CHAMPAIGN — Seated courtside for the Illinois season opener on Friday, Kendrick Nunn didn't hear the chant when it first rang out.

His father, Melvin Nunn, leaned over to tell him the Orange Krush was shouting his name: "Ken-drick Nunn ... Ken-drick Nunn ..."

When the chorus eventually registered with the prized prospect from Simeon, he cracked a smile.

But you know what would really help Illinois basketball's recruiting efforts in the Chicago area, especially with the gifted classes in 2013, 2014 and 2015?

Proof that there has been progress — both in player development and in the win-loss column. Illinois (1-0) hosts SIU Edwardsville (0-0) tonight (7:30, no TV).

It's easy to say the unpredictable tendencies of recruiting aren't affected by what happens on the court, actual wins and losses.

Coach Bruce Weber's best recruiting hauls were secured when the Illini were struggling through some of their toughest seasons. Crandall Head and Tyler Griffey, for example, were in attendance when Illinois lost a home game to Tennessee State in 2007. The recruits said then the unsettling result didn't impact their affinity for the orange and blue.

And against logic, a 19-loss season in 2007-08 was followed by a recruiting upswing in the 2009, 2010 and 2011 graduating classes. Such is the inexplicable nature of recruiting.

Even so, it has become more apparent that Chicago is watching. The city's better prospects — and the brokers that can influence their decisions — want to see if the Illini make progress. It is, after all, a roster with six freshmen, the team's core going forward.

"If you're going to make a big step, people are going to watch how these young guys are," Weber said candidly. "The one thing we've sold is we've got great kids. You know what they are. But is Nnanna (Egwu) going to be as good as we think? Is Tracy (Abrams) and Mike Shaw?

"So I think it definitely can help, there's no doubt. And I guess if they don't do much then it hurts, too. But if you're going to get the top guys — 'Hey, come in and play with these guys' — (you have to win)."

In many ways, Chicago's recruiting circles are image-driven. And the image of Illinois the past two seasons wasn't a positive one. That's not a reporter's opinion; it's the opinion of the guys that lived it — the Chicago products that now line the Illini roster.

In the two years that followed his early commitment to Illinois, Abrams heard the negativity directed at his future program. The Chicago Mount Carmel product said the catcalls grew louder after Illinois lost to Illinois-Chicago — at the United Center, for all of Chicago to see.

"It would depend on who they played," said Abrams, a freshman. "We all know it was quite shocking when they played UIC. People would ask me how I felt about that. And since it was in Chicago, people were skeptical of whether I made the right choice."

Freshman Myke Henry, who starred at Chicago Orr, said he experienced the same negativity.

"I heard a lot of it. They said it wasn't the right choice for me," Henry said. "I kind of just blocked it out."

After five months on campus, and with a long way to go, their experience so far has reaffirmed their decision to attend Illinois.

"It's actually better with Coach Weber than what I thought it would be," Henry said. "He's more laidback than I thought. Then he'll get on you when he needs to. At first I thought he was going to be real mean. But he's very genuine to me. When he wants you to do something, he'll let you know. And if you do it right he won't get on you again."

"Bruce helps me get through stuff. He tells me to keep a good attitude. That's the biggest thing I've gained," Abrams added. "He's been great to me. He's helped me get through some different things in my life since I've been here."

The Illinois staff is hard at work on the state's most highly regarded prospects in the 2013, 2014 and 2015 graduating classes. Most of the top prospects — blue-chippers like Nunn or Simeon teammate Jabari Parker — remain undecided.

"I don't want to over-dramatize things, but the next 12 months for the Illinois basketball program — and Coach Weber — are critical, both on the floor and in the won-loss column and leading up to signing day for the 2013 class," said veteran talent evaluator Joe Henricksen of the City/Suburban Hoops Report. "And how they do this season could certainly go a long way in their recruiting efforts in the 2013 and 2014 classes.

"Illinois basketball should always be able to draw talent. Illinois must win big to keep the state's very best at home. And I'm talking the very best, the type of players who will be recruited nationally, Top 25-type of talents who aren't running shady recruitments. And there are a few of those in the 2013 and 2014 classes."

The schedule was designed with wins in mind. Only two nonconference opponents are ranked in the AP Top 25, and No. 23 Gonzaga and No. 25 Missouri are borderline entries.

With seven new players, Illinois lightened its load. For comparison's sake, Michigan State, with six new players, scheduled No. 1 North Carolina and No. 6 Duke to open the season.

That, too, is an indication there is some pressure to win now and reverse the perception the Illini program is treading water. Tom Izzo's job is more secure than a bank. But there is the perception that Weber and his staff would be wise to show progress in his ninth season.

Whether that's true or not, perception is often more powerful than reality in recruiting.

"A poor season — not making the NCAA tournament — could potentially extinguish that Illinois, in-state flame for some of those elite kids (in upcoming classes)," Henricksen said.

But string together a successful season — and show the future is in good hands with the younger, promising players — and the Illini product will be a much easier sell to recruits.

"The next couple years, we've got to benefit from (recent recruiting successes) and they've got to step up. If they are highly touted teams and skilled players, now let's go show it," Weber said before the season. "I think we have a chance to be very competitive this year. Injuries, (other) things have got to fall into place, make shots at the end of close games.

"And a year from now — if it all holds and nothing crazy happens — I really think we can be one of the better teams in the country. But there's a long way to go before that."