Throne Jr. committed to Illinois

[ukhoops1]

Charlotte transfer big man Mike Thorne Jr. has committed to Illinois.

This post was edited on 4/18 11:53 AM by ukhoops1

https://twitter.com/JonRothstein/status/589456142

 

[That MGH Guy]

Re: Throne Jr. may have committed to Illinois

Um. Well, I was wondering when I'd finally start to feel some anxiousness about this class. That moment just hit.

 

[musrat59]

Originally posted by ukhoops1:
Charlotte transfer big man Mike Thorne Jr. has committed to Illinois.


This post was edited on 4/18 11:53 AM by ukhoops1

Dang

 

[CPaliafito]

This is a bit surprising, but lets not get carried away just yet. There are a lot of quality players still out there, hopefully we've got some good surprises coming our way here soon.

 

[docholiday51]

Originally posted by ukhoops1:
Charlotte transfer big man Mike Thorne Jr. has committed to Illinois.


This post was edited on 4/18 11:53 AM by ukhoops1

Not as big a shock as one might think,5th year guys want to play,not sit behind Skal.

 

[BleedBlue32]

Man, I knew this class wasn't going to be as strong as some of our others, but what is up with all of these guys just picking random schools? Don't get me wrong, Illinois is a nice program, but why he would go there over here or Kansas is pretty astonishing. Same goes for these top high schoolers picking places like UNLV and LSU over elite programs.

Just a strange recruiting year all around. Not even sure we can blame Cal at this point. So many guys going to unconventional places.

 

[crazyqx83]

If we don't get a pledge from one of the remaining 4 guys, we may be pretty mediocre next year.

I am actually starting to worry that Cal might leave. There aren't very many other explanations for the string of strikeouts in recruiting this spring.

 

[ukmelanie]

This has me worried.The only bigs left we are recruiting are Maker who I have doubts is going to college and Diallo who looks unlikely.
This post was edited on 4/18 12:02 PM by ukmelanie

 

[Smashcat]

Illinois is a nice program, but why he would go there over here or Kansas is pretty astonishing.

He'll get as much PT as he wants there and he'll get the exposure he wants being in a power conference.

 

[UKWildcats#8]

Originally posted by crazyqx83:
If we don't get a pledge from one of the remaining 4 guys, we may be pretty mediocre next year.

I am actually starting to worry that Cal might leave. There aren't very many other explanations for the string of strikeouts in recruiting this spring.

Yeah, I put a little stock into those rumors during our tourney run, especially assuming we went 40-0. When we lost, I still felt there was a little chance, then when all 7 left, I was like uh oh, but then he acted like all was well and moving on with UK to reload.

That said, things are going very bizarre this spring with recruiting regardless. I'm not saying there is a good chance Cal leaves, but to say there is no chance at this point would be a bit crazy as well.

 

[harlanhomeboy]

 

[docholiday51]

Originally posted by BleedBlue32:
Man, I knew this class wasn't going to be as strong as some of our others, but what is up with all of these guys just picking random schools? Don't get me wrong, Illinois is a nice program, but why he would go there over here or Kansas is pretty astonishing. Same goes for these top high schoolers picking places like UNLV and LSU over elite programs.

Just a strange recruiting year all around. Not even sure we can blame Cal at this point. So many guys going to unconventional places.

A few of these high schoolers want to be "the man" whereever they go,a bit different than in recent years.The talent is a bit down this year so it will be more difficult to be "the man" if there are other "men already there.It is not a good year for this to happen in our situation,if we had kept a couple of players that left it wouldn't be a problem.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

He was going to visit here next weekend.


Illinois probably played the, "UK doesn't really want you" card.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

Originally posted by UKWildcats#8:


That said, things are going very bizarre this spring with recruiting regardless. I'm not saying there is a good chance Cal leaves, but to say there is no chance at this point would be a bit crazy as well.

But where does any of that come from? Cal has refuted the notion time and again. You might as well say there's a chance Self leaves for the NBA, because there is just as much baselessness regarding him or any coach for that matter.


We've created the narrative because most of us feel Calipari is impulsive and driven to prove something. Why can't he prove something on the college level? He's said he gets his satisfaction from helping kids. Why can't we finally take his word for it?

 

[SilentsAreGolden]

While I was not counting on this guy to be the X factor, he would have added depth. Now if we don't get a couple of these guys remaining, we will be pretty thin.

 

[bookerfan66]

Cal has to hit a home run and get one of the stars left or next season will be tough IMO.

 

[dezyDeco]

Originally posted by SilentsAreGolden:
While I was not counting on this guy to be the X factor, he would have added depth. Now if we don't get a couple of these guys remaining, we will be pretty thin.

Same here. I was actually looking forward to having some "meat" in the paint... a big body that couldn't be pushed around so easily. Now, I'll just keep my fingers crossed on Diallo... and/or hope this means Cal has Maker on board.

 

[Double Oaked Juice]

This news makes me think that Diallo has silent verballed to a blueblood.

 

[BigBlueManSouthCentralKY]

Re: Throne Jr. may have committed to Illinois

Originally posted by That MGH Guy:
Um. Well, I was wondering when I'd finally start to feel some anxiousness about this class. That moment just hit.

Yeah, the bigs are running out. Diallo would solve everything except getting another scorer. If no Diallo, Lee will have to be Skal's backup. Lack of a beef guy will hurt us a few games.

