Illinois Basketball....Where next?

[charcat]

Initially I thought, why kick those guys when they are down, but then I figured why not.

Illinois is like lots of schools with former glory and big state school status in a less than attractive rural area. But the world is moving away from that. It is an issue that makes attracting the best coaches and players a challenge.

What does Illinois have to rebuild on? Major US City? No. Rich Basketball tradition...not in the lifetime of these kids, and not "Indiana" reputation. "The state school in a major basketball state...sort of, but increasing competition from already successful programs going into their back yard. Michigan State, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, and for kids with grades, Northwestern.

This is a tough rebuild and will make getting a proven head coach difficult. I doubt there is a name like Lovie Smith ready to jump at this. And getting a former pro coach is not the answer as recruiting is everything in College vs Pro. Good luck, we are watching

 

[VirginiaWildcat]

It all comes down to hiring a coach that can work around the negatives because of his many strengths (like Chris Collins). If they get a charismatic guy that can both recruit and coach Xs/Os, they'll get good really fast. The trick is finding a coach who can do that...and we all know it's not easy.

 

[scru]

Well, they are currently ranked the #3 party school in the country. This is down from #1, a spot now owned by Wiscy. Now, I know we'd all like to believe that these kids will make the right decision for their future, but I too was 17 once and can understand being influenced by the social scene at a school.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/...top-party-schools-met-20160830-story,amp.html

 

[EvanstonCat]

Initially I thought, why kick those guys when they are down, but then I figured why not.

Illinois is like lots of schools with former glory and big state school status in a less than attractive rural area. But the world is moving away from that. It is an issue that makes attracting the best coaches and players a challenge.

What does Illinois have to rebuild on? Major US City? No. Rich Basketball tradition...not in the lifetime of these kids, and not "Indiana" reputation. "The state school in a major basketball state...sort of, but increasing competition from already successful programs going into their back yard. Michigan State, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, and for kids with grades, Northwestern.

This is a tough rebuild and will make getting a proven head coach difficult. I doubt there is a name like Lovie Smith ready to jump at this. And getting a former pro coach is not the answer as recruiting is everything in College vs Pro. Good luck, we are watching

What about Steve Bardo?

 

[chitownUofI05]

You guys got REAL cocky toward Illini athletics REAL fast, LOL...

 

[scru]

You guys got REAL cocky toward Illini athletics REAL fast, LOL...

Right? A bit concerning, actually. Would think Cats fans would be a bit more humble. But, we don't get these moments often. Easy to get carried away.

 

[FeliSilvestris]

Gregg Marshall, Tony Bennett, Cuonzo Martin headline replacements for Illinois Basketball. We’ve previewed over a dozen coaches, and now it’s time to summarize their profiles.
--> HERE

 

[Alvious]

Hopefully Illinois is heading straight for DePaulville.

 

[its_the_sauce]

Whether basketball or football, you wonder at some point does the clusterf#@k that is Illinois politics and the financial state of the state really start to take it's toll on U of I and it's ability to maintain a strong commitment to athletics. While the might cause me to chuckle as an NU fan, as a citizen of Illinois I think it sucks.

 

[pawildcat]

Well, they are currently ranked the #3 party school in the country. This is down from #1, a spot now owned by Wiscy. Now, I know we'd all like to believe that these kids will make the right decision for their future, but I too was 17 once and can understand being influenced by the social scene at a school.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/...top-party-schools-met-20160830-story,amp.html

Illinois is a very good academic university. What you make of your life at any college is your choice.

 

[pawildcat]

Initially I thought, why kick those guys when they are down, but then I figured why not.

Illinois is like lots of schools with former glory and big state school status in a less than attractive rural area. But the world is moving away from that. It is an issue that makes attracting the best coaches and players a challenge.

What does Illinois have to rebuild on? Major US City? No. Rich Basketball tradition...not in the lifetime of these kids, and not "Indiana" reputation. "The state school in a major basketball state...sort of, but increasing competition from already successful programs going into their back yard. Michigan State, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, and for kids with grades, Northwestern.

This is a tough rebuild and will make getting a proven head coach difficult. I doubt there is a name like Lovie Smith ready to jump at this. And getting a former pro coach is not the answer as recruiting is everything in College vs Pro. Good luck, we are watching

Well, we might want to figure out how to beat this hopeless school in a game of basketball next year. I believe we lost to them twice this season, right?

