Illini AD Thomas non-committal on when he'll evaluate Weber

Oh, he knows. He's just not saying anything. Which is the right move, IMO. Thus far (and yes, it's early in the game), I've been impressed with how MT operates. All business.

Break out the baggy pants. Let's party like it's 2008.

Thanks for the nod.

<pedantic rant on>

As to the dig, why do you guys, more often than not, feel the need to take a shot at your "competition?" Smacks of insecurity, IMO. You've provided first rate info for a long time and I'm pretty sure the Nation really appreciates it (I certainly do). But the incessant digs do you a disservice. Others have brought this up, to no avail. Discerning readers know the lay of the land; restraint is your friend. Take a shot when it's warranted. If you're always taking shots, guess what? They're ignored and readers think that aspect of your reporting is a joke. Not good. I'm trying to be helpful.

<rant off>

They would be prudent to heed your helpful suggestions, but they won't. This is their style, even though it lessens their credibility and makes them look silly. They condescendingly dig anybody who disagrees with them and they relentlessly toot their own horn. I can't tell if it's unbridled narcissim, or utter insecurity.

Either way, they won't listen to you or anyone else. In response to your comments (and mine here) they'll either ignore them or take more pot shots.

It's a broken record, so I just chuckle at them and disregard their unparalleled insights. They're legends in their own minds, and they need no one else's counsel.

Rumors and speculation might be fun for everybody else but for us they are a never-ending source of aggravation. With that being said, we don't see how anyone can say that there are any leading candidates seeing as though Mike Thomas has not yet rendered any official decision regarding the state of the Illini men's basketball program.

Should Bruce Weber be let go, there are some names that we believe are more legitimate contenders than others. Then again, some that have been mentioned here will not even be considered and thus have no chance of getting the job--know that for a fact.

We do have a pretty good idea of the direction that Mike Thomas is looking to go in with respect to the future of the program, but other than that we don't know what is specifically going through his mind at this time. Therefore, there is not much more we can say on this subject until an official announcement is made. When it is, we are sure that we will be offering plenty more thoughts.

I'll be impressed if he backs up his tough talk with success. His boldness is only impressive if he actually hires effective coaches in football & both basketball programs. Time will tell just how impressed I'll be.

Way to go out on a limb there. When BW gets fired, will your thoughts be: "we think we know who MT will hire, but we will say more after he hires the candidate"

Then you will say, "we said it all along, MT was going to hire person X"

100 % there will be some surprise names and canidates during the search..someone we dont want at all and probably a surprise from a coach who is well known that wants to be in a new situation and or more $$$$$..Its going to be very interesting

Woowee! Next time tell us how you really feel, OF.

They were talking about candidates on The Score yesterday driving home, mentioned there is an "infatuation currently" with Reggie Theus, but that Shaka Smart is the #1 guy.


How would people feel about a guy like Reggie Theus?

I think this is a good example of all of us assuming everyone sees things the way we do. I'm sure most people "heard" the name Shaka Smart around this time last year. But there is a difference between hearing the name and knowing who he is. Most peope forget names too.

But my honest question: Why would anyone in Central Illinois remember the name Shaka Smart? Because of all the VCU highlights on ESPN? Because of College Gameday appearances at their school? Because of how much they are discussed on The Score? Because of their Rivalry with Illinois? Because of their dominating conference?

The only people I know who know who Shaka is are hardcore Illinois fans that learned about him from this site.

The reason I think Stevens' name may be better known is that he wasn't a one hit wonder. Not to mention he is much more local to our area, so more people around here may know who he is.

I'm not saying Shaka won't excite people. I'm just trying to put things into perspective that a lot of people might go "who?" if Shaka gets hired, even if all of us on this board scream with joy.

Theus?

We might as well get the Snacks for Illini HC in 2017 campaign going lol.

Honestly it would be very meh for me.

Two words: "Not sanguine".

You're right. I shouldn't couch my views, should I? :D

54 years old with two years total of college coaching, with one NCAA berth. One mediocre year at Sacramento.

I can't see Thomas taking this kind of risk.

Ain't it the truth? Claim knowledge. Say nothing. Afterwards, proclaim "We knew all along, and you heard it here first".

I'm happy they had Shaka as the number one guy, but most of them are clowns when it comes to Illinois sports. I almost called in one night to ask them why the even bother covering something they know nothing about.

But Theus? The guy that went 44-62 with the Kings and hasn't been a head coach since 08, and has 2 years as a head coach at New Mexico State... why was he even mentioned? What would he bring?

Name recognition: What's the big deal? WTF cares if the pick isn't a known guy to casual fans? I don't get it. Shouldn't matter an iota to MT.

Not going to give this subject any more time than it deserves, which is very little. First of all, the person who interviewed Sonny is not a competitor of ours. He is not a recruiting analyst or scout (at least not to our knowledge). Will also ask this: how the hell was the above statement a dig? It is the truth. Then again, that is the problem that everyone in the business has these days--credible people such as ourselves aren't allowed to speak the truth. Had we been the ones who spoke to Sonny and had he given us the same response and had we run the same story we would expect the same reaction with respect to being played. So call it a shot, a dig or whatever you will but either way the remark was warranted.

And just as you say you and others ignore our comments which are perceived as "digs" guess what--we will do the same when it comes to all talk from others trying to tell us how to run our business, seeing as though we have been in operation for 26 years and are doing just fine. Thank you.

Doesn't that completely contradict your post yesterday that Sonny Parker seems to know who our next coach is (or isn't) going to be? If no one knows exactly what is going through MT's mind, how could Parker?

Only if he's sporting a full length fur coat like he did when he played for the Bulls.

Joking aside, no (there are many better candidates). Just more media speculation to fill time between commercials.

Agree completely. So far, MT has talked a lot, some of it helpful and some of it not. Hopefully the football and basketball hires turn out well, that will be how he is judged.

:popcorn:

I've offered them the same advice repeatedly. I'm a lawyer and pretty much write for a living. You can tell good legal writing when it lays out the facts and arguments clearly and persuasively. You can tell bad and amateurish legal writing when it spends way too much side attacking the other side on a personal level. And it turns off the reader, because when it comes to the personal squabbles, the reader has no way to know (or care) who is really right (that's why you stick to your facts and arguments). I think that's an apt analogy here. The style only hurts their credibility. As a result, I've never taken them all that seriously, even if some of their information might be perfectly good. I just have no idea. If that's the tone they want to send to their readers, keep doing it I guess, but they should consider whether it's in their best interests (or at least get a good editor to do so).

1) Too be fair, you guys do come off very defensive quite often. I know that in your line of work, their is a lot of competition to be the first to report breaking news, but to most of us on this board, we are just diehard fans. Not your competitors.

2) You are always quick to discredit others who are wrong, but anytime I ask for your thoughts on a matter, your response is vague. I realize that MT hasn't fired Weber yet, but we all know that it's going to happen. I was just curious as to what names you are hearing as possible candidates for the Illini job. How about shairng a little bit of info with us on this board? We are the ones who frequent and read your website. I, like others, do value your opinion.