldn't bet against this class and BU.
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With the group we have, spreading the court, forcing TO, playing uptempo will negates the big issue. Adding a guy like Whitney only enhances this style of play. Poor shooting does cause you issues, and playing from behind when the other guys grind you inside. We play our style, keep pressure on, shoot well we will win a lot of games soon.
Does that also mean bobbling and losing every ball dished to him under the basket or in transition??
I couldn’t help myself
Kofi Cockburn is a bad dude. Reminds me of a Mahorn, Oakley, Mason type big. Best comparison might be Nas Reid, but Cockburn probably 2 inches taller.
Cockburn and Whitney would solidify the team in a major way.
Cockburn and Whitney would solidify the team in a major way.
Really? I guess I need to watch more film. Everyone made him out to be the next superstar a month or two ago.
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True, but Parker Braun commit tomorrow gives us a piece to the 2018 puzzle . That would leave us 3 schollies for 2019 .Will we go for 5th year grad, or roll the ride? One good big grad would be great, and still give us a ride for 2019. Decisions, decisions . Hope June 11 finds us with the right group!
illini80
- Forgottonia
He's a really really good player. He's not a 5 star or a one and done though. His size is a problem for the NBA.
illini80
- Forgottonia
True, but Parker Braun commit tomorrow gives us a piece to the 2018 puzzle . That would leave us 3 schollies for 2019 .Will we go for 5th year grad, or roll the ride? One good big grad would be great, and still give us a ride for 2019. Decisions, decisions . Hope June 11 finds us with the right group!
Really hope we get that commit. I'd hate for the staff to spend the summer looking for another 18.
Beginning to think we may roll a scholarship. Especially if we get Braun.
Underwood has stated previously that he’s not a big fan of 5th years. Obviously it is part of the game now and Underwood has participated (Alstork) but the idea of playing a guy who doesn’t know your system and will be gone at the end of the year isn’t the best formula for success. Bad 5th year pickups in lieu of solid HS recruiting really hurt Groce. I think we are in a spot where it will be more important to our long term goals to develop our young bigs this year versus bringing in a 5th year that helps us win maybe a game or two.
100% accurate.
Braun is getting towards a must-get spot at this point for depth and development purposes. Height-wise our tallest players will be:
Ayo, Alan, AJ 6'5"
Kipper Nichols 6'6"
Tevian Jones 6'7"
Giorgi Bezhanishvili 6'9"
Greg Eboigbodin 6'9"
Samba Kane 7'
Kane and Spicy G get into foul trouble and then we're running very small. Need one more front court guy.
TownieMatt
CU Expat
- Chicago
Scouting report on Braun from Eric Bossi of Rivals:
"Braun has good size, is a good athlete and has an expanding skill set and range as a jump shooter. He plays hard and he has won big on the high school level -- two time state champ at Blue Valley Northwest -- while also playing for one of top summer teams in MoKan Elite. He does need to add strength and continue to build on his overall skill level, but his biggest asset right now is is energy and activity. Schools feel like he can come in and play some minutes early because of that energy and that they can develop him into a reliable upperclassman."
https://basketballrecruiting.rivals...decision-coming-for-top-35-junior-romeo-weems
"Braun has good size, is a good athlete and has an expanding skill set and range as a jump shooter. He plays hard and he has won big on the high school level -- two time state champ at Blue Valley Northwest -- while also playing for one of top summer teams in MoKan Elite. He does need to add strength and continue to build on his overall skill level, but his biggest asset right now is is energy and activity. Schools feel like he can come in and play some minutes early because of that energy and that they can develop him into a reliable upperclassman."
https://basketballrecruiting.rivals...decision-coming-for-top-35-junior-romeo-weems
skyIdub
Winged Warrior
- Status