Who was James Augustine's influencer that pushed him to UofI?
You are trying too hard and only show your ignorance.
Ask Dee why he came to UI, and yes I do know Dee personally pretty well. Dee came to play for Self, and has mentioned it many times, despite the "developed" love for our program later on. If it was not for Self, Dee was going to MSU.
Self also landed Luther in a period when we were totally struggling and were totally boycotted in Chicago, opened a lot of doors. We landed Deron because of the relationships that Billy Gillispie had developed in Dallas. Without Gillispie, there is no Deron at UI.
Villanueva was a top 5 recruit, was not going to play for other coaching staff at UI, also due to initial close relationships in NJ (Blair Academy) of Norm Roberts, from his time in NY.
Augustine was a good player and top-100 recruit but not a major name, ended up a great players. But unless we upgrade overall talent, like 80s (I do not see you asking many questions there?) and Self, the program will remain invisible in college basketball. If you are waiting to build a program with just the occasional top-100 recruit and lower ranked recruits who can surprise, better grab a snickers. UI absolutely needs the Ayo's of the world, and we need MIF more than they need us. We have become irrelevant in college basketball, yet they are one of the best AAU programs, a showcase Nike program.
And no, again, Chin and Orlando were not brought here just for their reputation of "developing" players.