I disagree only because the success we would have had on the court would have given us a much bigger national name. In turn leading to more ESPN, more exposure and larger recruiting base. Not to mention the big national schedule we would play on a yearly basis. Chicago would be our main source for recruits, but not limited to. Most Chicago kids would want to play for a successful team two hours from home. In the event that we didn't land the Elite of Chicago, which I think we would have, Illinois would still have a much larger national pool of recruits.

The hits just keep on comin'.

ESPN Bottom 10

First and foremost, I would love and like to see JHoward get the job. I provided my reasons why. Secondly, I think it's a shame Illinois has never had a AA head coach. I'm not refuting anything. Illinois being grouped with the good ol' boys club isn't a cool category to be in. Which AA have we seriously consider for that position? If your proud of this fact, then be proud. On my block it's a disgrace.

Do you know what JHoward and Purnell have in common? They were both given a chance to do a job that others said they couldn't do. Both have personalities that people can like. I never had the chance to meet Purnell but JHoward I have. The gift he has is talking to people and making them feel comfortable. CPL has accepted both and will get recruits but can they get the elite? Neither has as of yet but Howard isn't the one in charge so that shouldn't be held against him. I'm not sure, Howard sticks around if a coaching change happens. Why lose somebody who is talented and may never come back? At this point, who ever gets hired needs to rebuild and I think JHoward can get us back to the top sooner than anybody else from a mid major school.

Just relaying what was told to me yesterday, and it was mentioned more than once as a concern so take it for what it is worth.

You cant possibly know that. And given a MM coach has actual head coaching experience I would say the MM coach would get us to the top much faster.

I don't know if we'll ever know what people want to do with their lives. From what I do know, many players play basketball because they love the sport. They get filtered through college. Not many student athletes are playing basketball and are becoming laywers and doctors. After their playing career is over, how many are given an opportunity to go into coaching? I find it hard to believe that AA aren't willing to do the grunt work like Weber and Chester did to start their coaching careers.

And you do? Josh Pastner was an assistant for 7 years before he got his chance and he's done a terrific job including a sweet 16 appearance. It's no guaranty that a MM coach is going to get us back to where we were faster. Many good MM coaches fail all the time at the next level. If my math is correct, Howard is in his 8th year on a coaching staff. Why can't he. He’s valued and paid his due’s for the program.

5 years as an assistant coach and those 5 years are going to get Weber fired. When was the last time a coach fired at a major program was replaced by one of his assistants?? Also Josh Pastner worked under two of the best college basketball coaches in the last 20 years in Olson and Callpari.

Yep. Assistant coaches are promoted from within when the head coach leaves for a better job after having a lot of success.

Pastner has yet to win a League title in a weaker league and has made 1 tourny in his 2 years. He's done ok, but besides being a very good recruiter, hasn't shown that he's that good of a coach yet.

Problem with Snacks is he has 0 coaching experience, JP atleast coached some HIGH major players(Okafor, Ford, Gibson) in AAU ball along with being an assistant for 7 years along the side of some top coaches(Cal and Olson). I'd like to see Snacks get a job at a school like SIU/Bradley/etc for a few years, before handing him the reigns.

Indiana Mike Davis

Weber's 9 years are going to get him fired. His early recruiting failures have played a part of this

Did you miss the part when I said a coach that was fired? Or were you agreeing with me?

Bob Knight was fired in September. And even with better timing no one wanted to be the coach that replaced Bob Knight. IU had also been to the tournament three years in a row, so it wasn't as if an unsuccessful coach was let go. I think we can place this in the "unique situation" category.

As for Weber's early recruiting problems, I think all would have been forgiven if the 2009 and 2010 classes had panned out. But the group of Paul, Richardson, Betrand and Griffey hasn't produced a star or even a majority of solid starters. The 2010 class is down to one guy, Meyers Leonard. Whether the staff didn't do a good job of evaluation or development, even when we landed higher ranked classes there have been some major holes in the lineup.

Yes, I was agreeing with you. Hence the "yep" to start the comment.

Figured... Kind of read your comment fast and when I looked at it again was like oops! :cool:

I HATE Duke, but what about Chris Collins??? He may not be interested since he's the Assoc. HC @ Duke and seems to being groomed(or Wojo) for Coach K's job when he retires, but....

-He's from Illinois(Glenbrook North)
-Starred in HS and at Duke(Team MVP @ Duke, Illinois Mr. Basketball, McD AA, and McD AA 3 Pt Champ)
-Has alot of contacts in Chi-Town(recognizable name, etc)
-He's got a National Rep, with a name that would not only be a hit in Chi-Town area, but nation wide.
-He's been groomed under one of the best/most successful coaches of all time in any sport.

