Hi Chris H -

Reports were out there that Jaquan Lyle from Bosse High School in Evansville, Ind., was in attendance for Indiana's convincing win against North Carolina on Tuesday night.

Another Illinois recruiting target in the Class of 2014, Trevon Bluiett from Park Tudor High in Indianapolis, was also reportedly in attendance for that game, which, by the way, even if you despise Indiana, you have to admit how impressive the Hoosiers looked under Tom Crean. Hard to imagine just a few years ago they were among the sorriest college teams out there.

Illinois has a shot with Lyle. While I wouldn't characterize that shot as outstanding at this point, if Illinois keeps playing the way it has so far this season, you'd have to think the chances of landing a dynamic point guard like Lyle would increase.

Then again, Lyle has his pick of schools that are chasing after him.

But it's good from an Illinois perspective that John Groce has more time to try and land a player of his caliber.

Hi Old Chief -

College basketball coaching staffs are always looking ahead to the next big prospect out there. It's a trend, whether right or wrong, that has been going on for some time.

I haven't heard of any contact the staff has had with Oliver yet or any other prospects in the Class of 2016. That being said, that doesn't mean they haven't yet. Recruiting is almost like another full-time job for coaches on top of what they're actually getting paid to do, which is coach.

It's always interesting to hear about highly-regarded freshmen or even players in junior high who are attracting interest from Division I schools. Oliver appears to have a solid build at 6 feet, 4 inches, which has obviously benefitted him in his early varsity career with Kewanee. How a player handles all the attention and scrutiny thrown at him throughout the rest of his high school career is always curious to watch. How will they adapt to teams throwing junk defenses at them? How will they handle the media attention? Will they let it get to their heads or be humble? How will they adjust as players around them develop more physically? Will they rely on skills that helped them get by in middle school or junior high, but might not at the high school level?

Hey Nick -

You have some solid observations and beliefs that I feel many Illinois fans share. The state is loaded with prospects who littler various national recruiting services rankings. Plus, it will be the first recruiting class John Groce and his staff have had more than a few months to try and put together. Based on what they did with the five players they signed for the Class of 2013, it's an intriguing thought to see what they can do not only with a possible successful season that, right now, appears headed for an NCAA Tournament berth, but also with more time to develop those crucial relationships needed with recruiting.

The scholarships he'll have are limited for what he had with the Class of 2013. If the current roster stays intact, I would think only two players would constitute his Class of 2014. I'll have to check with beat writer Marcus Jackson for more specifics on that, but Illinois wouldn't be pulling in five players next November. Unless of course, like you mention, a few players might transfer out. I haven't heard anything, again, right now, that indicates some players might transfer, but most people probably didn't think Crandall Head would transfer at the midway point of last season, either.

Hi Kajagoogoo -

Bringing in a top-notch point guard is likely the goal for John Groce and his staff as it relates to Illinois' Class of 2014. A player like Jaquan Lyle from Evansville (Ind.) fits that description. A report on ESPNChicago.com indicated this week that Jahlil Okafor from Chicago Whitney Young hasn't completely ruled out Illinois, although I'd say the chances of landing him are slim. It appears, according to various reports, that Okafor and one of the top point guards in that class, Tyus Jones from Apple Valley, Minn., might become a package deal. The two are close friends and have discussed wanting to play together in college. That opens up the question of does Illinios put on a full-court press in hopes of luring both of them to Champaign-Urbana? It's too early to tell at this point.

Aside from those two, Michael Finke from Champaign Centennial (Ill.) High School is a key target along with Springfield Lanphier (Ill.) High School guard Larry Austin. When I think of Austin, no, I don't think he's necessarily a true point guard. I picture him more in the mold of say what Phil Pressey at Missouri is being asked to do this year, or think back a few years ago to what Kemba Walker at Connecticut did. He will make his fair share of turnovers, but the kid's offensive game is superb. He attacks, attacks and attacks some more. Kind of like how Illinois has played in its first eight games.

Finke has the physical parts to his game that could lend himself to, when all the rankings are tabulated, becoming a top-50 player in this class. He has shown an improved shooting touch, but still needs to get stronger inside. He's grown to 6 feet, 9 inches, but has a skill set of a player shorter than that.

As far as the Class of 2015, Illinois has put out offers to several players, including Hyron Edwards from East Chicago, Ind., D.J. Williams from Chicago Simeon and Charles Matthews from Chicago St. Rita.

Hi Groce's Waterboy -

Michael Finke is no stranger to Assembly Hall, that's for sure. Everything his family has said, it appears Finke will sort out the recruiting process in the next year. I wouldn't be surprised if he made a decision sometime next fall. Then again, I wouldn't be surprised if he decided to commit to a school during this season. Recruiting can change in a day or two, and the process that goes behind it. With all the players Illinois is targeting for the Class of 2014, Finke and his family will have to go through the laundry list of items all recruits do. Is it a good fit for his playing style? How soon does he want to play? What's the direction of the program like? And on and on.

I think what will transpire with the Class of 2014 and its limited number of scholarships is something that nearly did with the Class of 2013. If Demetrius Jackson or Xavier Rathan-Mayes had decided on Illinois, Illinois finds a way to get those players to campus and on scholarship somehow, someway.

Hi Dennis -

Good to hear from you again. If I'm an Illinois football coach out on the recruiting trail this week and the rest of December, the pitch is simple, in my opinion. Come here and help the program turn around. Based on what transpired this fall, I'd have to think all starting positions for the 2013 season are up for grabs. This is a recruit's chance to come in and make an impact right away.

I'm sure the rival coaches in the Big Ten will have an easier time selling their programs to recruits than Illinois will have this offseason. A 2-10 record will do that. 

As far as positive signs about the Illinois future (and I'm generally an optimistic person — just ask my wife) I'm struggling to come up with some right now. Maybe playing at some of the country's best stadiums in the Big Ten. A chance to surprise people next year and pull off a few upsets that would garner surprise across the country.

All it takes sometimes is one good recruiting class to turn a program around. Illinois fans can point to the classes Ron Zook brought in early in his tenure before that recruiting well ran dry. Illinois will need its Class of 2013 to come in and contribute if the program wants to get out of the current quagmire it is in.