Being the No. 1 team in the nation for 14 consecutive weeks has its effects, including a buzz of media frenzy that has shocked the Midwest.

But in the case of Illinois, it also has its causes, which are often a bit more subtle.

NIU has its ties with the Illini through men’s basketball coach Rob Judson, who was an assistant at Illinois from 1996-01, and Director of Basketball operations Sean Harrington, who was a standout shooting guard for Illinois from 1999 to 2003.

“I think he obviously did a great job at Illinois getting recruits,” said Harrington, who was one of Judson’s recruits out of Elgin High. “He had a huge impact on what’s going on there now.”

Judson, who starred for the Illini as a sharp-shooting guard from 1977-80, is partially responsible for Illinois’ current success, directly helping in the recruitment of three of the Illini’s starting five.

Illinois senior guard Luther Head, who leads the Illini with 16.2 points, was one of Judson’s recruits from Chicago Manley High.

“We identified him when he was a junior and realized he was going to be a special player,” the fourth-year NIU coach said. “His coach, Bo Delaney, was a really good person who watched out for him.”

Judson also recruited senior Roger Powell, who averages 12.1 points and 5.2 rebounds for the Illini.

“He had a lot to do with Luther and Roger, which set the stage for guys like Dee Brown and Deron Williams,” Harrington said. “A lot of credit goes to the assistants.”

Judson’s recruiting helped the Illini even after he left for NIU. Illini guard Dee Brown, who was named Big Ten Player of the Year on Tuesday, was signed after Judson left Illinois, but Judson remembered scouting him early in high school.

Both Judson and Harrington can share a piece of the success the 29-1 Illini have achieved this season.

“It’s nice to see them doing well,” Harrington said. “Part of it is because I got to see first-hand how hard they worked.”