I remember the days when we would always end up with the 3rd or 4th best players in the state, which would have been Conditt and Griffin. Now we've gotten the best player in the state back to back and have a chance with THT after about 7 months of the new coaching staff. I'm pretty sure this is what we've all talked about as the dream scenario for Illinois basketball. It's actually taken me a bit to process that.
Yep, it's a great feeling.
To play the other side of the argument for just a moment though, neither Smith nor Ayo are at that Okafor/Cliff/Anthony Davis/Derrick Rose level. The real test of whether we "own" Illinois is whether we can lure in some of those kids. The next one up is maybe Adam Miller?
It's odd......Chicago hasn't had that top-10 recruit since Okafor and Cliff. Personally, I think we can build a national power without getting any of those 1-and-done top-10 kids, but instead, getting kids like Ayo, Mark Smith, Francis Okoro, etc. That's plenty of talent to get us to the top. Win those battles, and we'll be golden -- regardless of whether we can lure in the next Derrick Rose or Jahlil Okafor.