Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

[BrooksTaylorFan]

Originally Posted by saltygrapes

A Jackson note to conclude the night...


The Illinois staff feels good about it, and so do a lot of other people (as you saw from Melvin Nunn...). ND is a bit worried...

...but you can never be sure with Demetrius Jackson. He likes to please everyone. He's that good of a kid...

One of the reasons his recruitment has been so hard to read is because he doesn't say much, but when he does talk, he sort of tells everyone what they want him to tell them and says great things about everything/everyone. He's a master of the interview and recruiting game.

So while no one really knows for sure... Illinois is in as good of a spot as they can be. Basketball wise, Illinois wins... starting from day 1 in a PG offense with talent coming in with you in your class and talent down the pipeline in '14 and '15. But is his heart in South Bend? We'll find out in the next week or two.

The pitch to XRM the other night was to join DJ and the other three at Illinois as a Top 5 class. I was also told that the decision was easy for Nunn because they were told that Jackson was already in the fold. DJ could certainly change his mind, but he's not a diehard ND fan.

[tenaciousD]

Originally Posted by BrooksTaylorFan

The pitch to XRM the other night was to join DJ and the other three at Illinois as a Top 5 class. I was also told that the decision was easy for Nunn because they were told that Jackson was already in the fold. DJ could certainly change his mind, but he's not a diehard ND fan.

Well, that calms my nerves a little. I hope it truly plays out that way. This Jackson recruitment has been hard to read because he tends to keep things so internalized whereas Melvin Nunn has been a walking sound bite. Haha. The board truly appreciates all the info and substance guys like you bring to the discussion. This truly is the best board out there!

[BlockI]

DJack is the key in everything without him we basically have in this class what we got in 09 with DJ, Paul, Bertrand and Griffey.

[OrangeandBlue89]

Originally Posted by BrooksTaylorFan

The pitch to XRM the other night was to join DJ and the other three at Illinois as a Top 5 class. I was also told that the decision was easy for Nunn because they were told that Jackson was already in the fold. DJ could certainly change his mind, but he's not a diehard ND fan.

BTF you are the man.

[tenaciousD]

Originally Posted by OrangeandBlue89

BTF you are the man.

+1000

[BlockI]

I feel like the staff wouldn't have backed off of Pookie Powell if DJack wasn't sure thing. Unless they were looking at Powell as a combo and not a PG.

[stevo99]

Originally Posted by BrooksTaylorFan

The pitch to XRM the other night was to join DJ and the other three at Illinois as a Top 5 class. I was also told that the decision was easy for Nunn because they were told that Jackson was already in the fold. DJ could certainly change his mind, but he's not a diehard ND fan.

I'm not a kool-aid drinker by any stretch, but it's my feel that if we pull off this trifecta, we're back in Jabari's top 3 with MSU and Duke. The ship has sailed on Jabari, but out of respect to the state school, he'd give us a second look.

It's too bad Jabari isn't a 2014 kid, because he'd be ours.

[BlockI]

How about Parker for 1 year then replace him with KBD!

I love John Groce! It's official!

[JimmyChitwood]

Victor Dong ‏ @ VictorDong31
Kendrick Nunn! Big get by Groce. Is he setting the table for the big fish @ jahprobound and @ JabariParker22 ? # ILLINI # B1G
Retweeted by Jahlil Okafor

[carmelillini]

Hop on board XRM.

[Juice]

Originally Posted by OrangeandBlue89

BTF you are the man.

Certainly one of the main reasons people can't keep themselves from this thread...

[Juice]

Originally Posted by stevo99

I'm not a kool-aid drinker by any stretch, but it's my feel that if we pull off this trifecta, we're back in Jabari's top 3 with MSU and Duke. The ship has sailed on Jabari, but out of respect to the state school, he'd give us a second look.

It's too bad Jabari isn't a 2014 kid, because he'd be ours.

I agree. I'm with you on that I think he would AT LEAST listen... Which he's already doing really

[The Pontiff]

Originally Posted by stevo99

I'm not a kool-aid drinker by any stretch, but it's my feel that if we pull off this trifecta, we're back in Jabari's top 3 with MSU and Duke. The ship has sailed on Jabari, but out of respect to the state school, he'd give us a second look.

It's too bad Jabari isn't a 2014 kid, because he'd be ours.

I think the only way Jabari honestly gives Illinois a look is if...

