Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

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#77      
It's interesting you say this because for the life of me I can't figure out who the staff's "backup plan" to Boswell is. Yeah we're after Ames but he's really a combo, which is why the staff likes him alongside a True PG like Fears or Boswell. All indications are that Ames is leaning heavily toward IL and my "insider" tells me that Boz is ours "IF" he doesn't get a last minute blue blood offer (we'll see if that's true).

But we haven't hosted any other true PGs in 2023 (other than Joey Brown who joined Xavier Booker last season). Sure we've offered several like Wesley Yates, Chuck Bailey, Khoi Thurman, Marvel Allen, Jeremiah Johnson, Dalen Davis, Caleb Foster etc. but haven't heard a word about any having real interest in IL

I've gotta assume that if we miss on Boz then the plan is to wait and see with Belo and then hit the portal. Currently we've only offered 3 PGs in the 2024 class (David Castillo, ZZ Clark..Skyy's brother, and Curtis Givens). KJ Windham doesn't have an offer but has also unofficially visited
Also have an entire year and half for someone to become available, or blossom.

Let's just hope the Boz committee and signs early!
 
#80      

JFGsCoffeeMug

BU:1 Trash cans:0
Chicago
Everything is clicking for our program. Josh and Brad:

take a bow GIF
 
#81      
Gotta think it’s this. I hate Izzo, but he’s not letting a teenager tell him what’s what in his program. Ask Emoni.
I can see Izzo going all in on a PG right now. His program has been built by tremendous PGs and they are lacking that right now. Remember the lean years without a true PG? Izzo has desperate need to get PG and I think this is what makes us all nervous, because we are still in need of our future PG. Boswell or Ames or even Belo, but the unknown can make anybody anxious.
 
#82      
Gotta think it’s this. I hate Izzo, but he’s not letting a teenager tell him what’s what in his program. Ask Emoni.
But if he really wanted to be at IL (debatable) was it not possible to back track with Brad rather than concede at MSU? I'm guessing Jr. and Sr. went at Brad with a "take it or leave it" offer and Brad left it, which may/may not have a bearing on the recruitment of Jeremiah.

I guess I'm just confused by "we need guarantees" at IL, but "we'll take our chances" at MSU
 
#83      
I can see Izzo going all in on a PG right now. His program has been built by tremendous PGs and they are lacking that right now. Remember the lean years without a true PG? Izzo has desperate need to get PG and I think this is what makes us all nervous, because we are still in need of our future PG. Boswell or Ames or even Belo, but the unknown can make anybody anxious.
I agree. Which is why I will always believe that Izzo DID agree to Fears' terms, and maybe even dropped a bag
 
#85      
In an interview last year, Izzo says he has never guaranteed a recruit a starting position since he's been at MSU.
MSU is a better program than IL going on 17 years now.

Presumably the 17 yr old Fears asked to be 'the guy' at IL, was turned down and went to where he felt he had the best chance to win (the better program for his lifetime). We keep winning year over year and that will happen less.
 
#86      

Bigtex

DFW
MSU is a better program than IL going on 17 years now.

Presumably the 17 yr old Fears asked to be 'the guy' at IL, was turned down and went to where he felt he had the best chance to win (the better program for his lifetime). We keep winning year over year and that will happen less.
IMO. More to the story.

Agree msu been a better program with Izzo.
Illinois was/is concerned with outside shot. Illinois wanted more time to evaluate and see progress in outside shot.
seems like team fears wanted to verbal quickly.
No idea if there were and what they were regarding demands or guarantees at Illinois or Michigan state.
Been a long time since illini had a very good player who was relatively local with lots of Illinois interest and maybe we asked for more time to evaluate or commit.
Trust this staff and direction of the program
 
#89      
MSU is a better program than IL going on 17 years now.

Presumably the 17 yr old Fears asked to be 'the guy' at IL, was turned down and went to where he felt he had the best chance to win (the better program for his lifetime). We keep winning year over year and that will happen less.
To take it a step further, maybe we were only or primarily the favorite because he was under the mistaken apprehension that, given our lack of success until the last few seasons, he could make those kinds of demands here.
 
#91      
To take it a step further, maybe we were only or primarily the favorite because he was under the mistaken apprehension that, given our lack of success until the last few seasons, he could make those kinds of demands here.
I think there’s a few other things at play that I haven’t seen mentioned: our 2023 roster will have two sophomore guards in Epps and Harris that are no slouches, Curbelo may very well still be on the roster in 2023 with said guards, and our roster construction needs are different than MSU’s based on the style Brad wants to play.

Whether Fears had similar demands from all programs he visited or not is somewhat academic—MSU sees him as a piece they can use and it’s clear our staff thinks they can do better either with existing roster commitments, recruits, and/or the suddenly gamechanging transfer portal.
 
#94      
Brad has been willing to play 4 guards (of course it helps to have Kofi in the paint). There will be plenty of playing time for Fears. At La Lumiere sports academy he already plays on a a all star team. They blasted Oak Hill - another sports academy. Top talent is not worried about competing for playing time.

My guess is it was a difficult decision, he wanted to decide now and he felt most comfortable with Spartans. He is only a Jr in HS.

Its only a verbal. I am confident Brad would have taken it and sorted out the scholarship problem in 2023. Illinois has at least 3 open 2023 scholarships and probably 4 with Andre going NBA.
 
#95      
This should be great. Get him a chance to hit the weights under Fletch and then start attempting to go up against Kofi.
Practice should be really interesting with our big men this Spring. Dainja will have to go against not only a physical beast in Kofi, but also a long-armed shot-blocker in Omar.
 
#96      
Just like we weren't talking about Podz or RJ until the weeks before they committed, Brad & Co. likely have some backup PGs in mind. 2023 fall signing day is a long way from now.

Some thought the sky was falling when we lost Storr. Some even proclaimed him a "surefire top 50 recruit". Look how that turned out, and I would consider Epps, Sincere, and Rodgers a major upgrade.
Didn't hear about Dainja...till we did or Rodgers. I have faith we won't be left in a lurch.
 
#97      
Didn't hear about Dainja...till we did or Rodgers. I have faith we won't be left in a lurch.
I feel confident we can find help in the portal if HS recruiting doesn't bring in a needed position. Typically, PGs are easier to find than big guys. With they guys currently on the roster and the ones we will be adding, we should be pretty attractive to players who want a change of scenery. Maintaining this level of competitiveness is easier than trying to resurrect a program from irrelevance. BU accomplished the latter in pretty short order, all things considered. I have complete faith he can do the former.
 
#98      

pruman91

Paducah, Ky
Brad has been willing to play 4 guards (of course it helps to have Kofi in the paint). There will be plenty of playing time for Fears. At La Lumiere sports academy he already plays on a a all star team. They blasted Oak Hill - another sports academy. Top talent is not worried about competing for playing time.

My guess is it was a difficult decision, he wanted to decide now and he felt most comfortable with Spartans. He is only a Jr in HS.

Its only a verbal. I am confident Brad would have taken it and sorted out the scholarship problem in 2023. Illinois has at least 3 open 2023 scholarships and probably 4 with Andre going NBA.
Emoni Bates comes to mind , with an early verbal to zeroIzzo......how did that work out ?
 
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