Mark Smith signs with Illinois

1LL1NO1S · Apr 27, 2017

Yeah baby! Welcome to the family Mark Smith!

DragonIlliniFan · Apr 27, 2017

NOT A DREAM.

FiveStar · Apr 27, 2017

JFGsCoffeeMug said:
Hondo is indeed just a writer. But MSU fans are miffed that he drove to Smith's house for an interview without running it by Izzo first. From what I understand, Hondo met with Smith even before Izzo had a chance to, and Hondo supposedly made promises about playing time and the role Smith would fill on their squad next year. Some of those promises were contrary to Izzo's subsequent pitch to Smith and his family. :noidea:

They felt they were the frontrunners for Smith, and then they suddenly lost him to us. The meeting with Hondo is being identified as the turning point in that recruitment.

Well if that's the case I know who my new favorite MSU reporter is.

illiniguy24 · Apr 27, 2017

I'm glad me wearing an Illini polo to work and an Illinois basketball t shirt to play ball in at the gym after work yesterday down here in the dirty south paid off

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Deleted member 8213 · Apr 27, 2017

JFGsCoffeeMug said:
Hondo is indeed just a writer. But MSU fans are miffed that he drove to Smith's house for an interview without running it by Izzo first. From what I understand, Hondo met with Smith even before Izzo had a chance to, and Hondo supposedly made promises about playing time and the role Smith would fill on their squad next year. Some of those promises were contrary to Izzo's subsequent pitch to Smith and his family. :noidea:

They felt they were the frontrunners for Smith, and then they suddenly lost him to us. The meeting with Hondo is being identified as the turning point in that recruitment.

That Hondo guy is a clown I watched the interview last week, but he's being scapegoated because sparty fans can't wrap their head around anyone choosing Illinois over Izzo. For one thing the timeline is wrong to that narrative you described. Izzo had his in home with Mark and famous Edwardsville DQ visit the week before Hondo drove like 12 hrs roundtrip for that awkward interview.

Hooping34 · Apr 27, 2017

JFGsCoffeeMug said:
Hondo is indeed just a writer. But MSU fans are miffed that he drove to Smith's house for an interview without running it by Izzo first. From what I understand, Hondo met with Smith even before Izzo had a chance to, and Hondo supposedly made promises about playing time and the role Smith would fill on their squad next year. Some of those promises were contrary to Izzo's subsequent pitch to Smith and his family. :noidea:

They felt they were the frontrunners for Smith, and then they suddenly lost him to us. The meeting with Hondo is being identified as the turning point in that recruitment.

Just an FYI.....The Hondo information is inaccurate and not true....for the record and from a conversation with my uncle "MSU can stop bashing Hondo because that's is totally not the case of not Mark not picking MSU."

Mark went with his heart and the best fit for Mark...

aluma · Apr 27, 2017

This is exactly the type of kid we've been eagerly waiting to come to our beloved Illinois:

“When he won the award, he went through the record books and looked at who had won in the past,” his mother said. “Then he said, ‘Why wouldn’t you want to be Mr. Basketball and go to Illinois?’ I said, ‘Yeah, that’s a good thing.’”

http://herald-review.com/blogs/mark_tupper/mark-smith-gives-illini-major-recruiting-victory/article_43697340-2af5-11e7-8c1f-e30fbe67f7b5.html

Illiini · Apr 27, 2017

jcgoldie said:
That Hondo guy is...being scapegoated because sparty fans can't wrap their head around anyone choosing Illinois over Izzo.

Was my reaction, too. Top player going to Illinois over the Spoortans (I kid, trollers) is not part of the narrative. Just like losing on the court this year didn't. Double sting.

rockillini · Apr 27, 2017

aluma said:
This is exactly the type of kid we've been eagerly waiting to come to our beloved Illinois:

“When he won the award, he went through the record books and looked at who had won in the past,” his mother said. “Then he said, ‘Why wouldn’t you want to be Mr. Basketball and go to Illinois?’ I said, ‘Yeah, that’s a good thing.’”

http://herald-review.com/blogs/mark_tupper/mark-smith-gives-illini-major-recruiting-victory/article_43697340-2af5-11e7-8c1f-e30fbe67f7b5.html

A great read!

Deleted member 29907 · Apr 27, 2017

jcgoldie said:
That Hondo guy is a clown I watched the interview last week, but he's being scapegoated because sparty fans can't wrap their head around anyone choosing Illinois over Izzo. For one thing the timeline is wrong to that narrative you described. Izzo had his in home with Mark and famous Edwardsville DQ visit the week before Hondo drove like 12 hrs roundtrip for that awkward interview.

Agree - its just a few fans on their boards who are using this as a scapegoat. Most realize he chose a team he's always loved and now that that team has a very promising coach and offense, why go to MSU and Izzo?

Izzo was, after all, only 4-3 against the guy we just let go.

MainelyIllini · Apr 27, 2017

aluma said:
This is exactly the type of kid we've been eagerly waiting to come to our beloved Illinois:

“When he won the award, he went through the record books and looked at who had won in the past,” his mother said. “Then he said, ‘Why wouldn’t you want to be Mr. Basketball and go to Illinois?’ I said, ‘Yeah, that’s a good thing.’”

http://herald-review.com/blogs/mark...cle_43697340-2af5-11e7-8c1f-e30fbe67f7b5.html

Love that quote and this one too:

And when mother and son returned to campus last week for one final look, Mark Smith told her his mind was nearly made up. “He said, ‘My heart is still here.’”

Welcome to the O&B, Mark! Looking forward to watching you play for the beloved.

