Wow, just watched Valtonen. Kid would be a home run signing.
Also, and this is just speculation on my end but in regard to Underwood's recruiting style.
Underwood doesn't seem like a schmoozy type. He seems very straight forward with some southern charm and all about basketball.
His pitch to Nolley and Conditt was how he'd use and develop them within his offense; aka, basketball pitch. Not saying he didn't sell other parts of the program and University, but to me that's Underwood's strength.
How he can take a kid's game to the next level and unfortunately, there is no tape of that at Illinois.
Which is why I think the Beilein comparison's for Underwood are spot on. Great recruiters don't need success, that's correct, but we should also understand what type of coach and recruiter Underwood is.
If you build it, they will come and I also like that Underwood won't be left holding the bag on a kid. He's got plan b, c, d strategies.
For example, Valtonen. Maybe he's not a plan B guy, in fact probably a plan A, but it shows that Underwood is savvy enough to know there are other places to get quality talent.
