Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (May-June 2018)

[Deleted member 631370]

What's the buzz? Tell me what's a happening.

Jordan Caroline is really thinking about coming to Illinois. Playing in the NBA or for a top-10 Nevada team just doesn't fulfill his dream the way playing for a likely NIT Illinois team does.

The problem is, I'm also hearing the staff is really cooling on Caroline. Compared his athleticism to Larry Bird, which has raised some red flags. Probably isn't a good "fit".

 

[foby]

Jordan Caroline is really thinking about coming to Illinois. Playing in the NBA or for a top-10 Nevada team just doesn't fulfill his dream the way playing for a likely NIT Illinois team does.

The problem is, I'm also hearing the staff is really cooling on Caroline. Compared his athleticism to Larry Bird, which has raised some red flags. Probably isn't a good "fit".

:thumb: Now, I too feel like an insider.

 

[TCTORNADO]

What's the buzz? Tell me what's a happening.

Package deal with Cunningham.

 

[IllFanInMi]

Yeah, it’s a real shame, that lack of athleticism really hurt Larry Legend, with a little more he would certainly be on the All Universe NBA team. Magic Johnson, makes that team also with more athletic ability, but he would’ve had to beat out Stockton.

Come on, sometimes you have to see the basketball skills, ability to score, court sense, savvy, attitude, etc... Many athletic players don’t become great ones, there’s much more to it.

 

[doowink]

Sweet Caroline...uh uh oh....good times never......

 

[kuhl84]

I imagine we havent heard buzz on it because its not true. Hes working out for the Cavs today

It doesn't matter that he has a workout with the Cavs today or the Lakers last week. He's not going to get drafted. He's not really close to the board.

It is more likely than not the Martin bros not going back. They are already 23 years old. Like Leron, they aren't going to be more valuable next year. Assuming they are gone, between the Martins and Stephens Nevada loses 41% of rebounds and 56% of scoring. There roster is significantly worse 1 - 3 than ours. Its not close. Add the loss of Caroline and they lose 67% of rebounds and 78% of scoring.

I'm not saying JC is coming to UI. Just that it certainly isn't a given that he is returning to Nevada from a basketball stand point. He is not going to get closer to the NBA by staying at Nevada another year.

He needs to decide if he wants to be a featured piece in a major conference or go play professionally over seas. Nevada is not likely to get him any closer to his ultimate goals.

 

[othawhitemeat]

Jordan Caroline is really thinking about coming to Illinois. Playing in the NBA or for a top-10 Nevada team just doesn't fulfill his dream the way playing for a likely NIT Illinois team does.

The problem is, I'm also hearing the staff is really cooling on Caroline. Compared his athleticism to Larry Bird, which has raised some red flags. Probably isn't a good "fit".

Have no clue either way, but if he did come, i do think we would be better than a NIT team. Obviously, doubtful he comes, but he is pretty good.

 

[sunman]

What's the buzz? Tell me what's a happening.

Great movie by the way

 

[alamocityillini]

Jordan Caroline to stay at Nevada.

https://twitter.com/Fadeaway_J24


"I will be returning to the University of Nevada for my senior season. I look forward to this season being one of the most exciting of my career."

 

[Ratskin]

Oops.

 

[drewillini89]

Never thought Caroline was coming here. Underwood doesn’t want transfers if he can avoid them. Feliz is an exception because of the history with Antigua.

 

[tyrannosaurus scorus]

Never thought Caroline was coming here. Underwood doesn’t want transfers if he can avoid them. Feliz is an exception because of the history with Antigua.

Alstork was a transfer and Feliz is JUCO

 

[IlliniDent]

Never thought Caroline was coming here. Underwood doesn’t want transfers if he can avoid them. Feliz is an exception because of the history with Antigua.

Yea this has nothing to do with JC being a transfer. Would’ve killed to have him.

 

[illiniguy24]

Never thought Caroline was coming here. Underwood doesn’t want transfers if he can avoid them. Feliz is an exception because of the history with Antigua.

Underwood would have... seriously injured... someone for Caroline


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[jrichisamazing]

Can we stop the "Underwood doesn't like transfers statement"? Underwood likes anyone who can help him compete at a high level.

