Leron Black reinstated, suspended first 6 games of next season

kuhl84 · May 7, 2016

illini8507 said:
Go check out Whitman's response when asked about the situations. It's posted in the tate thread. Pretty much sounded like anything other than an innocent verdict was going to see them removed from the team. At least that's how I interpreted it.

First, there is no such thing as an innocent verdict, just not guilty.

I agree with your interpretation of Whitman's comments. I expected that was his stance prior to his comments and am certain the stance has been communicated to Tate and Nunn, because that is the only way it would make sense for Tate to roll the dice and chance this going to trial, even if he is innocent of all charges.

It is pretty clear that plea deals admitting guilt on domestic violence charges will result in the permanent removal of Tate or Nunn from the program and probably the University as well.

Based on what Nunn's attorney has said and not said, I would expect they will eventually plead to some lesser offense and I firmly believe he will not return to the program.

89illinigrad · May 7, 2016

hooraybeer said:
bingo. i think JG would love to be able to send a message but unfortunately he doesn't have that luxury

I think, based on Whitman's recent comments regarding domestic violence, that if Nunn or Tate are not cleared of the charges, they are off the team. That should send a pretty clear message.

breadman · May 7, 2016

6 game suspension is 6 games too much. Get him back on the floor today. LB is our corner stone for success. He is not going to learn how to stay on the floor by sitting on the bench.

samtheman10 · May 7, 2016

I might be grasping at straws here, but could going through this situation affect his game at all? Maybe he becomes more disciplined, or understands just how fortunate he is to be playing the game at this level. Maybe not an apples to apples comparison, but Cam Newton went to another level as a football player after the potentially deadly car accident he was in.

Newman · May 7, 2016

breadman said:
6 game suspension is 6 games too much. Get him back on the floor today. LB is our corner stone for success. He is not going to learn how to stay on the floor by sitting on the bench.

There isn't a game today so I'm not sure what you mean. He's going to be involved with practice, team activities, and everything but game play until late November. LB may be a huge factor in our success but suspensions shouldn't be determined based on need, they're based on the act committed and background of the player.

Illinijose · May 7, 2016

samtheman10 said:
I might be grasping at straws here, but could going through this situation affect his game at all? Maybe he becomes more disciplined, or understands just how fortunate he is to be playing the game at this level. Maybe not an apples to apples comparison, but Cam Newton went to another level as a football player after the potentially deadly car accident he was in.

I think that could happen along with seeing Finke develop as a player. Hoping to see Finke and DJ muscle up as they will be our back up bigs next season. Possibly see Kipper as a stretch 4 or smallish PF.

breadman · May 7, 2016

Newman said:
There isn't a game today so I'm not sure what you mean. He's going to be involved with practice, team activities, and everything but game play until late November. LB may be a huge factor in our success but suspensions shouldn't be determined based on need, they're based on the act committed and background of the player.

I was being a bit rhetorical there. But, after the 6 games is over, who knows how many games after that is it going to take him to get back into game shape.

afpharmdawg · May 7, 2016

One thing to remember is this happened during the season last year and was then suspended indefinitely until the outcome of his case. I realize he was injured at the time. This does not negate the fact he was suspended last year also. If he had not been injured he still would have been suspended. I think the 6 games is sufficient. I agree with Newman that the suspensions should not be based on team need, but the severity of the act committed and background of the player. One thing I learned as a 1st Sgt., is every situation is different and you have to take into account a person's character.

ThatsAThree · May 7, 2016

Hopefully LB can come back looking sharp and hit a few daggers. We need a good slasher. He could be a cut above the rest.

illini809 · May 7, 2016

Jabber Jabber said:
Not much basketball punishment at all in my opinion. I know many will disagree with me because they're happy to have his production back for next year, but four games (excluding the exhibitions) against cupcakes is barely a slap on the wrist, (again) in my opinion. Double this and we're getting closer to what I thought would be acceptable for me.

I understand the reasoning for going low with the game total though. Groce is in all-out desperation mode next season to keep his job. No idea what to make of the Nunn and Tate situations, but at least we're 33 percent done with the court cases so far.

Actually no.

You are only seeing it as a coach who is in a must win situation, but the truth is Black was a first time offender, that's why.

bleedsorangenblue · May 7, 2016

I think what is getting lost in this conversation is the fact that he is eligible for a diversion program that will reduce the charge to a misdemeanor, if he is successful in minding his Ps and Qs. If the court system is willing to give him this kind of break, shouldn't the Illini be as forthcoming? I think the 6 game suspension is adequate and has nothing to do with Groce's status.

Joel Goodson · May 7, 2016

Great to have Black back. Hopefully, with two seasons (one redshirt) under his belt and myriads of coaching staff discussions, he's rid of his penchant for emotional, idiotic fouls and channels his energy into just playing. We're not exactly deep with bigs, but Groce should bench him immediately if Black starts losing it.

