Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

[21ChampaignSt]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1843798178551976124

Kid is a baller!

Not sure why but this gave me flashbacks to the Groce days and even the early BU days when we'd eat this content up, analyze his facial expression, hit refresh through the duration of his OV hoping for word that he's committed or that he's canceling his other visits, and put the entire future of the program on the decision of a 17 year old kid and his parents.

Now I see this and I'm just like, "neat".

 

[BretMyBeachHouse]

Not sure why but this gave me flashbacks to the Groce days and even the early BU days when we'd eat this content up, analyze his facial expression, hit refresh through the duration of his OV hoping for word that he's committed or that he's canceling his other visits, and put the entire future of the program on the decision of a 17 year old kid and his parents.

Now I see this and I'm just like, "neat".

A couple points. First, I'm ho hum about all recruiting right now. With the portal, it's just really hard to get excited. Fears really took the excitement out of the whole process.

But your Groce comment got me motivated to finally do a bit of documentation on the Fall 2014 (We Have Our Point Guard!). So here are the lowlights!

August 1, 2014 Jimmy Whitt visits
August 19, 2014 Jimmy Whitt commits to Arkansas
August 29, 2014 Jalen Brunson visits
September 3, 2014 Landry Shamet commits to Wichita State
September 5, 2014 Jawun Evans visits
September 9, 2014 John Groce visits
September 10, 2014 Brunson commits to Villanova
September 13, 2014 Groce Visits Evans
September 19, 2014 Jimmy Whitt visits
October 1, 2014 Evans Commits to OSU
October 3, 2014 Shake Milton visits
October 15, 2014 Shake Milton commits to SMU
October 23, 1014 Marcus Lovett offer
November 12, 2014 Jimmy Whitt signs with Arkansas

 

[Cravingschampaign]

Not sure why but this gave me flashbacks to the Groce days and even the early BU days when we'd eat this content up, analyze his facial expression, hit refresh through the duration of his OV hoping for word that he's committed or that he's canceling his other visits, and put the entire future of the program on the decision of a 17 year old kid and his parents.

Now I see this and I'm just like, "neat".

"Omg Landers Nolley just unfollowed Virginia tech on instagram"

 

[Joel Goodson]

A couple points. First, I'm ho hum about all recruiting right now. With the portal, it's just really hard to get excited. Fears really took the excitement out of the whole process.

But your Groce comment got me motivated to finally do a bit of documentation on the Fall 2014 (We Have Our Point Guard!). So here are the lowlights!

August 1, 2014 Jimmy Whitt visits
August 19, 2014 Jimmy Whitt commits to Arkansas
August 29, 2014 Jalen Brunson visits
September 3, 2014 Landry Shamet commits to Wichita State
September 5, 2014 Jawun Evans visits
September 9, 2014 John Groce visits
September 10, 2014 Brunson commits to Villanova
September 13, 2014 Groce Visits Evans
September 19, 2014 Jimmy Whitt visits
October 1, 2014 Evans Commits to OSU
October 3, 2014 Shake Milton visits
October 15, 2014 Shake Milton commits to SMU
October 23, 1014 Marcus Lovett offer
November 12, 2014 Jimmy Whitt signs with Arkansas

halcyon days!

 

[Joel Goodson]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1843830137944715432

 

[21ChampaignSt]

A couple points. First, I'm ho hum about all recruiting right now. With the portal, it's just really hard to get excited. Fears really took the excitement out of the whole process.

But your Groce comment got me motivated to finally do a bit of documentation on the Fall 2014 (We Have Our Point Guard!). So here are the lowlights!

