Until Reggie Smith's mid-season transfer, MU has had a hoopster from either Ill or NY on its roster every season for at least 53+ years going back to Murf's time in 1956-57 (as far as the Wiki knows). Since 1977, 124 McDonald's AA (seniors) have come from these two states. Over this time, this has been the birthplace of basketball royalty. According to Bama, 7 out of 10 of the best (value added) players in MU's history came from these two states as well.
Two Sweet 16's have passed under Buzz, and no Ill or NY players were on the roster (D Wil did play with the NY Gauchos AAU). Now, Steve Taylor, the #1 senior in Illinois. is lacing them up at The Al. STaylor is the RSCI rated #82 player in his class (and the only one from Ill in the Top 100), and was not Top 100 rated by Rivals or MaxPreps. Taylor, the consummate Robin to Jabari Parker's Batman, is athletic, is great passer, defender, has learned the inside-out game, and is a good face up PF that fits nicely into the Buzz mode. The key question having followed him a bit: Is he vastly underrated?
I say yes...but consider this:
- Only twice since 1998 has Ill not had a senior in the RSCI Top 25, and never had they had a senior less than Top 40. Illinois has never had less than three in the Top 100, with 9 being the high.
- With the advent of the McD AA in 1977, only three times has IL not had a member: 1977, 2009 and 2012.
I think the displaced attention and his efficient play has allowed ST to float under the radar to MU. Is the Ill basketball hype machine focused elsewhere and ST will surprise in the BE as the pundits wait for the next Lebron? Or, is Parker's talent making ST look better than he is? Is the Taylor Chain of Ill (and NY) talent now broken or underestimated? Pre Pro-Am thoughts?
I think you meant to start your post with "until" rather than "since". Sorry that's all I have until I sleep on this one.
Quote from: LittleMurs on June 05, 2012, 12:13:33 AM
I think you meant to start your post with "until" rather than "since". Sorry that's all I have until I sleep on this one.
You are correct sir. Thank you, Will edit to avoid my usual confusing posts ;D