Perhaps needless to say, if Black plays with head on straight, he'll give the team a big boost. If he's able to consistently hit 15' jumpers, as he showed last summer, he could give the team a huge boost.

Jabber Jabber · May 7, 2016

illini809 said:
Actually no.

You are only seeing it as a coach who is in a must win situation, but the truth is Black was a first time offender, that's why.

I understand that first time offenders are often granted more lenient punishments. I still think four non-exhibition games is too lenient for the crime committed, but that's just my opinion.

Bomb Squad 217 · May 7, 2016

Jabber Jabber said:
I understand that first time offenders are often granted more lenient punishments. I still think four non-exhibition games is too lenient for the crime committed, but that's just my opinion.

I actually thought it was maybe 2 too many games.

ChiTownJH · May 7, 2016

Bomb Squad 217 said:
I actually thought it was maybe 2 too many games.

Me too.

icengineer · May 7, 2016

Jabber Jabber said:
I understand that first time offenders are often granted more lenient punishments. I still think four non-exhibition games is too lenient for the crime committed, but that's just my opinion.

It's hardly appropriate to have a suspension take place say the first 6 B1G games and allow him to play all the games up to that point. He was suspended immediately, hasn't played or participated in team events up to now, he's already done his 20 hours of community service, paid a fine, is on probation for a year, and is now subject to immediate dismissal from the team if he steps out of line, AND he's suspended the first 6 games of the year. Really now, you need more to feel good about this?

unimaroon · May 7, 2016

ThatsAThree said:
Hopefully LB can come back looking sharp and hit a few daggers. We need a good slasher. He could be a cut above the rest.

You make a sharp point, anyway you slice it.

Illinidreamin · May 7, 2016

unimaroon said:
You make a sharp point, anyway you slice it.

LOL you guys:thumb:

Bear8287 · May 7, 2016

ThatsAThree said:
Hopefully LB can come back looking sharp and hit a few daggers. We need a good slasher. He could be a cut above the rest.

unimaroon said:
You make a sharp point, anyway you slice it.

Ah, you two seem to have cut straight to the core of the matter. I was thinking about posting some points too, but there doesn't really seem to be any reason for me to take a stab at it now.

illini80 · May 8, 2016

Jabber Jabber said:
I understand that first time offenders are often granted more lenient punishments. I still think four non-exhibition games is too lenient for the crime committed, but that's just my opinion.

I'm with you, but what's done is done and I'm glad he's doing all the right things now.

Big Al · May 8, 2016

Joel Goodson said:
Great to have Black back. Hopefully, with two seasons (one redshirt) under his belt and myriads of coaching staff discussions, he's rid of his penchant for emotional, idiotic fouls and channels his energy into just playing. We're not exactly deep with bigs, but Groce should bench him immediately if Black starts losing it.

Perhaps needless to say, if Black plays with head on straight, he'll give the team a big boost. If he's able to consistently hit 15' jumpers, as he showed last summer, he could give the team a huge boost.

Maybe they can also get him some shorts with pockets. Then he'd have a place to put his hands so he isn't constantly picking up fouls from reaching, grabbing, holding, and pushing.

blmillini · May 8, 2016

Big Al said:
Maybe they can also get him some shorts with pockets. Then he'd have a place to put his hands so he isn't constantly picking up fouls from reaching, grabbing, holding, and pushing.

He reaches, grabs, holds and pushes mostly because he does not move his feet well. I hope the coaching staff helps to fix that for his return. It seems to be a problem with many of our players.

icengineer · May 8, 2016

blmillini said:
He reaches, grabs, holds and pushes mostly because he does not move his feet well. I hope the coaching staff helps to fix that for his return. It seems to be a problem with many of our players.

They should all be taking dance lessons at Arthur Murray's.

Jabber Jabber · May 9, 2016

icengineer said:
It's hardly appropriate to have a suspension take place say the first 6 B1G games and allow him to play all the games up to that point. He was suspended immediately, hasn't played or participated in team events up to now, he's already done his 20 hours of community service, paid a fine, is on probation for a year, and is now subject to immediate dismissal from the team if he steps out of line, AND he's suspended the first 6 games of the year. Really now, you need more to feel good about this?

I don't think I'll ever feel good about someone brandishing a knife in a crowded, public setting.

icengineer · May 9, 2016

Jabber Jabber said:
I don't think I'll ever feel good about someone brandishing a knife in a crowded, public setting.

I don't think anyone does 'feel good' about it. But you can't punish the guy as if he's got a prior history of wrongdoing. By all accounts its his first offense and he's done what's been asked of him to make amends. Seems like a 2nd strike will result in immediate dismissal from the team. We still don't even know, and likely never will, what led up to this event. I feel like it's appropriate punishment. I hope we never have to worry about his behavior again. On or off the court.