I don't know WHO this is ? ?

Being 'hopeful' about young boys improving themselves at age 20 (approx) is speculation, which I specifically asked 'NOT' to be employed here....

Personally, I'm confident the 'dribbling, passing, shooting deficiencies' will NOT vanish... These players are who they are... and they are NOT good passers, good dribblers, or particularly good shooters with any consistency.

'Can' is also a speculative word.... They CAN, but there is also a possibility that they can't (or won't)...

I do believe that its possible a new coach 'can' help move us back up the ladder, but it won't happen next year... nor probably the year after. And NOT having a good record in the B1G during these years probably means losing out on the 'hot' recruits everyone thinks are so great coming out of the 2013 & 14 classes... Which sets us further behind the 8-ball....

At the end of this process we will be looking to hire another new coach when that happens.... NOT exactly an ideal situation. :illinois:

Agreed 100%. I truly believe he will be our next coach.

This is Missouri

In college basketball when a team loses no one they generally get better, alot better, if Weber stays they will be better, if we get a new coach and don't lose any players we will be better, you have 6 freshman that will be sophomores.

This is my concern about Smart: As has been well documented by posters here, the fast break, up-tempo style of ball doesn't even have to be practiced, you just roll the ball out and let 'em go ;).

Also, this style of ball is so appealling to the younger players, recruiting the elite players is a no brainer.

So, if the up-tempo style is so appealling to the players, and can be so successful, why aren't more coaches employing this type of play? The only team I can remember that advanced with this kind of play, aside from VCU last year, was Nolan Richardson 's Arkansas team in 1994. There are also very few teams in power conferences that use it. Missouri, anyone else?

It's been noted on here that VCU has given up easy baskets from there pressure defense. With better coaches, better players, better guards in the big ten, I not entirely convinced the "havoc" ball would be successful.

I have to say one thing....no matter who the next coach is everyone needs to realize he can't truley be judged until this years freshman class is gone.....right. I mean that is the same treatment Weber has gotten so I think that would only be fair. We have to wait until he gets 'his own players' because you surely can't judge a coach until that time. With the freshman class being so large then I think that is only fair.

Everyone speculates that we get a new coach he is going to be successful in Chicago...but nobody really knows until that happens. I am still hopeful that does NOT happen because once again, this season is not over. Once it is over and we see the final results then the speculation can truley begin...either way. This 'thread' just shows how the fan base has quit on this team and staff, even though a lot of fans seemed to quit a lot earlier. Oh, but if we somehow make the tourney.....ok fans back on the wagon.....at least till we bow out in the tourney.

Neither Mizzou nor VCU play anywhere close to the same system Richardson used. VCU's tempo rating is #163 in the country, so middle of the pack. Iowa, Indiana and Ohio St all play at a faster tempo.

I do agree that a defensive system designed around causing turnovers may have some issues in the B1G where a lot of teams protect the ball very well. However, I also think Smart is an intelligent guy and would likely be able to adjust, but it is a concern.

Most of this "documentation" has been in reference to Calipari, who somehow managed to miss the final four with at least 5 NBA players--first rounders, I believe--on his team.

THAT kind of epic fail justifies the criticism he got. :thumb:

Wow are you a pessimist.

I guess it's impossible for a player to improve at the old age of 20.

Even though many older players have improved their games well after the age of 20 (granted these players are of exceptional caliber).

- Jordan added the perimeter shot as a consistent weapon starting in the late 80's early 90's. Then in the mid 90's added his post up game.

- Lebron developing his post game in the off season

- Lin from all accounts has greatly improved since he left harvard.

- Kareem adding the skyhook as he got older.

- Rose becoming a consistent 3 point threat

- Jason Kidd went from being one of the worst bricklayers in history to having a very high place in 3pointers made in history.

- Meyers went from someone who could not stay on the court due to fouls to potential lottery pick

Obviously it's not going to just be as easy as growing up and waving a magic wand.