1. He waits till the spring to decide
2. Illinois plays an exciting brand of ball
3. Illinois makes it to the Sweet 16
4. At least two from our crop of sophs emerge big-time, especially Egwa, Shaw and/or arguably Henry.

Bottomline, I think Parker will only consider Illinois if his addition, along with the other '13s, would propel them into the national title discussion. Even UK's championship team, although they were primarily freshman, had both a highly ranked big man as well as some returning studs (Miller, Lamb, Jones) to mix in with the incoming guys.

So even though our 2013 class could look special, it would still lack a top 20 big man (I'm assuming JP isn't really a post guy), which means the current sophomore big guys have to develop for us to have a chance.

[illbasketfan]

Well Like i said before get ready for a domino effect of good news guy i have never disappointed you all and if something changes i would tell you immediately!!! the Power of the

[Juice]

Originally Posted by The Pontiff

I think the only way Jabari honestly gives Illinois a look is if...

1. He waits till the spring to decide
2. Illinois plays an exciting brand of ball
3. Illinois makes it to the Sweet 16
4. At least two from our crop of sophs emerge big-time, especially Egwa, Shaw and/or arguably Henry.

Bottomline, I think Parker will only consider Illinois if his addition, along with the other '13s, would propel them into the national title discussion. Even UK's championship team, although they were primarily freshman, had both a highly ranked big man as well as some returning studs (Miller, Lamb, Jones) to mix in with the incoming guys.

So even though our 2013 class could look special, it would still lack a top 20 big man (I'm assuming JP isn't really a post guy), which means the current sophomore big guys have to develop for us to have a chance.

We would be last years Mizzou, with no big man down low.... Except a lot better.

[Juice]

Originally Posted by illbasketfan

Well Like i said before get ready for a domino effect of good news guy i have never disappointed you all and if something changes i would tell you immediately!!! the Power of the

Are you a credible poster? Btw, no intention to sound rude. Just curious

[BlockI]

Originally Posted by Juice

Are you a credible poster? Btw, no intention to sound rude. Just curious

Read the older posts he is credible.

[chiefini]

So, for the past 28 hours, I've been updating 8 diehard fans, reading outloud every single important, positive post! Thank you to Dan, BTF, RHIT, Saltygrapes, Combes, RyanK, & Tornado & Whomever else I have missed, for making this one of the mist fun days in the past 7 years! From someone who has enjoyed the success of IllinI basketball as part of her father-in-law's legacy as one of the top 30 best Illini basketball players ever, it's been a significant day...I believe Coach Groce is on the verge of impacting the Illini Nation more than anyone has done since the Flying Illini of 1989. Welcome, Kendrick! I hope you can keep the ball rolling, and bring DJ & XRM into your Top 5 class! Please know that we are backing you all, Illinois! What a glorious day

[Big Bill]

Originally Posted by DaytonIllini

Kendrick Nunn ‏@KNunnSG
@YungBoiMayes DM me yo # bro

Originally Posted by chiefini

So, for the past 28 hours, I've been updating 8 diehard fans, reading outloud every single important, positive post! Thank you to Dan, BTF, RHIT, Saltygrapes, Combes, RyanK, & Tornado & Whomever else I have missed, for making this one of the mist fun days in the past 7 years! From someone who has enjoyed the success of IllinI basketball as part of her father-in-law's legacy as one of the top 30 best Illini basketball players ever, it's been a significant day...I believe Coach Groce is on the verge of impacting the Illini Nation more than anyone has done since the Flying Illini of 1989. Welcome, Kendrick! I hope you can keep the ball rolling, and bring DJ & XRM into your Top 5 class! Please know that we are backing you all, Illinois! What a glorious day

Well said "WHAT A DAY!!!!

[TCTORNADO]

Originally Posted by chiefini

So, for the past 28 hours, I've been updating 8 diehard fans, reading outloud every single important, positive post! Thank you to Dan, BTF, RHIT, Saltygrapes, Combes, RyanK, & Tornado & Whomever else I have missed, for making this one of the mist fun days in the past 7 years! From someone who has enjoyed the success of IllinI basketball as part of her father-in-law's legacy as one of the top 30 best Illini basketball players ever, it's been a significant day...I believe Coach Groce is on the verge of impacting the Illini Nation more than anyone has done since the Flying Illini of 1989. Welcome, Kendrick! I hope you can keep the ball rolling, and bring DJ & XRM into your Top 5 class! Please know that we are backing you all, Illinois! What a glorious day

Duane "Skip" Thoren??

