By now, Illini fans know the general consensus on Friday’s Madness at the Huff. Most people felt they got their money’s worth, except those who paid.
Joe Bertrand stole the show, winning all the contests. Meyers Leonard’s flight-plan disproved long-held theories about the relation of gravity to tall white dudes.
Photo by a guy named Phil.
No one warned Kevin about the initiation ritual
The players enjoyed the opening video, easily the best part of the presentation — proving again that scripts and editing beat improv.
The recruits all said they had a good time, they liked the atmosphere, it felt like family.
Some attendees were family. Terry Cole (above), Lynda Paul and The Bertrand Contingent all came. Also on hand were Chasson Randle and family — parents Willie and Gwen, and sister Khaliyah.
Official Visitor status made Chasson unavailable to the media. So sorry, I can’t help you with his latest thinking about Illinois and Stanford.
If you can’t wait for news of the Randle Recruitment, track down Peoria Richwoods sophomore Preston Wells. He sat in earshot of Megan Weber and Gwen Randle. Maybe he knows something.
Westchester St. Joe’s Paul Turner and grandpa Ezell were on hand again. This time, instead of Paul’s dad, they were accompanied by uncle Tim Yarbrough.
That worked out well, because Paul’s the quiet type. If Tim hadn’t prodded him to share his thoughts, we’d all still be wondering what Paul’s favorite subjects are in school.
All the recruits are early to mid-teens. Individually, they plot the spectrum from introverted to outgoing. One universal characteristic, striking in my opinion, is the maturity and intelligence they shared.
Cases in point: DeJuan Marrero and Tommie Hamilton.
You’ll notice Hamilton’s interview ended somewhat abruptly, when Jerrance Howard scrambled up to the bleachers behind us. Gesticulating fiercely and gagging audibly, Jerrance mugged the universal sign-language for “cut!”
He figured Tommie had had enough for one day, not to mention the late drive back to Chicago.
The funniest interview, hands down, was Hamilton’s Whitney Young teammate Paul White. If his knees give out, White has a future in stand-up. (Hmm, I could have phrased that better …)
If his knees hold up, White wants Jim Boeheim to offer a future in upstate New York.
Paul White debates activist conservatism with Doug Buschon while Jahlil Okafor shares a laugh with Larry Austin Jr.
Yet another Whitney Youngster, Jahlil Okafor, also shared his impressions:
So did Lanphier’s Larry Austin Jr.:
And De La Salle’s Jaylon Tate:
Jaylon Tate (center) hung with Simeon’s Kendrick Nunn.
Larry Austin Jr. with Chatham-Glenwood’s Peyton Allen
Cahokia’s Darius Austin is not related.
Illini commits Tracy Abrams and Mycheal Henry
Chicago Orr’s Curtis Jones had the best hair.
DJ Richardson had the best wig.
The competition seemed non-existent. But that’s only true of the scrimmage. Elsewhere, the Wing Rivalry continued to simmer. I loved it that Bill Cole, playing the role of dunk-contest judge, awarded a 7 to newfound nemesis Jereme Richmond. The other judges gave 10s.
Cole’s going to make the youngster earn every bit of it. That should prove advantageous to both of them.