Buehrle>Wood 613 Posted February 29, 2016 (edited) QUOTE (bigruss22 @ Feb 29, 2016 -> 08:53 AM) As much as I've lost faith in Groce, I think it's pretty clear that he is coming back next year. Getting Williams was a huge step though, there's still a chance he turns this around. Will Groce ever reach the potential we saw after his first year? Chances are real slim, but this at least gets us 1 step closer to being good again whether Groce survives or not. Don't mean to direct this at you specifically because unforunately I agree he's probably coming back. It's just the wrong decision. He's done so well at burying this program that a point guard ranked around 50ish who is the legacy child of a program legend from the schools biggest pipeline in Peoria is somehow a huge accomplishment. Groce success is now becoming the product of his own failure. I don't mean to sound like we shouldn't be excited for the player specifically or anything. Just that we should win that recruiting battle 95% of the time.l say that no matter who the coach is. Edited February 29, 2016 by Buehrle>Wood Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gatnom 11 Posted February 29, 2016 QUOTE (Buehrle>Wood @ Feb 29, 2016 -> 09:04 AM) Don't mean to direct this at you specifically because unforunately I agree he's probably coming back. It's just the wrong decision. He's done so well at burying this program that a point guard ranked around 50ish who is the legacy child of a program legend from the schools biggest pipeline in Peoria is somehow a huge accomplishment. Groce success is now becoming the product of his own failure. I don't mean to sound like we shouldn't be excited for the player specifically or anything. Just that we should win that recruiting battle 95% of the time.l no matter who the coach is. The good news is it looks like recruiting won't completely bottom out this year, so if Groce gets fired, hopefully there's enough talent still around for the next guy to build off. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RockRaines 58 Posted February 29, 2016 So THATS why the Minn players were suspended. Wow Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cabiness42 0 Posted February 29, 2016 So THATS why the Minn players were suspended. Wow So Louisville and Minnesota have sex scandals break in the same year. What two seemingly random and unconnected programs to have that happen to. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
illinilaw08 59 Posted February 29, 2016 QUOTE (Buehrle>Wood @ Feb 29, 2016 -> 10:04 AM) Don't mean to direct this at you specifically because unforunately I agree he's probably coming back. It's just the wrong decision. He's done so well at burying this program that a point guard ranked around 50ish who is the legacy child of a program legend from the schools biggest pipeline in Peoria is somehow a huge accomplishment. Groce success is now becoming the product of his own failure. I don't mean to sound like we shouldn't be excited for the player specifically or anything. Just that we should win that recruiting battle 95% of the time.l no matter who the coach is. Couple things here: 1) I'm uncomfortable with the idea of a great recruiting class in '17 - even a top 5 class nationally - saving Groce's job. Basically that gives Groce a free pass next season, because those kids won't even be on campus until the season after. 2) Frank Williams is a legacy recruit - in the sense that he played at Illinois. But he doesn't have any connections to the current staff, and my understanding is that Frank hasn't been very involved with the university since he left like 15 years ago. I mean, I'm not sure what Kansas thought of Damonte, but Frank has more connections to the Kansas staff than the current Illinois staff. So it's a little different than the Tim Finke recruitment in my mind. 3) Groce has had his share of failings here, and I'm definitely not sold on his coaching abilities, but if the answer to why Illinois is a bad basketball team is because Groce hasn't effectively recruited the PG position (ie, if Quentin Snider doesn't flip on signing day, this is a good basketball team), then he's solved that with Lucas and Williams in back-to-back classes. I'm not sure it's that simple, but between the injuries this year and the shored up PG recruiting, I can understand why Groce would get some additional time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Balta1701 2,899 Posted February 29, 2016 QUOTE (HickoryHuskers @ Feb 29, 2016 -> 10:56 AM) So Louisville and Minnesota have sex scandals break in the same year. What two seemingly random and unconnected programs to have that happen to. Can someone add a link? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LittleHurt05 324 Posted February 29, 2016 QUOTE (RockRaines @ Feb 29, 2016 -> 09:51 AM) So THATS why the Minn players were suspended. Wow It's pretty dumb to post that on social media if you are just a regular Joe Schmo college student. It's extra extra dumb if you are a B1G basketball player too. I know they did nothing illegal, but what good could possibly come from posting that?? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LittleHurt05 324 Posted February 29, 2016 QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Feb 29, 2016 -> 01:24 PM) Can someone add a link? http://deadspin.com/minnesota-suspends-thr...ex-t-1761925904 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cabiness42 0 Posted March 2, 2016 This could end up being quite a year for the state. IU is BIG champs. Purdue and ND are locks to make the tournament. Butler should get in. Valpo will be an overwhelming favorite to win their conference's autobid. Evansville, Ball State and IPFW will all be 1 or 2 seeds in their tournaments. Outside shot at 8 teams in this year. Evansville clearly the least likely to make it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LittleHurt05 324 Posted March 3, 2016 QUOTE (farmteam @ Mar 1, 2016 -> 10:35 PM) BIG TEN CHAMPS! So that's good news for the rest of the Big Ten, right? Crean can't get fired for a few years now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
