College Basketball 2011-2012

[illiniguy]

It's not like Ohio was awful when he took over or he really built something though. The 4 years prior to Groce they won 21, 19, 19 and 20 games with an NCAA trip. Groce won 15, 22, 19 and now 29 this year with 2 NCAA trips.

 

It's a crap shoot, but it's one Illinois has to take if they can't lure any big names in. And the difference between Groce and Semi-Famous Mid-Major Coach is probably not that large.

Nope, they are all Lickliters, except Fran. Bout right haweyecub?

[illiniguy]

I'll support Groce, I'm just very disappointed at how the search played out. I don't fault Smart or Stevens for wanting to stay in their respective locales, however this was an opportunity for Mike Thomas to redefine the Illinois program for the next 15-20 years. He even said that he needed to make a home run hire and he failed to get it done. We've been turned down by everyone, we look like crap and we're the best job available. It's absolutely pathetic.

I don't know why anyone thought Stevens was coming. He wasn't going to, he won't leave Butler unless its for IU. Smart hurt, the other guys who said no I am not sweating.

 

What pisses me off the most is that we're going to hire a guy based off two tournament wins. That's not to say he won't be a good coach, but I'd like to see more consideration of names like Marshall and Mack.

I read his name as a coach that was on the fast track before the tourny even started.

[hawkeyecub]

It's not like Ohio was awful when he took over or he really built something though. The 4 years prior to Groce they won 21, 19, 19 and 20 games with an NCAA trip. Groce won 15, 22, 19 and now 29 this year with 2 NCAA trips.

 

It's a crap shoot, but it's one Illinois has to take if they can't lure any big names in. And the difference between Groce and Semi-Famous Mid-Major Coach is probably not that large.

Nope, they are all Lickliters, except Fran. Bout right haweyecub?

 

I have no idea what this is supposed to mean.

[illiniguy]

It's not like Ohio was awful when he took over or he really built something though. The 4 years prior to Groce they won 21, 19, 19 and 20 games with an NCAA trip. Groce won 15, 22, 19 and now 29 this year with 2 NCAA trips.

 

It's a crap shoot, but it's one Illinois has to take if they can't lure any big names in. And the difference between Groce and Semi-Famous Mid-Major Coach is probably not that large.

Nope, they are all Lickliters, except Fran. Bout right haweyecub?

 

I have no idea what this is supposed to mean.

You are hating on Groce a ton. There's a pretty good chance he's gonna be successful. He has a good roster returning and he's a very good recruiter. if he keeps Jerrance on staff I think he will do very well.

[hawkeyecub]

It's not like Ohio was awful when he took over or he really built something though. The 4 years prior to Groce they won 21, 19, 19 and 20 games with an NCAA trip. Groce won 15, 22, 19 and now 29 this year with 2 NCAA trips.

 

It's a crap shoot, but it's one Illinois has to take if they can't lure any big names in. And the difference between Groce and Semi-Famous Mid-Major Coach is probably not that large.

Nope, they are all Lickliters, except Fran. Bout right haweyecub?

 

Are you trying to say I think all mid-major coaches are like Lickliter? I have no idea where you would possibly be getting that from.

[illiniguy]

It's not like Ohio was awful when he took over or he really built something though. The 4 years prior to Groce they won 21, 19, 19 and 20 games with an NCAA trip. Groce won 15, 22, 19 and now 29 this year with 2 NCAA trips.

 

It's a crap shoot, but it's one Illinois has to take if they can't lure any big names in. And the difference between Groce and Semi-Famous Mid-Major Coach is probably not that large.

Nope, they are all Lickliters, except Fran. Bout right haweyecub?

 

Are you trying to say I think all mid-major coaches are like Lickliter? I have no idea where you would possibly be getting that from.

Sorry he's a Turner Gill, better?

[abuck1220]

whenever something goes bad for illinois' program he just randomly lashes out at anyone in his path like a maniac. this must be your first day in this thread.

[illiniguy]

whenever something goes bad for illinois' program he just randomly lashes out at anyone in his path like a maniac. this must be your first day in this thread.

I don't think this went all that badly, if we get Groce. He kept dropping awful names in respect to Groce. Gill and Lickliter. Both of those guys never showed the ability to recruit. Groce has. I like the hire, if we do in fact hire him.

[illiniguy]

It's not like Ohio was awful when he took over or he really built something though. The 4 years prior to Groce they won 21, 19, 19 and 20 games with an NCAA trip. Groce won 15, 22, 19 and now 29 this year with 2 NCAA trips.

 

It's a crap shoot, but it's one Illinois has to take if they can't lure any big names in. And the difference between Groce and Semi-Famous Mid-Major Coach is probably not that large.

Nope, they are all Lickliters, except Fran. Bout right haweyecub?

 

Are you trying to say I think all mid-major coaches are like Lickliter? I have no idea where you would possibly be getting that from.

