[Breal31]

J-Rod02, on 06 February 2012 - 09:40 AM, said:

Wow first place in the CAA. That's amazing?????

Why don't we go get Springfield Lanphier's Coach they are in first place in the Central State 8. Or how about Champaign Centenial they won the state tournament a couple years ago.

Yeah he was in the final four last year. That tells me nothing because Bruce made the Final Four with Self's players. If you guys keep thinking about small market coaches don't be upset when we continue to finish in the middle of the Big Ten

so you want to completely discount Shaka Smart because he is in the CAA ( which is actually a pretty good conference the last 5 years or so if you pay attention) yet you are telling me to hire Mark Few (that plays 90% of his games against Pepperdine, San Diego, and San Francisco of the WCC conference), and has never been past the Sweet 16 ever...right

Your logic with "small market" coaches is also laughable....how did those "small market" coaches who currently work for MSU, Ohio St, and WI work out for those schools at the moment??

[DKM]

Breal31, on 06 February 2012 - 08:58 AM, said:

Shaka Smart...final four last year and was supposed to be in a rebuilding year this year..Currently 20-5 , 9 game win streak and in first place in the CAA

What's the problem?

What's not to like indeed.

Talking about his late-Grandfather:

Quote

They bonded at Wrigley Field where Smart estimated on WMVP-AM he has seen "between 50 and 60,'' Cubs games, none more memorable than the day he caught a Ryne Sandberg foul ball. After summer ended, Smart's grandfather regularly sent him Chicago newspaper reports of Bulls and Bears games. When Smart got into coaching after a career at Division III Kenyon College, his grandpa started mailing him stories about Chicago-area prospects he should recruit.

Interesting blurb:

Quote

We found out how Smart, who is bi-racial, stood up for friends and himself against racism as a teenager in Oregon, Wis. We learned that he graduated magna cum laude and researched race-consciousness on the South Side of Chicago.

Another:

Quote

"But what is most impressive about Shaka is how he reads his guys and knows what they need,'' said DePaul coach Oliver Purnell, who Smart considers a mentor after working for him at Dayton and Clemson

This sounds like fun:

Quote

Smart's teams play a style of basketball known as "havoc." Smart described his "havoc" defensive philosophy during his introductory press conference as, "We are going to wreak havoc on our opponent's psyche and their plan of attack." On the court, the "havoc" defensive mindset is visible through the heavy use of the full court press and pressing after made baskets to disrupt opponents' timing of offensive sets. In his second season, VCU led the Colonial Athletic Association in steals. Offensively, Smart-coached teams play uptempo and push the ball after misses and makes with what Smart describes as "The freedom to make plays in the open court."

[J-Rod02]

Wow I'm glad he is Bi-Racial, went to Kenyon College, and likes the Cubs. I tell you what Jabari Parker will probably through himself at Shaka Smart.

[Breal31]

J-Rod02, on 06 February 2012 - 09:57 AM, said:

Wow I'm glad he is Bi-Racial, went to Kenyon College, and likes the Cubs. I tell you what Jabari Parker will probably through himself at Shaka Smart.

For sure, just like he will throw himself at Frank Martin. Or Jamie Dixon that runs pretty much the same ship as Weber does and doesn't recruit top notch players and can't get past the second round if his life depended on it.

[DKM]

J-Rod02, on 06 February 2012 - 09:57 AM, said:

Wow I'm glad he is Bi-Racial, went to Kenyon College, and likes the Cubs. I tell you what Jabari Parker will probably through himself at Shaka Smart.

You're absolutely right. All I posted is that he went to college, likes baseball and is a minority.

[chickengeorge]

Grapeape, on 06 February 2012 - 01:00 AM, said:

Give McClain an interim shot with Howard as his right hand man. I watched his teams in high school, all they did was press and break. At least this would be fun to watch, no more motion offense, and maybe we would even play the occasional zone

Not sold on McClain as head coach here.

[foo_g]

J-Rod02, on 06 February 2012 - 02:26 AM, said:

When McClain was at Peoria Manual he had one of the best high school teams of all time. That was the players who won those games. The only reason he is on the bench in Champaign is because he got Sergio to come here and convinced Marcus and Frankie to come here once they could get in to school.

Wouldn't he have good players to work with here?
I would think it would be easier to get high-level athletes to show up if you are playing an up-tempo style, as opposed to the garbage-ball we're playing now.

[foo_g]

Bardo

[kzimmer001]

foo_g, on 06 February 2012 - 11:16 AM, said:

Bardo

Bardo is too good as a broadcaster and I think he likes it.

[Cratchelow]

J-Rod02, on 06 February 2012 - 09:57 AM, said:

Wow I'm glad he is Bi-Racial, went to Kenyon College, and likes the Cubs. I tell you what Jabari Parker will probably through himself at Shaka Smart.

Great.FLillini has now managed to show up over here.Super.The "through" instead of "throw" is the dead giveaway.

[ChicagoFan]

He's a Cubs fan. I guess nobody's perfect. It's better than being a Twins or Tigers fan though.

[Big10Man]

J-Rod02, on 06 February 2012 - 09:57 AM, said:

Wow I'm glad he is Bi-Racial, went to Kenyon College, and likes the Cubs. I tell you what Jabari Parker will probably through himself at Shaka Smart.

