*taps foot impatiently*
2017 Coaching Carousel
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*taps foot impatiently*
Kind of confused here about all the love for Martin. When Weber was our coach, I distinctly remember people hating on the offensive system he ran. Isn't Martin from the same coaching tree? Wouldn't the offense look similar? I am also not blown away with the supposed transformations of the programs that he inherited. I will give you that his recruiting seems solid and he should be able to do good things recruiting the talent rich Metro East region but other than that, I see Kevin Stallings. Just trying to get why a majority of people support this guy over some of the other potential candidates....
Because he's perceived as "safe", is the summary
Because he has recruited very well at Cal and people secretly dream that this kind of recruiting success will continue at Illinois.
I'm good with Cuonzo. Ultimately, I think that recruiting top talent is the most important factor in a coach's success and Cuonzo seems to be capable of that. However, his offense is similar to Weber's but slower and more methodical. It will only be pretty to watch when it's being executed by talented, experienced, high IQ players. Otherwise most games will be shirt-grabbing defensive slugfests. Fine as long as we win; maddening when we fail to break 40 against Penn State.
That isn't an every year occurrence. Check out this year's class that he's bringing in. 31st ranked class by Rivals.
Who said it is an every year occurrence? It does not have to be an every year occurrence at Illinois either. But Martin has recruited some big time stars (e.g., Rabb, Jaylen Brown, etc.) in very short time at Cal, a school that is not a primary destination. Add the fact that he has midwest ties, that is indeed a big attraction.
DrewD007
- Woodridge, IL
Isn't it against NCAA rules to contact players who have signed NLIs?
I think some believe that every year he is going to land a great class and that isn't the case. Even when landing two MCDAA, he didn't win a tournament game. I'd welcome Martin for the simple fact that Groce will be gone, but I just have reservations.
Whether he succeeds or not is a different question, there are indeed concerns with Martin, as there are risks with pretty much every other candidate.
But the question asked was "why", i.e., the support for Martin, and recruiting is indeed a primary factor. Posters dream of his potential recruiting success at Illinois, whether they admit it or not.
It's also against the rules to give them money and other benefits....
I think we are going to get some wins down the stretch. Whoever the coach is I think with Lucas really becoming a good point guard next year we should be pretty good if we keep the recruiting class together and the future is real bright with the point guards we will have. The biggest problem has been point guard play and that finally appears to be fixed and could even become a position of real strength with Lucas, Frazier and even possibly Smith. The sad part for Groce is he may be let go right as he had it fixed for the future. I absolutely love Kipper, he and Lucas are two nice freshman
Let me just say that I don't think Groce will be let go this year! I think he'll be given another year for two reasons: 1. Recruiting class coming in and 2. if the team plays like they did last night. Even if we don't many of the remaining games, if we play exciting BB, I think he gets another year.
I'm not saying it's what I want personally.
I'm not saying it's what I want personally.
Not only is he safe, but he has a high ceiling with the way he recruits. And many feel he'll recruit at an even better clip in his home state. He's a former Big Ten player and coach which is helpful since the league certainly has a style of play that you would want a coach to be familiar with. His teams are focused on the defensive end, which is not just nice to have in the Big Ten, it's paramount.
Back when we got Bruce Weber the thought was that he would get 3 star players and "coach em up". Then when we got John Groce the thought was that we'll start reeling in the big time recruits so the coaching deficiencies won't matter. Now we have a chance to grab a guy who may actually be a better recruiter than Groce, who knows the pulse of the league, and is an actual good coach on top of it. Yes, sign me up.
History suggests that this one game "trend" will not continue for long. But man, our schedule sets up for success. At penn state and home against minny sealed groces fate.
Groce is pretty much gone
Sorry Kathy but don't let one win over an average team on the road does anything to change that Groce will be fired in about 4 weeks after the BTT.
Sorry Kathy but don't let one win over an average team on the road does anything to change that Groce will be fired in about 4 weeks after the BTT.
Season was lost with last two home games
The season was lost when they laid eggs at home against Wisconsin and Minnesota he needed to win both those games to have a chance of returning next year and they wet the bed!!
The season was lost when they laid eggs at home against Wisconsin and Minnesota he needed to win both those games to have a chance of returning next year and they wet the bed!!
Cuonzo could be the guy
I'm starting to come around that Cuonzo could be the guy here. He is a very good recruiter and I think he is a good enough coach to get enough out of the talent that he has to make the tourney every year and if he has a good enough team then make some Sweet 16's and go further. I like the idea of Keatts but that rebuild will take a few years but his upside might be greater but that would be 2-3 years down the road.
I'm starting to come around that Cuonzo could be the guy here. He is a very good recruiter and I think he is a good enough coach to get enough out of the talent that he has to make the tourney every year and if he has a good enough team then make some Sweet 16's and go further. I like the idea of Keatts but that rebuild will take a few years but his upside might be greater but that would be 2-3 years down the road.
Your #2 is a pretty big if.
OrangeAndBlues
- Indianapolis
THANK you.
Groce is gone
I agree with Kaja he is a dead man walking let's all move on from the John Groce era I know I will. Looking forward to a better coach and winning more games in the future.
I agree with Kaja he is a dead man walking let's all move on from the John Groce era I know I will. Looking forward to a better coach and winning more games in the future.
89illinigrad
- Chicago
Like Kathy, last night gave me a faint glimmer of hope, albeit a small one.
For all of you, including me, who think Groce will be gone after this year, what would it take for Groce to salvage his job at this point?
I'd say, if he wins out, wins a couple games in the BTT and somehow manages to get into the NCAA tourney, he will probably keep his job.
However, those are some pretty big IF's.
For all of you, including me, who think Groce will be gone after this year, what would it take for Groce to salvage his job at this point?
I'd say, if he wins out, wins a couple games in the BTT and somehow manages to get into the NCAA tourney, he will probably keep his job.
However, those are some pretty big IF's.
Groce is too far gone
I think the only way he saves his job is to win out and win at least one BTT game and make the tourney. Anything short of that and he is gone?
I think the only way he saves his job is to win out and win at least one BTT game and make the tourney. Anything short of that and he is gone?
He was. It is amazing how much a win can do for a coach. If he can put together a string of wins here, he will be retained. I think Whitman is looking for a reason to stick with him rather than looking for justification for a firing. Thomas was looking for justification to fire Weber and everyone was fine with it. This is an opposite situation. There is a lot invested in Groce at this point and there wouldn't really be a whole lot to lose at this point by keeping him another year if there is a decent reason for it. Groce would get a chance to coach his recruits and see if his other guys can make a leap in performance (Lucas, Black, Finke, Jordan, etc.) He's signed through 2018-2019. If things pick up next year, he gets a short extension. If not, he could be fired. It really all depends on how the end of this season goes. I don't think anything has been decided yet.
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