College Basketball 2009-10

[illiniguy]

 

I guess my point is that Illinois, with all of its resources, should be one of those schools that's always in the top 10-15 or so unless it's a true rebuilding year. If not in basketball then in football. I think you guys should work up the fan base into such an irrational lather that you'll end up with the big splashy hire that'll bring in the sick recruiting classes.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._states_and_territories_by_population

 

Look at the top 10. Besides NY, which has a very fragmented state university system, Illinois is the only one that doesn't field a powerhouse football and/or basketball program (and never has really). There's something wrong with that.

 

There's a much stronger advantage in basketball than football though. Their football program doesn't have the tradition and the in-state talent level is higher comparatively in basketball than football.

Our football program has 5 National Titles and according to ESPN the number 1 player of all time(Grange) and another top 5 guy(Butkus).

[NCCubFan]

Here are the first round games for the IMPORTANT tournaments:

 

CBI:

Indiana State @ St. Louis

Green Bay @ Akron

Virginia Commonwealth @ George Washington

Charleston @ Eastern Kentucky

Boston University @ Oregon State

Colorado State @ Morehead State

IUPUI @ Hofstra

Duquesne @ Princeton

 

College Insider:

South Dakota @ Creighton

Fairfield @ George Mason

Western Carolina @ Marshall

Pacific @ Loyola Marymount

Middle Tennessee State @ Missouri State

Harvard @ Appalachian State

Portland @ Northern Colorado

Southern Mississippi @ Louisiana Tech

 

I'm guessing a few teams rejected invites, cause there are better teams that didn't make the NIT than that.

There's no representation from the power conferences in either of these tournaments. Perhaps they just assume that teams from those conferences wouldn't be interested in a third-rate or fourth-rate tournament.

[chuckywang]

Here are the first round games for the IMPORTANT tournaments:

 

CBI:

Indiana State @ St. Louis

Green Bay @ Akron

Virginia Commonwealth @ George Washington

Charleston @ Eastern Kentucky

Boston University @ Oregon State

Colorado State @ Morehead State

IUPUI @ Hofstra

Duquesne @ Princeton

 

College Insider:

South Dakota @ Creighton

Fairfield @ George Mason

Western Carolina @ Marshall

Pacific @ Loyola Marymount

Middle Tennessee State @ Missouri State

Harvard @ Appalachian State

Portland @ Northern Colorado

Southern Mississippi @ Louisiana Tech

 

I'm guessing a few teams rejected invites, cause there are better teams that didn't make the NIT than that.

There's no representation from the power conferences in either of these tournaments. Perhaps they just assume that teams from those conferences wouldn't be interested in a third-rate or fourth-rate tournament.

No love for Oregon State?

[NeifiIsMyHomeBoy]

 

Well I have my questions about Weber's coaching ability. But the recruiting thing is still a huge issue. I don't follow this stuff, especially when it comes to Illinois, nearly as much as you guys but my very subjective opinion is that it really shouldn't be that hard to pull in top 10 classes to Illinois.

 

Is there anything stopping Illinois from throwing gobs of money at Jamie Dixon or whoever? I really do think if you find your Thad Matta you'd see Illinois rule the Big 10. It's a huge state with no real in state competitor.

 

Here is why Illinois is hard to recruit to:

1) The CPL has never been friendly to us, especially after the Jimmy Collins fiasco. You've got to pay if you want the players.

2) Illinois cannot afford to get it's hands dirty. There is a long history of violations, and the NCAA sees us in that light.

3) The school is in the middle of a corn field.

4) Because Illinois is such a great basketball state, we often find ourselves going up against the true heavy weights in college basketball for the top recruits. Coach K is from the Chicago area, Self is always present, Kentucky and Louisville both recruit the Chicago area well, and you still have the rest of the Big Ten trying to kick in the door to Chicago talent. Anytime a program like Illinois can win one of these battles it is huge, but it is about a once in a decade occurrence.

5) There is not much allegiance to the University of Illinois in the Chicago area. This changes a lot when you go down state, and is why you often see the top down state talent end up at Illinois. The one big exception I can think of is Livingston who committed to Duke.

 

I'm sure there are plenty of other reasons, but this is what I've got off of the top of my head.

[Smack]

 

I guess my point is that Illinois, with all of its resources, should be one of those schools that's always in the top 10-15 or so unless it's a true rebuilding year. If not in basketball then in football. I think you guys should work up the fan base into such an irrational lather that you'll end up with the big splashy hire that'll bring in the sick recruiting classes.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._states_and_territories_by_population

 

Look at the top 10. Besides NY, which has a very fragmented state university system, Illinois is the only one that doesn't field a powerhouse football and/or basketball program (and never has really). There's something wrong with that.

 

There's a much stronger advantage in basketball than football though. Their football program doesn't have the tradition and the in-state talent level is higher comparatively in basketball than football.

Our football program has 5 National Titles and according to ESPN the number 1 player of all time(Grange) and another top 5 guy(Butkus).

