Funny story. I knew Tom Thibodeau from the time he was an assistant with the Knicks. He was my neighbor and we lived in the the same apartment building in the late 90s (in southern Connecticut actually). Talked a lot of basketball, I always thought he was a quiet guy.

When Self left for Kansas in 2003, the one NBA coach name that surfaced (just from Illini message boards, totally unsubstantiated) as a possible candidate was Jeff Van Gundy who was then finishing his stint with the Knicks. The message board discussions took a life of their own, mostly people having fun, with multiple unconfirmed sightings in CU of Jeff Van Gundy. Soon, Jeff had his own nickname and acronym at IB, he became Lord Van Gundy or simply LVG. People tried to convince me to actually give Tom a call back then (people did not even know his name, just that I knew Van Gundy's assistant) and ask him to tell Van Gundy to consider the Illini. Needless to say, I never did :)

One of the funniest nights ever on Illini message board history was a bunch of us convincing IB's founder and administrator at the time (Brumby) to officially list Van Gundy as a confirmed candidate for the Illini job (IB had a running list of candidates, with pictures, comments and odds on its first page). LVG made the list (with disappointingly low odds) and his picture remained there until the search was completed. Fun times...

How many do remember LVG? Any posters here from back then? :D

I love this forum and website. My choices would be:

1.) Buzz (Love, but I don't think he leaves)
2.) Smart (Love, good chance IMO)
3.) Romar (Really Like, good chance IMO)
4.) Grant (Not sure he'll leave)
5.) Marshall (even though I think he goes to South Carolina)

Who is the Best coach of these 5?
Who is the Best recruiter of these 5?

I guess you are referring to me about being excited about the 13 class, with the freshman we have now and I think Langford will also be really good, if you add in James and Hill that looks good for the future, if you get a new coach will he be ahead of where Weber would have us by that time, I don't know, if he loses these recruits he probably won't be. I think it would only be 1 year of waiting, they will be seniors next year and the only reason you bring in a new coach is if over the next 4-5 years you think you will be better off.

VCU also locked up 2nd place in that win yesterday. Someone mentioned VCU lost 4 of their starters from last year. If that's true, the 2nd place finish is even more impressive.

and VCU is on ESPNs list of last four teams out of the NCAAs

Brad Stevens?
 

Anything think the Illini can attract Brad Stevens? Butler isn't going to the NCAA's this year either. Long term Illinois has to have a better chance at success.

There is a great article in ESPN Mag that came yesterday highlighting Giant Killer strategies in the tournament. They went through each VCU game and showed how they changed strategies from game to game based on their next opponent.

They went after their opponents primary weakness each game. Against USC it was stressing offensive rebounding, Georgetown it was pressure D, purdue it was taking care of the ball, FSU it was hitting 3s, Kansas it was guard the arc.

I have been sold on Smart for awhile and truly believe he will be our next coach. This article pushed my hopes even higher.

Given Butler's recent success in tournament play, I wouldn't rule them out of the NCAA yet. I could easily see them winning their conference tournament.

I would definitely be optimistic with Stevens coming here.

Another interesting aspect of watching Alabama and VCU yesterday: atmosphere.

VCU had 7-8000 fans in there, all of them cheering, nearly all of them standing the entire game. ESPN kept flashing they were at 30+ consecutive sell-outs.

Alabama's was about what you'd expect - similar to our current situation. Empty seats in A-Section, some good support and noise during runs by the Tide. Nothing special

Scott Drew
 

I like Baylor's Scott Drew. Baylor has no basketball history and has to compete in state with Texas and Texas A&M. Scott is a native Midewsterner. His father Homer was a longtime coach at Valparaiso and his brother Bryce played there (the game winning shot in the NCAA's in 1998) and is now coaching at Valpo.

That would be called game planning, which is something every team does every game.

Unfortunately our team's plan has been s.s.d.d. lately so I considered it an exciting opportunity for improvement.

Very true. Even bad teams game plan. I am not sold on anyone yet, but to get a bunch of kids to stay within that game plan for as long as VCU did last year? Quite impressive, considering that BW can't get this team to buy in to his gameplans at all or he just can't gameplan (which I doubt).

It is Shaka Smart or bust really...Watch this link from PTI he is really well spoken...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w54EFF_OwOM

I think paul has "talent", but I also think he has a really low basketball IQ that negates much of whatever talent he has. Richmond speaks for itself and I think Leonard will continue to develop like almost all big men, but it won't be at Illinois.

If I were Roy Williams or Bill Self or Jim Boeheim or Coach K, would I feel like I "missed out" on Brandon Paul? I don't think so. This is not to bash Paul or Weber, just pointing out he isn't a difference maker kind of recruit. The reality is they got him before he really got on the radar. Good for them, but he wasn't a national recruit when he first committed.

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When I heard this I thought he was referring to his refusal to play his bench extensively during the Northeast Cupcake U. portion of the schedules.

Can we please stop talking about Romar as if he's even a possibility? He's NOT leaving UW.

Wait. Are you telling me that wasn't real? That it was all some kind of sick internet joke? He really wasn't shopping for a house in Mahomet? Missing on LVG was the main reason I wanted Guenther ousted. I've hated Weber for the last 9 years dreaming about what might have been if only Van Gundy had been our coach.

You're probably right, but I could see him potentially wanting to leave the Pac 12 for the Big 10...Here's to hoping he's at least an option!

VCU and Shaka Smart
 

Yes, but I would not believe those websites which need updating every day. VCU just played their last regular season game and won big with their lone senior having a career best game, cinching second place. They will have a good shot at the NCAAs given their record, their run last year in the tourney and final RPI. It's tough making the tourney each year as a mid major, but it's pretty impressive what Smart is doing at VCU. Has one senior on the roster and he has them playing at a very high level, rather than complaining about needing better players, etc. They also might win their conference tourney to get in.

Would love to see him as our next coach at Illinois.

"Never ever, say never ever."

Thing that worries me about Smart is that "havoc" style his teams play seems gimmicky. Like the high powered offensive football coaches in the mid major conference who gets a big time job because his team scores 30+ ppg and at the next level his team cant get over 20 ppg. I just think with the better players of the Big 10, Illinois wouldnt get the turnovers needed. Its not like his teams shoot the ball particularly well (.408 as a team). I just think we might be overvaluing a fluky final four run.

Spend most of my time on the football threads, but living in the Tidewater area let me watch a few VCU games, and I must admit that Smart is a very good coach who makes very good... what we often refer to as, "half-time adjustments".. during their games. Again, I'm not a bball expert, but I realize when I'm watching good coaching no matter the sport. He has his players understanding that adjustments will be made during a game and they respond well. The players buy into his enthusiasm. During the team practices, he often plays on the scout team, which really excites his players. The VCU/GMU game was an excellent example of what I'm talking about. I think they will do well in the big dance if given the opportunity.

Hope we are lucky enough to get him as our next coach.

I will be behind him 100% if he is the guy, but there is no doubt that his style will get him killed on the message boards when he loses games. Out of control, just roll the ball out there, no coaching...

I give this response a D-. It's too long, and you don't even mention your error with rankings.

Off topic post.