I wonder groce caught him on bad days. Like the apocryphal stories of how iggy would stink up the gym on days self was there.
Those stories weren't apocryphal (unfortunately).
I wonder groce caught him on bad days. Like the apocryphal stories of how iggy would stink up the gym on days self was there.
Out of the 9 guys you mention, it's highly likely all won't be here next season. I'd love to see them all stay, but in today's college ball, attrition happens regularly.
Also, DJW and Nichols can both play the 4 (although their ideal position is the 3).
I agree that we certainly need to add another C/PF type. However, I don't think that should stop us from recruiting Smith. I think that kid is a difference-maker.
Those stories weren't apocryphal (unfortunately).
What really makes this list annoying are the number of PG's that are on it considering all the dominant ones we have had the last few years......sarcasm...off.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.
Just for fun, other past "it recruits" - some summer, some HS season; this list is just for polarizing recruits that started under the radar and then gained a vocal bandwagon, only to sign with other schools when it felt like Illinois may have been able to lock them up if they'd put on the full court press.
Charlie Moore - Cal: 17.6 ppg, 1.9 reb, 3.0 ast, 1.6 stl, 44.7% 3pt
Marcus Lovett - SJU: 18.8 ppg, 4.1 reb, 3.9 ast, 0.8 stl, 44.4% 3pt
Glynn Watson - NEB: 12.4 ppg, 3.4 ast, 2.8 ast, 2.1 stl, 33.3% 3pt
Maurice Watson - Creighton (Boston U transfer): 13.1 ppg, 2.3 reb, 9.1 ast (1st in NCAA), 1.6 stl, 56.3% 3pt
Steve Taylor - Toledo (via Marquette): 16.8 ppg, 11.8 reb (4th in NCAA), 3.9 ast, 0.6 blk
Ben Moore - SMU: 11.8 ppg, 7.6 reb, 1.9 ast, 0.9 blk, 52.2% fg
Obviously, Tyler Ulis was a guy lots of people were banging the drum for, but since he's in the NBA now it doesn't make sense to include him. Likewise, people were talking about VanVleet his senior year (and his freshman year - he looked promising and then fell off the map for awhile), but since he's in the League I left him off. Lots of the kids on this list had red flags or there were mitigating factors, so I don't really blame the staff. However, if we had any of them on this year's team it would make a world of difference.
Out of the 9 guys you mention, it's highly likely all won't be here next season. I'd love to see them all stay, but in today's college ball, attrition happens regularly.
Also, DJW and Nichols can both play the 4 (although their ideal position is the 3).
I agree that we certainly need to add another C/PF type. However, I don't think that should stop us from recruiting Smith. I think that kid is a difference-maker.
FatGreg said:Charlie Moore - Cal: 17.6 ppg, 1.9 reb, 3.0 ast, 1.6 stl, 44.7% 3pt
Marcus Lovett - SJU: 18.8 ppg, 4.1 reb, 3.9 ast, 0.8 stl, 44.4% 3pt
Glynn Watson - NEB: 12.4 ppg, 3.4 ast, 2.8 ast, 2.1 stl, 33.3% 3pt
- Watson is really the one here that you could label as a miss, especially given the family ties. Pretty clear that the staff didn't think he was good enough. To be fair, Watson was a late raiser when St Joe's made that run to a state title.
Watson was a 4 star and top 100 recruit heading into his senior season. And yes, the staff decided to chase bigger fish instead.
Watson was a 4 star and top 100 recruit heading into his senior season. And yes, the staff decided to chase bigger fish instead.
This is always the story that the staff had no interest, isn't it also possible that Watson might have had no interest in us and wanted to do something besides go to a school where he would be constantly compared to his older brother?
Glynn Watson committed on Sep. 1 whereas Jawun Evans waited until Oct. 1, so it was difficult to string along plan B's (Shamet, Watson) that late, given where they felt they stood with their top targets.
With the differences in impact/talent between the two, including the odds of winning the recruitment, I totally understand why they didn't settle for plan B's.
Using hindsight it's really easy to criticize, but the timing of the way the recruitment's played out really worked against us.
In the '15 cycle, our Plan A's (Alterique Gilbert) committed much earlier in the process, which is why we were able to successfully move-on and land TJL.
@EvanDaniels
Harry Froling will visit Oregon State on December 21st and then Dayton on January 5th, per a source.
Long time lurker first time poster.
I hope we pursue Smith heavily. He's a physical specimen. He has a nose for scoring and is a bullish power guard that has the skills to play multiple positions. When watching him play I cant help but compare him to Ray Rice.
Go Illini!
Not sure who is all in the Metro East area, but Edwardsville plays East St. Louis January 3rd at Edwardsville. it would be a good chance to kill two birds with one stone and checkout both Smith and JT
The entire Southwest conference this year is phenomenal. You have
Pickett- Belleville East
Liddell- Belleville West
Smith- Edwardsville
Tillmon and Hargrove (Someone Illini should get on quick)- East St. Louis
Every week these guys are going at it. There is also a ton of talent coming up.
The entire Southwest conference this year is phenomenal. You have
Pickett- Belleville East
Liddell- Belleville West
Smith- Edwardsville
Tillmon and Hargrove (Someone Illini should get on quick)- East St. Louis
Every week these guys are going at it. There is also a ton of talent coming up.
Info on Hargrove, please? Also, insight on the top underclassmen (besides Liddell).
Info on Hargrove, please? Also, insight on the top underclassmen (besides Liddell).
He had a nasty dunk at the City of Palms dunk contest. It popped up on my twitter feed this morning.
This is from last year. He is much improved and now 6'6"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjfcEQMYo7s
Stud athlete. Shot and ballhandling are really improving.
Averaging 10 points and 10 boards a game for East side as a sophomore this year.