Can we just pass around a collection plate at the game tomorrow night?! Lol.
Here you go, I'll bring one!!
Can we just pass around a collection plate at the game tomorrow night?! Lol.
This free article from Donut brothers, entitled "Jeremiah Tilmon Situation Could Warrant Investigation"
http://ilprepbullseye.com/Tilmon_Wavering.html
I have been worried about Tilmon ever since Goodwin committed to SLU... I think we are in a "must prove yourself" situation with Tilmon as of now... If we play well and have a good year, I think he stays... If not, he gone.
but we've gotten commitments from three separate solid 5-star players and ALL THREE have decommited.
Fine, very high 4-star. I misremembered slightly. Still, #38 composite ranking at a position of need is a huge deal. Point stands. Strong work picking nits.
Honest question: have any other programs had a series of decommitments as devastating as Eric Gordon, Quentin Snider, and Jeremiah Tilmon over the last decade? I can't think of any. We've signed two fringe 5-star players since Dee Brown in Meyers Leonard and Jereme Richmond, but we've gotten commitments from three separate solid 5-star players and ALL THREE have decommited. That's not even mentioning the dozen or so bridesmaid finishes.
The only conclusion I can draw is that we're not willing or able to play the big money game of elite national recruiting. We simply must not pony up in the end. These kids and their handlers require certain accommodations that we don't deliver on. It really sucks to be the Charlie Brown of college basketball.
I don't see it taking nearly that long. I think his mind is made up and he's just allowing some time to pass before breaking the news publicly.
Who's Tillmon closer with, Goodwin or Pickett?
Who's Tillmon closer with, Goodwin or Pickett?
If his mind was already made up, there would be no reason not to just sign with whichever team he had decided to join. The fact that he hasn't signed either means he hasn't decided what to do yet or else he is a real Cliffmas-type jerk (or immature kid, depending on your take on that debacle).
I think the more likely scenario is the former. Consider the following:
- Tilmon has made it clear that his relationship with Groce is one of the big reasons he committed to UI in the first place.
- Ford is clearly a great pitchman and has Goodwin on board, which is a selling point for Tilmon.
- If Groce is gone, playing Goodwin and Ford (someone he knows compared to an unknown replacement here) may outweigh the Illinois "brand" for Tilmon.
- The regular signing period is in mid-April. By then, the fate of our upcoming season will be well-known.
So, it makes perfect sense if he is simply waiting to see how our season plays out. Occam's razor.
Super excited for the class we have so far, really! Can't be happier for these kids.
And while I hope for the best and prepare for the worst on Tilmon, I can't blame the kid if somebody being in his ear has him wondering, 'I wanna go to Illinois but why would I sign now then something happens and and Groce is gone. Then I'm stuck!'
The longer this goes without an all-out de-commitment, the more I'm hoping he's just looking out for himself and his interests.
Heck if I were him and The Illini had a bad season leading to a coaching change, I would be upset that I signed back in November, too!
He can go anywhere he wants. As such I have more reason to believe that this could be his backup plan moving forward. Unless I'm mistaken, I don't believe he ever guaranteed signing in the early period.
prepbullseye saying Kansas maybe getting in the mix