Official Recruiting Thread II

[whitesoxfan99]

radio in lexington, kentucky reports alex legion to illinois.

 

It is not official yet. But it is looking good right now.

[whitesoxfan101]

It is not official yet. But it is looking good right now.

 

Yeah, that's an accurate way of putting it. Legion has for sure decided to go to Illinois, but all the I's have yet to be dotted and T's yet to be crossed. But unless something strange happens, Legion to Illinois looks likely.

[Rowand44]

Legion seems a little off but that's a real good get for Illinois if it happens.

[whitesoxfan99]

Legion seems a little off but that's a real good get for Illinois if it happens.

 

It seems like it is actually his mom that is off.

[whitesoxfan99]

Legion visiting Illinois next week. http://msn.foxsports.com/cbk/story/7561712

 

[whitesoxfan101]

I don't even think Bruce can mess this up. If Legion hasn't decided to transfer to Illinois by mid next week after his visit, I'd be shocked.

[gbuk]

Coming from a Kentucky fan, I'm disappointed that Legion left, but dealing with his mother wasn't worth it...to give you perspective read this: http://www.kentucky.com/158/story/189453.html

 

Gillispie would not put up with his mother's s***, as she's clearly more concerned about making money off him than anything...yelling at Gillispie during games to put Alex in and etc. like this is high school. It's quite obvious she runs his life and controls what he does...and mainly for Alex this transfer was about not wanting to work the way Gillispie asks him too. Gillispie works players until they want to quit (just ask Acie Law) and clearly Alex couldn't handle it.

 

However, Weber is not Gillispie. He has a more laid back approach to the game, and with a player the caliber of Legion he will make it work...players like Legion don't fall into his lap, as his recruiting has been his ultimate weakness (except recently). Legion is a smooth wing player who can shoot the three and has a mid-range jumper every player should have. He needs badly to work on his defense, something he just doesn't quite understand yet and he has questionable ball handling skills. Right now he's more a shooter than anything, but if he's willing to work hard, which he hasn't proven, he'll develop those things. He's exactly what Weber is looking for, and once Jamar is back next year these guys could fit the bill for Weber perfectly.

 

I would be very excited if I was an Illinois fan, as long as Legion and his mother decide they want to be there. Be cautious of this guy, but if it works out this is a huge get for you guys.

Edited December 14, 2007 by gbuk

[hitlesswonder]

However, Weber is not Gillispie. He has a more laid back approach to the game, and with a player the caliber of Legion he will make it work...

 

I'm no expert, but I wouldn't describe Weber as laid back. I get the impression he works his team pretty hard -- in fact, he seems to reward hard work with playing time almost to a fault. In any case UI usually seem to be very well-conditioned which, so I'm doubtful he's running a country club. Weber is clearly very forgiving of criminal actions off the court, but if Legion is choosing IL because he thinks it won't be as much work as UK I think he may be making a mistake.

 

[gbuk]

I'm no expert, but I wouldn't describe Weber as laid back. I get the impression he works his team pretty hard -- in fact, he seems to reward hard work with playing time almost to a fault. In any case UI usually seem to be very well-conditioned which, so I'm doubtful he's running a country club. Weber is clearly very forgiving of criminal actions off the court, but if Legion is choosing IL because he thinks it won't be as much work as UK I think he may be making a mistake.

 

He's not as "in your face" as Gillispie is. Obviously Weber works his players hard, but he's not as confrontational as Gillispie...just a different style.

 

And it wasn't a knock on Weber, it's more commenting on how almost over-the-top Gillispie works his players.

[thedoctor]

Coming from a Kentucky fan, I'm disappointed that Legion left, but dealing with his mother wasn't worth it...to give you perspective read this: http://www.kentucky.com/158/story/189453.html

 

Gillispie would not put up with his mother's s***, as she's clearly more concerned about making money off him than anything...yelling at Gillispie during games to put Alex in and etc. like this is high school. It's quite obvious she runs his life and controls what he does...and mainly for Alex this transfer was about not wanting to work the way Gillispie asks him too. Gillispie works players until they want to quit (just ask Acie Law) and clearly Alex couldn't handle it.

 

However, Weber is not Gillispie. He has a more laid back approach to the game, and with a player the caliber of Legion he will make it work...players like Legion don't fall into his lap, as his recruiting has been his ultimate weakness (except recently). Legion is a smooth wing player who can shoot the three and has a mid-range jumper every player should have. He needs badly to work on his defense, something he just doesn't quite understand yet and he has questionable ball handling skills. Right now he's more a shooter than anything, but if he's willing to work hard, which he hasn't proven, he'll develop those things. He's exactly what Weber is looking for, and once Jamar is back next year these guys could fit the bill for Weber perfectly.

 

I would be very excited if I was an Illinois fan, as long as Legion and his mother decide they want to be there. Be cautious of this guy, but if it works out this is a huge get for you guys.

 

i have mixed feelings on legion. on one hand, his mom is a legitimate kook. straight-up crazy. who knows what happens when she is introduced into the program. on the other, most reports i've read say legion himself is a good kid. again, this is stuff i've read.

 

all that said, this is something the illini clearly have to pursue. their guard play is wretched and i'm not really enthusiastic about waiting until 2009 to see someone who can dribble penetrate, distribute, and hit a shot from time-to-time. legion fills a gaping need, no doubt.