But players can improve over time if they have the talent and put the work in.

The juniors have to know that if a new coach is brought in, everything is up for grabs. If they want to start and get heavy minutes they'll have to improve to fend off the freshmen.

If the juniors want to improve the prospects for playing at any professional level, they'll have to show it next year.

The freshmen will know there's a clean slate and have a chance to be contributors, I'm sure they will work hard to push the new coaching staff to make the decision to not start them hard for the staff.

Missouri did not lose any great contributors IIRC and just got a new coach. Many players have stated the new regime's method and culture have fostered a better team atmosphere and led to their improvement.

We all need a change to unite the fanbase and get some excitement going again.

Hopefully this staff can close it out with a bang in the next 2 games and the BTT

:illinois:

I'm still behind the team, but it takes a definite toll on a fan when your team loses 9 of 10 games or whatever it was going from a shoe into the tournament to a team that is on life support.

That will make you quit and question the man in charge. I'm still behind the team, just preparing for the worst and hoping for the best.

- Going from 15-3 and 1st in the B1G to 17-12 and 9th in the B1G

- being on the bubble 3 out of the last 6 years

- missing the tourney 2 and possibly/probably 3 out of six years.

- Sub .500 B1G record since Dee & Augie graduated

Makes us a restless fanbase.

We all want the boys to win and succeed in the next 2 games and the BTT and hopefully they do, but it's time for a change after that.

I am a Cubs fan, a Bears fan, a Bulls fan, an SIU fan, an Illini fan.....I know what losing is like as a fan!

SIU - I went to school there and have watched Bruce build it up and Lowery has torn it down. I am hopeful Lowery is gone at the end of the season but am still supporting him while he is the coach. Not because I like him, but because he is there and still part of the team. Once he is gone and no longer the coach then I will begin talking about his replacement. But not during the season....it doesn't do anyone any good.

Illini - Yes, losing does do that, but the talk began happening WAY before the losing streak. Let's be honest, a lot of fans wanted him gone several years ago, it has just gotten even worse starting last year. As you see in his quote, when your 15-3 and fans are getting on you what good does that do for anyone? Illini have had some bad breaks along with some self afflicted wounds, but this team still has a chance and rather than talking about that most want to talk about a replacement. Personally, I just don't think it is right.

Look at the fans to the east, they have been terrible the past several years with the coach still in-place....and now they are having great success. When they were losing the fans STILL showed up and showed their support. Here, you lose a few games and you stop supporting, or show less.

This fan base likes to call them passionate, I have another word for it but I am not going to say it.........my opinion.

I'm a Cubs fans too, I know what to expect out of them, I'm just used to more success around the Illini basketball program. Guess you could call us spoiled. There are some lofty expectations with this program and for good reason.

The bubble is not a fun place to be and we've been there too often in my opinion. Some guys made up their mind about Bruce long ago. Let's face it, 9 years is a long tenure. He's had his chances. I've long been a Bruce supporter, but I can't handle it anymore. It seems to me like he's drained and can't take the heat anymore. These seasons have been tough on him for sure. He's done his best to stay upbeat, I respect that, but he's shown at times this year that the stress is taking a toll on him.

This thread is about discussing possible coaching replacements, thank you, and Go Illini.

Couple issues here. First, all of the Smart guys (:)) are on him because of the style his teams play. So, what is the adjustment he would make, and what will the fans make of it. If it were successful, we'd obviously be overjoyed. I don't know if anyone can answer this, but does anyone know of a situation where a coach totally revamped his style of play. I know there are coaches that adjust (or say they do) their game to fit their personnel, but I can't think of such a radical shift as might be required if the havoc style doesn't work in the big ten.

Also, I kind of understand about tempo and all that crap, but VCU and Mizzou play close enough to Richardson's teams for people to compare. And, in this case, it's more about style then tempo. Would anyone really watch osu, iowa, and vcu, and say the former two play faster than the latter?

+100000000

As of today, what are the current rankings of who replaces Weber?

