icengineer
- Southern Illinois
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (January-March 2016)
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The crazy thing about basketball recruiting is that one player like Tilmon could LITERALLY change everything for the future of our program and the fate of John Groce's time here at Illinois. If someone like Tilmon were to make an early decision to play at Illinois so many other things would happen. First high level recruits would almost surely follow his role (Goodwin, Williams, Smith, Pickett, possibly Verge). Second, with a player like Tilmon and any of those other players listed, it's almost impossible to fire Groce. Third, Tilmon is a center, which is an enormous position of need, he is a guaranteed 5 star recruit, and imagine this lineup:
Lucas, Williams
JCL, Jordan
Nichols, DJ, Goodwin
Finke, Black
Tilmon
Illinois goes from the bottom half of the Big Ten program that has missed the NCAA tournament 3 years in a row, to a legit contender in the Big Ten and a sure fire lock for the NCAA tourney.
Lucas, Williams
JCL, Jordan
Nichols, DJ, Goodwin
Finke, Black
Tilmon
Illinois goes from the bottom half of the Big Ten program that has missed the NCAA tournament 3 years in a row, to a legit contender in the Big Ten and a sure fire lock for the NCAA tourney.
sacraig
- The desert
I had to think for a minute on that response. Then it hit me!
Like some sort of large, heavy object used to smash down buildings, perhaps? I wish there was a more succinct term for that...
I decided to search Tilmon's recruitment and see what came up. Here is what surprised me and encourages me, especially with the new information being shared on the board:
According to Scout:
Tilmon first visited Illinois December 31, 2013
Tilmon visited again October 19, 2014
Tilmon visited again September 11, 2015 with Goodwin
Tilmon visited again December 4, 2015 and said in regard to Illinois, "It feels like home."
Then if you look back at his recruitment, there are countless articles and mentions that Illinois was the first to show interest, Illinois is recruiting him the hardest, Tilmon is really growing in his relationship with Illinois, etc...
So this guy has unofficially visited us at least 4 times which obviously says he likes us a quite a bit. Plus who knows how many games Groce and the assistants have been to, and you add all of the positive things he has had to say about Illinois, then finally you consider that his recruitment has been eerily quiet for a 5 star recruit. You start to wonder if he is one of those rare 5-star recruits that we have always hoped for, a kid that quietly falls in love with his state school and decides to give us a shot.
According to Scout:
Tilmon first visited Illinois December 31, 2013
Tilmon visited again October 19, 2014
Tilmon visited again September 11, 2015 with Goodwin
Tilmon visited again December 4, 2015 and said in regard to Illinois, "It feels like home."
Then if you look back at his recruitment, there are countless articles and mentions that Illinois was the first to show interest, Illinois is recruiting him the hardest, Tilmon is really growing in his relationship with Illinois, etc...
So this guy has unofficially visited us at least 4 times which obviously says he likes us a quite a bit. Plus who knows how many games Groce and the assistants have been to, and you add all of the positive things he has had to say about Illinois, then finally you consider that his recruitment has been eerily quiet for a 5 star recruit. You start to wonder if he is one of those rare 5-star recruits that we have always hoped for, a kid that quietly falls in love with his state school and decides to give us a shot.
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I don't have a specific. Call I got this morning was "he and family ready to have this all done." Hearing a very short list andin very good shape. I'll certainly pass on more when I get it. I can press for some more Intel too. I just generally take what I hear when I hear it. Go
!!
Awesome, thanks for the response
chiefinillini7
- Champaign, IL
Well then I guess its up to Big Mike if he wants try and come back this year and get to the league now or wait a year, improve his post positioning, balance, and conditioning and improve his stock with a full year... I know one thing, he believes he's an NBA prospect so its up to him
chiefinillini7
- Champaign, IL
I know it won't but would love for the news to correlate with Rako's "they stopped recruiting me" spiel.
Ikr! Seriously!!
But I don't think KP had all his facts right, but either way I'm.not comfortable with Rako's wild recruitment at this point. What will tell me everything I need to know is if he makes another trip to campus at some point... But I don't think that will even be revisited until Froling makes his decision
chiefinillini7
- Champaign, IL
Yeah if Malcolm is still here...
This is what everybody is not talking about.I'm around these dudes everyday at my gig... Its real!
Yeah if Malcolm is still here...
This is what everybody is not talking about.I'm around these dudes everyday at my gig... Its real!
People around the program are thinking he'll go pro? I can't see him transferring (that would hurt), but I don't really see him leaving early for the NBA either, just isn't athletic enough to be a 1st round early exit kind of guy.
Yeah if Malcolm is still here...
This is what everybody is not talking about.I'm around these dudes everyday at my gig... Its real!
As in graduate and one year transfer?
Unless he just doesn't like his coach, teammates or school, that wouldn't make much sense for his NBA prospects. If he wants to go compete for an NCAA championship....well, maybe.
chiefinillini7
- Champaign, IL
You must not know what people are saying about him around the big ten! With the numbers he is putting up and the skill he has, yes he is garning NBA type attention. And if he puts up 30 against another ranked team you beat believe scouts will be flying in. You got to remember, Malcolm is a year younger than his class and he is 6'6 just now growing into his potential. All of you are taking this man for granted, I hope to God he is still here next year, which he probably will be, I just don't see how anyone is looking at this as a potential scenario because its possible.
& BTW, even before the season ever started, Malcolm's name was popping up for 2nd round or honorable mention on some mock drafts (I don't like ESPN) & there is a lot of season left. Come March is when he could really shine, like in the big ten tourney and beyond if we could get some wins
chiefinillini7
- Champaign, IL
He is obviously not a sure fire pro proespect so everbody can stop freaking out, i didnt say all that. But its about Potential...
...Not even potentially. Just potential. But big difference.
I do know of one in state team that has checked in and is keeping tabs on him..
Lets just say I'm sure they are hoping he can stay under the radar, because If he can improve his quickness and his lateral movement, he will play in the NBA I put my name on that!
Piper basically said on the Tay & J show that Groce's warm seat is what has delayed the Goodwin commitment.
haasi
- New York
chicken and egg, right?
groce's seat gets cooler <--> commitments.
groce's seat gets warmer <--> no commitments
Hill is a fine college player. He may spend time in the league but he won't be a top level NBA player. It woouldn't make sense for him to leave early. The NBA is for freakish athletes. Hill doesn't fit that bill.
Dan
Admin
DW is smooth as glass (like his dad).....
You dont watch much NBA do you? I understand if you dont although he doesnt fit the bill athletically he has the size and skill to fit perfectly. He keeps playing the way he did against Purdue and he will be a lottery pick this year. I am hoping he just keeps putting up good numbers and comes back next year. Nunn may even get drafted next year. I think he may have a shot the way hes been playing this year. Before this year I didnt think he had a shot.
It will be a crime if Damonte gets away from us.
No matter what happens for illinois, there will be a pessimistic illini fan to swoop in and say something that sends you in a panic. Malcolm Hill won't touch a lottery pick. If there's one thing ESPN gets right it's NBA Draft stuff. With Buddy Hield, Dunn, Simmons, Paige, Brice Johnson, Denzel Valentine, Trimble and a lot more.
Malcolm Hill disappeared in the Notre Dame and Michigan games. He has a career game and everyone thinks he's a top 14 player in the country.
Malcolm Hill disappeared in the Notre Dame and Michigan games. He has a career game and everyone thinks he's a top 14 player in the country.
Sal Iacuzzo
- Yonkers, NY
There are rarely any seniors picked in the lottery, maybe one or two a year at most.
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