Couple ???'s
Not sure he'd leave Duke for his Homestate team.
Would he leave a LONG TIME position @ his alma mater to comeback to Illinois and the B1G

I am on the Jerrance Howard train if we can't get Shaka train. I want someone to take us to the next level and while Jerrance might not be able to due to inexperience, he could make up for it with recruiting.

The only candidates I like are Shaka Smart, Brad Stevens, Anthony Grant, and Buzz. Shaka has the persona, the style and flair to own Chicago (even if he does not stay here for life). I don't know if Brad could recruit Chicago well enough (I think he could get some Indiana players and Peoria/Downstate, etc.. type players) but his ball style might not attract players and can we get him here? I think Buzz is good, but I would rather go the route of Jerrance or Shaka. A. Grant is solid, but can he take us to the next level. I think he is better than what his record shows at Bama though.

I don't like the comparison of Jerrance to Josh Pastner though. Memphis could take that chance as they have never been big-time consistently. While Pastner might have learned from Lute, I wouldn't really claim Calipari as a great coaching example of X's and O's (cheating and letting his guys play is a different story). Calipari is brutal for X's and O's. Pastner also does not really have experienced assistants on his staff.

I would like to hire Jerrance (if Shaka falls through) with an experienced staff. I feel Jerrance would really tear it up recruiting in Chicago and we would get tremendous publicity. Jerrance has learned a lot better X's and O's from Weber, Gillepsie, coached with Buzz, learned from Self, etc..... I think Jerrance would probably have a better hands on feel for coaching than Pastner, would not as tight as Weber, and probably has more flexibility. The big thing with Jerrance is learning X's and O's and the big things that come with Coaching. The other coaches (outside of Shaka) don't really provide the upside of Jerrance nor the momentum of owning Chicago and other coast-to-coast recruiting.

Gregg Marshall might be fine, but would be looked down upon as a hire and surely would not be looked highly upon for recruiting right away.

And how many times do you have an assistant to a head coach under fire with many consecutive mediocre years as Weber consistently being voted a top assistant by both media and peers alike? That is how good Howard is.

There have been many assistants who were eventually promoted to head coaches and did very well. Including some HOF coaches like Izzo, Roy etc. In addition to younger coaches like Pastner. Does that mean that Izzo was ready only after 12 years under Jud? Of course not. But it was the norm back then to wait in line for your chance. Izzo could have easily been ready way earlier.

I have made the case for Howard many times on this board. He is ready IMO and deserves a chance. And is worth the risk. And if he leaves Illinois and has success elsewhere it would take exceptional timing and money to get him back. Exceptional recruiter with already established connections in Illinois, tremendous motivator, relates to today's athletes, and will exemplify Illini spirit like no other coach ever will.

Are there risks with Howard? Sure there are. As there are with pretty much every other coach out there. But the positives we do know about Howard far exceed the risks IMO.

It is certainly unique but the question was asked

Too many empty years placed way too much emphasis on one class. It wasnt really expected tthat JR would be here more than 1 year anyway

Tommy Amaker was the "lead assistant" at Duke (1988-1997) and he left for Seton Hall so pretty sure Collins would jump at the chance to coach here. As to your "He's got a National Rep, with a name that would not only be a hit in Chi-Town area, but nation wide." I had never heard of him till you posted this so I doubt any Chicago player would know who he is.

Update: I guess he is Doug Collins son which is a big positive. But don't see him as the next coach.

Exactly right!

When has Howard ever been named a top assistant?

The assistants you brought up worked with all time great coaches before becoming head coaches.

So being a good recruiter, not great, is enough of a positive to overlook his lack of experience?

If he was really ready to be a head coach he would be a head coach already.

I hadn't thought about Gregg Marshall until his name came up here in recent posts. He would not be viewed as a catalytic hire by the fans, but he does appear a potentially very solid possible hire. He has had considerable success at both Winthrop and WSU. Others have mentioned the huge question: Could he effectively recruit Chicago? He has no connections there and he definitely would start off as an outsider. If JH would stay, it might work out.

Someone also said he had a reputation at one time of being abrasive and not a good communicator, not good with the press. After Weber, I strongly believe we must move away from that sort of image. No more inept communicators. Bruce isn't what I would call abrasive, but he is a poor communicator and naive in that area. I don't want somebody who is "slick", but I do want someone more polished, more thoughtful, and more effective as a communicator.