 

[maggsmaggs]

Going to Waukegan tonight to see J. Richmond. They play New Trier who boasts their own sophomore stud in Alex Rossi. Looking forward to a great game between two very good teams, but I think NT has a little too much and will beat Waukegan even though Richmond is a beast.

[gbuk]

i have mixed feelings on legion. on one hand, his mom is a legitimate kook. straight-up crazy. who knows what happens when she is introduced into the program. on the other, most reports i've read say legion himself is a good kid. again, this is stuff i've read.

 

all that said, this is something the illini clearly have to pursue. their guard play is wretched and i'm not really enthusiastic about waiting until 2009 to see someone who can dribble penetrate, distribute, and hit a shot from time-to-time. legion fills a gaping need, no doubt.

 

His mom is nuts, that's not going to change...Legion is a good kid, always smiling and seemingly always in good spirits, but as a lot of people around the program said about him, he's just a "very spoiled kid", and doesn't understand working in order to get something.

 

However, Illinois needs Alex Legion the player, for what he brings. If you expect him to dribble penetrate and distribute, you're looking at the wrong guy...he can finish in transition with his smooth body control, but he's yet to develop reliable ball handling skills. Decent distributer, but since he's not looking to penetrate very often he doesn't get the chance to showcase those skills.

[thedoctor]

His mom is nuts, that's not going to change...Legion is a good kid, always smiling and seemingly always in good spirits, but as a lot of people around the program said about him, he's just a "very spoiled kid", and doesn't understand working in order to get something.

 

However, Illinois needs Alex Legion the player, for what he brings. If you expect him to dribble penetrate and distribute, you're looking at the wrong guy...he can finish in transition with his smooth body control, but he's yet to develop reliable ball handling skills. Decent distributer, but since he's not looking to penetrate very often he doesn't get the chance to showcase those skills.

 

i wasn't speaking specifically of legion's skills, since i'm not that familiar with him. i'm more making a general reference to things illinois's current guards can't do. it appears legion would mostly help in terms of scoring, which is their biggest need. he'd also immediately become their most talented offensive player.

[gbuk]

i wasn't speaking specifically of legion's skills, since i'm not that familiar with him. i'm more making a general reference to things illinois's current guards can't do. it appears legion would mostly help in terms of scoring, which is their biggest need. he'd also immediately become their most talented offensive player.

 

Ah, I understand...makes sense. Legion would pretty much be the perfect fit for Illinois...hope he lands there.

 

[Palehosefan]

Arthur Brown announces at 4:30 EST today. Down to UNC and Miami. Would be neat to get the #1 defensive recruit in the nation two years in a row. That and his brother is one of the top 25 players in the nation next year as a RB.

[Rex Hudler]

Arthur Brown announces at 4:30 EST today. Down to UNC and Miami. Would be neat to get the #1 defensive recruit in the nation two years in a row. That and his brother is one of the top 25 players in the nation next year as a RB.

 

Strange recruitment with him. Hard to figure.

[Rex Hudler]

palehose, Ty Zeller dropped in 47 points Saturday night against Evansville Bosse. Not sure what kind of squad Bosse has this year, but they were the 3A State runner-up last year. Their two losses this year have come to Zeller and Memorial with Kyle Kuric, who finished with 25 pts and 11 rebounds. Zeller was 20-23 from the field, 7-7 from the FT line and had 8 rebounds. Damn near a perfect game!

 

Hatchets Zeller puts on a show

[whitesoxfan99]

Legion's mom favors ND but his father and godfather favor Illinois. Will be interesting to see how this turns out.

[Palehosefan]

palehose, Ty Zeller dropped in 47 points Saturday night against Evansville Bosse. Not sure what kind of squad Bosse has this year, but they were the 3A State runner-up last year. Their two losses this year have come to Zeller and Memorial with Kyle Kuric, who finished with 25 pts and 11 rebounds. Zeller was 20-23 from the field, 7-7 from the FT line and had 8 rebounds. Damn near a perfect game!

 

Yeah Rex, he has been on fire. A week earlier at Edgewood he scored 42 points on 18-23 shooting. He's averaging 33 points a game so far, and 44.5 in his last two. He's going to be amazing to watch in Roy's system.

[JuiceCruz16]

Carolina has some good news and luke warm news on the recruting front for basketball. Dexter Strickland looks to be very close to being a Tar Heel commit, but Dominic Cheek, long a heavy Carolina lean, MAY be backing off just a bit. Not certain of this, but there is suppose to be a new influence on him. Wheather he is pro NC or another school is not known. The Wear twins are said to be huge on Roy as there coach, but they are UCLA fans as well being from the west coast. Looks like a two team race for them. Carolina is said to be be cranking up it's pursuit of Mac Donald as well, I'm not sure what this means about there status on D. Cheek.

[chimpy2121]

Brown to Miami.

[Palehosefan]

Yep, very "odd" recruitment. I don't want to disparage the Brown's or their handler, so I'm going to leave it alone.

[JuiceCruz16]

Brown to Miami.

Oh well, Butch is moving in the right direction though. Get 'em next time I guess.

 

[JuiceCruz16]

Brown to Miami.

He said LSU was ahead of Carolina as well as his #2 choice.

 

[whitesoxfan101]

Will Compton has backed out from Nebraska and is down to Illinois and Missouri.