illiniguy

Gurley made the observation throughout the night that Cornell was getting it from the refs.

That's insane.

You and Ron Santo both.

I find it more likely the play from Vinny wasn't designed properly. Hinrich isn't that stupid. No, imbs right. He's an idiot that looks like a hobbit. He smokes a ton of weed. He doesn't seem that cool.

I find it more likely the play from Vinny wasn't designed properly. Hinrich isn't that stupid. No, imbs right. He's an idiot that looks like a hobbit.

The last sentence is very very true. And it's manifesting itself as a big problem for UCLA right now. Don't you have a loaded class coming in again though? I thought your problem was just so many kids going pro early.

Yeah pretty much, although Weber's not stepping up for any other job. That depends a lot on how the next couple years play out. Bruce has been a head coach for 11 years coming into this year. During that time, he has 255 victories - 9th all time for the first 11 years of a coach's career. He also has a final four appearance, consecutive big 10 titles, two additional second place finishes in the big 10, and owns the highest winning percentage of any coach in big 10 history who has coached at least six seasons in the conference. So the foundation of the resume is pretty freaking solid. Let's say this team ends up doing reasonably well, but not spectacular. We'll get enough wins in the big 10 to get to the dance. The bottom of the conference is weak enough that we'll get there. I don't think we'll do much in the tournament unless: 1) paul & dj mature quickly, 2) dmac & davis start putting consistent effort forward throughout the game, 3) the overall defense improves. The expectations next year are going to be huge with the incoming class, a year of experience for DJ & Paul and the three senior anchors. If we were to get to final four or championship level, it is conceivable that Bruce would be in line at that point for a top five job if one opened up (UK, KU, UNC, UCLA, Duke). What works against Bruce is age. He's not going to be looked at as an up and coming coach that is using us as a stepping stone to greener pastures. However, I don't think it matters as I don't see any of those jobs opening up during the near future and I don't see any other program being enough of an upgrade over Illinois to get him to leave. I'd be much more concerned about someone hiring Howard away and hamstringing our recruiting efforts. It's great that Bruce latched onto him and is using his skills in recruiting, but he needs to start developing someone else, too, because Howard only has so long before he gets recruited elsewhere. howard is an illini grad, though, which is very important. He'll get a mid-major job offer within a few years he won't be able to turn down. That's a good thing I think though. let someone else pay him for on the job training.

Yes... that must have hurt. :) Not really, I don't mind the guy. he's done really well with talent. I just don't think he can get the talent it takes. I think that Jerrance can get that talent, but if he messes around trying to teach life lessons to super talented kids not even Jerrance is going to be able to convince those kids to come.

Yeah pretty much, although Weber's not stepping up for any other job. That depends a lot on how the next couple years play out. Bruce has been a head coach for 11 years coming into this year. During that time, he has 255 victories - 9th all time for the first 11 years of a coach's career. He also has a final four appearance, consecutive big 10 titles, two additional second place finishes in the big 10, and owns the highest winning percentage of any coach in big 10 history who has coached at least six seasons in the conference. So the foundation of the resume is pretty freaking solid. Let's say this team ends up doing reasonably well, but not spectacular. We'll get enough wins in the big 10 to get to the dance. The bottom of the conference is weak enough that we'll get there. I don't think we'll do much in the tournament unless: 1) paul & dj mature quickly, 2) dmac & davis start putting consistent effort forward throughout the game, 3) the overall defense improves. The expectations next year are going to be huge with the incoming class, a year of experience for DJ & Paul and the three senior anchors. If we were to get to final four or championship level, it is conceivable that Bruce would be in line at that point for a top five job if one opened up (UK, KU, UNC, UCLA, Duke). What works against Bruce is age. He's not going to be looked at as an up and coming coach that is using us as a stepping stone to greener pastures. However, I don't think it matters as I don't see any of those jobs opening up during the near future and I don't see any other program being enough of an upgrade over Illinois to get him to leave. I'd be much more concerned about someone hiring Howard away and hamstringing our recruiting efforts. It's great that Bruce latched onto him and is using his skills in recruiting, but he needs to start developing someone else, too, because Howard only has so long before he gets recruited elsewhere. Honestly though if we want Jerrance to be our coach someday, he's gonna have to go somewhere to run a program before he comes back. I am prepared for him to leave at some point, only to come back when Bruce is gone. I don't think that any of the top dogs would hire Weber because of the age and recruiting questions. Also he needs to at least be able to build a top 10 team on his own before any other school even kicks the tires on him. So you admit that the resume is worthy. (especially if we get to another final four next season) ;) Yes, but I see no way we get to a final four next year. Still won't have a true point guard. At this point I just want a tournament win.

Yeah pretty much, although Weber's not stepping up for any other job. That depends a lot on how the next couple years play out. Bruce has been a head coach for 11 years coming into this year. During that time, he has 255 victories - 9th all time for the first 11 years of a coach's career. He also has a final four appearance, consecutive big 10 titles, two additional second place finishes in the big 10, and owns the highest winning percentage of any coach in big 10 history who has coached at least six seasons in the conference. So the foundation of the resume is pretty freaking solid. Let's say this team ends up doing reasonably well, but not spectacular. We'll get enough wins in the big 10 to get to the dance. The bottom of the conference is weak enough that we'll get there. I don't think we'll do much in the tournament unless: 1) paul & dj mature quickly, 2) dmac & davis start putting consistent effort forward throughout the game, 3) the overall defense improves. The expectations next year are going to be huge with the incoming class, a year of experience for DJ & Paul and the three senior anchors. If we were to get to final four or championship level, it is conceivable that Bruce would be in line at that point for a top five job if one opened up (UK, KU, UNC, UCLA, Duke). What works against Bruce is age. He's not going to be looked at as an up and coming coach that is using us as a stepping stone to greener pastures. However, I don't think it matters as I don't see any of those jobs opening up during the near future and I don't see any other program being enough of an upgrade over Illinois to get him to leave. I'd be much more concerned about someone hiring Howard away and hamstringing our recruiting efforts. It's great that Bruce latched onto him and is using his skills in recruiting, but he needs to start developing someone else, too, because Howard only has so long before he gets recruited elsewhere. Honestly though if we want Jerrance to be our coach someday, he's gonna have to go somewhere to run a program before he comes back. I am prepared for him to leave at some point, only to come back when Bruce is gone. I don't think that any of the top dogs would hire Weber because of the age and recruiting questions. Also he needs to at least be able to build a top 10 team on his own before any other school even kicks the tires on him.

