Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (November 2020)

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#583      

ProfessorQC

Ace Wolf
UofI
I was actually privy to some very encouraging conversations/high stakes discussions today about our REAL targets 😳

... But 1st let me just say, I was never concerned with Sharp 🙅🏽

Now, we may have taken some hits, but we’re not done swinging 🤞🏽💯

Just wait until we play a few top ten opponents and notch a couple upper-echelon wins against a blue-blood or two, and land the #1 ranking for a few weeks... or for the rest of the season 😁

But the key will be then, to just watch how we look to “seize on that opportunity and moment” to (re-)build recruiting momentum and go even further with it, to lengths like we haven’t ever seen before!!

Imagine how Lou Henson was able to walk into the homes of the top recruits in Chicago in the “Benji” days in the 80’s and early 90’s and have THE NAME of the school that player was waiting for...

Then imagine us doing that nation-wide in 2021 and beyond...🤯

We are about to BRAND this thing THIS YEAR!!

Thats the plan, that’s the goal. 🔸🔹

You don’t get a player of Ayo’s stature, a flagship program type player, a once in a decade or maybe once in a generation type player for this team and THIS State, who is willing to stay 3 years like Ayo and rebuild and eventually re-brand your entire program!

And this happens NOW!! 💯

We are going to start seeing the full effects of this now... over 4-5 years in the making, since they started recruiting and landed this kid... they’ve been planning and operating with a goal and mission in sight... You guys forget who is on this staff and what it’s built of... self proclaimed “Best coaching staff in the country” by BU, and he’s not playing when he says that...

I’m done talking, but if you let these little L’s in recruiting deter you or make you give up on this, then you don’t know what building and then eventually winning a Championship is made of.

It takes grit, grind, and Stick-to-itiveness ... it takes getting your arse whooped and getting the F up off the ground and getting right back in there face!!!

That’s what it’s going to take! That and a focused, concentrated strategy, preparation, and extreme intelligence.. and then using and executing that extremely intelligent strategy effectively...

And from what I’m hearing and heard today... I like EXACTLY where the chips lay, and exactly where they stand!! And I’m super excited about where they may fall!! ↗️🔝

Mac, Cardet, and just watch the move if we land the #1 ranking... just watch the move(s)... 👀

That’s all I’m gonna say 💯🤘🏽✨
 
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#584      

JFGsCoffeeMug

BU:1 Trash cans:0
Chicago
That’s what it’s going to take! That and a focused, concentrated strategy, preparation, and extreme intelligence and then using and executing that extremely intelligent strategy effectively...
If I'm hearing you correctly, I think you're saying our team's future success will be

Ten percent luck
Twenty percent skill
Fifteen percent concentrated power of will
Plus a few other things.

That about right?
 
#585      

ProfessorQC

Ace Wolf
UofI
I think we have an opportunity still to put this god forsaken recruiting season behind us and leave it in the past for good... 💨 💨

Lol but Mug, that sounds about right 😆

I just don’t know if the average Illini fan who follows recruiting around here can see it right now because we seem to just keep taking loses...

But that’s all a part of the process. Fortunately BU has been pretty darn good about filling out his classes and landing headliners each year...

Im still hopeful this will produce the same 🤞✨
 
#586      
I think we have an opportunity still to put this god forsaken recruiting season behind us and leave it in the past for good... 💨 💨

I'm ok with living off optimism for now, especially with a top-10 team about to start the season. Got a lot of talent with some huge games ahead of them --should really help raise the profile and rebuild the program.
 
#587      

texillwek

🔶🔹🔸🔷
100-percent-Michael-Scott.png
 
#589      
I think we have an opportunity still to put this god forsaken recruiting season behind us and leave it in the past for good... 💨 💨

Lol but Mug, that sounds about right 😆

I just don’t know if the average Illini fan who follows recruiting around here can see it right now because we seem to just keep taking loses...

But that’s all a part of the process. Fortunately BU has been pretty darn good about filling out his classes and landing headliners each year...