[chiefini]

Originally Posted by The Pontiff

I think the only way Jabari honestly gives Illinois a look is if...

1. He waits till the spring to decide
2. Illinois plays an exciting brand of ball
3. Illinois makes it to the Sweet 16
4. At least two from our crop of sophs emerge big-time, especially Egwa, Shaw and/or arguably Henry.

Bottomline, I think Parker will only consider Illinois if his addition, along with the other '13s, would propel them into the national title discussion. Even UK's championship team, although they were primarily freshman, had both a highly ranked big man as well as some returning studs (Miller, Lamb, Jones) to mix in with the incoming guys.

So even though our 2013 class could look special, it would still lack a top 20 big man (I'm assuming JP isn't really a post guy), which means the current sophomore big guys have to develop for us to have a chance.

Originally Posted by TCTORNADO

Duane "Skip" Thoren??

No, Bill Erickson, First team All-American, 1949...second coming of the Whiz Kids with Dike Eddleman

[chiefini]

@ Kramer...I'm Sooooooo sorry-You have been instrumental in giving us the accurate scoop-Thank you, too. It's been a long, eventful day. Mea culpa

[TooHot4Tots]

Love the inside scoop. Just hope it comes true!

[saltygrapes]

Originally Posted by BrooksTaylorFan

The pitch to XRM the other night was to join DJ and the other three at Illinois as a Top 5 class. I was also told that the decision was easy for Nunn because they were told that Jackson was already in the fold. DJ could certainly change his mind, but he's not a diehard ND fan.

No he's not, but I also think you're taking some base information and extrapolating from it in a pro-Illinois way. Let me play Devil's Advocate here...

I'm sure the pitch to XRM was precisely what you say it was, but that could easily be the staff trying to hit a home run knowing if they don't hit one, it ends up being an out regardless of what happens. What I'm saying is the staff doesn't for sure know Jackson is theirs, but they feel good about it, and obviously good enough about it to pitch that possibility to XRM. But they likely had little chance at him unless they went out on a reach like that anyways, so what did they have to lose?

Also while the Nunn's clearly are in on the staff's vibe that they felt very good about their chances with Jackson, they're not sure its a sure thing either. You say that it was easier for Nunn to commit knowing Jackson was coming, but it could easily be the other way around: that knowing Nunn was committed, it could make it easier for Jackson to do the same. And for all we know, that could be a big reason for Nunn deciding to quickly wrap it up this weekend.

Jackson hasn't told the Illini staff he will attend Illinois... but clearly something is going on behind the scenes that gave birth to Illinois's pitch to XRM regarding Jackson and Melvin Nunn's quote to Klee.

I think the chances are very good, I just don't think it's a sure thing, because Demetrius Jackson is just that type of recruit you can't be sure about until he commits somewhere.

[Kramer116]

Originally Posted by chiefini

@ Kramer...I'm Sooooooo sorry-You have been instrumental in giving us the accurate scoop-Thank you, too. It's been a long, eventful day. Mea culpa

Haha no problem, I have been out of the loop a bit lately (as CY has been) but it has been awesome that others have picked up the slack)

Originally Posted by saltygrapes

No he's not, but I also think you're taking some base information and extrapolating from it in a pro-Illinois way. Let me play Devil's Advocate here...

I'm sure the pitch to XRM was precisely what you say it was, but that could easily be the staff trying to hit a home run knowing if they don't hit one, it ends up being an out regardless of what happens. What I'm saying is the staff doesn't for sure know Jackson is theirs, but they feel good about it, and obviously good enough about it to pitch that possibility to XRM. But they likely had little chance at him unless they went out on a reach like that anyways, so what did they have to lose?

Also while the Nunn's clearly are in on the staff's vibe that they felt very good about their chances with Jackson, they're not sure its a sure thing either. You say that it was easier for Nunn to commit knowing Jackson was coming, but it could easily be the other way around: that knowing Nunn was committed, it could make it easier for Jackson to do the same. And for all we know, that could be a big reason for Nunn deciding to quickly wrap it up this weekend.

Jackson hasn't told the Illini staff he will attend Illinois... but clearly something is going on behind the scenes that gave birth to Illinois's pitch to XRM regarding Jackson and Melvin Nunn's quote to Klee.

I think the chances are very good, I just don't think it's a sure thing, because Demetrius Jackson is just that type of recruit you can't be sure about until he commits somewhere.

Well said, you have been spot on lately Salty. Good times ahead though.