Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

[Kramer116]

Originally Posted by TCTORNADO

Is that your "gut" feel?

I feel good about Jackson. We are definitely not trailing. I think it ends up being 50/50 between us and ND.

I was talking to my buddy who went to ND about it last night, and he has a Rivals subscription for the ND site and said they barely talk any basketball recruiting over there, it is 99% football focused. So he was not much help haha.

[BrooksTaylorFan]

Originally Posted by illinisc

If Klee was more accurate with his predictions I'd place more weight on what he says and writes. He always seems to leave his predictions vague enough to back out of it later.

I hope DJ commits to us because I think that would open the flood gates. Besides Dayshon Smith are there any other PG's coming for an official?

I feel much better about Klee's predictions now. Klee was only close with Howard and received little recruiting info from Weber and his staff. He has a much better relationship with Groce and the assistants already.

[touper]

Originally Posted by BrooksTaylorFan

I feel much better about Klee's predictions now. Klee was only close with Howard and received little recruiting info from Weber and his staff. He has a much better relationship with Groce and the assistants already.

Is it normal for reporters to get actual inside info on recruiting? Isn't the staff supposed to keep quiet about who's leaning or silent verbals etc? I guess what I am wondering is if Klee changed his tune because of something a coach told him or just based on the dreaded "sources"?

[mattcoldagelli]

Originally Posted by touper

Is it normal for reporters to get actual inside info on recruiting?

Depends on the reporter. Some just read tea leaves, others are actually attending these events and talking to the players.

[justsomedude]

Originally Posted by touper

Is it normal for reporters to get actual inside info on recruiting? Isn't the staff supposed to keep quiet about who's leaning or silent verbals etc? I guess what I am wondering is if Klee changed his tune because of something a coach told him or just based on the dreaded "sources"?

Klee talks to everyone he can, AAU coaches, recruits families, many different staffs and people around staffs. I'd be shocked if many coaches don't share things off the record.

[Monte Carlo]

Originally Posted by touper

Is it normal for reporters to get actual inside info on recruiting? Isn't the staff supposed to keep quiet about who's leaning or silent verbals etc? I guess what I am wondering is if Klee changed his tune because of something a coach told him or just based on the dreaded "sources"?

I would bet it's not from a coach but maybe someone close with the program and/or recruiting analysts. For example, on the Tay & J show on the other Champaign talk radio station they were saying kind of the same thing and Jeremy Werner was attributing his positive vibe about getting Jackson to people close with recruiting such as Brad Sturdy and others, so maybe that is where Klee is gleaning his "insider" info, as well.

[Leonardite]

Originally Posted by illinisc

People's "information" have been based on nothing but rumors,feelings and innuendo. There's nothing factual to actually support that UI is in the lead for Demetrius Jackson. Also, KU hasn't been recruiting him very long but he has a previous relationship with Norm Roberts and there's no argument that right now Kansas is a much better program than Illinois. They've also won almost every head to head recruiting battle against us since Bill Self took over. Granted he was going against a different coach but right now Self has more to work with than we do.

EDIT: Also the fact that DJ has never visited campus is relevant because he's had 4 years to do so but chose not to.

That's probably because John Groce has been coach at Illinois for, ohh I dunno, 3 months?? Pretty obvious DJax had no interest in coming here under Weber or Weber had no interest in him or he would have visited already.

[illinisc]

Originally Posted by Leonardite

That's probably because John Groce has been coach at Illinois for, ohh I dunno, 3 months?? Pretty obvious DJax had no interest in coming here under Weber or Weber had no interest in him or he would have visited already.

Yes I know Groce has been here for 4 months and there was mutual interest when Weber was here. The reason I'm concerned about him never visiting is that coaches have repeatedly said that getting a recruit on campus often and having that recruit and his family comfortable with the campus is a very big factor in recruiting. Are there exceptions to that? Absolutely, but generally its always better to get multiple visits from a recruit. Also even though Groce has only been here for a few months he's gotten a lot of recruits to come visit on their own time. Kendrick Nunn came days after Groce was hired.

[justsomedude]

Originally Posted by Monte Carlo

I would bet it's not from a coach but maybe someone close with the program and/or recruiting analysts. For example, on the Tay & J show on the other Champaign talk radio station they were saying kind of the same thing and Jeremy Werner was attributing his positive vibe about getting Jackson to people close with recruiting such as Brad Sturdy and others, so maybe that is where Klee is gleaning his "insider" info, as well.

Klee has direct sources, he may talk with Sturdy, but he's also talking to many different direct sources.

