Henricksen Article On Official Visits (Ayo)

[Medill90]

Thought Henricksen did a very nice job on a current piece covering official visits with a bit of history and Brunson's recruitment. Both Brunson and Ayo come off well which is nice to read.

Henricksen does ask the question of why hurry with the official visits.

I think this year's recruiting has been interesting in that regard. There have been at least two slots filled with other candidates in the running. If Collins can continue on court success, that strategy may help NU move up the recruiting ladder as higher-ranked recruits interested in NU see a history of spots being filled.

I thought Henricksen's description of some some recruits employing a "look at me" recruitment approach was apt. I think in football and basketball, those just aren't NU kids.

 

[GOUNUII]

Thought Henricksen did a very nice job on a current piece covering official visits with a bit of history and Brunson's recruitment. Both Brunson and Ayo come off well which is nice to read.

Henricksen does ask the question of why hurry with the official visits.

I think this year's recruiting has been interesting in that regard. There have been at least two slots filled with other candidates in the running. If Collins can continue on court success, that strategy may help NU move up the recruiting ladder as higher-ranked recruits interested in NU see a history of spots being filled.

I thought Henricksen's description of some some recruits employing a "look at me" recruitment approach was apt. I think in football and basketball, those just aren't NU kids.

Link?

GOUNUII

 

[Windy City Cat Fan]

Link?

GOUNUII

He has it hyperlinked within the words "current piece"

 

[NJCat]

Thought Henricksen did a very nice job on a current piece covering official visits with a bit of history and Brunson's recruitment. Both Brunson and Ayo come off well which is nice to read.

Henricksen does ask the question of why hurry with the official visits.

I think this year's recruiting has been interesting in that regard. There have been at least two slots filled with other candidates in the running. If Collins can continue on court success, that strategy may help NU move up the recruiting ladder as higher-ranked recruits interested in NU see a history of spots being filled.

I thought Henricksen's description of some some recruits employing a "look at me" recruitment approach was apt. I think in football and basketball, those just aren't NU kids.

Two very different schools. Illinois is the classic large state school close to home. Wake has a beautiful small campus with a big name head coach. Basketball-wise he'd be better off at Wake, a better conference with a program returning to former glory under Manning. But being "the man" at Illinois could be what clinches it for him.

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

Two very different schools. Illinois is the classic large state school close to home. Wake has a beautiful small campus with a big name head coach. Basketball-wise he'd be better off at Wake, a better conference with a program returning to former glory under Manning. But being "the man" at Illinois could be what clinches it for him.

I think Ayo commits to the Fighting Lovies this week. Having been to both campuses in the last year, I can tell the look feel are completely different.

Too much pressure to stay in state and Mark Smith is working him with the line that hey will be the best backcourt in the country. Guess the big boys won't be suiting anyone up for the next 4 years.

 

[GOUNUII]

I think Ayo commits to the Fighting Lovies this week. Having been to both campuses in the last year, I can tell the look feel are completely different.

Too much pressure to stay in state and Mark Smith is working him with the line that hey will be the best backcourt in the country. Guess the big boys won't be suiting anyone up for the next 4 years.

I said early on that Cohil and Dosunmu were 2 of the more overly hyped college guard prospects I had seen in a while. Cohil was initially ranked as a top 50 type recruit and fell to the A-10 at Dayton. Dosunmu will generate more hype for Illinois if he lands there. But I still don't see how his game translates to either the BIG or the ACC. He's long. And he's smart. Otherwise, he doesn't have either the foot speed or the offensive skill set normally seen with legit 4 and 5 star recruits. And he'll have to get a lot stronger.

justmy2cents

GOUNUII

 

[Sec.112]

I said early on that Cohil and Dosunmu were 2 of the more overly hyped college guard prospects I had seen in a while ...

a) I sure found his final 6 or 8 (whatever it was) somewhat odd for a top 30 guy. I wonder if conventional wisdom within the coaching profession agrees with you.

b) I know I have my Illini problem, but I say this comment with reasonable sincerity. Whoever my team is, I'm always concerned about a recruiting battle when you have a kid on campus this late in the game for his final visit and you don't seal the deal. If Ayo doesn't commit today or tomorrow, I'd be bothered if I was an Illini fan.

c) While we're on the topic of recruiting, maybe I'm the only one here left watching Talen Horton-Tucker's recruitment. He's down to his final seven. All of them are Nike schools, so I wonder if NU ever really had a chance. A strong majority of recent Robert Smith players sure seem to amazingly end up at Nike schools.

