Yeah I hate that, I am sure a lot of coaches say that line. I feel like after the whole Mark Smith ordeal Underwood has tamed down a little bit on his fire. Maybe he was asked to, who knows. Once again, I would rather have Underwood regardless.
Illini Basketball 2025-2026
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It’s not in the same ballpark …
First few examples is not all about communication. That’s called bad transition defense, especially after a poor shot on offense and team is scrambling. Do they even practice this situation?? What about the scenario when the team has a player on a heater??
Communication. Yeah, right.
In fact, I’d attribute the breakdowns to a poor scout.
And watching further, Jake involved with many breakdowns on D per LT. hmm.
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Brad is unhinged at times as well … I’m a fan of it … Need to see more of it … Hence why I shared this …
These kids aren’t kids anymore … Making 6 figures+ makes you a professional … Hold them accountable …
As far as Wade being an “unsuccessful” coach … All that dude has done is win everywhere he’s been … And he’s been to the second weekend the same amount of times Brad has the last 9 years … And took McNeese State to the tournament twice … So I’m not sure I understand the whole unsuccessful coach narrative …
Not sure exactly what year it was but Brad's fart noise in 3 seconds compares to the 4+ minutes here.
Brad has picked his spots, some kids can handle it and some can't... He went after David the most recent game we played (Nebraska)
Where has Will Wade been where he's "won everywhere he's been"? LSU? He missed the tournament 2 out 5 seasons and 4 of the 5 seasons were worse than what y'all give Brad endless hell about.. Now he's back at a power conf school and its more of the same: mediocre basketball
WW is mid
Not sure who on the staff specifically gets credit for Wagler, but someone does. If he improves even slightly or just stays consistent we have a chance to do very well the rest of the season. If he does become a 1st rounder and leave for the NBA, that's 3 one and done in two years, and is going to help recruiting. Especially a 160 lb recruit with a #150 ranking.
I am 67 and sure I think Brad can do better, but I would not put him on the hot seat. And yes I want to do better in March and also care about the regular season.
Let's go crush (orange!) MizNoz!
ILL-
I am 67 and sure I think Brad can do better, but I would not put him on the hot seat. And yes I want to do better in March and also care about the regular season.
Let's go crush (orange!) MizNoz!
ILL-
altgeld88
- Arlington, Virginia
This^^ The end of the 1H last Saturday v. long stretches otherwise.
So, I was as sick of our stale, one size fits all drop coverage as anyone and ready for a change. But watching LaTulip’s film brought me immediately to 2022-23, where we started the season switching everything and scrapped it mid year in favor of drop.
I know LaTulip says it’s all fixable. But given we have so many new pieces, a brand new scheme, a lack of off season practice time due to injuries/illness/getting guys here from overseas,enrolled, etc., and in general don’t really seem to have the personnel to switch effectively (we have positional size but all of our bigs are slow footed and not well suited to guard in space and stay in front of quicker players), and a fairly unique language barrier challenge, I think the staff does need to ask the question if the scheme is salvageable with more reps, or if we need to scrap it in favor of a more straightforward system like we did in 2022-23.
We have an elite offense, currently number 3 and I wouldn’t be surprised if we get better as Tomi plays himself into shape and we firm up role identification. We have 2 7 footers, one of which is one of the elite rim protectors in the country. Would we be better off just hugging 3 pt shooters and funneling guards into contested 2s over Tomi/Z? Even if it’s bland and easy to prep for, I’m not sure teams can score enough to beat us.
I’m not advocating for the switch, but if we were going to do it I think these next two weeks is the time to do it. Difficult question whether this new defense is salvageable. I don’t know.
LOL - if “mid” means his worst season is 18 wins in his FIRST year as HC and FIRST year in P4 and ZERO losing seasons … I guess he’s mid … GMAFB …
FWIW I’d put Will and Brad in similar tiers. Both can recruit their tails off & win games.LOL - if “mid” means his worst season is 18 wins in his FIRST year as HC and FIRST year in P4 and ZERO losing seasons … I guess he’s mid … GMAFB …
View attachment 45797
LOL - if “mid” means his worst season is 18 wins in his FIRST year as HC and FIRST year in P4 and ZERO losing seasons … I guess he’s mid … GMAFB …
View attachment 45797
His win totals at LSU = 18, 25, 21, 19, 22
Missed tournament 2x
Then fired for ethical breaches
And now he's struggling at NC State with what is a very good roster
He's done well at the mid-major level. That is where he belongs...
RabidDawgClassic
- Los Angeles, CA
For my own sanity, I’ve avoided the basketball side of Loyalty since Nebraska’s winning shot went in. I haven’t done that since the Great Penn State Collapse at Rec Hall. But it sure appears I may have checked back in a bit too soon. Some of the takes here are just… dumb.
I don't think you can hold covid against him when counting tournament misses.
But why do that when we have the whole 1 in 9 narrative with Brad?
It is a valid correction, however overall results still highly uninspiring
Not saying your entire post is wrong, but this is flat out factually incorrect… Wagler 31.3 mpg through November/December. Just P4 games included: 33 mpg.
What you’re so vehemently concerned about has only happened in two games, followed by over a week off break.
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We would never hire a coach who paid players pre-NIL.
kinda crazy because this is only after Tennessee. After these past two games of what he's put together, gotta imagine he's even more on their radar.
We would never hire Will Wade period
The Sprouting Divot
Invisible and Bulletproof
- Miracle Mile
I would agree that 1 in 9 is misinformed because it includes covid as well.
My argument of why these are slightly different would be the following: I think we can assume the LSU team would have made the tournament when it was cancelled and I don't think we could do the same with the Illini team in the covid year making the Sweet 16.
I don't subscribe to this argument because the tournament could go any way, but that's the only one I could come up with.
I agree the 1 in 9 narrative is misinformed
I’m being fair here by acknowledging something that the anti-Brad crowd does not, but even then, I don’t see any level of sustained success with WW unless we think just winning 18-22 games every year is ok (but nobody does)
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