Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (Week of April 12th, 2021)

[KnoxIllini2]

 

[armo859]

They hired his uncle

This has been a pet peeve for a while. Apparently, the way NCAA rules are written there is a loophole that allows schools to hire family members of a recruit as Assistant Coach (ala Michael Porter, Sr. to bring in Junior). Straight from Jeremy Warner when I dared to call the hire of MP, Sr. shady as hell...
Jeremy Werner
@JWerner247
Apr 1
For the 100x, yes, because Porter was hired as an ASSISTANT COACH, like Cory Patterson was for Illinois football. Hawthorne was hired as a support staffer. The rule is there to keep schools from creating faux positions for recruits' relatives, coaches and friends.

To my way of thinking, the criteria should be: would the school have hired the person even if his (son, nephew, etc.) wasn't a top prospect? Of course, the answer would be no about 99.9% of the time.

Plus, the rumor has been long out there that Memphis skirted the rules by steering Derrick Rose's brother to a job at FedEx in Memphis as part of the package.

 

[kcib8130]

This has been a pet peeve for a while. Apparently, the way NCAA rules are written there is a loophole that allows schools to hire family members of a recruit as Assistant Coach (ala Michael Porter, Sr. to bring in Junior). Straight from Jeremy Warner when I dared to call the hire of MP, Sr. shady as hell...
Jeremy Werner
@JWerner247
Apr 1
For the 100x, yes, because Porter was hired as an ASSISTANT COACH, like Cory Patterson was for Illinois football. Hawthorne was hired as a support staffer. The rule is there to keep schools from creating faux positions for recruits' relatives, coaches and friends.

To my way of thinking, the criteria should be: would the school have hired the person even if his (son, nephew, etc.) wasn't a top prospect? Of course, the answer would be no about 99.9% of the time.

Plus, the rumor has been long out there that Memphis skirted the rules by steering Derrick Rose's brother to a job at FedEx in Memphis as part of the package.

I have no issue with it, especially in basketball.

that hire better be able to coach, otherwise you gave up prime real estate to place an outhouse.

 

[RockfordIllini]

With Podz I still see a lot of Mark Smith in his game, which isn’t meant as a detriment. A Mark Smith with a good attitude and willing to learn to play defense is still a plus power 5 player at a minimum.

Assuming we get Podz and miss on TyTy, what are peoples opinions of this class? Seems like it is solid but most likely doesn’t have the all conference/all American potential of the last 3 (Ayo,Kofi, Belo, Ace). Given our success on the court this year is that a disappointment?

 

[TheGMan]

I have no issue with it, especially in basketball.

that hire better be able to coach, otherwise you gave up prime real estate to place an outhouse.

Yeah I don't have a problem with it either. If you feel you need to hire an unqualified person at such an important position, then go for it. Some players may be worth it. Most won't be.

The rule is just so that you can't create a position like Senior Liason to Water Boys/Girls to get a player. If you want to "buy" a player by hiring a family member/friend, then they are gonna make sure that it was a high price.

 

[Oranges]

With Podz I still see a lot of Mark Smith in his game, which isn’t meant as a detriment. A Mark Smith with a good attitude and willing to learn to play defense is still a plus power 5 player at a minimum.

Assuming we get Podz and miss on TyTy, what are peoples opinions of this class? Seems like it is solid but most likely doesn’t have the all conference/all American potential of the last 3 (Ayo,Kofi, Belo, Ace). Given our success on the court this year is that a disappointment?

Would only be a disappointment if we don’t get that kind of player next year imo. Still getting three very promising wings this year which will help us get longer and better from behind the arc which we all want

 

[Joel Goodson]

hot dog vendor, lol

 

[TCTORNADO]

Outstanding work. I bet we can fill a second board. A few more:
1) chief icon
2) moms being in control
3) bass puns
4) coach can count

Edwardsville AD
Flightaware
Luther will pay
House of Pancakes

 

[RockfordIllini]

Would only be a disappointment if we don’t get that kind of player next year imo. Still getting three very promising wings this year which will help us get longer and better from behind the arc which we all want

Agree. And not sure if any the targets we missed on really would have moved the needle. Weston or Nesbit probably not (and Nesbit looks to have busted already). Maybe Hopkins or Etienne. TyTy probably but not sure how likely we ever were to land him.

We may already have one in 2022 with Storr!

 

[pruman91]

Even with getting a Podz comittment, the result of this class is still dependent on Kofi's decision, IMHO....

If Kofi leaves, then we will need a big transfer or recruit
if he stays , then we can get best available player or players....

 

[sharpshot16]

With Podz I still see a lot of Mark Smith in his game, which isn’t meant as a detriment. A Mark Smith with a good attitude and willing to learn to play defense is still a plus power 5 player at a minimum.

Assuming we get Podz and miss on TyTy, what are peoples opinions of this class? Seems like it is solid but most likely doesn’t have the all conference/all American potential of the last 3 (Ayo,Kofi, Belo, Ace). Given our success on the court this year is that a disappointment?

Honestly depends on who returns.

If we get Kofi, Miller and Trent back, this class is a home run.

If we don't...and are expecting huge minutes and production out of the freshman....in for a long season. Talent's there, just need time with Fletch, time to learn defense in the Big Ten, ect.

