It’s October 3, 2016. Now seems like a perfect time to start discussing 2019 basketball recruiting! And, naturally, we’re beginning with a bit of bad news. Four-star point guard and Illinois target Markese Jacobs (IL) made a surprising decision to end his recruitment on Sunday by giving a verbal commitment to the Kansas Jayhawks. The 5-foot-10 Chicago Academy sophomore is rated as the No. 71 overall player in 247Sports’ early class rankings.
Markese Jacobs commits to Kansas Basketball after Late Night in the Phog #kubball https://t.co/QJfVUKUazr pic.twitter.com/gcQ9YW30dK
— boring rockchalktalk (@rockchalktalk) October 2, 2016
Jacobs received a scholarship from Illinois during an unofficial campus visit in early August. Jacobs dominated 15u competition this Summer which led the Sun-Times’ Joe Henricksen labeling him as a 'no-brainer high-major prospect'.
Illinois Fighting Illini Links
- Illinois looked like a whole new team on Saturday (Illini Board)
Lovie made a decision during the bye week to start leaning on his younger guys. Redshirts were pulled, sophomores were promoted over juniors, freshmen over upperclassmen… heck, he even played next year’s quarterback in the redzone to mix it up a bit.
- Slowly, surely, change is coming for Illinois (Herald & Review)
Wedged in between some disorganization on Nebraska’s first drive of the day – a 75-yard march for a touchdown – and a breakdown on Nebraska’s final touchdown were signs that Lovie Smith’s first Illini team spent the last two weeks making changes and getting better.
- Reggie Corbin adds new dynamic to Illinois backfield (Illini Inquirer)
Corbin was one of the real bright spots in a youth movement during the Illini's disappointing yet encouraging 31-16 loss at Nebraska. He accumulated a career-high 90 yards on 12 touches, including 72 rushing yards on nine carries.