farmteam 0 Posted March 3, 2016 QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Mar 2, 2016 -> 07:30 PM) So that's good news for the rest of the Big Ten, right? Crean can't get fired for a few years now. I was generally non-plussed by Crean the past few years. Lived up to his "great recruiter, poor coach" stereotype. But this year, he's really coached. Definitely the best coaching job he's done at IU, possibly of his career. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zenryan 10 Posted March 3, 2016 Miami really starting to peak right now. But just like about a dozen other teams, they can make a Final Four run or flame out in the first weekend. Should be an entertaining ride atleast. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RockRaines 58 Posted March 3, 2016 QUOTE (farmteam @ Mar 2, 2016 -> 07:47 PM) I was generally non-plussed by Crean the past few years. Lived up to his "great recruiter, poor coach" stereotype. But this year, he's really coached. Definitely the best coaching job he's done at IU, possibly of his career. He did a good job this year, however I do believe that the conference in total isnt as elite as it has been during his tenure so part of it was great timing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
He_Gawn 7 Posted March 3, 2016 Still no fan of Crean, but he did a fantastic job this year. He's quit being so stubborn, and finally weened back on practices and his pre-game extravaganza shows... And it's worked. Couple that with Yogi having an unreal year. Still lining up the recruits too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Balta1701 2,899 Posted March 3, 2016 QUOTE (RockRaines @ Mar 3, 2016 -> 09:54 AM) He did a good job this year, however I do believe that the conference in total isnt as elite as it has been during his tenure so part of it was great timing. While the conference may not have had an elite team with Valentine being hurt for a while, there are what, 5 ranked teams, any of which you could say has a shot to get hot and make a final 4 run? You don't get the "obvious loss" of Wisconsin last year unless you have to play at Assembly Hall, but that's still a grueling schedule. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
whitesoxfan99 80 Posted March 3, 2016 QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Mar 3, 2016 -> 01:40 PM) While the conference may not have had an elite team with Valentine being hurt for a while, there are what, 5 ranked teams, any of which you could say has a shot to get hot and make a final 4 run? You don't get the "obvious loss" of Wisconsin last year unless you have to play at Assembly Hall, but that's still a grueling schedule. The Big 10 is bad as a whole this year. While there are 4 or 5 teams that could potentially make final 4 runs that is also probably true about 20-25 teams this year since there isn't a single team that is remotely close to being a great team around the country this year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RockRaines 58 Posted March 4, 2016 (edited) QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Mar 3, 2016 -> 12:40 PM) While the conference may not have had an elite team with Valentine being hurt for a while, there are what, 5 ranked teams, any of which you could say has a shot to get hot and make a final 4 run? You don't get the "obvious loss" of Wisconsin last year unless you have to play at Assembly Hall, but that's still a grueling schedule. The middle of the big ten is waaaaay down from what it's been. The conference schedule as a whole is much easier than it has been. And I think one or two teams can make a final four run. Edited March 4, 2016 by RockRaines Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Boogua 27 Posted March 5, 2016 Whitman confirms that Groce will be back next year. He better get a commitment from Tilmon. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GGajewski18 127 Posted March 5, 2016 QUOTE (Boogua @ Mar 5, 2016 -> 10:45 AM) Whitman confirms that Groce will be back next year. He better get a commitment from Tilmon. And Goowin Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fathom 5,523 Posted March 5, 2016 It's beyond pathetic that Richard Pitino is likely going to keep his job. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Buehrle>Wood 613 Posted March 6, 2016 Hill with 39 and Illinois still loses to Penn State, lol. Just awful. Hope they rightfully put Hill on 1st team all B1G though. He deserves it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maggsmaggs 58 Posted March 6, 2016 QUOTE (Boogua @ Mar 5, 2016 -> 10:45 AM) Whitman confirms that Groce will be back next year. He better get a commitment from Tilmon. This is probably about not looking like a control freak for Whitman, immediately, because Groce simply does not deserve to stay. Illinois has gotten worse every single year with him: 2012–13 Illinois 23–13 8–10 2013–14 Illinois 20–15 7–11 2014–15 Illinois 19–14 9–9 2015–16 Illinois 13–17 5–12 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RockRaines 58 Posted March 6, 2016 Evansville is tough. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RockRaines 58 Posted March 6, 2016 Bad timing on that post. Yikes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites