Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
If I had to put money down on it today ...
Where's the dislike button?
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread
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Where's the dislike button?
I'm not convinced on Schutt. Small school guy. Doesn't always translate. I'm sure he had some AAU success that might give me more confidence, but he's doing nothing for Duke when they suck. Not sure why it's so obvious he'll rise to his high school ranking as opposed to playing like he does now.
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
Schutt won a national AAU title (UA circuit) and he was the Wolves' top banana. Not exactly chopped liver.
drsmitty74
- Rochester
IIRC, GA is our Wolves guy no?
I will perhaps come across as naive here, but if the two players are relatively close in ability, does Certa's excitement and desire to play here count for anything? We want guys who want to be here, etc. Sounds like a great kid and a great family.
Or is Schutt the player to be named later in the Grandison trade?
a little disheartening that even on the rebound we're not the favorite to land a non-Chicago, small school instate kid.If I had to put money down on it today ...
Champaign Toast
Fan since Kiwane Garris
A couple Chicago kids--perhaps under the radar--who stood out to me in game videos I've watched are Chris Riddle (2024) of Kenwood and Justin Pickens (2023) of Farragut. Pickens doesn't even have a 247 page. Riddle is listed at 3 stars and has visited Champaign.
Every year it seems, local kids who are under-recruited end up high value starters at high mid majors or lower profile high majors. I have pangs of jealousy when they end up in the league. A few from the past that stand out in my mind are Jerome Randle, Patrick Beverly, Michael Finley, Jacob Pullen, Abdel Nader, and Fred Van Vleet; and I think Terrence Shannon Jr. can be put in that category, as well. I wonder whether Riddle or Pickens could be future members of this club.
While we are discussing how much the staff is interested in various prospects, any inside info on those two?
Video highlights of Farragut v Kenwood (2025 Aleks Alston is listed as a three star on 247, but also looks slick as a shooting 6'7" wing in this game)
Every year it seems, local kids who are under-recruited end up high value starters at high mid majors or lower profile high majors. I have pangs of jealousy when they end up in the league. A few from the past that stand out in my mind are Jerome Randle, Patrick Beverly, Michael Finley, Jacob Pullen, Abdel Nader, and Fred Van Vleet; and I think Terrence Shannon Jr. can be put in that category, as well. I wonder whether Riddle or Pickens could be future members of this club.
While we are discussing how much the staff is interested in various prospects, any inside info on those two?
Video highlights of Farragut v Kenwood (2025 Aleks Alston is listed as a three star on 247, but also looks slick as a shooting 6'7" wing in this game)
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Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
miss bag for the 2023 recruits.
Huff was there best player.
Riddle has been highly regarded since he entered high school. Lost a little local spotlight since he played in Arizona last year. Kenwood is stacked so he is not going to put up huge stats this year but expect him to have great AAU and senior seasons
illini55
- The Villages, FL
Let's hope Jake is in his ear, in a positive way. That could really be a big factor.
I much more expect them to look at an older, proven producer at the college level before taking a flyer on a guy like Schutt who isn’t getting tick. Think Grandison, Plummer or Feliz.
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Wouldn’t shock me either, but when I see things like this I just have to wonder what they’re thinking. I understand wanting to go up against the best and not shying away from competition, but there is competition and then there is banging your head against a brick wall. Maybe it was worth the “gamble” and practicing against that talent will be helpful in his development. But I think probably at least 80% of this board would have predicted this outcome for his freshman year. It will be interesting to see if he cuts bait or sticks it out. Not sure minutes will be much easier to come by next year with the class that is coming in.
I would doubt they're talking about it too much at the mid-point of the season. I just hope Jaden looks and sees Sencire starting, Epps getting 25 mpg, Rodgers 15 mpg and thinking I could have been a key piece to that team even in a reserve role had I gone.
When I look at our freshmen, Sencire is a dog who I hope has a Chester Frazier type arc to his game (though wouldn't mind that offensive effeciency coming before his Sr. year), Epps is a scorer, Rodgers is a swiss army knife, and Dain is a presence in the paint. What we don't have is a defense stretcher that will destroy a zone, or hit a 3 in your face.
The fact that we offered Cole Certa shows the staff knows we need that type of guy and think Certa can fill the role. Well even if we do take Certa, Schutt would be a Jr when he's a Fr., so there is certainly room for both. When Mayer and Shannon leave, we are really going to be hurting for 3 pt shooting. I'd expend every resource available on Schutt, assuming he enters the portal. He's only had the opportunity to take 10 3s in his Duke career, after starting 1-6, he has hit his last 4 to be at 50% overall.
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
Goode is the best long range shooter on the team and Epps is no slouch. Definitely room for another sharpshooter. Don't see both.
DRA has to stop moving from team to team. Crushing his ranking… AH should be an amazing upgrade to Hawkins.
DB11Headband
- Chicago Burbs
Not sure that’s the reason unfortunately
This has been a concern of mine...
Unlike some Illini of the past, the uh… interesting character… of certain family members of his is no secret whatsoever.
This probably won't end well...interesting family members don't last long in the UI basketball family.
DICKnaggie
- Champaign
I think this is what is a head scratcher for me given recent developments. Why go after him and take the commitment given all the "known knowns" about he and his camp? Is the upside so high that the staff wants to take the chance given all the drama of this season?
I have a very jaundiced view of DRA after seeing him play on tape... He can leap,,, but what else? Small, slightly built non-dynamic player who does not seem to assert himself. What am I missing? I do trust Underwood but DRA seems to be a throw-back to previous coaches' targets
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