Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (September 2017)

[TCTORNADO]

Wilkes' parents had more issues with the staff than with Tilmon.

Both were issues, but we were running 2nd to UCLA the whole time anyway. Wilkes' wanted to go pro ASAP, and JG could not get him there.

Those days are long behind us!! BU will put players in the NBA.

Wilkes' Mom loved Groce.

 

[kcib8130]

Anyone else feel like Iggy is a long shot at best and perhaps this isn't the best use of resources?

In comparison to the last regime that put everything into one or two recruits a year, and when they didn't commit, had relatively no backup plan.

Like the shotgun mentality, cast a wide net and see what you can catch.

 

[Calvin]

In comparison to the last regime that put everything into one or two recruits a year, and when they didn't commit, had relatively no backup plan.

Like the shotgun mentality, cast a wide net and see what you can catch.

My impression is they cast a wide net, but they understand relationships, prioritizing, and timing. Mind you, recruiting has a fair amount of luck to it, but I'm happy with what we've seen so far.

I keep telling myself the staff had a huge job when they came in here, and have managed to put together a quality 2017 class/roster on very, very short timing. 2018 has a far more time to play out, although the Nov signing period is obviously a big deal, and we're hoping we have some clarity by then. Absolutely going to give them the benefit of the doubt though. Must....continue....to be....patient.

 

[Deleted member 10676]

Didn't realize USC was playing Texas this weekend. With Ayo that would be a monster class. Hope Ayo pays as much attention to football as I do.
http://scout.com/college/basketball...ng-from-coast-to-coast-this-weekend-107404326

Two of the biggest football games this weekend are taking place at USC and Louisville. USC is hosting Texas in a rematch of the epic National Title Game in 2006, while Louisville hosts defending national champion Clemson.

Andy Enfield, who currently has the nation’s No. 3 ranked recruiting class, will have his trio of commitments on campus. Five-star forward Taeshon Cherry as well as four-star prospects J’Raan Brooks and Kevin Porter all are committed to USC and will be visiting. Also Enfield is bringing in five-star point guard Ayo Dosunmu.

The Trojans entered the race for Dosunmu during the month of July, and have made him a priority since then. This is the first official visit for Dosunmu, and USC is hoping to impress him and add to an already loaded class.

 

[combes]

Always got to have your options open in recruiting. Everyone thinks Iggy is Michigan bound, I would not be so sure about that yet. Let it play out, staff knows what they're doing.

Everyone in the country thought JCL was Michigan bound, too, until he wasn't.

 

[Deleted member 10676]

Didn't realize USC was playing Texas this weekend. With Ayo that would be a monster class. Hope Ayo pays as much attention to football as I do.
http://scout.com/college/basketball...ng-from-coast-to-coast-this-weekend-107404326

Also from that article:

Castleton is a big man who really emerged during July, and has long claimed that Florida was his dream school. Illinois already had a successful visit with Castleton, and now the Gators are on the clock to try and get this recruitment locked up.

This and the fact they moved the visit up a month lead me to believe they'd take his commitment this weekend if he decides he wants to go there.

 

[First2Ten]

Happy THT in-home visit day

 

[Deleted member 10676]

Happy THT in-home visit day

:thumb: I still have high hopes for THT.

 

[Deleted member 4333]

In comparison to the last regime that put everything into one or two recruits a year, and when they didn't commit, had relatively no backup plan.

Like the shotgun mentality, cast a wide net and see what you can catch.

Very nice use of mixed metaphors. :thumb:

 

[Greensboro]

How great is that? I don't recall ever reading something that bold and positive about John Groce from an outsider.

Robert Smith was very positive on Illinois the first few years. A few examples:
http://www.illinoisloyalty.com/Forums/showpost.php?p=862581&postcount=72

http://www.illinoisloyalty.com/Forums/showpost.php?p=743255&postcount=4022

ESPN article in post above:
http://www.espn.com/blog/chicago/colleges/post/_/id/9360/simeons-smith-impressed-by-groces-start

Simeon coach Robert Smith believes Illinois' John Groce is on the right path as far as recruiting top talent out of Chicago.

In fact, Smith believes if Groce had been hired sooner, he might have had a shot at Jabari Parker.

 

[Adnarel]

oh god

Everyone in the country thought JCL was Michigan bound, too, until he wasn't.

A Beilein-coached JCL just flashed before my eyes. I saw the same designed play burn a Groce-led Illinois over and over for JCL's career high of 35.

