Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

bmuell08 · Sep 26, 2012, 01:07 AM

Wow wating to read after midnight each day has to stop. I just read 50 pages of knowledge and I love it.

ctblaisdell83 · Sep 26, 2012, 03:51 AM

End of the day, I think it's UI.

We are the better destination in terms of style of play (guard oriented / pace / encouragement of coaches to play without overthinking) and immediate PT (always a big draw). Groce appears to have reputation for teaching / developing. We have momentum and good PR lately and hence are becoming a more attractive destination. He has grown up in B1G country and would likely find our league a plus. Most of his games would be close to home - which could be a factor if family wants to see him play away games. His AAU coach knows and respects Groce (and perhaps has recommended us)

ND's biggest advantage is close to home (for the many reasons stated thru the thread). ND is also a very familiar entity for DJ. ACC is attractive, but many away games would be problematic for family to travel to. DJ has to earn PT (and we know how unpopular with elite players that can be). Other ND advantage is the potential backlash to DJ and family from locals if he does not choose ND. Would he choose a school to minimize negative factors vs. maximizing positive factors?

We know Groce can close and hence he must convince DJ that 1) longer-term benefits outweigh the short-term headaches of declining ND, 2) UI is by far the best basketball choice, and 3) UI is just not that far away

I don't think proximity will be the deciding factor, and thus I believe DJ comes to us.

Pls pass the Kool-Aid

uppantera · Sep 26, 2012, 04:21 AM

After catching up, here's my take:

We know DJ has given a silent verbal or at least come close to verballing to Illinois in the recent past. We also know that no one's heart has been broken yet, and both sides are still confident. He's kept his final decision close to his chest and the only people who know are him and his adoptive family, and none of them is talking.

Regardless, he's made his decision, and I think this is the part we have to remember. If he hadn't, there's no reason to announce tomorrow. Simply put, this timetable is self-appointed, and if he's not ready, delay the thing. And remember, there was the Notre Dame message board post about his father saying that the decision had been made -- but he wouldn't hint one way or the other.

If the decision is Illinois -- and I think it is -- then Coach Groce is going to Mishawaka to confirm the decision and help DJ navigate the politics of this announcement.

If the decision is ND, I would imagine Coach Groce will find out today.

Either way, I don't buy this stuff about him wavering. The decision's been made, and now it's time to break someone's heart. That's the part he's struggling with -- or at least delaying -- and hence the perceived ambivalence.

whitesxfan2012 · Sep 26, 2012, 04:45 AM

Everyone needs to wake up like NOW! There's no sleeping in this forum! Rumor has it, Dan is handing out Red Bulls and 5 hour energy's from now until 5pm tomorrow.

I-L-L

uppantera · Sep 26, 2012, 05:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whitesxfan2012

Everyone needs to wake up like NOW! There's no sleeping in this forum! Rumor has it, Dan is handing out Red Bulls and 5 hour energy's from now until 5pm tomorrow.

I-L-L

Agreed. I don't like the indifference I'm feeling from the board this morning. Wake Up!

IlliniKat91 · Sep 26, 2012, 05:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uppantera

Agreed. I don't like the indifference I'm feeling from the board this morning. Wake Up!

Dude, it's EARLY. People are just waking up/getting ready for work. Traffic will pick back up again after 9.

First2Ten · Sep 26, 2012, 05:36 AM

Quote:

DJ had an open gym last night. Both ND & IL had staff there. Irish had Brey, Solomon, & Balanis watching.

https://twitter.com/NDHoopsRecruits

FWIW

uppantera · Sep 26, 2012, 05:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IlliniKat91

Dude, it's EARLY. People are just waking up/getting ready for work. Traffic will pick back up again after 9.

I know. I was just giving everyone a hard time this morning, Kat. Don't worry.

Calvin · Sep 26, 2012, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IlliniKat91

Dude, it's EARLY. People are just waking up/getting ready for work. Traffic will pick back up again after 9.

...for another day of rampant speculation?

whitesxfan2012 · Sep 26, 2012, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by First2Ten

https://twitter.com/NDHoopsRecruits

FWIW

Hmm....wonder who was all there from UI. So strange how this is all going down.
Open gym less than 48 hours before you announce? Idk, just doesn't seem the normal routine.

brosox · Sep 26, 2012, 05:55 AM

Has anyone been able to confirm whether or not the coaches of both teams have been told of the decision? If they have, I am guessing that ND's appearance at the open gym means that he is going there. If they haven't, then that appearance and Groce's attempt to see him one more time simply means that both teams are still doing recruiting in earnest.

whitesxfan2012 · Sep 26, 2012, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brosox

Has anyone been able to confirm whether or not the coaches of both teams have been told of the decision? If they have, I am guessing that ND's appearance at the open gym means that he is going there. If they haven't, then that appearance and Groce's attempt to see him one more time simply means that both teams are still doing recruiting in earnest.

