Bruce Weber returned for the Illini Basketball Banquet - Tracy Abrams named team MVP

Dan · Apr 10, 2012, 10:34 PM

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Weber: 'It was my obligation to come back'

The central figure of the event — former coach Bruce Weber — admitted he initially didn't want to return for the banquet. But the new Kansas State coach said he accepted the invitation because of the players he recruited and coached before being fired March 9.

"I felt it was my obligation to come back for them," said Weber, the Illini coach for nine seasons.

Really, the atmosphere inside the Holiday Inn ballroom summed up the last half-decade of Illinois basketball: never boring, at times uncomfortable and certainly dramatic.

http://www.illinihq.com/sports/illin...come-back.html

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Photo Gallery: IL Men's Basketball Banquet 2012

http://www.illinihq.com/multimedia/p...l-banquet-2012

IlliniRon · Apr 10, 2012, 11:27 PM

Gotta love Tracy Abram's cardigan sweater for a casual night out with the ex-coach and teammates. Looks like they had a good time.

bleedsorangenblue · Apr 10, 2012, 11:42 PM

I see no orange in Bruce's tie ........ is there some purple in there? Can't really tell from this pic. I guess I would not expect or necessarily want him to wear orange but would think he would want to avoid purple for this night.

jhayton · Apr 11, 2012, 01:02 AM

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Originally Posted by bleedsorangenblue

I see no orange in Bruce's tie ........ is there some purple in there? Can't really tell from this pic. I guess I would not expect or necessarily want him to wear orange but would think he would want to avoid purple for this night.

It would seem that it is a fairly neutral tie. It would be distasteful to wear a black and purple tie, but a tie with purple in it could be played off.

IMO it is nothing to nitpick at. Just would seem petty to read into a tie at an awards banquet.

bleedsorangenblue · Apr 11, 2012, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhayton

IMO it is nothing to nitpick at. Just would seem petty to read into a tie at an awards banquet.

My tongue was planted firmly in cheek when posting about this but some would take purple in his tie as a huge affront ....... while others might be offended by him wearing orange :rolleyes:

schlagboy · Apr 11, 2012, 07:41 AM

It's almost as if Bruce never left. Is he going to be attending our games next season too? :laugh:

BrooksTaylorFan · Apr 11, 2012, 07:55 AM

I liked the part at the end when Weber revealed to everyone that he posted on a local message board under the screen name Orange Fever. :laugh:

KBLEE · Apr 11, 2012, 08:05 AM

TA had a nice year for a freshman, but MVP? Umm...no.

Illiniwek06 · Apr 11, 2012, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrooksTaylorFan

I liked the part at the end when Weber revealed to everyone that he posted on a local message board under the screen name Orange Fever. :laugh:

Hahaha. Well played.

bombayIllini · Apr 11, 2012, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schlagboy

It's almost as if Bruce never left. Is he going to be attending our games next season too? :laugh:

Heard Izzo bought him some tickets for the IL/MSU game.

IlliniAmy · Apr 11, 2012, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ct3illini

Seems pretty classy of MT to clear out and let Weber come back and enjoy this event, especially given the complaining/whining from Weber and friends about how he was undercut by MT. Can't seeing RG being this gracious, really think we are turning the corner now with solid leadership.

He didn't attend the football banquet either.

scubadunk · Apr 11, 2012, 08:56 AM

Does anyone but me think it is bad that he says "it was his obligation to come back for them" meaning the players. It seams that he is saying he doesnt care as much about the kids as he stated in that he was just fulfilling an obligation instead of wanting to have one last time with the kids he always said he cared so deeply about. I can imagine how hard it would be to come back to a place I was fired from but if I truly cared about the people I would not feel obligated to come back I would want to see them.

IlliniAmy · Apr 11, 2012, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scubadunk

Does anyone but me think it is bad that he says "it was his obligation to come back for them" meaning the players. It seams that he is saying he doesnt care as much about the kids as he stated in that he was just fulfilling an obligation instead of wanting to have one last time with the kids he always said he cared so deeply about. I can imagine how hard it would be to come back to a place I was fired from but if I truly cared about the people I would not feel obligated to come back I would want to see them.

