Pretty sure that picture is from a Sports Illustrated article following the first Michigan game in 89.
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (March 2017)
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Pretty sure that picture is from a Sports Illustrated article following the first Michigan game in 89.
Ref "5 dirtiest programs"..not sure Syracuse, Louisville and UCLA are bluebloods...
Anyone who has followed college ball for a while knows this. The biggest cheaters are the blue-bloods who know they can (usually) away with things that other programs can't.
I think there is a pretty much a consensus, on this board, that UCLA is a Blue Blood. I was talking about the fact that most people consider there to be 5 Blue Bloods (Duke, UNC, Kansas, Kentucky, and UCLA) and 3 of them are on this list.
Nope
sacraig
- The desert
Collinsville, eh? My alma mater! Though I am thinking she didn't teach there when I was there.
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I still think the Bruninga kid could work out....think about this. Finke, Black, Tilmon and Williams and Nichols all getting PT at the 4-5 positions. Really what we need with Underwood system is an athletic big who can learn system and offer relief minutes.
Bruninga fits the bill, wont need a lot of PT and could even redshirt if needed?
Would really like to see this kid as an ILLINI
I would rather us take a look at Sandro Mamukelashvili from Montverde (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXyLPDYY_9E). We will also need to see if Mayan Kiir decides to re-open after VCU's coach left.
I watched Sandro play at the Tournament of Champions here in Springfield and I thought that he was a solid player. Montverde has a lot of big time talent so he didn't necessarily shine but he is a solid big who rebounds the ball, defends the paint, and can score around the rim along with nice touch in the mid range game.
TownieMatt
CU Expat
- Chicago
Nice find. Kid has some decent offers: http://247sports.com/Player/Sandro-Mamukelashvili-46036438
Seems like a super-stretchy four, but if he can rebound I'd be interested.
Kendall, if you're out there, do you like it too?
this article seems to be more click bait before final four. Kentucky seems to be on the list because Cal was slimy in the past at Memphis and UMass. On UCLA, they argue based on 1981 Gilbert case....neither are real good arguments to list them, IMO.
These Blue bloods really dont have any reason to be crooked. Biggest issue they probably have is controlling donors/alumni... Like when a recruits mom is put in touch with a loan officer in Miami (Cliff Alexander)...
That is the definition of being slimy. It's rarely the coach doing anything. It's the donors/alumni and the coach (conveniently) looks the other way.
The only problem I have with that list is that Duke isn't on it. The author tried to be honest, but he could only go so far -- some things are just too sacred and Coach K is one of them.
Bad competition might even be an understatement. Most of the time he was playing against other teams who's tallest player was barely over 6'0. The jump up in competition is going to be drastic for him. I would much rather look for a 5th year guy.
Blake Harris visiting MSU on the 14th, and Smith wants to announce by the 12th....very interesting!!
Trakis
- Chicago, IL
Unofficial multiple times. Never officially.
618 Illini
- Chicago
That is Mrs. Smith to you! My high school PE teacher right thereI would bet it is either an Illinois sweatshirt or and Edwardsville one. If it is, come on Yvonne, you can be wearing rival schools of Eville and Cville at the same time.
You Graduated form CHS too?! Great PE teacher... hoping shes pulling the strings to stay with the home state school!
sacraig
- The desert
There are dozens of us! Dozens!
I didn't have her as a PE teacher, though. I am pretty sure she didn't even work at the school when I was there (which wasn't that long ago).
Makai Ashton Langford, just decommitted from UCONN. Top 40 player in c/o 2017. Interesting to see if Izzo goes after this kid, since he is so desperately looking for a guard. http://247sports.com/Player/Makai-Ashton-Langford-59389
NEIlliniFan
- No longer in New England
UConn just hired Raphael Chillious,former Washington associate head coach, and Harris is reported to be visiting them as well.
He committed to Creighton.
Committed to Creighton.
MikeDavis!
Remembers when...
- Portlandia
That is Mrs. Smith to you! My high school PE teacher right there
I agree, that's like wearing Iowa and Illinois gear at the same time. Besides, I can't fathom how anyone can wear that horrible shade of Kahok purple
(EHS '97 grad here) 
There are only 4 true blue bloods right now: Duke, UNC, Kansas, and Kentucky.
UCLA and Indiana have tradition but are not in the same category as far as actual results. And programs like MSU may not have the legacy of a UCLA or Indiana but have elevated their status based on consistency of results for 20 years now.
No one here fully knows how much of a fan Mark Smith and his family are of the Illini. But he has the opportunity to be part of something big for this state. If he could help lead Illinois to relevance once more he would be immortalized. Any other school he goes, he would just be another fish in the basketball pond of life.
If he feels Underwood can help him develop into the NBA player he hopes to be? And if he is as sentimental about Illinois pride as I am, he is staying home.
If he feels Underwood can help him develop into the NBA player he hopes to be? And if he is as sentimental about Illinois pride as I am, he is staying home.
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