[MikeThomas4Prez]

Ennis to Syracuse. No surprise there.

[stevo99]

Originally Posted by illinisc

Yes I know Groce has been here for 4 months and there was mutual interest when Weber was here. The reason I'm concerned about him never visiting is that coaches have repeatedly said that getting a recruit on campus often and having that recruit and his family comfortable with the campus is a very big factor in recruiting. Are there exceptions to that? Absolutely, but generally its always better to get multiple visits from a recruit. Also even though Groce has only been here for a few months he's gotten a lot of recruits to come visit on their own time. Kendrick Nunn came days after Groce was hired.

Generally, you may be right.

But as others have said, it simply isn't relevant in this case. If it were, ND would have a commitment from DJ by now.

[mdonsbach]

Yeah Ennis was a pipe dream. DJ will really hurt.

[jhayton]

Damn. I wish we could have gotten Ennis on campus for a visit at least. Oh well, that ship has sailed...

When Jackson blew up over the summer I really thought that our best shot at an elite PG was Ennis, but hopefully I am wrong.

Well it's time to put the full court press on Jackson and hope the PT, and immediacy of our need at PG gets a commit from him.

[illinisc]

Originally Posted by stevo99

Generally, you may be right.

But as others have said, it simply isn't relevant in this case. If it were, ND would have a commitment from DJ by now.

Just because he hasn't committed to a school doesn't mean he doesn't have a favorite or is leaning a certain way. It could be that he's just vetting out the recruiting process. A few things concern me with DJ's recruitment. First, Kansas came in very late and they jumped right to the top of his list. Second, the staff went out and offered 3 other point guards in the past 2 weeks and equally spent as much time and effort recruiting Ennis as they did DJ. Syracuse on the other hand never really actively recruited other PG's because they pretty much knew Ennis was theirs. Notre Dame is also spending almost all their efforts on DJ and spending very little time on other recruits. The UI staff is probably doing their due diligence but Groce said himself its first come first serve. I take that to mean that even they're not completely sure where DJ is leaning and they're taking steps to cover their bases.

[stevo99]

Originally Posted by illinisc

Just because he hasn't committed to a school doesn't mean he doesn't have a favorite or is leaning a certain way. It could be that he's just vetting out the recruiting process. A few things concern me with DJ's recruitment. First, Kansas came in very late and they jumped right to the top of his list. Second, the staff went out and offered 3 other point guards in the past 2 weeks and equally spent as much time and effort recruiting Ennis as they did DJ. Syracuse on the other hand never really actively recruited other PG's because they pretty much knew Ennis was theirs. Notre Dame is also spending almost all their efforts on DJ and spending very little time on other recruits. The UI staff is probably doing their due diligence but Groce said himself its first come first serve. I take that to mean that even they're not completely sure where DJ is leaning and they're taking steps to cover their bases.

Not sure how many agree that KU jumped right to the top of his list.

And Groce has made it clear that PG is the #1 priority in 2013. Groce is the CEO of this program. I'd expect him to contingency plan in this case. I'm sure he knows what direction he's going in the day DJ commits to ND if that were to happen.

[BrooksTaylorFan]

Originally Posted by mdonsbach

Yeah Ennis was a pipe dream. DJ will really hurt.

So the letter O in Donsbach doesn't stand for Optimism I guess. :laugh:

[justsomedude]

Originally Posted by illinisc

Just because he hasn't committed to a school doesn't mean he doesn't have a favorite or is leaning a certain way. It could be that he's just vetting out the recruiting process. A few things concern me with DJ's recruitment. First, Kansas came in very late and they jumped right to the top of his list. Second, the staff went out and offered 3 other point guards in the past 2 weeks and equally spent as much time and effort recruiting Ennis as they did DJ. Syracuse on the other hand never really actively recruited other PG's because they pretty much knew Ennis was theirs. Notre Dame is also spending almost all their efforts on DJ and spending very little time on other recruits. The UI staff is probably doing their due diligence but Groce said himself its first come first serve. I take that to mean that even they're not completely sure where DJ is leaning and they're taking steps to cover their bases.

You are correct, it does appear he has a leader. I hope he picks that leader.

[mdonsbach]

Originally Posted by BrooksTaylorFan

So the letter O in Donsbach doesn't stand for Optimism I guess. :laugh:

haha let me rephrase.

IF we don't get DJ it will hurt.

I HOPE we get DJ!

