Good offer made by the staff for Toppin, hopefully soon should be able to move him and some of the others to committed on the scholarship grid.
The quotes really show why Mrs. Smith was so fond of Groce too. It's pretty clear to me now why they are taking this time. This staff has to show that family aspect of the program is going to continue. Another good reason for Jamal remaining on staff IMO
Nothing on those quotes is very telling or pro Illinois. Certainly MSU has a family aspect as does UK. Now, the "very competitive kids" comments, MSU and UK overall have more competitive kids, but these are general statements most parents would make.
It's telling to me. Maybe not "very" telling, but it makes sense to me. IMO it was Groce's main appeal. Especially to a mom hoping her boy is surrounded by positive role models. I'm not insinuating at all that the other programs lack the same aspects.
Nothing on those quotes is very telling or pro Illinois. Certainly MSU has a family aspect as does UK. Now, the "very competitive kids" comments, MSU and UK overall have more competitive kids, but these are general statements most parents would make.
Ayo dominating going to the hoop and Talen just hit a loooong 3 but went down with a cramp (I hope). Fire up 69-63 with 90 seconds to go. If they had any effective bigs they would be a top 5 EYBL team. Ayo, Talen and Demarius Jacobs are a great perimeter trio.
It's telling to me. Maybe not "very" telling, but it makes sense to me. IMO it was Groce's main appeal. Especially to a mom hoping her boy is surrounded by positive role models. I'm not insinuating at all that the other programs lack the same aspects.
UK has a foster family feel to it. Run a bunch of kids in for 8 months and then a new crop comes in.
I do not think the general perspective would be that Groce is more of a role model than Izzo, and Illinois had many off court problems under Groce, even involving some members still on the team. That is certainly not a differentiating aspect of Illinos vs. MSU, and the "very competitive kids" is probably even less in our favor. The quotes are definitely not "telling" in favor of Illinois, although Mark Smith may still end up at Illinois.
Personally, I think Mark and his family are taking a very steady and consistent approach to his decision/recruitment. IMO some of the writers close to the Illini had jumped the gun insinuating a possible verbal on his visit, and then looked for some scapegoats (e.g., his dad) on why their faulty insinuations did not happen.
F. How important is proximity?Agree - To me, it's all about
a) How important is first year playing time?
b) How important is playing point?
c) How important is the talent around him?
d) How important is the NBA pedigree of the staff?
e) Does Illinois have an advantage in terms of comfort level?
I think a. and b. are locked up for us vs. MSU/etc. c. and d. are bad for us. e. is an X factor.
Comfort level with Coach Walker, how much he's been able to bond with a couple members of the current team and with the recruits (Da'Monte and Frazier), and then how convincing Brad's pitch has been. If he feels "better" about the comfort level at Illinois than elsewhere, we have a solid advantage. If not, it will be tough to overcome the lack of advantage at c., d. and e.
I do not think the general perspective would be that Groce is more of a role model than Izzo, and Illinois had many off court problems under Groce, even involving some members still on the team. That is certainly not a differentiating aspect of Illinos vs. MSU, and the "very competitive kids" is probably even less in our favor. The quotes are definitely not "telling" in favor of Illinois, although Mark Smith may still end up at Illinois.
Personally, I think Mark and his family are taking a very steady and consistent approach to his decision/recruitment. IMO some of the writers close to the Illini had jumped the gun insinuating a possible verbal on his visit, and then looked for some scapegoats (e.g., his dad) on why their faulty insinuations did not happen.
F. How important is proximity?
We have that one on the others, too, and if he is comfortable enough with the rest it might help outweigh some of the others.
Absolutely, good call!
f. Proximity
g. Already an Illinois fan
h. Edwardsville -> Illini history
I can only hope some of that matters but we just don't know how much it does.
@TheMacIrvinFire: Coach Brad Underwood and Illinois just offered 6'5 PG Ayo Dosunmu #BigTen #Illini #MacIrvinFire
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Comfort level with Coach Walker, how much he's been able to bond with a couple members of the current team and with the recruits (Da'Monte and Frazier), and then how convincing Brad's pitch has been. If he feels "better" about the comfort level at Illinois than elsewhere, we have a solid advantage. If not, it will be tough to overcome the lack of advantage at c., d. and e.
Mac Irvin Fire @TheMacIrvinFire 2m2 minutes ago
Coach Brad Underwood and Illinois just offered 6'5 G Talen Horton Tucker (Simeon)
YES!!
haha -rockillini, great minds think alike!
#BigTen #Illini #MacIrvinFire