Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

[BalloonsTheElephant]

Look at what we've done with having a floor full of shooters. Our offense has been so free and open since everyone is now a threat to shoot, especially with DMW starting to take some shots.

A creative Curbelo only adds to that, but unless you are a special talent like him, you need to be at least somewhat of a shooting threat, which I think he will get there. Maybe Fears will too, but if Ames is the more rounded player, I'd take that. Team passing is more important.

 

[Joel Goodson]

CBs all MSU. If he’s good enough for Izzo… (also that will help him hold his ranking one would think)

Trust Brad, just really hope we’re not looking at another Evans/Brunson situation. Atleast there’s a third solid option with Ames

Ames is better than a solid option. FWIW, I think he may actually be better than Fears.

And then there's the bit that we're no longer a provincial operation when it comes to recruiting.

 

[BashCtIllini]

Guess I’m the only one that thinks we will regret this

I think Dai Dai Ames is the better player. Clearly Boswell is better. I'd feel a whole lot better with an Ames commitment already.

 

[1LL1NO1S]

Look at what we've done with having a floor full of shooters. Our offense has been so free and open since everyone is now a threat to shoot, especially with DMW starting to take some shots.

A creative Curbelo only adds to that, but unless you are a special talent like him, you need to be at least somewhat of a shooting threat, which I think he will get there. Maybe Fears will too, but if Ames is the more rounded player, I'd take that. Team passing is more important.

Yeah, but a big part of that is because we have an all american center who gets double teamed every time we pass the ball to him.

 

[BretMyBeachHouse]

This is why BU gets the big money. To decide when to pull triggers on recruitments.

The 2015 class was the year that kinda broke Groce I think. He had a ton of interest in guys who were PGs/CGs. He maybe could have snagged commitments from guys like Shake Milton and Jimmy Whitt (I'm thinking of a guy in Virginia as well). He went mostly in though on Brunson and Evans and couldn't get either. Once they said no, he put the full court press on some of the lesser guys like Milton, but it seems like the moment had passed.

The big difference right now is that I feel pretty good about the ball handling coming in next season. So whiffing this year wouldn't be the end of the world. But it would really stack up the pressure on the ensuing class.

 

[mhuml32]

This is definitely a risk by Underwood and staff. I also get vibes of the Groce decision on Evans/Brunson but there are a number of different factors compared to 2015:

1) Let's start with the obvious: Underwood has earned some trust in his decision-making and has the program trending. I feel better about Underwood doing this than Groce.
2) There is a third, in-state option in Dai Dai (bigger question might be if Ames wanted to commit) that the staff is interested in compared to Groce & staff deciding to pass on Glynn Watson in 2015.
3) Transfer portal is the big one for me. If everything goes poorly and Illinois misses on Boswell/Fears/Ames, there are still going to be good (not great) options that the staff can target as a bridge to the next year's class. This wasn't available (in its current form) for Groce.
4) Fears' recruiting status seems to be cooling. With the COVID disruptions and lack of scouting, I'd rather take a chance of late bloomers (Ames) or constant risers (Boswell).

 

[CubsIlliniFan]

I was summarizing the post I quoted, which listed all the great things about BU's roster construction and then proceeded to say we have only been successful because of the presence of one or two players and that they do not think we have anyone lined up in that role to keep us playing at a high level.

Here is the big difference this year than in the past, we are much longer and better shooters this year. In the past, Maryland’s length has bothered us as they shut down the passing lanes. I believe we will game plan better and with our length and depth, we will win handily tonight.

 

[Joel Goodson]

This is definitely a risk by Underwood and staff. I also get vibes of the Groce decision on Evans/Brunson but there are a number of different factors compared to 2015:

1) Let's start with the obvious: Underwood has earned some trust in his decision-making and has the program trending. I feel better about Underwood doing this than Groce.
2) There is a third, in-state option in Dai Dai (bigger question might be if Ames wanted to commit) that the staff is interested in compared to Groce & staff deciding to pass on Glynn Watson in 2015.
3) Transfer portal is the big one for me. If everything goes poorly and Illinois misses on Boswell/Fears/Ames, there are still going to be good (not great) options that the staff can target as a bridge to the next year's class. This wasn't available (in its current form) for Groce.
4) Fears' recruiting status seems to be cooling. With the COVID disruptions and lack of scouting, I'd rather take a chance of late bloomers (Ames) or constant risers (Boswell).

Agree with all of your points, except Ames isn't a late bloomer.

 

[blackdog]

This is definitely a risk by Underwood and staff. I also get vibes of the Groce decision on Evans/Brunson but there are a number of different factors compared to 2015:

1) Let's start with the obvious: Underwood has earned some trust in his decision-making and has the program trending. I feel better about Underwood doing this than Groce.
2) There is a third, in-state option in Dai Dai (bigger question might be if Ames wanted to commit) that the staff is interested in compared to Groce & staff deciding to pass on Glynn Watson in 2015.
3) Transfer portal is the big one for me. If everything goes poorly and Illinois misses on Boswell/Fears/Ames, there are still going to be good (not great) options that the staff can target as a bridge to the next year's class. This wasn't available (in its current form) for Groce.
4) Fears' recruiting status seems to be cooling. With the COVID disruptions and lack of scouting, I'd rather take a chance of late bloomers (Ames) or constant risers (Boswell).

