Coaching Carousel

Status
Not open for further replies.
#152      
We may lose to UK here but the fact that we are competing so hard in this out in the open bidding war actually gives me some confidence we aren’t as in the mud as other programs that we never seem to win recruitments with. The network and $$ certainly seem to be there for a bidding war that is above board. Can only assume we aren’t near as aggressive in bidding for players services as some other schools.
 
#153      
Calipari has failed a lot more than he has won especially in winning CHAMPIONSHIPS and getting maximum production from the many 5 star talents he had. Give BRAD UNDERWOOD THE SAME TALENTS over the past 10 years and I bet you ILLINOIS would be trophy winners to the 10th POWER and PIPED, READY AND PERFECTLY FINE for any Student/Athletes who want to win and play at one of the smartest, respected and Great Universities ever!
 
#154      
So if we add a couple of 5*s in the next few classes (or any of our 4*s get bumped up in the future), would that improve your perception of how desirable we are as a destination?
Sure, but to clarify again, I’m not saying we’re not a desirable destination. I’m saying that if the best recruiter in the country can’t get them then we must not be. Or alternatively, he must not be the best in the land. Both can’t be true.
 
#155      

Joel Goodson

respect my decision™
Calipari has failed a lot more than he has won especially in winning CHAMPIONSHIPS and getting maximum production from the many 5 star talents he had. Give BRAD UNDERWOOD THE SAME TALENTS over the past 10 years and I bet you ILLINOIS would be trophy winners to the 10th POWER and PIPED, READY AND PERFECTLY FINE for any Student/Athletes who want to win and play at one of the smartest, respected and Great Universities ever!
UNDERWOOD EATS SQUID FOR BREAKFAST!!!
 
#156      

pruman91

Paducah, Ky
It's been very interesting to read the posting styles and content this last couple of weeks...
To comprehend intent of said posts I find it necessary to correlate opinion and length of time being a member here...a continuous stream of negative posts or even middle of the road posts lends one to acknowledge the true nature of a poster's frame of mind...
Anyone can research the amount of newbies here and I'm happy for Dan and the board, but one need not be Sherlock Holmes to ascertain the reasons why they have grown so rapidly, especially since our debacle in the dance.
Is this the reality of us finally being considered " ELITE " ?.... a groundswell of fanatics joining here to rain on the burgeoning parade of the reemergence of what was and will now be an ORANGEBLOOD of magnanimous proportions?

If it is then I like it I like it a lot..
I will say it's nice to use the ignore button...the constant bickering is wasteful, and a poster with 3 days as a member calling a source of good info for a long time being delusional makes for a jolly take on society today..
Say or post anything you want,within reason and think you have the last laugh when in reality no one knows if they are given any praise as an intellect or a moron myself included.
I'm here to be entertained and I must say some are so transparent that I chuckle at their intended candor,whether true or misleading.

Now,when will the assistants status or Adam Millers next stop be known???

ANYONE,......ANYONE????
 
#158      
I thought the insiders were saying a couple of days ago that we had won. What changed between then and now? More offers?
 
#159      

whatahack

St. Peters MO
UNDERWOOD EATS SQUID FOR BREAKFAST!!!

c8cd65074bcb4d060bb772c534acd0ce.jpg
 
#160      
Sure, but to clarify again, I’m not saying we’re not a desirable destination. I’m saying that if the best recruiter in the country can’t get them then we must not be. Or alternatively, he must not be the best in the land. Both can’t be true.
We get it.
 
#166      
I have 3 wishes today, 1st is we don't lose any recruits...2nd we retain our assts and they all can play nice together.....3rd is a wish challenge, can anyone mock up OA and Chin as Batman and Robin or, both of them and Gentry as the 3 amigos?
 
#167      
Sure, but to clarify again, I’m not saying we’re not a desirable destination. I’m saying that if the best recruiter in the country can’t get them then we must not be. Or alternatively, he must not be the best in the land. Both can’t be true.
You say, " I’m not saying we’re not a desirable destination...(but) if the best recruiter in the country can’t get them then we must not be"
Do you have a firm stance on the matter? You're not articulating what you consider worthy of being labeled "one of the best recruiters". And as others have noted, things are trending in the direction where it seems these results can be sustained/improved.

But again, What are we not getting? We've pulled in 4 top 50 kids in 4 years That's not even factoring talent that our staff evaluated well. Due to our wins and general perception, I DON'T think we were a desirable destination when the staff arrived. I think we are now.
 
Last edited:
#168      
pruman91: “Is this the reality of us finally being considered "ELITE" ?

To Illini Nation – especially those go way back or have elders in their family that do – the Fighting Illini have always been considered “Elite”. Does this mean “elite” as in a Blue Blood for the past twenty years or so? Not if the on-floor performance is any judge. Nor would most of the nation consider the Illini an “elite” program in recent memory.

But the Illini ARE a Top Ten program in the words of The Coach. And he said that as a true historical reference, not as some wish list. The legacy and tradition and passion of the fan base are there. And always have been for generations.

It’s just that the nation’s memory is stuck in a flood of Duke and NC and Kentucky and Louisville (and such) bias for a generation or two. Then teams like Gonzaga and Baylor came along and grabbed the spotlight.

We see the Illini program as one thing and America (up until now) sees it as another.

The way to change that is what The Illini did this past year. A high, high ranking. A top tournament seed. Grabbing some coveted players. People noticing the program. People actually discussing Illini ball on national sports radio shows a time or two. Even Chicago media paying attention... miracle of miracles!

And next? Ayo shining brightly in The Association and showing off his Orange colors every night to the World.....“And NOW... from the University of ILLINOIS... AAAAYYYYYOOO... DO... SSUUUUUUNNMMMUUUUU!”