 

[julescat]

Excellent stadium and facilities and a pretty good tradition. I think Josh Whitman will make a very good hire and the Illini will be back in the top quarter or the Big Ten pretty much every year.

 

[NUCat320]

They should throw 8 million dollars at Scott Drew and tell him he'll always never have to worry about rape questions again.

That linked list shows me very few people who would be bettering themselves at Illinois.

 

[Deeringfish]

You guys got REAL cocky toward Illini athletics REAL fast, LOL...

Being a fan and posting on that fan board isn't an exercise in humility, that said your team beat our team twice this year, in recent years BB and FB has been very competitive. Don't be surprised that we dream wistfully that the Illini have a sinking program, as fans we hope for the scales to tip our way.

 

[Hungry Jack]

Illini have a great class lined up for 2017. Whitman seems like the antithesis of that clown Thomas. Great stadium. Fine school. They can be very good again with the right coach.

 

[CommodoresAndCats]

I think it's hilarious to watch Illinois fans/beat writers speculate about what coaches they are targeting and should be able to get. If Tony Bennett interviews at Illinois, I'll eat my own hat.

 

[FrancisSearle75]

Gregg Marshall, Tony Bennett, Cuonzo Martin headline replacements for Illinois Basketball. We’ve previewed over a dozen coaches, and now it’s time to summarize their profiles.
--> HERE

Hope Illinois selects Fred Hoiberg so that the Bulls can move on a get a new coach.

 

[Sec.112]

So, Monty Wiliams turned them down out of the shoot. And it was made public. Gee, who could have seen that coming?

My next favorite name is Cuonzo Martin. If Martin is truly considering this, do they really think for a moment that Martin won't have a long discussion with Bruce Weber? They better hope time has healed Weber's wounds.

Once again, that group needs to find some realism in its search. They have some positives and they need to know how to use them.

 

[FrancisSearle75]

So, Monty Wiliams turned them down out of the shoot. And it was made public. Gee, who could have seen that coming?

My next favorite name is Cuonzo Martin. If Martin is truly considering this, do they really think for a moment that Martin won't have a long discussion with Bruce Weber? They better hope time has healed Weber's wounds.

Illinois has a different president, chancellor, and AD from the time Weber was there. It's probably a completely different situation now than when Weber was there.

 

[Hungry Jack]

Interesting that both Mizzou and Illinois are each looking for coaches and will likely interview many of the same candidates. Both programs have some enticing attributes but have suffered from crappy ADs lately. StLouis has good basketball talent. The Tigers have NBA alumni. There is some history.

 

[PURPLE Book Cat]

You guys got REAL cocky toward Illini athletics REAL fast, LOL...

If by "real fast" you mean the last 20 years. Also, the relative trajectories of the programs have never been more differentiated - Illinois - way down, Northwestern - way up

 

[EvanstonCat]

You guys got REAL cocky toward Illini athletics REAL fast, LOL...

Not really. We've been dominating you in football, including recruiting since Barnett. That was like 20 years ago.

Hoops, well, you have scoreboard on us this year, so hard for us to get too uppity about that, but I do think we are in a much better place than U of I right now.

 

[Medill90]

A read a lot about the Illinois AD Whitman when he was hired and I don't think he can be dismissed easily. Simply put, there's a lot there in terms of skill, smarts, political ability and so forth. And the condition of Illinois' revenue sports is poor enough that every decision he makes in the near term is going to be an improvement.

Not easy for him to fire Groce but the roster was loaded with seniors, all Groces' guys, and other than NU there weren't a lot of high points. The team too often looked dysfunctional and there were legitimate questions about player rotations and player minutes.

If Illinois' seniors had developed to the same extent as NU's juniors, Illinois would ranked in the top 15 right now and playing later this afternoon.

Illinois could very possibly be better in two years than they were this year.

Ironic that Bruce Weber looks to be headed to the NCAA's again.

What will be interesting to see is what the Illini have lost in Chicago and Illinois with the ascendance of the charismatic Chris Collins. Collins gives great television and radio and he's doing something this week than no NU coach has ever done. He's looking pretty teflon and if you live in the area and can get into NU and play and live in the Chicago market, why would you choose to go to Illinois (or a few other Big Ten schools)?