 

Oh, come on. Purdue basketball fans get ripped for claiming a Helms title and you're going to hang Illinois' hat on 5 football 'titles', the most recent being 60 years ago? With four of them between 1914 and 1927?

[illiniguy]

 

I guess my point is that Illinois, with all of its resources, should be one of those schools that's always in the top 10-15 or so unless it's a true rebuilding year. If not in basketball then in football. I think you guys should work up the fan base into such an irrational lather that you'll end up with the big splashy hire that'll bring in the sick recruiting classes.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._states_and_territories_by_population

 

Look at the top 10. Besides NY, which has a very fragmented state university system, Illinois is the only one that doesn't field a powerhouse football and/or basketball program (and never has really). There's something wrong with that.

 

There's a much stronger advantage in basketball than football though. Their football program doesn't have the tradition and the in-state talent level is higher comparatively in basketball than football.

Our football program has 5 National Titles and according to ESPN the number 1 player of all time(Grange) and another top 5 guy(Butkus).

 

Oh, come on. Purdue basketball fans get ripped for claiming a Helms title and you're going to hang Illinois' hat on 5 football 'titles', the most recent being 60 years ago? With four of them between 1914 and 1927?

No, he gets ripped for saying they are one of the best programs in the Big Ten. I am just saying we have a better tradition in football, not that it is better than the best of the Big Ten. See the difference? Oh and also we have a Helms title, but don't claim it.

[ELCABALLO45]

Not really excited to play Wofford.

 

They have the Southern Conference player of the year in Noah Dahlman, who I actually played against in summer league my junior and senior year when he was a 7th/8th grader. His brother Isaiah who goes to Michigan State tore us up the year's before so I figured he was going to be alright but I felt confident that I could hold my own against him. Oops.

[SouthSideRyan]

Wofford is better than all the 12s except for Cornell, and is probably about equal with half the 11s. That's a terrible draw for Wisconsin

[UMFan83]

Here are the first round games for the IMPORTANT tournaments:

 

CBI:

Indiana State @ St. Louis

Green Bay @ Akron

Virginia Commonwealth @ George Washington

Charleston @ Eastern Kentucky

Boston University @ Oregon State

Colorado State @ Morehead State

IUPUI @ Hofstra

Duquesne @ Princeton

 

College Insider:

South Dakota @ Creighton

Fairfield @ George Mason

Western Carolina @ Marshall

Pacific @ Loyola Marymount

Middle Tennessee State @ Missouri State

Harvard @ Appalachian State

Portland @ Northern Colorado

Southern Mississippi @ Louisiana Tech

 

I'm guessing a few teams rejected invites, cause there are better teams that didn't make the NIT than that.

There's no representation from the power conferences in either of these tournaments. Perhaps they just assume that teams from those conferences wouldn't be interested in a third-rate or fourth-rate tournament.

 

I think they do at least try to contact some of the power conference teams but most reject it. As they should. The larger programs gain nothing by going to a 3rd rate tourney. No fans will come, there is absolutely no press when you win (can anyone tell me who won the first two CBIs?). They are broadcast on something called HDNet. I mean the NIT is a crappy 2nd rate tournament too, but when Michigan is in it I semi-follow it and if they get to MSG I watch the semi's and final's.

 

I don't know if Michigan was actually gonna get invited, but it was reported in the local media that UM was going to turn down a bid to the CBI if they were offered one.

[ELCABALLO45]

Wofford is better than all the 12s except for Cornell, and is probably about equal with half the 11s. That's a terrible draw for Wisconsin

 

Agreed.

 

I was playing blackjack saturday night and I was talking with some of the players about the tourny (ok it was mostly just me talking) and I mentioned how much I liked Wofford in the 1st round even before I see the match up. Damnit.

[Jon]

Here are the first round games for the IMPORTANT tournaments:

 

CBI:

Indiana State @ St. Louis

Green Bay @ Akron

Virginia Commonwealth @ George Washington

Charleston @ Eastern Kentucky

Boston University @ Oregon State

Colorado State @ Morehead State

IUPUI @ Hofstra

Duquesne @ Princeton

 

College Insider:

South Dakota @ Creighton

Fairfield @ George Mason

Western Carolina @ Marshall

Pacific @ Loyola Marymount

Middle Tennessee State @ Missouri State

Harvard @ Appalachian State

Portland @ Northern Colorado

Southern Mississippi @ Louisiana Tech

 

I'm guessing a few teams rejected invites, cause there are better teams that didn't make the NIT than that.

There's no representation from the power conferences in either of these tournaments. Perhaps they just assume that teams from those conferences wouldn't be interested in a third-rate or fourth-rate tournament.

 

I think they do at least try to contact some of the power conference teams but most reject it. As they should. The larger programs gain nothing by going to a 3rd rate tourney. No fans will come, there is absolutely no press when you win (can anyone tell me who won the first two CBIs?). They are broadcast on something called HDNet. I mean the NIT is a crappy 2nd rate tournament too, but when Michigan is in it I semi-follow it and if they get to MSG I watch the semi's and final's.