 

[l3ig_l3lue_l3illy]

coach cal is the best im not worried.

 

[That MGH Guy]

Re: Throne Jr. may have committed to Illinois

Originally posted by BigBlueManSouthCentralKY:

Originally posted by That MGH Guy:
Um. Well, I was wondering when I'd finally start to feel some anxiousness about this class. That moment just hit.

Yeah, the bigs are running out. Diallo would solve everything except getting another scorer. If no Diallo, Lee will have to be Skal's backup. Lack of a beef guy will hurt us a few games.

Yep. At this point Diallo would solve about 80% of what we're missing on the floor. Hopefully our recruits made an impact this week.

 

[hoggwildcat]

There went the backup plan.

 

[SilentsAreGolden]

If we get Mulder, then I think Briscoe, Ulis and Mulder could be enough shooting from our guards. Add Ingram and we are more than set if teams start sagging.

 

[Teachable Moe]

Originally posted by Double Oaked Juice:
This news makes me think that Diallo has silent verballed to a blueblood.

Or that Thorne didn't want to come to a situation where his every move is watched. Or that he liked the Illinois staff. Or the academic program that he'll be in. Or that he knows someone there. Or (unlikely) that he likes Champaign-Urbana.


The last time I looked the UK recruiting class was still ranked #1.

 

[true blue1]

Key is getting a wing player and we will be fine.

 

[JFCats22]

Add Evan Daniels to the (growing) list of people who think Cal may strike out.

@EvanDaniels: @KySportsRadio This is 1st time I've started to think they could strike out on the elite guys. Still possible they get some1, but not a lock

 

[BoulderCat]

I'll use an analogy for how I feel right now and about this. It is baseball season you know. We're like a HOF hitter in a 2 week slump, and we failed at trying to get a bunt single. We need a hit. A real one.

 

[bookerfan66]

Originally posted by BoulderCat:


I'll use an analogy for how I feel right now and about this. It is baseball season you know. We're like a HOF hitter in a 2 week slump, and we failed at trying to get a bunt single. We need a hit. A real one.

You have to think it won't last.One of these kids will have to realize what a great chance they have coming here.

 

[SilentsAreGolden]

Originally posted by JFCats22:
Add Evan Daniels to the (growing) list of people who think Cal may strike out.

@EvanDaniels: @KySportsRadio This is 1st time I've started to think they could strike out on the elite guys. Still possible they get some1, but not a lock

I hope for his sake, he meant the "remaining" elite guys. I think Skal and Briscoe qualify.

 

[jpbky2]

Obviously, he liked something at Illinois and committed, good for him. You don't need to take a visit to Kentucky to know what it is about. We were on ESPN every day, we were the story of college basketball. We just had a press conference with seven guys leaving for the NBA. If you are good enough and want that, we are here for you. If you want to be "the man" somewhere else and fly under the radar, good luck to you. This is a special place and it takes a special player (both talent and high character) to play here. As Cal says, "It is not for everybody". If you don't want what we have, good luck to you and we will be sure to say hello when we kick your #$% at whatever school you decide to attend.

 

[rabidcatfan]

Thorne would have had to come off the bench here. He wouldnt have started. Hes looking for a starring role and that wont happen here.

 

[mrschwump]

Somebody showed him a vid of how SEC stripes allow UK's big men to be folded, spindled and mutilated with nary a whistle and he wanted no part of that.

 

[.S&C.]

Originally posted by BleedBlue32:
Man, I knew this class wasn't going to be as strong as some of our others, but what is up with all of these guys just picking random schools? Don't get me wrong, Illinois is a nice program, but why he would go there over here or Kansas is pretty astonishing. Same goes for these top high schoolers picking places like UNLV and LSU over elite programs.

Just a strange recruiting year all around. Not even sure we can blame Cal at this point. So many guys going to unconventional places.

He's a fifth year transfer. Here he wouldn't get the minutes he's going get at Illinios. Its pretty simple really.

 

[.S&C.]

Originally posted by crazyqx83:
If we don't get a pledge from one of the remaining 4 guys, we may be pretty mediocre next year.

I am actually starting to worry that Cal might leave. There aren't very many other explanations for the string of strikeouts in recruiting this spring.

I am not going to say this hasn't crossed my mind, but in the end, I think its due to dirty recruiting (which we knew was happening) and just a class full of unusual players with certain agendas.

 

[Kycatspaws]

It's certainly disappointing but the Big Blue will roll on.

 

[SilentsAreGolden]

Cal is not leaving. The Cleveland job isn't going to be open. Nobody with two working brain cells would take the Knicks job, or the Lakers. Unless the Bulls coach gets fired, I don't see any job that Cal would take.

 

[1 for the Blue]

I think Cal knows who of the elite remaining are coming. This would explain, in some respects, why we are seeing this shortfall in recruiting so far.

 

[Mossip]

Damn, I was really hoping we would capitalize off of the leadership and productivity that only graduate transfers can bring.

This post was edited on 4/18 5:13 PM by Mossip

 

[OHIO COLONEL]

I looked for the blue-tinted thread about how Thorne Jr. wasn't very good anyway and that we didn't really want/need him, but can't find one. Surprising.

 

[c1doc]

All of the guys we really want are still left... If they all commit elsewhere, then we struck out but it is Cal and I will believe it when I see it!!