Remember Smith wasn't heavily recruited until the last couple months. He is enjoying this process, its nice to be wanted and recognized for your talent. I would have no desire if i was him to go Kentucky, but it would be pretty damn cool to be recruited/offered by them. I still fully expect him to come to Illinois.
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (March 2017)
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Ulis barely received playing time his first year. He was smart enough to let people leave and wait his turn. The reward for that was going to the NBA. This is something that is huge for the schools taking 5 star talent out of Illinois.
The lack of 5 star recruits from Chicago is simply based on the success of the previous kid. Illinois just recently got a player from Simeon and how did that turnout? That is what we have to deal with and correct.
I'm sorry, but I still haven't seen anything definitive from Tilmon, only "he said" from a source...
Frank Cusumano reported that Underwood's visit with Tilmon went well and that Tilmon will be in Champaign next year.
Deleted member 3875
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To see his sister? Yeah right.
I hear what you are saying and I like your advice to not worry, but these are unique times with the coaching change. Others are feeling the need to reaffirm and I don't like Cuonzo's proximity to our St. Louis area guys, incidentally the only 2 that haven't come out and reaffirmed.
High-profile St. Louis sports guy Frank Cusumano reported that Tilmon will be wearing orange and blue next season. Highly unlikely he makes this up, especially since he was pretty excited about the prospect of a Billiken or Tiger Tilmon.
Illini_1979
- Oregon
I think he said cleared to run possibly in April and resume workouts in June. Seems like a reasonable time schedule to me.
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Its possible there were other structures involved. MCL's and meniscus tears are very very common with ACL injuries, which would complicate the surgery and the recovery.
April 5th is also 4 months (120 days) out from surgery, not a far cry off from 90 days. He also might be talking about cutting, not straight line running, or maybe April 5th is just the appointment date that Da'Monte and the surgeon set up.
Regardless, I wouldn't worry too much about it.
Captain Bubbles
- Fairfield, IL
ESPN's Ryan Evan announced via Twitter that Javon Pickett has informed him that he is sticking with his Illini commitment and will be playing for Coach Underwood.
More good news on this Wednesday!
More good news on this Wednesday!
Sweeeeeeeeeet!!! Thank you!
Captain Bubbles
- Fairfield, IL
We have to keep in mind that Pickett was the first to commit to the recruiting class of 2017. Had a feeling he would stay 100% committed. I think he’s a great young man with full of great potential.
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It was more......Show of hands on whether Underwood would retain Walker. I give him a lot of credit in how both he and Walker have handled this transition. Pretty much perfect.
I think people are misunderstanding the article. He's going to see his doctor April 5 to find out when he can start running. IMO the "can't wait until June" was in reference to moving to Champaign and starting classes.
One is a high school kid and one is a professional athlete getting constant rehab. ALso in the World Series Schwarber could not do much more than run in a straight line. He needed a bulky brace just to hit and wasn't allowed in the field. The recovery times are not that different.
He said himself that he has an appointment April 5th to get cleared for running.
"I'm focused on getting my knee right for next season. I go to therapy three times a week. I give it 110 percent," Williams said. "I go back to the doctor on April 5 to see if I'm ready to start running again."
http://www.scout.com/college/illinois/story/1766899-williams-on-board-ready-to-win-at-illinois"
Honestly....I did think we'd lose someone. Great job coach U and great news!!!
There you go. :thumb: I was in this camp. Hope it all plays out well on the court next fall. It'll be fun to watch one way or the other.
Smith would be awesome, and I think he would absolutely help the team win (which is most important), but I would hate to see any of our other recruits pushed out/not play/transfer, who have been loyal to the Orange and Blue throughout the whole processes.
Obviously winning cures all, and players play players, but Smith crowds an already crowded backcourt, and none of them, save Pickett, are big enough to play SF.
PhillyIllini
- Los Angeles
Not sure how you can say that when Smith would arguably be the 2nd best recruit in this class, only behind Tilmon. I'm excited to see how the other 3 fit into our system, but let's not pretend that they're consensus top 50 recruits. Whether they'll play like they are is still to be seen.
Ubermensch
BOOM! Feed my ego.
The longer this drags out the more it feels like Smith is going anywhere but Illinois. If Underwood can beat back the Michigan States and Kentuckys of the world for his first recruit at UI, that would be encouraging.
It's actually probably very beneficial. Underwood apparently is going to keep the class. Now he gets to "practice," so to speak, taking on the Big Boys on a recruit we really want but isn't necessarily do-or-die. Lose out and you don't feel too devastated, and you can take what you learned and use it for the next round. Win and you get Smith, and beat some big names in doing it.
It's actually probably very beneficial. Underwood apparently is going to keep the class. Now he gets to "practice," so to speak, taking on the Big Boys on a recruit we really want but isn't necessarily do-or-die. Lose out and you don't feel too devastated, and you can take what you learned and use it for the next round. Win and you get Smith, and beat some big names in doing it.
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