Illinois Basketball: Illini are not done in the Mark Smith sweepstakes

Dec 30, 2016; Stillwater, OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys head coach Brad Underwood reacts during the first half against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Gallagher-Iba Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2016; Stillwater, OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys head coach Brad Underwood reacts during the first half against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Gallagher-Iba Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports

The past month or so has been terrible for the Illinois basketball class of 2017.

Illinois had two of the four players get a release from their National Letter of Intent and now new head coach Brad Underwood is looking to land a few more to complete the squad.

The prized recruit that has still yet to make a decision is Edwardsville, Illinois guard Mark Smith. He is a four-star recruit who is the No. 52 player in the class of 2017. The teams that are wooing Smith are quite an impressive list.

According to a report from Ben Roberts of Kentucky.com, Smith is eyeing four programs including Kentucky, Michigan State, Ohio State and Illinois. These are four schools that have been rumored to be after Smith for a while now.

The article continues on by saying that Smith is planning a visit with Kentucky and Ohio State over the next few days. Derek Piper of Scout is also reporting that Michigan State is going to visit him today and even Duke might be coming this week.

Multiple different outlets are also saying that Illinois isn’t done in Smith’s recruitment either. It looks like Underwood and the Illini will have the last words for Smith before he makes his final decision.

I am just going to say it. The group of teams that are vying for Smith’s services is insane. This kid wasn’t even on the national radar until about four months ago and Illinois was the first big team to really offer him a scholarship.

Now Smith has all sorts of blue bloods after him and from what I have read, Michigan State might be in the lead for his commitment.

But, with that being said, Illinois is not even close to being out of Smith’s recruitment. I think it is a great thing that they will get the final pitch in because they will be the freshest sell in his head.

When I think about the possibilities of Smith coming in it gets me pumped for the future of the Illinois basketball program.

Not only would Illinois have Te’Jon Lucas and Trent Frazier at guard, but they are also now likely the leader for transfer Charlie Moore, who was Illinois Mr. Basketball last year. If you have those three with Smith, who is Illinois Mr. Basketball this year, that would give the Illini four guards that would give opposing teams nightmares.

The 2005 Illinois team had three tremendous guards who could do anything on the court. This Illinois team would have four and they can all handle the ball well. That is something I have never seen before and I really hope it happens.

Next: Illini have serious interest in Taylor Bruninga

If Illinois can pull in Smith, the future would be extremely bright. The backcourt for the Illini would be one of the best I have ever seen and there would be annual NCAA tournament trips during their careers.