2017 Offer: Mark Smith

[natetheskate]

U of I also interested in Brubinga....He is about 10 minutes from Peoria.

[swellafelon]

Then there's the Chinese side of the family: Chun King Ya "Gunslinga" Bruninga.

[swellafelon]

U of I also interested in Brubinga....He is about 10 minutes from Peoria.

Hmm...If he's from the Peoria area I'd be concerned that he may be a serious academic risk.

I don't know anything about him personally, but it's been my experience with very few exceptions that people who grow up in Peoria are dim-witted drooling rubes. I'm not sure if it's all the Pabst they drink, wearing their CATERPILLAR caps too tight, or lax local enforcement of consanguinity laws, but the effect is all too clear: Low I.Qs and Trump supporters.

[Blers]

Mark Smith has also been receiving interest from U of I. Personally if we were to add another freshmen i'd prefer a physical guard like Mark Smith; or an elite shooter like Stefanovic. Otherwise another JUCO big to help Granic, Jackson, and the freshmen. (that way we have a senior big for the 2018 season).

[swellafelon]

The prototypical Porter player is 6'4" (give or take an inch): Doyle, Skokna, Jackson, Richardson, Satterwhite and Townes on the current roster; Mark Smith, Sasha Stefanovic, Javen Freeman-Liberty and Talen Horton Tucker as recruits.

I don't know why 6'4" is a magic number for Porter, but the sheer number of players who are 6'4" can't be a coincidence. Porter's first recruit (and probably favorite player) was 6'4" Christian Thomas.

[Blers]

The prototypical Porter player is 6'4" (give or take an inch): Doyle, Skokna, Jackson, Richardson, Satterwhite and Townes on the current roster; Mark Smith, Sasha Stefanovic, Javen Freeman-Liberty and Talen Horton Tucker as recruits.

I don't know why 6'4" is a magic number for Porter, but the sheer number of players who are 6'4" can't be a coincidence. Porter's first recruit (and probably favorite player) was 6'4" Christian Thomas.

Completely agree, he likes the bigger guards. And in the case of Milt and certainly Satterwhite longer Arms=Higher Defensive upside.

On the flip side he likes undersized bigs who can get out, run, and score. It makes Krutwig all the more intriguing for what he could potentially add on the both sides of the court.

[swellafelon]

I am really looking forward to see how Krutwig fits into Porter's scheme. He is supposed to be a very good passer. I don't know if he will operate from the high or low post, but my guess is he will primarily be stationed down low.
I also hope he can ignite some fast breaks by snaring the defensive rebound and firing a long outlet pass ala Kevin Love or Wes Unseld. His high school team has this in their playbook.

We might be very good next year if Krutwig and Negron prove ready to play at the D1 level. My guess is that they might take a year to adjust, and that our breakout season will be when they're sophs and we start Custer/Skokna, Townes/ Satterwhite, Chastain, Negron and Krutwig.

[Blers]

I'd have to guess the low post as well. As a junior he led his team in points, boards, blocks AND assists which is pretty insane. The most encouraging thing about him is any highlights I've seen of Krutwig he seems really polished on the fundamentals. He's not an athletic powerhouse but his footwork down low is smooth, and he's able to finish over defenders with touch rather than just dunking over short kids (he can still dunk, but he doesn't need to).

He'll make a great pair with Negron, who's an elite rebounder, but will probably be a little more raw on the offensive end, especially coming off injury. Exciting stuff.

[natetheskate]

Have seen Krutwig a couple of times. He can play low or high. Biggest adjustment for him will be that he has been a giant among....well not giants. He is very athletic but his body type limits his jumping ability. He is offensive lineman big.His biggest plus may be that he seems very intelligent (must not be from Peoria). So I think he will adjust quickly. He is also super unselfish, almost to a fault.
You can see him over the Holidays at the Hinkle Holiday Classic https://sites.google.com/site/hdjbasket ... ty-tourney
They play Sullivan High School from Rogers Park on the 2nd day. Jacobs is a pretty easy drive.