Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (April 2017)

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#4,426      

Future Walk-On

Future Walk-On
Peoria, IL
Future Walk-On
aluma said:
Xavier is the real deal. Their program is currently in a much better place than ours. They were able to get Paul Scruggs over us. Aside from us being the in-state school, Xavier would have a huge advantage in acquiring Ayo over us.
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Yeah definitely in a way better place as of last season. Looks like they should be very good next year too depending on if anyone goes pro.

Maybe I am just overly confident in OA and Coleman. I just feel its gonna have to be a blue blood to get him away now.
 
#4,437      

t7nich

t7nich
Central IL
t7nich
Branson, I think you're on to something. And Sparty fans are taking notice. This is from one of their boards today..

Based on Mark Smith's Tweets, retweets, & likes, if he doesn't choose Illinois it will be the biggest trolling by a Illinois recruiting target since Cliff Alexander. He's Illini all the way.
 
#4,438      

Deleted member 8213

D
Guest
Deleted member 8213
Branson53 said:
If this is true, wouldn't it be cruel if he picked somewhere else?

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Who knows if any of that means anything. We've certainly been burned multiple times in the past making such assumptions, and HS kids see these things differently than we do undoubtedly. But as professionally and sensitively as Mark's folks have helped him conduct his recruitment, I'd like to think that they would see that kind of a bait and switch as potentially damaging and discourage it. :noidea:
 
#4,439      

Branson53

B
Branson53
Obviously it doesn't mean he's coming here for sure. I kind of assumed he was going to wear MSU stuff today and Kentucky tomorrow or something, just to keep people guessing. But wearing Illinois gear back to back days the two days leading up to the announcement? That can't just be a coincidence. (Unless he wears a lot of Illini gear normally?) These kids know that us crazy fans pay attention to this stuff, so I'm hopeful that he's not just trolling us lol


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#4,441      

haasi

haasi
New York
haasi
Hint: Analyzing tweets or outfit choices will not help you figure out where someone is going to school.
 
#4,443      

618 Illini

6
Chicago
618 Illini
Kathy said:
Originally Posted by 618 Illini View Post
Agree that the story is hard to believe. Especially with how the family has seemed to handle the recruitment thus far with class and character. I am just relaying what I heard on the phone yesterday.

The point is that, despite the very limited information leaked on this recruitment, the only "noise" my contact has heard is Pro-MSU.

ANDDDD, if he chooses Illinois I'm asking you and the other "SMITH TO MSU a lock team," about your so called insider info. Sorry, but I just don't put much stock into your info. I think it was the "the info I heard on the phone yesterday" comment. If you're right, I'll gladly bow to your insiderness. lol
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Thought I was clear in my original post that I am not to be considered an insider but apparently not. Frankly I don't care whether you put much stock in my information or anybody's on this board. Keep in mind this is a message board and a free one at that. IMHO you shouldn't put much stock into any post. I simply posted what I have heard from a previous connection of mine.

Appreciate your opinion....
 
#4,444      

Second and Chalmers

S
Second and Chalmers
Dan said:
How Mark Smith went from potential MLB Draft pick to a big-time college hoops recruit
http://www.sbnation.com/college-bas...state-illinois-ohio-state-kentucky-basketball
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He’s been the subject of one of the spring’s most intense recruiting battles, rising from a low-major prospect to a player with offers from John Calipari and Tom Izzo.

Duke paid him an in-home visit earlier this month. Illinois views him as a potential program-changing recruit.
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Michigan State needs depth in the backcourt after losing Eron Harris and Alvin Ellis III. At Illinois, Smith would be hailed as a potential savior. Illinois hasn’t locked down the state’s Mr. Basketball since Jereme Richmond in 2010. After Tilmon and Pickett decommitted following the firing of John Groce, Illinois needs some good news. This would be their first big win of the Brad Underwood era.

Kentucky sells itself. A place like Ohio State does, too.
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I don't think Illinois fans appreciate the way our internet schtick affects the way the program is covered. This is a particularly noticeable example, but this sort of framing is in everything that gets written about Illinois Basketball.

Other programs are strong and valid in their own right, Illinois is lost in the desert thirsty for in-state stars and only those players committing will validate the existence of the program. Wins are meaningless, but so are losses. Big recruits in the state of Illinois are a means to an end for other programs, but they are our entire raison d'etre.

I think that is an absolutely atrocious brand both to sell to fans but especially to be out there in the minds of recruits. And it is fueled by the codependent relationship between clicks-hungry basketball writers and our huge, voracious, self-doubting, and teeny-bopper romantic internet fanbase. They write that about us because that's what we believe about us. Look in the mirror.
 
#4,445      

Deleted member 8213

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Deleted member 8213
haasi said:
Hint: Analyzing tweets or outfit choices will not help you figure out where someone is going to school.
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Buuuut we want cluuuuees... maaan...

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#4,446      

FC Illiniman

F
FC Illiniman
This thread posts chat on recruits. You would hope posts provide facts to backup info. But very few times it happens. Facts 1). The coaching staff is active in recruiting and many have had offered for now and future. 2). Large % of us are hoping tomorrow Mark Smith commits. 3). The sun will come up Thursday in the AM. Commit or not , Illini bb is alot better off then 2 months ago.
 
#4,447      

Obelix

Obelix
Obelix
Second and Chalmers said:
I don't think Illinois fans appreciate the way our internet schtick affects the way the program is covered.
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Our internet schtick has little to do with it. We have been irrelevant for 12 years and talent is big part of it, we have a new coach, and we are going against the big boys for Illinois Mr. Basketball. People like to believe that Illini fans are some special breed of internet fans different than others, but most fan bases of programs with a strong following would act, and do act, exactly the same under similar circumstances.
 
#4,450      

Deleted member 8213

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Obelix said:
Our internet schtick has little to do with it. We have been irrelevant for 12 years and talent is big part of it, we have a new coach, and we are going against the big boys for Illinois Mr. Basketball. People like to believe that Illini fans are some special breed of internet fans different than others, but most fan bases of programs with a strong following would act, and do act, exactly the same under similar circumstances.
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:thumb:
What we do screwing around on message boards in April doesn't move the needle. If we want to win more big time recruiting battles we have to win more.
 
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