bigruss

I still think Brunson goes to Nova, but Groce is in Texas tomorrow and he gets a commit within the next week from Evans.

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Sep 10, 2014 -> 10:14 AM) I think that's a little unrealistic. He's going for broke, which is fine, but he's also grabbing good, solid, 4 year guys too. Illinois has never been "in" on so many top level recruits before, even if he doesn't land one. The program itself is getting deeper and better. He made the tournament and won a game in his first year (first tourney win in 7 seasons). Last year he had I think the youngest team in the big ten, playing 2 freshman significant minutes. If we're in the same position in 2016 - bubble team, no impact recruits - then I might agree with you. But not going into year 3. Well yea, he's done a fantastic job thus far (even last year was good considering the circumstances). But for him to sustain a high level of success he needs his PG, it's needed for him to run the system he wants to.

QUOTE (whitesoxfan99 @ Sep 10, 2014 -> 10:05 AM) If Groce doesn't land Brunson, Evans or convince Murray to reclassify to 2015 and get him, there really won't be any reason other than blind hope to believe Groce will be able to win big at Illinois. Agreed, he knows his future depends on landing a PG for the future in this class. I still absolutely think he gets one of Evans/Brunson.

Lots of buzz at illinois loyalty about Brunson going to illinois, I take it with a grain of salt but damn is this exciting.

Tracy isn't a pure PG anyways, Groce should be able to sell playing time still. It certainly doesn't help, but this shouldn't kill our chances.

QUOTE (shysocks @ Sep 9, 2014 -> 10:41 AM) Yeah, it's gorgeous. I'm worried about Destiny. I've enjoyed every Halo I've played so there's reason for optimism, but that beta didn't grab me at all. Like Borderlands, but somehow missing the things I loved about those games. I might sit this one out. You'll be missing out then. They barely released anything in the Alpha/Beta, I'm stoked for this game.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Sep 9, 2014 -> 07:49 AM) Destiny shall be arriving today. This is delicious. I ordered the bundle (my old roommate took his ps4), can't freakin wait to get it today.

QUOTE (Brian @ Sep 8, 2014 -> 05:52 PM) I don't think it's the main reason a kid would shun Illinois but your wrong if you think it doesn't play at least a small part. Probably less then the amount of impact of having a fanbase that truly cares and is passionate on social media with recruits. And I'm not oblivious, it's clear that too many Illinois fans are assholes to recruits that decide to go elsewhere, especially after the Cliff/Snider fiascos. The fanbase needs to get ready for big boy recruiting, that said, many recruits have singled out Illinois fans as a positive.

QUOTE (Brian @ Sep 8, 2014 -> 05:37 PM) Guy who's my source points out that all these kids like Jahlil. Cliff, and Jalen are close and cites the way Illinois fans treated Cliff after he chose Kansas as a reason kids won't go to Illinois, including Brunson. Ok so let me get this straight, they don't want to go to Illinois because fans don't like it when they chose a different school? Then why even bother putting Illinois on their list? Seriously, just a stupid comment.

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Sep 8, 2014 -> 03:30 PM) Refuse to get sucked in....refuse to get sucked in... He's gonna pick up the Illini hat and put it back on the table. Sigh. I really thought MSU was the choice. Villanova. Ugh, they have had some good guards, but what's the connection there? And why play in a s***ty conference when you can play in the big ten? Let's just get one. Please. If not, we're f***ed for a while. Someone at 24/7 switched their pick from ILL to OK State. Man that'd be a kick in the balls if we don't get either one. Dude take a deep breath and come off the ledge. Jay Wright at Nova does a phenomenal job coaching guards, it allows Brunson a great opportunity while also getting out of Chicago/Illinois and away from the current spotlight on his dad. It would be a really good situation for him, I would totally get it. I really think we are getting one of them, and that was Meyer who switched to OK St, I take that more as Evans didn't commit to Illinois so what's next. I think by the end of the week or next week we have our PG.

