Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (September 2016)

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#26      

Joel Goodson

Joel Goodson
respect my decision™
Joel Goodson
TCTORNADO said:
Huge difference in Smith and Kigab. JSmith is 247 composite #59 and climbing, Kigab is #142 and fading.
BTW, I have not given up on JSmith ending up in C/U. :)
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Neither have I. Dominoes keep falling our way, then Groce closes. Assuming Wilkes doesn't come, obviously. But our appeal for a VG, but not quite elite prospect, is not great (Bob). Lotta competition at SF.
 
#30      

TCTORNADO

TCTORNADO
TCTORNADO
Joel Goodson said:
Anyone liking Ramey better today?
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Speaking of Ramey, I just heard that Gordon was supposed to join him for last week's C/U visit but had to cancel due to a funeral. I sort of forgot that those two are now together @ Webster Groves.
 
#31      

AEX

AEX
Danger Zone
AEX
Illiniguy13 said:
Looks like he's the long, athletic versatile type w/ a high motor who can play a few different positions at the next level. I don't know about his shooting, but strictly coming from some write-ups about him it sounds like he has upside defensively.
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Thanks Illiniguy.:thumb::thumb::thumb:
 
#33      

rrmarte

R
rrmarte
A quick question. Is it better to have combination visits, such as two top prospects on the same weekend (more for an unofficial visit obviously)? Or is it better to have one recruit visit at a time? Or does it matter?

For officials it would presumably be better to have the one visitor in order to focus and present the "red carpet" treatment.

I just didn't know if there would be advantages of having a few of these guys together on the same weekend. Or I should say, if those advantages would at times outweigh being able to focus on one student athlete at a time.

This is in general terms. I assume it would vary depending upon the recruit and families. And this is also inviting more opinion since many of us aren't part of these processes. However, if someone has more insight first hand.......please feel free to share.
 
#34      

Greensboro

Greensboro
Greensboro
Combo said:
Most coaches aren't into "banking" schollies for two reasons. First schollies virtually always open up. Second, you always try to get help sooner than later. A 2018 recruit wouldn't matriculate at IL for another two years. A coach needs to perform now, not in two seasons from now.

I think the staff will do everything they can to fill at least one more '17 scholarship. However, a sixth ride they'll only give for a big-time talent.
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IMO...I think this is about right...at this point we could use another big for depth and by 2019 we know we will need to replace Finke/Black (best case, always could lose a big sooner) so we will work hard on finding another big, but past that no pressing immediate needs, so the last scholarship is reserved for a high impact player... be it 2017, 2018, or a transfer we are in a position we can be a bit picky on who we take.
 
#35      

SescIllini

SescIllini
SescIllini
We have a coach/recruiter from Morgan Park hope he can successful land this kid. With competition for PG scholarships in 2018 and 2019, the players who truly wants to commit to Illinois will best not drag the process.

Like that he will have had multiple unofficial visits, hopefully he doesn't get chased by mascots that send him elsewhere.
 
#37      

frozenrope9190

frozenrope9190
Aurora, IL
frozenrope9190
One of the nicer by-products of the recent PG recruiting successes is there isn't any more posts about the failure to recruit PG's. How many posts were devoted to that topic in recent years?
 
#38      

Big Al

B
Big Al
chiefinillini7 said:
Anybody else think it's strange that the same weekend we pull a top flight pg's visit, in the class of 2017, & we turn around and bring in an even better pg to visit on the same weekend from the class of 2018? The staff has to know something!

Wouldn't that be crazy if Ayo committed this weekend? .. let me stop, b/c that would be nuts!!! :shield:
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It's not strange at all. Groce is good about using these types of recruiting opportunities to the fullest. It would have been more surprising if they didn't bring anyone in to visit.

And not to rain on your parade, but the chances of a commitment this weekend are practically nil. This UV is all about building the relationship and solidifying our position with Ayo.
 
#39      

Greensboro

Greensboro
Greensboro
chiefinillini7 said:
Anybody else think it's strange that the same weekend we pull a top flight pg's visit, in the class of 2017, & we turn around and bring in an even better pg to visit on the same weekend from the class of 2018? The staff has to know something!

Wouldn't that be crazy if Ayo committed this weekend? .. let me stop, b/c that would be nuts!!! :shield:
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They may be feeling good about the recruitment, but I think Snider, Jackson, Goodwin is enough experience that you don't pass on Scruggs level player for a 2018.

I think this is about confidence in Williams/Frazier/TJL level vs. Scruggs, commitment to Frazier, and/or combination of getting pickier (assuming 1 schollie is reserved for a big) with the last (guard/wing/2nd big) scholarship on paper for 2 years.
 
#40      

OldGreg

O
OldGreg
I'm really starting to think we should hold on to one scholly, use it on a 5th year big next year and hold out for a possibe Ayo and Gordon class in 2018.
 
#41      

Big Al

B
Big Al
rrmarte said:
A quick question. Is it better to have combination visits, such as two top prospects on the same weekend (more for an unofficial visit obviously)? Or is it better to have one recruit visit at a time? Or does it matter?

For officials it would presumably be better to have the one visitor in order to focus and present the "red carpet" treatment.

I just didn't know if there would be advantages of having a few of these guys together on the same weekend. Or I should say, if those advantages would at times outweigh being able to focus on one student athlete at a time.

This is in general terms. I assume it would vary depending upon the recruit and families. And this is also inviting more opinion since many of us aren't part of these processes. However, if someone has more insight first hand.......please feel free to share.
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This staff prefers to host recruits one at a time in most cases and give them more individual attention.
 
