You might be a bit more negative on Smart than I am, but in general I'm just trying to inject a bit of healthy skepticism into the discussion. Smart's main claims to fame are (1) the havoc defense; and (2) the final four run. It is interesting to see that the havoc defense isn't really what got them to the final four.

I think Shaka Smart is a bright young coach, is very well spoken and could be successful at Illinois. But I don't see much evidence he is a particularly good recruiter. And I think he is going to have to adjust his defensive thinking in the Big 10. His success with VCU this year might be more impressive than the Final Four run last year.

Yes, everyone needs a few good bounces. But overall, our play in the tournament reflected our play during the season. We didn't suddenly start hitting shots in the tournament that we hadn't hit all year. After we fell way behind Arizona, we needed some breaks to catch up. But keep in mind that AU had some breaks to get that lead. If we were to replay the '05 tournament over and over again, most of the time Illinois would make the final four. The same cannot be said for VCU in the '11 tournament.

So wouldn't his success this year suggest that his FF run last year was at least in part due to his coaching abilities?

I certainly understand not thinking this guy will come in and lead us to Duke type status however.

I don't get how you can bag on Smart's VCU Final Four run. Yeah his team played over their heads a bit, but give credit where credit is due.

I am not sure who people are expecting us to hire. There isn't exactly anyone available with a huge track record of final four runs or championships. Smart's young, he hasn't had the opportunity to build a giant resume like some people want to see. People will just be skeptical to be skeptical and expect us to bring in the next coaching legend. There aren't too many out there on the market, sorry. When you hire a coach these days, you take a risk. Yeah right now he might not bring the best recruits in, but look where he's at. VCU. Get him in here and let him do his thing. I have a feeling kids would like what he'd be selling at the U of I.

Folks should listen to the first segment of this past Saturday Sportsline with Joe Hendrickson from City-Suburban hoops.

A couple of themes from Joe's assessment:
1) Illinois will have to "over-pay" the next coach due to the situation in Chicago re: recruiting.
2) A couple of coaches (prospective candidates) stated they wouldn't do it much differently than Bruce has.
3) Bruce really does have a lot of respect in the coaching fraternity, and along with Jerrance has made significant in-roads in Chi-Town.
4) The current Junior signees are potential difference-makers and need to be retained.

Would be interested in others' response to this segment.

+1 nice post.

"getting lucky" Maybe Smart motivated well at the end there, maybe he changed things a little bit to create more open shots. His team won the games, luck or not.

When Napoleon was Athletic Director of France
 

he said I have plenty of clever generals, but just give me a lucky one....just sayin'

Yes, his success this year proves he is more than a 1-hit wonder. VCU is currently ranked No. 50 on Sagarin vs. Illinois at No. 52. Both teams are extremely young. Given the relative status of these two programs, he is clearly doing something right.

I'm not bagging on the run, but am putting it in perspective.


Yes he won games. But the question is whether he will win those same games in the future as the head coach at Illinois.

I agree, no matter who we hire, there will be some level of risk. I believe we also need to look at the "potential" in some of these coaches. Does the person have the ability to motivate? Can the person relate to today's athletes? How does this person handle the media (very important dealing with Chicago media, impact on recruiting)? What is the level of energy/enthusiasm? How about personality?

I also suggested something controversial in 2003. Also get a players' representative involved in the search process/interviews. Their perspective through their own eyes may be different than someone removed from the players and that age group. How would they react? What are the things they see? Hard to implement and I do not advocate having a players' representative in all meetings etc. but get some feedback on your short list. Or maybe involve a recent alum and basketball star (e.g., Dee Brown) as a surrogate. Get their perspective.

We're all part of the Illini family in some form or another, whether it be an alum, a player, a family member, a fan, etc. You take the input of each of these sources with certain degrees of seriousness. I don't think it's a bad thing, but obviously, you need to filter out those that aren't going to look at what's best for the program now and in the future.

I can't speak for last year, but I can speak for this year as far as VCU relying on turnovers. I watched the VCU game vs. GMU on Saturday and they do trap and get a lot of turnovers. During the game, they noted that VCU leads the entire nation in steals. They average 10.5 steals per game. That is a ridiculously high number. Compare that to Illinois who gets only 5.2 steals per game and is 293rd out of 344 teams, which is really low. Now also, they may give up some easy baskets due to the pressure, but steals usually turn into points on the other end, when well coached.

I wasn't commenting on comparative history, only noting that from my perspective, the expectations for the programs don't appear greatly different. I will say that the fans are a little more laid back about their basketball at UW. It's a big deal, but not as big as Husky football, while the fans are more focused on basketball at Illinois.

