Weber's new approach to recruiting

I think after Sherron Collins chose Kansas, Weber announced that he was going to take a different approach to recruiting. Let me explain what I think his old approach was and why I believe things will improve in the future with a new approach.

Weber used to try and hold out for "elite" talent. In that sense, he was actually in agreement with some of his detractors [those who really wanted a lineup stocked with All-Americans]. Weber desperately wanted players like Julian Wright, Jon Scheyer, Sherron Collins, Derrick Rose, and Eric Gordon. I get very frustrated when people get mad at Weber and act like he is Ron Turner and is trying to win with lesser talent. Weber is not lazy with recruiting. He works very hard and probably goes to bed at night dreaming of "best backcourt ever" lineups too. Weber has never argued that he wants anything but elite talent. Some have tried to defend Weber by saying that he can win with average talent, but his intent was to focus on recruiting the very best players available to the bitter end.

Actually, that has caused the problem. For whatever reason (I won't repeat the speculation), Weber has not been able to land the elite talent. This is pretty typical with Illinois. The problem is that in fighting unwinnable recruiting battles, Weber let the great Plan B talent slip away. There are several top 100 players that we passed on in order to chase recruits that didn't come here. We have struggled because of having to fill our roster with some Plan C guys, transfers, or empty seats on the bench (banked scholarships).

The good news for Illini fans is that Weber seems to be figuring this out. Now, while we don't have Derrick Rose, we still have Demetri McCamey. At one time he was a plan B but now he's looking pretty good, especially since he signed the LOI. Weber also just got a verbal from Quinton Watkins and did not foolishly let 2 scholarships roll over to '08 to try to hit the home run then (it won't happen, but now we will get a single or a double instead of striking out).

For those of you who long for top talent, there is a new hope there as well. Weber is good at identifying top players early on, so now he is offering them earlier and pressing for commitments. While there is some risk involved, getting a commitment from Jereme Richmond was probably our best hope at getting an All-American in our 2010 class. Weber also offered DJ Richardson and that early offer may pay off soon. The obvious upside to this new approach is that if Weber sees that the kid isn't really interested, he can start targeting other players and in the end nobody gets burned.

Weber's recruiting will improve in the future because of this new approach, if nothing else. Bruce Weber is not a salesman on the order or Ron Zook or Thad Matta, but he should be able to get us back on track. I understand that for some Weber is a victim of his own success (and will not be able to meet the heightened expectations after April '05) but I am confident that this program is not headed for its downfall under Weber. I think in the long run that Weber will do very well here, and I am heartened by that.