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If you're an Illinois basketball fan, you know that the good times have been few and far between--like 1949, 1951 and 1952, 1963, 1984, 1989, 1998, 2001 and 2002, finally 2004, 2005 and 2006.
The past decade was the most successful in Illini history, 252 victories in 10 years, a record of accomplishment that even traditional national powers Kansas, Kentucky, UCLA, Duke and North Carolina had to envy.
The talent level of the program was racheted upward. In introducing a new recruiting policity, coach Bruce Weber began to secure the borders as Harry Combes had done in the 1950s. In a short period of time, Weber and his staff demonstrated that out-of-state programs can't recruit Illinois' top prospects without a fight.
That is very good news for alumni, fans and media who have been frustrated by the losses of several blue-chippers who won NCAA championships at other schools or became No. 1 draft choices in the NBA. Now, in the wake of undeserved criticism that Weber couldn't recruit or couldn't coach (take your pick), there are several reasons to cheer and feel very optimistic about the future.
In fact, it's hard to find anyone this side of the lunatic fringe of Illini Nation, who wouldn't be satisfied unless Bill Self and Bruce Pearl were barred from coaching, who isn't pumped up by what they see with Illinois recruiting. Of course, recruiting doesn't automatically translate to victories on the court. But Weber is putting together the most talented roster in years, with great depth and size and athleticism, something Illinois has enjoyed on only a few occasions.
"They have never been in a better position than they are right now with respect to recruiting," said longtime analysts Roy and Harv Schmidt of Illinois Prep Bulls-Eye. "Who would have ever thought that after losing out on key is-state prospects such as Jon Scheyer, Sherron Collins and Derrick Rose that they would be able to rebound and turn the corner so quickly?
"But they did primarily because Weber was successful in changing his recruiting philosophy and in doing so recognized the importance of getting in on elite-level prospects at an ever earlier age and in many cases offering them a scholarship sooner in the recruiting process."
The Schmidt brothers credit the arrival of assistant coach Jerrance Howard, describing him as "a vital ingredient in the Illini's recruiting turnaround. He has an uncanny ability to establish immediate camaraderie with prospective recruits and is a master at being able to identify with them and develop a personal connection."
It isn't only Howard. The Schmidts point out that assistants Jay Price and Wayne McClain also have done a tremendous job, making Illini recruiting a total team effort. Price and McClain have made major adjustments in their approach to recruiting, as Weber did. They are tireless workers.
While Illinois' recruiting class of 2010 ranks close to the top 10 in the nation with Jereme Richmond, Meyers Leonard and Crandall Head, the class of 2011 is no worse than a top 15 nationally and could climb to a top five ranking if the Illini sign either Anthony Davis or Mike Shaw or both.
"But here is the thing," the Schmidts said. "With the way that Illinois has recruited thus far in 2010 and 2011, they are in a position now where in our opinion no other recruit is an absolute must-get. While we believe that they are now concentrating on Davis and Shaw first and foremost when it comes to rounding out their 2011class, should they lose out on both they are still going to have a great class and there are a multitude of other solid options. That puts them in great position--both now and down the road. Right now there is depth at virtually every position with the possible exception of the four spot."
In closing, the Schmidts point out that all of the splendid work done with the classes of 2010 and 2011 should help Weber immensely when it comes to recruiting the heralded in-state stars from the class of 2013.
"Ideally speaking, we think that they want to land at least two of the big three in that class from among Tommy Hamilton, Jabari Parker and Alex Foster," Roy Schmidt said. "Either way, this much is certain--at the present time Illinois enjoys tremendous recruiting momentum."
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Good Job goes out to the ILLINI coaches, the kids from ILLINOIS who want to stay and play for their state school.Also good article from Taylor Bell.
Recruits can't say they weren't offered by U of I!
Usually your home state is the state where you will earn your living, when the ball stops bouncing, so why not play for the blue and orange!
SPECIAL SHOUT OUT TO JERRANCE HOWARD!
