The Illinois Coaching Search
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I don't like watching Bennett-ball, but I'm sure I could get used to it if we were winning 25-30 games per year and making regular deep tourney runs.
If all the candidates we've been discussing were equally guaranteed to have tremendous success, so the decision just came down to personality and style of play, give me Kevin Keatts and it's not very close. Personable, charming, well-dressed, well-mannered; plays an exciting brand of basketball. I'd probably rather get a beer with Buzz Williams, but Keatts would be a Bill Self type of brand avatar.
If all the candidates we've been discussing were equally guaranteed to have tremendous success, so the decision just came down to personality and style of play, give me Kevin Keatts and it's not very close. Personable, charming, well-dressed, well-mannered; plays an exciting brand of basketball. I'd probably rather get a beer with Buzz Williams, but Keatts would be a Bill Self type of brand avatar.
Tony Bennett would be an absolute grand slam hire.
BlindLoyalty
- FartNoiseMotivation
Missouri basketball is a dumpster fire. Cuonzo Martin would be a home run hire for Missouri. It is undeniable that he would be a recruiting threat to Illinois in the metro St. Louis area. I expect Josh Whitman to hire a better coach than Cuonzo Martin for Illinois.
Trakis
- Chicago, IL
Yes. I absolutely believe Whitman is better at his job than Thomas was.
Name 10 coaches who are currently in CBB better than Bennett. I have trouble confidently naming 5.
Yes, mainly because Whitman is unlikely to target a bad coach as if they were a good coach due to faulty criteria.
Agree and now my hopes are up. If its possible to get him he would be perfect in our situation...and in the Big 10.
mattcoldagelli
- The Transfer Portal with Do Not Contact Tag
FFS.
The last four years he's 111-29 with two ACC titles, a S16 and an Elite Eight.
Deleted member 10676
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Bill Pollock @missourisports 10m10 minutes ago
My source is telling me Cuonzo Martin to #Mizzou a done deal. Official announcement coming soon
The Tiger Board is up for grabs. So far, they're getting Tilmon (they read on an Illini board that he's really ticked about CM not coming here) and the Porters (Romar is in a meeting with the UW AD and that can only mean he's getting fired.) Lots of giddy people.
My source is telling me Cuonzo Martin to #Mizzou a done deal. Official announcement coming soon
The Tiger Board is up for grabs. So far, they're getting Tilmon (they read on an Illini board that he's really ticked about CM not coming here) and the Porters (Romar is in a meeting with the UW AD and that can only mean he's getting fired.) Lots of giddy people.
K
Roy
Cal
Self
Izzo
Pitino
Few
S. Miller
Struggling from there. Jay Wright? Huggy Bear?
Looks like Cuonzo to Mizzou is a go.
https://twitter.com/EvanDaniels/status/842101295909634049
https://twitter.com/RockMNation/status/842099917392904192
https://twitter.com/EvanDaniels/status/842101295909634049
https://twitter.com/RockMNation/status/842099917392904192
Trakis
- Chicago, IL
This is why it's important that Whitman hires the right guy, and openly communicates with the recruits. Both things I have full faith in him doing.
mattcoldagelli
- The Transfer Portal with Do Not Contact Tag
You forgot Steve Masiello, obviously. Maybe it was implied.
Super glad Cuonzo may not come to Illinois now, yes Mizzou isn't the best place but good for them. Bennett is twice the coach if we get him
And by K of course I meant Krystowiak, just to be clear.
FeelYourPaign
- So Cal
Even if Tilmon asks for and receives a release from Illinois NLI, I believe that we will block all other big ten schools and Missouri.
Is this really debatable? We would be incredibly lucky to have him. The guy doesn't play a up tempo basketball style, but I don't mind watching his team's play good, fundamental basketball. His team's just win. It's incredible what he's done at Virginia.
Don't believe the hype. This is a classic play to build up the hopes and expectations only to have more to lambaste Illinois for when the hiring doesn't happen.
If it happens, be surprised and grateful, but don't expect something like this.
Well, I've got to say, I'm not psyched about the Cuonzo news. Would have much rather he stayed at Cal or did something weird like go to NC State.
If Lorenzo Romar is indeed fired at Washington, it's possible that Michael Porter, Jr ends up at Mizzou, along with possibly Charlie Moore, possibly Mark Smith. I think if Cuonzo gets a few big pieces like that, he could win a lot of games in a hurry and further complicate the recruiting situation in our area. Didn't want him at Illinois, but definitely didn't want him at Missouri either. I think he'll do pretty well there.
If Lorenzo Romar is indeed fired at Washington, it's possible that Michael Porter, Jr ends up at Mizzou, along with possibly Charlie Moore, possibly Mark Smith. I think if Cuonzo gets a few big pieces like that, he could win a lot of games in a hurry and further complicate the recruiting situation in our area. Didn't want him at Illinois, but definitely didn't want him at Missouri either. I think he'll do pretty well there.
Agree. Only reason to be upset with Quanzo to Mizz is if we aren't confident in making the better hire - and I consider Keatts the better hire even if he is our fall-back.
Between Chicago, Downstate/Central Illinois, and St Louis Metro we only need 3-5 players per year total. Of those 3-5 only 2-3 will get real minutes. Plenty of good players to go around.
Time will tell.
KrushCow31
Former Krush Cow
- Chicago, IL
Why would Martin at Missouri make Tilmon leave Illinois? Cal didn't recruit Tilmon, he has no previous relationship. If he was going to go to any school, I would assume it would be SLU. Grasping at straws over at that horribly designed message board.
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