Recent content by IlliniBacker

Just back from the game. This is about right. Worst college basketball environment I've ever personally been to. I've been to rowdier libraries. Venue: ok. Nothing to write home about. Sterile and not a lot of character. Fans: zzzzz Student section: nonexistent Band: ok Cheerleaders: 🐖...

I hope so and don't doubt that he is on it. The original poster was spot on though. In general, the gameday staff at MS are really unfriendly. Has been this way since I started going to games in early 90's. Not ALL of course, but some are rude/indifferent enough that they are the ones that...

Agreed he needs size. But a stiff breeze would have blown away Whitney Mercilus when he showed up on campus and he turned out pretty decent! Plus if it is true he is young he'll have time to fill out. Love the aggression!

Perhaps a bit of hyperbole on my part. Didn't mean to imply that they weren't or couldn't be quality programs... just that it's likely that they go back to being the team that overachieves and plays spoiler. My main point was that Stevens was the secret sauce at Butler. Don't expect to see...

Two things. First, VCU and Butler became VCU and Butler because of Smart and Stevens, not because they were VCU and Butler. Given time, they will go back to being historically VCU and Butler as bball programs. (and maybe Smart should have stayed there due to fit) As far as ACC vs. Big 10 -...

That's just foolish. I don't get the defeatist attitude that so many Illini fans have. UI is historically a Top 25 program - you could argue Top 20 even. The right coach with the stars aligned could turn the program into a perennial Top 10 team in 3 years. It's not a stretch for that to...

Great post. this pretty much sums up where I'm at too. I'll take it even further... Make the tourney and go to the Sweet 16 and I still hope we're looking for a new coach. I like the guy, but he's just not the coach to get it done in the long term. I hate watching his teams play. I have...

Maybe, but there are not tons of schools above Illinois to step to. If Whitman resources the basketball program in a similar fashion as he has with football (I fully expect him to), Illinois WILL WIN (with a competent coach) and moves up the food chain to more of a destination school - for...

Yes, this is half of the problem I think...

The last time I remember feeling like Groce was a "good coach" was after the Miami game at the end of year one. Since then, not much that he's done or how his teams have played have impressed me. The guy's had some bad luck for sure. But I'd like to see any evidence that he can actually get it...

Great post re: the suggestions. Lovie was his typical calm self after the game. I am hoping that he and this staff will be able to provide the leadership and accountability to the players that has been lacking at Illinois for so long so they can grow up as players and men. They need to know...

Thanks for the link. I was cool on this hire until I read some of the comments on the NIU board. I pulled a couple of comments.... This first one is not from an Illinois fan posting on their board even though it reads that way :) --- No it is not. Having Lovie Smith as the front man opens...

Depends on the recruit and what they are looking for... It's like Tom Cruise coming in for your home visit and jumping up and down on your couch vs. Denzel Washington staring your Mom in the eye. :D

In fairness to Zook, Fedora was at UI... for about 5 minutes :D

I don't know if Lovie has any connection to Brewster, but he could do some serious recruiting damage with Lovie to sell as HC along with a quality staff that develops players. Serious damage. Brewster would be the fb staff equivalent of Whitman in terms of having an Illini guy to passionately...