From: wlmg3055@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (William L. Myers)
Subject: Re: Illini News (Or, We're Recruiting *Him???*)
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Date: Fri, 13 Nov 1992 06:53:25 GMT

madera@mrcnext.cso.uiuc.edu (Gangster) writes:

>The Fighting Illini Basketball Team had another intrasquad scrimmage
>Saturday morning, with the teams divided up the same way they were for
>Midnight Madness, and once again, the squad with Deon Thomas, Andy
>Kaufmann, and frosh phenom Richard Keene got beat, this time by almost
>20.  Here are my thoughts on each player's performance, along with 
>a bit of surprising (at least to me) recruiting news...
   
   ommitting other comments...

Yes it seems Brooks had around 12 pts, 10 rbs and 6 assists.  If he can
play consistent D I think the coaching staff will see that he gets his
minutes.  But being a senior seems to have motivated him as often happens.

>Brooks Taylor:  Also a couple of nice dunks, but for a guy who supposedly
>plays great defense, he showed the old matador defense of Clemons a 
>few times.  Made a milestone by actually hitting an outside jumper or two.  =)


>Richard Keene:  Good rebounder and passer, still trying to impress the
>fans, though.  Had three 3's in the first half, but also should have
>had a cape and funny hat on D.

I've seen Keene play 3 other times and he didn't hit the boards, so it's
good to hear that he can jump a bit.  His high school coach mentioned that 
he'd have to adjust to guarding bigger players, but I think
Lou has a plan to deal with that, pine time.  

>Tom Michael:  Hit the open 3.  What else is new?
7 out of 8 ain't bad by anybody's book.

The improvement of the juniors and sophomores was desperately needed and it
looks like it's happened.  Apparently Michael, Davidson, Clemons and 
Bennett are all in the running for most improved over last year.  Practices 
will finally be competetive again.   

Lou's better teams have alway had a defensive stopper or two.  Somebody
who can hold down the other team's top guard or sf, or at least make them
work hard to get their average.  At this point much of the talk revolves
around offense, but defense could be the key.  I'll nominate Brooks and
Bennett for that role, but I just hope someone emerges.  The coaching staff
may regard Wheeler as their best defender.

>And for the recruting news...

>Thomas Hamilton, 7'3" mound of lard from Chicago King was at the scrimmage, 
>and I asked Jimmy collins if they were recruting him.  Collins told me,
>"He wouldn't have been behind the bench if we weren't recruting him...
>yes, we're recruiting him."  Big chance they are taking if they 
>decide to sign him, which it seems they can if they want to.  He has
>a lot of potential, but he is a bit of a headcase.  Could be great, could
>be a bust, could be moot if he doesn't pass the requirements...

This is a surprising development.  Gibbons lists him at #84 in the rankings,
primarily on potential.  If he could get his act together he's much better
than that.  He is supposedly a good outside shot, rebounder and outlet passer.
But he's huge and slow at his present wt.            

His home situation has been very difficult.  He has stayed with one of his
high school's assistant coaches at times to try and get some peace and quiet
to study and maybe improve his eating habits.  

He just took his ACT and the results might be in by Monday.  Apparently his
high school grades are good enough.  His other options that have been mentioned
are Oklahoma, Pitt and the JUCO route.  

Burie Shelly Clark- 6-8 1/2 Indian Hills JUCO, Ottumwa IA.  Clark will
probably sign with the Illini this weekend.  Illinois' chief competition
was Iowa, but they have reportedly backed off on him and signed their
fall-back guy, another 6-9 JUCO.  So it appears he will GO ILLINI. 

Brett Robisch.  Signed today.  A legitimate 6-9 1/2" who will redshirt and
gain weight.  His 6-11 father Dave says Brett is still growing and that 
he grew 1" himself after leaving high school.  (Get your sleep Brett, that's
when it happens).  His h.s. coach claims he has improved substantially 
since the Nike camp in July.  Also that he will use Robisch some at the
guard spot because he is a good ball handler.  And that he thinks he
could lead the state in scoring.  (That would be surprising since he
averaged only 13 pts. last season).  Sounds like the coach likes to talk
but I wonder how true ANY of it is.   Well, it should be easy enough to
watch his scoring output.  

Overall recruiting picture.  Taylor Bell in the Sun-Times claimed Gibbons
put Illinois @ #10 in the country, assuming Clark signs.   That's not
counting Hamilton, which wouldn't seem to be prudent at this point.  
Since Garris (#21) is the only top 100 h.s. player to sign I conclude that
Clark must be pretty good and Jerry Hester isn't chopped liver either.
    Regardless of the numbers, they're getting quality players
at the positions where they need them.  SF, G and C.  And a possibility @ PF.
>--
>Felix "The Gangster of Love" Madera 		 madera@mrcnext.cso.uiuc.edu

>============================================================================
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