August 1, 2014 Jimmy Whitt visits
August 19, 2014 Jimmy Whitt commits to Arkansas
August 29, 2014 Jalen Brunson visits
September 3, 2014 Landry Shamet commits to Wichita State
September 5, 2014 Jawun Evans visits
September 9, 2014 John Groce visits
September 10, 2014 Brunson commits to Villanova
September 13, 2014 Groce Visits Evans
September 19, 2014 Jimmy Whitt visits
October 1, 2014 Evans Commits to OSU
October 3, 2014 Shake Milton visits
October 15, 2014 Shake Milton commits to SMU
October 23, 1014 Marcus Lovett offer
November 12, 2014 Jimmy Whitt signs with Arkansas

 

[Second place is 1st loser]

Not sure why but this gave me flashbacks to the Groce days and even the early BU days when we'd eat this content up, analyze his facial expression, hit refresh through the duration of his OV hoping for word that he's committed or that he's canceling his other visits, and put the entire future of the program on the decision of a 17 year old kid and his parents.

Now I see this and I'm just like, "neat".

The main reason is because the "real" recruiting season starts in April when the portal(free agency) opens up. Need to be EXTREMELY selective with who you take at the prep level.

That's why it's a "meh" feeling.

 

[WizardBill]

I am actually all for players being paid. What that does is beneficial for the players. However, an unintended consequence is that I care much less about the players. With the portal open all the time, and the longest guarantee is THIS YEAR, I cannot find much enthusiasm for individuals.

 

[PleaseMakeABowlGame]

kj is likely gone, riley is maybe gone, and scheming up for the others to stay from year to year is never a reliable plan nowadays. keep the int pipeline going!'

uconn does leads for mullins from what i have read. and they did land darius adams.

 

[Scoregasm]

A couple points. First, I'm ho hum about all recruiting right now. With the portal, it's just really hard to get excited. Fears really took the excitement out of the whole process.

But your Groce comment got me motivated to finally do a bit of documentation on the Fall 2014 (We Have Our Point Guard!). So here are the lowlights!

August 1, 2014 Jimmy Whitt visits
August 19, 2014 Jimmy Whitt commits to Arkansas
August 29, 2014 Jalen Brunson visits
September 3, 2014 Landry Shamet commits to Wichita State
September 5, 2014 Jawun Evans visits
September 9, 2014 John Groce visits
September 10, 2014 Brunson commits to Villanova
September 13, 2014 Groce Visits Evans
September 19, 2014 Jimmy Whitt visits
October 1, 2014 Evans Commits to OSU
October 3, 2014 Shake Milton visits
October 15, 2014 Shake Milton commits to SMU
October 23, 1014 Marcus Lovett offer
November 12, 2014 Jimmy Whitt signs with Arkansas

I just had a night terror reading this. How did I survive those years as a fan?

 

[RabidDawgClassic]

The main reason is because the "real" recruiting season starts immediately after Selection Sunday when the portal(free agency) opens up. Need to be EXTREMELY selective with who you take at the prep level.

That's why it's a "meh" feeling.

Fixed it for you.

 

[21ChampaignSt]

The main reason is because the "real" recruiting season starts in April when the portal(free agency) opens up. Need to be EXTREMELY selective with who you take at the prep level.

That's why it's a "meh" feeling.

I would say there are a few reasons.

1. As you described, the highest impact players are now mostly coming from the portal
2. Because of the rate of transfers out, it is less likely that a prep recruit will become an all time great / all time favorite Illini.
3. This was really what I was getting at with my original post - We're recruiting at such a high and consistent level that I feel no anxiety or desperation at all for any one player.

 

[ChiefGritty]

View attachment 36669

After the Marcus LoVett mishegas I remember thinking our transition to a pursuit of the next much-ballyhooed Morgan Park PG was totally preposterous...

(And had Groce stayed I'm sure it would have been)

Our Weber-era floundering on the recruiting trail was bad to follow as a fan, but the Groce-era parasocial obsession stuff was considerably worse.

