By Roy & Harv Schmidt
We can't believe we are doing this. In fact, it almost goes against our principles. However, when you have talent at the elementary school level that is as good as what we saw last week at the Bill Hensley Memorial Run 'N Slam All-Star Classic, you have to at least talk about it. Therefore, that is exactly what we are going to do in this blog, hopefully keeping everything in perspective while doing so.
By Roy & Harv Schmidt
Northwestern head coach Bill Carmody filled a huge recruiting need today by receiving a commitment from a skilled in-state post player who had been one of their top priorities from the beginning. As it turns out, the impact of this commitment is going to come much sooner than most people realize
By Roy & Harv Schmidt
After watching most all of the top travel teams in Illinois in both the 17 and 16-under divisions this past weekend at the King James Shooting Stars Classic in Akron, OH, we are convinced that all of them can hold their own with any of the top programs in the nation. As a result, AAU ball in the state of Illinois is as strong as ever. However, the reasons for us saying that go far beyond just the talent level.
Continue reading "Traveling Team Circuit In Illinois Is As Strong As Ever" »
By Roy & Harv Schmidt
Consider this blog to be a hodgepodge--a little bit of everything if you will. With that being said, we will try to tie together some loose ends, particularly with respect to recruiting and offer some thoughts on some other things of significance as well.
By Roy & Harv Schmidt
High school basketball talent in various geographical areas tends to go in cycles. A perfect example is Peoria, which has always been a hotbed but has experienced some lean years recently. Now it looks as if the talent level around the River City is shooting back up again, thanks in large part to three can't miss prospects in the class of 2011.
Continue reading "Talent Level In Peoria Is On The Rise Again" »
By Roy & Harv Schmidt
We told everyone that a commitment from Ryan Hare was imminent before the end of this weekend, and sure enough that is exactly what happened. Upon the completion of his campus visit, Hare announced for the Missouri Valley conference school that we knew he would inevitably attend.
Continue reading "Ryan Hare Follows The Script And Commits" »
By Roy & Harv Schmidt
Whether you like it or whether you don't, the bottom line is that in today's world of college basketball recruiting, a player's reputation is either made or destroyed on the basis of how well he plays during the critical April and July evaluation periods. With that in mind, in this blog we are going to take a look at six players who we think stand a good chance of putting themselves on the map based on how they perform on the travel team circuit over the course of the next four months.
Continue reading "Six Players Who Could Break Out This Spring And Summer" »
By Roy & Harv Schmidt
We began covering Illinois prep basketball during the mid 1980s. As a result, we did not see Cazzie Russell play, and we were still in high school when Isiah Thomas led St. Joseph to a second place finish in the Class AA state tournament in 1978. We have seen a lot of great players come out of the Chicago Public League over the last 25 years, but none have been better than Simeon's Derrick Rose. If he hadn't proved that previously, he has certainly proven it since his first college game at Memphis.
Continue reading "Is Derrick Rose The Best Ever Out Of Chicago?" »
By Roy & Harv Schmidt
There is something about the Purdue basketball coaching hierarchy that jumps out at us immediately. It is the number of assistant coaches who worked under Gene Keady, including Kevin Stallings, Steve Lavin, Bruce Weber, and Matt Painter, who have gone on to become successful head coaches. That is why we are betting that Cuonzo Martin, who was recently hired as the new head men's basketball coach at Missouri State, stands a good chance of being the next name that can be added to this list.
By Roy & Harv Schmidt
It is that time of year again--time to reach into our grab bag and name the recipients of our postseason awards with respect to everything concerning Illinois high school basketball. As is usually the case, some of our award winners are obvious choices, while others are not so cut and dry. Therefore, without any further adieu, here goes.
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