John Groce talks 2014 & 2015 recruiting
July 5, 2013 10:24 AM
John Groce was on the Tay and J Show on Wednesday.
How do all the new transfers effect 2014 & 2015 recruiting?
"Our biggest deal was to provide some balance in our recruiting..The bottom line is we had a very bottom-heavy team with the 5 freshmen after some guys ended up choosing to leave in the spring. So what ended up happening for us it made a lot of sense to try to address that need and class balance. Bring some older guys to our team and some experience and offset the freshmen and really try to balance our classes.
"We had a plan. We were very fortunate and worked very hard -- I've got a great staff -- we were able to put the plan into place and execute it. So we got exactly what we needed and now we're in a situation were we have one or two [scholarships] that we'll give in 2014.
"And then we've got a large class in 2015. That's enabled us to put more focus on that 2015 class. Which is, to be honest with you, really the first class that we've had a chance to kinda start from Jump St with everybody else and not be behind a year on. Or starting out at home plate getting ready to bat while other people are on 2nd or 3rd base. That part's been good, it's given us a chance to really get knee-deep with that 2015 class and beyond."
How hard is it to catch up with guys you're recruiting in 2014?
"Well we've caught up. We have, with some of those guys. Obviously we've worked very very hard. I think those kids recognize that we've got a really special opportunity here. Right now, there is a lot of momentum, there is a lot of excitement happening around our program. Our players deserve a lot of that credit.
"We've got the State Farm Center renovation happening. The way that the season ended last year. The way that the seniors represented what we want to be about moving forward and really laid a great foundation. The recruiting class in 2013, that's helped. The way we treat our guys most importantly. And the way that we develop them. Those guys are your best recruiters. D.J. Richardson, Brandon Paul, Tyler, Kevin, Sam- they've got a great feel of how they're treated and how they're developed and the relationship we have with them. They're spreading the message and it's just as powerful as a coach spreading the message.
"I think all those things you wrap 'em up into a bundle and because of that, the game at Illinois -- certainly on the basketball side -- has changed a little bit in a positive way. That only helps recruiting, and we hope to continue to carry that momentum forward."
Starts 10:35-
tayandj.podbean.com
How do all the new transfers effect 2014 & 2015 recruiting?
"Our biggest deal was to provide some balance in our recruiting..The bottom line is we had a very bottom-heavy team with the 5 freshmen after some guys ended up choosing to leave in the spring. So what ended up happening for us it made a lot of sense to try to address that need and class balance. Bring some older guys to our team and some experience and offset the freshmen and really try to balance our classes.
"We had a plan. We were very fortunate and worked very hard -- I've got a great staff -- we were able to put the plan into place and execute it. So we got exactly what we needed and now we're in a situation were we have one or two [scholarships] that we'll give in 2014.
"And then we've got a large class in 2015. That's enabled us to put more focus on that 2015 class. Which is, to be honest with you, really the first class that we've had a chance to kinda start from Jump St with everybody else and not be behind a year on. Or starting out at home plate getting ready to bat while other people are on 2nd or 3rd base. That part's been good, it's given us a chance to really get knee-deep with that 2015 class and beyond."
How hard is it to catch up with guys you're recruiting in 2014?
"Well we've caught up. We have, with some of those guys. Obviously we've worked very very hard. I think those kids recognize that we've got a really special opportunity here. Right now, there is a lot of momentum, there is a lot of excitement happening around our program. Our players deserve a lot of that credit.
"We've got the State Farm Center renovation happening. The way that the season ended last year. The way that the seniors represented what we want to be about moving forward and really laid a great foundation. The recruiting class in 2013, that's helped. The way we treat our guys most importantly. And the way that we develop them. Those guys are your best recruiters. D.J. Richardson, Brandon Paul, Tyler, Kevin, Sam- they've got a great feel of how they're treated and how they're developed and the relationship we have with them. They're spreading the message and it's just as powerful as a coach spreading the message.
"I think all those things you wrap 'em up into a bundle and because of that, the game at Illinois -- certainly on the basketball side -- has changed a little bit in a positive way. That only helps recruiting, and we hope to continue to carry that momentum forward."
Starts 10:35-
tayandj.podbean.com
Filed under: Illini Basketball