I think you're getting caught up in semantics. He felt an obligation to the kids because he cares for the kids. If he didn't, he wouldn't feel any obligation to have been there.

pizzaman · Apr 11, 2012, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scubadunk

Does anyone but me think it is bad that he says "it was his obligation to come back for them" meaning the players. It seams that he is saying he doesnt care as much about the kids as he stated in that he was just fulfilling an obligation instead of wanting to have one last time with the kids he always said he cared so deeply about. I can imagine how hard it would be to come back to a place I was fired from but if I truly cared about the people I would not feel obligated to come back I would want to see them.

I think that means he came back for the players, not for himself.

rtbritt · Apr 11, 2012, 09:28 AM

Abrams won the MVP. That's great that he was voted by his teammates and all that...it shows he was heart and soul of team..I guess? But was he really the "Most Valuable Player" on this team? I would say the answer is emphatically NO. Let's take Abrams off the team and see how many games they can win. Now let's take Brandon Paul off the team. How about Meyers Leonard? I would have to say that Leonard or Paul were clearly the Most Valuable Players on this team, even with their boneheadedness.

Oh well, that is my little rant that means nothing!

danielb927 · Apr 11, 2012, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtbritt

Abrams won the MVP. That's great that he was voted by his teammates and all that...it shows he was heart and soul of team..I guess? But was he really the "Most Valuable Player" on this team? I would say the answer is emphatically NO. Let's take Abrams off the team and see how many games they can win. Now let's take Brandon Paul off the team. How about Meyers Leonard? I would have to say that Leonard or Paul were clearly the Most Valuable Players on this team, even with their boneheadedness.

Oh well, that is my little rant that means nothing!

Value isn't just in-game stats. Tracy is a natural leader and incredibly dedicated by all accounts, and that kind of dedication is valuable because it rubs off on others and motivates them. I agree you have a point because ML and BP are our most valuable guys when it comes to making things happen in the games, but props to Tracy for being that much of a leader to his teammates as a freshman. You just wouldn't see that out of many 19 year old guys, anywhere, especially under as big a spotlight as a DI basketball program.

TCTORNADO · Apr 11, 2012, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KBLEE

TA had a nice year for a freshman, but MVP? Umm...no.

Weber said in Klee's article "his MVP vote would have gone to Mike Shaw, who played a minor role, but maintained a positive attitude, regardless."

Liniouek · Apr 11, 2012, 10:10 AM

I am just now understanding how many people there are out there that are going to attack BW no matter what he does. This guy can't pass gas without someone moaning about it...

And about TA getting the MVP... the TEAM voted on it and THEY decide. There are things that go on outside of what you see on t.v. during a game that are equal to or surpass the efforts on the court. Things that happen in the locker room, living room, classroom, and so on, that we will never know about. Evidently the entire team thought he was the MVP. I will embrace the man who gets the most respect of his teammates. No crying here.

HoopBoss · Apr 11, 2012, 10:33 AM

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Originally Posted by BrooksTaylorFan

I liked the part at the end when Weber revealed to everyone that he posted on a local message board under the screen name Orange Fever. :laugh:

NOW THAT................... is funny!

illinibob · Apr 11, 2012, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pizzaman

I think that means he came back for the players, not for himself.

Bruce is always about somebody else, never about himself. :rolleyes:

illinibob · Apr 11, 2012, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TCTORNADO

Weber said in Klee's article "his MVP vote would have gone to Mike Shaw, who played a minor role, but maintained a positive attitude, regardless."

I'm sorry, that's weird. Weber's MVP was a kid he refused to play? Why, because Shaw didn't complain about it? Meekness is a fine quality to instill in college BB players.

scubadunk · Apr 11, 2012, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IlliniAmy

I think you're getting caught up in semantics. He felt an obligation to the kids because he cares for the kids. If he didn't, he wouldn't feel any obligation to have been there.

