Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread
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I feel about the same as I did befor these 3 crystal balls. We have a chance, will anxiously await the anouncement, if we win, we have a great corner stone for 23 and 24, if not I am sure we will continue to recruit at the high level we have been for the last couple years. We are on a roll and I feel good about were we are. Man, I do hope he picks us though, just not expecting it.
He always did seem like a Papa Johns guys.Maybe Boswell doesn't like Pizza Hut?
It's so funny how predictable this board is after a recruit spurns us. And I don't mean that sarcastically or condescendingly.
Regardless of how you try to rationalize it (like I'm about to in the next paragraph) this hurts. If you want to contend for Final Fours, you need these types of kids on your roster. And the fact we had natural connections to him makes it even harder.
But, this doesn't set the program back in any way. This isn't Groce missing on a pg for the umpteenth time. We have a solidly constructed roster. We have an established culture of effort and toughness that doesn't require 5 star talent to win games. This staff has already turned two four stars into All Americans and I suspect it'll be three in the next couple years. We'll be fine.
Regardless of how you try to rationalize it (like I'm about to in the next paragraph) this hurts. If you want to contend for Final Fours, you need these types of kids on your roster. And the fact we had natural connections to him makes it even harder.
But, this doesn't set the program back in any way. This isn't Groce missing on a pg for the umpteenth time. We have a solidly constructed roster. We have an established culture of effort and toughness that doesn't require 5 star talent to win games. This staff has already turned two four stars into All Americans and I suspect it'll be three in the next couple years. We'll be fine.
Agreed, and zoom out just a bit further.
after we lost our staff at the end of last season, the sky was falling. I'm not going to pretend I wasn't concerned but seeing how BU reloaded the staff and seeing how he has continued to find 'his guys', we're in really good hands.
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
We just have to let the Domino's fall where they may..........................................
Not Illini related, but saw DePaul got commitment from Zion Cruz yesterday. Anybody have a scouting report for him?
I respectfully disagree…with Nibblefarb and his Drama background we could draw more offensive fouls than anyone in the league.
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Thanks, seen that. Was just curious if anyone had any firsthand thoughts. Not a DePaul fan, but follow them a bit since I’ve got a couple of friends who are fans since I grew up in south burbs back when they were good.
Massive, massive, red flags. Pretty sure DePaul was the only school left that would take him. Even Memphis passed, and that's saying a lot.
Even Pearl rejected him..I know is a classic saying, and if you are referring to 5-star players... then sure, it's accurate. However we have in fact been the bride, in just the last 4 years, for:
4 top-50 players
6 (additional, not including the 4 above) top-100 players
This isn't even including impact transfers such as Andres Feliz, Plummer, hopefully Dainja (and maybe a step up from Payne next year).
The amount of talent in the program is insane. This one hurts, and while we did have a real shot at Boswell, he has been an Arizona lean for this entire process, regardless of what is said on this board.
Thanks. I know he had an offer from Illinois but knew we weren’t recruiting him. Had a crystal ball for Auburn, so if Pearl and Penny passed on him that says something.
Fears, well look at what’s happening at MSU. Izzo could decide he’s done…Fears becomes available again
Let's stop with this. We have recruited very well the past few years. If you are winning every recruitment that you are in, you are not taking big enough swings.
Joel Goodson
- ties will be resolved
Given the choice, I'd rather have Ames. Probably much rather (check back in 3 years, lol).
You lose more of these types of commitments than you win.
We have a stable of good guards/wings coming in, most of whom are 6’4+ and most of whom can shoot. And most of whom should be here 3+ years.
I’m excited to see what the extra length does for the program, and the days of being dominated by the Mathurins and Donta Scott’s of the world should be coming to an end.
We get Akil Watson or some similar bouncy stretch 4 types and we could really be something.
Glad Boswell considered us. Wish him well. Would have been a great add but we will be fine.
We have a stable of good guards/wings coming in, most of whom are 6’4+ and most of whom can shoot. And most of whom should be here 3+ years.
I’m excited to see what the extra length does for the program, and the days of being dominated by the Mathurins and Donta Scott’s of the world should be coming to an end.
We get Akil Watson or some similar bouncy stretch 4 types and we could really be something.
Glad Boswell considered us. Wish him well. Would have been a great add but we will be fine.
If the Boswell recruitment is all but dead (it's only Wednesday of this weeklong year), at least this is happening in February vs. November. We still have the whole summer evaluation season to go and new studs will emerge because they always do.
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Bingo - this revelation when you realize the situation was completely different than we thought all along is what makes it sting even more
However, I appreciate those with connections to the team sharing what they are hearing and their inside knowledge - I'd rather know what they are hearing and be disappointed than not know at all. I think this just means that the staff and those around the program will be surprised by this - they must have felt very good about KB coming here - such is life in recruiting
texillwek
🔶🔹🔸🔷
The situation is usually completely different than we think on this board, so I'm not sure why people are so up in arms over this one. Realign (was anyone ever actually aligned?) yourselves with the reality that while we're trending upward, we're not a top-10 destination for the elite elite - yet.
Agreed it’s disappointing but nothing to worry about. The program is heading in the right direction. The staff probably already knew or had a hunch that he was not coming here from their discussions with him after his official visit here and at Zona, hence all the clues with the crystal balls, and the Babcock tweet we saw.
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Agreed...with no 2023 commits yet Boswell would have been a great start and really kept this staff's recruiting momentum going. On to the next one....will be interesting to see who first Illinl 2023 recruit will be. Last 7 recruits have been outstanding-Goode, Podz, Melendez, Epps, Harris, Rodgers and Dainja...a few of these seemed to come out of nowhere...I expect the same for 2023. Excited to see these.young men next year when they get a chance to shine.
Or maybe the stories on here are wrong
TheFameProtector
- Champaign
Anybody have any insight why Geoff was leading this recruitment and not Chester? Was surprised to see that just based on what positions they coach.
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