Social media has made it worse but many of our current Illini legends came with much angst before and after they arrived on campus. What would Illinois be if stars like Kendall Gill, Frank Williams, and Dee Brown left after there sophomore year? It almost happened.
Lowell Hamilton, Marcus Liberty, Deon Thomas all were not easy commitments and highly pursued by major power programs.
Deron Williams liked Illinois but it became a clearer decision when spots at UNC, Maryland, Tennesse, and GT got filled.
There were also others that selected Illinois but had to go the JC route and then re-recruited.