Why Iowa may have jump in for Christian Williams (Marcus LoVett info)

[TheHawkeyeDudeAbides]

I have been watching my playback video of the IL HS Boys 3A/4A state championships. I have probably OD'ed on basketball.

Marcus LoVett put up 45 points on 20 for 27 shooting and lived up to his nickname "Bright Lights". He is coming to be very special. Better than Chasson Randle ( who I saw in person about a dozen times in the Q-C while Randle was at Rock Island). He helped his Morgan Park team (Charlie Moore--teammate and 2016 Iowa recruiting prospect at PG) battle a tough Belleville Althoff in the semifinals of the 3A class but his team came up short and they had to settle for the third place trophy. More on Moore's play and a special player from Belleville Althoff later.

The reason for Marcus LoVett not announcing his college decision is that he has not taken the ACT test and his first attempt will be in April. Then he plans to take official visits.

I had heard he was academically close to qualifying but he is using online classes to make up his deficiencies. Usually, not a good sign for acceptable credit. While his coach Nick Irvin "claims" he is not bound for a prep school or juco, this recent news make it clearer that Iowa could not wait for help and therefore jumped at landing Christian Williams' commitment. LoVett is more likely to be a non qualifier with this late ACT testing. If he fails to get the right score, his last chance is usually early June for a repeat. Not looking good for him.

News article link:

http://www.news-gazette.com/sports/illini-sports/mens-basketball/2015-03-23/lovett-decision-when-it-feels-right.html

Now, back to Charlie Moore and the Belleville Althoff player to watch info. Charlie Moore put up his usual double digit scoring and play fairly well in both state championship game but he was bothered by the Belleville Althoff defenders who force Charlie to shoot 7 for 23 and 1 for 7 from 3 point. Belleville may have shown how tough it will be for 5'9" (if that) Charlie Moore on the major D1 circuit. Something to watch.

Belleville Althoff had a great team and nearly beat St. Joseph (Westchester) for the 3A title 67 to 63. It was a rematch of a shootout game 97 to 95 that those teams played just a month prior with St. Joe's winning. Nic Rakocevic had good but not great numbers and was the biggest player on the floor. Nic was aided by two D1 bound guards in Jordan Ash and Glynn Watson. But the real deal BB athlete was Althoff's sophomore Jordan Goodwin 6'3" SG (with PG skills), He had nearly a triple double [ 18 points,14 rebounds, and 9 assists in the battle with Morgan Park and in the St. Joseph's matchup, Goodwin scored 23 points with 12 rebounds and 6 assists. This kid oozes talent. And he was vote by the IL HS BB coaches association as a first team all state selection. The only sophomore on the first three classes of 3A. Impressive!

Goodwin kind of reminds me of Frank Williams (ILLANNOY fame) in HS. Goodwin reports only an offer from Air Force presently. Hope Iowa (Fran's staff) is offering him very soon before the AAU season begin and he blows up.

Just wanted to share! Hope it was informative.

P.S. Rapolas Ivanauskas made second team of coaches poll for 3A while Nic Rakocevic and Brandon Hutton made only honorable mention. Usually coaches honor mostly seniors first and some special juniors on coaches polls.

 

[wondergrape]

Great stuff. Thanks. I'm not sure what the connection is to Christian Williams as referenced in the thread title. You mind clarifying?

 

[HawkVic]

What I got from it is that LoVett is a great player but not going to make it to D1 this fall. That's why Fran went for Williams.

 

[SWIowahawks]

Re: Why Iowa may have jump in for Christian Williams (Marcus LoVett i

Originally posted by wondergrape:
Great stuff. Thanks.  I'm not sure what the connection is to Christian Williams as referenced in the thread title.  You mind clarifying?

I read it as Iowa didn't want to take the chance on LoVett not qualifying and offered Williams.
Posted from Rivals Mobile

 

[DavenportHawk8]

Re: Why Iowa may have jump in for Christian Williams (Marcus LoVett i

Originally posted by SWIowahawks:

Originally posted by wondergrape:
Great stuff. Thanks. Â I'm not sure what the connection is to Christian Williams as referenced in the thread title. Â You mind clarifying?

I read it as Iowa didn't want to take the chance on LoVett not qualifying and offered Williams.
Posted from Rivals Mobile

That's the way I read it too. Sounds like the Lovett kid is a player, but Academics could cause him some issues.