Champaign Blue... Just keep Doing What You’re Doing for the last two years. That’s how you get into the permanent National discussion. That’s when any debate over whether the program is elite or not ends.

We know it’s Elite. Then the World will finally catch up.
 
#169      
The reason why we lost, that game... we did not play going down hill./rebounds (collectively Ayo,Trent and others did not stay home and allowed for LOYOLA to win most of the 50/50 balls). Brad Underwood and staff really hurt themselves by not pressuring full-court, you make it more up and down and it allows your defense to gather what angles to attack krutwig, we never ever should have played man to man throughout the game. WHY? Kofi guards krutwig 4 to8 feet Everytime down? No resistance on his jumpshot or even a pass? Bad coaching...... why, if we was not going to play Coleman Hawkins- and Damonte wasn't given the opportunity to really be a factor offensively, why didn't we run a 1-3-1 zone? If you knew that Kofi was a tough matchup..... again why not run a zone, like OREGON STATE DID. I am not sure if this is something that's going on in the discussions and negotiations between.... The AD, COACH UNDERWOOD & his assistants but Underwood needs to trust in his assistants in game play strategies as well as recruiting. I still have faith in coach Underwood but what was successful at Stephen f. Austin/ Oklahoma State will not work in a great conference with 5 star talents at almost every position and a world is the ELITE because they recruit, react, adjust, and don't accept the status quo. But become good at what got you their and never give an inch to your enemies, in fact..... EAT EM UP FOR BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER.... no way I am letting them (kenbucky) fix my food---they didn't ask what I wanted and indeed they didn't BUY IT.
Who were 5*s on Loyola?
 
#170      

pruman91

Paducah, Ky
pruman91: “Is this the reality of us finally being considered "ELITE" ?

To Illini Nation – especially those go way back or have elders in their family that do – the Fighting Illini have always been considered “Elite”. Does this mean “elite” as in a Blue Blood for the past twenty years or so? Not if the on-floor performance is any judge. Nor would most of the nation consider the Illini an “elite” program in recent memory.

But the Illini ARE a Top Ten program in the words of The Coach. And he said that as a true historical reference, not as some wish list. The legacy and tradition and passion of the fan base are there. And always have been for generations.

It’s just that the nation’s memory is stuck in a flood of Duke and NC and Kentucky and Louisville (and such) bias for a generation or two. Then teams like Gonzaga and Baylor came along and grabbed the spotlight.

We see the Illini program as one thing and America (up until now) sees it as another.

The way to change that is what The Illini did this past year. A high, high ranking. A top tournament seed. Grabbing some coveted players. People noticing the program. People actually discussing Illini ball on national sports radio shows a time or two. Even Chicago media paying attention... miracle of miracles!

And next? Ayo shining brightly in The Association and showing off his Orange colors every night to the World.....“And NOW... from the University of ILLINOIS... AAAAYYYYYOOO... DO... SSUUUUUUNNMMMUUUUU!”

Champaign Blue... Just keep Doing What You’re Doing for the last two years. That’s how you get into the permanent National discussion. That’s when any debate over whether the program is elite or not ends.

We know it’s Elite. Then the World will finally catch up.
Great post..

I have always considered us elite, for the 60 + years I have been a fanatic
My post was sarcasm at the notion some have that we aren't or never have been elite...
We are in my mind and that's all that matters to me
 
#172      
Why is it OA and Chin don't like Gentry?
I actually don't know. . Just based on observing from a distance, Gentry seems to be a take charge type. We do know that former assistant Jamall Walker was moved to a support position; which created the opening filled by Gentry. Also, Gentry was apparently given responsibility for the shift from the spread to the ball screen offense. It's possible that created some tension?

BTW, UK actually only has one opening for an assistant. Barbee was support staff. Presumably, they would create an opening for Chin by pushing Bruiser Flint into Barbee's former slot. That could potentially rub Flint, Lucas, and other UK staffers the wrong way.
 
Last edited:
#173      
You say, " I’m not saying we’re not a desirable destination...(but) if the best recruiter in the country can’t get them then we must not be"
Do you have a firm stance on the matter? You're not articulating what you consider worthy of being labeled "one of the best recruiters". And as others have noted, things are trending in the direction where it seems these results can be sustained/improved.

But again, What are we not getting? We've pulled in 4 top 50 kids in 4 years That's not even factoring talent that our staff evaluated well. Due to our wins and general perception, I DON'T think we were a desirable destination when the staff arrived. I think we are now.

Would you consider Knoxville a desirable destination? From 2012-2017, they made 1 NCAA tournament. They made the Sweet Sixteen in 2014 but they were in the First Four. Cuonzo left after that year and Barnes took over. Maybe Barnes plays the recruiting game a little differently than we do, but they've gotten 5 5-stars in the last 3 recruiting classes and 2 top-60 4 stars as well. All without Orlando Antigua.
 
#174      
I know this will get some serious analysis and I'm not suggesting anything either for or against but here is a comparison of recruiting classes between us and Michigan over the last 3 years.
19' M-64 I-69
20' M-14 I-16
21' M-1 I-29
 
#175      
Would you consider Knoxville a desirable destination? From 2012-2017, they made 1 NCAA tournament. They made the Sweet Sixteen in 2014 but they were in the First Four. Cuonzo left after that year and Barnes took over. Maybe Barnes plays the recruiting game a little differently than we do, but they've gotten 5 5-stars in the last 3 recruiting classes and 2 top-60 4 stars as well. All without Orlando Antigua.
Valid points. I'm more coming from the angle of the desirable destination. I don't think Orlando is irreplaceable. At face value, I think he's a good recruiter, but I would be interested to see other comparisons similar to the one you raised. Data aside, Kentucky's willingness to fight for him speaks volumes to me.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.