Don't forget that we already have solid guards in fold already. Having Epps (and Podz if he continues to develop) means that even if something happens and we end up with nobody like with Brunson/Evans we aren't left with an empty cupboard.

 

[Manual3for4peat]

Is there any kind of timeline or info on Ames recruitment? I’ve heard him talked about, but not in any specifics

 

[mhuml32]

Agree with all of your points, except Ames isn't a late bloomer.

Late bloomer is probably too far. Ames wasn't ranked on the first two 2023 247 ranking interactions and only showed up this past November. This falls more under my COVID statement where Ames could have been a top-50 talent for a while but wasn't noticed because of environmental restrictions and less on his talent developing at a slower pace than Fears.

 

[PassingBy]

Guess I’m the only one that thinks we will regret this

I hope so

I would be really worried - like out-of-mind worried + depressed + on meds - IF Boswell too decides to join Fears (I fully expect Fears to be pitching playing together and recruiting Boswell)

 

[sacraig]

Guess I’m the only one that thinks we will regret this

It worries me a little, but I think the staff has earned the benefit of the doubt so I am not judging at this point.

 

[BashCtIllini]

Also need to take into account the connection with Kenwood, and how Ames could start us out on good footing with a new Chicago power school. If Ames helps us with JJ Taylor, all the better.

 

[Joel Goodson]

Late bloomer is probably too far. Ames wasn't ranked on the first two 2023 247 ranking interactions and only showed up this past November. This falls more under my COVID statement where Ames could have been a top-50 talent for a while but wasn't noticed because of environmental restrictions and less on his talent developing at a slower pace than Fears.

Anyone who follows Illinois prep hoops has known about Ames for a good while. The ratings services typically don't turn their attention to the junior class until after the early signing period. And, yeah, the situation is exacerbated by the pandemic, big time. Ratings are largely dependent on AAU ball.

 

[IlliniBrave75]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1479105936656519170

 

[Joel Goodson]

Gotta consider that it's pretty darn early to be taking a '23. It almost has to be a no-brainer. Fears isn't that (which doesn't mean there's no risk). Personally, I'd take that risk (and I don't know a thimble-full of what Underwood knows).

 

[TCTORNADO]

Looks like it will be Sparty for Fears. Totally surprises me.

 

[redwingillini11]

When you guys are talking about "regret," are you saying this because it is believed BU pulled back on Fears, and doesn't want him after all?

 

[BashCtIllini]

When you guys are talking about "regret," are you saying this because it is believed BU pulled back on Fears, and doesn't want him after all?

yes, at least doesn't want him at this point based on his current skillset and other available targets.

 

[mikeyo]

I know we supposedly didn't promise a starting position and/or he can't shoot/pass/dribble but it's really hard to see passing on a supposed top-50 talent that clearly other top teams pursued. Whether or not _we_ think he's top-100, he's clearly pursued by top tier teams. There's no way that many teams "can't evaluate talent"

 

[Bucktown]

yes

From the discussion, it seems more nuanced to me. My impression is that there is still interest, but: 1) BU wants to see more of him this season; specifically regarding his shooting and, 2) the Fears camp is looking for some commitments about playing time etc. that we won't accept.

 

[DB11Headband]

I fear we may regret this one-but all trust in BU and co.

 

[orangem]

Passing on Fears is absolutely 100% the right call.

What happened to Michigan this year scares the hell out of me -- all these ballyhooed freshman recruits, but they can't shoot the 3 and aren't great on defense yet still want the tons of playing time they were promised. And so a supposedly top-5 team talent-wise with a great coach has mediocre offense and defense as well as terrible chemistry and great unhappiness, and they might not even make the tourney.

Fears is ringing all those same alarm bells. Hard pass, good luck at State.

 

[hoopsfan47]

Question for those who are more in touch with or have a sense of quality high school players of today. What I want to know is what percentage of 4 star types like Grandison, Frazier, Goode, Melendez....guys not likely to have a shot at the NBA but excellent team and role players with smarts and skills, are also interested in getting an education and meaningful degree? Also, how interested would Underwood be in a 5 star talent, let's say top 5, who could carry the team for a season and be gone? Let's say the kid has no interest in school or care about winning any titles, just getting through a year in a high profile league, stuffing the stat sheet, and saying adios.

I graduated 57 years ago and it seemed most of the top players in the state were interested in getting a degree. Some were coerced into playing in college simply due to their talent even though they had no interest in school. I have always felt if the coaching staff is good enough, they can take a group of 4 star types and compete for a title most years. What we have in this team is a team of that ilk....and Kofi. No question, Kofi has exceeded all expectations and become a 6 star talent. Not only is he willing to listen and work his tail off...but he is an intelligent young man who has a pretty good handle on values and character traits he wants to embrace.

The reason for this question is that BU seems to shy away from "me first" types and embrace the "every day guys". We have seen tremendous team untiy and loyalty to the program which is paramount for success in most cases. This crew COULD be the best Illini team ever if they can become consistent and continue their growth. And there seems to be a pretty solid core group to continue the success of the program next year.

So, to summarize, do you think program success can be sustained with quality people just a step below elite talent and what percentage of collegiate players are truly interested in getting a meaningful degree?