From what I've seen, Butler's Stevens and VCU's Smart would shine in this area. Though they are young, they are poised.

Meaning, you share this unsubstantiated opinion . . . :confused:

On the Howard question, there are no definitive "right or wrong" positions. If you hire him as a HC, you take immense risk, as he's vastly untested. If you try and convince him to stay on as an assistant, you risk losing him now or sooner than later. If you cut him loose, you take a more definite risk because if he at least stays, you may have other options. Once he's out the door, there probably is no getting him back.

I'll take risk category 2 as the best one for sure. I'l take risk category 3 over category 1, because I don't like crapshoots. We can't afford to take any flyers with the HC position, IMO.

OF, I respect your opinion, but if I recall correctly, one of your biggest criticisms of Bruce Weber has been his stubbornness and aversion to taking any kind of risks (a criticism I agree with). Why are you and many others so averse to the risk of hiring Jerrance Howard? I would actually argue that Jerrance isn't as great of a risk as many of you assume, but even if he is, there is going to be risk in hiring any candidate. Jerrance has the upside of being so, so high reward due to his allegiance to the university and his ability to recruit Chicago. If he flops, we move on to the next. But we'll never know if we don't shoot for it.

Received recognition by both peers and media multiple times over the last few years... just a small sample:

http://eye-on-college-basketball-rec...84776/33203384
http://www.cbssports.com/collegebask...all-dream-team
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketb...cruiters081910

So let me get this straight, you have never heard of Chris Collins, yet you have strong opinions about coaches, assistants, etc?

Thank you! :thumb:

:thumb:

Playing some zone or using a freshman a little more is in a different category. You're absolutely right there is risk with any head coach candidate. But JH would, IMO, be a total roll of the dice. Limited coaching experience. Minimal program management experience. Zero head coaching experience. People love the mailroom to CEO sort of story, but the guy doesn't vault from one to the other. He starts low and works his way up.

JH has done a good job recruiting. Can't say it's "great" because there have been too many fizzles and too much disconnect between players and system. Does he coach? Can he teach? Can he administer discipline? What sort of management credentials and experience does he have? Can he motivate? How will he handle media duties? The list goes on.

There's reasonable risk, then there's taking a shot in the dark and hoping you hit something. To say you just give it run and if it fails, you shrug and do it again, shows you do not have a realistic perspective on the process or on the perspective of the responsible party, MT.

So, no, I don't favor playing roulette with the head basketball coaching position at Illinois.

Your point is?

ESPN College BBall Podcast 2-13

@ about 26:45 talk Illinois situation

Oh pleaaase... spare me the mailroom to CEO comparison that makes zero sense. Here is your highest paid executive young vice president taking over as CEO rather than the mailroom guy.

Personally think that both OF and Obelix have a point. . . But that they are both exaggerating a little for flair. And that is cool by me. I love the discussion!

Overall, as much as I like considered risk, i side with OF. But I wont be terrified of JH if he were named.

Jeremy Lin a possibility???

Watching a basketball practice is exciting? You can take my seat.

I wouldn't want Cal if he begged to come to C-U and work for $1 a year.

These days don't the AAU coaches really wield the influence rather than the HS coaches?

Yes, but now a lot of the HS coaches are also AAU coaches as well. Or their good buddies are.

Maybe we can hire Jeremy Lin ;)

I always feel like I'm being the Jerrance contrarian, but he has been labeled as a great recruiter in Chicago, but what great players has he landed from Chicago? I think he helped keep JR in the fold for whatever than was worth (make your own judgement). Off the top of my head, he has had the most impact on helping land this year's freshman class of Abrams, Shaw, Henry and Egwu. Perhaps in time they will be great or at least productive players , but at this point the jury is still out (as it should be). If the prior is correct (I don't follow recruiting closely), I just don't see the super recruiter label as being accurate. I also don't think it can't be accurate in time.

I believe Memphis, Louisville, and UK have contacted Howard over the last couple of years to see if he had interest in joining their coaching staffs. I hope that answers your question.

That is reportedly true, but it doesn't answer my question.

I think what he has done given that he has been recruiting for Weber with his mediocre results during his tenure is nothing short of amazing. But that is JMO.

CB, who else was he supposed to get from this past year's class? A. Davis had shady recruiting as there were also questions surrounding Blackshear and the kid on UConn.

Leonard, Richmond, and Head is quite a coup for 2010.

