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

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#277      

RockfordIllini

R
RockfordIllini
Oldskoolkoach said:
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.
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But both Belo and Kofi were top 50, whereas these kids are all top 100ish.

Of course, anything can happen. But based on rankings these kids are less likely to achieve those heights than Ayo/Kofi/Belo.

I think Robert wrote a piece to that effect. Culture/coaching etc is all great, but a big reason we are back is landing Ayo and Kofi.
 
#278      

othawhitemeat

O
othawhitemeat
AirNeezy said:
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+.
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I think ranking for this year's class and next year for a little while is going to be all over the place since many scouting agencies did not see players. It did seem like Podz ranking went up as season went along on 247 which means he was ascending and some of the composites have not changed their rankings. One thing it seem that Podz had going for him is he seemed like he got a lot better over the past year, got more muscle, and shows some offense which is what we need. I think Goode is most likely our most overall ready player in that he is high IQ, 6'7 with seemingly long arms, good shooter, and can probably play a true 3 while Melendez has talent but needs strength and the question is his motor, and Podz I think will get a few minutes based on his offensive prowess. I think for future we are seeing a team that Underwood is building are high IQ, versatile players and I think ball movement will be key which is nice. I just hope we get more athletic in future (Payne will bring some of that) and Storr seems like he will be a good athlete.
 
#279      

armo859

A
armo859
AirNeezy said:
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.
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Excellent debate. We have pretty much laid out the pro's and con's (must be a pun in there somewhere). IMO it is a "letter of the law" vs. "spirit of the law" issue. Obviously, I agree with the side of the debate that the hiring of family members as assistant coaches to land a recruit is just another means to funnel financial benefits to the family of a recruit. A role often filled by the shoe companies, that shower free products and sponsorships on the recruits AAU team, and/or a handshake agreement that when the recruit goes pro, assuming he is good enough, that Nike or Adidas has a 7 figure shoe contract waiting after his brief stopover at Kentucky, Duke, Kansas, etc.
 
#280      

Oldskoolkoach

O
Oldskoolkoach
othawhitemeat said:
I think ranking for this year's class and next year for a little while is going to be all over the place since many scouting agencies did not see players. It did seem like Podz ranking went up as season went along on 247 which means he was ascending and some of the composites have not changed their rankings. One thing it seem that Podz had going for him is he seemed like he got a lot better over the past year, got more muscle, and shows some offense which is what we need. I think Goode is most likely our most overall ready player in that he is high IQ, 6'7 with seemingly long arms, good shooter, and can probably play a true 3 while Melendez has talent but needs strength and the question is his motor, and Podz I think will get a few minutes based on his offensive prowess. I think for future we are seeing a team that Underwood is building are high IQ, versatile players and I think ball movement will be key which is nice. I just hope we get more athletic in future (Payne will bring some of that) and Storr seems like he will be a good athlete.
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Nearly impossible to rate as they have had hardly any AAU and some didn't even have a HS season. We may be deeper next year than we were this past year....
 
#281      

Fanview

Fanview
Fanview
RockfordIllini said:
But both Belo and Kofi were top 50, whereas these kids are all top 100ish.

Of course, anything can happen. But based on rankings these kids are less likely to achieve those heights than Ayo/Kofi/Belo.

I think Robert wrote a piece to that effect. Culture/coaching etc is all great, but a big reason we are back is landing Ayo and Kofi.
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I did a quick scan of Baylor's entire roster and only 1 person came close to top 50 as a prospect (Davion Mitchell - 59)
0 in top 50
6 in top 100
3 100+
5 Not ranked

In my opinion, the goal should be a couple of top 50 recruits a supporting cast of guys in that top 100 range.
 
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#282      

CurbeloYourEnthusiasm

CurbeloYourEnthusiasm
CurbeloYourEnthusiasm
RockfordIllini said:
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?
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I don't think success on the court implies improved recruiting. We got our best players Kofi/Ayo when we were terrible on the court.
 
#284      

altenberger22

altenberger22
South Carolina
altenberger22
DISCLAIMER: THIS IS HIGHLY HYPOTHETICAL

If we happen to get Podz this afternoon, our Freshman-laden roster could potentially look like this, BY CLASS:

1. FR Open/Miller, A.
2. FR Podz
3. FR Melendez
4. FR Goode
5. FR Lieb
6. FR Curbelo
7. FR Hawkins
8. FR Bosmans-Verdonk

9. SO Cockburn
10. SO Hamlin
11. SO Payne
12. JR Grandison
13. JR Hutcherson

14. SR Williams - super senior
15. SR Frazier - super senior

There would be room for one more incoming player (Miller's slot) in 2021 unless/until we hear of someone else departing. Bass and Storr would be on tap for 2022 as things currently stand --- yet with no real openings since Williams and Frazier are super seniors taking up the "bonus" 14th and 15th slots.
 
