Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread

Status
Not open for further replies.
#228      

BashCtIllini

BashCtIllini
BashCtIllini
alaskaillini said:
So 5th in the B1G and a 9 seed is an unacceptable decline in results. Did anyone notice UNC last year, or Kentucky (keeping only 3 players this year). The bluebloods are having difficulty in this environment. If 5th and a 9 seed is the floor, there is nothing to lament here about BU. Sure we all want an NC, but $h1t happens. It is how you respond. If BU makes the decision to roll with whom we have on the roster right now, it is his job that is on the line. So maybe we should understand that he is looking to culture not talent as much. He learned that last year. We have TSJ, Coleman, Guerrier and Domask that are all going to be looking to score, and maybe should add in Dainja as well. Adding another guy that is going to be looking to get his to impress pro scouts may not be a good idea. I really doubt Toussaint would seriously consider us being from Iowa - he is about the only one that is good enough and might fit. It is also going to be hard to get the Fr. and So. enough tick. Add another player and it is going to be harder. Guess I don't see this as such a failure on BUs part. There is some silver lining to what has gone down such that I don't see it as a major failure.
TSJ seems to think highly of Ty's abilities so maybe we will see a jump.
Guess I am in the "In Brad we trust" group.
Click to expand...
maybe not good examples when both UNC and Kentucky would be quite happy with a new coach right now.

To be honest, asking if you trust Underwood or not right now is pretty worthless. He's here for next season whether you like it or not. Now answering that question in March/April 2024, that's going to be more useful.
 
#230      

chiefini

chiefini
Rockford, Illinois
chiefini
WyattEarp said:
I think there’s only one solution:
The ☘️ Irish
St Patricks Day Party GIF by LookHUMAN


(Perhaps a few Angry Scots , some Sour-Krauts and some ill-tempered Russians might be alright too.)
Click to expand...
F2331E66-51EB-4E28-AA17-0C05DAA0DA15.jpeg


From the Guiness Storehouse in Dublin a week ago…🍀
 
#231      

nichi

N
nichi
WyattEarp said:
Well, there’s certainly no way of knowing. Total wins you might have an argument.

Post season totals…I kinda doubt it…even if we hypothetically revise history.

The perfect season in ‘76 alone. It’s pretty hard to replicate perfect. I know it’s one season; but that’s like shooting a bullet with a bullet. Lol. Okay maybe not, but you get what I’m saying.
Click to expand...
Knight was taking anyone he wanted out of Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. Who is to say Quinn Buckner and Zeke go there if Brewer doesn't nuke Harry Combes' program in 1966?

Combes' final roster was loaded with NBA/ABA talent supported by solid role players. We weren't close to that good again for at least 15 years or more -- while IU thrived.

We got all the way back by 1986 or so; then Pearl / Slive. Again in 2000ish; then Weber.
 
Last edited:
#232      

21ChampaignSt

21ChampaignSt
21ChampaignSt
There seem to be two schools of thought emerging here:

1) "A coach shouldn't be let go until he has objectively sunk a program." This approach led to the enormous mess that Brad inherited.

2) "A coach should be let go before he has had a chance to sink a program." This approach led to Tim Beckman.

In my opinion, and as others have said I think, I don't care when you let a guy go as long as the next hire is the right hire. But preferably you can cut ties before your program hits rock bottom.

*This is not an endorsement for firing Brad.
 
#234      

WyattEarp

WyattEarp
WyattEarp
nichi said:
Knight was taking anyone he wanted out of Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. Who is to say Quinn Buckner and Zeke go there if Brewer doesn't nuke Harry Combes' program in 1966?

Combes' final roster was loaded with NBA/ABA talent supported by solid role players. We weren't close to that good again for at least 15 years or more -- while IU thrived.

