hitlesswonder

QUOTE (lostfan @ Apr 12, 2008 -> 04:37 PM) I'm not inventing a thing. There isn't anyone like that on this board but they are EVERYWHERE. I shouldn't even have to try to back up a statement like that, it stands on its own. We'll just have to disagree -- just saying stuff doesn't prove anything to me. I'd agree someone shouldn't call for a war that they would be unwilling to fight in, but I have not met anyone that has done that. And I have no reason to believe that conservatives would be more prone to do that than liberals. Will's assertion that liberals are hypocrites who love to give away other people's money is backed up by actual data.

QUOTE (lostfan @ Apr 12, 2008 -> 04:22 PM) Just saying. Exact same principle. I have no idea what you are just saying. If you are complaining that people supporting the war in Iraq aren't serving as soliders when they could be, it's not the exact same principle. You are inventing a caricature of a conservative hypocrite and I know of no real person that fits that description. On the other hand, tons of liberals want to raise taxes but won't pony up if it's their money. Just like they don't give to charity. To quote George Will:

QUOTE (Jimbo's Drinker @ Apr 9, 2008 -> 01:15 PM) So he choose the Badgers over 3 mid majors, wow. I also saw it reported that 3 coaches at mid-majors had lobbied for the Marquette job but were rejected:

QUOTE (CWSGuy406 @ Apr 7, 2008 -> 09:35 PM) Well, that's depressing... The only positive is that this was the best way to try and convince Taylor to stay true to his LOI. Otherwise, this looks to be the definition of a band-aid hire. I don't like it but I'll give him a chance. Isn't he supposed to be a hot-shot recruiter? I guess there may be some disappointment that he's not new blood, but he could still be a good hire. There's a greater chance he turns out to be a great hire than there would have been with someone with head coaching experience that has proven to be mediocre. And if it doesn't work out, Marquette should be able to throw big money at a replacement

QUOTE(gbuk @ Apr 6, 2008 -> 12:55 AM) People realize his mistakes, but I don't think you can fault him for Derrick Rose at all. He was never going to Illinois. He was never going to an Illinois team that Weber coached. If Illinois had an elite coach like Self, there would have been a much better chance. But this thread should be about the two premier teams in college basketball, not Illinois. Until they got sloppy, Kansas played as well as any team I've seen in years -- especially on defense. I think they'll beat Memphis handily.

QUOTE(Rex Hudler @ Apr 3, 2008 -> 09:57 PM) Nice discussion on the topic of Crean taking the IU job. Not sure how this discussion became about Illinois, but I was just thrilled to read it. Thanks for staying on topic! I could blame ESPN & Forde, but I'm at least partly responsible. On topic, I actually think Indiana's demise is greatly exaggerated, depending on what the NCAA does. If Ellis and Bassett are back next season I think they'll be middle of the back in the Big Ten. And they'll miss White much more than Gordon. The interesting thing now is who Marquette will hire. They have the money and facilities to make a big splash.

You can easily argue that overall UIUC is in a tie for 5th best university in the Big 10 with a bunch of other schools. But "overall" is probably pretty meaningless; some programs at UIUC (e.g. civil engineering) really are world-class. And also have virtually zero impact on recruiting. We should go back to talking about basketball... I wonder who Marquette is going after....

QUOTE(thedoctor @ Apr 2, 2008 -> 11:08 AM) again, i stand by my thought that weber will be illinois's coach this year. but perhaps it is just more than the blind speculation i initially thought. This is complete rumor-mongering on my part, but some posters on the UI message boards claiming inside knowledge said last year that Weber was hoping Crean would go to Kentucky opening up the Marquette job. Who knows if that is true. But I really do think Weber would be very tempted if Marquette would offer him the job given that he grew up a Marquette fan, it's his hometown, and he can't be happy with the current state of affairs at UI. On the other hand, given the money backing the Marquette program I think they will look for a flashier hire. Weber would likely be an unpopular hire among the Marquette fans and boosters given what has happened at Illinois. I would think Miller and Bennett would be on the list. Maybe even someone like Anthony Grant. So I would be surprised if Weber got offered the job.

QUOTE(AddisonStSox @ Apr 2, 2008 -> 09:47 AM) Surprised if recruiting someone to UI is easier? In terms of academics or qualifying? I hope that's not what is being implied or even contested. That's something. I wasn't talking about academics. I would think those very rarely play a big role in recruiting (not never, but rarely). And I wasn't suggesting that Marquette's academics were superior, so let's not go there. Marquette's facilities are better: the Al McGuire Center is a state-of-the-art $30M practice facility. The Ubben is nice ($6M), but it's not in the same league. And maybe I'm wrong, but I think recruits would like the fact they would play at the Bradley Center -- it's an NBA arena. Who cares if it's a rental? Most of all, there's geography. You can joke about beautiful downtown Milwaukee but for most recruits I would think living in a city would be a lot more exciting than living amidst a bunch of flat cornfields that stretch as far as the eye can see. It's not just basketball recruits -- people aren't exactly clamoring to live in the CU area. That's not a rip on UI, I'm not criticizing it as an institution or anything here. I just think you are downplaying some significant advantages Marquette has. All that being said, I'm sure the biggest recruiting advantage any school can have is a coach that players think will get them to the show.

