Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (November-December 2016)

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#2,426      

combes

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combes
Hooping34 said:
Well from sources close to Mark Smith..He's interested in the best fit for him..Smith's camp likes The Illini but they think if D. Williams is healthy & a go for next season is a talented Smith going to be standing outside the Big 10 Illini party ...trying to get in....

Smith is a true 6'4 1/2 & a born PG with an extensive ability to play the 2 or 3 but is most effective at the 1.....

DePaul (offered), Northwestern, Pittsburgh & K-State have all been out to see Smith within the last 2wks...
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As others have said, if Smith is as good as you think, why would he be behind the others at Illinois? Best players play.

I'd love to have him. Great guard corps. Those win a lot of games.
 
#2,427      

illini8507

illini8507
illini8507
IllinifaninFL said:
I was at the game last night as well. I sat right behind the Wellington bench. I was impressed with his game as he can turn it on whenever he wants and he plays with a commanding swagger, but not overly cocky. They played with 3 guards last night and the other two are phenomenal players as well. They all demonstrated great potential to find a lane out of nowhere and beat their opponent to the hole. What really amazed me is Trent's attitude. I saw a lot of respect showed to his coaches and the other players. He didn't seem to try and separate himself as a one man show. He played into the team scheme.
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Great post. This is the kind of info I come here for. Sounds like Trent will be a great fit. Thanks for sharing :thumb:
 
#2,428      

mhuml32

mhuml32
Cincinnati, OH
mhuml32
FatGreg said:
Luwane Pipkins is averaging 11.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and is second in the NCAA in steals at an insane 3.4 per game. He is shooting poorly, but I'd say he's having quite a RS freshman year at UMASS.
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It's still very early (steals rate is incredible, but he's shooting a Jaylon Tate-esque percentage (33.9%) against poor competition), so neither the performance nor the sample size is making me think he is having quite a freshman year. It's showing some promise, but needs more time for assessment.
 
#2,430      

Ga65

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Ga65
Watched Epperson play last nite. Do not see him as physically ready for BIG unless he develops tremendously in the next year. Seems to be skilled and active but would benefit from a red shirt year. Believe Finke will be playing a lot of center next year. Hope Kipper is a capable back up to Black.
 
#2,432      

Illinijose

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Illinijose
What is the weakness of Smith? As a large PG probably quickess to cover smaller PGs. All players also need tp improve handles, but his seem pretty good. If he goes to Wisconsin he is going to haunt us. He seems to fit their system. I'm surprised he wasn't noticed by staff earlier.
 
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KingKowski94

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KingKowski94
Heard from source close to the bball program that the plan is to get epperson, have him redshirt and then have a grad transfer to back up Tillman
 
#2,434      

cjcastan

cjcastan
cjcastan
Illinijose said:
What is the weakness of Smith? As a large PG probably quickess to cover smaller PGs. All players also need tp improve handles, but his seem pretty good. If he goes to Wisconsin he is going to haunt us. He seems to fit their system. I'm surprised he wasn't noticed by staff earlier.
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I am pretty sure the only reason he has terrible scholly offers is I am assuming he was out of mind for most coaches because they thought he would go baseball.

I still think he's like demetri in a lot of ways. We could have used a meechi level player in the worst way last few years
 
#2,435      

TCTORNADO

TCTORNADO
TCTORNADO
cjcastan said:
I am pretty sure the only reason he has terrible scholly offers is I am assuming he was out of mind for most coaches because they thought he would go baseball.

I still think he's like demetri in a lot of ways. We could have used a meechi level player in the worst way last few years
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Ind. State, NIU, SIU/Ed, and Wright State have offered for him to play both.
 
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BlindLoyalty

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FartNoiseMotivation
BlindLoyalty
As a Sr. in HS, Smith reminds me a bit of O'Fallon native Roosevelt Jones as a HS Sr. In college, only a select few players develop like Jones did at Butler.
 
#2,439      

FatGreg

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FatGreg
BlindLoyalty said:
As a Sr. in HS, Smith reminds me a bit of O'Fallon native Roosevelt Jones as a HS Sr. In college, only a select few players develop like Jones did at Butler.
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Smith appears to be a much better shooter, though. Similar frame/athleticism for sure.
 
#2,441      

zoggle101

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zoggle101
mhuml32 said:
It's still very early (steals rate is incredible, but he's shooting a Jaylon Tate-esque percentage (33.9%) against poor competition), so neither the performance nor the sample size is making me think he is having quite a freshman year. It's showing some promise, but needs more time for assessment.
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Kid is a straight scorer. He had a pretty efficient game today if you check. He'll be 20ppg guy as a rs-junior. Reminds me of Yogi.
 
#2,442      

BlindLoyalty

B
FartNoiseMotivation
BlindLoyalty
Illininer said:
Smith is much more athletic. Roosevelt is/was much bigger body wise, but Smith is still a tank..
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You are remembering Jones as a massive collegian post injury w/ old man game. In HS Jones was 200 lbs as a Sr, Smith is listed at 225lbs. Having seen both play as Srs in HS I have no qualms saying their athleticism was/is comparable (neither is a + athlete in NBA/CBB terms). As a Sr in HS, Smith is w/o a doubt a better shooter from distance.
 
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Hooping34

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Hooping34
BlindLoyalty said:
As a Sr. in HS, Smith reminds me a bit of O'Fallon native Roosevelt Jones as a HS Sr. In college, only a select few players develop like Jones did at Butler.
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Smith is a much better shooter & floor general than Jones....Smith is a pure PG play maker but understands how to get players involved...One of his "true" weaknesses is that he soooo unselfish.... Will pass up an open shot to swing to teammates....

Jones is a good player & had a good run @ Butler but if Jones could knock down the open jumper as Smith can ..... He might've gotten drafted....good player
 
#2,444      

FiveStar

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FiveStar
I coached against Roosevelt Jones as a senior twice. He was much stronger than everyone but was nowhere near the athlete smith appears to be. If Roosevelt was going down the lane finishing with dunks with multiple defenders in the area, he would not have been a mid major player.
 
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Paigncake

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Paigncake
Hooping34 said:
Smith is a much better shooter & floor general than Jones....Smith is a pure PG play maker but understands how to get players involved...One of his "true" weaknesses is that he soooo unselfish.... Will pass up an open shot to swing to teammates....

Jones is a good player & had a good run @ Butler but if Jones could knock down the open jumper as Smith can ..... He might've gotten drafted....good player
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I think I read Smith intending on attending the Bragging Rights game?

I hope he realizes healthy Damonte or no Damonte a guard with his size and ability will see the court and he Frazier and Damonte would be a fierce trio at the 1-3 spot to be reckoned with.
 
#2,446      

Illinijose

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Illinijose
KingKowski94 said:
Heard from source close to the bball program that the plan is to get epperson, have him redshirt and then have a grad transfer to back up Tillman
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That sounds like a great plan, especially is we can get Ayo the following year. Epperson strikes me as a player that would do well in college with improvement year over year. Has good instincts and talent, just not physically gifted at this point.
 
#2,449      

Joel Goodson

Joel Goodson
respect my decision™
Joel Goodson
I can understand deferring on Smith if we knew Ayo was a lock. But that is hardly the case. Think we are really going to regret it if we don't go after Smith hard. Offer him now, full court press.
 
#2,450      

TownieMatt

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CU Expat
Chicago
TownieMatt
I'd love to have Smith, but I trust the staff on this one. Our need for post players is immediate. Leron and Finke will be Juniors next year. If Tilmon leaves after his freshman or sophomore year, we'd have no bigs in 19/20 barring transfers or young recruits.
 
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