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It didn't take long Saturday to know the Baylor Basketball D-1 Elite tournament in Elmhurst was a big-time event. Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo was among the first to sign in on the coaches list, and many other coaches from high-major schools followed suit over the course of the past few days at one of the Midwest's premier club tournaments.

Here's some thoughts of mine from what I saw on the weekend. I was there most all of Saturday and part of Sunday, and the quality of the tournament was such that there was almost always some top-tier talent in action.

• My schedule didn't allow me to catch the Mac Irvin Fire 17s game Saturday night, but I heard Jabari Parker tore it up to the tune of 25-plus points in a close win. Without a doubt, the forward remains the premier player in the state and one of the best in the nation in 2013. On the other side of the spectrum, 2013 power forward Tommy Hamilton Jr. continues to be plagued by a nagging ankle injury, as I was told he didn't play Saturday night and I didn't see him in action Sunday afternoon. Hopefully he can get healthy and have the chance to prove himself in front of the college coaches in July.

• Peyton Allen, the 2014 guard from Chatham Glenwood who plays with the Illinois Wolves 15s, is back to his normal self after having some breathing problems at the Illinois team camp back in June. It sounds like Allen got an inhaler that works well if he has any problems on that front, but he looked good to go in two wins Saturday. He shot fairly well in the full game I saw, and I was also impressed with his athleticism. When you see him with Glenwood, it's not as evident. On the faster-paced AAU scene, it is. He definitely holds his own, blocking several shots in Saturday's opener. I think he's worthy of an Illinois offer.

• Cliff Alexander is fun to watch because he dunks a lot and moves so effortlessly. He's a 6-foot-8 power forward from Chicago Curie who plays for the Team D Rose 15s, and he has an Illinois offer. Alexander is extremely athletic and is quick off the floor, which can't be said for every player his size. I see why the Illini and others have already offered. He said he prides himself on his defense and likes to model his game after Dwight Howard. You can see that parallel to an extent if you watch him, as Alexander was a defensive menace when I saw him. Because he had so much space to attack in against a weak defense, it was hard to get a true read on his offensive game in a blowout win. But if you asked me what the next step is for him, I'd say refining his post game and improving his footwork on some low-post moves.

• Part of the reason I say Alexander needs to work on refining his post game is because I saw what Jahlil Okafor has done with his. The 6-foot-10 center in the 2014 class has terrific footwork in the post. He made several defenders look absolutely silly Sunday with a spin/step-through combo. Truth be told, it's really refreshing to see him go to work down low because you just don't see a lot of high school players like him. Okafor, who sees time for the Mac Irvin Fire 16s and 17s, is a premier player because his footwork and soft hands will allow him to be successful offensively against top competition.

• Like Alexander, Jaquan Lyle is very entertaining to watch play basketball. But what makes Lyle fun to see is his passing ability. His high school coach told me one time that Lyle, a 2014 wing from Evansville (Ind.) Bosse, has a high basketball IQ. I believed him but figured it was kind of just coach-speak as well. It wasn't - Lyle is an excellent passer. He sees the floor in a way you can't teach and made a couple outstanding passes on the break in a Saturday evening game by threading the needle. Bruce Weber and Matt Painter were watching, and both have offered. To be fair, Lyle still turned the ball over a lot. He must work on such carelessness, but that's something you can rein in. You can't teach an uncanny feel for the game.

• The Illinois Wolves 16s bring the pressure on defense, and 2013 guards AJ Riley and Lance Whitaker are two who help lead the way. Both were flying all over the floor on defense in a pair of Saturday wins, and I think each has the athleticism, defensive ability and smarts to play high-major basketball. Thus far, Whitaker doesn't have an offer, but Illinois, Wisconsin and Northwestern have shown interest in addition to smaller programs. Riley hasn't gotten that much attention, but I heard more coaches were inquiring about him after seeing him play this weekend. I have a feeling both need to get more consistent with their outside shot, and then more college attention will follow.