Apparently both UI & ND were there.
As reported by Notre_dame_hoops.
I still am 90/10 it's DJax to ILL!

Dan · Sep 26, 2012, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whitesxfan2012

DJax added UI_Hoops to his Twitter follow last night

That happened Monday morning or Monday afternoon.

Clete1 · Sep 26, 2012, 06:12 AM

7:00 AM Day 3 of the Demetrius Jackson Recruiting Crisis
Boards move to MELTCON 2

- IL Recruiting Thread closing on 1.5 million hits as fans obsess over the imminent decision.

- Debate rages on the ND football boards over whether DJ can play corner or is strictly a safety.

- Opinion on DJ is split on the ND Hoops boards. Some think she can start right away, others think she can provide valuable backup minutes for Skylar Diggins.

Illinois5 · Sep 26, 2012, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clete1

7:00 AM Day 3 of the Demetrius Jackson Recruiting Crisis
Boards move to MELTCON 2

- IL Recruiting Thread closing on 1.5 million hits as fans obsess over the imminent decision.

- Debate rages on the ND football boards over whether DJ can play corner or is strictly a safety.

- Opinion on DJ is split on the ND Hoops boards. Some think she can start right away, others think she can provide valuable backup minutes for Skylar Diggins.

:laugh:

aberger · Sep 26, 2012, 06:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brosox

Has anyone been able to confirm whether or not the coaches of both teams have been told of the decision? If they have, I am guessing that ND's appearance at the open gym means that he is going there. If they haven't, then that appearance and Groce's attempt to see him one more time simply means that both teams are still doing recruiting in earnest.

Because ND coaches showed up at open gym, he must be going there?

Maybe they think they are getting him, maybe they don't know, maybe they were lost, maybe they were looking at another prospect. . .

We don't know if and who from the Illinois staff was there.

uppantera · Sep 26, 2012, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whitesxfan2012

Hmm....wonder who was all there from UI. So strange how this is all going down.
Open gym less than 48 hours before you announce? Idk, just doesn't seem the normal routine.

Open gym usually just means informal pick-up games at the school. DJ's a basketball player, and even if he's in "lockdown" he's still going to workout and practice. If coaches happen to show up, there's not much anyone can do.

IntenselyOrange · Sep 26, 2012, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whitesxfan2012

Apparently both UI & ND were there.
As reported by Notre_dame_hoops.
I still am 90/10 it's DJax to ILL!

Out of curiosity, because I can't keep up with everything, is the Twitter news the most positive news we have? Does ND Hoops have a Twitter?

Thacher_H_Guild · Sep 26, 2012, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clete1

7:00 AM Day 3 of the Demetrius Jackson Recruiting Crisis
Boards move to MELTCON 2

- IL Recruiting Thread closing on 1.5 million hits as fans obsess over the imminent decision.

- Debate rages on the ND football boards over whether DJ can play corner or is strictly a safety.

- Opinion on DJ is split on the ND Hoops boards. Some think she can start right away, others think she can provide valuable backup minutes for Skylar Diggins.

Is it too early to declare POTD? Great job!

whitesxfan2012 · Sep 26, 2012, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan

That happened Monday morning or Monday afternoon.

Ok, thx Dan

jlf26 · Sep 26, 2012, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Illinois5

:laugh:

I don't know Skylar Diggins. Wasn't that one of the characters in Lord of the Rings ?

PeoriaChief · Sep 26, 2012, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clete1

7:00 AM Day 3 of the Demetrius Jackson Recruiting Crisis
Boards move to MELTCON 2

- IL Recruiting Thread closing on 1.5 million hits as fans obsess over the imminent decision.

- Debate rages on the ND football boards over whether DJ can play corner or is strictly a safety.

- Opinion on DJ is split on the ND Hoops boards. Some think she can start right away, others think she can provide valuable backup minutes for Skylar Diggins.

:laugh: Great stuff!

hometeam · Sep 26, 2012, 06:26 AM

Time to make the doughnuts!

If Illinois clearly has the superior basketball situation for DJ, that gives him a pretty easy out for not picking ND and is a rationale that should be easy for locals and ND fans to understand. "I love ND and they will always have a place in my heart blah blah, but I have to pick the best basketball situation, and right now that is ILLINOIS!

Hamer · Sep 26, 2012, 06:30 AM

This stuff is great. So reminiscent of the furor over the b-ball and f-ball hires. Conflicting info, competing sources, intrigue, hand wringing. Can't wait for the time when we have 1,000,000 views about what is happening on court or field.

