Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

[Dan]

Nunn could be sign of things to come

This kind of progress is what Thomas envisioned when he hired Groce away from Ohio. Just maybe not this soon, with Illini basketball recently showing the momentum of a parked car.

"He has that personality that's so important in recruiting," Thomas said Saturday morning when asked what he saw in Groce as a recruiter. "Recruiting a student-athlete is not that different than meeting the average person. It's about building a relationship and trust level (with the prospect). John is a people person. He's very good with people."

Klee

[IlliniRunIn07]

Also in the Klee write up above, it mentions that Kendrick will indeed wear the number 25.

[jhayton]

Originally Posted by Kramer116

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)



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

I just want to say thank you to all those posters with any kind of inside info. I live in the NW Wisconsin/Twin cities area and know a few people in the BB scene here, but I generally have nothing to add to the discussion on here.

So as I am sure as everyone else feels, I just want to give you all a whole-hearted thank you for keeping us up-to-date and in the loop.

[Juice]

Where is LincolnIlliniFan?? Haha

[Vick217]

Originally Posted by Juice

Where is LincolnIlliniFan?? Haha

He was here a couple days ago.

[Indicchief]

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.

Be careful with what you wish for.

Check out Andrew Wiggins. 2014 as you wished. Considered to be better than JP!!!!

[justsomedude]

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

Maybe my fovorite post in this thread

[cjcastan]

Originally Posted by IlliniRunIn07

Also in the Klee write up above, it mentions that Kendrick will indeed wear the number 25.

I know Anderson started the tradition and Deon and Calvin continued it it, but were there any other Simeon players who wore the number at U of I?

[WesterveltVictoryCigar]

Originally Posted by cjcastan

I know Anderson started the tradition and Deon and Calvin continued it it, but were there any other Simeon players who wore the number at U of I?

From the media guide, here are the players who've worn #25:

Jean Selus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2012
Calvin Brock. . . . . . . . . . 2006-07-08-09
Jerrance Howard . . . . . . . 2001-02-03-04
Bryant Notree. . . . . . . . . . . .1995-96-97
Deon Thomas. . . . . . . . . 1991-92-93-94
Nick Anderson . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1988-89
Bruce Douglas. . . . . . . . . 1983-84-85-86
Donn Deputy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1974
Jim Krelle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1970-71-72
Preston Pearson. . . . . . . . . . . . . 1966-67
Bill Burwell. . . . . . . . . . . . . .1961-62-63
Ted Caiazza. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1956-57
Robert Peterson. . . . . . . . . . .1951-52-53
Eugene Vance . . . . . . . . . 1942-43, 1947
Walt Kirk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1944-45

[Chief4Ever]

Can't post a link cause I'm on my phone, but reading on ESPN that Barber has committed to NC State. I'm assuming this is the same kid that was Kansas' #1 choice for point guard. How does that change things for DJack?

[BrooksTaylorFan]

Getting Nunn onboard only strengthens our chances with DJ. I don't believe in silent verbals, but I was told that Jackson is sold on Groce and is delaying his announcement out of respect for ND. Salty is correct that he could have a last second change of heart, but the staff is confident that it's a done deal. Kansas is trying to land Jones the Juco PG as soon as possible.

[Chief4Ever]

Figured it out. Here's the link:

http://m.espn.go.com/ncb/story?storyId=8382753

[joekam]

Originally Posted by IlliniRunIn07

Also in the Klee write up above, it mentions that Kendrick will indeed wear the number 25.

Good to see that tradition for Simeon players continued.

[cjcastan]

Originally Posted by WesterveltVictoryCigar

From the media guide, here are the players who've worn #25:

Jean Selus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2012
Calvin Brock. . . . . . . . . . 2006-07-08-09
Jerrance Howard . . . . . . . 2001-02-03-04
Bryant Notree. . . . . . . . . . . .1995-96-97
Deon Thomas. . . . . . . . . 1991-92-93-94
Nick Anderson . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1988-89
Bruce Douglas. . . . . . . . . 1983-84-85-86
Donn Deputy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1974
Jim Krelle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1970-71-72
Preston Pearson. . . . . . . . . . . . . 1966-67
Bill Burwell. . . . . . . . . . . . . .1961-62-63
Ted Caiazza. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1956-57
Robert Peterson. . . . . . . . . . .1951-52-53
Eugene Vance . . . . . . . . . 1942-43, 1947
Walt Kirk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1944-45

Good looking out my man.

One thing getting I thought about amidst all the good vibes, is now that XRM is a real possibility and if we can land our #1 target DJack, we may be in for some of the roster getting Groced out.

I'm not saying we should push kids out the door, I don't like the practice and hope every kid who commits to a school should have the opportunity to get 4 years of eligibility.

In 2013 the only 4/5s will have are NE / Mav / Ibby / Shaw (who's been working with the wings if I read correctly). From all reports Ibby and Shaw don't really fit the definition of the Groce 4/5.

Fact is though is that we'll need some front court depth in 2013 or 2014 especially if KBD is more of a 3 than 4. If XRM & Djack land here, we'll still want an athletic 4 which would leave us oversigned in 2013 and with 0 schollies in 2014, I highly doubt the staff will have an empty class in 2014.

Someone did the math and said it's about 1.5 transfers per school, so I think next summer we'll see a roster shakeout. I'd prefer not but it is what it is.

