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Michigan State target, Illinois Mr. Basketball Mark Smith picks Illini

Michigan State missed out on two of its top late recruiting targets in less than 24 hours.

Illinois Mr. Basketball Mark Smith announced he has signed a letter of intent to play for Illinois this fall. The four-star combo guard from Edwardsville High picked his home state school over MSU, Ohio State, Missouri and a number of other late high-major suitors that included Kentucky and Duke.

Smith told WDWS-AM 1400 he “always knew where he was going,” even though he admitted he opened his options with MSU and other schools after Illinois fired John Groce in March.