All Things Alex Illikainen Recruitment Thread: UPDATED 11/12/18: Illikainen leaves UW

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Goldy Gopher said:
Alex is the number one priority right now but I don't believe he has an official visit set up yet but he has visited enough times were he could commit at anytime and take an official after he has already committed if he wants to. I would be disappointed if Nwankwo committed if that prevented us from getting Illikainen however I believe that no matter how many commits we already have if Illikainen decides he wants to play here Pitino would make room for him.
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Like we have been saying, the local kids can't assume they can mess around and expect the U to wait for them.
 

Gopherboner said:
I think Nwankwo will commit this wknd based on what he's said about how much he likes us. Could be wrong, but l almost prefer him over AI because of his size. I think we need someone to rebound and put a body on someone. Alex doesn't physically look like he's going to box anyone out in the BIG.. Also, we'll have plenty of shooters in Lofton, Mason, Dorsey, McBrayer. Almost wonder how much interest the Gophers have. Does Alex even have a visit set up yet?
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Kind of odd, but if Gaston ends up enrolling in January and plays PF, Nwankwo would really fill a bigger need day 1, but I think long term AI is going to have a pretty good college career.
 

Gopherboner said:
I think Nwankwo will commit this wknd based on what he's said about how much he likes us. Could be wrong, but l almost prefer him over AI because of his size. I think we need someone to rebound and put a body on someone. Alex doesn't physically look like he's going to box anyone out in the BIG.. Also, we'll have plenty of shooters in Lofton, Mason, Dorsey, McBrayer. Almost wonder how much interest the Gophers have. Does Alex even have a visit set up yet?
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They play different positions....
 


I thought they both were "4's" ?? with AI admit tingly being capable of being on the perimeter more than Nwankwo. However, I think we need someone to clean up the boards, and be more capable of defending physical big men in the BIG. Please don't get me wrong, I'm not going to be mad if we land AI. I'm confused though as why it's seems difficult to set up an official with a kid in our own backyard. In the end, I'm confident Pitino will land guys that will sooner or later be excellent fits. I just traded for Julius Thomas, so enough on AI for me. Go Gophers!
 


die hard gopher said:
He is a perfect fit for what Wisconsin likes. And he's not that athletic.
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Agree with both of these. Alex looked to have really improved his shooting this summer, to the point where he definitely needs to be respected from beyond the 3-point line. I also think he would be average to slightly above average athletically at the Big 10 level.
 

Gopherboner said:
I thought they both were "4's" ?? with AI admit tingly being capable of being on the perimeter more than Nwankwo. However, I think we need someone to clean up the boards, and be more capable of defending physical big men in the BIG. Please don't get me wrong, I'm not going to be mad if we land AI. I'm confused though as why it's seems difficult to set up an official with a kid in our own backyard. In the end, I'm confident Pitino will land guys that will sooner or later be excellent fits. I just traded for Julius Thomas, so enough on AI for me. Go Gophers!
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Nwankwo's a 5
 

Couldn't that go either way? If I were Alex and they watched me for 3 years but just offered, I'd probably be a little offended.

UWOle said:
Alex commented in an article this morning that UW has been recruiting him for a long time, such that the late offer is not a big deal.
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underground629 said:
Couldn't that go either way? If I were Alex and they watched me for 3 years but just offered, I'd probably be a little offended.
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+1

I'm sure he's well aware that he's their 4th or 5th preferred big man in this class. He's been our #1 for quite some time.
 



Even though it means next to nothing, I'd rather see him in a Gopher shirt.

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PTalberg said:
Even though it means next to nothing, I'd rather see him in a Gopher shirt.

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I just threw up a little bit in my mouth.
 


Haha most kids buy shirts when on visits to schools and wear all of them. Doesn't mean anything. He'll be wearing Gopher gear for 4 years, let him wear other teams' gear while he still can.
 



die hard gopher said:
He is a perfect fit for what Wisconsin likes. And he's not that athletic.
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A big guy who can shoot and rebound would be a good fit anywhere. I look at him as a potentially better version of Joey King. Or possibly a bigger Luke Hancock.

And who knows what anything these guys say means. A polite, close to the vest kid isn't going to tell the Wisconsin writer (or any writer) "yeah, it's nice they offered but way too late, I'll put them on my list but I'm probably not going there."

I do find it really surprising that he didn't commit to Minnesota over the summer. Really, really thought he'd be our first commitment. If he wasn't going to prep school out east I'd still peg him as a Minnesota lock, but being out of state at the time he's going to make his decision kind of throws a wrench in things.
 

I don't know who said it, but I tend to agree with them. If these kids were coming here, they would have committed by now. People that want to "stay home" stay home. He and Jarvis have had ample opportunity to stay home.

I'm asking as I don't know the answer, who was the last local recruit to sign this late in the game? Royce was an early signing wasn't he? Joe Coleman, I dont remember, but I think he was early, Al Nolen?

Not saying we have 0 chance, but you might as well consider Jarvis and Alex as any other recruit that we are after, the local angle isn't a big card for these kids, if it was they would be here.

Give me Chris Clark and Ngawnago (sp?) and I'll be just as/more happy than with Alex/Jarvis.
 

