Randle's 19.6 ppg average at Stanford in his senior year and Boatright's 17.4 ppg at Connecticut in his senior year is something the Illini could have used back then. Glad we're on the right track now for other potential IL Mr. Basketballs to add to MS!
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (October 2017)
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http://ballislife.com/damonte-williams-2/
https://www.prephoops.com/2016/11/illinois-mr-basketball-candidate-damonte-williams/
The sense to it was at the time, junior year and summer play, he was rated Top 50, and many reported at the time that he was a very solid candidate to become that...attached are just a few that reported the type of talent/potential accolades.
I don't think it is to far fetched to state he would have been well on his way had his HS career hadn't ended the way that it did. The few games he played prior to injury, he was averaging like 26 pts per game. Pretty sensible to me
PlayAZ, I'm in agreement with you. I've seen this young man play and your opinion is extremely valid. As you know, sometimes this board turns is like a Know-It-All Convention. I guess the main point is that Smith and Demonte are with the Illini along with a group of talented vets and other young players.
Thank you and agreed, pretty special to have Mr. Basketball caliber guys on the team after years of mediocre talent at the guard position.
Yeah, Underewood has bad toenails too, so let's post about that, and how that makes him a lousy coach. Seriously, raggin on Underwood after the positives he's brought irks me.
We got an extremely promising coach to come to a dumpster fire. A guy who hasn't missed the NCAAs, ever, as a HC, while we were missing the dance every year he punched his ticket. We're a premier program that has sunk to irrelevance.
Our guy hasn't been on the job long enough to coach a single game. What he's done in that time has been friggin amazing. We've filled enormous gaps on the roster despite a rough coaching change. That was a 5 man class with at least a couple guys dependent on Groce being here. Underwood also brought in a staff that will go to great lengths to compete for talent.
According to 247, our lone commit gives us the 68th best class in the nation. You wanna know how many classes that size are ranked above us? I'll tell you: exactly one, Kentucky at 64th.
Underwood will fill out this class despite any naysayers --if you haven't noticed, he casts a net much farther and wider than most. We'd all feel better if we had a big in the fold, but we'd all probably feel better if $1million fell in our laps too. Good luck finding some magic pixie dust to make that happen.
Honestly, I haven't felt this good about a coach since $elf came here from Tulsa. IMO $elf wasn't satisfied just winning, he wanted to put together a NC roster. Shame he thought it would be easier at Kansas, and Guenther was never going to take a chance after he got pissed at how the negotiations went. I'm not suggesting I expect Underwood will get us there, but when a talented guy is hungry, the ceiling is very, very high. If he re-establishes us in the recruiting world, that alone is worth something, as sometimes it's easier to maintain connections than establish them. And knowing he's not afraid of that side of things gives me confidence. If his coaching chops are as good as they appear, we'll be back, and I believe competing at the top of the conference. Not expecting this year, but I think our young talent will put us as a threat soon. To criticize all that over one recruiting miss, and that's pretty much all this is, is foolish.
I don't think Underwood will be satisfied until he's got the best class he can possibly get. If we're playing from behind for a schollie or two, that's understandable. And this may be a better season than most to absorb that.
[rant over]
Nope pretty sure it would have been the other way around if he hadn't been hurt, either way it was not a post to be taken literally to extent. Williams had/s the talent to have gotten the award, Smith did and does as well....we have both and now Ayo and don't forget Frazier...soooooo
The argument could be made that we have 4 Mr Basketball caliber guys now...nevermind
Hadn't seen this before....Florida and Dairy Farmers seems odd for some reason, and an award named after such for basketball seems more odd, but Trent won it...lol
http://highschoolbuzz.blog.palmbeac...nt-frazier-named-class-9a-player-of-the-year/
Florida Dairy Farmers 9A basketball player of the year!!! HOLY COW!
That's kind of mesmerizing actually...damn need more coffee with creamer!
Mark Smith was not a name heard much in basketball circles until after the first of the year. Who will be this season's unexpected talent to become available? Three of the new recruits had not been on our radar until they were signed. Not going to lose any sleep over not getting anyone else other than Ayo at this point.
Mark Smith wasn't heard of much in the hoops arena, because he was a heavy lean towards playing baseball at the next level.
if you mean Illini fans radar that's true, but they were on the staffs or at least a member of the saffs
Normally I don't like quoting or reading long posts but this is right on the money.
IlliniDent
- Chicago, IL
Yes there is still an issue and it had nothing to do with crystal balls.
That being said, there is something I think has been blown up and will go away over time
All in favor say "aye" - so ordered.
Well get over there and retrace your roots! Look up some family! While you are there you can go look up Samanic and take him out for a pizza. I'm really interested in what the pizza is like over there!?!?!
Are you trying to get us on probation?
Florida Dairy Farmers 9A basketball player of the year!!! HOLY COW!
He is an Illini now, so it is a MOO-t point.
heck if I know, I'm over it, but its nuts to think this is going to just go away even with recruiting
I just hope we find a big for 18
IlliniDent
- Chicago, IL
Yep must just be crazy. I'll switch to this is the worst thing to happen to Illinois sports in recent memory. Much more enjoyable that way
USAFILLINI
- Florida
Any BPJ news? Visit to Washington this weekend?
if the rumor is true that BPJ wanted to visit on the same weekend as THT and you told him no so you could give THT the red carpet treatment is true, makes things that much worse
we need to find us a big even if all he can do is run, jump, block a shot, and dunk lol
Think I saw he's not commit till, spring. Still think he going to stay West , could be wrong.
That’s why they are called rumors.
BillyBob1
- Champaign
Your post is udderly rediculous.
yep and why I didnt say it was a fact:thumb:
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