I think some of us have a short memory...
After reading this particular blog, I have to say... I think we need to understand something about the term "success" as it relates to "major college basketball success".
Has Illinois had success over the past 10 years, sure... Is it the sort of success that will have the "nation's premier talent considering them in the same breathe as... Kansas, Kentucky, UCLA, Duke, and UNC during their less than raving years, c'mon?
First, I wanna say that I respect Bruce Weber very much. Hell, back 1990 while at Purdue- he along with other Nike coaches; supported the Non-For-Profit "ABLA YMCA Midnight Basketball League" (I directed)- that provided young men, from the gang ridden ABLA Projects on the West Side; the opportunity to obtain their GED diploma's via an educational initiative sponsored by University of Chicago (R.I.P. Dr. Larry Hawkins)- by donating camp T-shirt for the players to use in competition. Former Purdue star Melvin McCants was a big-time supporter.
However, respectfully... I have to temper my gratuity towards his tenure at Illinois- particularly, as it relates to the players "his staff" actually recruited. Even at Purdue, Weber was never seen as an icon in the recruiting circles. But, he eased the edgy side to Gene Keady, by being the social diplomat of the program.
Illinois' rural persona and the lack of a recruiting identity that can be totally "trusted" to guiding "top tier" talent, makes them a hard pill to swallow, for the best of the best to trust the "dreams" for a payday in the NBA.
Sure, Illinois had their share of All-State and All-American type players recently, but; none of them had "program changing talent" and most were from Illinois.
Mr. Bell and the Schmidt brothers seem to have a lot of faith in the arrival of assistant coach Jerrance Howard, but; I don't see it happening. Assistant Wayne McClain brought instant in-state cred to the table, but; has never been seen as a threat when the blood is in the water, and the sharks from Kansas, Kentucky, UCLA, Duke, and UNC com'a calling.
To me, the pressure is on Illinois to make a statement for members the over-hyped Class of 2011- some have erroneously compared to the greatest high school basketball class of them all, from 1979.
Strong indication, from my sources, show Kentucky, Louisville, Syracuse, West Virginia, UNC, Duke, Kansas and Georgetown as the front runners making an aggressive push not only at Illinois for members of the Class of 2011, but; also at the Mafia-like, organized AAU crews here in Chicago- and their listening.
So, let the "games" begin...
Curtis K. Jackson Sr.
Curtis, I have to respectfully disagree with you in your criticisms of Coach Weber on a few points. You commented 'Has Illinois had success over the past 10 years, sure... Is it the sort of success that will have the "nation's premier talent considering them in the same breathe as... Kansas, Kentucky, UCLA, Duke, and UNC during their less than raving years, c'mon?' The fact that that statement is true pertains to every other school in the country, not just U of I. The schools that you named are the exceptions to the rule. The fact that U of I doesn't recruit as well or as vigorously nationally as these schools do, again, makes them like every other school in the country.
You commented 'However, respectfully... I have to temper my gratuity towards his tenure at Illinois- particularly, as it relates to the players "his staff" actually recruited. Even at Purdue, Weber was never seen as an icon in the recruiting circles.' An icon in recruting circles? What is that? What could possibly iconic about luring, in too many cases, socially and educationally deprived individuals to your respective university for the sole purpose of basketball? Is that where we are now? The success of a coach, a representative of an institution of higher learning, is now judged by his willingness to get involved with these children at the ripe old age of 11 or 12 and sell them on the 'benefits' of playing at their respective schools? If that's the standard we are speaking of, then I applaud Coach Weber and any coach in this country who haven't embraced this win at all costs operation.
The game has changed over the years for the worst and at the bottom of the food chain are these children who are being exploited like never before. If Coach Weber has chosen to excercise some sense of responsibility and not get in too deep with coddling and misleading children for the sake of winning basketball games, in my estimation, he should be commended not criticized. Hopefully he would rather err on the side of recruiting kids who are actually going to be in school for at least a couple of years versus the one-and-done athletes and all of the troubles that come along with them.
