At this point, IMO we are critically low on bigs in both numbers and mostly quality. We need to take what we can get provided they give us a reasonable chance for success. I have some hope that Braun at a 4 might be almost serviceable in a back up role, but mostly he would be for future years. If we can get a passable 5th year we need to play that game, as right now all we have is hope that we have at least 1 serviceable big on the roster & I'm not convinced that sending an unready freshman out to get slaughtered is all that useful to his development.
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (May-June 2018)
- Status
At this point, IMO we are critically low on bigs in both numbers and mostly quality. We need to take what we can get provided they give us a reasonable chance for success. I have some hope that Braun at a 4 might be almost serviceable in a back up role, but mostly he would be for future years. If we can get a passable 5th year we need to play that game, as right now all we have is hope that we have at least 1 serviceable big on the roster & I'm not convinced that sending an unready freshman out to get slaughtered is all that useful to his development.
Nobody is fan of 5th years as a strategy, and neither was Groce. But when you have gaps/holes in your recruiting, you have to find answers trying to fill those gaps, often utilizing 5th years, which otherwise should have been strictly opportunistic.
At the same time, relying on many "projects" late in the spring is not a solid strategy either, but similar to 5th years, if your main recruiting and existing roster has left you with gaps, you have to take chances.
Is getting a 5th year worse than leaving a scholarship open? From the fan perspective, I think the answer is no.
Pros: Another body, potential leadership,
Cons: takes time away from younger players, could be seen as recruiting over
Personally I think in our current situation, grabbing a 5th year, whether that be another wing or a big, should be a no brainer. I dont see the cons out weighing the pros. Even if they are a complete bust, you bench them like Thorne.
Either way, open schollys and fifth years are indications of poor recruiting/anticipation. I give Underwood a pass for this year, but Thorne is a good example of Groce failing at recruiting (as was Lewis). 5th years are dressings for wounds that need more extensive fixes.
Pros: Another body, potential leadership,
Cons: takes time away from younger players, could be seen as recruiting over
Personally I think in our current situation, grabbing a 5th year, whether that be another wing or a big, should be a no brainer. I dont see the cons out weighing the pros. Even if they are a complete bust, you bench them like Thorne.
Either way, open schollys and fifth years are indications of poor recruiting/anticipation. I give Underwood a pass for this year, but Thorne is a good example of Groce failing at recruiting (as was Lewis). 5th years are dressings for wounds that need more extensive fixes.
I expect most of the minutes at the 4 will be occupied by Kipper Nichols and Tevian Jones. Most of the minutes at the 5 will be split between Ebo and whatever freshman bigs we have. If they play/develop well they can steal some time at the 4. Fouls/injuries can conflate this but in general, this is what I would expect. A 5th year just takes time from guys that should still be here when we actually have a top tier B1G team. That won't be next year.
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TownieMatt
CU Expat
- Chicago
Given that the market for fifth years is pretty bare thus far, the most important thing is to get a guy that helps the culture. Someone that will come in and show the younger guys how to compete, even if their talent level isn't that high.
Peoria Illini
- Peoria, IL
Its not too hard to fail at recruiting when all you are doing is chasing the dream...(5*) and getting left out in the cold holding the door for the actual players for them.
Groce did not recruit to the needs/gameplan...he tried to recruit to the pressure of getting the instate or 5* all too often. BU is recruiting to his needs/gameplan, sometimes to our dismay as fans due to many of us looking at rankings only.
BU definitely deserves the pass, I trust he knows who will work for us to get better fast!
Weber got caught up trying to recruit to what fans and critics wanted as opposed to those that could run his motion offense as well.
Depending on what you mean by "project", I agree. Matic was a project. And frankly I'm glad to see him decide to try a different avenue to develop his game. Ebo on the other hand needs to develop but was a viable freshman big. As long as we can bring in Ebo quality players or better, that is the better route in my opinion.
I expect Ebo to have a much more consistent and impactful year. 65% FG% in conference. The young man needs to shoot more.
Without a doubt, shoot more. There were many times at the pinch post where he had the ball, waiting for the guards to run past him and after doing so, he could have done a 180 straight to the basket for a layup. He hasn't shown the ability to put the ball on the floor to the basket as much as he should.
Lower ranked recruits, especially some of those we got this Spring, are definitely projects. Sure, everyone will like the ones that will end up performing better, and statistically some may pan out, some won't. When you go into Spring/Summer and you have major gaps, you had a bad season, there is added pressure to make the tournament, and some higher ranked recruits have turned you down, you have to take chances.
People may say that Groce liked 5th year players, or that BU likes projects. Yet, the truth is that they both like higher ranked recruits who generally have higher chances of succeeding/performing but once you can't get those and you have major gaps in your roster, you have to take chances. Call it whatever you want, but the one who will not pan out will likely not stick around. Your chances of success are lower, but the more chances you have, the better.
ivwilsoniv
- Aurora, IL
He's got the opposing teams right where he wants them this year. They won't be expecting it based on his tape!
We may be leading in his recruitment (don't know either way), but at the very least we didn't blow him away to the point he feels he wants to jump aboard without delay.
And I have the sense that this coaching staff is better at helping players reach their potential. Players didn't seem to develop very well under Groce. Although I should give some credit to the development of Morgan.
mhuml32
- Cincinnati, OH
Let’s be honest - most of this team is a “project”. I hate the term “project bigs”. Every 18 year old is a project.
TownieMatt
CU Expat
- Chicago
At the end of the day, "Project" is just a code word for a lesser prospect.
mhuml32
- Cincinnati, OH
Not to me. There are many incoming 18 year olds that can log minutes right away. Some are ready to play 20+ minutes immediately and can provide a solid, all around game (Jalen Brunson), some can give you spot minutes and excel in a few areas (Da'Monte Williams), some can provide mostly garbage minutes or play in very specific situations (Maverick Morgan), and others should be redshirting or only playing in emergency (Matic). There is a difference between all 18 year olds developing and improving their game and being called a project because they shouldn't be getting playing in real games yet.
mhuml32
- Cincinnati, OH
More of a code word of someone who won't play meaningful minutes until they're an upperclassmen. Your statement works as well.
Dan
Admin
Update: This has been deleted-
Illinois just offered 2018 big man Dima Zdor @dima_zdor of @NyIonians @ElevateHoops
https://twitter.com/JKimElevate/status/998617398264639488
Illinois just offered 2018 big man Dima Zdor @dima_zdor of @NyIonians @ElevateHoops
https://twitter.com/JKimElevate/status/998617398264639488
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foby
- Bonnaroo Land
Welp. Based on this offer I no longer think we’re planning to roll over any scholarships.
Or Braun has moved on?
Braun might have been shown Zdor.
foby
- Bonnaroo Land
- Status