- Obviously, it's surprising the assistant coaching search has carried on this long. Like all searches in the Josh Whitman era, leaks have been few and far between. That's a good thing but clearly the Illini have swung and missed on at least a few of their top choices. Did they aim too high and chase unrealistic options? Is the job not as enticing as we all thought? Or has it just been individualized circumstances that have been unlucky? We will find that out down the road.
- Charlton Young of Florida State is a name that is getting some buzz. FSU has recruited really well under Leonard Hamilton and Young has been on that staff since 2013. Prior to that he was the head coach at Georgia Southern for four years. Would he leave a stable situation in the south where he's spent his entire career? We shall see.
- I get the sense Nick Irvin would love to be at Illinois. Irvin is smart and knows he can't talk about this stuff publicly, but he is a big fan of Underwood's and jumping from Western Illinois to UI would be an excellent career move. The expectation is still that Stephen Gentry is heading back to Gonzaga, so that would open up the spot for Geoff Alexander to slide into Gentry's role, and Irvin to go into Alexander's spot. Not saying that will happen ... just that it could play out this way.
- It's early, but I think Chester Frazier is gonna be a solid recruiter for Illinois. He is bringing that same passion and energy you saw on the floor as a player to the recruiting trail. Kids like him and he can give a genuine sell on what being at Illinois meant to him.
- It would be surprising if Quincy Guerrier does not pick Oregon this week.
- Not hearing any buzz for Illinois with Tre Mitchell.
- Charlton Young of Florida State is a name that is getting some buzz. FSU has recruited really well under Leonard Hamilton and Young has been on that staff since 2013. Prior to that he was the head coach at Georgia Southern for four years. Would he leave a stable situation in the south where he's spent his entire career? We shall see.
- I get the sense Nick Irvin would love to be at Illinois. Irvin is smart and knows he can't talk about this stuff publicly, but he is a big fan of Underwood's and jumping from Western Illinois to UI would be an excellent career move. The expectation is still that Stephen Gentry is heading back to Gonzaga, so that would open up the spot for Geoff Alexander to slide into Gentry's role, and Irvin to go into Alexander's spot. Not saying that will happen ... just that it could play out this way.
- It's early, but I think Chester Frazier is gonna be a solid recruiter for Illinois. He is bringing that same passion and energy you saw on the floor as a player to the recruiting trail. Kids like him and he can give a genuine sell on what being at Illinois meant to him.
- It would be surprising if Quincy Guerrier does not pick Oregon this week.
- Not hearing any buzz for Illinois with Tre Mitchell.
