Joseph Bertrand joins DJ Richardson and Brandon Paul--commits to Illinois

[Da Coach]

Formerly recruited by Bradley, Joseph Bertrand tonight became the 3rd player from the class of 2009 to commit to the University of Illinois today.

http://www.chicagohoops.com/articles1/ui3.html

Nice recruiting haul for Bruce Weber. Though I find it strange that all three are similar wing guards. Will they all be happy with playing time?

DJ Richardson--

http://scouthoops.scout.com/a.z?s=75&p=8&c=1&nid=2751224

Brandon Paul--

http://scouthoops.scout.com/a.z?s=75&p=8&c=1&nid=3362969

Joseph Bertrand--

http://scouthoops.scout.com/a.z?s=75&p=8&c=1&nid=3142873

[Da Coach]

More from MidstateHoops--

http://www.midstatehoops.com/articles/2007/illini09.html

http://www.midstatehoops.com/articles/2007/bert.html

[scout4126]

I've got a feeling Paul may decommit or transfer out after a season...

[MacabreMob]

Nice recruiting haul for Bruce Weber. Though I find it strange that all three are similar wing guards. Will they all be happy with playing time?

Maybe he has noticed the ingredients to success (like at Bradley) is to have a lot of guards. Yes, he had the 3 guard rotation with Brown, Head, and Williams... but did he have depth?

[tornado]

I'd love to hear from the SIU people who claimed Bertrand was a book it/lock

[MacabreMob]

I'd love to hear from the SIU people who claimed Bertrand was a book it/lock

http://www.avidimages.com/preview/2006/08/18/mole_cricket_avidimages_750_prev.jpg

[Bravesguy]

This happened to Porter last year, he landed some good recruits, but wasn't around to coach them.

[Da Coach]

MM, your link doesn't work for me--

https://I'd love to hear from the SI...a book it/lock

Here is a thread from the SalukiTalk message board. It is a 17 page thread titled "Bertrand an SIU lock?"--

http://www.salukitalk.net/st/viewtopic.php?t=14980

The first 15 pages sound pretty confident they will land Bertrand. The last 2 pages contain remarks relative to yesterday's events. Some posters actually thought that the first 2 Illinois verbals from D.J. Richardson and Brandon Paul actually helped SIU's chances of getting a verbal from Bertrand. The reaction to Bertrand verbally to Illinois is just what you'd expect, disappointment and anger toward Bruce Weber and Illinois.

[DannyCooksey]

I didn't see this coming

wow

I was obviously way wrong. I was in the camp that felt Bertrand would be a Saluki. I was off. Heck of a two days for Brucey. This should get some people off his back, I guess.

[hoops guru]

I have heard from Joe that he was strongly considering Bradley. Southern was down his list below Bradley, Illinois, and a couple others that had gotten involved lately.
He has always loved the Illini, and when the other 2 guards committed, he was concerned they would pull their offer to him, so he contacted them last Thursday to see what was his status. He learned they would take 1 more guard, but wanted him to commit right then.