#42      

chiefinillini7

C
Champaign, IL
chiefinillini7
Big Al said:
No. We pulled out of the Scruggs recruitment out of respect for Trent Frazier committing. It had NOTHING to do with the 2018 prospects.
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I agree with you on Trent but I respectively disagree on the 2018 prospects. Scruggs is a combo who wants to play point. I think if we didn't have any interest from high-level lead guards in 2018, we would have kept recruiting Paul Scruggs, imo.
 
#43      

Greensboro

Greensboro
Greensboro
OldGreg said:
I'm really starting to think we should hold on to one scholly, use it on a 5th year big next year and hold out for a possibe Ayo and Gordon class in 2018.
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In practice I bet we do hold one, we will swing for fences with Wilkes, presumably Kigab, throw in a handful of others and likely miss...so that one will likely carry over...

I do think we will take a big with one though, so if we hit on Wilkes,... we still chase Kiir, Epperson,... and down to a plan "C" if needed.

Personally I'm not that hopeful on getting a 5th yr big though, I think it is a much tougher sell than we have had in the past where we offered an opportunity to start. Not saying we shouldn't try, just not sure that opportunity will be there.
 
#44      

Obelix

Obelix
Obelix
rrmarte said:
A quick question. Is it better to have combination visits, such as two top prospects on the same weekend (more for an unofficial visit obviously)? Or is it better to have one recruit visit at a time? Or does it matter?

For officials it would presumably be better to have the one visitor in order to focus and present the "red carpet" treatment.

I just didn't know if there would be advantages of having a few of these guys together on the same weekend. Or I should say, if those advantages would at times outweigh being able to focus on one student athlete at a time.

This is in general terms. I assume it would vary depending upon the recruit and families. And this is also inviting more opinion since many of us aren't part of these processes. However, if someone has more insight first hand.......please feel free to share.
Click to expand...

The general guidelines, not just for UI but all schools, are that you promote synergies and avoid conflicts. If you can bring some top prospects at different positions on the same weekend, especially if some already have a good relationship, you do it. More so if one of them is generally positively predisposed towards your school and may influence the other(s). A lot big name schools often do that with top recruits.

At the same time, schools avoid bringing top recruits who play the same position and will likely view each other as competition.
 
#45      

Joel Goodson

Joel Goodson
respect my decision™
Joel Goodson
OldGreg said:
I'm really starting to think we should hold on to one scholly, use it on a 5th year big next year and hold out for a possibe Ayo and Gordon class in 2018.
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You mean Ramey and Gordon, right? ;-)
 
#46      

chiefinillini7

C
Champaign, IL
chiefinillini7
That's what I was thinking Joel!! but if we have the chance to get Ayo... I don't care who you already got, you take him!

Lol I know I know, the Brunson & Evans playing together foolishness... I just hope one of these outstanding 2018 pg's jump on board early!! Get this thing rollin'!!!
 
#47      

Obelix

Obelix
Obelix
OldGreg said:
I'm really starting to think we should hold on to one scholly, use it on a 5th year big next year and hold out for a possibe Ayo and Gordon class in 2018.
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The only way this will happen IMO is if we really miss on multiple prospects, which can definitely happen. But will not be a strategy.

Many fans think of "building for the future" already with 2018 recruits and beyond, but the truth of the matter is that we have missed the tournament 3 straight times, and next year's team is a question mark. Even if the 2016-17 team makes the tournament, it is temporary relief with many key players leaving. And B1G contenders like MSU, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, etc. continue to recruit at a very high level.

Groce can't afford a build for the future attitude, definitely not a build in the future attitude. He needs to make sure the 2017 class is as strong as possible and produces results, right away. And we have definitely not reached the state of stability yet, rosters will change. So the staff will likely err on the side of getting players in, even knowing that some of them (existing and/or new) will likely not make it and leave the program. JMO.
 
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#48      

Newman

N
Newman
Obelix said:
The only way this will happen IMO is if we really miss on multiple prospects, which can definitely happen. But will not be a strategy.

Many fans think of "building for the future" already with 2018 recruits and beyond, but the truth of the matter is that we have missed the tournament 3 straight times, and next year's team is a question mark. Even if the 2016-17 team makes the tournament, it is temporary relief with many key players leaving. And B1G contenders like MSU, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, etc. continue to recruit at a very high level.

Groce can't afford a build for the future attitude, definitely not a build in the future attitude. He needs to make sure the 2017 class is as strong as possible and produces results, right away. And we have definitely not reached the state of stability yet, rosters will change. So the staff will likely err on the side of getting players in, even knowing that some of them (existing and/or new) will likely not make it and leave the program. JMO.
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Agree with all of this, except for the Michigan part. I wouldn't say that they're recruiting at a high level. Their recruiting classes are pretty underwhelming, on paper at least.
 
#49      

Joel Goodson

Joel Goodson
respect my decision™
Joel Goodson
TCTORNADO said:
Speaking of Ramey, I just heard that Gordon was supposed to join him for last week's C/U visit but had to cancel due to a funeral. I sort of forgot that those two are now together @ Webster Groves.
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Good info, thanks. Ramey and Gordon (and Pickett) would be an excellent class.
 
#50      

Obelix

Obelix
Obelix
Newman said:
Agree with all of this, except for the Michigan part. I wouldn't say that they're recruiting at a high level. Their recruiting classes are pretty underwhelming, on paper at least.
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I agree, although Beilein seems to generally get much from his players. He identifies gaps/strength well, and I think their guard play (Simpson, Brooks, Poole) will do well.

I think our class rankings are much dependent on one particular recruit (Tilmon) and the fact that it will be a class with many players, more than average ranking. But I do like the class and its balance.
 
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