Sorry you said Turner Gill. manbearcub called him Todd Lickliter. My bad.

[hawkeyecub]

It's not like Ohio was awful when he took over or he really built something though. The 4 years prior to Groce they won 21, 19, 19 and 20 games with an NCAA trip. Groce won 15, 22, 19 and now 29 this year with 2 NCAA trips.

 

It's a crap shoot, but it's one Illinois has to take if they can't lure any big names in. And the difference between Groce and Semi-Famous Mid-Major Coach is probably not that large.

Nope, they are all Lickliters, except Fran. Bout right haweyecub?

 

I have no idea what this is supposed to mean.

You are hating on Groce a ton. There's a pretty good chance he's gonna be successful. He has a good roster returning and he's a very good recruiter. if he keeps Jerrance on staff I think he will do very well.

 

"Hating on him a ton"? Really?

 

Illinois is a supposed top 10-15 program that was willing to pay $2M+ per year. It looks like they're going to hire a guy who wasn't considered by anyone 2.5 weeks ago because he beat Michigan and South Florida. They were consistently top division in the MAC and averaged 20 wins per the 5 years before he got there. He's finished 9th, 9th, 5th and 3rd and has a 34-30 record. And the great recruiter stuff is based on getting guys to go with Matta to OSU. Like that's been a problem since he left.

 

Nobody knows what he'll do. But he's the kind of guy I would have expected Nebraska to offer $1.5M for. Not Illinois when they're willing to pay big.

[hawkeyecub]

whenever something goes bad for illinois' program he just randomly lashes out at anyone in his path like a maniac. this must be your first day in this thread.

I don't think this went all that badly, if we get Groce. He kept dropping awful names in respect to Groce. Gill and Lickliter. Both of those guys never showed the ability to recruit. Groce has. I like the hire, if we do in fact hire him.

 

Turner Gill was supposedly a good recruiter while at Nebraska. He had moderate success in the MAC.

[illiniguy]

 

"Hating on him a ton"? Really?

 

Illinois is a supposed top 10-15 program that was willing to pay $2M+ per year. It looks like they're going to hire a guy who wasn't considered by anyone 2.5 weeks ago because he beat Michigan and South Florida. They were consistently top division in the MAC and averaged 20 wins per the 5 years before he got there. He's finished 9th, 9th, 5th and 3rd and has a 34-30 record. And the great recruiter stuff is based on getting guys to go with Matta to OSU. Like that's been a problem since he left.

 

Nobody knows what he'll do. But he's the kind of guy I would have expected Nebraska to offer $1.5M for. Not Illinois when they're willing to pay big.

We went after the two big names, they said no. Not sure what else we could really do. I'd rather have a younger guy with experience than go the Reggie Theus or Chris Collins route. I've read a lot of good things about Groce. On one of the Ohio State boards they were talking about him eventually being the guy they'd like to replace Thad. (Not sure where they think he's going?) It's not a homerun hire, but I sitll think it's a pretty solid gamble.

[illiniguy]

whenever something goes bad for illinois' program he just randomly lashes out at anyone in his path like a maniac. this must be your first day in this thread.

I don't think this went all that badly, if we get Groce. He kept dropping awful names in respect to Groce. Gill and Lickliter. Both of those guys never showed the ability to recruit. Groce has. I like the hire, if we do in fact hire him.

 

Turner Gill was supposedly a good recruiter while at Nebraska. He had moderate success in the MAC.

Ok say they are even, I don't think they are, but going to KU for football is a lot harder than going to Illinois for basketball. Kansas has no recruiting base at all in football Illinois has a pretty solid one established. I think there is a lot better chance for success here.

[XZero771679666304]

We could do a lot worse than Groce. We could do better, but it would hardly be a hire to freak out over. Most rave about him as a recruiter (iirc, Rivals named him "Recruiter of the Year" once) and he's not half bad as an X's & O's coach. If he has staff members around him who have Chicago connections, he could really be a sleeper.

[XZero771679666304]

whenever something goes bad for illinois' program he just randomly lashes out at anyone in his path like a maniac. this must be your first day in this thread.

I don't think this went all that badly, if we get Groce. He kept dropping awful names in respect to Groce. Gill and Lickliter. Both of those guys never showed the ability to recruit. Groce has. I like the hire, if we do in fact hire him.

 

Turner Gill was supposedly a good recruiter while at Nebraska. He had moderate success in the MAC.

Ok say they are even, I don't think they are, but going to KU for football is a lot harder than going to Illinois for basketball. Kansas has no recruiting base at all in football Illinois has a pretty solid one established. I think there is a lot better chance for success here.

 

Illinois BB's rep isn't exactly at its zenith, but it's far more attractive than KU football, that's for sure.

[Magnetic Curses]

I was fine with beckman, as football is a novelty at illinois, but groce is a beckman type hire. MT hasn't hired him yet so he gets the benefit of the doubt.

