2005/2006 recruit update

[UIC86]

Danijel Zoric currently has season averages of 19.3 points and 8 rebounds a game for Collin County CC. In 2 games last week, his numbers were 20 points/8 rebounds and 31 points/8 rebounds.

[Big D]

It would be nice if he could put up those types of numbers for us.....this guy is being hyped up but it always seems like these JUCO transfers are hit or miss.....hopefully, this guy will pan out. I must say that I've been disappointed with Boyd so far....where's he been?

[UICJohn]

The thing I like about Zoric, at least from reports, is that he seems fearless. He doesn't seem to mind to get in there and bang with the big bodies. That is something you either seem to have or don't. If you have that, I think it's only positives. Boyd never put up numbers like that in JUCO, but I still don't know why he isn't seeing more PT

[mayurT]

i dont think Boyd was ever a high-esteemed recruit...

White, however, very much was, and one can easily see where that hype comes from. he is excellent, and might actually turn into another ced banks by the time he's a senior.

i still have flashbacks of that beautiful crossover he did in the GTech game and hit the 3ball. amazing. ;D

[UICRugger]

It would be great to have an inside scoring threat. I just hope that Zoric likes to play down there. If we get another tall guy who wants to rain threes, I think I'm going to lose it. Crash the boards, block shots, and be a force inside. I'm sick of these gentle giants who want to play a finesse game. But if previous posts are accurate, sounds like Zoric will turn out to be that presence we've been missing.

Boyd may have a big body and his D is OK, but he has pretty bad hands from what I've seen. With no touch whatsoever, his potential contribution is limited to for getting boards while Poole is catching his breath.

[EzE]

Luther Head plays at UIUC and Luther Body at UIC...sorry that was a typo...it's Boyd. Oh well, my bad.

[WarriorFlame]

mayurT said:

and might actually turn into another ced banks by the time he's a senior.

He'll be better than Ced. No offense to Ced, but his game has proven to lack other dimensions this year. By the time Karl White is a junior, he will be able to score in more ways than you can count on one hand. He also has the speed to lock down any point guard in our league. White is the hoops equivalent of a 5-tool player.

[UICJohn]

UICRugger, I'm just going by what I have read but from various articles, Zoric not only has no fear with playing down low but enjoys it. Lance Young is supposed to be a good shooter, but othe than that, know nothing of him. He's supposed to be a project, and that makes me a little worried. Since I've heard nothing really of him lately, and the little I have isn't very positive, I'm beginning to get a little down on that one.

WarriorFlame, I agree. By the time White leaves, I really think he has the chance to be a better player. If White develops his jumper, that's the key. He can penetrate and that's something Ced can do, but I think White can already do better. Also, he can make his own shot even when not penetrating. Just look at that crossover 3 pointer against GT. Wow!

[Lee]

Anyone who thinks karl white will end up a better player than cedrick banks was here in his 4 seasons, will be in for a rude awakening. He'll be good, but let's not go nuts.

[Go Flames]

I too think that Karl White is a good player. However, in comparing him to Ced, look how much Banks contributed right away in his first year, while Karl hardly ever plays, as his minutes are way down. With his lack of minutes, I suspect that Collins is either not happy with his work ethic and practice habits and/or (more likely) his inability to play within the offensive system. White looks to be the type of player who hasn't "ever seen a shot that he doesn't like" to use an old cliche. That drives coaches nuts and may be one of the reasons his minutes have gone down (that and the return to the line-up of Collum). I think White can be an exceptional player for us. I just hope that with the lack of playing time that he doesn't become "homesick" and transfer. (No reason to think that will happen, like inside info. or anything, just hope it doesn't happen. GO FLAMES!

[WarriorFlame]

I just happen to disagree. I haven't seeen a guard with as much potential as White at UIC. His talent is equal to many high-D1 players.

