Exactly. Does this mysterious “culture” so many here seem to praise include making promises (actual or implied) to players? That’s team cancer 101, if so.
Illini Basketball 2022-2023
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Big Jack
- Decatur
I think on paper, Shannon and Mayer were a coup. The stats, the accomplishments, etc., it all looked great. "What a score in the portal by Daddy Brad."
In the abstract -- I know nothing, and 0440 can tell us if I'm completely wrong; and I hesitate to accuse anyone, in this case mostly Mayer, of being selfish because people are complicated --
but it sure seems like there was probably a bit of big-timing going on, a bit of arrogance, and it was most detrimental IMO to RJ's psyche.
I really think he thought that he and CH and Goode were gonna be the guys who would lead and mentor and be deferred to and have an opportunity to grow and it would be their team.
I could imagine that if Mayer wasn't fully bought in and he exibhited alpha peacock behaviour, and that RJ was back to being a "follower" (in his mind or in reality)... that can throw a young man for a loop and effect all sorts of things in his life, including his play on the court.
(I'm not sure what to make of the Skyy situation, and I realize Shannon was kinda always gonna be "the guy") but I think if we had no Mayer and a healthy Goode, we would have had a better record, higher seed, and much fewer doubts about BU in this moment.
If I could give BU truth serum, I bet he'd say he regrets adding Mayer.
In the abstract -- I know nothing, and 0440 can tell us if I'm completely wrong; and I hesitate to accuse anyone, in this case mostly Mayer, of being selfish because people are complicated --
but it sure seems like there was probably a bit of big-timing going on, a bit of arrogance, and it was most detrimental IMO to RJ's psyche.
I really think he thought that he and CH and Goode were gonna be the guys who would lead and mentor and be deferred to and have an opportunity to grow and it would be their team.
I could imagine that if Mayer wasn't fully bought in and he exibhited alpha peacock behaviour, and that RJ was back to being a "follower" (in his mind or in reality)... that can throw a young man for a loop and effect all sorts of things in his life, including his play on the court.
(I'm not sure what to make of the Skyy situation, and I realize Shannon was kinda always gonna be "the guy") but I think if we had no Mayer and a healthy Goode, we would have had a better record, higher seed, and much fewer doubts about BU in this moment.
If I could give BU truth serum, I bet he'd say he regrets adding Mayer.
It’s recruiting. Promises are made all the time. You don’t get Ayo or Kofi without them
Figured that. Dude had all the freedom in the world and all he wanted to do was jack threes. Never drove into the lane; too scared I guess. Defense was very suspect as well, which can be forgiven for a offensively talented freshman, but when you add little offensively??? Good luck, but his best years may be behind him.He was promised the keys andthe bed. Then he blamed the staff for not having enough freedom offensively.
And if you keep making them you might get lucky once in a while, but in the long run you likely lose the core “every day “ guys who make up the rest of the team.
IlliniKat91
- Chicago, IL
That's wild to me. You're a freshman coming off a busted knee and think you won't need to run an actual offense? Good LordHe was promised the keys and
I wonder if the apparent in-season culture issues this team had will become more pervasive across the NCAA in the new world of the portal and NIL. In the past, guys may have struggled or not fully bought into a system, but they were committed to the program and still had to figure out how to fit into a role on the team. Now, when things go bad, guys can just flip a mental switch knowing they are going to enter the portal after the season anyway and tune out their coach/teammates. Whether or not it was actually Brad's fault, I think he lost some of these players months ago. So is this an Illinois thing or a broader issue with programs across the NCAA?
If true, why'd he wait until 5 minutes left in the season to finally play this lineup?
Illini in Italy
- Illini HQ, Florida Panhandle
I'm hoping it washes out after the first few years as players really only get one real "get out of jail" card. After that they sit a year if they transfer. If I recall, that sit out year counts against their total years of eligibility. Someone more knowledgeable than I can confirm or refute . . .
illiniswish09
- Northwest Suburbs
Man I really hope Coleman is back after those postgame comments. I already wanted him back but you can feel the pain and frustration and how much he cares. Pisses me off hearing that for him
What is the general view on how he did this year outside of the ‘cruitin?
Noblesville Illini
- Nappanee, IN
What about Nico? Will he be a good backup or better, 0440?
What’s even wilder is a coach giving the keys to the bus to someone like that. As 0440 says, promises and recruiting seem to go hand in hand. Sometimes it works (Ayo, …), sometimes it doesn’t (Smith, Miller, Clark, …).
I think what most fans want is guys who WANT TO BE AN ILLINI and who will bust their butts to be their best, wear the jersey proudly, and buy in to the team tradition. Find talented guys like that.
Big Jack
- Decatur
Good question... I told my wife at half he needed to bench MM and start with Th and RJ or LG, CH, TJ and DD... Knew when he started MM it was over. He is horrible on defense and only worried about himself. I could see that at the beginning of the season. Funny the 2 premadonnas had the fight...makes sense
IlliniKat91
- Chicago, IL
It's easier said than done, unfortunately.
Plans are for him to not have to contribute until he’s an upperclassman
Big Jack
- Decatur
Not until the bitching has concluded
I'd have to imagine if Geoff goes Nico goes no?
It's my number 1 frustration. I see these comments about Underwood not liking certain guys and all the crap about Mayer. If Underwood was so smart, why'd he keep playing Mayer? He's been detrimental for most of the season and his playing time didn't decrease. That's on Brad.
In an ideal world yes, but how many of those guys actually still exist in 2023 college basketball? Sure, we can pay guys to make them want to be here, but that isn't really the same thing.
What about epps?
It'll be time for the 2024-25 thread by the time that happens
"Promises were made"
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