Botb9 · Sep 26, 2012, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IntenselyOrange

Out of curiosity, because I can't keep up with everything, is the Twitter news the most positive news we have? Does ND Hoops have a Twitter?

Yep. @NDHoopsRecruits is the handle.

Really, the most positive news we have is the updates from our insiders, all of whom still see us as in the race to the end. Otherwise, Twitter is really the only news we're seeing.

Sep 26, 2012, 01:07 AM	#8601
bmuell08 Location: Columbia, IL Posts: 756	Wow wating to read after midnight each day has to stop. I just read 50 pages of knowledge and I love it. __________________

Sep 26, 2012, 04:21 AM	#8603
uppantera Banned Posts: 25	After catching up, here's my take: We know DJ has given a silent verbal or at least come close to verballing to Illinois in the recent past. We also know that no one's heart has been broken yet, and both sides are still confident. He's kept his final decision close to his chest and the only people who know are him and his adoptive family, and none of them is talking. Regardless, he's made his decision, and I think this is the part we have to remember. If he hadn't, there's no reason to announce tomorrow. Simply put, this timetable is self-appointed, and if he's not ready, delay the thing. And remember, there was the Notre Dame message board post about his father saying that the decision had been made -- but he wouldn't hint one way or the other. If the decision is Illinois -- and I think it is -- then Coach Groce is going to Mishawaka to confirm the decision and help DJ navigate the politics of this announcement. If the decision is ND, I would imagine Coach Groce will find out today. Either way, I don't buy this stuff about him wavering. The decision's been made, and now it's time to break someone's heart. That's the part he's struggling with -- or at least delaying -- and hence the perceived ambivalence. Last edited by uppantera; Sep 26, 2012 at 04:26 AM.

Sep 26, 2012, 03:51 AM	#8602
ctblaisdell83 Posts: 486	End of the day, I think it's UI. We are the better destination in terms of style of play (guard oriented / pace / encouragement of coaches to play without overthinking) and immediate PT (always a big draw). Groce appears to have reputation for teaching / developing. We have momentum and good PR lately and hence are becoming a more attractive destination. He has grown up in B1G country and would likely find our league a plus. Most of his games would be close to home - which could be a factor if family wants to see him play away games. His AAU coach knows and respects Groce (and perhaps has recommended us) ND's biggest advantage is close to home (for the many reasons stated thru the thread). ND is also a very familiar entity for DJ. ACC is attractive, but many away games would be problematic for family to travel to. DJ has to earn PT (and we know how unpopular with elite players that can be). Other ND advantage is the potential backlash to DJ and family from locals if he does not choose ND. Would he choose a school to minimize negative factors vs. maximizing positive factors? We know Groce can close and hence he must convince DJ that 1) longer-term benefits outweigh the short-term headaches of declining ND, 2) UI is by far the best basketball choice, and 3) UI is just not that far away I don't think proximity will be the deciding factor, and thus I believe DJ comes to us. Pls pass the Kool-Aid

Sep 26, 2012, 04:45 AM	#8604
whitesxfan2012 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 379	Everyone needs to wake up like NOW! There's no sleeping in this forum! Rumor has it, Dan is handing out Red Bulls and 5 hour energy's from now until 5pm tomorrow. I-L-L

Sep 26, 2012, 05:55 AM	#8611
brosox Posts: 322	Has anyone been able to confirm whether or not the coaches of both teams have been told of the decision? If they have, I am guessing that ND's appearance at the open gym means that he is going there. If they haven't, then that appearance and Groce's attempt to see him one more time simply means that both teams are still doing recruiting in earnest.

Sep 26, 2012, 06:12 AM	#8614
Clete1 Posts: 872	7:00 AM Day 3 of the Demetrius Jackson Recruiting Crisis Boards move to MELTCON 2 - IL Recruiting Thread closing on 1.5 million hits as fans obsess over the imminent decision. - Debate rages on the ND football boards over whether DJ can play corner or is strictly a safety. - Opinion on DJ is split on the ND Hoops boards. Some think she can start right away, others think she can provide valuable backup minutes for Skylar Diggins.

Sep 26, 2012, 06:26 AM	#8623
hometeam Posts: 47	Time to make the doughnuts! If Illinois clearly has the superior basketball situation for DJ, that gives him a pretty easy out for not picking ND and is a rationale that should be easy for locals and ND fans to understand. "I love ND and they will always have a place in my heart blah blah, but I have to pick the best basketball situation, and right now that is ILLINOIS!

Sep 26, 2012, 06:30 AM	#8624
Hamer Posts: 28	This stuff is great. So reminiscent of the furor over the b-ball and f-ball hires. Conflicting info, competing sources, intrigue, hand wringing. Can't wait for the time when we have 1,000,000 views about what is happening on court or field.