I love Cedric Banks. I just think his biggest flaw, which in recent games he's improved, is his inability to create a shot for himself. Why do you think his scoring numbers are down? It's clear that he relies on receiving the ball in certain spots to score. Once again, I love Ced. He just limitations that were far less noticeable in previous years.

[UICJason]

Agreed with WarriorFlame. White has a chance to be MUCH better than Ced. Ced contributed because he was on a bad team or mediocre team. White has joined a team of veterans who've had success recently. White is more explosive, a better dribbler, could be a great shooter, and can do more things to create points. I'm not saying he will, but he very well could be a much better player.

[spike1057]

I never really thought Ced was much of a driver to begin with. If it were not for the loss of Martel I think banks would still be the catch and shot player he was last year. Driving was never part of Ceds game and I already see that in Whites. Karl is going to be a good player. I do however think Banks will always be the far better Defender.

In time Karl might turn out to be one of the best we ever had will he reach the success that Banks had probably not, but that's only because he probably will not have the same type of role players as Banks.

[bigm]

I think for this team to be succesful, we need an inside pressence and shooters. Look at the 98 team we had. We had both. Look at last year's team, we had both. This year, it seems we have only one, and that's the guys inside. We have absolutely no shooters. Banks is going through a slump as far as shooting is concern. Well will have Poole for next year, but we need one more person. We have White and maybe Collum for the outside, but I think we need a sharp-shooter. So, with that said, can someone tell me if any of these new recruits can help is either from the inside or the outside?

[Big D]

I think White will probably not exceed Ced's performance in some categories, but he will be more of an all-around player than Ced...

1) Creation - In the long run, I say White is better. Early on, he has shown the ability to drive and finish with a layup or finger-roll. As of late, he has not done this and maybe it's because he's been a little out of control. He also dribbles pretty well and can create his own shot off the dribble....again, something that Ced doesn't show too much of --- Advantage: White

2) Offense - This one will probably end up a wash. Banks has one of the quickest catch/shoot moves I've seen, whereas White is more flashy and explosive....and will throw it down on occasion. I don't think White will be a better perimeter player than Banks....nor do I think he will ever average more points than him. Plus, Banks has the ability to keep going and going....he wears out defenders like yesterday's underwear --- Advantage: Banks

3) Defense - White is very quick on defense...in fact he's probably quicker than Ced on D, who plays great D in my opinion.....but then again, hasn't Ced been on the Horizon League All-Defensive 1st team for his duration here (at least the past couple years)? In the long run White may be right around the same as Ced --- Advantage: None

4) Intangibles - Can't really speak for White yet, but Ced is a proven winner and he has been since high-school. The attitude he brings to the court is unmatched...even when his offensive game is off, he brings it on the other end. Will White ever be the goto guy....the one who wants the last shot? It's hard to imagine UIC has three 20-win seasons in White's career without Banks --- Advantage: Banks

So in the end, I think Banks will be the better player, but White will clearly show he can create and we desperately need a player like that. Like I said earlier, I think White will begin to get more minutes....especially against CSU. Although if Omari Westley goes for 38 again, we may have a tough time holding them off.

As for the transfer comment, I just don't think White would leave. I'm sure he knows that he is the starting SG next year with Banks gone...so he has his own chance to become a star....better than leaving, sitting out a year, and then where would he go? UIC is an upper-level mid-major program....would he go to a lower mid-major...doubt it....would he go to a major and sit....doubt it. I think he'll stick here....

bigm, if Mayo doesn't redshirt next year, he may be the shooter we're looking for according to what we've heard....who knows how it'll turn out though....I mean, how much can we expect from a freshmen....White was supposed to be this great player, but as a freshmen, he hasn't been getting on the court. As for the post, we'll have Zoric (PF, C maybe) coming in who apparently is an animal inside...he's putting up great numbers right now. And don't forget about our prized recruit this year...Othyus Jeffers....a beast SF who will probably contribute in a big way right away.....