All Things Alex Illikainen Recruitment Thread: UPDATED 11/12/18: Illikainen leaves UW

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Just thought of a something. I remember in one of these recruiting Q&A's that Alex wanted to make a decision by he end of summer. If that's the case then it wouldn't matter where he played his senior. In fact in this scenario if he commits to the U, I would imagine that fans would be happy in the uptick in competition.
 

bemidjigopher said:
Just thought of a something. I remember in one of these recruiting Q&A's that Alex wanted to make a decision by he end of summer. If that's the case then it wouldn't matter where he played his senior. In fact in this scenario if he commits to the U, I would imagine that fans would be happy in the uptick in competition.
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In a lot of ways, it would be a fun way to "get away" from MN for a bit, but still be able to play college ball in front of your family for 4 years. He gets an added bonus of getting better preparation for college by playing against better competition/better coaching etc.

I doubt he makes his decision by the end of summer, but we'll see.
 

Not sure it makes much of a difference but it looks as though Alex's sister that was playing hockey at Providence is transferring to St.Cloud for this year. I believe he does have another sister that is still on the east coast and plays at Dartmouth though.
 


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>2015 Howard Pulley big man Alex Illikainen (<a href="https://twitter.com/AIllikainen_25">@AIllikainen_25</a>) next up to visit Minnesota Monday. Has been a priority for coach Pitino.</p>— Recruiting Roundup (@RecruitRoundup) <a href="https://twitter.com/RecruitRoundup/statuses/483351218014945280">June 29, 2014</a></blockquote>
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Go Gophers!!
 


BleedGopher said:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>2015 Howard Pulley big man Alex Illikainen (<a href="https://twitter.com/AIllikainen_25">@AIllikainen_25</a>) next up to visit Minnesota Monday. Has been a priority for coach Pitino.</p>— Recruiting Roundup (@RecruitRoundup) <a href="https://twitter.com/RecruitRoundup/statuses/483351218014945280">June 29, 2014</a></blockquote>
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Go Gophers!!
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I wonder if his visit overlaps with Dorsey's at all, who got in to town last night I believe. Maybe they'll both go to BWW and discover that they like the same wing sauce and commit to the Gophers as a packaged deal!
 

I doubt it happens, but it would be great if AI committed before he went out east.
 

MadtownGopher said:
I doubt it happens, but it would be great if AI committed before he went out east.
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That would be ideal. I don't think it's that far-fetched either; he said awhile back that he wants to finish up his official visits in the early-fall. Not sure when he plans to head east or if his visit plans have changed since deciding to go to prep school, but I could definitely see him commiting before he leaves.
 

Szerbiak

Wally was a forward at Miami of Ohio and usually at the 4. 6-7 225 in college. He was plenty athletic for a forward at the college level. In the NBA after putting on 20 lbs he played lots of the 3 and 2 and had a hard time with lateral quickness and playing defense. He was an all american in college. Alex sounds like he is quite a bit taller and a different kind of player.



jovs said:
Szczerbiak wasn't all that athletic and he played SG. Their's room for shooters, may not be a star but there is always a need, not that he is at Szczerbiaks level, but he isn't bad, if he gets open he is pretty deadly.
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Bottom line, Szczerbiak was an all-star in the NBA. That's not bad. Regardless of position, if Alex is anywhere near that kind of player, he'll be a college star.
 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>PF Alex Illikainen visited Minnesota today on his own, before playing in ABA tonight. Source says visit went "really, really well"</p>— Ryan James (@RyanJamesMN) <a href="https://twitter.com/RyanJamesMN/statuses/483771608905953280">July 1, 2014</a></blockquote>
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Richard and staff seem to be having some good luck with unofficials from the local kids lately. Let's hope they bear fruit.
 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Heard <a href="https://twitter.com/AIllikainen_25">@AIllikainen_25</a>'s visit with the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Gophers?src=hash">#Gophers</a> went well today. His Howard Pulley team plays in ABA summer league to prepare for Peach Jam.</p>— Marcus R. Fuller (@GophersNow) <a href="https://twitter.com/GophersNow/statuses/483770512964071424">July 1, 2014</a></blockquote>
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Go Gophers!!
 

Lots of really positive unofficials lately. Hopefully they bear fruit soon!
 



Where in the lead now for Alex unless he has a really really really good visit at another school.
 


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Gophers?src=hash">#Gophers</a> still feel good about their positioning in Illikainen's recruitment, despite his move from MN to Brewster Academy, a source says.</p>— Amelia Rayno (@AmeliaRayno) <a href="https://twitter.com/AmeliaRayno/statuses/483999420166320128">July 1, 2014</a></blockquote>
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Go Gophers!!
 


The EYBL Circuit ‏@D1Circuit 57s
Howard Pulley F Alex Illikainen (@AIllikainen_25) picks up an offer from Maryland,


interesting battle we have going with Maryland lately lol
 


Maryland seems bitter. Have offered both Jarvis and AI in the last week.
 

He picked up an offer from Iowa yesterday as well. Like I said in a different thread, I don't see anyone jumping in late to steal Alex unless its a big time blue blood. Developed relationships with coaches seem to be a priority to him.
 


MadtownGopher said:
Maryland seems bitter. Have offered both Jarvis and AI in the last week.
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They see Pitino aggressively working their backyard with Dorsey and Clarke and probably want to return the favor with the local Minnesota kids.
 

MadtownGopher said:
Maryland seems bitter. Have offered both Jarvis and AI in the last week.
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I don't think it's a Maryland thing. Other schools have offered recently too. With Jarvis, I think schools see an opening to get in on a top 100 guy since we just signed a PG (so they figure maybe Jarvis will be open to looking elsewhere).

With Alex, other schools probably figured a few months ago that he was going to Minnesota, but since he's about to leave for prep school and still not committed yet, maybe they now feel there's a chance for them to get in the game.
 

It would be kind of funny/unfortunate if we get Dorsey and Clarke and Maryland gets Alex and Jarvis
 

PTalberg said:
It would be kind of funny/unfortunate if we get Dorsey and Clarke and Maryland gets Alex and Jarvis
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I think it would be kind of funny/fortunate if we get Dorsey and Clarke and Maryland gets Alex and Jarvis. No disrespect intended. Clarke seems like the real deal.
 

Maryland is in the Big Ten now, makes sense they'd try to make some recruiting inroads in the Midwest.
 

golfing18now said:
I think it would be kind of funny/fortunate if we get Dorsey and Clarke and Maryland gets Alex and Jarvis. No disrespect intended. Clarke seems like the real deal.
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Yes, so do Jarvis and Alex. Dorsey, Clarke, Alex, and Jarvis. Makings of a B1G Championship. :)

The Final Four. :)

Sign them all up!!!!!!!
 

diehard said:
Yes, so do Jarvis and Alex. Dorsey, Clarke, Alex, and Jarvis. Makings of a B1G Championship. :)

The Final Four. :)

Sign them all up!!!!!!!
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Ahhhhhhh, if only it were that easy. :D
 

BTW, I am not being greedy. I just want them all. We need classes like that to build Team Pitino Dynasty right here at the U.
 

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