Illini Coaching Staff

#401      

Deleted member 14522

D
Guest
Deleted member 14522
Second and Chalmers said:
I'm not trying to slam the guy, but there is a 0% chance he is on this staff if he's not a but-for cause of Tilmon enrolling.
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Mark Smith comes to mind. I know he helps us out in order to win that recruitment. Ej Liddell is another future metro east player we will want that Walker gives us inroads to. I think you are underestimating Walker's importance to the Illini program.
 
#402      

Calvin

C
Calvin
SampsonRelpenk said:
What an odd situation this is.
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Maybe a little unusual, but not much of a stretch IMO. Walker's in a great position to get a good bump, and if these guys can win (and I think they will), this could put Walker in a better position going forward --always helps to be in a program trending up. For BU, he keeps a key guy to help him transition, and obviously this is a big factor in recruiting. I don't see why we would turn over the entire staff given how much this can help us. I'm glad BU is flexible enough to judge this situation on the merits, and glad they could come to an agreement. Great sign IMO.
 
#403      

golferjohn1970

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golferjohn1970
How good can this team be next year with the players already there and the 3-4 freshman? Can they be a top 4 team in the B1G is that asking too much? I see a record of about 9-9 or 10-8 in B1G and making the tourney at 21-10 overall.
 
#404      

sdfidaho

sdfidaho
Boise, Idaho
sdfidaho
EfremWinters84 said:
Well, we already know Cuonzo wants Jamal. That's been established. Guessing Jamal would be used as the Illinois/Indiana/Ohio lead recruiter, with some overlap in the St. Louis metro area.

Plus, I can't help but recall the LaPhonso Ellis comments about our new Illinois HC hire. "They should have hired Cuonzo. They missed the boat. They should have hired Cuonzo."

I'm thinking all of the St. Louis guys are really tight. There just has to be some appeal (for Jamal) being in that fraternity of coaches.
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The same LaPhonso Ellis that told Illinois he was coming, then chose ND?
:censored:
 
#406      

The Galloping Ghost

The Galloping Ghost
Washington, DC
The Galloping Ghost
I find it hilarious people were freaking out about the timing of Walker staying on, saying it was taking too long. Whitman and Underwood got it done like 18 hours after the last game of the season. Efficient and impressive.
 
#408      

EJ33

E
San Francisco
EJ33
combes said:
This is not true. He was hired because he is strong in a recruiting area with lots of players, and he is a good coach. He was not hired for one recruit. Underwood is not stupid.
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+1

Underwood is also confident and pragmatic.
 
#410      

EJ33

E
San Francisco
EJ33
The Galloping Ghost said:
I find it hilarious people were freaking out about the timing of Walker staying on, saying it was taking too long. Whitman and Underwood got it done like 18 hours after the last game of the season. Efficient and impressive.
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It wouldn't be any fun without the rumors and panic.
 
#411      

mdonsbach

M
mdonsbach
I think it helps reduce the likely hood of transfers unless Underwood and one of the players comes to terms together. HUUUUUUGE.
 
#412      

Deleted member 628259

D
Guest
Deleted member 628259
golferjohn1970 said:
How good can this team be next year with the players already there and the 3-4 freshman? Can they be a top 4 team in the B1G is that asking too much? I see a record of about 9-9 or 10-8 in B1G and making the tourney at 21-10 overall.
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The most I dare hope for is a tourney bid.
 
#413      

Ga65

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Ga65
I was wrong, didn't think he would stay but was impressed by his class in a difficult situation. He is losing his friends but is putting himself in a much better long term situation. Mizwho coach in two years??
 
#414      

combes

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combes
Second and Chalmers said:
I'm not saying those things aren't true necessarily, but if he wasn't the difference between Tilmon and no Tilmon I feel very confident we would have gone in a different direction.

But whatever, I trust BU to do what is best for the program.
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If you said that he was hired to keep Tilmon, Pickett, and Williams and is strong with Smith, Liddell and others in the St. Louis area plus of his ties in Ohio and Indiana, then I would agree. Assistants are hired for reasons such as these.
 
#415      

TownieMatt

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CU Expat
Chicago
TownieMatt
TownieMatt said:
I'm sure meetings with the staff will be held today. Timing likely depends on when the team gets back to CU. Given the news that BWood :)thumb:) is meeting with Tilmon tomorrow, it makes a whole lot of sense to announce Walker staying on either this afternoon or tomorrow. That's what I expect will happen.
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I'd just like to toot my own horn here (I get to do it so infrequently).

From Piper's article: "Walker travelled with Underwood to Belleville on Thursday afternoon to visit three-star 2017 signee Javon Pickett. He will accompany Underwood to East St. Louis on Friday to meet with Tilmon and his mom."
 
#417      

TylerK311

TylerK311
TylerK311
I mean you can call me a pessimist but even with the recruits and everything, I still see us as at best 3rd-4th in the B10. Maybe I haven't paid enough attention to how good the new recruits are, but I don't see how we're a top 5,10,15 team. I'd like to see someone on here change my opinion, but I just don't see it.
 
#419      

TownieMatt

T
CU Expat
Chicago
TownieMatt
TylerK311 said:
I mean you can call me a pessimist but even with the recruits and everything, I still see us as at best 3rd-4th in the B10. Maybe I haven't paid enough attention to how good the new recruits are, but I don't see how we're a top 5,10,15 team. I'd like to see someone on here change my opinion, but I just don't see it.
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3rd-4th next year!? Who the hell said that?

However, I am confident we'll be top 15 in the B1G :D
 
#420      

Obelix

Obelix
Obelix
combes said:
If you said that he was hired to keep Tilmon, Pickett, and Williams and is strong with Smith, Liddell and others in the St. Louis area plus of his ties in Ohio and Indiana, then I would agree. Assistants are hired for reasons such as these.
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And as much as people want to think otherwise, recruiting is one of the primary reasons opportunities open up for assistants.
 
#423      

Kathy

K
Kathy
Second and Chalmers said:
I'm not trying to slam the guy, but there is a 0% chance he is on this staff if he's not a but-for cause of Tilmon enrolling.
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wrong on 2 levels. 1. You are trying to slam the guy or you wouldn't of posted that. 2. He's a great recruiter and is in on Tilmon, Smith, Pickett, and others. We need someone connected to Illinois recruiting.
 
#425      

Ga65

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Ga65
Seem to over estimate value of incoming classes but hope better coach reduces the lead time. However, I don't see a Miles Bridges in that class and it took Izzo most of the season. Want to think they will be much better but a lot of scoring to replace. Upside will be huge but it may not be next year.