3) Ayo goes pro, and Miller de-commits and opts for another school.
You can not look at the history or recruiting and recognize that this is also a option.
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (November 2019)
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3) Ayo goes pro, and Miller de-commits and opts for another school.
You can not look at the history or recruiting and recognize that this is also a option.
He sounds pretty solid in his comittment... feels good it would be nice if someone transferred and we were able to talk miller into playing with curbelo, dosunmu .... doubt that though..
Same... his commit is nice and all, but basically doesn't mean anything. Been down this road before.
Illini in OC
In. The. Alley.
So if Adam's choice depends purely on Ayo's choice, the recruiting plot is as thick as it can be - with huge implications for the future if this becomes a pattern. Assuming BU's team continues (accelerates??) their recruiting momentum and regularly generates interest from top talent, they'll need to evolve to recruiting top talent that's willing to play together - a la Duke, UNC, UK, KU, MSU...
Now *that* would be a good problem to have. But it will have it's own share of nut-punches to endure.
Now *that* would be a good problem to have. But it will have it's own share of nut-punches to endure.
The brand on the court should be good. Seems to me that a non tourney team would imperil this.
Deleted member 29907
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I think this is overstated - there may be a very few who are deep ending it, but most who are not yet popping the champagne are saying - this is good, but until he signs, we'll withhold pulling out the fireworks. That's a pretty reasonable measured response.
And to be clear, this is not Blue Blood Recruiting. If it were, we'd have 2 or 3 of these type players in the mix and if he didn't sign, we'd happily move on to the next. This is 'Wannabe Recruiting' still. So one should not be surprised if a key recruit, that is holding up a scholly spot, is not fully celebrated until signed.
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hooraybeer
- Pittsburgh, PA
for the program to ascend we really need Ayo to have a good season and lead us to the tournament, then get drafted. while it would be nice to have Ayo back as a junior, that would mean that we had a subpar season and/or he did not progress as expected. Top recruits want situations that set them up for the NBA, and if we can’t show the ability to do that with a top recruit who was generating buzz after his freshman season, it will really hamper us going forward
We are so scarred from occurrences that happened 5+ years ago, that it's muddied the ability for many to enjoy the successes. Last night, we had a high profile, Chicago Public League recruit, have orange and blue confetti dropped on him, he heard roars of affection, he proudly announced that he wanted to play basketball at Illinois, he broke out an Illinois T-shirt and proudly tweeted it.
That's all great stuff! It's great for the roster, it's great for the kid, it's GREAT publicity and he addressed a major question perfectly when asked, "Why Illinois?". He got into not understanding all of the heat thrown at Illinois....then explained all of the great things. That was all a louder endorsement than any coach could deliver. Breaking news if you're a parent....High School kids tend to value the opinions of their friends and peers just a TINY bit.
There is a serious inferiority complex, by some, based on what happened 5, 10, 15 years ago. That seriously needs to stop. We ask these kids to believe in Illinois, but some of our fans don't!
Do you think that Kentucky fans freaked out when Khalil Whitney didn't sign his NLI in November, 2018? That kid was never wavering. He just wanted to make sure that the kids who were going pro.....were actually going pro.
This is the world we live in when it comes to big time players and big time recruiting. We've wanted to be in the dogfights for these guys for a long time. You want to get commitments from one and done type players....here they are. This is how it goes. The inferiority complex needs to cease. How can we ask the kids to believe in the program, when many fans and alumni don't even believe in it?
Yesterday was another huge day for BU and Co. Enjoy it. I'm sure he and Chin have a good pulse on everything going on. I'm sure Miller, his family and the Irvin's have a good pulse of what's going on.
Yesterday was a great day. Be proud of your coach, your program and our boys. People are attracted to confidence. Adam Miller has confidence to celebrate Illinois and his commitment. He deserves our support and full confidence in return. The fact that people noted on his timeline, the caveat that he didn't sign.....makes me cringe.
The Eor.....oh no, we're doomed, here we go again.... mentality needs to cease. It's a new day....an exciting day. Let's make sure we treat this kid as one of our own, a part of the family because as of yesterday....HE IS and it's awesome!
Ok....rant complete.
That's all great stuff! It's great for the roster, it's great for the kid, it's GREAT publicity and he addressed a major question perfectly when asked, "Why Illinois?". He got into not understanding all of the heat thrown at Illinois....then explained all of the great things. That was all a louder endorsement than any coach could deliver. Breaking news if you're a parent....High School kids tend to value the opinions of their friends and peers just a TINY bit.
There is a serious inferiority complex, by some, based on what happened 5, 10, 15 years ago. That seriously needs to stop. We ask these kids to believe in Illinois, but some of our fans don't!
Do you think that Kentucky fans freaked out when Khalil Whitney didn't sign his NLI in November, 2018? That kid was never wavering. He just wanted to make sure that the kids who were going pro.....were actually going pro.
This is the world we live in when it comes to big time players and big time recruiting. We've wanted to be in the dogfights for these guys for a long time. You want to get commitments from one and done type players....here they are. This is how it goes. The inferiority complex needs to cease. How can we ask the kids to believe in the program, when many fans and alumni don't even believe in it?
Yesterday was another huge day for BU and Co. Enjoy it. I'm sure he and Chin have a good pulse on everything going on. I'm sure Miller, his family and the Irvin's have a good pulse of what's going on.
