Brad Underwood Named Illini Basketball Coach

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#676      

Calvin

C
Calvin
https://collegecourtreport.com/2017/...-is-groce-2-0/
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The problem I have with this comparison is that Groce had a .531 conference winning percentage at Ohio. Underwood had a .981 conference winning percentage.

Underwood went .500 in his first season in a P5 conference, but if you consider he was taking over a team with a .167 winning percent, .500 is quite impressive.

The article might have a point if there were similarities other than the good things (both had some nice upsets), but otherwise it seems poorly researched.

I don't have a problem with author questioning the hire: you can make a case that this hire is more of a gamble than fans wanted, or create a narrative that Illinois is down and can't ever attract a "good" coach. Those would be lazy arguments that also don't really offer any analysis.

I just find the research to be really poor, the argument based on flimsy ideas, and not much that tries to analyze his strengths/weakness and fit at Illinois.

BTW, ask me if I'm happy with the hire. I'm neither happy nor sad. I'm glad we made a change. I'm also impressed with the way JW handled it. But I want to see him actually coach and recruit here.
 
#677      

bredhartmann

B
Centralia, IL
bredhartmann
Illannoy said:
I'm cautiously optimistic but will wait to see results. I seem to recall a similar level of exuberance and jubilation when Groce was hired and we all saw how that movie turned out.
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I don't remember the level of excitement on this board for Groce being this high, maybe I'm misremembering, but the national media certainly weren't universally praising Groce's hire like they're praising Underwood's. Understand the cautious optimism but I have a feeling you'll be really happy with his results.
 
#678      

Illiini

Illiini
In the land of the Nittany Lion
Illiini
Smacko said:
He was only at OSU the one year and DRASTICALLY improved their offense in that time, so I think it should be feasible that he can get the system in place for next year. Obviously having guys play in it for a couple years can only make things better.
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That was part of the typewriter pun thread. If you're old enough, you know that "Underwood" was a make of typewriter, "Elite type" refers to font face and size, 12 characters per inch vs pica. Add a couple more puns and you wind up with "portable" as a kind of typewriter that's small and light enough to be carried.

Kids... :D
 
#679      

Illiini

Illiini
In the land of the Nittany Lion
Illiini
Ethel said:
...it would be foolish not to be worried about coach's level of commitment. It's kinda like stealing a chick from some guy, then being shocked when she leaves you for someone else.
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Consider that Underwood spent 11 years looking across the prairie at Illinois, quite possibly thinking, I could do that.

So if you want to make a dating analogy, how about looking across the room at the girl who you'd never stand a chance with because she'd never pay any attention to a gawky guy like you...and at the time you'd be right. But then you grow up a little and suddenly you're actually desirable.

Still you've been bouncing around relationship, a good guy and a good catch, but the girls don't appreciate what they've got. Then that girl you've been pining over, just out of a bad relationship, starts flirting with you. Wacha gonna do, Rufus?

Hop on the bus, Gus. Don't need to discuss much. https://youtu.be/ABXtWqmArUU
 
#681      

UofIChE06

U
Pittsburgh
UofIChE06
Soxfreak64 said:
Entire team had better start tightening their handles. Black and JCL might not see the floor otherwise.
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Pretty sure a dead eye shooter and a high motor rebounder with range can make a place on most teams.
 
#682      

Deleted member 29907

D
Guest
Deleted member 29907
Illiini said:
That was part of the typewriter pun thread. If you're old enough, you know that "Underwood" was a make of typewriter, "Elite type" refers to font face and size, 12 characters per inch vs pica. Add a couple more puns and you wind up with "portable" as a kind of typewriter that's small and light enough to be carried.

Kids... :D
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If only we could white this out somehow ;)
 
#684      

Obelix

Obelix
Obelix
TCTORNADO said:
McDermott doesn't color his hair does he??:)
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Is it a coincidence that decreased sales in hair care products (after Lou and Self) coincide with the worst years in Illini basketball? I think not...

We are back!!!
 
#686      

FiveStar

F
FiveStar
UofIChE06 said:
Pretty sure a dead eye shooter and a high motor rebounder with range can make a place on most teams.
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Leron fits pretty well offensively, but only in one position. In that position he will be a good screener and can hit the elbow j, which will be a good, encrouraged shot in this offense. He will need to get better at putting the ball on the floor from the elbow to play that role as well as Underwood will want him to.