Need 1-2 more transfers to mitigate that risk.

 

[Keisersose]

I’ll be shocked if Kofi doesn’t come back.

There I said it.

He’s going to be hyped as a NPOY. He just might win it too.

 

[Oranges]

Agree. And not sure if any the targets we missed on really would have moved the needle. Weston or Nesbit probably not (and Nesbit looks to have busted already). Maybe Hopkins or Etienne. TyTy probably but not sure how likely we ever were to land him.

We may already have one in 2022 with Storr!

I’m very excited for Storr. I’d like to get him signed and on campus ASAP before he gets any more attention...

 

[AirNeezy]

I have no issue with it, especially in basketball.

that hire better be able to coach, otherwise you gave up prime real estate to place an outhouse.

Eh, look at OSU with Cade Cunningham's brother. They hired him as an assistant coach when his only precious experience was as a video coordinator for SMU. And lo and behold, now that Cade has declared for the draft, his brother resigned his position. Wasn't there for more than one season lol. It's literally no different than shoveling money to the kid's family for a year. OSU lost nothing of significance.

You're only giving up "prime real estate" if the NCAA mandates some kind of rule where the hire of a recruits family member has to stay for a certain number of years, but I don't know how that would be feasible or even legal. There is honestly no reason a program couldn't have a revolving door sort of asst. coach position for top level recruits' family members where they resign after every one and done season lol.

 

[AirNeezy]

Also can someone tell me if Podz is a legit top 100 prospect? 247 has him rated in the 70s, but his composite score is in the 150+.

 

[Chieeeeffffff]

Also can someone tell me if Podz is a legit top 100 prospect? 247 has him rated in the 70s, but his composite score is in the 150+.

I posed the same question a while back and it seems he is probably closer to that 75-90 range than out of the top 150. Tough year to evaluate guys as easily. FWIW I think 247 is more “on the ball” these days than other recruiting services.

 

[Illini92and96]

Also can someone tell me if Podz is a legit top 100 prospect? 247 has him rated in the 70s, but his composite score is in the 150+.

You are not factoring in his open growth plates.

 

[B-ILL]

Also can someone tell me if Podz is a legit top 100 prospect? 247 has him rated in the 70s, but his composite score is in the 150+.

If he commits to Kentucky, yes he is.

If he commits to Illinois, no he's not.

 

[Joel Goodson]

Also can someone tell me if Podz is a legit top 100 prospect? 247 has him rated in the 70s, but his composite score is in the 150+.

Ask Underwood what he thinks.

 

[Oldskoolkoach]

With Podz I still see a lot of Mark Smith in his game, which isn’t meant as a detriment. A Mark Smith with a good attitude and willing to learn to play defense is still a plus power 5 player at a minimum.

Assuming we get Podz and miss on TyTy, what are peoples opinions of this class? Seems like it is solid but most likely doesn’t have the all conference/all American potential of the last 3 (Ayo,Kofi, Belo, Ace). Given our success on the court this year is that a disappointment?

Disagree, but you have to give them time to develop. NOBODY and I mean NOBODY was saying this about Kofi or Curbelo. Our staff did a great job with them and Kofi already is an AA and Curbelo may be on his way. Melendez has the elite level athleticism, Pods and Goode the shooting. How about we revisit this in a couple years and see how they progress.

 

[The Sprouting Divot]

hot dog vendor, lol

Excuse me, sir. Do you have a license to sell hotdogs?

 

[sacraig]

This is great!! Thanks for making me spit my coffee out!

I'll take I3 and B5 for the start of the day

Can we add "spit my coffee out" to the bingo list? There must be a lot of broken keyboards here.

 

[othawhitemeat]

With Podz I still see a lot of Mark Smith in his game, which isn’t meant as a detriment. A Mark Smith with a good attitude and willing to learn to play defense is still a plus power 5 player at a minimum.

Assuming we get Podz and miss on TyTy, what are peoples opinions of this class? Seems like it is solid but most likely doesn’t have the all conference/all American potential of the last 3 (Ayo,Kofi, Belo, Ace). Given our success on the court this year is that a disappointment?

I don't know if I see Mark Smith in his game. Podz is left handed which is a big deal in basketball. He is not the leaper Mark Smith is, but his shot and moves offensively seem more fluid, even though Smith had more pg abilities in high school. Podz also seems to have more confidence than Smith ever had. Either way, getting a 6'6 player to pair with a 6'7 Goode and a 6'7 Melendez is great. Pair that next year with a 6'4 Bass and a 6'5 built A.J. Storr and we are bringing size to the Wing position with multi facet offense abilities and seem like high IQ.

 

[illininutt]

We can do better?

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1381963377388490752

 

[LvilleILL]

With Podz I still see a lot of Mark Smith in his game, which isn’t meant as a detriment. A Mark Smith with a good attitude and willing to learn to play defense is still a plus power 5 player at a minimum.

Assuming we get Podz and miss on TyTy, what are peoples opinions of this class? Seems like it is solid but most likely doesn’t have the all conference/all American potential of the last 3 (Ayo,Kofi, Belo, Ace). Given our success on the court this year is that a disappointment?

I think we have a potential all big ten and all American guy in our class THIS year. May take some time, but the flashes and upside are there for him.