By the way, guess who is being investigated AGAIN for possibly cheating; John Calipari and Kentucky concerning Eric Bledsoe's high school transcript. If this is the price for being an 'icon in recruiting circles', again I commend Weber for staying above that fray.
I AM SURE GLAD THAT U OF I DOESN'T SHARE YOUR LACK OF CONFIDENCE, MR. JACKSON, U OF I JUST GAVE JERRANCE HOWARD A BIG FAT RAISE!
HE DESERVES EVERY PENNY, HE RELATES WELL TO RECRUITS, HE HAS THE ABILITY TO RECRUIT INSTATE PRODUCTS, AND U OF I IS HIS ALMA MATER, JERRANCE HOWARD IS DOING A MAGNIFICENT JOB!
To all...
Look, understand my comments were made in respect to the "success" of Illinois. Now, if being a successful program is getting most of the top talent in the state, and winning a game or two in the NCAA tournament, then good for Illinois.
However, if the goal for Illinois is to become a "serious" contender for not only the Big 10 title, but; for a National Championship, I just don't see Illinois in that way from a standpoint of success.
Now, I've never stated that I want to see Illinois break rules in order to win...
However, what is their excuse when compared to Michigan State?
What excuses can be offered as to why Illinois is not enjoying the same success as MSU with the same "lock-down-the-in-state-talent" recruiting mission?
So, my case will rest on this conclusion...
Illinois, in my opinion, will win. But, they will not win as an annual contender for the Big 10 championship, nor NCAA championship until they are willing to establish an "identity" that demands the top tier recruits in the nation meaningfully to consider them.
Remember, the 1989 team; had several players considered among the top ten players in the nation that year from diferrent recruiting classes. The 2005 team, though a bit "gimick", was made up of players Bruce Weber did not even recruit.
So, since then... "where's the beef"?
Curtis K. Jackson Sr.
I think it would be interesting to ask the U of I coaching staff how they define success, what they're overall goals are as a program and what are they are willing to do to achieve them. I can't imagine that luring the John Walls, Derrick Roses and Michael Beasleys of the constitutes success in this game, especially since they are 'one-and-done' athletes. So to answer the question of 'where's the beef', it passes 6 credit hours in the fall semester, doesn't attend classes in the spring and bolts to the NBA after that. Thus leaving a program to rebuild every year i.e. North Carolina this past year, which by the way lost the Wear twins to transfer because they weren't happy with their playing time.
I have to believe that there is another school of thought out there that believes that chasing the so called top-tier talent is not worth the price, especially if the intent is to run a clean program where the kids are accountable to the program and not the other way around. Lest we not overlook the fact that the best of these players are, in a lot of cases, coddled beyond repair, thusly self-centered and have developed a sense of entitlement that leads them to believe that the world views them as special and owes them something because they are good basketball players. And it only takes one kid like this to severely damage a program, ask Tim Floyd. So the question becomes is this an inability or unwillingness to get involved with kids (and their handlers) whose short-term value may not be worth the hassle?
Let me close by saying that the U of I needn't provide any excuses for not matching the success that Tom Izzo is having at Michigan State; his teams have been to 6 Final Fours in 12 years and there is no other school in the country that compares to that accomplishment, not Duke, North Carolina, Kentucky, Florida, Syracuse etc.
GOOD COMMENT ABOUT COACH IZZO, THAT IS WHY IT IS SO IMPORTANT FOR THE FIGHTING ILLINI TO RECRUIT INSTATE PRODUCTS, MICHIGAN STATE WOULDN'T AND COULDN'T WIN WITHOUT INSTATE PRODUCTS, U OF I KNOWS THAT RECRUITING FROM INSIDE THE STATE IS KEY TO HAVING A SUCCESSFUL TEAM!
U OF I MUST GET ANTHONY DAVIS!
I'm still learning from you, but I'm making my way to the top as well. I certainly love reading all that is posted on your blog.Keep the information coming. I enjoyed it