 

[splitter]

"Omg Landers Nolley just unfollowed Virginia tech on instagram"

neat

 

[hooraybeer]

i’m sure dan wishes to go back to fall of 2014. floundering or not, I was F5’ing all fall long on this site

my favorite period was still the start of LAD with the barber

 

[sacraig]

i’m sure dan wishes to go back to fall of 2014. floundering or not, I was F5’ing all fall long on this site

my favorite period was still the start of LAD with the barber

F5ing doesn't matter to him since there are no ads on the site (and even if there were, you weren't clicking them).

 

[Battle89]

I just had a night terror reading this. How did I survive those years as a fan?

Terrifying all on its own I agree! But then @BretMyBeachHouse leaves the cliffhanger on September 9 to boot!

 

[mhuml32]

A couple points. First, I'm ho hum about all recruiting right now. With the portal, it's just really hard to get excited. Fears really took the excitement out of the whole process.

But your Groce comment got me motivated to finally do a bit of documentation on the Fall 2014 (We Have Our Point Guard!). So here are the lowlights!

August 1, 2014 Jimmy Whitt visits
August 19, 2014 Jimmy Whitt commits to Arkansas
August 29, 2014 Jalen Brunson visits
September 3, 2014 Landry Shamet commits to Wichita State
September 5, 2014 Jawun Evans visits
September 9, 2014 John Groce visits
September 10, 2014 Brunson commits to Villanova
September 13, 2014 Groce Visits Evans
September 19, 2014 Jimmy Whitt visits
October 1, 2014 Evans Commits to OSU
October 3, 2014 Shake Milton visits
October 15, 2014 Shake Milton commits to SMU
October 23, 1014 Marcus Lovett offer
November 12, 2014 Jimmy Whitt signs with Arkansas

The swings of early September "How are we going to handle it when both Brunson and Evans want to commit to the beloved???" to "We're fine, Ahmad Starks is going to be the PG we need" were heavy.

 

[Indy Illini Fan]

Brad really likes the kid … Do we need another guard ? And Are we willing to pay top dollar for Furphy which will dip into our portal budget for next spring ? Those are the main questions …

It’s a 2 horse race from what I’ve gathered and I talked to Hurley this weekend … They want him …

Hurley trying to sell Furphy on playing with Darius Adams & Braylon Mullins ...

Not sure Furphy is too high on having to compete with 2 other guys who are just as good as him in his class as well as upper class men for playing time right away ...

 

[Scoregasm]

Hurley trying to sell Furphy on playing with Darius Adams & Braylon Mullins ...

Not sure Furphy is too high on having to compete with 2 other guys who are just as good as him in his class as well as upper class men for playing time right away ...

Doesn't sound like the right sell to me.

 

[ChiTown]

Interesting development…..no more letter of intent .

MSN

 

[7 Year Illini]

After the Marcus LoVett mishegas I remember thinking our transition to a pursuit of the next much-ballyhooed Morgan Park PG was totally preposterous...

(And had Groce stayed I'm sure it would have been)

Our Weber-era floundering on the recruiting trail was bad to follow as a fan, but the Groce-era parasocial obsession stuff was considerably worse.

disagree. Weber had one of the most exciting teams EVER and couldn't capitalize on it. It was almost comical how bad recruiting was after that.

 

[PleaseMakeABowlGame]

Hurley trying to sell Furphy on playing with Darius Adams & Braylon Mullins ...

Not sure Furphy is too high on having to compete with 2 other guys who are just as good as him in his class as well as upper class men for playing time right away ...

what do u think of his game? what does he bring to the table and what quality of prospect?

 

[Illini4Christ]

Hurley trying to sell Furphy on playing with Darius Adams & Braylon Mullins ...

Not sure Furphy is too high on having to compete with 2 other guys who are just as good as him in his class as well as upper class men for playing time right away ...

Hopefully we can snag Furphy. What about Boozer?

 

[EyeoftheIllini]

Apologies if this has been posted previously, but I didn’t remember seeing name nor don’t know the level of interest by Illini. Saw mention because Oregon State just offered.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1844113039391588831