Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (January-February 2018)
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GortTheRobot
- North Bethesda, Maryland
It's pretty rough to overcome. Arizona has pretty much usurped UCLA as the real Blue Blood in that conference, just as MSU has eclipsed IU. UCLA and IU still have more history, but not anything recent enough for it to matter to this generation.
t7nich
- Central IL
They also recently offered a SG higher ranked than Jones.. DEVONAIRE
DOUTRIVE. So, there's that.
Arizona is still in some deep crap with the FBI
Would guess previous Illini people on the KS coaching staff know us best and how to poach the system, but yeah, it's frustrating.
Yeah, Deron Williams made a similar comment last week about transferring out Dec 1 when it got cold up here his first year. Am sure Trent Frazier had a similar adjustment this year among others. Just watched the Space X launch in FL & the first thing I noticed was people standing outdoors in T Shirts while it was 12° here in IL.
However, not sure how close he really is with Ayo or what he thinks of playing in BU's system. That may make a difference as well.
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
He's originally from Chandler, AZ. I'm not sure what caused the transfer to Culver City??
Not sure if that will be in our favor. Both Sean Miller and Brad Underwood were head coaches for assistants who have been indicted. So their liability as head coaches is pretty much the same. Now Arizona may have more liability as a school than Illinois (infractions happened at previous schools where BU was a coach, not at UI), but I am not sure if the FBI investigation is a big determinant of a recruit's decision, his rationale will include the logic of "let me eliminate a coach/school with possible FBI implications but commit to a coach/school with a little less liability." If the FBI investigation is a primary concern and determinant on the decision, he will avoid all coaches/schools with possible FBI implications.
Does not mean that player may not choose Illinois over Arizona, but I doubt that happens for a player who rates the FBI investigation as a primary concern/determinant.
So Ariz. is a blue blood now even though Miller has never gotten them to the Final 4?
Yeah, Deron Williams made a similar comment last week about transferring out Dec 1 when it got cold up here his first year. Am sure Trent Frazier had a similar adjustment this year among others. Just watched the Space X launch in FL & the first thing I noticed was people standing outdoors in T Shirts while it was 12° here in IL.
However, not sure how close he really is with Ayo or what he thinks of playing in BU's system. That may make a difference as well.
We don't have nice temps in the winter in Illinois. Something we also don't have like Florida does......hurricanes.
If only the players spent the summer on campus.
Dren1
- Glenview, IL
Doutrive does appear to be an AZ lean, but isn't Jones considered more of a small forward than a shooting guard? Either way, I doubt a Doutrive commitment would influence Jones one way or the other.
FeelYourPaign
- So Cal
It feels exactly like that
Outstanding arrest warrants and a lack of extradition agreements between CA and AZ?
I kid, I kid. No idea on my end.
Deleted member 631370
D
Guest
In my view, in order:
Blue Bloods (this group is pretty clear, IMO)
Kentucky
Duke
North Carolina
Kansas
"Elite" programs that aren't necessarily blue bloods (though UCLA can probably still claim it)
UCLA
Michigan State
Louisville
Indiana
Arizona
Power programs (and the ordering of this group is very debatable)
Syracuse
UConn
Villanova
Ohio State
Florida
Illinois
Georgetown
Michigan
Oklahoma
Etc.
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Of course, I can't believe I confused those!!!
I truly don't understand why this continues to come up. UCLA and Indiana are 100% Blue Blood programs.
Kostas
- Naperville, IL
Easy...those first 4 can pull 2+ (maybe 3+) 5* recruits in their sleep (on name alone). Everyone else on that list can't. Not saying that they never do, but requires a lot more attention being paid to those recruits.
It would a breath of fresh air to know BU is free and clear of any of this discussion, as well. The thing is with investigations, it could take a long time to determine the outcome. In the meantime, UI unfortunately remains potentially contaminated and at a disadvantage with recruiting, thus the mind-boggling feeling on the many missed on as to why they won't commit to us.
Deleted member 631370
D
Guest
Bingo.
Indiana has more national reach than we do in recruiting, but they can't swoop in last second and reel in 5* kids the way UK, Duke, UNC, and KU can. Frankly, the IU brand isn't even remotely on par with UK or Duke or UNC or KU, and we're talking 16 years since their last Final Four (and 31 years since their last national title). The history is rich, but most 17-year-old kids couldn't care less about Steve Alford or Keith Smart or even Calbert Cheaney.
One can make a case that UCLA is still a blue blood, but just the same......they can't swoop in and get 5* kids last minute.
All things being equal, I'd argue that IU doesn't have a tremendous advantage over Illinois in recruiting. Those first four schools, though......they'll beat us head-to-head 9/10 times.
I would venture to guess they spend more of their summer as counselors of various camps and training at home than on campus but I could be mistaken.
There are only 4 true blue blood programs. It takes decades of serious success, i.e. multiple championships, perennial contenders. Something that spans more than a single coaches success (unless of course, that coach has been there 30+ years) is probably another good measure. Down years happen to every program, but blue bloods brush them off like they never happened.
There is another list probably 5-10 deep of schools who have enough sustained success to be considered great bball schools. They just cant compete with Duke, UNC, Kansas, or Kentucky. You might be able to make an argument IU and UCLA are just a touch about the rest, but I also think Arizona and Louisville (well until this year) could've also been in that 1B tier. Just my two cents.
There is another list probably 5-10 deep of schools who have enough sustained success to be considered great bball schools. They just cant compete with Duke, UNC, Kansas, or Kentucky. You might be able to make an argument IU and UCLA are just a touch about the rest, but I also think Arizona and Louisville (well until this year) could've also been in that 1B tier. Just my two cents.
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