John Groce talks fans reaching out to recruits on Twitter and other social media

justsomedude · Oct 22, 2012, 10:06 AM

from last night.

Long question about Nunn, XRM, DJ and fans tweeting them that ended with "What is your take on fans reaching out to reruits through social media?"

" I think each kid is different, we’re recruiting one young man right now that it doesn’t matter a whole lot to him, he doesn’t necessarily like (twitter), but I would say the large bulk of kids are excited when (fans reach out). I know another young man that we’re recruiting is counting how many hits or followers he has at one school vs. Illinois, it’s sometimes some of the stuff we go through now, social media and recruiting’s changed. We had a kid come onto campus this past weekend, and the first thing he talked about was the Ipad in the lockers at the practice facility at Michigan. Does an iPad have anything to do with whether my son will go to school at a place or not, no, but perception is reality right now. Twitter, facebook, iPads, it is a technologically driven society of 14 to 18 year olds, you either have to accept that and use it to your advantage or it becomes a disadvantage if you don’t know how to do that within the rules. I do think social media has changed the game at a high level, kids are committing now on twitter before they even call and tell the coach. In terms of the three young men you mentioned obviously I can’t comment on any of them due to NCAA rules at this juncture, other than the fact we’re excited as heck about one of them."

Kramer116 · Oct 22, 2012, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justsomedude

from last night.

In terms of the three young men you mentioned obviously I can’t comment on any of them due to NCAA rules at this juncture, other than the fact we’re excited as heck about one of them."

Interesting....

IL2000 · Oct 22, 2012, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kramer116

Interesting....

Nunn.

Dreamteam05 · Oct 22, 2012, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kramer116

Interesting....

What is interesting? DJ and XRM committed elsewhere and Nunn committed here so of course he is excited about "one of them" the one being Nunn

Kramer116 · Oct 22, 2012, 10:15 AM

Unless I completely misread that, I thought he was referring to kids they are currently recruiting. Not Nunn, XRM, or DJ...

justsomedude · Oct 22, 2012, 10:15 AM

Also he said if people can refrain from being dumb after a kid commits elsewhere, that would be great.

OK, he didn't say it, I did.

justsomedude · Oct 22, 2012, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kramer116

Unless I completely misread that, I thought he was referring to kids they are currently recruiting. Not Nunn, XRM, or DJ...

no, the question was about the publicity around XRM, Nunn and DJ and fans tweeting.

He was definitely saying the are excited as heck about Nunn.

Kramer116 · Oct 22, 2012, 10:20 AM

Oh you are right, it looks like he talks about other recruits in the first part of the answer (the recruit visiting this weekend) then concludes about the 3 recruits you mentioned in your question. I misread it.

Foo G · Oct 22, 2012, 10:27 AM

Who was on campus this weekend? KBD? One of the 2015 kids?

combes · Oct 22, 2012, 10:28 AM

No recruits on campus

justsomedude · Oct 22, 2012, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foo G

Who was on campus this weekend? KBD? One of the 2015 kids?

Whoever it was, he doesn't seem to want it advertised as his AAU coach hasn't let it out and premium insiders aren't talking.

IlliniRunIn07 · Oct 22, 2012, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by combes

No recruits on campus

From above:

Quote:

We had a kid come onto campus this past weekend, and the first thing he talked about ...

There were no recruits that were known to be visiting last weekend, but I do wonder who was here. I do wonder if it was KBD since he mentions Michigan when referring to him. And it'd be a lot easier for KBD to make a "secret" visit considering how close he is to the campus.

BrooksTaylorFan · Oct 22, 2012, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IlliniRunIn07

From above:

There were no recruits that were known to be visiting last weekend, but I do wonder who was here. I do wonder if it was KBD since he mentions Michigan when referring to him. And it'd be a lot easier for KBD to make a "secret" visit considering how close he is to the campus.