JFGsCoffeeMug · Apr 27, 2017

aluma said:
This is exactly the type of kid we've been eagerly waiting to come to our beloved Illinois:

“When he won the award, he went through the record books and looked at who had won in the past,” his mother said. “Then he said, ‘Why wouldn’t you want to be Mr. Basketball and go to Illinois?’ I said, ‘Yeah, that’s a good thing.’”

http://herald-review.com/blogs/mark_tupper/mark-smith-gives-illini-major-recruiting-victory/article_43697340-2af5-11e7-8c1f-e30fbe67f7b5.html

Between that article and her tweet asking about Charlie Moore, I can't shake the feeling that Smith's mom was really pulling for us the entire time.

illiniguy24 · Apr 27, 2017

aluma said:
This is exactly the type of kid we've been eagerly waiting to come to our beloved Illinois:

“When he won the award, he went through the record books and looked at who had won in the past,” his mother said. “Then he said, ‘Why wouldn’t you want to be Mr. Basketball and go to Illinois?’ I said, ‘Yeah, that’s a good thing.’”

http://herald-review.com/blogs/mark...cle_43697340-2af5-11e7-8c1f-e30fbe67f7b5.html

This makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.

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MainelyIllini · Apr 27, 2017

Sorry if already posted, but another article from Tupper here

I didn't realize how influential Malcolm Hill was in this decision. A big thank you to MH as well!

Illiniman94 · Apr 27, 2017

MainelyIllini said:
Sorry if already posted, but another article from Tupper here

I didn't realize how influential Malcolm Hill was in this decision. A big thank you to MH as well!

I love, love, love this young man. Malcolm deserved so much better than Groce's coaching. Not playing in a single NCAA tourney game is just not fair to to that kid. It's life and nobody said it was fair, but Malcolm deserved better.

LJ22 · Apr 27, 2017

Illiniman94 said:
I love, love, love this young man. Malcolm deserved so much better than Groce's coaching. Not playing in a single NCAA tourney game is just not fair to to that kid. It's life and nobody said it was fair, but Malcolm deserved better.

This was my thought as I was trying to fall asleep last night. I was 99% thrilled about Smith, and 1% depressed about Malcolm never getting his due.

Illiniman94 · Apr 27, 2017

ILL in IA said:
ESPN let go of 100 people yesterday and the first round of the NFL draft is tonight. They have bigger fish to fry. The good news is, even though its not on ESPN, it still happened.

I really don't think the layoffs had a thing or very minimal impact to do with anything. Those that still had a job were still doing there job. I can't find anything on it any other national outlet.

I do agree that in the end it doesn't matter because he and the program will get its due, but it is sad. I know this argument has already been had, but he is a much better prospect than his rank indicates. Had he been on the AAU circuit he would be a top 30-40 ranked player, IMO.

CoalCity · Apr 27, 2017

LJ22 said:
This was my thought as I was trying to fall asleep last night. I was 99% thrilled about Smith, and 1% depressed about Malcolm never getting his due.

How cool is it that Malcolm's mom attended last night? Keeping the family vibe going.

Even though Malcolm didn't get to play in the dance, he's still working to improve the program. That's what happens when you recruit quality people as well as quality players.

LJ22 · Apr 27, 2017

CoalCity said:
How cool is it that Malcolm's mom attended last night? Keeping the family vibe going.

Even though Malcolm didn't get to play in the dance, he's still working to improve the program. That's what happens when you recruit quality people as well as quality players.

No doubt. IMO Malcolm is one of the best overall packages (on court and off) that Illinois has ever recruited. I hope Smith follows in those footsteps.

Thor015 · Apr 27, 2017

I also want any type tongove a shout out to Malcom and his family. Thank you.

Second and Chalmers · Apr 27, 2017

CoalCity said:
How cool is it that Malcolm's mom attended last night? Keeping the family vibe going.

Even though Malcolm didn't get to play in the dance, he's still working to improve the program. That's what happens when you recruit quality people as well as quality players.

And you know who gets thanks for that, in this instance? Bruce Weber.

illiniguy24 · Apr 27, 2017

Illiniman94 said:
I really don't think the layoffs had a thing or very minimal impact to do with anything. Those that still had a job were still doing there job. I can't find anything on it any other national outlet.

I do agree that in the end it doesn't matter because he and the program will get its due, but it is sad. I know this argument has already been had, but he is a much better prospect than his rank indicates. Had he been on the AAU circuit he would be a top 30-40 ranked player, IMO.

Unfortunately some of the people that were let go were the type of people that would report on a recruit of MS ranking committing to Illinois.

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TCTORNADO · Apr 27, 2017

Smith will wear #13 unless Tracy qualifies for a 7th year.
Others to wear #13:
Jeff Jordan
Cory Bradford
Doug Clarida
Kendall Gill
James Griffin

Second and Chalmers · Apr 27, 2017

TCTORNADO said:
Smith will wear #13 unless Tracy qualifies for a 7th year.

Which is inevitable, let's be honest.

TCTORNADO · Apr 27, 2017

Second and Chalmers said:
Which is inevitable, let's be honest.

Thorne should get the Doctural exemption too, because he's on the faculty.

Mark Smith signs with Illinois

1LL1NO1S

DragonIlliniFan

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illiniguy24

Deleted member 8213

Guest

Hooping34

aluma

Illiini

rockillini

Deleted member 29907

Guest

MainelyIllini

JFGsCoffeeMug

BU:1 Trash cans:0

illiniguy24

MainelyIllini

Illiniman94

LJ22

Illiniman94

CoalCity

LJ22

Thor015

Second and Chalmers

illiniguy24

TCTORNADO

Second and Chalmers

TCTORNADO