Richardson, Paul, Griffey, and Bertrand is quite a hauls for 09.

Hill and James is quite a hall already for 2013. This is all with mediocre results from Weber's coaching recently. Supposedly, he could get even better recruits if he was the coach.

according to who?

Agree completely

First of all, I will assume you are correct that JH had significant involvement with the recruits named above. As for last year's class, the jury is still out, but at this moment there has been no real production. Time will tell.

Leonard has been a good player while Richmond and Head contributed little to nothing.

Richardson has been a complimentary player in my view, Paul has had lots of ups and downs and I have trouble judging what his net value is. Neither Griffey nor Bertrand have been a consistent significant contributors to date.

I still don't see the great recruiting to date.

Bruce Weber on the Hot Seat ............

Don't look now, - but after this loss to Purdue the FLAMES are getting higher.


:chief:

So you are willing to give Jerrance a break because the Chicago recruiting scene is dirty, but not Weber?

Leonard was recruited by Price and Weber. Richmond committed to Weber and Webster. Head was the younger brother of a former player with a heavy lean to Illinois before Jerrance ever came on the scene.

Paul was the only Chicago player and from the burbs rather than the city (where we have a harder time recruiting). Griffey wasn't recruited by Jerrance. All were leaning to Illinois before Jerrance joined the staff. Most of the heavy lifting was done by others. And none of these guys were national recruits.

Jerrance did a really nice job with the 2011 class, but nothing that wasn't fairly common place with previous coaches and recruiters. No nationally recruited players.

I can see why other coaches would want to bring Jerrance on board. He has connections in Chicago. A lot of programs would want to get a toe into the city. But I don't see any indication that Jerrance is a GREAT recruiter at this point in his career. For those who blame Weber, remember that Tracy Webster locked up Richmond, Davis, McCamey, and Darius Miller (who followed him to Kentucky). Our overall recruiting strategy was poor in the early years, but once Weber started making early offers things were turning around, prior to the arrival of Jerrance Howard.

His work has single handedly make Illinois a possibility for Chicago recruits. That in its self is a major role. No he hasn't got a big fish to bite. I think that has more to do with Weber than putting the blame on Howard.

According to people who are involved in the AAU and HS scene who know Jerrance personally.

I suppose it is starting to become time to discuss who coaches us in the NIT.

Jerrance?
Wayne?
Bruce?
Price?

Is VK available?

:laugh:

GHD, could you elaborate a bit more on Self and the compliance issue? I would be interested to know the specifics of that. Thanks.

I think this is what he is referring to

http://www.semissourian.com/story/114934.html

This needs to happen now. These Bruce Weber press encounters are getting much too pathetic, even by BW's standards.

Agreed. It could become very embarrassing for the remainder of the year. I can't imagine the players are going to react positively either

BW needs to be forced to muddle in his own mess. To have Price or McClain do it would be throwing them to the wolves. Let Bruce collect the lossses not them.

It's sad the way the Weber era is going to end.

@sryantribune: "Weber's comments sounded like the losing side on election night. Sounded defeated and listed many regrets."

I want Weber replaced, but I disagree. As long as Weber is in charge the players will act accordingly. Firing him now or before the real end of the season, only puts a guilt trip on the players, and they may make decisions they wouldn't make in hopefully the week or two after the season it takes to find a new man. You could give him notice around the last week of the regular season to get the waiting period out of the way, but let him remain in charge of the team. Too many examples of bad behavior, poorly thought out transfers, etc. by players in similar situations.

Yes, this. And on the flip side, there has been a lot of "smoke" regarding borderline recruiting tactics, potentially ineligible players, etc... at Kansas.

Weber should be fired on selection sunday after it is announced that we are not in the tournament. Let Jerrance coach the team in the NIT.

I hope the rumors of MT sending out feelers to possible coaches are true. When MT actually makes the announcement that Weber is fired, he should already have a list of people of interest. MT seems like a good AD from the short time we've had him, I'm sure he will be well prepared for this.

Firing Weber before the end of the season puts us at no advantage with regard to the coaching search. I would be shocked if Weber wasn't allowed to coach to the end of the season, whenever that might be.

I feel bad for Bruce, after those first two years I don't think this is how any of us expected the BW era to end. He's been a class act through everything and a great ambassador for the school and the city of Champaign (and Urbana too.....I guess). It's hard for me to completely bash him because I've met him 4 or 5 times and he's always been really, really nice. But it's time, we know and I think it's obvious after this postgame he sees it too. As for who we go after, I just hope whoever we hire can get us back to the elite level.

