Alex Illikainen - PF - 2015 prospect -> Wisconsin

[ajb5856]

There was a nice article in the Mpls. Star Tribune yesterday about a 6'10" gunner that we have offered a scholly to. He is from up on the Iron Range (Grand Rapids) and hopefully like MANY people from that part of the state, has a strong dislike for the Twin Cities. Perhaps he would feel more at home in the cozy confines of the Star City. His name is Alex Illikainen.

Is he actually from there or does he just currently live there? We haven't been great on foreign players lately.

He's from there and we've been recruiting him since April of 2012. There's plenty to read about Alex going all the way back to 2012 in the recruiting forum.

[hhcmatt]

 

There was a nice article in the Mpls. Star Tribune yesterday about a 6'10" gunner that we have offered a scholly to. He is from up on the Iron Range (Grand Rapids) and hopefully like MANY people from that part of the state, has a strong dislike for the Twin Cities. Perhaps he would feel more at home in the cozy confines of the Star City. His name is Alex Illikainen.

 

Is he actually from there or does he just currently live there?  We haven't been great on foreign players lately.

 

 

Which part of Minnesota would a kid need to be from to not be considered a foreigner? 

[49r]

 

 

There was a nice article in the Mpls. Star Tribune yesterday about a 6'10" gunner that we have offered a scholly to. He is from up on the Iron Range (Grand Rapids) and hopefully like MANY people from that part of the state, has a strong dislike for the Twin Cities. Perhaps he would feel more at home in the cozy confines of the Star City. His name is Alex Illikainen.

 

Is he actually from there or does he just currently live there?  We haven't been great on foreign players lately.

 

 

Which part of Minnesota would a kid need to be from to not be considered a foreigner? 

 

 

'bout Saint Cloud, I'd imagine...

[PimpMario]

 

 

There was a nice article in the Mpls. Star Tribune yesterday about a 6'10" gunner that we have offered a scholly to. He is from up on the Iron Range (Grand Rapids) and hopefully like MANY people from that part of the state, has a strong dislike for the Twin Cities. Perhaps he would feel more at home in the cozy confines of the Star City. His name is Alex Illikainen.

Is he actually from there or does he just currently live there? We haven't been great on foreign players lately.

He's from there and we've been recruiting him since April of 2012. There's plenty to read about Alex going all the way back to 2012 in the recruiting forum.

 

 

Whoops.  Somehow I ended up on the recruiting board.  Sorry about that.

[Handy Johnson]

Alot of people on the Iron Range have a strong aversion or downright dislike for the Twin Cities. Don't assume the Gophers have the inside track. Lincoln might just be what "Big Al" and his parents have in mind.

[Creighton Fan]

Should we be worried that he's takin officials and unofficials and nebraska ain't on the list?

[49r]

Alot of people on the Iron Range have a strong aversion or downright dislike for the Twin Cities. Don't assume the Gophers have the inside track. Lincoln might just be what "Big Al" and his parents have in mind.

 

It also might be seen as someplace way too warm for a kid from that far up north.

[GoBigRed]

Should we be worried that he's takin officials and unofficials and nebraska ain't on the list?

 

Worried? Not really. Sounds like he has no interest in us anymore. Used to that by now.

[hhcmatt]

[hhcmatt]

Minnesota Rivals writer

 

[Cookie Belcher]

Would be a MONSTER get but I think we are a long shot.

[Huskerpapa]

I have wanted this kid since we started looking at him.  My fear though, is that we are somewhat on the outside looking in at him.

[TheKamdyMan]

looks like hes taking an unofficial back to NU this weekend

[trickey]

looks like hes taking an unofficial back to NU this weekend

Great to hear...how did you learn this?

[ShortDust]

[FredsSlacks]

alex, morrow, and glynn would be crazy.

[ajb5856]

This does not suck. Visiting on his own dime. Big news.

[Milk]

Visiting Creighton this weekend as well.  Shocker. 

[TheKamdyMan]

Visiting Creighton this weekend as well. Shocker.

Easy for them to capitalize on these visits being so close to NU. It will continue to happen if CU stays relevant and NU keeps improving. It's not necessarily a bad thing but you hate the chance they choose them over NU.

[Cookie Belcher]

I mean, I am sure we get some additional visits out of it as well.  There are probably some kids who make the trips because they can see two of their contending schools in one trip.  Who knows if as many guys make a trip just to knock out one visit.

[49r]

Visiting Creighton this weekend as well.  Shocker. 

 

Not really.  They take a shotgun approach to recruiting and offer pretty much anybody in the top 150 whether they have a legit shot at him or not, so chances are whoever we have in for a visit, they've already offered that person too.  It makes sense that if a guy is coming to Lincoln to visit he might as well swing by Creighton while he's in the area.

 

Gotta say it's worked pretty well for them so far, but one questions how well McDermott can get his random pieces to fit together.

 

I like our approach better.  It seems that Miles is more concerned about team chemistry than player rankings.

 

Having all that said, I was surprised to see us get him in for a visit.  Hopefully he'll come away happy with what he sees.

[Huskerpapa]

I am on record saying he would be a very welcome addition to our team.  From what I have read though, he seems to be in the pocket of the gophers if they want him. 

[LSEHusker]

.

[AuroranHusker]

 

[doc1394]

One of my favorite prospects along with Bryant Crawford and Morrow