We got all the way back in 1989; then Pearl / Slive. Again in 2002ish; then Weber.
Click to expand...
You make some interesting points. But, the world may never know…
tootsie pop vintage GIF
If
 
#235      

doowink

D
doowink
21ChampaignSt said:
There seem to be two schools of thought emerging here:

1) "A coach shouldn't be let go until he has objectively sunk a program." This approach led to the enormous mess that Brad inherited.

2) "A coach should be let go before he has had a chance to sink a program." This approach led to Tim Beckman.

In my opinion, and as others have said I think, I don't care when you let a guy go as long as the next hire is the right hire. But preferably you can cut ties before your program hits rock bottom.

*This is not an endorsement for firing Brad.
Click to expand...
The hiring of Tim Beckman has to go down as the worst hire in the history of hiring of all coaches at the University of Illinois....that goes back to the AD that recommended the hiring.....I trust that Whitman is better at evaluating coaching talent than Thomas
 
#237      

TheodoreRex

T
TheodoreRex
Indy Illini Fan said:
Pretty much was my response as well … Of course not to him …

This is a VERY big booster … He and his family really support the athletic program …

He really likes Bret though … That’s a positive … 😂🙂
Click to expand...
Bret comes across as confident but not arrogant... His Arkansas experience seems to have humbled him (though I could be wrong). But I'm not sure Underwood's had his humbling moment yet.
 
#240      

Bigtex

Bigtex
DFW
Bigtex
Indy Illini Fan said:
You’d probably wind up at another dealership though … Which is exactly how some of these boosters are talking …

For example from a very generous booster to me:

“I’m tired of doing business with people who I think are way to stubborn, cocky, and continuously don’t deliver on what’s promised AND then they make me pay for a kid to go sit at home half the year??? Pay these kids to go get drunk and not show up against Penn freaking State at home!!!! I don’t continue to want to donate. It was great when we had Ayo, Trent, Damonte, Feliz, Kofi and others but last year I couldn’t stand watching that team and I have a feeling this year isn’t going to be any better especially after everyone gave that money for the Toledo kid Brad couldn’t stop talking about and then he’s making excuses for losing him. And that’s where I’m at with Underwood. He’s got a lot of relationships that need repaired and he hasn’t made an effort. I’ll be putting my money towards football until then.”
Click to expand...
How can anyone say the generous booster is the problem!!! I am sure bad service or experience has caused you to take your $$$ elsewhere.
Thing I don’t get is the car analogy - ending up at another dealership looking for a PG but the $$$ isn’t gone.
Was BU in control last year? Consequences for players getting drunk (x3) against Penn st or was he just out coached? What was the Consequence for guys not running the offense or defense? We saw the consequences with Epps and ultimately the exit! Saw it some with Danija and fewer minutes down the stretch. How will 23/24 be different if player doesn’t run offense or play defense?

Where was we have our PG/PF (point forward) on the roster as Rodgers will be our pg / pf (or backup) before Dennis announced to Baylor? After Dennis didn’t select Illinois, then the campaign that Rodgers is our guy and he has looked elite.
In 7 ncaa tourneys 4-7 record and still searching for first S16 appearance despite being top 10 paid coach.
 
#245      

Orange Roughy

O
Orange Roughy
Indy Illini Fan said:
Brad said I need money for RayJ … They said okay here’s the coins you asked for, now go get RayJ … And Brad missed … Now they’re all ticked … Lol … If someone took your money and promised to deliver something and didn’t … Would you give them money again and if so would you give as much ?
Click to expand...

So, what happens to the unused NIL money? I am assuming it can't be returned...but why not? It was not used. How does this work?
 
#246      

Captain 14

C
The Last Best Place
Captain 14
Bigtex said:
How can anyone say the generous booster is the problem!!! I am sure bad service or experience has caused you to take your $$$ elsewhere.
Thing I don’t get is the car analogy - ending up at another dealership looking for a PG but the $$$ isn’t gone.
Was BU in control last year? Consequences for players getting drunk (x3) against Penn st or was he just out coached? What was the Consequence for guys not running the offense or defense? We saw the consequences with Epps and ultimately the exit! Saw it some with Danija and fewer minutes down the stretch. How will 23/24 be different if player doesn’t run offense or play defense?

