By Roy & Harv Schmidt

While the class of 2009 has shown significant improvement in comparison with where it was a year ago, we have long said that it lacks a true headliner. There is no player in this class who can immediately stop traffic in a crowded room-- no one who can make you turn your head and immediately take notice. At the same time, the competition for the #1 spot in 2009 is fierce right now, with several players capable of laying claim to being tops in the class when it is all said and done.

By Roy & Harv Schmidt

It seems as though everyone in the state of Illinois has an opinion on the recent hiring of Jerrance Howard as the new assistant basketball coach at Illinois. With that being said, now is the time for us to offer our thoughts. Let's just say that they don't coincide with what appears to be the prevailing attitude throughout Chicago.

By Roy & Harv Schmidt

It was a huge recruiting weekend at Northwestern University, as the Wildcats had four in-state prospects from the class of 2009 on campus for unofficial visits. When it was said and done, two of them came away with scholarship offers.

By Roy & Harv Schmidt

As first predicted by Illinois Prep Bulls-eye in our most recent recruiting blurbs from this past Friday, Luke Fabrizius, the 6'8 forward from Hersey High School in Arlington Heights, IL, has verbally committed to the University of Dayton. Fabrizius reached his decision while on an official visit to the Dayton campus this past weekend.

By Roy & Harv Schmidt

While campus visits are unquestionably important in the recruiting process, history has shown that in-home visits can often prove to be the difference when it comes to getting a player to commit.