I can 100% confirm this has been the case since the late 90s as well. I had direction interaction with the dealer and the players back then.
People need to get over the pot stigma. Alcohol causes more problems.
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (April 2017)
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I can 100% confirm this has been the case since the late 90s as well. I had direction interaction with the dealer and the players back then.
People need to get over the pot stigma. Alcohol causes more problems.
Entirely disagree. These decisions have the potential to be multi-million dollar decisions. These kids are chasing an NBA payoff and anyone living below the poverty line, which many of these kids are, will do whatever they can to reach that destination. I'm disappointed JT asked for his release but I get it and don't blame him a bit. In many ways this is a lottery ticket.
sacraig
- The desert
Except with a lottery ticket, the place you buy it plays no role in your chance of winning. For players who are not one-and-done lottery pick types, the school they pick (or more importantly, the coaching staff) actually does play a role in whether they win that lottery. I am inclined to let him take all the time he needs and just hope he decides the decision that is best for him is the same one that I like... or at least that it isn't Mizzou.
PhillyIllini
- Los Angeles
All I know is that Coach O is about to reset the entire recruiting board for us. And it's going to be $%&*! awesome.
PhillyIllini
- Los Angeles
Well then it's a great thing that JW is the one making the tough decisions.
Oldtoysrock
- Sarasota, Florida
He was unstoppable and I watched the whole thing. He didn't Miss Once! Couldn't figure out why the color of my screen kept flickering though.
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I remember earlier this season when Jay Bilas did the "94 feet" with Carlton Bragg and asked him if he hadn't went to Kansas where would he have went. His response? "Illinois".
peace davids
- Colorado
Same with Quentin Snyder. Geez we really are the first loser.
I think, both JT and CB, should pick Akron.
Another reminder that John Groce was so close, yet so far from having this program rolling.
That would be awesome. Not going to happen, but give Groce a roster with Tilmon, Bragg, and a decent PG in 2018 (Xavier Castenada? Yahel Hill?) and watch him run roughshod over the MAC. I'd enjoy that.
After tonight's IL in home visit, Mark will not be going to IL. Makes me very sad. That's a fact, so I guess we move on from Tilmon and Smith and focus on who we can get with this new coaching staff.
On the positive side, we have an awesome guard coming next year in Frazier, who I think is severely underrated. I've seen the man in person, and he's got it all.
Just waiting for that double kick in the groin of tilmon to mizzou and smith to MSU. This is 10 years of bad recruiting juju.
Did he inform the staff?
Losing out on Mark Smith is a bigger blow than losing Tilmon IMO. But losing both hurts BIG time. I think Smith is the type of player that changes a program. We can't catch a break with regard to recruiting. Someone like Smith should be a open and shut case for us, but of course programs like MSU and Kentucky can come in within 3 week time period and snag a kid that grew up being an Illini fan. I feel more confident with Underwood at the helm, but man losing Tilmon and Smith tell me that he definitely isn't an ace recruiter.
mattcoldagelli
- The Transfer Portal
There are quite a few options on the table already, and will be more - and we don't even have our third AC yet. It's pretty plausible that whoever fills that spot could have some connections to guys looking for immediate PT.
afpharmdawg
- Colorado Springs
Yes they are chasing multi-million dollars. School choice is not much of a factor. The odds of making it in the NBA are slim to begin with. If a player is good enough to be in the NBA and make the bucks then they will be there if they play at Kansas or Bowling Green. Good players make it, others not so much.
Yep and we don't know what Antigua has up his sleeve either. Lots of uncommitted guys and also a lot of coaching changes with guys who may be looking to get out of their LOI
You guys are trying so hard to be optimistic, but we've seen this story too many times. We can try to be positive and keep our hope on the possibility of a getting in on a late recruit or a transfer. But remember, there are dozens of other schools trying to get those same recruits and transfers to come to their school too. We will be ok in the long run with Underwood (IMO), but short term missing Tilmon and Smith are major major blows.
I would have thought that we would have added another even if JT would have opted to stay. He is talented, but I doubt that he is that good all by himself. His leaving will hurt.
Not on Underwood. It's the cost you pay for changing your coaching staff a month prior. Probably will take another year (or likely two) for us to be winning games like we need to to get recruits.
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