Look, I didn't want people to think that I was trying to flaunt some special connection or deeper insight than anyone else, because Lord knows, that isn't the case. I did happen to be part of a conversation with a couple people, including someone who is extremely tied into the local hoops scene who basically said "don't be surprised" if something happens and that Chris Collins was, under everyone's radar, definitely getting into the ears of talent that will definitely turn heads and shock people (especially the Illini) if he ends up closing.
It was by no means a guarantee (as I clarified earlier) and if it happens, I deserve no credit for anything. If it doesn't then it doesn't. Nothing has changed since, and I don't have any additional information, but I thought it might be help to clarify things a bit.
Let's be clear. It is not Davidson or anyone else that is not from our home state. Collins knows that Chicagoland is the ripest field for hoops talent in the nation, and while he will spread his wings wide to scour the nation for the right fit, make no mistake. Chicagoland is clearly the #1 priority and it is absolutely the goal that we get to a place where we keep home anyone who comes out of Chicago who we want (and who can get admitted).
I do think that we may be a year away, if recruiting doesn't pop this year. The new arena renovation will be coming, and I do believe we have a breakthrough year on the way. I thought this article was worth sharing if anyone missed it because whether it happens this year or next, I do think we are due to get our "Mark Aguirre" and then after that anything can happen. Dare I say B1G championships and Final Fours? I dare.
Whoever the guy ends up being (and for all I know, he may already be in NU purple waiting to bust out, e.g. Law, Benson, Rap), when they do lead us not just on an NCAA run but deeper into the tourney than any of us imagined, and forever change the trajectory and NU basketball, it will remind all of us of 1995. Wheaties Boxes. Purple flags all over Chicago. This will be even bigger than our Rose Bowl run. Especially since this is a hoops town more than it is a football town (Chicago is to hoops what Texas and Florida are for football), and the Bulls are going to be down for the forseeable future. And the kids who make it happen for us are going to forever be Legends, not just for the Northwestern community, but for Chicagoland as well. This pitch is not mine. It's Collins's. And it's spot on and why we not only have a chance, but why we will land our Mark Aguirre. It's just a matter of who and when.
http://dailynorthwestern.com/2016/0...western-still-far-from-signing-big-local-star
It was by no means a guarantee (as I clarified earlier) and if it happens, I deserve no credit for anything. If it doesn't then it doesn't. Nothing has changed since, and I don't have any additional information, but I thought it might be help to clarify things a bit.
Let's be clear. It is not Davidson or anyone else that is not from our home state. Collins knows that Chicagoland is the ripest field for hoops talent in the nation, and while he will spread his wings wide to scour the nation for the right fit, make no mistake. Chicagoland is clearly the #1 priority and it is absolutely the goal that we get to a place where we keep home anyone who comes out of Chicago who we want (and who can get admitted).
I do think that we may be a year away, if recruiting doesn't pop this year. The new arena renovation will be coming, and I do believe we have a breakthrough year on the way. I thought this article was worth sharing if anyone missed it because whether it happens this year or next, I do think we are due to get our "Mark Aguirre" and then after that anything can happen. Dare I say B1G championships and Final Fours? I dare.
Whoever the guy ends up being (and for all I know, he may already be in NU purple waiting to bust out, e.g. Law, Benson, Rap), when they do lead us not just on an NCAA run but deeper into the tourney than any of us imagined, and forever change the trajectory and NU basketball, it will remind all of us of 1995. Wheaties Boxes. Purple flags all over Chicago. This will be even bigger than our Rose Bowl run. Especially since this is a hoops town more than it is a football town (Chicago is to hoops what Texas and Florida are for football), and the Bulls are going to be down for the forseeable future. And the kids who make it happen for us are going to forever be Legends, not just for the Northwestern community, but for Chicagoland as well. This pitch is not mine. It's Collins's. And it's spot on and why we not only have a chance, but why we will land our Mark Aguirre. It's just a matter of who and when.
http://dailynorthwestern.com/2016/0...western-still-far-from-signing-big-local-star