QUOTE (IlliniKrush @ Sep 8, 2014 -> 03:27 PM) So if we're not first, we're second. Again. As long as we get one of JE/JB then I really don't care, we just need one of them and the rest of the class will take care of itself.

Brunson announcing at 4pm Wednesday, down to Illinois and Villanova. Let's see if B>W has a good source And my prediction: JB to Nova JE to Illinois

Me and 13 friends rented a log cabin on a small lake in northern Wisconsin this past weekend (around Wenabo). Absolute blast and loved being up there with zero cell signal, what a great way to shut down and really hang out with friends and enjoy life. Really can't wait to do that again.

QUOTE (Brian @ Sep 2, 2014 -> 06:02 AM) A couple of months ago, I laughed at Illini fans who thought Brunson would actually go there but from what I've heard the past 2 weeks, it wouldn't shock me. Even though I'm not an Illinois fan, it would be nice if some of these bigger named high school kids I cover stayed in state. Yup it's a real possibility. I could see him deciding after the Nova visit, I just hope it doesnt get to the MSU visit.

QUOTE (Buehrle>Wood @ Aug 30, 2014 -> 03:10 PM) Illini bball has a committ What? I haven't seen anything...

I'm not expecting any commitment this weekend but wouldn't be shocked, it's pretty clear that if Brunson finds the place he is comfortable at then he'll commit. That said, I think he wants to see MSU/Nova before committing.

QUOTE (Jake @ Aug 27, 2014 -> 06:57 PM) I must be a bummer because that looks like it could only be fun if very drunk. I understand that that's kind of the point, but still A pool that crowded is only fun when drunk. That said, that day drinking looked glorious.

QUOTE (bmags @ Aug 26, 2014 -> 02:24 PM) I'm enjoying every day between now and when he commits to UK/kU where I can imagine Tatum going to Mizzou. Or Illinois

QUOTE (gatnom @ Aug 26, 2014 -> 11:49 AM) I like Morrow, but he's a little redundant with Black already on the roster, IMO. Agreed, which is why he is plan D (Thomas/Moore/Bragg), but I don't think we can afford to completely strike out on all big men targets for depth reasons going forward. He isn't ideal with our current roster, but he would still be a good addition.

QUOTE (Brian @ Aug 26, 2014 -> 05:20 AM) Has Illinois offered Morrow? I love him but maybe a tad undersized for PF despite playing like he's 7 feet. We have not, there have been some rumors that there is interest on both sides so if he's willing to wait he very well could end up with an offer.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Aug 25, 2014 -> 10:12 PM) You own stuff that isn't already orange? Between my Illini and Bears fandom, there is very little non-orange in my closet. Car, couch, desk, dresser, etc. And I have a surprisingly low amount of orange in my closet, I love the color but as a big guy it doesn't look great on me.

QUOTE (IlliniKrush @ Aug 25, 2014 -> 10:04 PM) I'll come help you paint if you come help me paint. I'm hoping for the best and bracing for the worst. Just hope to land one of them, and hopefully one of the other targets. Hell even just one of those guys is enough at this point, I won't get greedy in case the recruiting Gods are reading this. Also I s*** you not, I had a dream last night about Brunson's visit. Nothing concrete happened (and I woke up early from it), but I woke up confused as hell. Deal. Yea, I'm all about getting a PG at this point. Anything after that is just gravy (do think we need to get a PF/C type guy, but there's a big gap between that need and PG). It sounds like things have cooled with Sharma, which is too bad because I think that means we are down to Moore/Thomas/Bragg in terms of big guys. And plan D is Morrow, who I wouldn't mind at all if we land Brunson or Evans. I would still be dancing around my apartment if we get: Brunson/Evans Jordan DJ Williams Shamet Morrow

It's never going to happen but I don't even know what I would do if Evans, Brunson, and Thomas went to Illinois. I would probably paint everything I own orange. Everything. Now that I got that out of the way, feeling really good about getting one of Brunson/Evans and being stoked about finally getting our PG of the future.

Wow, very impressed that your company decided to invest that much into it, keep us posted on how it goes!

Yea that was a fantastic article, really well stated by Kenny.