http://northernillinois.scout.com/a.z?s=...id=4419670

Nice Shirt.

(07-23-2009 01:37 PM)klake87 Wrote:  http://northernillinois.scout.com/a.z?s=...id=4419670

Nice Shirt.

In my opinion yes we should land a middle of the pack type of player.

The better question is can we recruit against Illinois for Sam Thompson that plays on the same team as Hager and is 10 times better.

(07-23-2009 02:30 PM)Zao123 Wrote:  

(07-23-2009 01:37 PM)klake87 Wrote:  http://northernillinois.scout.com/a.z?s=...id=4419670

Nice Shirt.

In my opinion yes we should land a middle of the pack type of player.

The better question is can we recruit against Illinois for Sam Thompson that plays on the same team as Hager and is 10 times better.

That's a tall order to fill at this point, don't you think? It would be nice to say "of course we can", but it is obviously tough when Illinois puts all that money towards athletics, they are on TV all the time playing in the Big 10, they have a success history, they have been to the tournament several times, they fill their arena, etc. Put yourself in the shoes of a kid like Thompson, or in the shoes of Coach Patton. If you were either of those two, how would you answer that question to yourself? Our staff is in contact with lots of the top players as they come up the high school ranks, trust me. They would love to land those top players, who wouldn't. But they are working with limits. They have to be realistic as well and work a lot of different angles and know when to move on with their time, efforts and resources to try to get the best players they can get at this point of the program's development.

I will say this, however. This kid might be better than most people think. I've got it from a reliable contact that this kid is pretty good and is going to get a lot better even with still having 2 years of high school left. It might be a case of our staff doing a great job of evaluating potential and getting on him first, and if that's the case they deserve credit.

(07-23-2009 01:37 PM)klake87 Wrote:  http://northernillinois.scout.com/a.z?s=...id=4419670

Nice Shirt.

Haha, yeah I took that photo. Luke is a pretty versatile forward with a real sweet shot from the perimeter. As long as he doesn't blow up there is a chance. The one concern is if a high-academic high-major like a Northwestern offers, then fuhgetaboutit.

I won't even go there on Sam Thompson. Illinois won't get him either.

(07-23-2009 04:30 PM)HuskiePride#1 Wrote:  

(07-23-2009 01:37 PM)klake87 Wrote:  http://northernillinois.scout.com/a.z?s=...id=4419670

Nice Shirt.

Haha, yeah I took that photo. Luke is a pretty versatile forward with a real sweet shot from the perimeter. As long as he doesn't blow up there is a chance. The one concern is if a high-academic high-major like a Northwestern offers, then fuhgetaboutit.

I won't even go there on Sam Thompson. Illinois won't get him either.

The photo reminds me of Tyler when he was that age (going into his junior year). Thin, but looks like he can put on mass and muscle as he matures, just like Ty was. Plus, the short hair-cut is like Tyler has had during most of the last 4 years or so.

(07-23-2009 05:05 PM)Coach Storm Wrote:  The photo reminds me of Tyler when he was that age (going into his junior year). Thin, but looks like he can put on mass and muscle as he matures, just like Ty was. Plus, the short hair-cut is like Tyler has had during most of the last 4 years or so.

His game reminds me of Tyler's too Coach.

Another guy I like in a similar way is Jeff Johnson, a 2010 forward from Champaign Centennial. He is being underrecruited right now. He has offers from low-majors like Eastern Kentucky. Unfortunately, NIU hasn't been involved.

I should also note that the staff is in Las Vegas & Orlando right now scouting guys.

(07-23-2009 04:30 PM)HuskiePride#1 Wrote:  Haha, yeah I took that photo. Luke is a pretty versatile forward with a real sweet shot from the perimeter. As long as he doesn't blow up there is a chance. The one concern is if a high-academic high-major like a Northwestern offers, then fuhgetaboutit.

I won't even go there on Sam Thompson. Illinois won't get him either.

From what I have heard, I agree with you on Thompson. I think he ends up at Oregon State.

(07-23-2009 07:37 PM)UIHuskie Wrote:  From what I have heard, I agree with you on Thompson. I think he ends up at Oregon State.

I agree. The first brother-in-law has the inside track. He has been at all of his games.