This mini thread caught my attention, especially after our experience with Bill Self and Lon Kruger. Is there evidence that BU is keeping his eyes open for something better? Or, is a premonition? Nagging doubts? Disappointment with the first weekend exits from the Big Dance? Yearly roster churn? I know it's now SOP to say (insert school name here) is my DREAM JOB. But in Underwood's case I kinda believe it.
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread
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Right next to the Bill Self and Bruce Weber statues.
I am no insider but I'm like you, I kind of believe that this is or (was) BU's dream job....but I suppose even dream jobs have some drawbacks that may make it less desirable than one initially thought.
It depends … There’s a work around to that on some of these “NIL” deals …
Michigan also makes it very, very difficult to recruit the kind of kids Juwan is able to recruit … Can’t get them in to school …
skyIdub
Winged Warrior
What if the 5th year Sr who has scored 1600 points in his career from the mid-major is better this year?
you really think he saw such love for basketball in the state while at Western Illinois he knew this was the place for him? I defy anyone to spend a decade in Macomb and come away saying Illinois is a great place to live. Sorry Macomb.
I think it's fair to assume for all coaches, their alma mater and the Blue Bloods would be dream jobs. Obviously if your alma mater is Eastern Illinois, while you would likely love to coach their on your career journey, that's not where you want to end up. Beyond those groups, every coach has their own favorites just like every fan has their own favorites. To me it is also hard to ignore that Underwood left Ok State after one season for more money. So do we think we're immune to getting left for more money? You also need to remember coaches aren't only coaches, they're also husbands and most of us know happy wife, happy life. So sometimes there are non-basketball impacts on coaches decisions on where to coach.
I don't really blame Underwood for seeing what's out there. No one said to what degree he was looking. There's a big difference between reading the wanted ads and calling around seeing if a school wants you. Rumors would seem to indicate it's been a little more than reading the wanted ads, but again, I don't get too much concern for that, as long as it doesn't impact your current job. However, when your performance slips, even a little, and that's paired with coach looking around, that's when you start getting frustration from fans.
if you now complain that the refs are always against Michigan and that all other schools cheat, you will have achieved the Trinity of Bichigan Complaints!
Anyone who thinks we aren’t recruiting well is insane.
Well, that just isn't always true. Take Kentucky for example. They always have 5 stars. Reeves was an ISU Valley transfer and he is and was a starter right away and vital to their success. There are several stud mid major players in the NBA that in today's NIL would likely have transfered to. In today's college hoops someone like Morant or Curry may have transfered from a mid major. Where you are from doesn't matter. Once players arrive on campus they should have to earn their time and that is one reason former 5 star Skyy left, you must earn it. Good coaches play the best players regardless of where they are from.
theNewGuy
- Dallas, TX
That's a lot of chicken mcnuggets!
Joel Goodson
- ties will be resolved
the major ratings services have dropped the ball with this kid, he's a baller
Underwood is a top 10 paid coach in the NCAA. Currently the 7th highest paid coach.
Is Underwood recruiting at a top 10 level? Is he getting the results of a top 10 program?
Too many people look at where we were vs. are we getting the return on investment.
As much as we love Illinois, it isn't a destination for people in general. The program doesn't sell itself. (Blue Blood) The geographic location does not sell itself. If you want a top 20 coach at Illinois, you might have to pay them like a top 10 coach or lose them to a place that has inherent recruiting advantages.
I think he’s close but I agree with you.
I think I’m todays NCAA getting top transfers is just as important if not more so than prep recruiting. I think he’s done well his entire tenure here at getting impact transfers and I do think period to this year I’d consider him a top 10 transfer coach.
We’ve done well in prep but I think we’re closer to the 20-10 range.
I don’t think getting 5 stars is the end all especially not anymore, but it would help quell the negatives around underwood’s recruiting prowess.
skyIdub
Winged Warrior
Which schools in the top 10 in your opinion are getting a return on their investment?
I would say Kansas for sure and I guess Michigan St. and that's about it.
We are doing ok, and I love Morez, but others are doing better at recruiting (and not just blue bloods). And we have a massive hole at point guard (and arguably shooting) that simply can't be ignored.
What Underwood and staff *have* been able to do is take a couple of those tier two, four star recruits and turn them into 1st team All-Americans (ie, top 5 players in all of college basketball). They don't have one since Kofi, but we're only talking about a single season. Will be interesting to see if or where 3-star recruit Coleman Hawkins gets drafted this year, though.
If only the U of I was located in Lexington, KY or Lawrence, KS! Or hell, Manhattan, KS lately!
All I'm saying is put things into perspective. Compared to Groce, Underwood is amazing. Compared to his pay maybe some criticisms are warranted.
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