Gopherboner said:
I thought they both were "4's" ?? with AI admit tingly being capable of being on the perimeter more than Nwankwo. However, I think we need someone to clean up the boards, and be more capable of defending physical big men in the BIG. Please don't get me wrong, I'm not going to be mad if we land AI. I'm confused though as why it's seems difficult to set up an official with a kid in our own backyard. In the end, I'm confident Pitino will land guys that will sooner or later be excellent fits. I just traded for Julius Thomas, so enough on AI for me. Go Gophers!
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Not sure if Illikainen is in Grand Rapids still or if he has headed to Brewster Academy in New Hampshire to start his senior year but that could impact things a little on setting up visits. I'm not to worried about AI not having an official visit set up yet and think he will get one set up but I wouldn't be surprised if he committed here before taking an official as he has already visited a number of times.
 

Winasota Gopher said:
I don't know who said it, but I tend to agree with them. If these kids were coming here, they would have committed by now. People that want to "stay home" stay home. He and Jarvis have had ample opportunity to stay home.

I'm asking as I don't know the answer, who was the last local recruit to sign this late in the game? Royce was an early signing wasn't he? Joe Coleman, I dont remember, but I think he was early, Al Nolen?

Not saying we have 0 chance, but you might as well consider Jarvis and Alex as any other recruit that we are after, the local angle isn't a big card for these kids, if it was they would be here.

Give me Chris Clark and Ngawnago (sp?) and I'll be just as/more happy than with Alex/Jarvis.
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I don't agree with this at all there are lots of kids want to let their recruitment play out and be able to take free visits all over the country just for the experience. Just because these two haven't committed doesn't mean they aren't still considered Gopher leans. Having been through the recruiting process albeit at a smaller level I can understand what these guys may be thinking a little as I was pretty sure where I was going before I even took any official visits but still decided to take all 5 visits just for the experience even though I visited the place I knew I was probably gonna go to first.
 

Winasota Gopher said:
I don't know who said it, but I tend to agree with them. If these kids were coming here, they would have committed by now. People that want to "stay home" stay home. He and Jarvis have had ample opportunity to stay home.

I'm asking as I don't know the answer, who was the last local recruit to sign this late in the game? Royce was an early signing wasn't he? Joe Coleman, I dont remember, but I think he was early, Al Nolen?

Not saying we have 0 chance, but you might as well consider Jarvis and Alex as any other recruit that we are after, the local angle isn't a big card for these kids, if it was they would be here.

Give me Chris Clark and Ngawnago (sp?) and I'll be just as/more happy than with Alex/Jarvis.
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Joe Coleman committed 9/24/10, which would be exactly 3 weeks later than today in the current recruiting cycle.
Al Nolen committed 8/3/05, which would have been just before the start of his junior year of high school, so that would be the equivalent of Jarvis or Alex having committed to the Gophers over a year ago. He committed even earlier than Royce White did.
Blake Hoffarber committed 9/25/06, over a year after Nolen did.
Rodney Williams committed 9/28/08
Royce White committed 4/23/08, presumably about a month and a half before his junior year of high school ended.

From looking at a few of our out of state fall recruits, Martin, Mason, Hollins, Hollins, and Eliason all committed after today's date in their respective recruiting cycles.

Nolen and Royce seem to be the only commits we've gotten before today's date of 9/3 in their respective cycles in the last 8(?) recruiting cycles. From what I can tell, Dorsey and McBrayer are our first and second earliest commits since Royce White, and this is the first time we've had two commits at this point in the recruiting cycle since at least before Tubby was hired. Looks like if we're going to say, "If these local recruits wanted to come here, they would have committed by now," we should at least wait until the end of the month, and even then, I don't think getting a commit from either or both of them after that would really be a shock.

And for the record, by Ngawnago, I think you meant Nwankwo. ;)
 

PTalberg said:
Even though it means next to nothing, I'd rather see him in a Gopher shirt.

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Looks like a Nebraska commit, if you no what I mean.:rolleyes:
 

Goldy Gopher said:
I don't agree with this at all there are lots of kids want to let their recruitment play out and be able to take free visits all over the country just for the experience. Just because these two haven't committed doesn't mean they aren't still considered Gopher leans. Having been through the recruiting process albeit at a smaller level I can understand what these guys may be thinking a little as I was pretty sure where I was going before I even took any official visits but still decided to take all 5 visits just for the experience even though I visited the place I knew I was probably gonna go to first.
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What you stated had nothing to do with what I was getting at... I didn't say they weren't considering us, just if staying home was that big of a deal, they would stay home already. I'm not saying we have 0 chance, but I don't consider them hometown discount esque recruits any more. Its as if they were from Michigan and we spent the last 3 years recruiting them. If staying home was a "big deal" or a deciding factor in their decision, it would have been an easy choice for them and they would be committed today. Kids that want to travel and take their free trips get persuaded and fall victim to the sales pitch every d1 coach throws on them much more than the guy that doesn't take the free trips. (duh!?!)

Just scrolling 247's list of the top 50 and of the 20 or so that are committed already, there's 8 of them staying in their home state or 40%.