[RyanK]

Originally Posted by Chief4Ever

Can't post a link cause I'm on my phone, but reading on ESPN that Barber has committed to NC State. I'm assuming this is the same kid that was Kansas' #1 choice for point guard. How does that change things for DJack?

I see you're a relatively new poster, so I wanted to give you a little advice. I would suggest searching the forums for your question before posting, and if it is not there then ask. I get that there is over 150 pages of discussion, but you are probably only going to get an answer of your topic hasn't been discussed yet. The Cat Barber recruitment was talked about mid day yesterday, and to answer your question--Kansas seems to have a full court press on a JUCO pg. It will ultimately come down to us and ND

[MTILLINOIS]

Originally Posted by joekam

Good to see that tradition for Simeon players continued.

Better yet, I'm glad to see KN wanting to keep that tradition alive!

[MTILLINOIS]

Originally Posted by cjcastan

Good looking out my man.

One thing getting I thought about amidst all the good vibes, is now that XRM is a real possibility and if we can land our #1 target DJack, we may be in for some of the roster getting Groced out.

I'm not saying we should push kids out the door, I don't like the practice and hope every kid who commits to a school should have the opportunity to get 4 years of eligibility.

In 2013 the only 4/5s will have are NE / Mav / Ibby / Shaw (who's been working with the wings if I read correctly). From all reports Ibby and Shaw don't really fit the definition of the Groce 4/5.

Fact is though is that we'll need some front court depth in 2013 or 2014 especially if KBD is more of a 3 than 4. If XRM & Djack land here, we'll still want an athletic 4 which would leave us oversigned in 2013 and with 0 schollies in 2014, I highly doubt the staff will have an empty class in 2014.

Someone did the math and said it's about 1.5 transfers per school, so I think next summer we'll see a roster shakeout. I'd prefer not but it is what it is.

I wouldn't want to see anybody pushed out. I hope that any kids that commit in the future will drive improvement and desire from the rest of the team. If not, then there is the bench and lets play the top 5 kids on the team (4 guards and 1 big).

[Chief4Ever]

Originally Posted by RyanK

I see you're a relatively new poster, so I wanted to give you a little advice. I would suggest searching the forums for your question before posting, and if it is not there then ask. I get that there is over 150 pages of discussion, but you are probably only going to get an answer of your topic hasn't been discussed yet. The Cat Barber recruitment was talked about mid day yesterday, and to answer your question--Kansas seems to have a full court press on a JUCO pg. It will ultimately come down to us and ND

I dont post much on this board, but i have been following it for the better part of 8 years. I was at the football game yesterday so by the time i got home, all the excitement about Kendrick was flooding the board and evidintely the cat barber discussion got buried. I read through 6 or 7 pages on this thread and saw no mention of the news i read this morning. Sorry for posting a question about something that was already discussed.

[Juice]

With DJax visiting ND next weekend? I belive that's what I saw. Correct me if I'm wrong... But anyways, that really scares me. I feel like we really need for him to pull the trigger on us before that visit. I'm worried that if he ends up visiting, that he will be blown away and realize that his home is at ND.

[IlliniRunIn07]

Originally Posted by Juice

With DJax visiting ND next weekend? I belive that's what I saw. Correct me if I'm wrong... But anyways, that really scares me. I feel like we really need for him to pull the trigger on us before that visit. I'm worried that if he ends up visiting, that he will be blown away and realize that his home is at ND.

I know you're not the only one who is worried, but is his official to ND that big of a deal? What can they do that he hasn't seen before?

[mattcoldagelli]

Originally Posted by IlliniRunIn07

I know you're not the only one who is worried, but is his official to ND that big of a deal? What can they do that he hasn't seen before?

This. I'm worried about ND, no doubt, but it has little to do with the official visit.

[illinisc]

Originally Posted by Juice

With DJax visiting ND next weekend? I belive that's what I saw. Correct me if I'm wrong... But anyways, that really scares me. I feel like we really need for him to pull the trigger on us before that visit. I'm worried that if he ends up visiting, that he will be blown away and realize that his home is at ND.

DJ has been on that campus over 50 times. I don't think they'll be able to show him anything new that'll blow him away. The only thing I'd be concerned about is their move to the ACC. Every indication is that he's ours though and you have to believe it'll be tough to get him out of Groce's grasp.

[joekam]

Originally Posted by Juice

With DJax visiting ND next weekend? I belive that's what I saw. Correct me if I'm wrong... But anyways, that really scares me. I feel like we really need for him to pull the trigger on us before that visit. I'm worried that if he ends up visiting, that he will be blown away and realize that his home is at ND.

Even if he goes with ND, at least we will know by next weekend.

[RyanK]

Originally Posted by Chief4Ever

I dont post much on this board, but i have been following it for the better part of 8 years. I was at the football game yesterday so by the time i got home, all the excitement about Kendrick was flooding the board and evidintely the cat barber discussion got buried. I read through 6 or 7 pages on this thread and saw no mention of the news i read this morning. Sorry for posting a question about something that was already discussed.

No need to apologize, I just didn't want you wondering why no one was answering your question! A lot of people close to the situation feel DJ is sold on Groce, similar to how Nunn was after his in-home.

[Juice]

Originally Posted by RyanK

No need to apologize, I just didn't want you wondering why no one was answering your question! A lot of people close to the situation feel DJ is sold on Groce, similar to how Nunn was after his in-home.

Ryan, or anyone, is there any date set for an in-home visit with DJax?