Buehrle>Wood Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 The Top 3: 1. Shaka Smart- The man, the myth, the legend. 2. Reggie Theus- See my previous post. The real home run here, and still leaves you with a great chance at Jabari. 3. Brad Stevens- This might be his only chance to coach at a capable Big Ten program for a long time. The others: - Buzz Williams, Marquette: Has done a nice job at Marquette, but I feel like he's far from a home run. - Frank Martin, Kansas State: He sure is intense. - Greg Marshall, WSU: Don't know if Illinois would go the MVC route again. - Chris Collins, Duke: Duke assistants haven't really done well for themselves. - Anthony Grant, Alabama: He hasn't done well enough at Alabama to deserve consideration. The long-shots to crazy - Mick Cronin, Cincinnati: Doesn't get along with Mike Thomas, apparently. Not sure he would excite many anyways. - Randy Bennett, St. Mary's: Career left coast guy doesn't really fit here. - Sean Miller, Arizona: Is your wife still allergic to desert air? - Scott Drew- Baylor: I think he may be a little ethically-challenged. - Lon Kruger, Oklahoma: Would be a nice choice for a return trip to Champaign. - Billy Donovan, Florida: Speaking of coaches Illinois has stolen from Florida. - Jerrance Howard, Illinois: I'm sure people will call for him if Illinois were to miraculously win the NIT. Just no though. - Bill Self, Kansas: Will inevitably be a free man after Kansas loses to a 15 seed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heads22 Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 I think you're undervaluing Buzz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dasox24 Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 (edited) Bruce Pearl Seriously, though, this is a big opportunity for Illinois. Gotta get the right guy. There should be plenty to choose from. Edited March 9, 2012 by dasox24 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenksismyhero Posted March 9, 2012 Author Share Posted March 9, 2012 (edited) QUOTE (Buehrle>Wood @ Mar 9, 2012 -> 02:25 PM) The Top 3: 1. Shaka Smart- The man, the myth, the legend. 2. Reggie Theus- See my previous post. The real home run here, and still leaves you with a great chance at Jabari. 3. Brad Stevens- This might be his only chance to coach at a capable Big Ten program for a long time. The others: - Buzz Williams, Marquette: Has done a nice job at Marquette, but I feel like he's far from a home run. - Frank Martin, Kansas State: He sure is intense. - Greg Marshall, WSU: Don't know if Illinois would go the MVC route again. - Chris Collins, Duke: Duke assistants haven't really done well for themselves. - Anthony Grant, Alabama: He hasn't done well enough at Alabama to deserve consideration. The long-shots to crazy - Mick Cronin, Cincinnati: Doesn't get along with Mike Thomas, apparently. Not sure he would excite many anyways. - Randy Bennett, St. Mary's: Career left coast guy doesn't really fit here. - Sean Miller, Arizona: Is your wife still allergic to desert air? - Scott Drew- Baylor: I think he may be a little ethically-challenged. - Lon Kruger, Oklahoma: Would be a nice choice for a return trip to Champaign. - Billy Donovan, Florida: Speaking of coaches Illinois has stolen from Florida. - Jerrance Howard, Illinois: I'm sure people will call for him if Illinois were to miraculously win the NIT. Just no though. - Bill Self, Kansas: Will inevitably be a free man after Kansas loses to a 15 seed. Someone on the Big Lead had a good comparison between Marshall and Smart and concluded that Marshall would be the best fit because of his system. Basically his argument was that Shaka's defensive philosophy is run all over the place and wreak havoc. However his defensive rebounding has been bad. Marshall on the other hand has been in the top 40 nationally the last few seasons in that category. So you gotta wonder if Smart's system will work in a Big Ten where the games are decided in the half court. I'd go 110% for Stevens. The guy beat powerhouse programs left and right the last two years with good but not great players. He's one of the better set play coaches out there. And he's clearly able to make in game adjustments. As you say, this is probably his one good shot at getting into a Big Ten school for a while (unless he wants to go to a program like Minnesota, Nebraska, etc....where recruiting will be difficult. But i'm confident that this has .0001% chance of happening because he's white and Thomas is going to feel pressured to bring in a minority coach. Edited March 9, 2012 by Jenksismybitch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 Lon Kruger needs to return to UT - Pan American #beyondpipedreams Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nitetrain8601 Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 Theus is the other most interesting name to me next to Anthony Grant. I'd absolutely love him. I also thought he did a great job with Sacramento given the talent level of those