Where was we have our PG/PF (point forward) on the roster as Rodgers will be our pg / pf (or backup) before Dennis announced to Baylor? After Dennis didn’t select Illinois, then the campaign that Rodgers is our guy and he has looked elite.
In 7 ncaa tourneys 4-7 record and still searching for first S16 appearance despite being top 10 paid coach.
Click to expand...
That's why we need a CEO to manage this s#%t pile. I don't think our coaches are qualified nor paid to evaluate performance versus pay/value.
 
Last edited:
#248      

Saturdaze

S
Saturdaze
I hypothesize the fans on this board who’s fandom lived through prime of the Henson years associate their fandom more closely with the coach more than recent fans. It makes sense. Henson was a HOF legend who had a lot of success as the players came and went to the point his name is on the court.

I suspect those posters wanted Weber to be like Henson and continued to defend him long past it was clear he wasn’t. I suspect the same thing is happening with Brad and some posters holding onto the hope that over the next 10 years he’ll cement his legacy.

My eyes see a ship that’s already sailed, and it’s just a matter of time before there is a separation. I do not envision a future where Brad retires as the Illini coach.

The Ayo recruitment was supposed to open the flood gates - and it did - BU recruited 11 freshman 4-stars in the last 4 years.

The problem is 6 of those 4 star recruits transferred out. So, BU recruited 2 4-star transfers (Mayer and Shannon) to back fill.

Now we are in another season needing to backfill from failure to develop the HS recruits, and BU has failed to fill the most critical gap.

What happens next year?

Shannon, Coleman, Harmon, Guerrero, Domask will be gone.

The team will be Dainja, Goode, Harris, Rodgers, Hansberry, and DGL, and chances are 1 or 2 of those guys will transfer. We have 1 signed recruit - Morez.

BU is going to need to add 6-9 players next offseason in addition to Morez? And he couldn’t even land a single PG this year?

BU is only in this situation because he failed to develop 50% of his 4 star recruits so he started recruiting players in the portal that other coaches developed for him, and now he’s struggling to do that too. So over the next season or two he’ll suddenly become good at what he’s failed to do so far?
 
#249      

BretMyBeachHouse

B
BretMyBeachHouse
21ChampaignSt said:
There seem to be two schools of thought emerging here:

1) "A coach shouldn't be let go until he has objectively sunk a program." This approach led to the enormous mess that Brad inherited.

2) "A coach should be let go before he has had a chance to sink a program." This approach led to Tim Beckman.

In my opinion, and as others have said I think, I don't care when you let a guy go as long as the next hire is the right hire. But preferably you can cut ties before your program hits rock bottom.

*This is not an endorsement for firing Brad.
Click to expand...
Well, that really doesn't get to my thinking.

I think Henson is a good example of where I come down with BU. Henson obviously got the program back on solid footing. Good coaching, good recruiting. I think 7 consecutive years getting us ranked. obviously a final four. But some disappointing tournaments definitely had some people grumbling, but few believing that he should be gone.

Then we got satanized. recruiting started to drop off. talent in Chicago started to move to more than just King and Simeon. the rankings left us. At that time, many believed that it would be good if Lou moved on because they wanted a championship and they felt that it wouldn't happen with Henson.

I think right now that BU getting his act together is our best chance at a championship. Stability matters. But him getting his act together is the important caveat for me. There really is no culture, despite the coach others proclaiming such. We don't seem to have a consistent philosophy on either side of the ball. I'm willing to see him sort this out before I'm calling for his head.

There are very few coaches that I think are worth the risk of firing BU. Sean Miller isn't one in my opinion.

I'm also optimistic about the season ahead, although I can definitely see scenarios where we end up on the bubble.
 
#250      

Saturdaze

S
Saturdaze
Status
Not open for further replies.