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Apr 2, 2008 -> 12:07 AM) Your gripe about the defense doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me. It'd be one thing if Weber's teams (defensively) were ineffective, but they weren't -- the Pomeroy stats (IIRC) usually have U of I among the better teams in the nation on the defensive end. Obviously this year things were a little different, but even this season when I caught a few Illini games they seemed pretty tough defensively. Well, I'm just talking about what I saw this season really. So that's what you get when someone that's not that knowledgeable about basketball also focuses too narrowly. UI's defense in 2006-2007 was actually pretty impressive (again, that's me just watching the games and not backed up by stats or knowledge). So, I think you are right & he probably is a decent defensive coach. This season, it was frustrating to watch the same tight man-to-man get played every game regardless of how UI matched up with the other team but that decision was made by someone who knows a lot more about basketball than I do. whitesoxfan99 -- As I said, UI's offense could very well look a lot better with different players. I actually didn't see much of the 2005 season, but I remember the offense looking jaw-droppingly good in the Wake Forest game. But in general, I just don't see as much penetration from the guards as I would like. I don't know if that's personnel or the motion offense in general. Maybe both. I can't remember if 2005 was different in that respect, or if the team could just shoot a hell of a lot better.

QUOTE(scenario @ Apr 1, 2008 -> 11:38 PM) Marquette, before Crean, was not an upper tier salary job. Here's a very cool tool to help compare and look at college coaching salaries http://www.usatoday.com/sports/graphics/ba...racts/flash.htm That is handy. In the interest of accuracy, it lists Weber's compensation at $900,000 while the number I got from Wikipedia was $750K. Probably bets to go with USA Today's figure I would guess. And of course money from endorsements and camps etc. also increase the compensation. But, financially the Marquette job is on another level than the UI job. CWSGuy406 -- Lowery and Weber may be good coaches, but for me UI basketball is not the most entertaining thing to watch. Maybe it would look better with guys that can shoot, but as run by Weber the motion offense seems to include a lot of moving the ball side to side for 30 seconds and then missing a jump shot that could have been taken much earlier. The guards don't seem to look to penetrate much at all, and one thing I really enjoyed about Marquette was watching James with the ball. On defense, Weber's refusal to play zone seems silly to me and UI also seems to insist that their guards get right up in the grill of opposing players regardless of whether or not they are quicker. This lead to a lot of fouls and a slower game. Maybe it would be different with other players in that system. Back on topic, it seems like a very good hire by IU. Crean has Midwest recruiting ties and ties to the big 10. He may have had trouble recruiting at Marquette but he wasn't terrible. And I would expect him to actually do better than expected next season if Ellis and Bassett stay. Maybe I'm overrating him, but I think Bassett would do particularly well with Crean next season.

QUOTE(scenario @ Apr 1, 2008 -> 10:45 PM) I'm a Marquette alum and I agree. It's not a status thing. It's a budget thing. Marquette does not have the athletic dollars Illinois does. And Marquette has tougher academic standards for athletes... both issues making recruiting tougher than it is at Big 10 schools. So... what's in it for Weber to make a move like that? I don't know if Weber would, but he's from Milwaukee and supposedly loves it -- it would be a homecoming for him. Plus (and correct me if I'm wrong) Marquette would pay significantly more. And the facilities are better. UI may have more money in the athletic department, since they have a football team, but they are stuck with what many people view as a poor and antiquated venue in Assembly Hall (although I think it's still a good place to see a game). I'd just be surprised if recruiting someone to UI is easier than Marquette but maybe the academic standards do make a difference. Update: Salary figures: Weber $750,000 and Crean at Marquette $1,650,000. That's just base salary, but it's still twice as much...that being said I doubt Marquette will go after him and I'll now stop hijacking the thread.

QUOTE(fathom @ Apr 1, 2008 -> 10:31 PM) Marquette's not a step up from Illinois. If you compare the coaches salaries, the facilities, and the fact that Marquette is in a metropolitan area that has an NBA team I would think it is. It has to be a lot easier to recruit someone to play there than central Illinois.

Pat Forde on ESPN suggested that Bruce Weber might replace Crean at Marquette. It would be a good move for Weber; he loves Milwaukee and the job would be a step up. But I would think Marquette would go after Bennett.

QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ Mar 19, 2008 -> 03:49 PM) I can't put into words how dumb a Fields for Roberts deal would be. I am sure even Kenny wouldn't do that. I think you are really overrating Fields. He hasn't proven he's any better than Jeff Liefer yet.

QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ Mar 19, 2008 -> 03:15 PM) Well of course you are correct there, but people here are just panicking about the Crede/Fields thing because starting Joe and sending Fields to AAA is exactly the type of thing our organization would do. As for a Roberts trade......this does point towards that, but what the hell can we give them? We have nothing. They could trade Fields, Egbert, and Broadway for Roberts. The Orioles might go for that. But I think the Sox are happy with Owens at leadoff....

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Mar 10, 2008 -> 09:49 PM) You read what the scout said, he doesn't have any trade value now. Why bother giving him up for nothing? As bad as he's looked, its not like Josh Fields is thriving right now. I agree. And when did Josh Fields become an all-star? A healthy Crede is simply a better player than Fields. It's not like the Sox would be sending a superior talent down to AAA.

QUOTE(witesoxfan @ Mar 4, 2008 -> 11:03 AM) I don't know if I'd say Quentin is getting beaten out of LF by Owens but rather has just come to the wrong situation, one where the manager feels it absolutely necessary to have a speedy player at the top of the order for whatever reason. That's fair -- I'd put Quentin in LF over Owens without hesitation. On another team Owens wouldn't be seen as beating Carlos out right now, but Quentin is just not what the Sox are looking for in a LF.

QUOTE(witesoxfan @ Mar 3, 2008 -> 02:55 PM) why on earth would you give up 2 legitimate young position players for a 2Bman who is 30 and doesn't put the Sox over the top? Seriously, I'd venture to guess that Quentin will outproduce Roberts this year (and will easily outproduce Owens) and I wouldn't put it out of the realm of possibility that Danny Richar could outproduce him too. People make Roberts out to be some kind of god, when really he's only a year removed from a .750 OPS. Sure he steals bases, and those are sexy, but they aren't necessary to win. It's unlikely that Quentin and Richar will ever have a .750 OPS in the majors. Quentin is getting beaten out for LF by Owens pretty handily at this point so I don't see him having much of a future with the 2008 Sox. If the Sox could deal Floyd, Quentin, and Richar for Roberts they should make that trade. Of the guys they would be trading, only Floyd would be expected to see much time with the Sox in 2008, and it's open for debate if he would actually be better than someone like Egbert anyway.

QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ Feb 21, 2008 -> 11:27 PM) You did read the quote didn't you? He pretty much calls him lazy and says he was stubborn for not redshirting and basically says he's being a baby not getting into shape. I'd like to see Weber's dumbass get into shape with post concussion, seeing the person that put him into that state get preferential treatment. And I know the comments were Monday, but Weber knew the transfer was coming weeks ago, just like fathom and everybody else did. I don't see how anyone can defend Weber and how he's handled the situation. If I was Brian Carlwell or a member of his family I would be outraged at Weber and the University of Illinois. It's pathetic that the basketball program "stands by" Jamar Smith because he can shoot and he's DJ Richardson's friend, but Carlwell gets pushed out of the program because he's having trouble dealing with a brain injury which was exacerbated by his teammates and an assistant coach leaving him injured in the car for who knows how long. It's a sign of how screwed up college basketball is that people are so outraged over Sampson making against-the-rules phone calls while no one really seems to care about what's going at Illinois.

QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ Feb 17, 2008 -> 01:05 PM) If you don't think Richmond is really good, I can't help you because he is. He obviously had a bad game last night though and a player like him is going to look really bad if he shoots poorly. Why do you think he's good? That's not meant to be taken as snark -- I'd like to know why he's so highly regarded. I've read junk on the internet saying that he doesn't have much offensive skill at all. On various scout.com boards I've read: no range, no post moves, below average handle, mostly scores on height and athleticism close to basket. I haven't seen him play, I don't know if that's anywhere close to the truth or not. I'm just wondering if his ranking is based on some athleticism and being tall at a young age.

QUOTE(Buehrle>Wood @ Feb 17, 2008 -> 12:58 AM) Well, I find it funny you have so much negative to say about a sophomore who posted a line of 17 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists. It's not like fathom is alone in his assessment. At least 2 other posters who have seen Richmond play have said the exact same thing. Richmond talked about being one and done in college as a foregone conclusion in the Sun-Times last week, which didn't exactly make me think he doesn't have delusions of grandeur.

QUOTE(Reddy @ Feb 15, 2008 -> 10:33 AM) if everyone had a gun there would be eternal paranoia. not something i'm too fond of. But there would be less gun violence. Illinois needs to have a concealed carry law.

QUOTE(Rex Hudler @ Feb 14, 2008 -> 11:35 PM) IU or UI? Both I would think...

QUOTE(Rex Hudler @ Feb 14, 2008 -> 09:18 AM) I don't either. I think now is a time IU could go with a good solid coach that doesn't have to be a big name. What about Lon Kruger? I think he might be a good fit for Indiana right now... A high-risk high-reward choice would be Grant from VCU.