“Great Athlete”
Say no more.
I went to U of D, so I’ve seen him about 5 times over the past two years. Never actually seen the mid range jumper.
I think he could be good, but like you said it wouldn’t be until he’s an upperclassmen (I would think not until RS. Jr.). But I think he could be a solid backup plan and might be an easy late get. From what I’ve heard he really values education, and is probably (complete conjecture here) most comfortable staying in Michigan I’d imagine.
He’s better than any our bigs on defense RIGHT NOW…and that’s no exaggeration. Xavier leads IMO…remember the hot line was ‘once JB offers everybody follow’…I think that should be applicable to Xavier now based on recent history with Reynolds, Sumner…and they also appear to lead for Jamal Cain.
Lmao, debating Ike on a Michigan board and comparing him to UM bigs while complaining about UM recruiting. Again, stop.
I’ll maintain it, Ike Eke is better on defense than any of the bigs on our roster RIGHT NOW.
Your opinion doesn’t really move me considering you once stated that Jarron Cumberland has a good handle. That had to be the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard in terms of player evaluation…
Just to warn you guys, Wolverine3 is another one - doesn’t really have knowledge in terms of player evaluation, not very knowledgeable/no insider information, but occasionally comes around with a snarky one liner that has no purpose.
I’m actually pretty happy we missed on Cumberland. Did not like his game at all.
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Just for confirmation, just checked he rankings/offers for Ike Eke.
Rankings:
ESPN - 4star/#82 overall for 2017
Rivals - generic 3 star
Offers - appears to hold offers from Xavier, Pittsburgh, Oakland, Cornell
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I must admit I like what I see on those video’s. He is the type that would come back and bite (in a game) Mich. down the road. He is an athlete with coordination that DJ Wilson does not possess right now. Seems to be wiery strong. I can see him bulling many in the future. Also seems to have what a lot of our Bigs don’t have is natural basketball instincts or is that all athletic ability.
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There has to be something out there better than those two clips. Anything where he actually makes a move or isn’t playing against little kids like that second clip?
He doesn’t move particularly well in those clips.
Pratt - unfortunately just not a lot of film out there in the public domain. I have some film of my own where Ike played vs legit comp (Detroit Western), and his motor and athletic ability were quite impressive. He moves exponentially better in terms of lateral agility and straight line speed relative to any big on our roster. Verticality is quite evident. His frame can add 30lbs of muscle and it wouldn’t impact his mobility at all…already has muscle tone/definition, just needs mass. His build really reminds me a bit of Dennis Rodman.
Yea he looks like he’s playing crap. He didn’t jump off the page to me. If he works hard though and blocks should then I’m with it.
I really like the chino hills center in the 2018 class. He’s overlooked a bit because of the balls but he’s exactly what we need. Dirty work big mAn with upside to shoot.
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Heck, I would just take the whole Chino Hills team in place of our current one. I honestly think Chino Hills would give us a game, and that’s including their 13-year-old PG.
They like to run like late-80s Loyola Marymount.
Out of curiosity - what do you guys think about Amauri Hardy? Prefer him over Jarrod West if JB has to get a backup PG?
Thoughts?
I don’t like West. I think he is a backup, at best, and we shouldn’t be recruiting guys to be backups. I haven’t seen enough video on Hardy, but I like his height. Is he a legit 6’2"? He looks fairly solidly built–at least a bit bigger than 175.
I do think we need another primary ball handler. I’d prefer one that complements Simpson–someone with size and athleticism, so we can play them together if need be.
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MattD, I was at the Dakota v Clarkston game last night. Dakota won 68-66 in 2OT. Possibly the best game I’ve ever seen at any level in terms of intensity and atmosphere. The level of commitment and tension on every possession was amazing. Of interest to the forum would have been Jermaine Jackson Jr., 2017 pg, Thomas Kithier, 2018 big, and Foster Loyer, 2018 pg. I know you are familiar with all three. Jackson had the worst first half a D1 prospect could possibly have. He finished with 26, full redemption. Kithier, as usual, was outstanding, 6-8, extremely skilled and poised. I had never seen Loyer before. He had 66 in last year’s regional. I couldn’t believe how good this kid was. With the implosion of the DPS, the good Macomb County schools are essenitally PSL North, and Dakota’s defensive pressure destroys everyone they play. Not Loyer. He is obscenely poised, both hands, and tough as nails. I have never seen a kid better against an intense athletic trap; it was like Tom Brady in the pocket against a blitz. Loyer looked like his floor would be Spike Albrecht. I know you have seen these guys multiple times and I know the staff was at the Dakota v Cornerstone game (Cain). I know we had interest in Jackson a while back. Can you please give us your take on those three players, and if we have interest in them, and should we have interest in them? You da man.
I’m on record as saying that in terms of skill, Jermaine Jackson Jr is a top 50 player in the country. Problem is size. That being said, I’d rather have Jermaine over Jarrod West by a wide margin. Jermaine has offers from high majors elsewhere, and I think he’ll probably pursue other options where he has more opportunity.
Kithier is essentially a smaller, but more fluid/athletic version of Austin Davis. Has good footwork, soft hands, doesn’t mind physicality. That being said, I don’t know if he’s the kind of athletic rim protector/finisher that we all want…just not that type of player, lacks the athleticism/explosion, but he’s only a sophomore at this point. I think there are other bigs in 18 that can serve as better options, but this staff has shown over and over again that athleticism and defense are not high among their preferred attributes for recruits. I assume they will give him a look.
Foster Loyer is going to be a very good HS basketball player for the next few years, I just don’t view him as high major material. Simply doesn’t possess the handle necessary for a guy that is 6’ with limited athleticism.
Eh I wouldn’t be so sure on Loyer… his handle needs tightening but the kid knows how to play… he’s just always so poised no matter the situation… similar to Winston in that regard. Pretty much an MState lock though so I wouldn’t expect JB to put in too much time with this one. Think poor, poor man’s Bobby Hurley.
Not trying to be funny RP, but I look at Loyer and see Andrew Dakich on steroids.
Lol not so sure about that. I admit I’m biased as I’ve watched and known him for years… he just seems like the type of kid that will figure it out despite his limitations that you pointed out.
I think my biggest issue with him is that he consistently picks up his dribble too early. The ball ‘sticks’…He’s essentially a 2 guard at the college level stuck in the body of a 1. He won’t be able to break down the defense off the dribble, and he’s definitely going to have trouble in terms of defense.