mattcoldagelli
- The Transfer Portal with Do Not Contact Tag
Go look at other team's forums about how they talk about Illinois defense right now.
Why don't you be a pal and link those forums?
Go look at other team's forums about how they talk about Illinois defense right now.
I don't think this is true; there's no way to tell what Groce will be moving forward with objective certainty.
I just don't know how our offense functions without MH and MM. It could be fine, or it could absolutely cripple us. Those two make some really tough shots that a lot of guys don't make consistently at this level that keep us going at times. I think we can have a functional defense under Groce now that I've seen this stretch. But I have yet to see something that really convinces me we can do enough offensively to be a really good team under Groce. I think we need a Friday win in the BTT against a good team (would love another go at Purdue for this) to really see what sort of streak this is.
If there's any group disregarding facts, it's the keep Groce group. Talk about agenda, there is no legitimate narrative to keep Groce that actually involves any facts. All the facts point to making a change.
The only narrative for keeping Groce is, "if he makes the tournament, he is finally improving as a coach and will continue to get better." And even that one gets defeated with facts.
I was at the game last night and watch every game I am not happy at all with where we have been but you have to give agree we now look good since Lucas has developed into a nice point guard. People wanting to ignore that are not being objective, if you know anything about basketball you can see he was worth several points on offense and defense over what we have put on the floor the last 3 or 4 years
I think it is way more about defense and on the court communication. Everyone is totally committed right now. Go look at other team's forums about how they talk about Illinois defense right now.
I think the pro-Groce crowd's agenda is just this "we have our PG". Yes, it took 5 years and several misses to get him, but its clear that we are a better team when we have a legitimate PG to lead us. Plus, we may have an even better one coming in next year, if all the reports are true.
That is what gives people hope for next year (and beyond). Its not that Groce has finally "figured it out", its that Groce finally has a competent PG to run his system.
No question the defense is better and Groce and the team deserve credit for that. BUT, the 3 pt shooting has been unusually hot too - e.g., last night they shot 42% from 3. They don't win without that.
Not trying to take any credit away from the team or Groce, but there's a chance we're getting fooled by a run fueled by hot shooting. Isn't that how Mike Thomas got us into this mess in the first place?
My dumb question for the day is: is there any kind of tapering in the strength program that could explain the improved shooting by seemingly everyone lately? Do the players leg lift a bit during the season, it's a taper beginning a couple weeks ago? Seems like a good way to lose a lot of games before that, so I'm doubting it, but wondering.
Isn't it the coaches job to recruit the needs of their team? The fact that we have not had a PG until now falls squarely at the feet of John Groce and the Staff!
Isn't it the coaches job to recruit the needs of their team? The fact that we have not had a PG until now falls squarely at the feet of John Groce and the Staff!
I don't think anyone is arguing that fact. Call it bad luck, poor decision making or whatever, it did take Groce a long time to land his PG.
But, now that he has his PG and his system is working and starting to point us in the right direction, with better recruits/athletes coming in next year, people are optimistic about the future with Groce at the helm.
Whe you weigh that against firing Groce and potentially going through another 2-3 year rebuild, I think most people would rather hope that this is an indication that Groce has turned it around.
Look, I get it, some people are still not confident in Groce and it would probably take a Sweet 16 run (or better) to convince some (while others probably wouldn't be convinced even if we win the whole thing). But, saying that Groce cannot get better is just as much of an opinion as saying the Groce can get better.
Yes, point guard was a problem, and Groce has corrected it. It seems like you're more interested in punishing Groce than improving the team.
The most interesting thing about this link for me is that MSU fans are smarter than Izzo in exactly the same way Illinois fans are smarter than Groce.
Bright side is that Groce gets extended now.
No, I like Groce! I wanted him to do well and be the guy to turn things around.
IMO...he has had enough time and he has not done it. I would imagine that he probably is the type of person who would take full responsibility and not make excuses.
:clappy:
And there's this:
If a problem has been solved, it is not productive to ask why it wasn't solved sooner. Sounds a lot like my ex-wife.
Absolutely agree! I think he has his point guard and possibly multiple with Frazier and Smith, you go from 0 guys to 2 or 3 that's a big improvement
I'm sorry... this isn't marriage! This is a job. A highly compensated job. When people don't produce in big money jobs they are let go!
I've observed that latter sentiment from fans of every B10 opposing fanbase in reddit game threads, they seem to all be surprised he's even above .500 total and tend to ask if he'll be back. A couple jokes in last night's reddit postgame about a upcoming extension. The rest of the conference seems to view him as a poor coach (hard to contest that POV)
If there's any group disregarding facts, it's the keep Groce group. Talk about agenda, there is no legitimate narrative to keep Groce that actually involves any facts. All the facts point to making a change.
The only narrative for keeping Groce is, "if he makes the tournament, he is finally improving as a coach and will continue to get better." And even that one gets defeated with facts.
Isn't it the coaches job to recruit the needs of their team? The fact that we have not had a PG until now falls squarely at the feet of John Groce and the Staff!