None of us know that. Still, Jabari has always liked Illinois as a school, and, my gutt says that, if a different man were the face of the program, that Parker would look at us in a different light. Not saying he would come here, but I think Illinois's chances would be significantly improved. I think Smart's charisma as a person and his SOP as a coach would make Illinois very appealing to kids like Parker. Being able to play in that system for that man within a stone's throw from home? I would like to see Smart be given the opportunity to sell that!

The Parker's no doubt know about the coaching situation here. They know all about his future teammates. They know everything they need to know about the university and campus. They also know the same thing for all of the other schools who have offered him. Since he has an offer from every school he could possibly want, he is not waiting for a "better" offer like lots of kids. If Parker really wanted to go to Duke or Kentucky, why hasn't he verballed? My gutt says Illinois is still in the mix if the right coach is instilled. If Weber is retained, no chance.

[illnort]

Big10Man, on 06 February 2012 - 12:05 PM, said:

None of us know that. Still, Jabari has always liked Illinois as a school, and, my gutt says that, if a different man were the face of the program, that Parker would look at us in a different light. Not saying he would come here, but I think Illinois's chances would be significantly improved. I think Smart's charisma as a person and his SOP as a coach would make Illinois very appealing to kids like Parker. Being able to play in that system for that man within a stone's throw from home? I would like to see Smart be given the opportunity to sell that!

The Parker's no doubt know about the coaching situation here. They know all about his future teammates. They know everything they need to know about the university and campus. They also know the same thing for all of the other schools who have offered him. Since he has an offer from every school he could possibly want, he is not waiting for a "better" offer like lots of kids. If Parker really wanted to go to Duke or Kentucky, why hasn't he verballed? My gutt says Illinois is still in the mix if the right coach is instilled. If Weber is retained, no chance.

i totally agree, i think parker and alot of top recruits would love to play where they have a real chance at a national championship, and possible nba carreer, rather than play for the dreamkiller

[peetMOSS13]

chickengeorge, on 06 February 2012 - 10:10 AM, said:

Not sold on McClain as head coach here.

If Weber is ousted then you oust his whole staff too. The obvious exception being Jerrance Howard.

[J-Rod02]

Breal31, on 06 February 2012 - 09:59 AM, said:

For sure, just like he will throw himself at Frank Martin. Or Jamie Dixon that runs pretty much the same ship as Weber does and doesn't recruit top notch players and can't get past the second round if his life depended on it.

Ashton Gibbs and DeJuan Blair would never start for the Illini. Who has Smart recruited since you guys have named him the coach already. Eric Maynor and Larry Sanders were Grant's players not Smart.

I want to see Weber out more than anybody but don't rush in to another Weber situation with a coach who got on a streak in a no name conference, and that's what the CAA is.

Oh and Frank Martin beat the #1 team in the nation the past 2 years. The last time Weber did that was who... Wake in 05. But Martin is White and he looks angry so we shouldn't hire him.

[J-Rod02]

I'm being sarcastic too. Race shouldn't be an influence in the coaching choice at all. Black, White, Brown... Who cares.

[kzimmer001]

peetMOSS13, on 06 February 2012 - 12:32 PM, said:

If Weber is ousted then you oust his whole staff too. The obvious exception being Jerrance Howard.

+1

[shootthemessenger]

Shaka Smart would seem the no-brainer hire of the new century, most certainly an upgrade over Bruce Weber, that's for sure.

1) Young, enthusiastic and good communication skills with today's youth.
2) Very hot name on the college scene now with VCU's F4 run last year, and currently in 1st place (even though he graduated 4 seniors).
3) Has longtime connection with the Chicago area.
4) Has prior relationship with our current AD.
5) Plays an uptempo, all out pressing style that would be attractive to ATHLETES.

Shaka Smart should be Mike Thomas' TOP priority in replacing Weber, IMO. And Howard would be the only person I would retain from the current staff. Howard was recruited by former coach Lon Kruger, not Weber, so perhaps his allegiance will lie more with helping continue to build the UI as a power rather than departing alongside the rest of the staff.

Howard and Smart would form an especially formidable recruiting tandem in the City of Chicago.

[Cratchelow]

J-Rod02, on 06 February 2012 - 12:33 PM, said:

Ashton Gibbs and DeJuan Blair would never start for the Illini. Who has Smart recruited since you guys have named him the coach already. Eric Maynor and Larry Sanders were Grant's players not Smart.

I want to see Weber out more than anybody but don't rush in to another Weber situation with a coach who got on a streak in a no name conference, and that's what the CAA is.

Oh and Frank Martin beat the #1 team in the nation the past 2 years. The last time Weber did that was who... Wake in 05. But Martin is White and he looks angry so we shouldn't hire him.

"Oh and Frank Martin beat the #1 team in the nation the past 2 years. The last time Weber did that was who... Wake in 05. But Martin is White and he looks angry so we shouldn't hire him."

No,Frank Martin is a proven cheater,who worked under a proven cheater.Plus he is borderline insane.

[peetMOSS13]

Cratchelow, on 06 February 2012 - 01:06 PM, said:

"Oh and Frank Martin beat the #1 team in the nation the past 2 years. The last time Weber did that was who... Wake in 05. But Martin is White and he looks angry so we shouldn't hire him."

No,Frank Martin is a proven cheater,who worked under a proven cheater.Plus he is borderline insane.

Martin is Cuban.