On-topic, I know there is some restlessness in the ranks about our currently-empty class. I have confidence in whatever Underwood is trying. If our inbound '17-'18 incoming class is any evidence, these guys operate in a quieter manner than Groce. If it gets results (and it has thus far), then I'm comfortable with it.

 

[Greensboro]

My impression is they cast a wide net, but they understand relationships, prioritizing, and timing. Mind you, recruiting has a fair amount of luck to it, but I'm happy with what we've seen so far.

I keep telling myself the staff had a huge job when they came in here, and have managed to put together a quality 2017 class/roster on very, very short timing. 2018 has a far more time to play out, although the Nov signing period is obviously a big deal, and we're hoping we have some clarity by then. Absolutely going to give them the benefit of the doubt though. Must....continue....to be....patient.

+1; to put it into perspective everyone gave Groce lots of props for his first recruiting class, which actually was year 2 after an empty first year

 

[kcib8130]

Very nice use of mixed metaphors. :thumb:

A flute with no holes, is not a flute. A donut with no hole, is a danish.

 

[NJILLINI]

In comparison to the last regime that put everything into one or two recruits a year, and when they didn't commit, had relatively no backup plan.

Like the shotgun mentality, cast a wide net and see what you can catch.

Very nice use of mixed metaphors. :thumb:

What, you don't fish with a shotgun where you live? All the rage here in Colorado. Guess it's the historical hunting culture in this state bleeding over.

 

[Joel Goodson]

In comparison to the last regime that put everything into one or two recruits a year, and when they didn't commit, had relatively no backup plan.

Sorry, this is false. The problems were not enough plan A guys committed (to us, anyway lol) and not enough plan B/C guys committed.

Not interested in rehashing Groce's follies, but there's a good deal of revisionist history floating around here.

 

[kcib8130]

Sorry, this is false. The problems were not enough plan A guys committed (to us, anyway lol) and not enough plan B/C guys committed.

Not interested in rehashing Groce's follies, but there's a good deal of revisionist history floating around here.

Slice it however you wish, the bottom line is that what the last regime did didn't work and the new regime appears to be taking a different approach.
:thumb:

 

[Joel Goodson]

Also from that article:


This and the fact they moved the visit up a month lead me to believe they'd take his commitment this weekend if he decides he wants to go there.

+1

It's now or never for UF. I think their offer is commit-able.

 

[Deleted member 4333]

What, you don't fish with a shotgun where you live? All the rage here in Colorado. Guess it's the historical hunting culture in this state bleeding over.

I do own a shotgun, but I've never fished with it. I'll put it on my list of things to do. How do I attach the net to the shell? Or to the barrel?

 

[IlliniDent]

+1

It's now or never for UF. I think their offer is commit-able.

I agree. It only helps us for them to move it up because we can either move on or know we have a shot. I think the biggest thing will be if they are able to sell him on how big of a piece he will play in the team. It's obvious Castleton will be in line for big minutes early here, depends if that is important to him or not.

 

[Obelix]

Sorry, this is false. The problems were not enough plan A guys committed (to us, anyway lol) and not enough plan B/C guys committed.

Not interested in rehashing Groce's follies, but there's a good deal of revisionist history floating around here.

Exactly!

Bottom line in recruiting is who you get and the quality of players you get, not whom, or how many, you targeted or you missed on. Whether you cast a wider or narrower net, plans a/B/C/D etc. mean little.

 

[TCTORNADO]

+1

It's now or never for UF. I think their offer is commit-able.

All offers are commitable, the key is whether the school accepts it or not.

 

[illini809]

You are correct! My son confirmed it is the Chicago Illini Club. Sorry for the confusion.

No worries - we are a great source for information

 

[IlliniinIowa]

Exactly!

Bottom line in recruiting is who you get and the quality of players you get, not whom, or how many, you targeted or you missed on. Whether you cast a wider or narrower net, plans a/B/C/D etc. mean little.

Bottom line is Groce got some pretty decent talent to C-U. He just couldn't do anything with that decent talent.

 

[RichBradIllini]

+1; to put it into perspective everyone gave Groce lots of props for his first recruiting class, which actually was year 2 after an empty first year

Maybe missing your point but Groce brought in Rice and McLaurin in his first year.

 

[kuhl84]

+1

It's now or never for UF. I think their offer is commit-able.

I hope we never find out!