Illinois can climb out of the hole they've dug themselves, but it make take more effort than ever before.

 

[scru]

Not really. We've been dominating you in football, including recruiting since Barnett. That was like 20 years ago.

Hoops, well, you have scoreboard on us this year, so hard for us to get too uppity about that, but I do think we are in a much better place than U of I right now.

E-Cat, I want to believe that about NU hoops as well, but based on talent in the program and in the pipeline (as of now, could change quickly), UoI is still ahead of NU. I really want to see this change, and quickly at that. Need to see the evidence!

 

[EvanstonCat]

E-Cat, I want to believe that about NU hoops as well, but based on talent in the program and in the pipeline (as of now, could change quickly), UoI is still ahead of NU. I really want to see this change, and quickly at that. Need to see the evidence!

Wow, call me a homer, but I really can't agree with you.

NU: we're waiting to hear our seeding for the dance.
Ill: heading to the NIT

NU: one of the top young coaches in the nation, arguably top 3 in the B1G (who besides Izzo would you take right now)
Ill: no coach

NU: located on shores of Lake Michigan just next to Chicago
Ill: located in the middle of nowhere

NU: Chicago's B1G team
Ill: Rantoul's B1G team

NU talent: plenty of 4 star talent on the roster with 3 star studs like Lindsey, McIntosh and Pardon
Ill: same. Would you trade rosters? I wouldn't

NU: has demonstrated it may have one of the top home court advantages in the nation. And that's before our $100m renovation
Ill: these days... yawn

Simple question. If you could trade positions with Illinois today, would you? Not even close if you ask me.

 

[scru]

Wow, call me a homer, but I really can't agree with you.

NU: we're waiting to hear our seeding for the dance.
Ill: heading to the NIT

NU: one of the top young coaches in the nation, arguably top 3 in the B1G (who besides Izzo would you take right now)
Ill: no coach

NU: located on shores of Lake Michigan just next to Chicago
Ill: located in the middle of nowhere

NU: Chicago's B1G team
Ill: Rantoul's B1G team

NU talent: plenty of 4 star talent on the roster with 3 star studs like Lindsey, McIntosh and Pardon
Ill: same. Would you trade rosters? I wouldn't

NU: has demonstrated it may have one of the top home court advantages in the nation. And that's before our $100m renovation
Ill: these days... yawn

Simple question. If you could trade positions with Illinois today, would you? Not even close if you ask me.

You've got me there on all points. Still, I'm waiting until I see clearly that recruits are also getting it. The 2018'class is very important for building on our current success. And, we still have 1 or 2 spots open in the 2017 class. Can CCC and company parlay what they've got going into recruiting wins? I hope so, but it remains hope until there is evidence. In hoops, I think you've gotta have the horses. Love our current team; unsure beyond the 17/18 season.

Don't get me wrong. I'm with you all the way in wanting the Duke-esque meteoric rise for our program. But we're gonna need the horses.

That said, I actually hope we are NEVER in the business of recruiting and playing the one-and-done's. I'd like to see this program succeed with true student athletes. Let Kentucky, Duke, MSU and the sort go that route. I'll take a team that has developed its players in a good system and makes great men.

 

[Windy City Cat Fan]

Wow, call me a homer, but I really can't agree with you.

NU: we're waiting to hear our seeding for the dance.
Ill: heading to the NIT

NU: one of the top young coaches in the nation, arguably top 3 in the B1G (who besides Izzo would you take right now)
Ill: no coach

NU: located on shores of Lake Michigan just next to Chicago
Ill: located in the middle of nowhere

NU: Chicago's B1G team
Ill: Rantoul's B1G team

NU talent: plenty of 4 star talent on the roster with 3 star studs like Lindsey, McIntosh and Pardon
Ill: same. Would you trade rosters? I wouldn't

NU: has demonstrated it may have one of the top home court advantages in the nation. And that's before our $100m renovation
Ill: these days... yawn

Simple question. If you could trade positions with Illinois today, would you? Not even close if you ask me.

Illinois has a top 10 national recruiting class - but other than that I agree with you, and let's see if the class sticks now..