Illinois Basketball: Key Hits and Misses From the Mac Irvin Fire

The Illinois basketball team is improving one recruit at a time.  The recruitment process, among other things, is a great tool to use to improve a program.

This is why the AAU Basketball circuit has become so important over the last five to ten years.  This organization brings kids together to play basketball.

AAU has to be the main focus for most basketball coaches and I think it is for Illinois head coach John Groce as well.

Groce has recruited the AAU circuit extensively, but that hasn’t translated into much success.  He has nabbed a few talented players, though.

There is a lot left to be desired for the Illini when it comes to AAU Basketball.  I have seen many prospects come from the Chicago area only to leave for “bigger” and “better” programs around the nation.

The Chicago area should be the main focus for any Illini basketball coach because they have some of the best young talent in the country.

This is why the AAU team, Mac Irvin Fire, is so important to the success of the Illinois basketball team.

Now, I know Illinois has some other great prospects hopefully coming to Champaign from teams like the St. Louis Eagles, but today I am focusing on the Mac Irvin Fire.

Here are recruits that Illinois has either lost, secured, or are attempting to secure over the last few years.

Next: PG Da'Monte Williams