In 2014 according to 247 about 9 of the top 50 stayed home so roughly 10%

My completely unscientific poll there shows that as the recruiting process progresses, chances of a kid staying home decreases significantly.
 

Cayman said:
Joe Coleman committed 9/24/10, which would be exactly 3 weeks later than today in the current recruiting cycle.
Al Nolen committed 8/3/05, which would have been just before the start of his junior year of high school, so that would be the equivalent of Jarvis or Alex having committed to the Gophers over a year ago. He committed even earlier than Royce White did.
Blake Hoffarber committed 9/25/06, over a year after Nolen did.
Rodney Williams committed 9/28/08
Royce White committed 4/23/08, presumably about a month and a half before his junior year of high school ended.

From looking at a few of our out of state fall recruits, Martin, Mason, Hollins, Hollins, and Eliason all committed after today's date in their respective recruiting cycles.

Nolen and Royce seem to be the only commits we've gotten before today's date of 9/3 in their respective cycles in the last 8(?) recruiting cycles. From what I can tell, Dorsey and McBrayer are our first and second earliest commits since Royce White, and this is the first time we've had two commits at this point in the recruiting cycle since at least before Tubby was hired. Looks like if we're going to say, "If these local recruits wanted to come here, they would have committed by now," we should at least wait until the end of the month, and even then, I don't think getting a commit from either or both of them after that would really be a shock.

And for the record, by Ngawnago, I think you meant Nwankwo. ;)
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Interesting, and thanks for doing the research. I'm taking that as we've got a little bit more time with these guys.

How highly regarded were Nolen and Hoff? I know Joe was a 3/4* a la Jarvis and Rodney was a 4* and Royce was a top 50 kid.
 

Winasota Gopher said:
Interesting, and thanks for doing the research. I'm taking that as we've got a little bit more time with these guys.

How highly regarded were Nolan and Hoff? I know Joe was a 3/4* a la Jarvis and Rodney was a 4* and Royce was a top 50 kid.
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Hoff was a 3*. Was Nolen a 2*?
 

Winasota Gopher said:
What you stated had nothing to do with what I was getting at... I didn't say they weren't considering us, just if staying home was that big of a deal, they would stay home already. I'm not saying we have 0 chance, but I don't consider them hometown discount esque recruits any more. Its as if they were from Michigan and we spent the last 3 years recruiting them. If staying home was a "big deal" or a deciding factor in their decision, it would have been an easy choice for them and they would be committed today. Kids that want to travel and take their free trips get persuaded and fall victim to the sales pitch every d1 coach throws on them much more than the guy that doesn't take the free trips. (duh!?!)

Just scrolling 247's list of the top 50 and of the 20 or so that are committed already, there's 8 of them staying in their home state or 40%.

In 2014 according to 247 about 9 of the top 50 stayed home so roughly 10%

My completely unscientific poll there shows that as the recruiting process progresses, chances of a kid staying home decreases significantly.
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I didn't mean I think they are just still considering us that is obvious I meant I would still consider them both as leaning towards being a Gopher. I don't think with the timeframe especially not even being through September yet is something to worry about them not committing yet. Just because they haven't committed doesn't mean staying home might not still be a big factor it just means they want to let the process play out. Obviously kids could be persuaded and decide to go somewhere else but it is a once in a lifetime situation for them so why shouldn't they take advantage of it? I would still consider both heavy Gopher leans.
 


Winasota Gopher said:
I don't know who said it, but I tend to agree with them. If these kids were coming here, they would have committed by now. People that want to "stay home" stay home. He and Jarvis have had ample opportunity to stay home.

I'm asking as I don't know the answer, who was the last local recruit to sign this late in the game? Royce was an early signing wasn't he? Joe Coleman, I dont remember, but I think he was early, Al Nolen?

Not saying we have 0 chance, but you might as well consider Jarvis and Alex as any other recruit that we are after, the local angle isn't a big card for these kids, if it was they would be here.

Give me Chris Clark and Ngawnago (sp?) and I'll be just as/more happy than with Alex/Jarvis.
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Nwankwo pronounced (wonk-whoa)
 

Goldy Gopher said:
I don't agree with this at all there are lots of kids want to let their recruitment play out and be able to take free visits all over the country just for the experience. Just because these two haven't committed doesn't mean they aren't still considered Gopher leans. Having been through the recruiting process albeit at a smaller level I can understand what these guys may be thinking a little as I was pretty sure where I was going before I even took any official visits but still decided to take all 5 visits just for the experience even though I visited the place I knew I was probably gonna go to first.
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+1
 

Winasota Gopher said:
Interesting, and thanks for doing the research. I'm taking that as we've got a little bit more time with these guys.

How highly regarded were Nolan and Hoff? I know Joe was a 3/4* a la Jarvis and Rodney was a 4* and Royce was a top 50 kid.
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Yeah, Cayman put some work into that.

BTW I was a 19*
 

station19 said:
Yeah, Cayman put some work into that.

BTW I was a 19*
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Honestly it wasn't that hard, if you just go to the players' Rivals profiles, you can find the dates of their visits and commits and what other schools were interested and/or offered them scholarships.
 



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