squads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigruss Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 I don't know much about Theus but he hasn't coached in what, 4 years? What really makes him so attractive, I mean he only had one good year at UNM and left, that doesn't scream confidence to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soxbadger Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 As a Wisconsin fan Im happy because I doubt that Illinois can attract a coach as good as Weber. I know that Illinois was once good and all that, but Illinois facilities are not on the same level as Wisconsin (Kohl Center 1998), OSU (Schott, 1998) or even MSU (Breslin, 1989) Illinois really needs to invest in its sports programs, because there really is no reason that Illinois shouldnt be a contender in both basketball and football. The school itself has made some stupid decisions, but youd still think they can overcome them with such a large population. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoodAsGould Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Mar 9, 2012 -> 04:16 PM) As a Wisconsin fan Im happy because I doubt that Illinois can attract a coach as good as Weber. I know that Illinois was once good and all that, but Illinois facilities are not on the same level as Wisconsin (Kohl Center 1998), OSU (Schott, 1998) or even MSU (Breslin, 1989) Illinois really needs to invest in its sports programs, because there really is no reason that Illinois shouldnt be a contender in both basketball and football. The school itself has made some stupid decisions, but youd still think they can overcome them with such a large population. Maybe their facilities aren't as nice but Illinois basketball wise is still a more attractive job than Wisconsin.... Weber isn't a bad coach it just wasn't working out and really given what he has done the past 3 years it's hard for the next coach not to be an upgrade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buehrle>Wood Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 Illinois' practice facility is top notch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soxbadger Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 Maybe their facilities aren't as nice but Illinois basketball wise is still a more attractive job than Wisconsin It really doesnt matter, Wisconsin doesnt have a job opening. But the next Illinois coach is going to have to beat Matta and Izzo for recruits, let alone Bo Ryan. Illinois needs to invest in their stadium. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenksismyhero Posted March 9, 2012 Author Share Posted March 9, 2012 QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Mar 9, 2012 -> 04:30 PM) It really doesnt matter, Wisconsin doesnt have a job opening. But the next Illinois coach is going to have to beat Matta and Izzo for recruits, let alone Bo Ryan. Illinois needs to invest in their stadium. The stadium is the exact same as it was 8 years ago when it was the best home court in the sport. The problem was the teams and players sucked/suck. I agree that some updating would be nice, but THE Assembly Hall is an iconic sports arena. What they really need to do is give the big middle finger to the big donors and move them up about 10 rows, drop the floor about 10 feet, and create a true bowl of orange krush fans all the way around the court. Yeah, the site lines might suck, but they're drunk kids jumping up and down, they won't care. It's so annoying watching a nationally televised game and you see 25 feet of empty space behind the announces and half of section A is empty. Count me OUT of they build something like Value City Arena, where it's all glitz and glamor but the atmosphere itself kinda stinks and there are empty seats everywhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soxbadger Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 You can have a brand new facility and be the best home court in the nation. The difference is how nice the facilities look. You hear this all the time with Wisconsin football, that some of their facilities arent as nice or new as Minnesota etc, and thats why some recruits go there. I could be wrong, but as Ive grown up Ive watched Illinois slip and other Big 10 schools gain (not just basketball but all areas). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buehrle>Wood Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Mar 9, 2012 -> 10:40 PM) The stadium is the exact same as it was 8 years ago when it was the best home court in the sport. The problem was the teams and players sucked/suck. I agree that some updating would be nice, but THE Assembly Hall is an iconic sports arena. What they really need to do is give the big middle finger to the big donors and move them up about 10 rows, drop the floor about 10 feet, and create a true bowl of orange krush fans all the way around the court. Yeah, the site lines might suck, but they're drunk kids jumping up and down, they won't care. It's so annoying watching a nationally televised game and you see 25 feet of empty space behind the announces and half of section A is empty. Count me OUT of they build something like Value City Arena, where it's all glitz and glamor but the atmosphere itself kinda stinks and there are empty seats everywhere. This is the only major problem with Assembly Hall. The seating arrangement is terrible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigruss Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 I HATE how many times the student section is told to sit because people sitting behind them cant see. Obviously you have to renovate the stadium to accommodate both. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soxfest Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 Glad he is gone, there was a reason he was a assistant coach 18 years. Nice guy and coach for a mid major program NOT a Big Ten program! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigruss Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 He shot himself in the foot here, but to say he couldn't coach in the Big Ten I think is a bit of an exaggeration. I don't care if they weren't his recruits, he did a hell of a job coaching during that championship game run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soxbadger Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 Weber was one of the better in game coaches in the Big 10. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buehrle>Wood Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 QUOTE (bigruss22 @ Mar 10, 2012 -> 12:01 AM) He shot himself in the foot here, but to say he couldn't coach in the Big Ten I think is a bit of an exaggeration. I don't care if they weren't his recruits, he did a hell of a job coaching during that championship game run. Yeah, that. People make that team to be way more talented than it was. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soxbadger Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 If I was Nebraska Id be calling Bruce Weber right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caulfield12 Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 (edited) There are a lot of analogies with Weber and Tom Davis, although Davis had a track record with Stanford and BC previously. Davis did very well with George Raveling's recruits (almost made the Final 4 and had a #1 ranking in the mid-80's) and then from that point on, the best he could do was usually getting to the NCAA's and losing in the 2nd round to an ACC superpower. Ultimately, it always comes down to recruiting, and when you have Chicago at your doorstep, you have to lock down those recruits. Ultimately, Tom Davis lost his job at Iowa because he couldn't keep Raef LaFrentz, Kirk Hinrich and Nick Collison in-state. In retrospect, be careful what you wish for...after Davis led them to the Sweet 16 his final year, there's been a grand total of one NCAA tourney win in the past 10+ years, over Creighton. Then following year, when some were picking them #1 in the country preseason, they totally collapsed with a 5-11 BIG 10 record. In their other two appearances, first round losses to Cincinnati and the devastating loss to Northwestern (LA) State in 2006 when they were up by 17 in the second half as the #3 seed. They hired too "glamour" choices in Steve Alford and Todd Lickliter had the former NCAA Coach of the Year record on his resume, but winning at Iowa is always going to be about recruiting, plain and simple. And they can't hire JUST a recruiter or they'll end up with another version of Ron Zook. Edited March 10, 2012 by caulfield12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soxbadger Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 Damn Izzo really stood up for Weber. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buehrle>Wood Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 ``I'm sick about it. I'm sick about it. And I'm sick about it -- and make sure you understand the reason why. They beat us early in January and I beat Ohio State, and so I have three problems. Bruce is a friend of mine. He's been here since the Gene Keady days. He's done it the right way. He doesn't cheat. He man's up to his own responsibilities. Incredible, incredible person. I've recruited against him and lost and I've recruited against him and won, and hasn't changed things. Number two, we have to understand that we blame kids for a lot of things. Kids have changed. Now we have administrators that are pulling the rug under ourselves in the middle of January when you're 16 and 6 or 7 or whatever it was, and we publicly talk about -- we'll make decisions at the end of the year. I don't know what you guys think of kids because they haven't changed much, but if there's one place they've changed, they're a little more fragile. Not as many two-parent homes. Not as good a school systems that are holding kids accountable and demanding. And so now we put that on those poor kids? And then we're surprised