I am hesitant on Williams, sounds like he had a lot of Mid-Major offers, but if he can continue to grow and get stronger could be a good one.

I saw a tweet when Williams committed from a guy who covers the Chicagoland hoops. Said that Iowa was getting another top 10 player from Illinois.

So that means Fran was able to get 2 out of the top 10 players in Illinnois for this year. I look at that as a win for the hawks. Getting into Chicago is a good thing! Get a pipeline into that area is HUGE for the hawks moving forward.

Here is the tweet below:




Oswego, IL
Mar 16

Decatur St Teresa combo guard Christian Williams commits to the #Hawkeyes as Iowa nabs top 10 prospect in Illinois in Class of 2015

 

[TailgateTom]

Re: Why Iowa may have jump in for Christian Williams (Marcus LoVett i

Good stuff. Initially, I wasn't real impressed with Williams' videos. However his highlights during AAU were (IMO) much better than his high school film. I'm excited to get him to Iowa City, I think he could be a real sleeper. At the end of the day, Fran has shown he can identify guard talent, and if he wants Williams to play PG then he deserves the benefit of the doubt.

 

[Mohawkeye]

Re: Why Iowa may have jump in for Christian Williams (Marcus LoVett i

Hard to go wrong with a 6'6" ball handler. Williams may not come in ready to contribute, but I think if he sticks around he will be a solid and versatile player. Great to see Fran in on these Chicago players, it has been much too long.

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

Re: Why Iowa may have jump in for Christian Williams (Marcus LoVett i

Originally posted by Mohawkeye:
Hard to go wrong with a 6'6" ball handler. Williams may not come in ready to contribute, but I think if he sticks around he will be a solid and versatile player. Great to see Fran in on these Chicago players, it has been much too long.

Williams needs to work hard and learn in practice year one. I suspect he and/or Moss will be candidates to be at least back-up PGs after next year.

 

[StormHawk42]

Re: Why Iowa may have jump in for Christian Williams (Marcus LoVett i

Good info re: Lovett. For the life of me, I couldn't understand why we weren't offering a kid who was Top 100 and filled a position of need. Academics make a lot more sense. No doubt the kid has the ability, but probably better to stay away if he's in danger of not qualifying.

 

[TheHawkeyeDudeAbides]

Re: Why Iowa may have jump in for Christian Williams (Marcus LoVett i

Originally posted by SWIowahawks:

Originally posted by wondergrape:
Great stuff. Thanks. Â I'm not sure what the connection is to Christian Williams as referenced in the thread title. Â You mind clarifying?

I read it as Iowa didn't want to take the chance on LoVett not qualifying and offered Williams.
Posted from Rivals Mobile

Sorry. I was taking a break from doing tax returns and it was late. The returns had my priority and focus. Composing note are better done after some sleep.

Yes, I was hinting that it seemed that Iowa took Williams over waiting and trying for LoVett due to the academic condition and Iowa needed someone to be experience at the PG when MG and AC finish their senior years. No sane BB coach puts his team's season in the hands of a freshman guard unless they are top 10 material (i.e. Tyus Jones) or the coach has injury/ academic problems with an upperclassman. LoVett put on a couple of 360 spins of drives to the basket that broke alot of ankles. They were absolutely incredible.



Links to IL HS All state teams:

1A/2A : Christian Williams 1st team

http://www.ibcaillinois.org/news_article/show/490616?referrer_id=760189

3A/4A: Multiple Hawkeye recruit/ commit names(Moss/ Hutton) and 1st teamer sophomore Jordan Goodwin

http://www.ibcaillinois.org/news_article/show/493244?referrer_id=760189

 

[4th & 9 inches]

Re: Why Iowa may have jump in for Christian Williams (Marcus LoVett i

I know there are a lot of good players in Illinois, but Hutton and Moss only got "special mention"?

I suppose the spin doctor response is "Hutton plays on a bad team" and "Moss plays on a loaded team". I still would have thought they both would have made something better than "special mention".

 

[DanL53]

Appreciate all the info.

I've have a bit of a different take as to the timing of the Williams offer. He only has offers from mid-majors. But St. Louis offered right before Iowa. And Minnesota and Illinois were starting to sniff around.

