Let’s face it, University of Illinois has never been an elite level school. They’ve never been mentioned with the North Carolinas, the Dukes, the UCLAs, etc. However, since Coach Bruce Weber got the job, people expect him to hold have the success of that of an elite level school. UI is a high level Big Ten program and one of the better national programs, nothing more, nothing less. They should have a good amount of success and should challenge for the Big Ten tournament every year, which they do. So why all the complaints?
Weber has been one of the most successful coaches since he has been with UI. He’s gone to the tournament every season and faught past injuries and other delimmas. He’s a great “on the floor” coach that knows his “x’s and o’s” and people should have no complaints.
I do, however, see a problem in Weber’s recruiting scheme. He does recruit the state but it is not working well so either higher some new assistants or take a different approach. You can’t tell me that none of the state’s top players don’t want to attend Illinois. Jon Scheyer getting away I can see because Duke is Duke and in recent years, I don’t know many players of his caliber and style would turn them down for UI. However, how do you let Derrick Rose, Julian Wright, Michael Dunigan, and Sherron Collins slip? I honestly do not think there is room for excuses losing these many top players. Also, the biggest question I have involved their recruiting of a 2008 member: Verdell Jones III.
Verdell is a low 4-star, high 3-star national prospect. He’s a 6’4” point guard with good potential and good skills. Additionally, he has taken care of everything off the court. The biggest factor is that he’s sitting in your backyard, actually your front and he wants to be an Illini yet no offer. I understand there are better players but BCS schools are all over this kid and hometown kids like “V” sell tickets. Tennessee, Virginia, DePaul, Kentucky, Texas A&M, and others have all offered the kid but no Illini offer and he lives in Champaign?! This is one logic I don’t get.
As far as out of state recruiting, Weber has done a good job in my opinion. Quinton Watkins is a low 4-star, high 3-star prospect and Rodney Alexander is one of the better junior college players in the nation. I have sparingly seen Richard Semrau from the 2006 class but from what I’ve seen he’ll be solid in Weber’s system though I'd like to see him more against stiff competition. In addition, I love the way Chester Frazier plays. He’s hardnosed and sure there were instate kids just as talented, but he plays with a passion that is rarely found.
Though Weber has missed out on some big time in-state kids, he’s also got some “second tier” (if you could call them that) high major players…not the instate 5-stars but the 4-stars and high 3-stars. Demetri McCamey was a great get. He will see minutes right away and has a chance to become a starter. Brian Carlwell was another 4-star recruit as well as Shaun Pruitt. Pruitt has already proven his worth. I was a bit skeptical of Carlwell and his ranking in high school but he has shown improvements and I feel when he recovers to full health he will get even better. Jamar Smith has played well also for a 2-star rating coming out of high school...heck he's done better than a lot of 3-stars!
I think this may be a test year for Weber. Finally, every player on the roster is his recruit (excluding Brian Randle who committed under Self but decided to stay under Weber). Hopefully he can have success and prove that he can coach his teams to victory. All that being said, I don’t think Bruce is the best coach to ever step foot in UI or anything of the sort but I do commend him on a job well done so far.
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