1) Smart
2) Romar
3) ?????

Grant and Stevens are rumored not be overly interested. Williams too expensive. Martin to psycho. Marshall? What happens if we don't land Smart or Romar? I was reading through some of the VCU boards and most fans aren't worried about Smart going to Illinois. Any thoughts?

That's why it's good to look at the actual numbers instead of just the "eye test" when discussing teams.

Marshall would be my second choice if we don't "Get Smart" (sorry, bad joke). After that, I'm not sure who to go after.

I'd be afraid if I were a VCU fan. This job just seems tailor made for Smart in many ways.

I have a question for everyone that wants Shaka Smart:

Let's pretend VCU does not get an at large bid last year as most experts had thought. Do you still see Shaka Smart as an up and comer based on what he's done there?

Obviously he's not as high on the list, but what I'm looking for is what you like about him besides the magical Final Four run?

Let's pretend Illinois does not complete the comeback against Arizona in 2005. Do you think we're still looking to replace Weber in 2012? Probably not as we'd likely have a different coach.

Point being, "what if" doesn't make any sense, things are as they are. Personally, this season impressed me just as much as his Final Four run. Replacing 4 starters and still having your team in contention for the conference title is impressive.

I see several good things in Shaka Smart other than the run to the Final Four. First, even if he doesn't make the tourney, it's not like any of his teams have sucked or had huge breakdowns. Second, if you have ever heard him talk, you've probably seen or noticed his charm, ball smarts, and/or at least been impressed and thought "that's a well spoken man." I generally love his youth AND experience. I know that may sound like an oxy-moron, but he really does seem to have good coaching experience and backround already when compared with how young he is. I know that recruits probably will love that he is young and can relate to him. He has some "cool" factor to him.

If the argument is to go after someone more established, for what reason would those that are established leave their current positions? Most mid-major coaches leave their positions after a few successful runs to go for top jobs. Beyond that, high-major coaches generally don't jump ship the way Bill Self and Roy Williams did.

Obviously, if there was a name that coveted the Illinois job in the high-major market that had some success, we'd go after that person. As it is now, there is no one who fits that bill.

ALSO, Shaka Smart is half-black, half-white. I know a lot of young people like to look up to someone who is the "same" as them. Well, if any black ball players want a black coach to lead them, well, there ya go! And if any white ball players want a white coach, there ya go! And what about any other mixed-race people?! You got it! Win for everyone!

This sums up my initial reaction too.

However, along the same lines as the original post I do have a question for anyone who has watched several VCU games this year. How has the team progressed? One of the things I love about Stevens is that his teams are substantially better this time of year than they are in November. The same exact statement could be said regarding Izzo. We have not had that type of progression in recent years at Illinois and I'm curious if it's reasonable to expect in season development if Smart is the coach. That is something that I think is important and a question I cannot answer due to not seeing VCU actually play this season.

Yes. Him making the tournament this year doesn't matter to me. It may actually be better for us as some teams may pass on him due to that. Regardless of whether or not he gets an at large he's done a terrific job considering he's lost 4 starters from the final four squad. 25-6 isn't anything to sneeze at given the situation.

What I like about Smart. He's young, charismatic, he's cool, he's very intelligent, high basketball IQ, and I like his in your face style of play. Get on youtube and watch some of his interviews. The guy gets it. I think he'd be a hit with recruits and it seems he has a particular style of player that he goes after when recruiting. Bruce seems to grab whoever wants to come here.

Put yourself in a recruits shoes. Bruce comes to your house, nice guy, raspy voice, old, likes defense, values hard work in practice, talks about half court, motion offense. Seems somewhat boring to me. Shaka comes in, young, good looking (helps with mom), smooth talker, likes to run, likes to press, not too far removed from his playing days. Smart's doing a great job at VCU, pair him with a top notch institution like Illinois and I think the sky is the limit. I truly believe that if MT interviews Smart, Shaka will knock his socks off.