Wilkes has said "soon" but without giving specific dates.
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (October 2016)
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Wilkes has said "soon" but without giving specific dates.
Friday makes some sense if it's not Indiana. Diffuse some of the blow back with hoosier fans distracted with Hoosier Hysteria
Sure, but it doesn't have to be the biggest factor, it just needs to be the factor that helps him make the decision a little bit easier. If he's undecided and debating the pros and cons of each school, any edge helps. If distance is indeed a factor, would Wilkes view us as a safer bet than Indiana? Is he buying into what Groce is selling with JCL as the star shooting guard, Tilmon as our high profile center, and pretty decent options(with questions marks) at the 1 and 4? I don't know if he's leaning towards us right now, but I feel better about our chances when there's isn't an obvious reason for him to pick Indiana other than them being the home school. I have a feeling that Wilkes hasn't made up his mind yet. Theres a reason why he picked the 3 that he did with the pros and cons at each school being different. The caliber of the recruiting class for each school may have a different weight to Wilkes. For example, at UCLA the caliber of class might be 90% of the factor, for Illinois it might be 50%, for Indiana it might be 25%. This isn't a simple decision for him. If it was just about talent, he would have picked UCLA like you said. There many factors at play such as distance, relationship with the staff and players, ability to win, coverage, etc. And only Wilkes know which factors are influencing him the most.
That being said, he put Illinois in his top 3 despite the backlash he would receive from being an Indiana native. Whatever factor that influenced that decision had to be significant to Wilkes. He could have easily just released a top two if we weren't strongly being considered.
I agree with all of that, his finalist list screams different pros/cons for each school, not safest bet. Just that your original post on his decision being dependent on Tremont Waters does not align very well with the pros/cons premise. I think it is a stretch that those pros/cons and eventual decision would be dependent on Waters. JMO.
:thumb:
There are some reports that clearly imply Wilkes not attending HH and making a decision after that. My guess was that he makes a decision before that... so I am cautiously reading these reports and waiting to see what actually happens in the next 4 days, including Saturday evening.
Pretty sure they arent
Not entirely dependent but if I was having a hard time making a decision between the schools, a player like Waters and his decision could just be the last deciding factor. This was just speculation to begin with anyway.
:thumb:
Sure, it is all speculation. Personally, from my past experience interacting with recruits/coaches, I still have a hard time believing that Wilkes does not know where he is going, but that is JMO.
Can anyone refresh my memory on the rules for in-homes? How many times can a coach visit a player? Because IIRC, Groce has visited Wilkes twice already.
Last 5 Crystal Ball picks for Tremont Waters have been for Georgetown.
sacraig
- The desert
I didn't know that Justin Timberlake was so interested in basketball players from Indiana.
I'm pretty sure that the last visit was actually at his high school not at his house.
There has been no in home visit yet. I would guess the staff will try to get one if Wilkes and family will agree but I doubt it would be announced. Kind of like when Kris tried to hide himself at IU this past weekend. This kid is truly torn imo. If he was decided he would've committed by now or at least announced a date. I'd say each school is still in it but the Illinois fan in me says our odds aren't as good as the other two but that's just my feeling on all top recruits like this. He just needs to decide what situation of the three is best for him and it is obviously taking some time. Illinois has a good pitch and I'm hopeful Kris will buy in. Just have to wait this one out I guess. Doubt he will tip his hand once he makes a decision since there's hasn't been much definitive lean one way or the others.
Groce has been to the Wilkes household.
shows my age, I guess, but I always think James Taylor.
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sacraig
- The desert
I really just honestly didn't know who the actual JT was that he meant so as far as I am concerned, maybe it really is James Taylor. Or John Tyler. :noidea:
Yea, I could see the whole not going to HH being a smoke screen to dampen expectations then making a surprise entrance and committing during the festivities.
That's why I didn't make a snarky comment to Indy Orange when it was announced he wouldn't attend.
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
Everyone knows it's Jonathon Toews. ;-)
The Pontiff
- Chicago, IL
I actually first thought Jaylon Tate, but was like, whaaat!? And the pessimist in me foresees a circumstance in which the right IU people somehow orchestrate a change in KW's non-recruiting plans and he does make it to HH.
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Date or link??
WiscIllini
- Madison, WI
Nothing in Wilkes's recruitment points to him doing anything as dramatic as this at the last second. That would be very uncharacteristic of him up to this point.
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