Yesterday was a great day. Be proud of your coach, your program and our boys. People are attracted to confidence. Adam Miller has confidence to celebrate Illinois and his commitment. He deserves our support and full confidence in return. The fact that people noted on his timeline, the caveat that he didn't sign.....makes me cringe.
The Eor.....oh no, we're doomed, here we go again.... mentality needs to cease. It's a new day....an exciting day. Let's make sure we treat this kid as one of our own, a part of the family because as of yesterday....HE IS and it's awesome!
Ok....rant complete.
This is pathetic imho. With respect Noyes100. I watched Adam Miller in AAU as a 6th grader. He is a stud and has been since a kid. In his entire memory Illinois has been a BAD basketball program, run by Weber, Groce into the ground. And he still verbally committed but held out his option (like a lot of top kids do). I am stoked. He is a talent like Ayo and Kofi... STUD... We are going to roll out the talent son! I have waited so long for talent to verbal/sign. Miller coming here will lead to more WINS and NCAA tournament games... Hold back excitement...?
Deleted member 746684
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the bold is the only thing keeping me from getting excited, honestly. We could build a team of players who committed to Illinois and ultimately went elsewhere.
In the past, I was with you. I was over the moon, but frankly, the decommitment and recommitment process is brutal if we get ahead of ourselves.
If there's something to legitimately be excited about, it's that Illinois is now in the conversation for most elite in-state prospects.
skyIdub
Winged Warrior
Ok, you know 101 is entry level class right? Blue Blood Recruiting..... 101. To be clear, I meant that we are entry level recruiting Blue Blood level talent.
Also, after Ayo, Kofi, and Curbelo...we are very clearly not "Wannabe Recruiting".
IDKWTI 2.0
The bright side of Miller's (non) COMMITMENT, is that we get to continue to obsess over every move he makes, freak out over bag-man theories, and wonder if the color of his shorts in his latest Instagram has a secret meaning. This board might die without that stuff! I don't know about the rest of you, but my cup is still firmly in place.
Has nothing to do with Ayo ( who I might add was the lead guest during his recruitment). Its just what these top 30 kids do nowadays. Wait till the spring which brings attention to their teams with talented underclassmen still trying to get looks.
So A Mills doesn't want to play with Ayo but if he looks elsewhere, point guard is where he will play. IMO. I already believe the play situation has already been discussed with several scenarios envisioned. WINK WINK.... CONGRATULATIONS WOLF!!
So A Mills doesn't want to play with Ayo but if he looks elsewhere, point guard is where he will play. IMO. I already believe the play situation has already been discussed with several scenarios envisioned. WINK WINK.... CONGRATULATIONS WOLF!!
Did Tillman signing an LOI get him to Illinois? It is only a piece of paper
HoopCity
- Huntsville, AL
I think we keep recruiting a shooting guard, what if he don't come for whatever reason, this door swings both ways !!
I am of the opinion that these questions re Miller's commitment are common in high level recruiting.
The more important long-term positive here is that we are stacking great recruiting classes. If we can keep doing this all will be well.
More great talent means more wins, brings more tourney appearances, elevates the program prestige, brings more great talent, means more wins.....
The more important long-term positive here is that we are stacking great recruiting classes. If we can keep doing this all will be well.
More great talent means more wins, brings more tourney appearances, elevates the program prestige, brings more great talent, means more wins.....
Disclaimer: I mean no disrespect to our insiders and hope they keep their insights coming, fully understanding that situations change.
That said, up until a few days ago, we all knew that Miller was announcing the day after the signing period for the purpose of keeping an escape hatch open if needed. This is CLEARLY the best decision for him, just not best for US. I believe most of us accepted this and were just hoping for an Illinois hat (or, you know, wolf mask).
Then around Monday rumors swirled of a “secret signing”. I believe these rumors have created a sense of disappointment in Miller’s announcement. This is no fault of his, and is seemingly self-inflicted angst by a collective group of neurotic masochists (that’s us, and I fully include myself here).
We should be happy today. We just don’t have a lot of practice in that, so we’re not very good at it.
That said, up until a few days ago, we all knew that Miller was announcing the day after the signing period for the purpose of keeping an escape hatch open if needed. This is CLEARLY the best decision for him, just not best for US. I believe most of us accepted this and were just hoping for an Illinois hat (or, you know, wolf mask).
Then around Monday rumors swirled of a “secret signing”. I believe these rumors have created a sense of disappointment in Miller’s announcement. This is no fault of his, and is seemingly self-inflicted angst by a collective group of neurotic masochists (that’s us, and I fully include myself here).
We should be happy today. We just don’t have a lot of practice in that, so we’re not very good at it.
I am not celebrating until Miller signs his LOI. I believe he sincerely wants to be an Illini , but a lot can happen between now and then. Miller is just keeping his options open just in case.
Right, Miller said Da'Monte is like his big brother and he told him he was committing before anyone else. Now he's going to say, sorry big brother, not gonna play with you next year, I'm heading elsewhere? LOL
Right because Miller is from another state, grew up following another school, had the state school's coach change during his recruiting, etc. So yeah, real similar. Remind me who on Illinois' team at the time IDKWTI played with in HS.
I mean, it's crystal clear to everyone I think that he didn't sign the LOI so that he could change his mind at some point in the spring. The whole point of not signing it is to keep that option open, so yes, it does seem like a possibility?
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