 

[FitzFan]

I said early on that Cohil and Dosunmu were 2 of the more overly hyped college guard prospects I had seen in a while. Cohil was initially ranked as a top 50 type recruit and fell to the A-10 at Dayton. Dosunmu will generate more hype for Illinois if he lands there. But I still don't see how his game translates to either the BIG or the ACC. He's long. And he's smart. Otherwise, he doesn't have either the foot speed or the offensive skill set normally seen with legit 4 and 5 star recruits. And he'll have to get a lot stronger.

justmy2cents

GOUNUII

Whether or not you believe he's overrated, the Illini need to land Ayo. He's a rare (as of late) top 30 player from Illinois, and, according to Illini fans, grew up rooting for the Illini. Underwood has struggled to close on players this period, missing on Nolley and the Finnish guard they were heavily recruiting, along with a few big man misses. And to close out the fall with 0 commits could be disastrous for Underwood, as it would completely reverse the momentum he developed after signing Mark Smith. Rumor has it Wake has been coming on strong, and Ayo has said that the recruiting class will play a part in where he signs. Wake would nearly have the #1 class with Ayo. The Illini are still looking for commit #1. Will be an interesting week for the Illini faithful.

Personally, I think the FBI investigation is going to hurt Underwood until (and if) he's officially cleared of wrongdoing. Would make me uneasy to commit to a school with a head coach under that dark of a cloud.

 

[freewillie07]

I said early on that Cohil and Dosunmu were 2 of the more overly hyped college guard prospects I had seen in a while. Cohil was initially ranked as a top 50 type recruit and fell to the A-10 at Dayton. Dosunmu will generate more hype for Illinois if he lands there. But I still don't see how his game translates to either the BIG or the ACC. He's long. And he's smart. Otherwise, he doesn't have either the foot speed or the offensive skill set normally seen with legit 4 and 5 star recruits. And he'll have to get a lot stronger.

justmy2cents

GOUNUII

How would you evaluate Lathon relative to Ayo and Cohill?

 

[GOUNUII]

How would you evaluate Lathon relative to Ayo and Cohill?

Lathon's wrist injury limited the amount of film I have seen of him. I think he missed all of this year's summer AAU season. With that disclaimer, here's what I can say with confidence from the little I have seen of him.

He is the most natural of the three for the LG position. Cohill is explosive but doesn't have the handle, strength, range or instincts of Lathon. I think he's been forced into the position because his size dictates it. AD has the instincts and handle to be a LG, but not the range, explosiveness or foot speed of Lathon. You had to put the ball in his hands in HS. But that won't necessarily be the case at the next level. AD has a long way to go in the weight room. Lathon does not.

All in all, I think Lathon is the best LG prospect of the 3 and the best fit for both NU and the BIG. With plenty of room to get a lot better, I can see him blossoming into a real difference maker by the beginning of his junior year.

GOUNUII

 

[EvanstonCat]

a) I sure found his final 6 or 8 (whatever it was) somewhat odd for a top 30 guy. I wonder if conventional wisdom within the coaching profession agrees with you.

b) I know I have my Illini problem, but I say this comment with reasonable sincerity. Whoever my team is, I'm always concerned about a recruiting battle when you have a kid on campus this late in the game for his final visit and you don't seal the deal. If Ayo doesn't commit today or tomorrow, I'd be bothered if I was an Illini fan.

c) While we're on the topic of recruiting, maybe I'm the only one here left watching Talen Horton-Tucker's recruitment. He's down to his final seven. All of them are Nike schools, so I wonder if NU ever really had a chance. A strong majority of recent Robert Smith players sure seem to amazingly end up at Nike schools.

Maybe the Feds need to be checking out Nike too. If Adidas is doing something, my bet Nike is too.

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

The Lovie's will land Ayo.

 

[Sec.112]

Maybe the Feds need to be checking out Nike too. If Adidas is doing something, my bet Nike is too.

They are.

 

[freewillie07]

Lathon's wrist injury limited the amount of film I have seen of him. I think he missed all of this year's summer AAU season. With that disclaimer, here's what I can say with confidence from the little I have seen of him.

He is the most natural of the three for the LG position. Cohill is explosive but doesn't have the handle, strength, range or instincts of Lathon. I think he's been forced into the position because his size dictates it. AD has the instincts and handle to be a LG, but not the range, explosiveness or foot speed of Lathon. You had to put the ball in his hands in HS. But that won't necessarily be the case at the next level. AD has a long way to go in the weight room. Lathon does not.

All in all, I think Lathon is the best LG prospect of the 3 and the best fit for both NU and the BIG. With plenty of room to get a lot better, I can see him blossoming into a real difference maker by the beginning of his junior year.

GOUNUII

Nice, thanks for this. Wonder if his year at IMG will speed up his development. Seems like NU will face a fairly siginificant drop off if he can't come in and win the starting role as a freshman.

 

[GOUNUII]

Nice, thanks for this. Wonder if his year at IMG will speed up his development. Seems like NU will face a fairly siginificant drop off if he can't come in and win the starting role as a freshman.

The IMG experience can only help Lathon. Better, more consistent competition, especially against his own teammates on a daily basis. And a schedule that will more closely approximate the student-athlete demands he'll have to deal with at NU. One of the reasons I am high on him is because Iowa St. made him a recruiting priority. They do a great job of identifying undervalued athletes that blossom at the college level. Very similar to what Wisconsin does in football. If the Badgers offer in football, I'm interested ... make that very interested. Same with Iowa St. in hoops.

GOUNUII