that they lose 9 out of 10? I don't know who's beaten me the worst, probably Bo, but second on that list -- and I'm canonized as something some of the time. I think it was ridiculous the way that thing was handled. And if I take abuse for that, I really don't care because I'm also the president of our association. This isn't about a friendship. This is about a profession. And whenever you're in an organization, whether it be yours, whether it be mine, or whether it be a business one, the only way you can be successful is if, top to bottom, from the president to the trainer, we're all on the same page, and that in five, six months you can determine something. I feel bad for the Illini nation because somebody's -- somebody pulled the rug out from under them. I feel bad for those players that have been there that, in my estimation, weren't given a fair chance back about the middle of January, whenever that famous statement was made. But if you look at that team from that statement, it went directly down. And I feel worse for Bruce because we lost a good soldier. And yeah, friendship is some of it, but it's not all of it. We lost a good coach. We got a coach that beat me and my team more often than not, and I just – I can't figure that out. I can't figure out how you guys allow it. You guys are always figuring out the negatives of things. I can't figure out how you guys allow it. And my wife and I shed a tear this morning over it, and it was half for Bruce and half for my profession. But unless there's things -- and I will publicly state this -- that I don't know, but when I heard those comments back in January, it made me sick and I said there's a problem. And so I hope the administrators that made those statements have a good game plan, but you guys lost a good guy, we lost a good guy, and I think -- I just hope he gets another job. And I'm going to do everything in my power to help him. And I guess that's all I'll say because I'll probably put my foot in my mouth because if it was HBO, we could get at it right now and I'd really be fired up about it, because I just think -- I can't believe -- I can't believe nobody's looked at when those comments were made and where that team went. I mean, this guy has won more games than anybody -- percentage than anybody that's been at the school. And he's done it the right way, and that's not easy to do. And it's not an easy job there. And when a big time recruit' s father, I think -- watch what I say here -- comes out and makes statements, I mean, you better have a good idea the guy you're dealing with. And I know this. I've known Bruce Weber since the day I was a grad assistant. There's not a classier, better guy -- and I don't want to just hear he's a nice guy -- better coach. He's had some things thrown at him, too, with injuries and guys leaving early and stuff like that. So I'm sad, more sad for my profession than I am for Bruce because he's a man. I've seen him in his press conference. He'll man-up and he'll get it done. So sorry I had to gun on a soapbox, but I'll leave it at that.'' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoxFan1 Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 Someone tell Tom Izzo to shut up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoxFan1 Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Mar 9, 2012 -> 08:26 PM) There are a lot of analogies with Weber and Tom Davis, although Davis had a track record with Stanford and BC previously. Davis did very well with George Raveling's recruits (almost made the Final 4 and had a #1 ranking in the mid-80's) and then from that point on, the best he could do was usually getting to the NCAA's and losing in the 2nd round to an ACC superpower. Ultimately, it always comes down to recruiting, and when you have Chicago at your doorstep, you have to lock down those recruits. Ultimately, Tom Davis lost his job at Iowa because he couldn't keep Raef LaFrentz, Kirk Hinrich and Nick Collison in-state. In retrospect, be careful what you wish for...after Davis led them to the Sweet 16 his final year, there's been a grand total of one NCAA tourney win in the past 10+ years, over Creighton. Then following year, when some were picking them #1 in the country preseason, they totally collapsed with a 5-11 BIG 10 record. In their other two appearances, first round losses to Cincinnati and the devastating loss to Northwestern (LA) State in 2006 when they were up by 17 in the second half as the #3 seed. They hired too "glamour" choices in Steve Alford and Todd Lickliter had the former NCAA Coach of the Year record on his resume, but winning at Iowa is always going to be about recruiting, plain and simple. And they can't hire JUST a recruiter or they'll end up with another version of Ron Zook. This is basketball. Talent will almost always win out. Get me the guy who can recruit the best players and I'll take my chances. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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