No secret visits. KBD has been on campus numerous times when it wasn't reported. He's close with Parham of course and tends to show up at a last minutes notice without the fanfare. Yet somehow we aren't the leader for his services?

chucktownillini · Oct 22, 2012, 11:17 AM

I saw a video of an interview of JG taking place in the gym, prolly Ubben, People were going in & out of the gym behind him, Brandon, DJ, others, then I saw a young man & his dad maybe? Brandon Miller walked over & shook their hands & they walked out of the picture. Didn't look like a big kid, more point guard-ish. Have never seen a pic of KBD, so don't know what he looks like. Maybe we will hear something about this later on.

cali illini · Oct 22, 2012, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chucktownillini

I saw a video of an interview of JG taking place in the gym, prolly Ubben, People were going in & out of the gym behind him, Brandon, DJ, others, then I saw a young man & his dad maybe? Brandon Miller walked over & shook their hands & they walked out of the picture. Didn't look like a big kid, more point guard-ish. Have never seen a pic of KBD, so don't know what he looks like. Maybe we will hear something about this later on.

I saw the same thing and i was wondering who that was also...

Dan · Oct 22, 2012, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chucktownillini

I saw a video of an interview of JG taking place in the gym

Thursday, Oct 18 interview.

justsomedude · Oct 22, 2012, 12:21 PM

This is all a guess, as I have no clue, but I wouldn't be surprised if KBD is the recruit that doesn't prefer twitter.

MTILLINOIS · Oct 22, 2012, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrooksTaylorFan

No secret visits. KBD has been on campus numerous times when it wasn't reported. He's close with Parham of course and tends to show up at a last minutes notice without the fanfare. Yet somehow we aren't the leader for his services?

I hear ya. Keep it coming BTF.

Foo G · Oct 22, 2012, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justsomedude

This is all a guess, as I have no clue, but I wouldn't be surprised if KBD is the recruit that doesn't prefer twitter.

KBD does have an account, but is less active than most guys -- Lyle, Nunn, Tate, Mav, LA2, ChazMat (any thoughts on this nickname?), etc.
Tyler Ulis is another guy that doesn't post a lot to twitter.

midastouch11 · Oct 22, 2012, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan

Thursday, Oct 18 interview.

I don't think the guy in better shape was a recruit (as he still looks out of shape and older than all of our current players) - wasn't the coaching clinic this weekend? My guess is those were coaches arriving for the clinic and Stan Van Gundy.

-josh- · Oct 22, 2012, 04:04 PM

I can't remember feeling this positive about a coaching staff. Weber was never fully embraced by the fans or the locals when he was a coach, he was always just awkward. I think coach Groce is the shot of adrenaline that this program needed and can't wait to see what kind of talent and excitement he can bring to Champaign.

DaytonIllini · Oct 22, 2012, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -josh-

I can't remember feeling this positive about a coaching staff. Weber was never fully embraced by the fans or the locals when he was a coach, he was always just awkward. I think coach Groce is the shot of adrenaline that this program needed and can't wait to see what kind of talent and excitement he can bring to Champaign.

I think that as a college fan you naturally observe the 'presence' of a coach and think how it would appear to a 17 year old and his parents. As the parent of a 17 year old, I was fine with Bruce but it was natural to extrapolate how my kids would see him and think, 'not cool'.

With Groce and his team he seems appealing to me as a parent and to kids as a big brother type of figure. Personality wise he seems to connect with all ages and have a nice personality for the press. He appears to be the complete package. Now will he be able to coach our team to wins? Ultimately that is what is going to matter. I don't think we can put much stock in what happens this year but I bet we do.

IlliniRunIn07 · Oct 23, 2012, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaytonIllini

I think that as a college fan you naturally observe the 'presence' of a coach and think how it would appear to a 17 year old and his parents. As the parent of a 17 year old, I was fine with Bruce but it was natural to extrapolate how my kids would see him and think, 'not cool'.

