Illinois and Kentucky hold preseason practice early….
I love when teams do things like this and really push the NCAA buttons. One of the rules the NCAA has implemented is allowing teams 2 hours worth of workouts a week starting in mid september. Illinois and Kentucky were two teams who took those two hours and put them to good use. Illinois held what was called the ‘WORLDS LARGEST BASKETBALL PRACTICE’ and actually put a mobile basketball court on the football field to take advantage of the homecoming events at the school that day. It was estimated that over 30,000 people attended the event and it will not happen again.
The NCAA has made it clear what the purpose of the 2 hours per week is for and it apparently isn’t to hold this type of event. They allowed the schools to do the event this time but this will be it. At Illinois, it is being reported that they had more recruits there than they would’ve ever had at a Midnightt Madness type of event and even had 6 of the 7 commits show up. The NCAA is very clear about getting a possible advantage but you can’t fault a school for taking advantage of a loophole and getting attention for it.
In fact, if I’m a recruit I’d be excited to play at a program who held this type of event because I would know they were about getting fans involved, being creative and willing to do what it takes to get kids at the school. All legal and all within reason.
I have to say that I am a giant Illinois fan and any advantage they get is alright by me.
