hooraybeer
- Pittsburgh, PA
ps where is all this extra money coming from? how can we suddenly afford to pay top 10-20 salaries if the rumors are true
The Illinois Coaching Search
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BTN money and donors.
Morning folks. Happy tourney day! My question is why are most thinking Bryce Drew would be a great hire? I'm not saying I wouldn't support it, but his recruiting class isn't great next year and vandy just made the tourney. Give me some knowledge. Thanks!
JUST made the tourney^
Hopefully the tourney proves to be as wild as this thread. My take, which is just an opinion.
Bennet is in play. It defies logic, but I think it's a possibility. Two weeks ago I would have been as angry about the suggestion as S&C. But I just have a hunch that he'll really consider the job. I don't know if he'll take it, but I don't think we will be purely leverage for him.
Regarding his recruiting, he has improved. And I think that improvement is sustainable primarily because he has now developed a reputation as a top coach. With that improved recruiting, will likely come improved offense - although they do have a top 40 offensive efficiency this year.
Miller on the surface seems more logical, unless he wants NC State. And I think we have a chance there too, particularly if Crean stays at IU. His results have been outstanding indicating that he is a great coach (I've only watched a handful of Dayton games), but his recruiting may leave something to be desired. I'm not an insider so I can't really speculate on his true reputation and the likelihood that his recruiting improves dramatically once in a power 5. But Dayton is a strong program and I would have expected strong classes.
If neither happens, which would not be terribly surprising, we are back to Keatts, followed by Jank and a host of others. Losing Cuonzo is no big deal to me. I would have given him a chance, but he was at the bottom of my list.
Bennet is in play. It defies logic, but I think it's a possibility. Two weeks ago I would have been as angry about the suggestion as S&C. But I just have a hunch that he'll really consider the job. I don't know if he'll take it, but I don't think we will be purely leverage for him.
Regarding his recruiting, he has improved. And I think that improvement is sustainable primarily because he has now developed a reputation as a top coach. With that improved recruiting, will likely come improved offense - although they do have a top 40 offensive efficiency this year.
Miller on the surface seems more logical, unless he wants NC State. And I think we have a chance there too, particularly if Crean stays at IU. His results have been outstanding indicating that he is a great coach (I've only watched a handful of Dayton games), but his recruiting may leave something to be desired. I'm not an insider so I can't really speculate on his true reputation and the likelihood that his recruiting improves dramatically once in a power 5. But Dayton is a strong program and I would have expected strong classes.
If neither happens, which would not be terribly surprising, we are back to Keatts, followed by Jank and a host of others. Losing Cuonzo is no big deal to me. I would have given him a chance, but he was at the bottom of my list.
I honestly would prefer Marshall and Archie over Bennett, but that is purely from a play style point of view. Bennett would be a great get, but I really would not enjoy watching slow ball again. Weber did enough of that for the rest of my lifetime, and if the end result changes, I would still not enjoy the style. Would I take Bennett if it meant winning? Sure. Would I prefer another guy that can win with a more appealing style? Yep.
If we go with someone different, it doesn't mean we will lose or be bad. We could win with 5 or 6 of the candidates out there, but I want a style that is easy to sell, not only to the players but the fans as well. I like watching Marshall's teams, and same with Archie. Let it be said that I will not complain if Bennett is the guy, but I don't see it happening anyways. He will probably be the actual first swing and miss.
If we go with someone different, it doesn't mean we will lose or be bad. We could win with 5 or 6 of the candidates out there, but I want a style that is easy to sell, not only to the players but the fans as well. I like watching Marshall's teams, and same with Archie. Let it be said that I will not complain if Bennett is the guy, but I don't see it happening anyways. He will probably be the actual first swing and miss.
Vandy isn't a very talented team and he got them in the tournament. He is supposedly a great basketball mind; terrific X's and O's. I don't know enough about the game to tell you that is fact, but all of the knowledgeable people are in love with him and his upside. Supposed to be a great recruiter as well and with roger Powell as his sidekick they would do well with Illinois talent. He is a lot more unknown than our other "big" targets but I would take him in a heartbeat just from what I hear.
Ransom Stoddard
Ordained Dudeist Priest
- Bloomington, IL
Seems like we are being invaded by UVA posters trying to disparage their CTB.:suspicious:
^^^:thumb:
I picked a heck of a week to go on vacation. Was monitoring Twitter for updates all week. The only coaches I'm interested in are Bennett and Miller. For me, everyone else is a step down big time. I have no desire for Bryce Drew, that would be disappointing to me. What has he done? Certainly isn't work 3 mill plus. Keatts does nothing for me either. I'm starting to get a little worried about where we'll end up. Guess that's the problem with getting your hopes up on a few candidates.
mattcoldagelli
- The Transfer Portal with Do Not Contact Tag
I will say, people in/around CBB have been adamant that he is not going to NC State with a certainty that is rare when it comes to coaching change discussions.
illiniCA
- DC Area
I find this and the OSU rumor very interesting. I am wondering if the OSU thing has been lined up for awhile
I know. I just struggle to believe this. And if he really isn't going to NC State, I suspect that he's waiting for Ohio State or possibly Indiana.
FeelTheLovie
- Louisville, KY
+1 following this thread in between trips to disney world is quite the challenge. I will say though, I've seen as much Illinois gear in the parks as I have any other school, so that's been a pleasant surprise. Can we remember that Bryce Drew OWNED the horizon league though? He knows how to coach. Not my first choice either, but if Tony, Gregg, and Archie send us packing then I don't think he's a bad choice in the slightest. Seems unlikely to run out on a contract in year two anyways, so I wouldn't worry too much about him coaching at Illinois.
We all know the negatives on Marshall - East Coast guy, supposed to be the heir apparent at UNC, already makes a ton of money and they have the resources to match offers BUT what if he is tired of outfoxing the coaches in the MVC and wants to make a move? Is Roy Williams close to retiring? It doesn't seem so. Is Marshall pissed at winning 30 games and getting a 10 seed? I'm not saying it is likely, or even a "good" chance, but is there a chance? I think so
mattcoldagelli
- The Transfer Portal with Do Not Contact Tag
If you're looking for the hot takes of the guy who declared Groce to not even be on the hot seat two weeks ago, here they are.
Much like with Bennett, it depends what you mean. Does he get 5* that wow you with athleticism? No. Does he get really good players that fit his system and win a lot of games? Yes
Well, you may be disappointed then. Most of us would love Bennett or Miller (a couple days ago I would have said all of us), but those guys are tough to get. Lateral moves do not happen every day (Bennet) and it's not clear if Miller is waiting for a top 10 job. The standard hire for a school like Illinois is to hire a high achiever at the mid/low-major level. That's Keatts. He is by most measures the best candidate, or at least the most accomplished candidate, of that type. Bryce Drew has done that also and enhanced his resume with a good showing in one year at Vandy. Either of those hires would be great.
Out of curiosity, how do you know Gregg Marshall?
FeelTheLovie
- Louisville, KY
So, essentially, he's a blue collar coach and we're a white collar program
eace:There is always going to be concern with recruiting Chicago. The rumor was that Shaka was even concerned about it.
Well, you seemed pretty definitive so I thought you knew him. I've heard the same, but I've also heard that is negative recruiting and he is just an intense, no bs guy.
So now we have people that wouldn't be happy with Bennett or with Marshall. Ok. Sometimes I think there are people in the fanbase more focused on getting the shiny, new thing out of Chicago than actually winning basketball games
It's a valid concern. Unfortunately people are jumping down your throat for it. I think after we had the recruiter that couldn't coach, people are desperate for coaching, when in reality we need both. Archie does check a lot of the boxes.
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