Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

BrooksTaylorFan · Aug 22, 2012, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thetisdalefactor

For some reason I think talking to academic advisors may not seal the deal.

Every recruit is different, but academics does factor with most of these kids. Illinois isn't exactly landing the one and done kids.

Indicchief · Aug 23, 2012, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhayton

In-Home visit from BS? Either they think that they are gonna miss on Barber or BS thinks he can Dee and Deron them. Either way, probably not great for our chances.

And JG has pitched only Deron.

I am a little amazed at the amount of negative thinking. Not the end of the world folks. Enjoy the ride, it can only get better here on out. IMHO of course.

PeoriaIllini1 · Aug 23, 2012, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrooksTaylorFan

It's that time of year when everyone over reacts to every little thing. :laugh: an in-home visit doesn't change anything. I think it's a good sign that DJack isn't visiting Kansas and they have to come see him.

I am a diehard illini fan and i hate Kansas, Duke, and Kentucky. That being said we do not win many recruiting battles with these schools and to think we are favored or that it is ever a "good sign" when we go head to head in recruiting against them is just naive based on historical results. They usually get who they want as they will probably be the case if they are involved with Djackson and with Semi. i could rattle off a dozen names in the past ten years but i will spare us the stress of players from Illinois we recruited only to going elsewhere to win championships.

It is good to be optimistic and i am but i am also a realist.

If DJackson does become an Illini i hope it can begin a new historical trend in recruiting against these schools.

I think we have a better chance than most do but i doubt we are the favorite to land them over KU but that doesn't mean that we wont be successful in doing so.

RHITIllini · Aug 23, 2012, 05:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thetisdalefactor

For some reason I think talking to academic advisors may not seal the deal.

^^^^^^
Kansas fan?

Academics matter a lot to Jackson especially. The fact that he hasn't been on campus yet before and will this time is a big deal.

Kramer116 · Aug 23, 2012, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RHITIllini

^^^^^^
The fact that he hasn't been on campus yet before and will this time is a big deal.

+1

This is going to be a huge visit. I have supreme confidence in our staff based on what I have heard so far, but this is the first "big test" for Groce and staff.

Indicchief · Aug 23, 2012, 06:30 AM

Quote:

................ i could rattle off a dozen names in the past ten years but i will spare us the stress of players from Illinois we recruited only to going elsewhere to win championships.

That is true and I am sure most, if not all, share that view (and pain).

Quote:

It is good to be optimistic and i am but i am also a realist.

If DJackson does become an Illini i hope it can begin a new historical trend in recruiting against these schools.

I sense a slight shift towards optimism?

Quote:

I think we have a better chance than most do but i doubt we are the favorite to land them over KU but that doesn't mean that we wont be successful in doing so.

Even more optimism?

The point being, when in the last 10 years have the dozen names come so close as has DJack? Not even Randle IIRC. May be there is one - and that I cannot recall that one.

The shift we see WRT DJack is because of one factor and one factor alone: JG.

Like you, I am not sure if DJack will sign with UoI either (it will be a task to take him away from ND I feel). BUT, the number of high level kids associated with UoI makes my optimism meter zoom to the right!! And that shift is due to JG. And, he has already bucked that 10 year pathetic trend.

I have to believe that one of these kids has to sign and turn this program around.

JG, I believe, will make it happen.

And, it is time we forgot that 10 trend here on out - even if we miss on DJack. There is a bigger picture out there that looks more rosy that in the past years.

scubadunk · Aug 23, 2012, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justsomedude

I don't think he would have recruited Bertrand. I do think he's have recruited DJ.

Griffey would be my wildcard

Bertrant is a perfect fit for Groce's system. He can take the ball to the bucket. Has a decent mid-range game and runs well in transition. If he had the confidence to shoot more from three he would by the prototypical 3 in what Groce wants to do. He also fits as a smaller athletic 4 in the system.

Illinell · Aug 23, 2012, 06:50 AM

Any chance that Kansas isn't extremely confident in DJax is trying to get ahead of the UI visit?

Just seems a little odd.

TCTORNADO · Aug 23, 2012, 06:56 AM

Just saw on ljworld.com..

BrooksTaylorFan · Aug 23, 2012, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RHITIllini

^^^^^^
Kansas fan?

