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Post by IlliniNYC on Apr 11, 2005 14:49:18 GMT -5
In tonight's Hoop Summit game, Bobby Cremins commented that Brandon Rush is down to Oklahoma and Illinois. Rush's list changes a lot, but that's latest. Bruce Weber had an in-home with Rush earlier this week after Final 4 and not certain if GU has visited with him or plans to do so. That's been floating around, but I think most Illinois fans are not (or are at least trying to not) put too much hope in it. The general sentiment is that he and Sampson have a good relationship and if it is not the NBA (less and less likely) then it is probably OU - particularly if there are any academic issues. Really the only issue that he might seem to have with OU is the possibility for probation, but who knows? He sure would make the Illini's class look at little better, though (see the Rivals Final Ranking thread )
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Post by IlliniNYC on Apr 15, 2005 8:40:12 GMT -5
FWLIW, there is a quote in the local Champaign paper today from Rush stating that the NBA isn't ruled out, but that Illinois and OU are the leaders. He says:
"Illinois is really recruiting me hard. I like that. Illinois definately is out in front right now."
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nychoya3
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Post by nychoya3 on Apr 15, 2005 9:27:12 GMT -5
He told Rivals.com that Illinois and OU are his schools. Everyone seems to think that he's looking for the thinnest justification for entering the draft anyway - even a second round pick. Says he's academically qualified, but there seems to be a lot of skepticism in that regard.
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Post by IlliniNYC on Apr 15, 2005 11:48:21 GMT -5
"Everyone seems to think that he's looking for the thinnest justification for entering the draft anyway "
Yep...and I am sure that some scout will tell him he's a first-rounder just to have a shot at him in the second....I get the feeling that his college career probably won't consist of much time on the court
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the_way
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The Illest
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Post by the_way on Apr 15, 2005 11:58:09 GMT -5
The saddest part is, he is not even THAT good. I finally got a chance to see this kid play. He could use a lot of college to improve his game. If the thinks he is NBA material right now, well we see where his head is really at.
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AvantGuardHoya
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"It was when I found out I could make mistakes that I knew I was on to something."
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Post by AvantGuardHoya on Apr 15, 2005 15:03:30 GMT -5
I think you guys are missing the boat.... Wing-players are not what we need right now. We had a great season last year. But what I noticed was a glaring, and I mean GLARING weakness of this team, is interior defense. Until that gets solidfied, we will have a long ways to go. That is when I will get excited, when that need is addressed. Guard-play is nice and is great for the casual fan to get enamored with and lose sight of what really is important. The game, albeit ugly and less exciting, is won in the paint. For once I'm on the same page with you, _way. Our defense, especially inside, needs work. We won't be able to consistently hang in there with the big boys unless or until we address that. I think our biggest potential improvement lies in that area. Here's hoping help's on the _way .
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2005 15:33:38 GMT -5
For once I'm on the same page with you, _way. Our defense, especially inside, needs work. We won't be able to consistently hang in there with the big boys unless or until we address that. I think our biggest potential improvement lies in that area. Here's hoping help's on the _way . Good GOD, don't encourage him! It'll only start the insanity.
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Cambridge
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Canes Pugnaces
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Post by Cambridge on Apr 15, 2005 16:05:40 GMT -5
Good GOD, don't encourage him! It'll only start the insanity. Do you envision it as a wolfman transformation? Hulkamania? Or something else? Myself, I imagine theway is like an old car you have to crank start up front. You know the type that you had to make a day of the outing if you wanted to start her up. You had to plan on really going for a ride, not just around the corner to grab a slice, but down route 66 or something. Anyways, you have to insert that crazy crank, in our case statistical projections or accolades to ACC players. At first nothing. But you keep cranking and it starts to sputter and cough. Crank a couple more turns and presto...smoke starts to bellow from all over and the engine roars to life. It doesn't handle real well. Probably gets more than the occasional stares in disbelief. Frustratingly unresponsive. But, I'll give it one thing, once it gets going, that monster ain't stopping. No way. Now how.
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the_way
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
The Illest
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Post by the_way on Apr 15, 2005 16:09:26 GMT -5
Do you envision it as a wolfman transformation? Hulkamania? Or something else? Myself, I imagine theway is like an old car you have to crank start up front. You know the type that you had to make a day of the outing if you wanted to start her up. You had to plan on really going for a ride, not just around the corner to grab a slice, but down route 66 or something. Anyways, you have to insert that crazy crank, in our case statistical projections or accolades to ACC players. At first nothing. But you keep cranking and it starts to sputter and cough. Crank a couple more turns and presto...smoke starts to bellow from all over and the engine roars to life. It doesn't handle real well. Probably gets more than the occasional stares in disbelief. Frustratingly unresponsive. But, I'll give it one thing, once it gets going, that monster ain't stopping. No way. Now how. LOL!!!!! Thats a good one. Too Funny!!! ;D
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Post by Lurking Dog on Apr 26, 2005 16:41:07 GMT -5
The latest speculation--and this is a longshot--is that he might return home to Kansas City.
_______________ Posted on Tue, Apr. 26, 2005
AREA COLLEGES
UMKC loses two players but adds a third junior-college forward
By DAVID BOYCE The Kansas City Star
UMKC men's basketball team signed its fourth player during the late signing period in 6-foot-6 forward Dee Ayuba of Seminole State College, a junior college in Seminole, Okla.
“He's a very athletic forward who cam make plays at both ends of the court,” UMKC coach Rich Zvosec said. “He has a chance to make an immediate impact.”<br> Zvosec said Ayuba led his team in scoring and rebounding.
“He's a guy who can fill the void of scoring inside and on the perimeter,” Zvosec said.
The Kangaroos lost their two main post players in seniors Carlton Aaron and Mike English. The addition of Ayuba plus 6-10 center Kyle Spears from Johnson County Community College and 6-8 forward Kalu Guasco from Western Nebraska Community College gives UMKC three post players with college experience.
In addition, UMKC also signed 6-2 guard David Nurse out of Kearney High School.
“I'm pretty excited about who we signed,” Zvosec said. “We added some guys up front. We are longer across the back line, and we will be able to run the floor better.”<br> UMKC lost two more players besides its seniors. Jeremiah Hartsock, a 6-9 freshman forward, will take the next two seasons off for a church mission in Russia. Hartsock will return once it's over.
Junior Brandon Lipsey, a 6-9 forward who saw his playing time drop dramatically, was granted a release from his scholarship and will transfer.
Zvosec still has a scholarship available, and that allows the UMKC coaching staff and fans to dream. Former Kansas City standout Brandon Rush, a 6-7 guard, is likely to sign with a major college like Oklahoma or Illinois if he doesn't opt to declare for the NBA.
But Rush, a senior at Durham (N.C.) Mount Zion Academy, is good friends with UMKC guards Tim Blackwell and Quinton Day. Rush has played pickup games at Swinney Recreation Center with Blackwell and Day and was spotted on UMKC's campus recently.
If the presence of Day and Blackwell helped UMKC attract more than 6,000 fans late last season, imagine the increased interest if Rush played with them even for just one season.
Until Rush declares his intentions, the possibility exists that he could be in a UMKC uniform next season.
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Post by IlliniNYC on Apr 27, 2005 8:19:19 GMT -5
Just a further update, not that it really matters here any more, but Illinois supposedly had an in-home with Rush yesterday and Rush may be coming for an official visit this weekend. Of course I suspect he will still declare for the draft only to find out that he would not be drafted.....As the World Turns
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