BASKETBALL PREDICTIONS
Brad Sturdy
I expect Giorgi Bezhanishvili to commit on or shortly after his visit. Underwood loves his ability to pass the ball and his BB IQ. He isn't a plus athlete, but he is long. He is a 4/5 depending on matchups and a different piece than Kane.
I think Tevian Jones will visit Cal so he has something to compare Illinois too, but he will be an Illini at the end of the day.
Courtney Ramey and Webster Groves will win their state title Saturday night. Ramey is great and Carte'Are Gordon is now playing and playing well. Ramey will visit Illinois unofficially by early April, probably before that. I don't think he knows what he will do so it's impossible to predict him yet. If Illinois misses on Ramey, or if he waits too long, they will add another ball handler. It will be a JUCO or a 5th year, both guys are very interested.
Illinois is not going to push 5th years like Finke or Jordan out, because they need those scholarships in the fall for the 2019 class. They are looking at adding 4 in 2019. Yes, I know.
Illinois will add a 5th year player that can compete at the 4 or 5 immediately. Kane and Giorgi are guys that will be good, but aren't there yet. Illinois may still add another freshman big after Giorgi. They need some info on Valdir Manuel (test, transcripts, etc.) However, that may mean Eboigbodin will move on.
FOOTBALL PREDICTIONS
Doug Bucshon
How real is the Illinois football recruiting buzz? For those who frequent the social networks, check out the #Littyville and #ILLGang19 hashtags on Twitter. Getting prospective recruits talking to each other about your program is great way to generate interest, and this Illinois staff is having success at it. Thad Ward, Cory Patterson, Andrew Hayes-Stoker, and Rod Smith all have the amiable personality that you look for in an effective recruiter.
The recent commitment from Texas athlete Marquez Beason got things rolling, and now some more dominoes could be about to fall. The top target, and a major key to the recruiting class, is St. Louis Trinity athlete Isaiah Williams. In the spirit of the “fearless prediction” thread, we will project Williams to Illinois, and it could happen by the end of March.
If Williams does pop for Illinois, will some of his teammates follow? Patterson called the rise of Trinity football “The Movement”, and there is legitimate interest among the players at the school to continue it at the next level. Illinois is out for 4-star wide receiver Marcus Washington, but others have Illinois high on their list, including linebacker Shammond Cooper, offensive lineman Ira Henry, and wide receiver Bryce Childress.
Hiring Patterson and making him the point man in recruiting St. Louis allowed Lovie Smith to put Ward to work in Chicago-land, and he’s been very well received there. Illinois wants to make an impact in its own state in the 2019 class.
Two prospects from IHSA Class 5A state champion Chicago Phillips may be close to making their college choice, with Illinois a major player. We will make the call, and say the Illini land athlete Fabian McCray and defensive back Joseph Thompson. It will be harder to get a commitment from their teammates, four-star tight end Jahleel Billingsley, but the Illini do appear to have made up some ground with him.'
Brad Sturdy
I expect Giorgi Bezhanishvili to commit on or shortly after his visit. Underwood loves his ability to pass the ball and his BB IQ. He isn't a plus athlete, but he is long. He is a 4/5 depending on matchups and a different piece than Kane.
I think Tevian Jones will visit Cal so he has something to compare Illinois too, but he will be an Illini at the end of the day.
Courtney Ramey and Webster Groves will win their state title Saturday night. Ramey is great and Carte'Are Gordon is now playing and playing well. Ramey will visit Illinois unofficially by early April, probably before that. I don't think he knows what he will do so it's impossible to predict him yet. If Illinois misses on Ramey, or if he waits too long, they will add another ball handler. It will be a JUCO or a 5th year, both guys are very interested.
Illinois is not going to push 5th years like Finke or Jordan out, because they need those scholarships in the fall for the 2019 class. They are looking at adding 4 in 2019. Yes, I know.
Illinois will add a 5th year player that can compete at the 4 or 5 immediately. Kane and Giorgi are guys that will be good, but aren't there yet. Illinois may still add another freshman big after Giorgi. They need some info on Valdir Manuel (test, transcripts, etc.) However, that may mean Eboigbodin will move on.
FOOTBALL PREDICTIONS
Doug Bucshon
How real is the Illinois football recruiting buzz? For those who frequent the social networks, check out the #Littyville and #ILLGang19 hashtags on Twitter. Getting prospective recruits talking to each other about your program is great way to generate interest, and this Illinois staff is having success at it. Thad Ward, Cory Patterson, Andrew Hayes-Stoker, and Rod Smith all have the amiable personality that you look for in an effective recruiter.
The recent commitment from Texas athlete Marquez Beason got things rolling, and now some more dominoes could be about to fall. The top target, and a major key to the recruiting class, is St. Louis Trinity athlete Isaiah Williams. In the spirit of the “fearless prediction” thread, we will project Williams to Illinois, and it could happen by the end of March.
If Williams does pop for Illinois, will some of his teammates follow? Patterson called the rise of Trinity football “The Movement”, and there is legitimate interest among the players at the school to continue it at the next level. Illinois is out for 4-star wide receiver Marcus Washington, but others have Illinois high on their list, including linebacker Shammond Cooper, offensive lineman Ira Henry, and wide receiver Bryce Childress.
Hiring Patterson and making him the point man in recruiting St. Louis allowed Lovie Smith to put Ward to work in Chicago-land, and he’s been very well received there. Illinois wants to make an impact in its own state in the 2019 class.
Two prospects from IHSA Class 5A state champion Chicago Phillips may be close to making their college choice, with Illinois a major player. We will make the call, and say the Illini land athlete Fabian McCray and defensive back Joseph Thompson. It will be harder to get a commitment from their teammates, four-star tight end Jahleel Billingsley, but the Illini do appear to have made up some ground with him.'
