Illini Coaching Staff
I have no otherworldly expectations from this staff, just reasonable, incremental improvements. Groce upped the level of recruits we had a shot with from where we were with Weber, even if he didn't land many of them. He got us into that fringe burger boy area, those guys in the 25-40ish range, and even landing a few top 50 guys.
I think this new staff will start landing those 25-40 guys a little more constantly and start to get us into the conversation with some top 15-20 guys. I don't think we'll land any of them right away but start to put together a few successful seasons in a row and who knows.
I don't know if we'll ever get into that top 10 area that Antiqua was in while at UK, that would take years upon years of sustained success, but it's fun to think about.
I think this new staff will start landing those 25-40 guys a little more constantly and start to get us into the conversation with some top 15-20 guys. I don't think we'll land any of them right away but start to put together a few successful seasons in a row and who knows.
I don't know if we'll ever get into that top 10 area that Antiqua was in while at UK, that would take years upon years of sustained success, but it's fun to think about.
Accurate
mattcoldagelli
- The Transfer Portal
Good thing his track record at the job we actually hired him for is excellent.
Peoria Illini
- Peoria, IL
Some guys aren't good head coaches. I think Groce may also be in that category. Weber, heck, Lou Tepper was a good defensive coordinator, but not a good head coach. Antigua may fall into that category.
Your responses are always spot on. :thumb:
He was a superstar assistant coach at Kentucky. The USF gig didn't go well but as an assistant, no one has had anything but pluses.
Not to mention at Pitt and Memphis as well. So it's not like he always had the UK brand behind him
:thumb:
mattcoldagelli
- The Transfer Portal
Thanks, sir
I have heard Depaul will offer Heirman a job, but you've got to think if BU came calling he's taking that job over Depaul, no questions asked.
Other really strong positive also is fact that I believe we have nothing to worry about for awhile of another program offering the HC gig to Orlando.
No offense to him, but it will take some time to build up credibility for consideration after the USF gig...meantime recruit and work your magic...it is what you do best, we get to benefit from that.
To be fair, he is USF recruiting a fertile talent base against the likes of Florida/FSU/ and pretty much every other SEC school that wants to come calling, even Kentucky's of the world...pretty sure USF has less to sell.
The ILLINI on the other hand, although being down recently, have the school, the base x (3-4) areas, the renovation, obviously the budget now...a lot to sell recruits vs primarily B1G schools...I like our odds with him over USF odds with him.
Any chance Underwood would consider hiring Keelon Lawson for the third assistant position? If so, we'd likely add his sons:
Dedric: 19.8 pts, 10.2 reb, 3.7 ast, 1.2 stl, 2.6 blk - would be a junior in 2018-19 after a redshirt year. Would likely be the best player in the country for a year before heading to the NBA. SF/PF
KJ: 13.1 pts, 8.3 reb, 3.3 ast, 0.6 stl, 0.5 blk - would be a RS sophomore in '18-19. SF
Chandler: 6'8 combo forward. #24 composite in class of 2019
Jonathan: 6'5 combo forward. #6 in the class of 2021 according to Future150
If Mizzou wants to Porter us, I say we Lawson the fuuu out of them.
Dedric: 19.8 pts, 10.2 reb, 3.7 ast, 1.2 stl, 2.6 blk - would be a junior in 2018-19 after a redshirt year. Would likely be the best player in the country for a year before heading to the NBA. SF/PF
KJ: 13.1 pts, 8.3 reb, 3.3 ast, 0.6 stl, 0.5 blk - would be a RS sophomore in '18-19. SF
Chandler: 6'8 combo forward. #24 composite in class of 2019
Jonathan: 6'5 combo forward. #6 in the class of 2021 according to Future150
If Mizzou wants to Porter us, I say we Lawson the fuuu out of them.
Jimmy Collins was a decent assistant coach. As a head coach, not so much.
I heard that Miznoz was going to hire Lawson next year after they let Porter Sr go after Jr goes pro. The Lawson boys will go ahead and enroll this year and be available for them next yr when dad gets hired.
I'd say Jimmy was a bit better on both fronts. Very good assistant and decent head coach.
I coincidentally just posted about this possibility. Keelon was an assistant coach at Memphis. In addition to Dedric and KJ, he has two younger sons who are both 5-star prospects. I'd be 100% okay with hiring a well-established D1 coach who happens to have four potential NBA combo forwards as sons. I hope Underwood has at least put feelers out.
As mentioned in my other post, there's a strong chance that Dedric Lawson is the Wooden Award winner as a RS junior. He could easily average 22 & 10 with 4 assists and 3 blocks in Underwood's system.
kcib8130
- Parts Unknown
Am I the only one here that wouldn't want my dad to be on the staff, always around me 24/7?
Exactly, we didn't hire him to be a head coach or academic counselor
Yes, Keelon was hired as an assistant by Pastner to get his kids. Then Tubby moved him to an operations staff position when he was hired, probably part of the reason they are leaving. Also something I didn't realize, would have assumed you'd have to keep him as a coach, interesting loophole.
Can't imagine a worse idea.
the ILLINI staying status quo and never getting BU/OA or anything else that is to become due to Groce staying and or getting extended due to 1 recruiting class bailing him out? I'd say that would have qualified as worse?