It was time to offer or risk losing him. McCaffery had already asked Williams to wait.

In Iowa, Ben Jacobson can offer kids like Wyatt Lohaus early and then while Iowa decides whether or not to offer the chance that the UNI offer goes away is a real possibility. Iowa, four Division One schools.

Illinois. Thirteen Division One schools and the threat of missing out on a "special" mid-major scholarship is far less while waiting for Iowa to decide.

A look at the 2015 offers and the timing of all of them appear to be centered around the threat of other high majors who have offered or appear about ready to offer.

Now, why we make a Williams wait is clearly so we can see what else is out there. In his case, I suspect it is because we now have to teach him to play point as opposed to getting a player already experienced at that position.

Just my two-cents. Great info and again thanks!

 

[DavenportHawk8]

Re: Why Iowa may have jump in for Christian Williams (Marcus LoVett i

Originally posted by 4th & 9 inches:
I know there are a lot of good players in Illinois, but Hutton and Moss only got "special mention"?

I suppose the spin doctor response is "Hutton plays on a bad team" and "Moss plays on a loaded team". I still would have thought they both would have made something better than "special mention".

I know those list make it sound like Iowa is getting "special mention" players but the guy who covers Chicagoland hoops has stated that both Williams & Moss are top 10 players in Illinois for 2015. That's a pretty high honor because think of the Div 1 players that come out of Chicago and other parts of Illinois.

They produce a lot of talent and I think Williams and Moss are two versatile guards. They can play the point if absolutely needed or they can play the off-guard position. Watching Moss's highlights shows he has a range of skills and I think will be a good player. Williams sounds similar to Moss, but sounds like he can run the point as well.

Watching Marcus LoVett really made me want Fran to offer him, but sounds like Academics are going to de-rail him qualifying this year. Maybe he can go the JUCO route and Fran can get him in the 2016 class? never know?

 

[4th & 9 inches]

Re: Why Iowa may have jump in for Christian Williams (Marcus LoVett i


I know a lot of all-state teams are based on stats. A kid from a smaller school that is not that good may average 30 a game and get first team all-state and not be half the actual player Moss is on a loaded team from Chicago.

I agree that what the recruiting experts say holds more weight than all-state teams, but was still surprised Hutton and Moss were both left off the top 4 all-state teams.

 

[CanadaHawk]

Re: Why Iowa may have jump in for Christian Williams (Marcus LoVett i

Watching Marcus LoVett really made me want Fran to offer him, but sounds like Academics are going to de-rail him qualifying this year. Maybe he can go the JUCO route and Fran can get him in the 2016 class? never know?

I was thinking he might go the Prep School route to save his eligibility.

 

[DavenportHawk8]

Re: Why Iowa may have jump in for Christian Williams (Marcus LoVett i

Originally posted by 4th & 9 inches:

I know a lot of all-state teams are based on stats. A kid from a smaller school that is not that good may average 30 a game and get first team all-state and not be half the actual player Moss is on a loaded team from Chicago.

I agree that what the recruiting experts say holds more weight than all-state teams, but was still surprised Hutton and Moss were both left off the top 4 all-state teams.

yeah I am the same, I can't believe neither one of them were on at least 3rd team. But like you said some kid who was a bad team and averaged 30pts could of gotten the nod over the other guys.

I just look at those lists and can't believe there is that much talent. I saw somewhere St. Rita has 4 guys going Div 1 (Kentucky, Seton Hall, and can't remember the other two). Damn that is some serious talent. If the writer from the chicago land says that Williams is a top 10, holy crap. That's quite the honor and hopefully its true.

The beauty is we don't need any of these freshman to come in and score 10-15pts a game. We have 7 players coming back with experience and whatever the freshman add will be a bonus. I think these guys are going to be good in the future (Williams, Moss, Hutton, Wagner, and Flemming).

 

[icparkerhawk]

Re: Why Iowa may have jump in for Christian Williams (Marcus LoVett i

Originally posted by CanadaHawk:

Watching Marcus LoVett really made me want Fran to offer him, but sounds like Academics are going to de-rail him qualifying this year. Maybe he can go the JUCO route and Fran can get him in the 2016 class? never know? 

I was thinking he might go the Prep School route to save his eligibility. 

I would think that's the logical choice if he struggles with the ACT or schools have moved on by the time he gets the scores he needs.

