I agree that's how I and probably most of the fan base feel. My whole point is that we don't know if that's what Whitman is thinking.
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (April-June 2016)
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I agree that's how I and probably most of the fan base feel. My whole point is that we don't know if that's what Whitman is thinking.
This is a hilariously absurd story
Not really accurate on many fronts. I know quite a lot of HS and AAU coaches, as well as people in the Illinois AD (Admissions Department), and most did not believe that Cliff was coming to UI.
He (CA) was never going to get admitted to UI. Never ever ever. I got banned for posting this info. Several months later the majority of his HS team (M. Curie) were found to be in-illegible and their victories were removed (Funny Cliff managed to escape that melee). I count that as a win.
Julian Wright was never going to go to UI either. His words, not mine. Kansas contacted him by phone and met him in St. Louis when he signed. According to JW's HC, Bill Self never stepped into the State of Illinois while 'recruiting' Julian.
Not sure about the other guys. I wasn't close to their recruitment. Sherron Collins, mentioned earlier, was never going to UI.
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I was at the EYBL this past weekend. I got a chance to see Goodwin play twice. I was very impressed by the fact that he was in the lead guard spot quite a bit. He displayed an all around game (smooth stroke, handles, driving ability, rebounds). I started a conversation with Groce and Parham who were watching the game courtside. I introduced myself as an alum and fan. Groce was a man of few words (maybe in his intense zone) and Paris interacted with me a bit. He even acted like we had met before. We talked about the versitilty of Goodwin.
Later I ran into Goodwin, Tillman, and Darius Garland at Chick-fil-A. I congratulated the guys on the win and introduced myself as an Illinois grad from Carbondale. I asked Tillman about his health and he thanked me for asking before updating me on his status. I talked to Goodwin about some common family associates. Before I left, I put in an illini plug saying "you guys need to come to Illinois".
It got interesting at this point. Both Tillman and Goodwin shifted thier eye contact with me and looked at each other. It was more of a poker face situation, no smile, no smirk or comments. They then looked and put class of 2018 Darius Garland on the spot saying that he had high interest in Illinois. Darius seemed to light up a bit and he made a comment to me that I cannot recall.
Do you think they get this so often by fans, friends, and others that they react this way to keep things close to the vest?
Later I ran into Goodwin, Tillman, and Darius Garland at Chick-fil-A. I congratulated the guys on the win and introduced myself as an Illinois grad from Carbondale. I asked Tillman about his health and he thanked me for asking before updating me on his status. I talked to Goodwin about some common family associates. Before I left, I put in an illini plug saying "you guys need to come to Illinois".
It got interesting at this point. Both Tillman and Goodwin shifted thier eye contact with me and looked at each other. It was more of a poker face situation, no smile, no smirk or comments. They then looked and put class of 2018 Darius Garland on the spot saying that he had high interest in Illinois. Darius seemed to light up a bit and he made a comment to me that I cannot recall.
Do you think they get this so often by fans, friends, and others that they react this way to keep things close to the vest?
Attachments
In my post, AD as in Athletic Department. I have no idea on Cliff's academic status, but I honestly doubt admissions people discuss students' records.
Agreed. "Oh yeah....I forgot...."
Interesting story ejames, thanks for sharing. I find it strange that their natural instinct would be to look at each other stone faced, but I've also never been in their position.
The meaning of this would depend a lot on the inflection of their voice when deferring to Garland. Did they respond sarcastically, in a way that might indicate something like, well don't worry about us but he might have interest. Or was it in a manner that they didn't want to make Garland feel left out or insignificant.
The meaning of this would depend a lot on the inflection of their voice when deferring to Garland. Did they respond sarcastically, in a way that might indicate something like, well don't worry about us but he might have interest. Or was it in a manner that they didn't want to make Garland feel left out or insignificant.
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Welp, Goodwin is picking up YUGGGEE offers
JGOOD
@jGoodwin1123 57s58 seconds ago
Blessed to receive a offer from Michigan State ������
JGOOD
@jGoodwin1123 57s58 seconds agoBlessed to receive a offer from Michigan State ������
Well, now MSU has.
Welp, Goodwin is picking up YUGGGEE offers
JGOOD
Blessed to receive a offer from Michigan State ������
Looking at offer list....looks like KSU, MSU and TX have offered both Tilmon and Goodwin now ( in addition to U of I)...I may be putting too much thought into them as package deal but seems like they are very close.
On to the next recruit... I was really hoping to see Goody in the orange and blue too
Groce should have wrapped him up in the fall when Goodwin was oh so close to doing.
I'm sure he didn't think of that.
Joel Goodson
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Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
There is so much Basketball talent in this state but average fans would never know because all of our best players go make other state schools look great. So sad. I'm still holding out hope that I can root for this kid in college, becoming more unlikely every day though.
At this point we can't control what recruits do , hopefully the team we have now can make some noise next year and raise some eyebrows nationally on t.v with some good wins Instead of blowouts on ESPN , and bring a buzz back to the state so these recurits can say hey if we go there next year and add to the talent they got now , we can do something special.
This will not be possible, however, for Goodwin, Tilmon and the rest of the 2017 class, as their recruitment will most likely be over by then.
Don't be so pessimistic!
True story, sounds weird to announce at Rainforest Cafe, but 20 years ago announcements did not always happen at HS gyms. While Maggette did opt out, Quentin Richardson, Illinois' top ranked recruit and a top-10 national recruit did indeed go along with the original plan (even without Maggette) and held his announcement at Rainforest Cafe in front of quite a large crowd. He picked DePaul over Kansas. Maggette announced very simply for Duke on local cable with not much fanfare.
Anything is possible with a healthy roster .
It's not a matter of healthy roster, it is a matter of timing.
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