I agree. I think its 99.99% chance Weber is fired within a week after they are knocked out of the NIT.

Agreed. Mike Thomas has shown us he let's the season finish before taking action.

From a recruiting standpoint, I believe most of late April-early May is a dead period so there doesn't necessarily need to a coach hired immediately. But, obviously, the sooner the better.

Agreed. Creating anymore distractions for this team is not helpful. You want as little time as possible between firing and hiring for everyone involved: players; recruits; potential coaching hires (as I assume all are currently coaching); current staff; and fans.

Agree, I'd love to see how this team does with an interim coach, either Jerrance Howard or Wayne McClain. I would definitely look forward to a different style of play.

Yet another reason why Weber won't be let go. The last thing Thomas needs is for the team to win a few games under an interim coach causing fans to demand that coach be made permanent.

100% agree. I wish Bruce could be successful here but it's just time for a change for the fans and the players.

That's actually a really good point.

How about Lon Krueger? Anyone think he'd be willing to come back?

No. Nor, I think, do we want him to come back. We need younger blood, more recruiting energy, and someone who can mine Chicago with some consistency. Lon's a good guy, but not the answer.

Those calling for Weber's release before season's may as well simmer down. Not going to happen.

Those clamoring for JH to be elevated to HC also need to simmer down. Put yourself in MT's position. Are you going to stake your job on the untested kid's ability to run the program?

Bruce is gone but it won't be formalized until the season ends. JH's time hasn't arrived. I hope he stays as an assistant to the new HC.

Oh, c'mon GHD, that's just because you don't want Jerrance Howard to be the interim coach. At least we could have a look at what he would be like as head coach...

The notion that MT is worried about an interim doing well and having a groundswell of fan support is just silly. An early dismissal makes no sense and isn't going to happen, but has nothing to do with that. Some of the stuff people are tossing around is pretty laughable.

He's shown he will let the REGULAR season finish before taking action. He didn't let Zook coach the bowl game, I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't let Weber coach the NIT.

+1

I love Weber as a person but that press conference was just awful. Throwing players under the bus "I don't know what he was thinking", "At some point it's up to the players". Yes, both of those statements are true, Paul's decision at the end was terrible and at some point the players must be held responsible for the wins/losses, but the head coach does not say that! The head coach defends his players in public till the bitter end. It's time.

Interesting thought, and a possibility. No earlier than the end of the regular season. What about the BTT? BW probably coaches that because a scintilla of a chance remains for the team to make the Dance by winning the BTT.

It's a funeral march now, and BW's own presser sealed that. That was bleak and sorrowful. What will the remaining ones be like? Yikes.

No chance we win the BTT when we can't win at home. Personally, I would like to see Weber resign after that postgame presser and let the AD decide what to do next. We aren't going anywhere with Weber at the helm. He has too many regrets and keeps doing things differently than he says. Keeps losing his voice, and hard to listen to him any more. No wonder the players are doing their thing, since they can't figure him out either. Might as well let everyone know changes are happening, so the players don't check out/transfer.

I have a hard time believing the players are paying any attention to him. He's thrown in the towel and thrown them to the wolves. He's self-pitying. I agree the team is going nowhere with him running things. I still believe MT lets him coach out the regular season at least. The only thing I believe that could change that would be a resignation. The way Bruce sounds now, I no longer consider that an impossibility. I, for one, would welcome his resignation in light of the things he said tonight.

A resignation tomorrow would be the best scenario by far for all parties involved. I think a resignation before the end of the season is unlikely though. Bruce is not a quitter, even when maybe he should be.

Do they have contractual obligations to play in the NIT? Seems like such a waste of time and does nobody any good that I can see.

In my mind, the head coach is the one responsible for the wins/loses and that's why he gets the big bucks. The players may cause them, but the ultimate responsibility is the head guy. I don't think Illinois has the talent that many fans believe, but either way, the coach is also responsible for either finding or developing that talent.

I'm surprised people are either listening or watching a post game presser, but it's a free country. I wouldn't blame him if he resigned, but I don't see it happening. Perhaps announcing his resignation now and making it effective at the end of the year might at least stop or reduce some of the cat and mouse game going on. I don't see it happening either.

The whole thing is such a letdown. I am sad in a way because I really like Bruce and really wanted him to succeed. He is a ethical guy and he brought us to a magical championship run that was one shot and horrific officiating whomever was guarding S. May.