JCL is gonna have to handle better on the perimeter. His biggest adjustment will be having to learn how to score off the first two cuts. The second cut as a post up will specifically be different for him. The first cut for a layup looks pretty easy but it's actually pretty hard as you're cutting full speed and have such a short window to read the screen, find the passer, catch the ball, know where you're at on the floor, and then choose your finish.
 
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#687      

Loyalillini10

L
Urbana, IL
Loyalillini10
Dan said:
[YOUTUBE]M7PppVXTUto[/YOUTUBE]
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Great video and very, very interesting choice for background music. That song is called "We like to dance and steal things" by a band called Spokes. Very fitting song for what has transpired and what we are hoping for in the near future :D

Go Illini!
 
#689      

Deleted member 46511

D
Guest
Deleted member 46511
Dad Jeans

I haven't read through the entire thread, but I think I'm going to anonymously send some jeans recommendations to the Athletic department.

We'll have them tell him he's getting new clothes as part of an "endorsement" deal.
 
#690      

illini80

illini80
Forgottonia
illini80
It's probably been mentioned here somewhere, but I have to vent about George Ofman of WBBM Chicago calling BU the third or maybe 4th choice for Illinois. It's too bad they can say anything they want in a news report without sources. What a crock of !!!! I expect that from the WSCR and their commentators. I certainly expect a better code of ethics from WBBM.
 
#691      

Lucy727

Lucy727
Des Plaines, Il
Lucy727
WBBM and WSCR are owned by the same company.
 
#692      

IlliniRunIn07

IlliniRunIn07
Tampa, FL
IlliniRunIn07
Myers said:
I haven't read through the entire thread, but I think I'm going to anonymously send some jeans recommendations to the Athletic department.

We'll have them tell him he's getting new clothes as part of an "endorsement" deal.
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Well Josh and Bug-a-BU are gonna be daddies to their peers in the B1G for the next decade so let them rock the jeans.
 
#693      

illini80

illini80
Forgottonia
illini80
PostersLastStand said:
It has been mentioned that an up tempo style of play doesn't translate in the BIG10, I do get it, but I want a fun team to watch, besides I think more recruits will look at us because of this style of play. And it will happen in the BIG10, again. See Flying Illini 89. Lets go back to that! Or 2005 team. The shot clock will be coming down to 25 seconds, so this forces the tempo faster. We have the coach to play that style and win.
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I'm going to go out on a limb and say that TJL will not be rolling the ball up to the mid court line anymore!:thumb:
 
#694      

Second and Chalmers

S
Second and Chalmers
illini80 said:
It's probably been mentioned here somewhere, but I have to vent about George Ofman of WBBM Chicago calling BU the third or maybe 4th choice for Illinois. It's too bad they can say anything they want in a news report without sources. What a crock of !!!! I expect that from the WSCR and their commentators. I certainly expect a better code of ethics from WBBM.
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He was our 3rd or maybe 4th choice (who knows with Marshall). If you get your first choice, you weren't aiming high enough.

As for the smarmy tone, just ignore them.
 
#696      

Second and Chalmers

S
Second and Chalmers
Myers said:
I haven't read through the entire thread, but I think I'm going to anonymously send some jeans recommendations to the Athletic department.

We'll have them tell him he's getting new clothes as part of an "endorsement" deal.
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Underwood looks fine. Whitman on the other hand, where to begin?
 
#697      

illini80

illini80
Forgottonia
illini80
Lucy727 said:
WBBM and WSCR are owned by the same company.
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Yes they are both CBS stations, but one is a news station, the other is sports talk. There should be an entirely different standard.
 
#698      

Lucy727

Lucy727
Des Plaines, Il
Lucy727
illini80 said:
Yes they are both CBS stations, but one is a news station, the other is sports talk. There should be an entirely different standard.
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George Ofman used to work for WSCR.
 
#699      

illini80

illini80
Forgottonia
illini80
Second and Chalmers said:
He was our 3rd or maybe 4th choice (who knows with Marshall). If you get your first choice, you weren't aiming high enough.

As for the smarmy tone, just ignore them.
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Like I said, just venting. I understand they talked to a lot of people including some they didn't even want but had to cover all their bases, but unless we made an offer and it was turned down it wasn't a lower choice. I interview 10 prospects and hire the last one doesn't mean it was my 10th choice.

Ok I'm done!:)
 
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