Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (November 2020)

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#428      
I played everyone's favorite game, the class calculator dream scenario game. With Cardet and Etienne we would be 14th nationwide and 3rd in the B1G with the current standings. This class still has the chance to be very very good.
Yep, and add RJ Melendez to that and that score would give us the finalized ranking of ~17th based on last year's final scores. The team that was 17th last year was, you guessed it, Illinois. A lot of ifs and it's currently very frustrating, but we aren't dead in the water yet. We'll have to re-evaluate in the Spring.
 
#429      
Creighton! Really?
Whether they have done better in the last ten years or not. Illinois is the 11th most winning basketball program in history. They play in arguably the best conference in the country. The big ten has its own network. The facilities are top notch. And the alumni is active and vast. Currently ranked preseason with the Bluebloods and should be putting two players in the NBA next year. This is a huge miss no matter how you slice it. Has to be frustrating for the staff. Wish the kid the best of luck. But if you really want to be the best the competition in the big ten is a great place to showcase that. Oh well!
On to the next!
The Big East isn't a mid-major conference. The competition will be stiff. They are currently ranked #11 in the AP Pre-season poll. Coach McDermott has done a great job of elevating that program from a very good mid-major program to simply a very good program. By almost any objective measure, Creighton has been better than U of I for the last decade. When you are 17, a decade is a LONG time. Losing a good recruit to that program is hardly reason for an indictment on our staff. Especially when we got to the party late. Despite recent misses, we are going to have an extremely good team and get great exposure as long as the season goes as planned. We should be positioned very well in the high major transfer market, even if our HS recruiting hasn't gone 100% to plan. (There are still some very good pieces available there as well.)
 
#431      
Moving on, what about Elijah Hutchins-Everett, PSU decommit? 6'10" with some meat on him. 247 says he's a Center but I see him as more of a Dererk Pardon type. Really a PF but can play/ guard C if needed.

Also Kordell Charles from IMG looks good on tape and was offered in early October.

If we could pick up 2 of Wesley Cardet Jr., RJ Melendez & Kordell Charles plus Mac (or a serviceable big like Elijah or a transfer) then the 2021 ship can still be saved
 
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#432      

JFGsCoffeeMug

BU:1 Trash cans:0
Chicago
I would expect Big Mac to jump on if he were worried about losing his spot. But since he's not going to lose his spot, it makes sense for him to keep on waiting. Waiting allows him to see whether our season turns out as predicted and to evaluate his other suitors. He's in a good spot.
 
#434      

whatahack

St. Peters MO
Hard not to interpret the pic on the right saying Illini have a slight lead.

I know....big ol' glass of kool-aid
 
#438      

According to Ked, Mac is committing in December. Let's get the season off to a hot start and close this one.

Fun fact: Mac is Haitian
I say let's win key games and take advantage of our great schedule to start the season by beating Duke, Baylor and Mizzou for good measure. ...national audiences vs premiere teams are good win or lose but let's win and that can only help our recruiting! Let Kofi do his thing and he can try and fill those big shoes!
 
#439      
I say let's win key games and take advantage of our great schedule to start the season by beating Duke, Baylor and Mizzou for good measure. ...national audiences vs premiere teams are good win or lose but let's win and that can only help our recruiting! Let Kofi do his thing and he can try and fill those big shoes!
Having really good early games against top tier teams --- especially games where Kofi dominates would bode VERY well for Mac.
 
#440      
Kofi will most likely declare for the NBA draft after this season. Mac can be a starter right away. Great opportunity. We look forward to you becoming a great Illini piece of the future.
 
#443      

Whitmans Sampler

Eastern Iowa
I can't shake what he said about Miami. The fact that his family is moving to Florida, and has a close friend committed to Miami worries me a lot.
Spider-Man GIF by memecandy
 
#445      
I am definitely not setting my self up for disappointment with the Mac recuitment. I will hope for the best but not have any expectations. Hopefully staff is all out on him and Cardet. From reading the article my opinion is we are sitting in 3rd. Maybe I'm wrong and way off. Hopefully i am. Go illini!
 
#447      

altenberger22

South Carolina
I can't shake what he said about Miami. The fact that his family is moving to Florida, and has a close friend committed to Miami worries me a lot.
I see things similarly. Without any better insight, I sorta do the same thing.........see how the recruits talk about each school. Based on that interview by Stockrisers, my takeaway is Marquette or Miami. Those "relationships" seem more solid. Will be best for my psyche if I view us as his 3rd best option.

I'm still waiting for one of these kids to mention our coaches by name.
 
#448      
I see things similarly. Without any better insight, I sorta do the same thing.........see how the recruits talk about each school. Based on that interview by Stockrisers, my takeaway is Marquette or Miami. Those "relationships" seem more solid. Will be best for my psyche if I view us as his 3rd best option.

I'm still waiting for one of these kids to mention our coaches by name.
Mac did mention Underwood and Orlando by name.

From the interview it sounds like
- Illinois did everything right and is a good fit.
- I'm going to Miami because it is an good fit near my family and friends.
 
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