Contrary to what another poster said regarding leaving the keys in a freshman's hands, I think LoVett is the type of player you could do that with. He looks like a difference maker to me. I realize guys like Russell and Trimble are pretty special, but I could see LoVett being that good (not that my opinion really counts). I think he ends up at prep school and then at a blue blood the following year. I would hope if he goes that route, Fran puts on the full court press. Hand him the starting job day one and use Williams as your insurance policy.
Posted from Rivals Mobile

 

[Ronman]

Speaking of recruits, ran across this on an Illini basketball board. Take it with a grain of salt, if you will:

"So
the here's how I saw the major recruits: I also was able to talk with
Morrow's Uncle. only guy with a big Nebraska Jersey on! He really likes
Moss and his potential and few other Simeon folks said the same.

Overall
Morrow stood out the most to me. He's got a nice frame for his height
and isn't afraid to mix it up inside. He doesn't shy from contact and
likes to protect and attack the rim. Post moves aren't bad but needs to
develop more offensively. He's a competitor and has a good motor.


D J. Williams is long and lanky and is noticeably less of a wide body
than Morrow. Williams is not a 4 or at least not yet. More of a 3. He
looked better in the 2nd half and he is athletic but he needs to gain
strength. This won't make folks happy here but he reminds me of...Austin
Colbert. I see limited impact from him as a Freshman and likely
redshirt candidate who needs to gains weight and strength.

Moss
is athletic and has a quick step. At times looks like a 2 and other
times like a 3. He's in the 6'5'' range so he's big for a guard Simeon
people I talk to say he's the better scorer of the 3 major recruits of
this class.

Tonight was only one game but I came away more
impressed with Morrow and Moss vs. Williams. If Morrow was another 2
inches taller and 10-15 lbs more pounds he'd be a 5 star guy IMO. I
really liked Morrow's attitude and motor. He's not shy as I mentioned
above to play hard. Not a brutish Leron Black player but a hard nosed
guy. Nebraska I think got a good one.

Overall I think Iowa and
Nebraska did better or will do better with their guys vs. Williams but
it was one game and guys can change. We better hope so."

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

Re: Why Iowa may have jump in for Christian Williams (Marcus LoVett i

Originally posted by HoustonREDHawk:

Originally posted by Mohawkeye:
Hard to go wrong with a 6'6" ball handler. Williams may not come in ready to contribute, but I think if he sticks around he will be a solid and versatile player. Great to see Fran in on these Chicago players, it has been much too long.

Williams needs to work hard and learn in practice year one. I suspect he and/or Moss will be candidates to be at least back-up PGs after next year.

Yeah hopefully these younger guys are willing to spend a year working their way up and not decide to transfer out because they aren't getting the playing time right out of the gates like all the McDonald's All-Americans at Kentucky...........................................................

 

[icparkerhawk]

Re: Why Iowa may have jump in for Christian Williams (Marcus LoVett i

Regarding LoVett, it was reported that he was choosing between Illinois and St. John's when he was set to make a choice a few weeks back. He pushed the decision back (wonder if he wouldn't have been welcome without test scores?) and now this morning I'm reading where Lavin may be out at St. John's. Unless he gets his test scores in and they're solid (and Illinois still has a slot) I'm thinking he goes prep school. Just more options that way.
Posted from Rivals Mobile

 

[TheHawkeyeDudeAbides]

Re: Why Iowa may have jump in for Christian Williams (Marcus LoVett i

Originally posted by icparkerhawk:
Regarding LoVett, it was reported that he was choosing between Illinois and St. John's when he was set to make a choice a few weeks back. He pushed the decision back (wonder if he wouldn't have been welcome without test scores?) and now this morning I'm reading where Lavin may be out at St. John's. Unless he gets his test scores in and they're solid (and Illinois still has a slot) I'm thinking he goes prep school. Just more options that way.
Posted from Rivals Mobile

If LoVett does go prep, Kansas will come back hard as they will probably lose Frank Mason III to the pros after next season. Kansas's Bill Self has a strong lifeline to Chicago area preps. Still, a PG like LoVett who is very quick and can score as well as makes assists. I am remember Andre Woolridge. Iowa's PGs have never be equal to the Woolridge standard since, IMO. Hope Iowa has not burn a bridge.