I understand that I just think he kind of stated it poorly (shocking) and it seemed to come of in a way that made it sound like he didnt care but it was his obligation to look like he cared.

Calvin · Apr 11, 2012, 11:08 AM

[bunch of pointless Weber bashing]

MVP to Tracy

Were this a more traditional MVP, I think there would be some legitimate debate. But since this is really a player award, I'm glad to see a strong freshman get it.

DaytonIllini · Apr 11, 2012, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danielb927

Value isn't just in-game stats. Tracy is a natural leader and incredibly dedicated by all accounts, and that kind of dedication is valuable because it rubs off on others and motivates them. I agree you have a point because ML and BP are our most valuable guys when it comes to making things happen in the games, but props to Tracy for being that much of a leader to his teammates as a freshman. You just wouldn't see that out of many 19 year old guys, anywhere, especially under as big a spotlight as a DI basketball program.

+1

DaytonIllini · Apr 11, 2012, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scubadunk

I understand that I just think he kind of stated it poorly (shocking) and it seemed to come of in a way that made it sound like he didnt care but it was his obligation to look like he cared.

You are nitpicking.

Apr 10, 2012, 11:27 PM	#27
IlliniRon Illini Basketball Fan Forever Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 1,271	Gotta love Tracy Abram's cardigan sweater for a casual night out with the ex-coach and teammates. Looks like they had a good time. __________________ Maybe this is our Year

Apr 10, 2012, 11:42 PM	#28
bleedsorangenblue Location: C-U Posts: 944	I see no orange in Bruce's tie ........ is there some purple in there? Can't really tell from this pic. I guess I would not expect or necessarily want him to wear orange but would think he would want to avoid purple for this night.

Apr 11, 2012, 07:41 AM	#31
schlagboy Posts: 378	It's almost as if Bruce never left. Is he going to be attending our games next season too? :laugh:

Apr 11, 2012, 07:55 AM	#32
BrooksTaylorFan Location: Illinois Posts: 4,759	I liked the part at the end when Weber revealed to everyone that he posted on a local message board under the screen name Orange Fever. :laugh:

Apr 11, 2012, 08:05 AM	#33
KBLEE Location: Montgomery, IL Posts: 6,255	TA had a nice year for a freshman, but MVP? Umm...no.

Apr 11, 2012, 08:56 AM	#37
scubadunk Location: Indiana Posts: 901	Does anyone but me think it is bad that he says "it was his obligation to come back for them" meaning the players. It seams that he is saying he doesnt care as much about the kids as he stated in that he was just fulfilling an obligation instead of wanting to have one last time with the kids he always said he cared so deeply about. I can imagine how hard it would be to come back to a place I was fired from but if I truly cared about the people I would not feel obligated to come back I would want to see them.

Apr 11, 2012, 09:28 AM	#40
rtbritt Posts: 266	Abrams won the MVP. That's great that he was voted by his teammates and all that...it shows he was heart and soul of team..I guess? But was he really the "Most Valuable Player" on this team? I would say the answer is emphatically NO. Let's take Abrams off the team and see how many games they can win. Now let's take Brandon Paul off the team. How about Meyers Leonard? I would have to say that Leonard or Paul were clearly the Most Valuable Players on this team, even with their boneheadedness. Oh well, that is my little rant that means nothing!

Apr 11, 2012, 10:10 AM	#43
Liniouek Liniouek Posts: 101	I am just now understanding how many people there are out there that are going to attack BW no matter what he does. This guy can't pass gas without someone moaning about it... And about TA getting the MVP... the TEAM voted on it and THEY decide. There are things that go on outside of what you see on t.v. during a game that are equal to or surpass the efforts on the court. Things that happen in the locker room, living room, classroom, and so on, that we will never know about. Evidently the entire team thought he was the MVP. I will embrace the man who gets the most respect of his teammates. No crying here.

Apr 11, 2012, 11:08 AM	#48
Calvin Posts: 1,611	[bunch of pointless Weber bashing] MVP to Tracy Were this a more traditional MVP, I think there would be some legitimate debate. But since this is really a player award, I'm glad to see a strong freshman get it.