Academics matter a lot to Jackson especially. The fact that he hasn't been on campus yet before and will this time is a big deal.

+1 Glad to read someone who actually knows what is going on with DJack's recruitment.

BrooksTaylorFan · Aug 23, 2012, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeoriaIllini1

I am a diehard illini fan and i hate Kansas, Duke, and Kentucky. That being said we do not win many recruiting battles with these schools and to think we are favored or that it is ever a "good sign" when we go head to head in recruiting against them is just naive based on historical results. They usually get who they want as they will probably be the case if they are involved with Djackson and with Semi. i could rattle off a dozen names in the past ten years but i will spare us the stress of players from Illinois we recruited only to going elsewhere to win championships.

It is good to be optimistic and i am but i am also a realist.

If DJackson does become an Illini i hope it can begin a new historical trend in recruiting against these schools.

I think we have a better chance than most do but i doubt we are the favorite to land them over KU but that doesn't mean that we wont be successful in doing so.

You forget that Weber is gone now. Groce knows how to play the game and he will win some of these major recruiting battles.

Dan · Aug 23, 2012, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Demetrius Jackson is scheduled to make an official visit to Illinois the weekend of Sept. 1.
http://www.illinihq.com/chats/2012-0...ball-chat.html

Quote:

KU will hold an in-home visit on Sept. 10 with No. 70-rated Demetrius Jackson, a 6-1 senior point guard from Mishawaka, Ind. He has an in-home with Illinois on Sept. 9.
http://www2.kusports.com/news/2012/a...lans-ku-visit/

TCTORNADO · Aug 23, 2012, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan

http://www2.kusports.com/news/2012/a...lans-ku-visit/

Thanks Dan, I had the 8th incorrect, article says 9/9 which makes sense. I still find it interesting that we would do an official on 9/1 and turn around and do an in home 9/9.

BrooksTaylorFan · Aug 23, 2012, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Illinell

Any chance that Kansas isn't extremely confident in DJax is trying to get ahead of the UI visit?

Just seems a little odd.

Bingo! Illinois is the perfect fit for DJack. Close to home, great academic school, long relationship with Groce, and a style of play that caters to the PG. kansas is late to the dance, he's a second or third option, and Kansas is far from home. DJack has a big family that is important to him. Self is trying to delay his decision and buy some time by doing an in-home visit. I'm very confident that Groce will land DJack if he gets him on campus.

BrooksTaylorFan · Aug 23, 2012, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan

http://www2.kusports.com/news/2012/a...lans-ku-visit/

Kansas will still be tied up waiting on Barber. DJack is the #1 option for Groce and that is a major selling point.

Smacko · Aug 23, 2012, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrooksTaylorFan

Kansas will still be tied up waiting on Barber. DJack is the #1 option for Groce and that is a major selling point.

The fact that Barber will be deciding later could be a big help.

Am I right in thinking that DJ said he wanted to decide before his senior season started?

WesterveltVictoryCigar · Aug 23, 2012, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdonsbach

I am assuming in-home visits don't count as "officials" Is there a limit of in-house visits? Do they have to happen during a certain time period?

An "in home" visit is at the recruit's home. An "official" visit is when the recruit comes to campus. I'm sure there are limits on the number of both.

Quote:

Originally Posted by thetisdalefactor

Im also not sure why everyone is so hung up on these official visits being the be all end all? One of the parts of the CBS series where they interviewed coaches to get insight on different subjects and one of the things that came up with regarding rules that needed to be changed was the official visit rule. Coaches say it is a waste of schools time, most kids use it as a free trip, and most have already made up their mind way before they make these official visits.

I'm calling BS on this. I saw a mention that coaches view unofficial visits as an issue, but to think they think official visit are a "waste of time" is laughable. And we fans view them as important because 95% of the guys we end up signing have also visited. If you can't even convince a kid to visit your school, you've got a pretty small chance of signing him if you're not a Duke, Kentucky, UNC, etc. Which we are not.

saltygrapes · Aug 23, 2012, 07:36 AM

I had heard something about the in-home with KU on Monday but never could get it confirmed and never posted about it for fear of dumb posts following and me having to explain things over and over to skeptics.

I'm not sure if the lack of official visit set up to KU as of now is representative of his interest--I would guess KU wants him to come in October but that's pure speculation on my part.