Im still hopeful this will produce the same 🤞✨
If you don’t think BU has factored in the fact that players can get immediate playing time after a transfer, you’re sadly mistaken. The program is going to get a ton of positive exposure this year and players wanting to transfer are going to see a great opportunity here. An excellent core group with several openings to fill. In Brad, I trust!!! 🤞
 
#590      
If you don’t think BU has factored in the fact that players can get immediate playing time after a transfer, you’re sadly mistaken. The program is going to get a ton of positive exposure this year and players wanting to transfer are going to see a great opportunity here. An excellent core group with several openings to fill. In Brad, I trust!!! 🤞
What I'm going to say relates to recruiting, because I personally think it is fair to assume that Giorgi as our starting center isn't good enough for Illinois to remain a top 10 team, so we need to get a good enough big man.

With that being said, I've questioned this before, how crazy is it that we have likely seen Giorgi's best season, as an unheralded FRESHMAN. Crazy to think he maybe won't be a starter again.

Obviously, I hope for the best for a great teammate and ambassador of our program!
 
#591      
What I'm going to say relates to recruiting, because I personally think it is fair to assume that Giorgi as our starting center isn't good enough for Illinois to remain a top 10 team, so we need to get a good enough big man.

With that being said, I've questioned this before, how crazy is it that we have likely seen Giorgi's best season, as an unheralded FRESHMAN. Crazy to think he maybe won't be a starter again.

Obviously, I hope for the best for a great teammate and ambassador of our program!
I think people are selling him short, and I don't know why. Yes, he had a rough Sophomore year, but he had to switch positions and adjust...

Our issue when Giorgi was our starting center came from our guards not stopping people from getting to the paint. We're way more defensively sound and have length now. I'm hopeful we can pick up some solid depth at Center obviously, but I'm bullish on Giorgi.
 
#592      
What I'm going to say relates to recruiting, because I personally think it is fair to assume that Giorgi as our starting center isn't good enough for Illinois to remain a top 10 team, so we need to get a good enough big man.

With that being said, I've questioned this before, how crazy is it that we have likely seen Giorgi's best season, as an unheralded FRESHMAN. Crazy to think he maybe won't be a starter again.

Obviously, I hope for the best for a great teammate and ambassador of our program!

I guess it depends what you mean by “best” season. Because of the talent level on that team and the improvement in subsequent years, his freshman year might end up as his statistical best But that’s not to say this year or next might not be better overall even if his stats aren’t. All I know is that he is still an important piece of this team and damn fun to root for.
 
#593      

Joel Goodson

respect my decision™
Our recruiting losses this year have been brutal, but we should be able to clean up in the transfer market. Hoping to close on Mac and Cardet too.

No way is our staff going to blow recruiting like Bubbles did after our title run.
 
#595      
I guess it depends what you mean by “best” season. Because of the talent level on that team and the improvement in subsequent years, his freshman year might end up as his statistical best But that’s not to say this year or next might not be better overall even if his stats aren’t. All I know is that he is still an important piece of this team and damn fun to root for.
Yeah. Ideally he doesn't need to get the kind of usage he did his freshman year, but hopefully his best basketball is still in front of him. I certainly believe it is.
 
#596      
I believe Giorgi is a better player now than he was as a freshman, he's playing a different role with different responsibilities. He's still a decent post player and matches up pretty well against most opponents he's assigned to guard.....if he can be consistent with his 12-15' jump shot he'll raise his game even more...don't count Giorgi as being done with improving his game and being an important part of this teams success
 
#597      
I think people are selling him short, and I don't know why. Yes, he had a rough Sophomore year, but he had to switch positions and adjust...

Our issue when Giorgi was our starting center came from our guards not stopping people from getting to the paint. We're way more defensively sound and have length now. I'm hopeful we can pick up some solid depth at Center obviously, but I'm bullish on Giorgi.
I think GB knows and understands his role. Last year he never understood and struggled. Now I see a guy who will take what is given to him and excel.
 
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