Donnie Tillman
- Thread starter kcg88
- Start date
I agree, it IS a big step forward for the Rutgers athletic department. Especially since it is a multi-sport facility. "Facilities" are a key part of any program's recruiting pitch to prospective student-athletes.
I don't think I have ever suggested that this isn't a good move by RU.
Because UF is viewed as a football school, many people, outside of the program, don't realize that Billy Donovan basically started elite camps and team camps. UF also has excellent facilities (just renovated the weight room in the practice facility).
They built a student-athlete performance and academic center a few years ago.
I understand the point you're making but their third place finish in the PAC 12 makes it not apply.
Russ,
That’s a great idea. I hope the staff are thinking like that. It will serve several purposes at once.
Again, not a linear comparison. Some players just do better coming off the bench or because a starting rotation doesn’t allow for that player based on coaching philosophy (e.g., 4 guards and a center).
I have lost track. When is Tillman making his decision? I know we got CJ Getty’s in August, but if Tillman picks RU, it would be nice if he could spend some time with the team on the Spain trip.
Did you read that somewhere or have inside knowledge or are you one of those Rutgers pessimists we see so often? Lol.
I agree that it would be nice if people who make such definitive assertions specify which of the above applies.
The 15th ain't over yet. Florida got a transfer commitment last night shortly before midnight. Tillman lives in Nevada, I think, that's a couple of time zones behind NJ, so if he does the late night thing it may technically be the 16th here but the 15th where he is.
Right now I still think Illinois leads, but I wouldn't be shocked if the kid doesn't announce tonight and takes another visit before deciding.
For Rich's sake I am not wishing for a midnight commitment lol. I was board af, couldn't get hold of the kid & really wanted to go to sleep.
Well,it is 2:15 AM. I guess I can either try to get some sleep or drive up to the practice center to greet the construction guys with coffee and donuts at dawn.
I don’t think Illinois or Rutgers is going to get him. He’s looking for something else. Well, his people may be.
Apparently Illinois assistant coach Orlando Antigua, known for his own recruiting tactics at past stops, has either decided to not meet the requirements for Tillman or has passed altogether. With 2020 recruiting this summer, maybe Illinois is using their focus on others prospects is better suited. At least that's what has been hinted at last night on a couple of places or message boards.
Sometimes players believe their value lies beyond just fitting in on a roster and a clean slate. Hope the kid finds whatever he's looking for.
Illinois is not paying players any more than Rutgers is. Antigua has never had any violations against. NCAA has never charged him with anything. He worked at Kentucky. He didn’t need to cheat. Your insinuations are baseless. I know him personally. Great guy.
Plus Brad Underwood would not put up with it. Neither would the AD Josh Whitman. Neither would the President of the university. You disparage my university based on nothing but rumor and innuendo. I would not do that to your school. It is insulting.
Illinois has not backed off Tillman. Rutgers has not backed off Tillman. If he ends up to one of those schools, it doesn’t mean he is getting paid.
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A quick google search on Antigua will suffice...he's a super nice guy and has relationships everywhere and I met both Underwood and Antigua at an UnderArmour AAU event in NYC a couple of years ago when Underwood took the job.
To not acknowledge that certain coaches have a reputation, is not truthful in college basketball circles. Not to change topics, but a well known assistant was hired by another school yesterday and one recruiting expert flat out tweeted that after this school landed a 4* player, to expect more commits. If others are clearly hinting at it and it's their full time job following this stuff, why not acknowledge that??
RU is or has a mandate to steer clear of going down that rabbit hole like other schools clearly do. I am pretty confident that whatever RU lands will be more than enough to keep momentum up, without the shenanigans some kids or their surrounding people request. If Illinois lands him, great, but to not acknowledge Antigua is known as a recruiting shark, would be false. They are recruiting heavily in the NYC area because that's an area Antigua grew up in and knows the best. It's just what the game is and likely always will be.
His comments after his Rutgers visit struck me as unusually gushy. His quotes after the Illinois visit were more along the typical lines of what you hear from a recruit. But it's a complicated situation with his mother and all.
I still wouldn't be surprised if he winds up at Michigan.
It doesn't mean Tillman or anything regarding him or his family are bad or anything, it just sometimes means the timing is bad for kids to transfer. Without rewinding the entire timeline, Utah was shocked by the leave of absence, then the NBA draft talk when he wanted to be evaluated, to the transfer portal to learning about his mom and her health situation.
All of these factors make recruiting and transfers very tricky or fluid.
All of these factors make recruiting and transfers very tricky or fluid.
I have no idea if he pays players or not, but saying he doesn't pay players bc he worked at Kentucky in the $EC is most definitely an odd defense to say the least
Seems like he may be delaying his decision and considering other schools but that is not confirmed or anything