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[FC Illiniman]

Can we stop the "Underwood doesn't like transfers statement"? Underwood likes anyone who can help him compete at a high level.

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That may be true, but grad transfers are not most reliable to filling out roster. I'm sure if last resort maybe, but think he wants to have freshmen to mold.Example, last years train wreck.

 

[BRucks]

Never thought Caroline was coming here. Underwood doesn’t want transfers if he can avoid them. Feliz is an exception because of the history with Antigua.

and Caroline is a legacy. Reason enough to make an exception.

 

[jrichisamazing]

That may be true, but grad transfers are not most reliable to filling out roster. I'm sure if last resort maybe, but think he wants to have freshmen to mold.Example, last years train wreck.

Last year's train wreck? Imagine if instead of Alstork, we had a freshman project who wasn't ready for college basketball. And on the flip side, imagine if we had a 5th year big who could give us 10 mpg instead of Matic. I don't see your point.

Obviously almost all 5th years are last resort considering they commit in late spring or summer.

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[SpoonRiverIllini]

The good thing about 5th years are their self creaning

 

[Ga65]

:thumb:

 

[RIVERCITYCHIEF]

Wasnt "Transfee U" just in the Elite 8? BU will take any player he feels will make us better. Granted we haven't had recent great successes lately with our transfers but we missed on some really good ones. Some are currently even in the NBA. Kenny Battle and JC player Kenny Norman was a pretty good ones for us a few years back.

 

[kuhl84]

Underwood would have killed for Caroline. Come on.

Yes. To insinuate anything else is absolute crazy talk.

 

[SergioKittner]

Can we stop the "Underwood doesn't like transfers statement"? Underwood likes anyone who can help him compete at a high level.

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Underwood specifically said he doesn’t like 5th years all that much so you’re probably going to keep hearing about it.

With that said, anyone who took that to mean we wouldn’t be very interested in someone like Jordan Caroline then their common sense meter is broken.

Problem is most 5th years are like Khalid Lewis, Mike Thorne, San McLaurin, John Ekey, Mark Alstork, Ahmad Starks, etc. and they are role players at best. There aren’t many high-caliber 5th years out there. If you’re recruiting well from the HS talent pool, you’re better off going that route.

If you can add a significant piece to a good team though, that’s different. I can’t think of the kids name right now but the 5th year UNC took last year was outstanding and definitely an exception versus the rule.

 

[Joel Goodson]

Underwood specifically said he doesn’t like 5th years all that much so you’re probably going to keep hearing about it.

With that said, anyone who took that to mean we wouldn’t be very interested in someone like Jordan Caroline then their common sense meter is broken.

Problem is most 5th years are like Khalid Lewis, Mike Thorne, San McLaurin, John Ekey, Mark Alstork, Ahmad Starks, etc. and they are role players at best. There aren’t many high-caliber 5th years out there. If you’re recruiting well from the HS talent pool, you’re better off going that route.

If you can add a significant piece to a good team though, that’s different. I can’t think of the kids name right now but the 5th year UNC took last year was outstanding and definitely an exception versus the rule.

+1 to all your points. Nice post.

 

[sacraig]

Underwood specifically said he doesn’t like 5th years all that much so you’re probably going to keep hearing about it.

With that said, anyone who took that to mean we wouldn’t be very interested in someone like Jordan Caroline then their common sense meter is broken.

Problem is most 5th years are like Khalid Lewis, Mike Thorne, San McLaurin, John Ekey, Mark Alstork, Ahmad Starks, etc. and they are role players at best. There aren’t many high-caliber 5th years out there. If you’re recruiting well from the HS talent pool, you’re better off going that route.

If you can add a significant piece to a good team though, that’s different. I can’t think of the kids name right now but the 5th year UNC took last year was outstanding and definitely an exception versus the rule.

Mike Thorne is a terrible example, though. He was actually pretty great until he got hurt and just never fully recovered. Sam McLaurin was a straight up decent or better player in his time here and would be, honestly, a huge boon to this year's team if we had him again.