Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

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#176      

IllinoisIntegrity

IllinoisIntegrity
IllinoisIntegrity
Fan4FourDecades said:
I'm also a longtime lurker and have never posted until today. I am also a long time booster (graduated in the 80's). The second I found about the Illini Guardians, I donated and will continue to do so. We agree in one sense-I don't like all the change that's happened to college basketball either, but that's the new landscape. I still love March Madness. I still love going to games in Champaign. I still love following recruiting on this site. I still love the team and I still bleed orange & blue. You asked why boosters should continue to support the program? The answer is still the same for me. I want to see them win a national championship-whether it's with a four year player, a one and done, or a transfer. Now, your donations can be pooled with others to create NIL contracts with the student athletes. Your impact can be immediate and direct. You've made your choice and I've made mine. I will continue to support, even more so than I have in the past.
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Thank you for a sincere reply. Clearly, Illinois fans here are easily triggered. First, I also bleed orange and blue and will always be a fan dreaming of that title.
Also a late 80’s alumni, I have been fortunate to be able to donate to specific facility projects (Most recently for Ubben), as well as towards general athletic funds over the years. However, as you and many others have said before, the entire landscape of college athletics has evolved into something unrecognizable from our day. The entire point of me posting in the first place was to acknowledge that I have been ethically torn and to seek feedback from other donors— so thanks again. Fundamentally, I just became too conflicted. Seriously, what is the point of a public university??? It just seems to be way out of balance now. Between the network revenues and NIL, I also started to feel like I was being duped. I will still support U of I but will be shifting my donations towards areas I now consider more impactful for the university as a whole, like research and scholarships, not just men’s bball. Who knows, maybe it’s just me getting old.
 
#177      

Fanview

Fanview
Fanview
IllinoisIntegrity said:
Thank you for a sincere reply. Clearly, Illinois fans here are easily triggered. First, I also bleed orange and blue and will always be a fan dreaming of that title.
Also a late 80’s alumni, I have been fortunate to be able to donate to specific facility projects (Most recently for Ubben), as well as towards general athletic funds over the years. However, as you and many others have said before, the entire landscape of college athletics has evolved into something unrecognizable from our day. The entire point of me posting in the first place was to acknowledge that I have been ethically torn and to seek feedback from other donors— so thanks again. Fundamentally, I just became too conflicted. Seriously, what is the point of a public university??? It just seems to be way out of balance now. Between the network revenues and NIL, I also started to feel like I was being duped. I will still support U of I but will be shifting my donations towards areas I now consider more impactful for the university as a whole, like research and scholarships, not just men’s bball. Who knows, maybe it’s just me getting old.
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Continue to share your point of view and insight. You offer a unique perspective that I would love to hear more.

We as people tend to get defensive when others disagree with us (Probably an ego thing). But we also tend to think people are angry when they are presenting opposing viewpoints. I'm sure the reality is somewhere in the middle.
 
#178      

KBLEE

KBLEE
Montgomery, IL
KBLEE
trtl said:
Holy moly! I LOVE our insiders! What the heck are you talking about? I was giving credit where credit was due, that is, to Dishwhite and @IllinoisReg, and making the point that sometimes bad news is accurate. Geez, have a gummie and start your weekend a little early.
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TSJ at that time was also linked to Kentucky (who is an actual blue blood). So him ending up at Michigan instead of Illinois is no more accurate.
 
#179      

SescIllini

SescIllini
SescIllini
IllinoisIntegrity said:
Thank you for a sincere reply. Clearly, Illinois fans here are easily triggered. First, I also bleed orange and blue and will always be a fan dreaming of that title.
Also a late 80’s alumni, I have been fortunate to be able to donate to specific facility projects (Most recently for Ubben), as well as towards general athletic funds over the years. However, as you and many others have said before, the entire landscape of college athletics has evolved into something unrecognizable from our day. The entire point of me posting in the first place was to acknowledge that I have been ethically torn and to seek feedback from other donors— so thanks again. Fundamentally, I just became too conflicted. Seriously, what is the point of a public university??? It just seems to be way out of balance now. Between the network revenues and NIL, I also started to feel like I was being duped. I will still support U of I but will be shifting my donations towards areas I now consider more impactful for the university as a whole, like research and scholarships, not just men’s bball. Who knows, maybe it’s just me getting old.
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I think you make valid points, as an alumnus and current student your generosity should be appreciated.
The landscape has changed, and if you no longer feel athletics is where your gift should be sent that is understandable.
 
#180      

BretBielemafanclub

B
BretBielemafanclub
IllinoisIntegrity said:
Thank you for a sincere reply. Clearly, Illinois fans here are easily triggered. First, I also bleed orange and blue and will always be a fan dreaming of that title.
Also a late 80’s alumni, I have been fortunate to be able to donate to specific facility projects (Most recently for Ubben), as well as towards general athletic funds over the years. However, as you and many others have said before, the entire landscape of college athletics has evolved into something unrecognizable from our day. The entire point of me posting in the first place was to acknowledge that I have been ethically torn and to seek feedback from other donors— so thanks again. Fundamentally, I just became too conflicted. Seriously, what is the point of a public university??? It just seems to be way out of balance now. Between the network revenues and NIL, I also started to feel like I was being duped. I will still support U of I but will be shifting my donations towards areas I now consider more impactful for the university as a whole, like research and scholarships, not just men’s bball. Who knows, maybe it’s just me getting old.
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No need to explain yourself. Your points were valid. People get so triggered anymore whenever someone opposes their view point. Mob mentality runs deep on message boards. Would love to hear more from you
 
#181      

Homecoming 2019

Homecoming 2019
Chicago
Homecoming 2019
Yukon said:
I agree with you on all accounts. I'm just saying there are improvements coming I hope. However, my overall point was, don't look at it as if you're helping the kids and question their loyalty. That is what it is. Look at it as if you're helping the program overall. What's best for the student is best for all. We have learned that if we lose a player, we can replace them and still be good. But when players decisions impact booster money... Its the program you're investing in not the player.