With Groce and his team he seems appealing to me as a parent and to kids as a big brother type of figure. Personality wise he seems to connect with all ages and have a nice personality for the press. He appears to be the complete package. Now will he be able to coach our team to wins? Ultimately that is what is going to matter. I don't think we can put much stock in what happens this year but I bet we do.

+1

We were always a house divided under Weber the entire time he was here (up until the last month). At least with Groce, we seem more united as a fan base. There's no saying it will translate into wins, but it's nice to see overwhelming confidence among the fan base that we got a good hire.

Oct 22, 2012, 10:06 AM	#1
justsomedude Posts: 1,360	from last night. Long question about Nunn, XRM, DJ and fans tweeting them that ended with "What is your take on fans reaching out to reruits through social media?" " I think each kid is different, we’re recruiting one young man right now that it doesn’t matter a whole lot to him, he doesn’t necessarily like (twitter), but I would say the large bulk of kids are excited when (fans reach out). I know another young man that we’re recruiting is counting how many hits or followers he has at one school vs. Illinois, it’s sometimes some of the stuff we go through now, social media and recruiting’s changed. We had a kid come onto campus this past weekend, and the first thing he talked about was the Ipad in the lockers at the practice facility at Michigan. Does an iPad have anything to do with whether my son will go to school at a place or not, no, but perception is reality right now. Twitter, facebook, iPads, it is a technologically driven society of 14 to 18 year olds, you either have to accept that and use it to your advantage or it becomes a disadvantage if you don’t know how to do that within the rules. I do think social media has changed the game at a high level, kids are committing now on twitter before they even call and tell the coach. In terms of the three young men you mentioned obviously I can’t comment on any of them due to NCAA rules at this juncture, other than the fact we’re excited as heck about one of them." Last edited by Dan; Oct 22, 2012 at 02:01 PM.

Oct 22, 2012, 10:15 AM	#5
Kramer116 Location: Chicago Posts: 9,614	Unless I completely misread that, I thought he was referring to kids they are currently recruiting. Not Nunn, XRM, or DJ... __________________ @TomCrean: I am doing great. I have been thinking about you alot since last weekend. A whole lot. How are you doing?

Oct 22, 2012, 10:20 AM	#8
Kramer116 Location: Chicago Posts: 9,614	Oh you are right, it looks like he talks about other recruits in the first part of the answer (the recruit visiting this weekend) then concludes about the 3 recruits you mentioned in your question. I misread it. __________________ @TomCrean: I am doing great. I have been thinking about you alot since last weekend. A whole lot. How are you doing?

Oct 22, 2012, 10:27 AM	#9
Foo G Nobody likes a comedian Location: Kirksville, MO Posts: 1,557	Who was on campus this weekend? KBD? One of the 2015 kids? __________________ Be the person your dog thinks you are. Be unique. Follow me on twitter @emmerich10.

Oct 22, 2012, 04:04 PM	#21
-josh- STAHP! Location: The paign born and raised Posts: 3,176	I can't remember feeling this positive about a coaching staff. Weber was never fully embraced by the fans or the locals when he was a coach, he was always just awkward. I think coach Groce is the shot of adrenaline that this program needed and can't wait to see what kind of talent and excitement he can bring to Champaign. __________________ virtus junxit mors non separabit

Oct 22, 2012, 10:28 AM	#10
combes Posts: 2,431	No recruits on campus

Oct 22, 2012, 11:17 AM	#14
chucktownillini Posts: 204	I saw a video of an interview of JG taking place in the gym, prolly Ubben, People were going in & out of the gym behind him, Brandon, DJ, others, then I saw a young man & his dad maybe? Brandon Miller walked over & shook their hands & they walked out of the picture. Didn't look like a big kid, more point guard-ish. Have never seen a pic of KBD, so don't know what he looks like. Maybe we will hear something about this later on.

Oct 22, 2012, 12:21 PM	#17
justsomedude Posts: 1,360	This is all a guess, as I have no clue, but I wouldn't be surprised if KBD is the recruit that doesn't prefer twitter.