sacraig
- The desert
So, no reports from this past weekend's on campus recruiting?
It seems this staff runs a tighter ship than the previous regime.
So, no reports from this past weekend's on campus recruiting?
It seems this staff runs a tighter ship than the previous regime.
I don't understand this comment ::shrug::.
Not surprising, but let's just say you're striking down straw men. But enjoy your outrage. I look forward to watching Mark Smith in an Illini basketball uniform, regardless. Kid is the real deal.
So, no reports from this past weekend's on campus recruiting?
Not sure anybody was here. This coming weekend (Labor Day ) is the big one: Nolley, Castleton and Hayes.
You're right they aren't comparable. Publicity wise and program building wise Kendrick Nunn was a bigger recruit.
Mark Smith blew up late, and of course we were extremely excited about him because he was in our backyard. But talk to other B1G fans and they won't know much, if anything, about him. Michigan St was after him pretty hard and even their fans weren't overly excited and didn't lose any sleep when he committed here.
On the other hand, Kendrick Nunn was a consistently high ranked recruit through high school. Plus he played for a powerhouse school in Chicago and alongside Jabari. Groce turned a lot of heads when Nunn committed.
And someone correct me if I'm wrong, but Weber had no chance with Nunn. But Groce already got the ball rolling with Smith. All Underwood had to do was finish the deal (not saying that is easy).
Long story short, Nunn's commitment was Groce's first statement recruit. It was the first time we could say "yes, Groce can bring in good talent". So far we can't say that with Underwood.
BPJ was here this weekend supposedly
Long story short, Nunn's commitment was Groce's first statement recruit. It was the first time we could say "yes, Groce can bring in good talent". So far we can't say that with Underwood.
1. You're right they aren't comparable. Publicity wise and program building wise Kendrick Nunn was a bigger recruit.
2 .Mark Smith blew up late, and of course we were extremely excited about him because he was in our backyard. But talk to other B1G fans and they won't know much, if anything, about him. 3. Michigan St was after him pretty hard and even their fans weren't overly excited and didn't lose any sleep when he committed here.
4. On the other hand, Kendrick Nunn was a consistently high ranked recruit through high school. Plus he played for a powerhouse school in Chicago and alongside Jabari. Groce turned a lot of heads when Nunn committed.
5. And someone correct me if I'm wrong, but Weber had no chance with Nunn. But Groce already got the ball rolling with Smith. All Underwood had to do was finish the deal (not saying that is easy).
Long story short, Nunn's commitment was Groce's first statement recruit. It was the first time we could say "yes, Groce can bring in good talent". So far we can't say that with Underwood.
Underwood beat out the blue bloods for Smith. He won Mr. Basketball in Illinois...and somehow you don't think he is a statement recruit?:noidea::crazy:
Mark Smith will be the best guard we've had since Deron Williams.
2. Rankings wise Mark Smith has Nunn beat
I'd argue Dee was a better college player. Dont @ me
You make some valid points but your point about rankings is inaccurate. Nunn had a composite RSCI ranking of 57 while Mark Smith was 90. Part of this was due to Smith's late rise, but to suggest he was clearly the higher ranked recruit is inaccurate.
It is easy to say that Smith is the better recruit because his potential is still ahead of him, but don't forget that Nunn had quite of bit of expectation when he signed. I believe some of this comparison is due to hindsight regarding Nunn's career not working out as hoped and Smith's potential still being so high.
I believe and hope that Smith's career makes any comparison look silly.
I went by rivals although it's closer than I remember... Bossi went and saw him after he blew up and he went from 3* NR to a fringe top 50 kid as a result.
I'm not sure what expectations necessarily mean in this equation or how high Nunn's were. Jabari Parker had the expectations. He was "the man" on his team (more like Mark Smith was on his). Nunn was second fiddle and he came to Illinois expecting to be a very solid SG but not somebody you can build a program around. Mark Smith absolutely is.
In honor of paigncake...Mark Smith vs. Kendrick Nunn. What a stupid argument? Both very solid recruits who I am (and was) very happy to be Illini. End of story. Jeez....get over yourselves people. Back to actual recruiting news please!!
I went by rivals although it's closer than I remember... Bossi went and saw him after he blew up and he went from 3* NR to a fringe top 50 kid as a result.
I'm not sure what expectations necessarily mean in this equation or how high Nunn's were. Jabari Parker had the expectations. He was "the man" on his team (more like Mark Smith was on his). Nunn was second fiddle and he came to Illinois expecting to be a very solid SG but not somebody you can build a program around. Mark Smith absolutely is.
Plus in HS hoops, Nunn will always be known as having 4 IHSA rings and only one of 5 Simeon players to have their jersey retired. Follow that up with making the B1G all freshman team, pretty much sums it up.
Mark Smith vs. Kendrick Nunn. What a stupid argument? Both very solid recruits who I am (and was) very happy to be Illini. End of story. Jeez....get over yourselves people. Back to actual recruiting news please!!
1. That statement is a joke frankly. This appears to be a very Chicagocentric argument.
2. Rankings wise Mark Smith has Nunn beat. Offer list wise Mark Smith has Nunn beat. Other big ten teams? Indiana offer. Nebaska offer. Northwestern offer. Michigan State offer. I guess it's not a "big ten" team but let's ignore the Kentucky offer too shall we? And the late push by Duke.
3. I'm glad you can speak for the michigan state fan base here. Guess you visited their board a few times and if they didn't have a meltdown over a player he must have not been a huge loss! They definitely know how bad Tom Izzo did or did not want him.
4. So was DJW. DJW > Mark Smith!?!? This is again turning into a "because he was hyped in Chicago he is the better get". It's a terrible argument. The world does not revolve around Chicago no matter how much you want to believe it does. Nunn was a very average player at Illinois.
5. Lol. If you think Underwood didn't have to "resell" Illinois while Tom Izzo was putting the full court press on him whatever. This is nothing but lazy arguments ignoring facts.
Mark Smith will be the best guard we've had since Deron Williams. He was a Mr. Basketball while Nunn was not. He plays the most important position on the court and he can be "the man" to build a team around to make multiple deep tourney runs. None of that applies to Kendrick Nunn.
But, hey, Kendrick played for Simeon! He wins!
Try getting off of it some time instead of speaking down to people from up there.
Think that backing out, may not be term, letting him know you're #2 on the list. THT is the one we want, and he may go elsewhere. Finke was the top dog not so long ago, now he is far down the list. To say recruiting is fluid, is an understatement.
Might try your own advice there, Sunshine.