Recent content by HoopsCoach

I have watched numerous Ford coached games and they always leave me with the same impression as a coach "what the heck are they trying to do there". Players constantly seem to under perform and I have yet to find a set play or anything in particular that I like at all that they run. I know...

Wisconsin player development has a ton to do with their strength progressions that there players make. Look at their older guards year in and year out. They are strong! Fletch will help us with that as much as any coach can help in development.

Finke will be better than people are giving him credit for. That is my take on watching him play against high level competition. If he commits, that is a big get for UI regardless of ranking IMO.

This was the worst interview I have ever seen. I was begging for that video because last year was funny. I stopped watching because it was so annoying and awkward to even listen to. You don't discuss redshirt options or playing time even of a freshman coming off an injury to that extent...

I agree 100%. I think once people find out what this team can do this year, and the results show on the court (which I am very confident they will) I think it makes it that much easier on Groce to reel in the big fish. To have assembled the class that he has with little on court success to back...

Watching Kigab's highlights, the kid does possess quite a bit of talent. Illini fans would be ecstatic to be in his top two if it weren't for the already highly touted class that Coach Groce has built. I honestly feel like we have no shot from reading his comments in different articles though...

That one reporter usually does the funny video interviews with the Illini players, does anyone have a link to that?

https://twitter.com/Adam_Fletcher41/status/781860303885758465 Think this link will take you to the team picture, look at Malcolm :eek: To me, that makes him get a much stronger look from NBA teams. Thorne is a huge dude as well. For a guy who struggles with diabetes to get his body to that...

I have a kid who reminds me of Leron when he plays (except not nearly as talented). What I mean is if I was on the other team or a fan of the other team, I would absolutely think he was a "thug" or a bad dude. But knowing him, he is one of the nicest kids I coach, he just has a little nasty in...

One of our AAU coaches is a little over 6'5. He stood next to Pickett, and Picket was not taller than him. That was this Summer, for what it is worth.

That I agree with that 100%. I help inform my players about colleges because I've been through the process and seen others go through it, but I would never tell a kid where to go. I have had a player go to my colleges biggest rival, and never once said a negative thing about that school or...

I coach AAU as I have stated before. Our program, like most others that we play, cover coaches expenses for their travel. Our coaches receive a small stipend at the end of the summer (it's not easy to find quality coaches to spend their whole spring/summer traveling for free). I would be shocked...

I agree Groce needs to win some games this year, but even if he doesn't, can we afford to lose a guy who is bringing in the class he is bringing in the following season? I think his class alone gives him two years at least and with the talent we should have I don't see why we shouldn't make the...

It's so funny how the perception of coaches/programs can change so quickly. Half of this board was calling for Groce's head after last season, and while it was really frustrating, I felt awful for him for all the bad breaks he had along the way with injuries/players snubbing us last minute. I...

Reading Kiir's choice of re-tweets, one would definitely think he is strongly considering attending Illinois, but that doesn't mean anything yet. The fact that we have 4 solid prospect committed already before their senior year even starts (or just is getting started) is very impressive work by...