Indy....you might want to lay off the spiked kool-aid a bit. Watching Kentucky of the past 15 years, it seems we might want to learn a thing or two from history. At least take a wait and see with as many as 3 frosh in the starting lineup. Nothing wrong with pulling for them like a banshee to win every game, but top 5 "no doubt" might be bit over-enthusiastic. Of course, personally, I expect them to be #1!!!!!!
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread
We lost Storr and now lost Fears. We're domed and Brad's seat must be getting hot!So, where are we on Storr? Those May meltdowns
(ignoring all the additions, /s)
Yes. Definitely. When would it not be a good thing to take a top ten recruit over a kid in his 30's still struggling with his shot? Fears was supposed to be committed for next year. He was supposed to take another year to develop. If he does go for the bag, I hope he gets his. Otherwise, I am good where we are with Kylan or Jasper or whatever. Jasper is ready now. If he wants to come here and we can afford him, it will produce immediate results. The Illini want to be in a position to win this year and next year. I am in with that. Now, the next thing to happen if it has not already is for Greg to have a major meltdown on his podcast and ask the question. Is the Illinois program declining now that Fears is reopening his commitment?
sacraig
- The desert
And yet we still keep landing in the middle of the pack in the B1G for a bunch of talking heads in the blogosphere.
I guess that's why you play the games.
Oh don’t get me wrong … I’d much rather have Jasper for 2025 … And I think that’s where he stays …
But I’m just reporting what’s on the table … And Brad going to the boosters and an assistant telling me there’s a chance tells me all I need to know …
sacraig
- The desert
Brad's job is to win. As far as I am concerned, you recruit the best players you can at positions of need, and once they are on the team, it's their responsibility to keep pushing and fighting to get better and keep their starting spot.
People getting paid…..it’s a business now (way more than before). This ain’t your grandpappy’s college athletics any longer.
There is one good rule to follow in today’s New College Ball Age of Player Motion. And that is...never get too attached to any one player. Things are just always in movement these days. And the merry-go-round does not stop for a moment... nor should it.
You will not have the same guys on the floor every time you look up. I said a long time ago that today’s College ball is now like classic street ball where whichever guys show up on a given day or night pair off into teams and you get the game on. OK, it won’t be changing THAT fast... but you get the idea. It's about the fun of playing and seeing Who's Best on any given day -- or year.
Put your faith and trust in the Program... the bigger picture... the legacy and personal connection you have to 'Your' chosen logo and situs of place. That doesn’t have to change or be in flux.
I like today’s Players-In-Motion operating system where the guys who put on ‘your’ uniform on any night wanted to be there for that moment in time. They don’t have to be there tomorrow (next year) if they don’t want to and your Program will survive and prosper because you are providing a winning environment that anyone would be interested in playing for.
And if a place does not provide a Winning (nurturing, mentoring) ball environment then THAT is the problem to solve in today's New College Ball Age.
You will not have the same guys on the floor every time you look up. I said a long time ago that today’s College ball is now like classic street ball where whichever guys show up on a given day or night pair off into teams and you get the game on. OK, it won’t be changing THAT fast... but you get the idea. It's about the fun of playing and seeing Who's Best on any given day -- or year.
Put your faith and trust in the Program... the bigger picture... the legacy and personal connection you have to 'Your' chosen logo and situs of place. That doesn’t have to change or be in flux.
I like today’s Players-In-Motion operating system where the guys who put on ‘your’ uniform on any night wanted to be there for that moment in time. They don’t have to be there tomorrow (next year) if they don’t want to and your Program will survive and prosper because you are providing a winning environment that anyone would be interested in playing for.
And if a place does not provide a Winning (nurturing, mentoring) ball environment then THAT is the problem to solve in today's New College Ball Age.
Heck yeah recruiting better talent is a good thing. You want minutes, come in and earn them. If we have someone who is scared of competition do we really want them?
Chuck Nuggets
Dip your nuggets in my staff source sauce.
Jeremiah Fears is a great, great player. It's unfortunate he will not be wearing an Illinois uniform after being committed to the program for so long. Only the fact that BU & this staff has shown themselves to be the best recruiting recovery team possible makes it not a devastating loss. You cannot blame a kid who wants to make 6 or 7 figures right now rather than a year from now. I imagine Fears is weighing really good $$$ offers. Go get it while you can.
I totally agree with @Indy Illini Fan who said "top 5 preseason" team. That is not a prediction of where they would end up... just where they would start.
yes...because it is...
Groce was the one to start recruiting Ayo, so give him some credit.Imagine this during the Groce years …
Oh wait … We can’t … We never got a player of Fears caliber …
…
The best “Catch-22” of a starting lineup I’ve ever seen at Illinois.If Jasper comes here and re-classes...I don't know about any chances but just to say that sounds ABSOLUTELY INSANE...what in the world the starting five? Kylan, Jasper, Kasparas, Ben, Tomislav? Ben?
Lord...Golly...
That's a sure top 5 team in the country. Honestly the sky would be the limit.
I ain't gonna lie...that possibility has me in shambles...
If player A starts, then player B will be on the bench, but player B wouldnt be coming here if he wasn’t starting, but if player B starts, then player A will be on the bench, but player A wouldnt be coming here if he wasn’t starting, but if player A starts…
I LOVE it.
Joel Goodson
- dawgville
I sure didn't have Fears bailing on my bingo card. That said, no biggie. Which shows how far we've come.
I have to say, this is about as chill as I've ever seen the board about a decommit/miss.
Not 'we didn't want him' but 'if he wanted a 24 starting spot I get why it didn't work out'. It seems like a good thing?
I can't tell if you're being serious or not ...
There is a 0% chance Ayo was coming here with Groce as HC ...
sacraig
- The desert
I'd be very curious to know why Groce was so good at getting big fish to come on visits but so bad at landing even a single one. I've always had my theories, but zero inside info to confirm them.
FeelYourPaign
- So Cal
FascinatingThis is true …
Brad also didn’t want to hear the bull when he brought in someone better in 2025 class …
Hell yeah it's a good thing. Want to be elite got to start acting like an elite. That means not batting an eye over who's feelings we hurt by bringing in a top 10 recruit. Want to play then earn your minutes. If someone beats you out and you want to leave then good luck
Let me ask you, if, say, Duke, UNC, Kansas, Uconn, Kentucky, Mich St, etc had: the incoming top 10-15ish HS recruit (even after reclassing), #29th ranked HS recruit, a starting point guard from the #12 ranked team last year, a consensus NBA 1st round pick, a proven Euro 7 footer, and a glue guy like Ty Rodgers and a proven coaching staff like IL do you think they sniff the top 30 or not?
I get it. We have a lot of questions and new parts that need to be put together to become a working, functional team. But this program is coming off an Elite 8 season that capped a pretty successful 5 year run. I believe the program should be considered a top 25 contender based on the above. It matters now because "voter" impressions are being formed. The lower you start the harder it is to ascend the rankings/seed lines, but I believe this team will get to a high level by year end.
It is just a frustrating, loooooooooong trend of lack of respect for a program that deserves more, IMO.
