Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (October 2017)
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Exactly how it struck me. Apparently they sold him on being a guard, and he really liked it out west.
mattcoldagelli
- The Transfer Portal with Do Not Contact Tag
Doesn't need to know who Valtonen is to know there's nobody else in the class.
The strongest argument the debbie downers are making (and I agree with them) is that plenty of other new coaches have been successfully selling their dream and are gathering a harvest of great recruiting classes. I'm genuinely getting tired of the sentiment that once we start winning all recruiting woes will turnaround. Obviously, we know this will make a difference. But again, plenty of programs who haven't won have pulled in fantastic recruiting classes.
Congrats, IlliniSuperFan, you're officially an insider.
Illwinsagain
- Cary, IL
Got everything right besides where he was going. I'll take a hit on this one. Sorry for getting your hopes up Illini nation! On to Ayo
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He said in an interview last week that the recruiting class is a factor.
If I remember correctly, what he actually said was that his teammates mattered. That isn't exclusively the same recruiting class, but also includes whoever is already on the team. It's really picking nits though.
I could be wrong, too.
skyIdub
Winged Warrior
Deleted member 631370
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Precisely.
This is the killer. Right now, the vibe is "everybody is saying no to Underwood". That creates momentum of its own and a sour perception -- fairly or otherwise. Very same thing happened to Weber.
We can speculate all we want on the impact of the FBI thing or having to "sell a dream", but it's possible the simplest explanation is the right one: Underwood just isn't a great recruiter. I thought all along that the Antigua value was exaggerated -- Calipari, and not Antigua, got the studs at UK, and who did Antigua land at USF exactly?
We will see. Again, this class hinges on Ayo. But miss him, and....well, it's time we ask whether recruiting is going to become our Achilles heel again.
It's very possible that Underwood is not a good recruiter. But winning can change a lot. Maybe Underwood will never be a good recruiter even if we win. Or maybe Underwood's weakness is that he can't sell a dream, but he can sell a reality. Only time (and winning) will tell on that.
illinifan87
- The Windy City
I see the problem as 3-fold.
1) Underwood's recruiting style. More substance over flash. No bull!!!!. Kinda like Weber, but probably more personable.
I think by now we all understand he's pitching his system, player development, etc. I don't think he's one to walk in a home or a visit and blow the doors off a recruit with a fancy, flashy pitch.
2) University prestige...Illinois isn't where it was 10 years ago in terms of perception and that IMO matters. Weber and Groce tanked this thing.
3) The FBI Investigation. We can spin it until the cows come home but this matters....a lot. It's a dark cloud that might never bring rain, but it's there.
Guilt by association may not work in the judicial system, but recruiting isn't law. Opposing coaches are likely planting this seed and I don't blame them.
Do I think Underwood did something shady? No, I don't. I think Evans went rogue. But...if you're a parent...or recruit...and you or your kid is being recruited by a coach whose former assistant coach is part of one of the biggest college basketball investigations in recent memory...wouldn't you be skeptical?
SublimeBeast
- Dieterich, IL
Wasn't Nolley's final two VT and UGA? How do you know he wanted to be an Illini?
Dren1
- Glenview, IL
Taking two unranked players just to fill spots would be a terrible idea. I agree that we have missed on just about every recruit we have offered, but this approach would be a bit of a knee-jerk reaction. I would rather have additional spots for a late bloomer (as you mention) or next year's class.
illinifan87
- The Windy City
I've always tried to look at Underwood as a John Beilein type coach. Player development, system...not a flashy recruiter.
Beilein's first 'big class' didn't happen for 5 years when he landed McGary, Robinson, Stauskas and Lavert.
Before that, he'd have 2-3 man classes with a couple 3-stars and a 4-star.
The product on the court matters a lot....especially for Underwood who is selling that. I know some will say he should adjust his sales pitch...but, Underwood also knows the type of player he wants and we should trust him.
Which I know is hard to to...especially if we lose out on Ayo.
Beilein's first 'big class' didn't happen for 5 years when he landed McGary, Robinson, Stauskas and Lavert.
Before that, he'd have 2-3 man classes with a couple 3-stars and a 4-star.
The product on the court matters a lot....especially for Underwood who is selling that. I know some will say he should adjust his sales pitch...but, Underwood also knows the type of player he wants and we should trust him.
Which I know is hard to to...especially if we lose out on Ayo.
illinifan87
- The Windy City
Not at all saying you can't be frustrated or have doubts about the staff. I get it...until you see it, hard to trust something that has let you down time and time again.
We're a tortured fan base...which I think for us Cubs and Bears fans has a lot of correlation, unfortunately.
We're a tortured fan base...which I think for us Cubs and Bears fans has a lot of correlation, unfortunately.
Post of the day! If he wanted to be an Illini we would have made his final two. Fact is insiders and us guessers really have no idea and leave it all to speculation.
foby
- Bonnaroo Land
I think this is the biggest part of what is going on now. I will be ecstatic if somehow we land Ayo this fall, and wait until the spring to round out the class.
Illiniwek06
- N of I-80
no now he is ""gone with the finn"", same thing we should use for the rest of the recruits we dont get lol
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