At one time Chicago Sun Times sports journalist Joe Henricksen quoted Marcus LoVett saying that Iowa was recruiting Marcus the hardest even though he had "offers" from Kansas and Illinois. Besides, playing for ILLANNOY's HC John Groce would be waste of talent. The guy is a meathead. I'll bet Iowa still outperforms the Illini next year. The guy is a joke.

Go Hawks!

 

[DanL53]

Re: Why Iowa may have jump in for Christian Williams (Marcus LoVett i

Originally posted by TheHawkeyeDudeAbides:

....playing for ILLANNOY's HC John Groce would be waste of talent. The guy is a meathead. I'll bet Iowa still outperforms the Illini next year. The guy is a joke.



Illinois fans.........sorry but this ^^^^^ is true.

 

[merf6]

How would you compare Moss and Williams,they seem to be similar players.

 

[barney31]

FYI, Lovett tried to commit to Illinois in November, but Groce wouldn't take him because of eligibility questions.

 

[91hawki]

Moss may be a bit more explosive and at this stage of his game- is more of a wing player.

Williams- definitely a better ball handler, capable of playing 1, 2 or 3 spot.

Hard to say who is better or who will be better.

Moss played against better competition and seemed to inconsistent in points per game. Williams was scoring 20+ pretty much every game- but he was clearly the go to guy on this team

 

[DavenportHawk8]

Originally posted by 91hawki:

Moss may be a bit more explosive and at this stage of his game- is more of a wing player.

Williams- definitely a better ball handler, capable of playing 1, 2 or 3 spot.

Hard to say who is better or who will be better.

Moss played against better competition and seemed to inconsistent in points per game. Williams was scoring 20+ pretty much every game- but he was clearly the go to guy on this team

Moss played a team with a (Nebbie Commit, Illinois Commit, and a junior who will be a Div 1 commit). So he had a lot of help and that's why you saw the inconsistency in his scoring. He is a team player and if he wasn't on, he didn't force it and allowed his teammates to score. He's not like the kid at Oak Hill (Bacon?) who averaged something like 20pts a game, but he also shot the ball at least 15-20 times a game regardless. The kid would force it so many times and take stupid shots. No wonder he averaged 20pts a game.

Moss had some nice games on TV and his highlights show that he is a capable player. I liked watching him vs #9 team in the nation Bishop Gorman out of Nevada. He had a nice dunk and splashed down a couple of 3pt shots. He drove the lane a couple of times and he had to guard one of their better players. He had a great showing in that game and it was against some very tough competition.

Williams sounds like he was the go to guy and that's why you see him average 20 some points. He had the ball in his hand most of the time and he was the main scoring threat.

I think both of them will be nice. There is a writer out of chicago who said that both Moss & Williams are top 10 in the state for the class of 2015. That's a pretty big compliment beings how many Div 1 players come out of the Chicagoland area and the state of Illinois. I think both of them are going to do great things at Iowa.

 

[The Sleeping Dog]

A 6'6" point guard can be a tremendous weapon if they have good handles and a good head. If the kids develop, as we all hope they do, looking down the road at a 6'6" Williams and a 6'5" Moss or 6'4" Fleming in the back court can cover a lot of ground in Iowa's various zone defenses.

 

[DavenportHawk8]

Originally posted by The Sleeping Dog:
A 6'6" point guard can be a tremendous weapon if they have good handles and a good head. If the kids develop, as we all hope they do, looking down the road at a 6'6" Williams and a 6'5" Moss or 6'4" Fleming in the back court can cover a lot of ground in Iowa's various zone defenses.

I like the size, I just hope Fran can find a change of pace type of player. You see Utah, WVU, and other programs who have these solid guards and most of them have a change of pace type of player. A shifty quick guard who can penetrate from the wing or at the point position. Dickerson I thought was it, but he didn't like to play defense and couldn't understand the different offensive sets, which sucks.

I want Iowa to get quicker going forward. The big line-up has worked, but I want a happy medium. I want Iowa to be able to play fast and small if needed or go big and pound it down low if needed.

 

[The Sleeping Dog]

From what I've read Fleming and Williams are athletic guards and Moss is considered an athletic small forward. But those three guys will need some big guys inside if we run those three together.

Its just nice to have the possible options out there. Fortunately none will probably need to play heavy minutes (possibly Hutton or Wagner).