TMC999
- Not Iowa
He should go interview SLU's 7 fans and get their reaction.
Illini Coaching Staff
He should go interview SLU's 7 fans and get their reaction.
There is no question. Without Tony Yates, Collins probably doesn't achieve the crazy success he did.
GortTheRobot
- North Bethesda, Maryland
A man can dream! I just remember the Yates/Collins years and hope we get back to that kind of high-level recruiting.
Not really odd at all. Jamall has been the best at teaching bb skills and most active in this regard from my observations. He is also the best recruiter on the staff. I'm sure he will be given a playbook and crash course on the offense and defense schemes. I'm sure Walker has seen variations and options of this offense before. But basic skills of dribbling, shooting, defense are still needed.
Walker knows basketball, and knows the right people in the high school and AAU circles. He is a genuine good guy in the business, from all accounts I have ever seen and I think the perfect match to Underwood.
I think we will see player improvement we haven't seen in years.
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SampsonRelpenk
- Edwardsville, IL
All I'm saying is, we fired John Groce, but we want John Groce's recruiting class, John Groce's assistant coach, John Groce's strength coach, and John Groce's Director of Basketball Operations. By themselves all these things make sense (I promise this isn't some retroactive Groce apologism). It just seems goofy on the surface.
It is goofy.
I think the strategy with the next 2 assistants will be interesting. Loyalty probably suggests keeping 2 OSU assistants, the better play says 1 should already have some Chicago connections.
Laphonso Ellis had a disappointing career at ND, but had a very good NBA career. He could of been part of some great Illini teams and his claims against Illinois lead to sanctions. Don't understand the angst he has with Illini BB.
Plenty of teams have the right staff before a new coach comes, but not the right leader.
Or, the people are not being used to their full potential for whatever reason. And a new coach or new style can bring the best out of them.
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I agree. I like him especially because he gave me tickets to the IL game at Northwestern this year
I don't think we'll see Gates as an assistant here. He'll be head coaching somewhere next year.
Everything is goofy except for doing what it takes to keep Tilmon and hopefully land Smith. Every school with an opening has fans clamoring to keep their best recruit at all costs.
Sometimes it is justified, sometimes it isn't but I think the Illini fans can gain validation on Walker through the actions of Whitman and Underwood. They prioritized him and I think we are all on board with their leadership at this point. Until Underwood loses his first game
Hindsight is 20/20 but I have a difficult time saying that keeping Jerrance would not have been in Groe's best interest.
The Galloping Ghost
- Washington, DC
Speaking of, really glad I'm not a Washington fan right now. I think they got a good coach, but the talent they're losing is rough.
Funny we bring up Levi Cobb & Marcus Liberty
Several have harked back to the glory days with guys such as Levi Cobb and Marcus Liberty. Both of those guys were at last night's game sitting just down from Lovie & Josh Whitman. Both live in Florida and Levi Cobb is in unbelieveable shape for his age. He has a training camp for young athletes helping them in skill development. Not sure what Marcus is doing currently but he looks very fit as well. Back in the day when the Krush was raising hell instead of raising money, I sat in what the Krush called 'Cobb's Corner'. Each segment of Krush (then called the Orange Krunch) had a particular starter we were assigned to particularly cheer for. That was a fantastic time even though the teams struggled as Lou got things rolling. Levi Cobb was the first to break the public league boycott of UI. His committment was huge for Lou & Tony Yates and really set the stage for Lou's future haul out of the public league. I remember Marcus being interviewed in the studio on Good Morning America's national broadcast by David Hartman. He was National Co Player of the Year for High School players. I think the other player was Billy Owens who went to Syracuse but I'm not certain that's correct. Was really great to see both of them last night and to have a chance to talk about the old days with Levi.
Several have harked back to the glory days with guys such as Levi Cobb and Marcus Liberty. Both of those guys were at last night's game sitting just down from Lovie & Josh Whitman. Both live in Florida and Levi Cobb is in unbelieveable shape for his age. He has a training camp for young athletes helping them in skill development. Not sure what Marcus is doing currently but he looks very fit as well. Back in the day when the Krush was raising hell instead of raising money, I sat in what the Krush called 'Cobb's Corner'. Each segment of Krush (then called the Orange Krunch) had a particular starter we were assigned to particularly cheer for. That was a fantastic time even though the teams struggled as Lou got things rolling. Levi Cobb was the first to break the public league boycott of UI. His committment was huge for Lou & Tony Yates and really set the stage for Lou's future haul out of the public league. I remember Marcus being interviewed in the studio on Good Morning America's national broadcast by David Hartman. He was National Co Player of the Year for High School players. I think the other player was Billy Owens who went to Syracuse but I'm not certain that's correct. Was really great to see both of them last night and to have a chance to talk about the old days with Levi.
They knew the choice they had to make.
Thanks for the story. Levi was definitely the groundbreaking recruit for Lou and Tony and it doesn't surprise me a bit he looks like he could still play. The guy was a physical specimen in college.
The Galloping Ghost
- Washington, DC
And so did we. Now we'll see how it'll play out.
They interviewed Cobb at halftime on the radio at the half yesterday. Great to hear ex players like that.
I applied for video coordinator. Ill let you guys know if I get it. Does anyone know if we have an assistant strength coach? I would rather do that but Ill take what I can get.
I believe the Dennis Scott was the co player of the year with Marcus.
Mike
C-U Townie
Pretty sure some of the "kinetics majors" are still the assistants.
My kid used to work with out with the head assistant like 5 years ago.
Hehe. At a powerlifting meet in Chicago with my boy right now.
Pretty sure some of the "kinetics majors" are still the assistants.
My kid used to work with out with the head assistant like 5 years ago.
Hehe. At a powerlifting meet in Chicago with my boy right now.
Right on. Sounds like a good time.
And Larry Johnson was number one by some gurus.