Romar has a very good situation at UW. If I were in his shoes, that would factor heavily in my thinking. Were he to come to Illinois, he'd be expected to produce at a high level and he'd enjoy the support of the fans for a few seasons, but if the team fell short of expectations, the fans would turn on him.

Here, he has an established reputation and a lot of security and stability. There's a lot to be said for that.

I'd prefer Smart over Romar, but if Romar could bring us Parker or Nunn?

That's a big if, because if he doesn't, then we're left with possibly a coach that is falling just as quickly as Weber. However, I could see the combination of the proximity of Illinois combined with Romar coming here being something that could turn the tide. Still a long shot though. You ultimately bring in a coach that can land recruits of all levels in the future, rather than just one or two studs of today.

I agree completely, Weber and Howard are now recruiting Chicago well and doing it the right way. Most coaches that are good probably wouldn't do it much different than Weber. The junior class with Hill and James, they are difference makers, i'm afraid we are giving up on Weber right as he is about to turn it around, does he need to make changes, yes but the future with the freshman class and the commits looks very good, dont change now. Henrickson is well respected, I value his opinion and I agree.

The problem is that good teams can often beat this kind of press, just as good teams in the tournament last year best the press. VCU hasn't played that many good teams this year. Would this approach be as successful in the Big 10? If that defense gave teams fits in the NCAA tournament, you might have reason to believe that it would translate to our league. But that isn't what happened.

I tend to agree that we are jumping ship on the Weber/Howard train just as they had turned things around. Unfortunately, it hasn't shown up on the courts just yet which will almost definitely cost Bruce his job this year, but I believe strongly that the program is in very good position going forward. Hopefully whoever comes in can retain the guys we've got and continue the off-court momentum Bruce and Jerrance had going.

Quick note on Shaka Smart:

Shaka took over a team that had won their conference 3 straight years and he proceeded to finish 4th, 5th and whatever he'll do this year (currently 2nd). I'm not overly impressed with one magical/lucky run in the tourney. I'd like to think the Illini could get someone a bit more proven if they're gonna replace Weber and Howard.

Definitely - good teams just ripped that press to shreds last year, that's why VCU was one and done in the tournament and no one is talking about their coach.

purdue got puked by vcu's press last year.. iirc it was a complete blowout.. fwiw

BTW, it's good to see Obelix still picking and choosing stats to back his agenda in this thread.

Few questions for you Obelix. I know you've often disregarded Weber winning with Self's players.

Do you realize Self was only here 3 years and won with Lon Kruger's players (record went down every year he was here btw)? Since Self's winning % I've heard you beam about many times was with Kruger's players, does it even count? I mean, you always eliminate Weber's years with Self's players so using your logic, Self really never coached here right?

Seriously though, it's tough to take you seriously. You pick and choose stats to prove flawed points and rarely seem to take any insight into anything like talent we had and reasonable expectations. Now we finally start getting talent and you think it should happen instantly like we just plucked Derrick Rose and Anthony Davis. You don't seem to realize the vast majority of recruits take time.

Who? Brad Stevens?

Aren't a lot of "more proven" options out there.

and Brad Stevens isn't leaving Butler. He's happy there and they aren't too far off from being a threat again. Couple real nice recruits coming in.

I have always wondered how a 40 minute pressing style would work in the Big Ten, how would it work against Wisconsin,I think you could speed them up and give them trouble, but I am concerned within the league with the scouting of opponents would teams catch on to the style and abuse it, I'm not sure. Iowa did it in the 80's with some success.

Same here, but I still want Smart. I thought Iowa's full court press was awful last night. How many times did we break it for an easy bucket? Did they execute it poorly, or were we just good at attacking it? It would be interesting to see, no doubt. I could see it getting old fast if it doesn't work though.

You need to read more carefully and less selectively, I think this point has been answered a thousand times. It is not that Weber won with Self's players and Self won with Kruger's and even Kruger won with Lou's. As I have said many many times, Weber does deserve credit for 03-05, and I have personally given him credit. The problems with Weber started AFTER these players left and have continued ever since. In cumulative and consecutive years.

As for Self, I do not know what he has to do with the conversation. He did great while he was here. I am appreciative of the program he left. And he did great at Kansas, which I could care less. But had Self stayed and had done as terrible at Illinois with his own players as Weber has done after the players who had played for Self left, he would have found himself in the exact same predicament as Weber is right now. No doubt about that. Self would be no different. Fortunately or unfortunately Self is someone that Kansas has to deal with. Not us. We have to deal with our own coaches. Current and future.

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