And I agree with you about Belo. I'm fine seeing the Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde act move east and am looking forward to the return of the flying Illini!
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Sorry, it obviously looked like I was pointing my remarks at you, I was mostly commenting at the person you replied to. I think the rule needs looking at, but at least we are moving the right direction.
 
#182      

the juiceman cometh

T
the juiceman cometh
IllinoisIntegrity said:
Thank you for a sincere reply. Clearly, Illinois fans here are easily triggered. First, I also bleed orange and blue and will always be a fan dreaming of that title.
Also a late 80’s alumni, I have been fortunate to be able to donate to specific facility projects (Most recently for Ubben), as well as towards general athletic funds over the years. However, as you and many others have said before, the entire landscape of college athletics has evolved into something unrecognizable from our day. The entire point of me posting in the first place was to acknowledge that I have been ethically torn and to seek feedback from other donors— so thanks again. Fundamentally, I just became too conflicted. Seriously, what is the point of a public university??? It just seems to be way out of balance now. Between the network revenues and NIL, I also started to feel like I was being duped. I will still support U of I but will be shifting my donations towards areas I now consider more impactful for the university as a whole, like research and scholarships, not just men’s bball. Who knows, maybe it’s just me getting old.
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There's nothing wrong with the bolded, I'm just surprised you were donating to basketball in the first place based on your thought process. I consider athletics to be valuable, but never considered big time sports as essential for an academic institution, nor athletics as one of the more impactful areas to donate to "for the university as a whole." Kinda sounds like this decision could have been made for the same reasons 20 years ago.
 
#186      

Future Walk-On

Future Walk-On
Peoria, IL
Future Walk-On
Roundball Sage said:
A true sports fan or institution supporter has loyalty to a PROGRAM. Not to individual players or coaches or anything else. The Program is bigger than all of its parts. It is tradition... history... legacy... family and friends... good times and great experiences... lifetime bonds made... years of precious life spent in a chosen place. THAT is what should be supported.
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Sometimes I feel this gets lost on people. It is the alumni/fans supporting these programs that keep this billion+ dollar operation going, because it is their community and their school.

You hear about these ideas for off shoot leagues for kids who don't want to go to college. Good luck generating any revenue or hype for those.

NIL money is going to go to the loyal players/students the fanbases come to love. Not random 5 star kids/transfers who think they are NBA lottery picks and want to cash in early.

The best coaches, best experience, best competition, best facilities, best back up option (degree) will always be in college.
 
#188      

trtl

T
trtl
KBLEE said:
TSJ at that time was also linked to Kentucky (who is an actual blue blood). So him ending up at Michigan instead of Illinois is no more accurate.
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You spelled “less” wrong.

Can this topic just die already?
 
#189      

Heisenbobble

Heisenbobble
Heisenbobble
Indy Illini Fan said:
Seeing who can offer the most $$$ ... TN and Auburn are involved but they are also heavily involved with Ramey ... Wouldn't shock me one bit if one goes TN and one goes to Auburn ...
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So let's remove Ramey from consideration with Illinois then. (Reading tea leaves)
 
#193      

the juiceman cometh

T
the juiceman cometh
FinallyMadeAnAccount said:
Damn, we're back to the "and others" group.
https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1517559616070164482
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Angry Season 2 GIF by The Lonely Island
 
#194      

illini80

illini80
Forgottonia
illini80
Homecoming 2019 said:
I swear Gen Z is further away from Millennials than Millennials are from Boomers.
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It’s always that way tho. Remember a part of the boomers were also the hippie generation. Millennial's and now Z’s are pretty tame by comparison. In 10 years the Z’s will be complaining about whatever the next group is being called.
 
#196      

trtl

T
trtl
Indy Illini Fan said:
Seeing who can offer the most $$$ ... TN and Auburn are involved but they are also heavily involved with Ramey ... Wouldn't shock me one bit if one goes TN and one goes to Auburn ...
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This makes me sad. I always related to players who committed to U of I because they love my school/team. I know that’s naive, but that’s why I was a Trent Frazier fan from Day 1. He never wavered in his commitment because he loved the school. Now, for some, certainly not for all, it’s just “who will pay me the most.” If I want to stay a fan, I guess I better get used to it.
 
#197      

Kendall Gill’s Uncle

K
Kendall Gill’s Uncle
HailtotheChief said:
We need at least some experiencevor PG. Ramsey still in the mix?
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I wasn’t sure if it was legit or not but I heard Gordon Ramsey played point guard for Le’Cole Culinare for 2 years before focusing on the culinary arts. Sounds like he could have some eligibility left, maybe a COVID year. I’m sure Illinois would be interested but this could be a tough one with admissions and his neck length.
 
#199      

illini80

illini80
Forgottonia
illini80
Indy Illini Fan said:
Seeing who can offer the most $$$ ... TN and Auburn are involved but they are also heavily involved with Ramey ... Wouldn't shock me one bit if one goes TN and one goes to Auburn ...
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Well shoot. I wanted Ramey. Any new names on the radar or are we waiting for the NBA deadline to pass?
 
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