[XZero771679666304]

I keep thinking Martin should be a target, but the fact that he's a frothing lunatic makes me wary.

 

I'm having a hard time thinking of remaining candidates who really stand out.

[snoodmonger]

Clearly.

 

 

In news that I alone appear to be interested in, sources in Columbia say that Frank Martin is gone to South Carolina as soon as his contract gets approved.

 

 

And the quality of the coaching in the Big 12 declines even more.

 

Self, Huggins, the Mayor and Kruger are all above average or better.

 

Barnes and Drew are awful, but they get great players.

 

Ford is bad. I have no idea who or what coaches TCU. Gillespie is overrated, imo.

[PosterToBeNamedLater]

I'll support Groce, I'm just very disappointed at how the search played out. I don't fault Smart or Stevens for wanting to stay in their respective locales, however this was an opportunity for Mike Thomas to redefine the Illinois program for the next 15-20 years. He even said that he needed to make a home run hire and he failed to get it done. We've been turned down by everyone, we look like crap and we're the best job available. It's absolutely pathetic.

I don't know why anyone thought Stevens was coming. He wasn't going to, he won't leave Butler unless its for IU. Smart hurt, the other guys who said no I am not sweating.

 

What pisses me off the most is that we're going to hire a guy based off two tournament wins. That's not to say he won't be a good coach, but I'd like to see more consideration of names like Marshall and Mack.

 

True, but that seems how most mid-major coaches become hot names. Like I said earlier, if VCU misses the tourney last year, we may not care at all about Shaka. I kept reminding myself that he may not be the best hire since we are basing everything off of getting to the final four, but I was still really hoping he would say yes. I think I mainly was excited about his personality and how the team seemed to play unafraid--as opposed to how Illinois always seemed to play not to lose the past few years.

 

What if Groce stays at Ohio and they return the whole team and become a fringe Top-25 team next year (not sure if that is possible, but if they get off to a good start voters might be inclined to give them the benefit of the doubt for their success this year) or win a game or two in the tourney? Then he will be a really hot candidate that schools hope he says yes to.

[abuck1220]

Clearly.

 

 

In news that I alone appear to be interested in, sources in Columbia say that Frank Martin is gone to South Carolina as soon as his contract gets approved.

 

 

And the quality of the coaching in the Big 12 declines even more.

 

Self, Huggins, the Mayor and Kruger are all above average or better.

 

Barnes and Drew are awful, but they get great players.

 

Ford is bad. I have no idea who or what coaches TCU. Gillespie is overrated, imo.

 

can't believe anyone would mention hoiberg with those other names...he's come a long way since his hiring was mocked by some people.

[illiniguy]

Clearly.

 

 

In news that I alone appear to be interested in, sources in Columbia say that Frank Martin is gone to South Carolina as soon as his contract gets approved.

 

 

And the quality of the coaching in the Big 12 declines even more.

 

Self, Huggins, the Mayor and Kruger are all above average or better.

 

Barnes and Drew are awful, but they get great players.

 

Ford is bad. I have no idea who or what coaches TCU. Gillespie is overrated, imo.

 

can't believe anyone would mention hoiberg with those other names...he's come a long way since his hiring was mocked by some people.

I think most mocking was just that he had never coached before. Ballsy hire that paid off, so far.

[Vanilla Ice]

Groce is a big user of Pomeroy, right?

[PosterToBeNamedLater]

Groce is a big user of Pomeroy, right?

 

"Groce was also an early believer in analytics and tempo-free statistics. Egelhoff jokes that Groce was into Ken Pomeroy’s Web site “before KenPom was KenPom.”

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/23/sports/ncaabasketball/rise-of-ohio-coach-groce-fueled-by-drive-and-coffee.html?pagewanted=all

[Magnetic Curses]

this is pretty sickening. i watched, and even rooted for kansas yesterday. we have a long way to go to get back to where we were.

 

now, we are reduced to hiring groce, guys like him are a dime a dozen, i'd much rather go after mack or drew. doesn't seem like we're interested in hiring anything more than a one-hit wonder. even beckman had two really good years in the mac and is 14-2 in conference the last 2 years. ohio hasn't even sniffed the regular season title in a one-bid league.

 

i have little doubt that he's a good coach, but there will be no buzz surrounding his name, which will most likely cause him to have a huge uphill battle in terms of recruiting. since his name is not known, he's going to have to start the whole thing over. he'll already be in the hole the moment he sets foot on campus. we're looking at years here to potentially get things rolling again, as opposed to smart or stevens, who are celebrities.

 

this is all assuming jerrance howard returns, if he doesn't, good luck getting anything besides 2-star talent out of ohio. recruiting in illinois will likely be an even worse scenario than weber had when he took over.

[SouthSideRyan]

Everything about that post is terrible.