We are recruiting at a much higher international level currently, Gonzaga has done that for years. I have said Illinois needs to explore and take advantage of it's diversity, I think we will do so even more now. Gentry was exposed to this environment first hand, can't help but be an added benefit for us. He has signed previously players from Kansas/Texas/Iowa according to his BIO at Gonzaga, among other attributes that should help us greatly.
Illini Basketball 2019-2020
- Status
We are recruiting at a much higher international level currently, Gonzaga has done that for years. I have said Illinois needs to explore and take advantage of it's diversity, I think we will do so even more now. Gentry was exposed to this environment first hand, can't help but be an added benefit for us. He has signed previously players from Kansas/Texas/Iowa according to his BIO at Gonzaga, among other attributes that should help us greatly.
This was not a decision that stemmed from BU.
BananaShampoo
Captain 'Paign
- Phoenix, AZ
Gentry is to Underwood what Painter was to Weber. Basically someone who is going to probably be a head coach someday and a darn good one at that. Hope we can keep him around for a while before he goes out on his own.
Late to this, but all I can think is: Picture, . . . some overwhelming number of words . . .
Maybe a game of musical chair and Griffin Lost. Needs more quickness.
Response to an earlier post. Illinois was NOT OKAY on defense with Giorgi in the post last year!
People need to look up past Underwood to see who is responsible for this.
Correct
We were definitely not OK in the post, but Giogi was OK, just needed help. I think the help is here. Always could use more. But, believe BU, or not, this front line is way different. That will be the biggest difference to the floor level of this team in 2019-20'. If the backcourt and wings turn out they are the biggest difference, then this will be a very good time come March.
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
Wow. If Whitman was the catalyst, bully for him.
Not to get this into a recruiting topic, but was Walker the one recruiting Kalkbrenner? I mean, if he was, and he couldn’t lock down a dude where we have a SIGNIFICANT presence (at least on the football side...but still, there’s a lot of orange and blue floating around Trinity right now) then I’m guessing that could have been the final straw that forced this move.
It’s all speculation of course but we did JUST hear about us being left out of the Kalkbrenner race.
It’s all speculation of course but we did JUST hear about us being left out of the Kalkbrenner race.
It's floating around since last week, at least on this board. But I wondered about how it played out with Trinity in light of our connection there. You would think all of these guys know each other, even if they were involved in different sports. Did the coaches get some insights that were not public from the football recruits. Odd that some reported that it seems the coaches "told Kalkbrenner" that he did not have a spot.
Why is Whitman that far in the weeds in BU's program?
Chin=Kalk
BMoreIllini
- Baltimore, MD
Here is a link from the Spokesman about Gentry coming to the Illini. There's a good quote from BU about Gentry:
“I’ve said it often that Stephen has a great basketball mind and he was a crucial piece to what we were able to accomplish at Stephen F. Austin and Oklahoma State,” Underwood said in an Illinois release. “I am excited to have him return to our bench coming off two incredibly successful years at Gonzaga with Coach (Mark) Few.
“Stephen is gifted with Xs and Os and analytics, and excels with player development. Given his familiarity with our system and our program, he will provide a seamless transition for our players.”
The bolded portion is key for me. Maybe it's coach speak, so to speak, but it's encouraging. Interesting timing for Gentry to come over, maybe he just wasn't happy with his Director of Operations role and wanted to be more directly involved with players again. I hope Whitman isn't micromanaging, but I can't see BU being upset about bringing Gentry over. If it was forcing one of BU's "guys" out, I could see some feathers being ruffled, but Walker isn't one of his guys and hasn't exactly been getting results (at least in recruiting).
“I’ve said it often that Stephen has a great basketball mind and he was a crucial piece to what we were able to accomplish at Stephen F. Austin and Oklahoma State,” Underwood said in an Illinois release. “I am excited to have him return to our bench coming off two incredibly successful years at Gonzaga with Coach (Mark) Few.
“Stephen is gifted with Xs and Os and analytics, and excels with player development. Given his familiarity with our system and our program, he will provide a seamless transition for our players.”
The bolded portion is key for me. Maybe it's coach speak, so to speak, but it's encouraging. Interesting timing for Gentry to come over, maybe he just wasn't happy with his Director of Operations role and wanted to be more directly involved with players again. I hope Whitman isn't micromanaging, but I can't see BU being upset about bringing Gentry over. If it was forcing one of BU's "guys" out, I could see some feathers being ruffled, but Walker isn't one of his guys and hasn't exactly been getting results (at least in recruiting).
Kalk wasn't any fault of a current coach of the roster. It was MIF problem.
Deleted member 569417
D
Guest
It’s not about Whitman inserting somone, it’s about Whitman removing someone.
And it’s mainly about the student following the lead of his teacher.
I think Occam's Razor here is that Gentry is getting a better position and probably more money.
I am sure you are right, but seems as if GU would match the offer plus Gentry was a GU basketball player. That seems to be an incentive to many people, they like to come back to their alma mater. Plus he turned down a job there once, then when it opened again he took it, no hesitation (?). Just seems that he is more or less a good fit there. On the other hand, this smacks to me kind of like when Whitman hired BU. Kind of a big surprise and in stealth mode.
The only staff member we need to get back into Champaign is Dee Brown. I'm sure Gentry is good, but I want Dee back into the family fold despite whatever he did to get himself kicked-off in the first place. Hopefully time heals and enough time has passed. Dee is electric in terms of his personality and would be some great swag to have hanging around our team to show what championship mentality is like.
Big difference between $125,000 DOBO and $300,000 Asst. Coach
ivwilsoniv
- Aurora, IL
Approximately $175,000
- Status