That stated, after this presser, hopefully he can find a decent job and do a good job there.

Kinda like when Walter Cronkite called our loss in the vietnam war, when Tup says it's over, it's over!!:(

Not gonna happen, if only for contractual reasons.

This is exactly right. What possible good can come from Bruce coaching the NIT? The players are not listening to him now, what will they be like by then? It makes a bad atmosphere worse IMO.

Let Jerrance run the show if not to audition for the Illinois job then to audition for others. It would be a class move even though I don't want to lose him.

You won't know what he is like as a head coach based upon a handful of NIT games. But you might THINK you would know what he was like based upon those games.

The first thing Illinois and Mike Thomas need to do is realize its going to take close to 2.5 million dollars a year to lure the coach they want.

Second thing they need to do is show Jerrance that he has an orange and blue car, not a Bruce Weber car, and have him stick around as lead recruiter for the new regime.

Third thing is securing the loyalty of Jalen James and Malcolm Hill, two players that are sorely needed.

And finally, and most importantly, the new coach and regime needs to call a spade a spade and recognize that it will all start with developing Illinois current freshman class and using them as the base for what our program aims to become.

Wow, just heard the post game press conference this morning as I was driving to work on The Score here in Chicago.

Wow, at least Weber went down firing. He was brutally honest, but you can't be that honest.

Honestly, how can he lead a practice today or tomorrow?

Alright, this is a good point.

So we've got 6 press conferences and 6 post game interviews from here on out.

12 Bruce Weber media sessions to go! Twelve.

Weber is the anti-Beckman.:)

I partially agree. Depends what you mean end of season. End of regular season and BTT or end of post season. If Illini make a deep run in the NIT (which will not matter to Weber's faith) that will extend the start of discussions with possible candidates. So to some extent it matters.

Having said that, I do not see Weber getting fired before the end of the post season. For reasons of dignity (his and his team's), I can see him voluntarily stepping aside before the end of the season but I assume there will be legal reasons not to do so. I doubt Weber walks away on his own unless there are negotiations and agreements before he does so.

But another 12 press conferences/interviews like the one last night would be painful to watch (and conduct)...

I personally would rather they didn't play in the NIT at all, but if they did and BW wasn't there to coach them, Wayne McClain who is the Associate Head Coach, should be the guy to coach the team. Frankly they could have Lou Henson coach the team for a game or two for all I care about how the end of the season plays out.

lol, I know, good thing you cant listen to the score.

It made me so furious listening to the score this morning!!!!

Ok, Mully and Handley, whatever they have to report the news and webers presser with a slow sports day is going to be talked about. However, they are clueless and the callers even more so...

But the out-cry and rage is so funny now that things have hit rock bottom..It took babysteps to get to this point.. maybe point out / call out players we recruited for years apon years that spurned UI and so under very shady conditions!!!! Collins, Wright, Rose (a.c.t or whatever), A.johnson, and many others. or frasier, scheyer, shumpert, or the dozens other kids that wanted to go away or "too cool for UI"..

its their right to go away and play for another university / state of course.. however, before the Sh@# hits the fan maybe put some state pride down way before that and get some of the kids that walked away from UI and put some sense into why they left, maybe money, maybe weber, maybe shady recruiting, maybe fake test scores, maybe jobs at fedex etc. etc. ..

NOW everyone cares, lol, or is upset, most dont even know about the Eric Gordon situation or how JRich screwed Weber, himself, and the program.

ALL THIS FAKE A$$ STATE PROUD NOW, LOL, GO CHEER FOR DEPAUL OR NORTHWESTERN A$$BAGS

comes up almost every year / cuz we are a freaking bubble team..

however, you get more practice time, maybe home game, and if you make the final four it is pretty cool to play in new york/MSG.. they would never refuse, UNC did not refuse, I dont see Illinois refusing at all.

Weber would have liked to have coached guys live Green, Craft and Hummel. He just threw every Illlini in his tenure under the bus. Weber's career was most certainly derailed here. It would have turned out differently anywhere else.

I believe his shortcoming is an inability to connect with a higher caliber of player. What he said last night is what he has felt for a long time. Don't think the kids don't pick that up from him from day 1.

Throwing ML under the bus for body language cracks me up. Has he watched tape on his own body language. BW has no teflon at all. Plus, BW might mention that ML could be frustrated when the boys are chucking threes at a rate of 2 for 12 in the first half. BP3 might make some mistakes too but to question his try seems like taking down the best possibility of developing a real leader. Pretty sure all the guys have checked out now.