I think that it is more a reflection of the guy running the ship now more than anything. Had we hired Thad Matta or seomone like him, you still think that so many people would miss Self as much as we do now? It's a tough hypothetical. I know OSU fans aren't too happy right now with their performance the last 2 seasons. He's obviously done a better job with what he was given than Weber has. I like Matta more than Weber, but it's not like he was any more proven than Weber at the time of the hire. Yeah could be, but I just think that anyone who has talked to Weber should have known that he would have a really hard time recruiting at a high level. And this has nothing to do with his voice, more so it just doesn't seem like he can relate at all to young kids. Maybe we would have just lost Matta to Kentucky had we hired him, but the last few years we would have had a lot more talent than we actually got.

The big ten network had Jim Jackson doing the game so it seemed they didn't know what to make of it. I wish they would have had Kendall doing the game as he seems to still kinda be in touch with the program and could have given more insight. It almost seemed like JJ was confused by it, he mentioned thinking maybe Weber was trying to send a message to DMac like Izzo did with Lucas.

Yeah pretty much, although Weber's not stepping up for any other job.

Seriously name the guys right now who you would rather have running Penn State if you could take anyone you wanted. And we have always been one of the top programs in America, why wouldn't we have a top flight coach as well? I meant I didn't know if you were being sarcastic or not. Of course I'd rather have Self than Ed Dechelis. As for "top programs", sure, Illinois is probably in the top 20. But Kansas, Kentucky, Duke and North Carolina are more or less the "Final Four" of top BBall programs right now (and even then Roy Williams bailed on one for another). If you don't think Kansas is a step up from Illinois, I don't know what to tell you I do think they are, sure we might not be able to keep Bill, but we could have picked a lot better guy to replace him.

I think that it is more a reflection of the guy running the ship now more than anything. Had we hired Thad Matta or seomone like him, you still think that so many people would miss Self as much as we do now?

Seriously name the guys right now who you would rather have running Penn State if you could take anyone you wanted. And we have always been one of the top programs in America, why wouldn't we have a top flight coach as well?

If that's all he's doing fine, but he taught DMac his entire frosh year when he should have been playing. I also agree with Sulley that Richmond isn't gonna take well to sititng. Also to whomever said that Dee or Deron could have transferred, Dee wanted to and Self talked him out of it. They didn't like Weber at all his first year. There's a reason why he felt like he had to do a mock funeral for Self. How'd the whole Dee and Deron thing work out? Christ your Self obsession is embarrassing. Good old St. Bill kept Dee in Champaign. GMAFB It worked out well for us, it would have worked out better for us had Self stayed. You know, since he's probably the best coach in America.

what the [expletive]? you're right - he's not the devil. He's actually a Purdue spy sent in to sabotage the Illinois basketball program. Just ask IG. Actually he's the best coach ever just ask Tim. I mean heck if we are gonna put words is people's mouths.

If that's all he's doing fine, but he taught DMac his entire frosh year when he should have been playing. I also agree with Sulley that Richmond isn't gonna take well to sititng. Also to whomever said that Dee or Deron could have transferred, Dee wanted to and Self talked him out of it. They didn't like Weber at all his first year. There's a reason why he felt like he had to do a mock funeral for Self.

Not for almost an entire year. He had to hold a fake funeral. I'm done here. It's beyond ridiculous. here - Bruce is the devil incarnate that is out to purposefully ruin the life of his prize recruits. No you're right Deron and Dee loved Bruce from day one. I already said you're right. He is truly trying to ruin the guys he's been recruiting for years. He's definately doing a great job. I expect us to kick some butt in the NIT this year.

Not for almost an entire year. He had to hold a fake funeral. I'm done here. It's beyond ridiculous. here - Bruce is the devil incarnate that is out to purposefully ruin the life of his prize recruits. No you're right Deron and Dee loved Bruce from day one. I hope you do realize too that the super elite guards, Wayne Blackshear types, are never going to come play for a guy that sits a stud so Jeff Jordan can get minutes. It just isn't going to happen.

I'm glad to see him playing Griffey more. He's gonna be a good player. I didn't realize Paul was hurt. If that's the case that's understandable.

Not for almost an entire year. He had to hold a fake funeral.

bruce is getting real good at teaching life lessons, notsomuch at coaching basketball. he needs to remember who his big recruits are and play them or risk losing any in the future. Yeah, gave Jordan a big hug when he subbed out. Didn't even talk to Paul. One is a top40 player in his class and a future pro. The other is an awful basketball player. Of course Bruce is tight with the crappy one. oh, good lord. still, i'm wondering why paul gets pulled whenever he takes the ball to the hole and doesn't finish and keller never ever ever passes and stays in. maybe weber is just more comfortable coaching lousy players with grit. Especially the last one he got yanked for. There was no time left on the shot clock. He had to do something with the ball.

How bad would Ames high school beat Iowa this year?