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Braggin' Rights battle brewing for 2019 four-star E.J. Liddell

E.J. Liddell
E.J. Liddell (Orange and Blue News)

BELLEVILLE, Ill. -- Four-star junior E.J. Liddell won't say that his recruitment is down to Illinois and Missouri, and it isn't. But, the two border rivals and their new head coaches Brad Underwood and Cuonzo Martin appear to be on a collision course for a major recruiting battle to land the services of the star junior from the St. Louis metro.

After getting a fresh look at the 6-foot-7'ish forward from Belleville (Ill.) West on Friday night, I can't blame the new coaches for going all in to land Liddell.

Matched up with rival East St. Louis (Ill.) High and their potential Rivals150 wing Terrence Hargrove Jr., Liddell was a monster. He scored 30 points, grabbed double digit rebounds and blocked double digit shots for an impressive triple double. Somewhat of a tweener, he's always been a tough kid with some skill, but his expanded offensive game really stood out to me.

"I've been in the weight room a lot and I've gotten stronger," said Liddell. "My ball handling and my jump shot, I hit three straight threes tonight. I feel like I've really improved my ball handling and jump shot.

"I just have to have that dog mentality, play my hardest and help my team."


What also stands out about Liddell is that he's a true competitor. Though he's more of a combo forward and Hargrove -- who played well himself -- is a wing, he wanted the defensive assignment and was up to the task.

"I like having the matchup," said Liddell. "I like playing against the best player on their team. I like to play against the best player on any team so that was good."

In a week, Illinois and Missouri will meet in St. Louis for their annual Braggin' Rights game and Liddell is sure to be in the house. On Friday, Cuonzo Martin and assistant Chris Hollender were in the building and Liddell made note.

"I saw him on baseline, he was standing there watching and observing," said Liddell of the Missouri head coach. "They've been telling me how bad they want me. They feel i could come straight in and play, they really love me."

When I asked Liddell who else he felt was making him a priority along with Missouri, the efforts of Underwood and his staff along with the love Illini fans have shown him online was evident.

"Illinois, Illinois is (prioritizing me)," said Liddell. "Coach texts me before every game and all their fans love me on Twitter and stuff."

It's fair to say that Liddell is currently a bit underrated in the 2019 rankings at No. 94 overall and he's setting up as the first player that Underwood and Martin have really had a chance to get to know for an extended period of time and go head to head for. With or without the rivalry he's an important recruit for both. However, with him being from a battleground area like St. Louis, his importance to each his amplified. If he's leaning any way, he isn't showing it.

"I'm just enjoying the process, I don't like one more than the other," said Liddell. "I like Illinois style of play, their spread type offense. I like both teams evenly right now. I talk to every player on their teams, all the recruits going there."

Also, it's important to remember that it isn't just an Illinois and Missouri battle. Saint Louis has offered, so have DePaul, Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas State and others. Though it's hard to ignore how important he is to the Illini and Tigers, Liddell was clear that he's not narrowed things down and that he isn't in any hurry.

"I'm just enjoying everything right now," said Liddell. "I'm not settling for anything right now."

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