 

I don't know if Michigan was actually gonna get invited, but it was reported in the local media that UM was going to turn down a bid to the CBI if they were offered one.

It's a $60k guarantee for a home game on the school's dime, so many schools will accept on the condition that they only play road games. And most bigger schools aren't going to want to do that.

[Irrelevant Dude]

Bilas really loves Cornell.

Not as much as the 'nard dog.

[gflore34]

The Illini didn't get in, I can live with that however, the NIT still presents an opportunity. If I were Bruce I'd look upon this chance to set up next season by looking at a lineup of Davis, Tisdale, Paul, Richardson and McCamey with Griffey being the first off the bench.

[illiniguy]

The Illini didn't get in, I can live with that however, the NIT still presents an opportunity. If I were Bruce I'd look upon this chance to set up next season by looking at a lineup of Davis, Tisdale, Paul, Richardson and McCamey with Griffey being the first off the bench.

Yeah Jordan, Cole, and Keller shouldn't play much.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Gus Johnson is doing the games in Buffalo!!!

 

And Mizzou is playing before 2 PM. I lead a tortured life.

 

Yeah, softball has another three-day tournament this weekend. Can't wait til I miss Mizzou's game because I'm watching Eastern Michigan and Northern Colorado play softball.

[Guest]

Gus Johnson is doing the games in Buffalo!!!

 

And Mizzou is playing before 2 PM. I lead a tortured life.

 

Yeah, softball has another three-day tournament this weekend. Can't wait til I miss Mizzou's game because I'm watching Eastern Michigan and Northern Colorado play softball.

 

I think I'm going to attempt to make it til 5 then run home and watch it on DVR. Turn my phone off, and try to make it through a couple hours at work without hearing about it or me checking on it. This plan will surely fail.

[SouthSideRyan]

Northwestern and Illinois both on ESPNU on Wednesday. NU at 6, Illinois at 8.

[Keener98]

Northwestern and Illinois both on ESPNU on Wednesday. NU at 6, Illinois at 8.

 

Illinois playing in a gym that holds 2200 people lol.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Gus Johnson is doing the games in Buffalo!!!

 

And Mizzou is playing before 2 PM. I lead a tortured life.

 

Yeah, softball has another three-day tournament this weekend. Can't wait til I miss Mizzou's game because I'm watching Eastern Michigan and Northern Colorado play softball.

 

I think I'm going to attempt to make it til 5 then run home and watch it on DVR. Turn my phone off, and try to make it through a couple hours at work without hearing about it or me checking on it. This plan will surely fail.

 

Yeah, I haven't decided what my plan is yet. I might DVR it and watch it if we win, because I know I won't be able to avoid hearing the score when I'm in a press box with 10 other people all wondering about the game.

[Exile on Waveland]

So you've got this coach universally regarded as an excellent coach; however, his recruiting is questionable. He then all of a sudden begins recruiting like gangbusters. FIRE HIM.

[gflore34]

So you've got this coach universally regarded as an excellent coach; however, his recruiting is questionable. He then all of a sudden begins recruiting like gangbusters. FIRE HIM.

 

If you're referring to Weber, I don't hold this view, with the talent he's going to have on hand next season, I firmly believe the Illini will be a top 16 seed. I do also believe he hasn't excuses should they miss the tournament again along with getting beat by the likes of Utah, Bradley and Georgia.

[Exile on Waveland]

I really didn't lay that on thick enough?

[SouthSideRyan]

I really didn't lay that on thick enough?

 

I figured you were talking about Iowa due to their stud '10 class along with Lickliter's coaching accumen

[hawkeyecub]

I really didn't lay that on thick enough?

 

I figured you were talking about Iowa due to their stud '10 class along with Lickliter's coaching accumen

 

That was what I thought at first although he isn't recruiting like gangbusters so it has to be Illinois. At any rate, the main reason for Lickliter being fired now is that Brommer (not a big loss) and Fuller (huge loss) were rumored to be transferring if Lick stayed. Gatens supposedly was going to leave if Fuller left which would've been the death knell.

[snoodmonger]

 

Well I have my questions about Weber's coaching ability. But the recruiting thing is still a huge issue. I don't follow this stuff, especially when it comes to Illinois, nearly as much as you guys but my very subjective opinion is that it really shouldn't be that hard to pull in top 10 classes to Illinois.

 

Is there anything stopping Illinois from throwing gobs of money at Jamie Dixon or whoever? I really do think if you find your Thad Matta you'd see Illinois rule the Big 10. It's a huge state with no real in state competitor.

 

Here is why Illinois is hard to recruit to:

1) The CPL has never been friendly to us, especially after the Jimmy Collins fiasco. You've got to pay if you want the players.

2) Illinois cannot afford to get it's hands dirty. There is a long history of violations, and the NCAA sees us in that light.

The pay to play garbage is such a cop-out. I'm eager to hear the Illini backpedaling once they do land a couple of CPL kids. Somehow, they'll be doing it the right way, I'm sure. Or they'll have gotten the kids who don't have their hands out.

 

But anyone who goes elsewhere was probably dirty and taking cash under the table.