Because it is HS Sports related I must say I am shocked by how much more work it is to coach a hs team that is winning versus one that sucks. Helping athletes with recruiting videos, more travel, balancing the top 3 or 4 player's needs versus the 25 - 30th best players. Picking tournaments that will help my top 2 without crushing my 4th and 5th players. Practicing over breaks. Gathering resources.

 

It's really fun to watch these players reach goals and set new ones. My #1 and #2 both won their flights in the District Match Play Championships. My #1 and his opponent in the first round played one of the best matches I have ever witnessed including a final hole that had more drama, and great sportsmanship, than I can ever remember.

 

But we have five more months and already I am exhausted.

I know Illinois has an offer out to Verge, the PG from Thornton. My HS just played them in the Big Dipper title game and wow what a badass. He is a bit showy, but legit.

I know Illinois has an offer out to Verge, the PG from Thornton. My HS just played them in the Big Dipper title game and wow what a badass. He is a bit showy, but legit.

 

He has one of those non-committal offers I believe. Smith and Epperson are the top targets to fill out the class for the Illini.

I know Illinois has an offer out to Verge, the PG from Thornton. My HS just played them in the Big Dipper title game and wow what a badass. He is a bit showy, but legit.

 

Sounds like he has off court problems and attitude problems. Richmond flashbacks.

Sounds like he has off court problems and attitude problems. Richmond flashbacks.

 

I didn't see any of it, but if he is half as cocky off of the floor as he is on it, I could see it being true.

I didn't see any of it, but if he is half as cocky off of the floor as he is on it, I could see it being true.

From what I've read he had really bad influences around him, and made some bad decisions (drugs and such, nothing super bad though).

 

Illinois pulled away though, great talent but a risk they can't take after the off court incidents of last year plus they got good players in the 1/2 positions anyways.

 

From what I've read he had really bad influences around him, and made some bad decisions (drugs and such, nothing super bad though).

 

Illinois pulled away though, great talent but a risk they can't take after the off court incidents of last year plus they got good players in the 1/2 positions anyways.

 

Agreed. No spot for him really. Frazier, Williams, Lucas all can play the 1. I think Frazier can be the steal of the class.

Greg the brother rice Marist basketball game was epic. Go watch on brother rice TV.

Greg the brother rice Marist basketball game was epic. Go watch on brother rice TV.

[/quote}

Thank you. I see we won. I just watched it. Nice job especially by those two guys Shepski and Niego. Excellent game. Looks like Rice could beat anybody if the threes are falling. Surprised they were able to beat Marist with no inside game at all. I'd almost put a triangle and two on the two Rice sharpshooters cause we got no big men.

Great win. Bobby Frasor is the real deal.

Edited January 18, 20179 yr by greg775

I know its only recruiting, but Lovie is doing some work in his first real class. Picked up another in state OL commit tonight and is now up to #33 on scout.

Was surprised Illinois isn't in Jeff Thomas' final 3.

Was surprised Illinois isn't in Jeff Thomas' final 3.

 

Tom Lemming predicted that JT will pick to go to Illinois. Even mentioned that he knows Illinois isn't in his top 3, so weird to see him pick that.

Was surprised Illinois isn't in Jeff Thomas' final 3.

Sounds like he couldn't get admitted, not surprising with the reports of his grades.

Tom Lemming predicted that JT will pick to go to Illinois. Even mentioned that he knows Illinois isn't in his top 3, so weird to see him pick that.

It's just not happening, no idea where Lemming is getting his info but the Thomas train left the station. It's too bad, from what I've heard Illinois went above and beyond to help him out.

I know its only recruiting, but Lovie is doing some work in his first real class. Picked up another in state OL commit tonight and is now up to #33 on scout.

They've been great, only a few minor slip ups thus far but for the most part they are hitting on their top targets and building up the trenches. Need 2 more DE before I'm comfortable with the future D-line but man, we should finally have a Big Ten caliber OL.

Yeah Thomas apparently got rejected by admissions and if what the Scout writers were saying about his transcripts are true, he isn't going anywhere.

Yeah Thomas apparently got rejected by admissions and if what the Scout writers were saying about his transcripts are true, he isn't going anywhere.

 

 

He'll go to JUCO and dominate and then be in the SEC or ACC.

Jeff Thomas on the next season of Last Chance U?

Jeff Thomas on the next season of Last Chance U?

 

 

Midwest guys don't usually go to EMCC but something similar is possible

They've been great, only a few minor slip ups thus far but for the most part they are hitting on their top targets and building up the trenches. Need 2 more DE before I'm comfortable with the future D-line but man, we should finally have a Big Ten caliber OL.

 

I know one that they are high on right now is DE Zion BeBose out of North Carolina. He could be the next one. Bobby Roundtree, Bennett Williams, Reggie Roberson. Allstot decommitted and is consider Illinois too.

I know one that they are high on right now is DE Zion BeBose out of North Carolina. He could be the next one. Bobby Roundtree, Bennett Williams, Reggie Roberson. Allstot decommitted and is consider Illinois too.

They have a few DEs visiting this weekend as well, DeBose seems to be the best though. Roundtree for some reason is fascinated with Indiana.

 

Really want Roberson but he's blowing up right now, I thought a month ago he was a for sure commit but now I'm thinking it's closer to 50/50.

They have a few DEs visiting this weekend as well, DeBose seems to be the best though. Roundtree for some reason is fascinated with Indiana.

 

Really want Roberson but he's blowing up right now, I thought a month ago he was a for sure commit but now I'm thinking it's closer to 50/50.

 

I don't know if he's even 50/50. Like you said, kid is blowing up and I'm not that confident in landing him anymore. Williams and DeBose I'm fairly confident in that we will get. If so, Illinois will have a top 25-30 recruiting class.

 

And they say Lovie can't recruit. Just wait until he wins.....

I don't know if he's even 50/50. Like you said, kid is blowing up and I'm not that confident in landing him anymore. Williams and DeBose I'm fairly confident in that we will get. If so, Illinois will have a top 25-30 recruiting class.

 

And they say Lovie can't recruit. Just wait until he wins.....

Lovie cancelled an in-home with DeBose, so not as confident as you on that one. Williams seems solid to us.

 

A top 35 class at the end of the day would be huge for this staff, 10 months to recruit and they are doing it at key positions as well. Really excited for what this means going forward, especially as next year is going to be ROUGH.

I think Alstott is still a Purdue commit unless you're seeing something I don't