I can tell you that Demetrius Jackson is giving Illinois every chance to make their best pitch to him, and that's the best Illinois fans can ask for right now.

TooHot4Tots · Aug 23, 2012, 07:42 AM

JG has just a good of a chance than any of these coaches to lure DJ. IMHO I think he will land DJ. Look forward to the outcome on this one.

justsomedude · Aug 23, 2012, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeoriaIllini1

If DJackson does become an Illini i hope it can begin a new historical trend in recruiting against these schools.

I think we are in a unique situation where as of now we'd be favored over Kansas for this particular recruit. If he commits, I do not expect it to necessarily start a trend where we will be able to recruit head to head with those three elites immediately.

Foo G · Aug 23, 2012, 07:50 AM

Sept. 1: Official On-Campus visit - Illinois
Sept. 9: In-Home visit - Illinois
Sept. 10: In-Home visit - Kansas (tentative?

)

I like the timing on this schedule.
The fact that the official visit is going to be followed up with an in-home visit could be HUGE.
We probably should know exactly where we stand after that.

justsomedude · Aug 23, 2012, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kramer116

+1

This is going to be a huge visit. I have supreme confidence in our staff based on what I have heard so far, but this is the first "big test" for Groce and staff.

Agreed.

This will be the first top 50 type recruit with elite offers visiting at a time when they are realistically in the final phases of making a decision.

mattcoldagelli · Aug 23, 2012, 07:52 AM

Oh, for some reason, I was thinking that this was an in-home in addition to an official with KU.

justsomedude · Aug 23, 2012, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scubadunk

Bertrant is a perfect fit for Groce's system. He can take the ball to the bucket. Has a decent mid-range game and runs well in transition. If he had the confidence to shoot more from three he would by the prototypical 3 in what Groce wants to do. He also fits as a smaller athletic 4 in the system.

I love Bertrand's game and he seems like a great personality. In high school, his knock was that he was passive, a personality trait that comes out to this do. Groce seems to care as much about aggressive personality as skillset.

justsomedude · Aug 23, 2012, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TCTORNADO

Thanks Dan, I had the 8th incorrect, article says 9/9 which makes sense. I still find it interesting that we would do an official on 9/1 and turn around and do an in home 9/9.

Is it reasonable to assume that not all of the "family" can make it to the campus visit?

Aug 23, 2012, 06:56 AM	#1359
TCTORNADO Posts: 1,779	Just saw on ljworld.com.. Last edited by Dan; Aug 23, 2012 at 07:13 AM.

Aug 23, 2012, 07:36 AM	#1368
saltygrapes Posts: 657	I had heard something about the in-home with KU on Monday but never could get it confirmed and never posted about it for fear of dumb posts following and me having to explain things over and over to skeptics. I'm not sure if the lack of official visit set up to KU as of now is representative of his interest--I would guess KU wants him to come in October but that's pure speculation on my part. I can tell you that Demetrius Jackson is giving Illinois every chance to make their best pitch to him, and that's the best Illinois fans can ask for right now. __________________ If you die in an elevator, be sure to push the Up button.

Aug 23, 2012, 07:50 AM	#1371
Foo G Nobody likes a comedian Location: Kirksville, MO Posts: 1,557	Demetrius Jackson recruiting schedule Sept. 1: Official On-Campus visit - Illinois Sept. 9: In-Home visit - Illinois Sept. 10: In-Home visit - Kansas (tentative? ) I like the timing on this schedule. The fact that the official visit is going to be followed up with an in-home visit could be HUGE. We probably should know exactly where we stand after that.

Aug 23, 2012, 07:52 AM	#1373
mattcoldagelli Location: Evanston, IL Posts: 1,454	Oh, for some reason, I was thinking that this was an in-home in addition to an official with KU. __________________ Twitter Blog #JoeTales

Aug 23, 2012, 06:50 AM	#1358
Illinell '03 IMPE All Star Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 552	Any chance that Kansas isn't extremely confident in DJax is trying to get ahead of the UI visit? Just seems a little odd.

Aug 23, 2012, 07:42 AM	#1369
TooHot4Tots Posts: 366	JG has just a good of a chance than any of these coaches to lure DJ. IMHO I think he will land DJ. Look forward to the outcome on this one.