Better

[illiniparkie]

Jeff Rabjohns ‏@JeffRabjohns
Missouri, Louisville, Purdue, Illinois, Ohio State, Memphis, Villanova, Providence among schools expressing interest in Ron Patterson

Jeff Rabjohns ‏@JeffRabjohns
Xavier, IUPUI, S. Miss, Florida Gulf Coast, Lamar, Nevada, Wright St, Dayton also interested in Patterson, all for ’12-13 season.

https://twitter.com/JeffRabjohns

[IlliniX]

Originally Posted by Groundhogday

Interesting that Groce (in the Powers article) says that players are PG before they arrive on campus and you can't teach someone to be a good PG if they didn't develop those skills in high school.

how refreshing that our coach realizes this!

[CAHALL15]

Originally Posted by Kramer116

A couple of the national recruiting analysts feel that Illinois is either tied or even ahead of Notre Dame in the race for Jackson and none of them have really mentioned Kansas being much of a front runner at the moment.

Just looking at other recruits and what ND and KU can offer, i think illinois is at the top for djack. As previously mentioned, ND is a football school. KU is nice, but they already have frankamp (sp?). On the other hand, we are close to home, he will be the star, we are in with other good recruits, and basketball is number one in chambana.

[Hugh Jorgen]

Originally Posted by mattcoldagelli

Thank. God.

Ours have been total embarrassments. This is a case where it's better to not do it than to do it poorly.

I disagree given that BW and his staff would no longer be caring for the oversight of the events...Groce and this staff relate VERY well to not only families of the student athletes, but to the student athletes themselves.

They 'get it' so to say, and understand what to do in order to create an exciting environment for fans and prospective recruits to have fun in such a setting.

If BW and the former staff were still here, there would be little excitement whatsoever because they had proven over a sample of years that they simply couldn't win consistently on the court to generate excitement, and that they couldn't put together a simple yet energetic MM event for all.

With a new staff, however, such an event is an opportunity for them to build on the reserved exuberance that Illinois fans have...we all feel that our program could once again turn a corner that it has been trying to turn for 30+ years. MM events are the official kickoff of the basketball season, and the really successful programs use them masterfully to their success.
Maybe they didn't have time this year to plan a proper event...but in the end, I think it is a BIG mistake to not utilize such opportunities for generating excitement in the fanbase and among key recruits who visit.

[Hugh Jorgen]

Originally Posted by Kramer116

I just feel everyone has Ben Moore positive regarding our recruiting lately too, well at least I sure have been. I know we will have a very good class, and it all starts with Jackson.

Actually, I would say it all starts with Hill and Morgan as the foundation, and adding Jackson that core REALLY enhances the product exponentially.
If Jackson joins in, then the icing on the cake could be Nunn or Brown or Powell or Colbert or Semi...its hard telling. But Jackson could definitely cause a domino effect for the final two schollys this staff wants to award.

[Hugh Jorgen]

Originally Posted by justsomedude

I've listened religiously and always thought he's provided great information. I don't think he's making a prediction (as he does do), I think he's telling us all that something happened to make ND more nervous, MSU back out and Klee to no longer say we're likely a runner up.

Of course that doesn't mean we get him, but I just don't think we're playing catch up at this moment.

The way I described the situation to some friends here at work is that Groce is the Usain Bolt of recruiting...he can be behind going into the turn, but coming out of it he is more often than not ahead going into the stretch. He always finishes quite well, so these recruitments should be interesting...and given that he's had more time with the 2014 and 2015 classes, those should be downright entertaining.

[Hugh Jorgen]

Originally Posted by MikeThomas4Prez

Ennis to Syracuse. No surprise there.

Well, maybe no suprise there...but it could be viewed as an indicator. Ennis stated once he would be taking a visit to Illinois. All of a sudden, no visit is planned and he verbals to his presumed leader all along, Syracuse.

Just before this happens, MSU stops recruiting DJ, DJ narrows his list, and schedules a visit for Sept. 1 to Illinois. I've seen such a scenario play out before, and not always, but often, the precursor to a guy in Ennis' situation committing ahead of schedule is that his #2 and/or#3 options have secured either an open or silent verbal at his position.

Think about it...Ennis loves Syracuse, but at the same time, you want to consider all of your options thoroughly under ideal conditions, so prospects certainly want to visit all of their options...unless something changes that no longer makes them a viable option per the variables their considering.

In this day and age of social networking, kids communicate immediately back and forth with one another on all sorts of things, including desirable elements of a program, such as playing time, style of play, how they feel their skills can best be utilized/showcased, meshing with teammates, etc.

Not saying it is the case in this instance, but Ennis passing on a visit to our campus and committing to Syracuse may not prove to be a completely bad event for Illinois...it could indicate something very good on the horizon.