I don't think it will be next year but I suppose that is debatable. More so than us being a top 20 team.
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (March 2017)
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I don't think it will be next year but I suppose that is debatable. More so than us being a top 20 team.
3rd or 4th in the Big Ten, sure puts them close to top 20, if not in it.
I hear ya....kinda but why tick off the best recruiting pot in the country that's in your backyard. I'm from Chicago and still live in the city and I think it's perfectly acceptable to demand a Chicago-comfortable tie within the program. My thing is, you better make that your benchmark for every other program you promote to your kids and don't hold Illinois to a higher standard.
You just identified one of the things I really dislike about the so-called Blue Bloods. That Sickening Sense of Entitlement that only they are God's gift to the world and only they can prosper and get all the top recruits. I want the Illini to be the equals of these Blue Bloods on the court, but I hope our fans will be classier when we joint those ranks instead of that foul smell that wafts out of some of these places.
And maybe he has Bristol envy. A few years ago ESPN grabbed a different member of the St. Louis sports media to go East with them.
He made perfect sense to me. Walker is the go to guy for the St. Louis area. And that is a good thing! Irving wants a go to guy for the Chicago area. The truth is the truth and connections are very important. Ask Tilmon, his family and the St. Louis area High school coaches. Is it all politics, really?
If he isn't already, Underwood will quickly become familiar with The Chicago Way. The Chicago Way has many tentacles, from sports to building permits to parking meters. Don't know if they have a version of that in Stillwater.
It's messy, and it is what it is. If you aren't willing to play that game, you're going to waste time and effort trying. I think that's part of where the distaste comes from --it's not just an area where there's a lot of influence to be navigated, it's a place where if you're not on the invite list, you will be played. Fact is, for the elite recruits, they and their influencers wield the power. You don't like that, stay home.
Your comment about being all-in is a lot easier said than done, I think. I'm not sure we have what it takes as a program to get a fair shake in those circles, let alone finish the job. Despite how tricky those situations are, a good coach will be able to pick his battles, cast a wide enough net, and get guys that fit. Hopefully he gets elite guys when he's lucky enough to have a winnable battle. Assistants are so key to recruiting --you really have to have guys who can set the table. I do expect BU has enough experience to manage recruiting here. And it's possible that he gets off to a hot start and gets some momentum once people see what he can do on the court.
Really hoping this is the start of a turn-around. We've had mediocrity for too long.
Technically, not the same high school.
Got to love this young man. Can't wait to see him on the court.
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good luck with that.
hooraybeer
- Pittsburgh, PA
how is it that the most outspokenly loyal pro-UI recruit we've had in a long time is from Florida?
Captain Bubbles
- Fairfield, IL
You know what, a lot of recruits can learn a lot from Trent. I wouldn’t be complaining about it. I am loving it. Can’t wait for him to get here.
Captain Bubbles
- Fairfield, IL
Wonder if those two still chat it up?
Captain Bubbles
- Fairfield, IL
ESPN’s Ryan Evan reported on this hours ago before Piper tweeted. That’s where I got it from and thought I’d relay the message to Loyalty. At the time I posted, it was new info.
Captain Bubbles
- Fairfield, IL
If you’re not jumping up and down or pumping your fist into the air, there is something wrong with you. This is bigger news than you think.
I will be very surprised if this happens. Coleman's time at Bradley was an absolute disaster. His Chicago guys didn't work out at all, Mike Shaw included.
Since he spent 11 years as an assistant in Illinois, I'm sure he knows.
When Lincoln closed, it consolidated with E. St. Louis Senior.
So, basically the same, but technically you are correct.
Why is it Illinois has to kiss these Chicago Public League coaches butts, but the rest of the NCAA's top teams do not?
Not necessarily true. I want to say after the Cliff (maybe Brunson? Okafor? He missed on a bunch of Chi guys in a row) recruitment, Izzo wrote off recruiting Chicago. Was tired of the political aspect of it.
Illini_1979
- Oregon
What makes you so sure they don't?
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Justin Smith didn't want to come here because of the arrests? Ok that's reasonable. So he goes to IU instead? The same IU that had just as many, if not more, problems under Crean? That makes me laugh.
The better question is why would these top recruits commit to Illinois, which has been irrelevant for 12 years, and not to these top teams. We are not an NCAA top team.
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