#285      

Oldskoolkoach

O
Oldskoolkoach
altenberger22 said:
DISCLAIMER: THIS IS HIGHLY HYPOTHETICAL

If we happen to get Podz this afternoon, our Freshman-laden roster could potentially look like this, BY CLASS:

1. FR Open/Miller, A.
2. FR Podz
3. FR Melendez
4. FR Goode
5. FR Lieb
6. FR Curbelo
7. FR Hawkins
8. FR Bosmans-Verdonk

9. SO Cockburn
10. SO Hamlin
11. SO Payne
12. JR Grandison
13. JR Hutcherson

14. SR Williams - super senior
15. SR Frazier - super senior

There would be room for one more incoming player (Miller's slot) in 2021 unless/until we hear of someone else departing. Bass and Storr would be on tap for 2022 as things currently stand --- yet with no real openings since Williams and Frazier are super seniors taking up the "bonus" 14th and 15th slots.
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GIF by Worcester Warriors
 
#286      

kcib8130

kcib8130
Parts Unknown
kcib8130
armo859 said:
Excellent debate. We have pretty much laid out the pro's and con's (must be a pun in there somewhere). IMO it is a "letter of the law" vs. "spirit of the law" issue. Obviously, I agree with the side of the debate that the hiring of family members as assistant coaches to land a recruit is just another means to funnel financial benefits to the family of a recruit. A role often filled by the shoe companies, that shower free products and sponsorships on the recruits AAU team, and/or a handshake agreement that when the recruit goes pro, assuming he is good enough, that Nike or Adidas has a 7 figure shoe contract waiting after his brief stopover at Kentucky, Duke, Kansas, etc.
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Would you trade Chin Coleman for a recruit’s dad who is an unknown entity? It’s an opportunity cost.

If you are reliant on hiring a one and done’s relative every year, you essentially give away an assistant position that could help the program long term.
 
#288      

Oldskoolkoach

O
Oldskoolkoach
kcib8130 said:
Would you trade Chin Coleman for a recruit’s dad who is an unknown entity? It’s an opportunity cost.

If you are reliant on hiring a one and done’s relative every year, you essentially give away an assistant position that could help the program long term.
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If it's Chet Holmgren's dad and he guarantees us 4 years and we know Kofi is leaving....yes
 
#289      

BWA

B
BWA
altenberger22 said:
DISCLAIMER: THIS IS HIGHLY HYPOTHETICAL

If we happen to get Podz this afternoon, our Freshman-laden roster could potentially look like this, BY CLASS:

1. FR Open/Miller, A.
2. FR Podz
3. FR Melendez
4. FR Goode
5. FR Lieb
6. FR Curbelo
7. FR Hawkins
8. FR Bosmans-Verdonk

9. SO Cockburn
10. SO Hamlin
11. SO Payne
12. JR Grandison
13. JR Hutcherson

14. SR Williams - super senior
15. SR Frazier - super senior

There would be room for one more incoming player (Miller's slot) in 2021 unless/until we hear of someone else departing. Bass and Storr would be on tap for 2022 as things currently stand --- yet with no real openings since Williams and Frazier are super seniors taking up the "bonus" 14th and 15th slots.
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Pretty easy to clean out Lieb, Bosmans-Verdonk, and Hamlin if desired. Kofi won't be here in 2022 for sure.
 
#290      

LvilleILL

LvilleILL
LvilleILL
Illiniboss33 said:
Got a chance to speak to someone on staff who said they feel confident about Podz he said 85 percent chance he chooses us today.
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based on what I have heard, it would be a shocker if he didn't commit to us today. we will see in an hour and a half!
 
#291      

JFGsCoffeeMug

JFGsCoffeeMug
BU:1 Trash cans:0
Chicago
JFGsCoffeeMug
altenberger22 said:
DISCLAIMER: THIS IS HIGHLY HYPOTHETICAL

If we happen to get Podz this afternoon, our Freshman-laden roster could potentially look like this, BY CLASS:

1. FR Open/Miller, A.
2. FR Podz
3. FR Melendez
4. FR Goode
5. FR Lieb
6. FR Curbelo
7. FR Hawkins
8. FR Bosmans-Verdonk

9. SO Cockburn
10. SO Hamlin
11. SO Payne
12. JR Grandison
13. JR Hutcherson

14. SR Williams - super senior
15. SR Frazier - super senior

There would be room for one more incoming player (Miller's slot) in 2021 unless/until we hear of someone else departing. Bass and Storr would be on tap for 2022 as things currently stand --- yet with no real openings since Williams and Frazier are super seniors taking up the "bonus" 14th and 15th slots.
Click to expand...
Kofi would probably provide one of the 2022 openings. But, I agree, the second opening is less obvious.
 
#295      

LvilleILL

LvilleILL
LvilleILL
Really like how there was zero drama in this recruitment. Refreshing to see once in a while with a lot of these other recruitments that have happened with us this year ⛳
 
#298      

orangem

O
orangem
LvilleILL said:
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.
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On point. I think Melendez and Goode look great. Podz looks special.
 
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