tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8458433186867121068.post4924464548843727672..comments2023-05-16T10:46:29.789-05:00Comments on Maxeymum Sports Blog: Old Mother Hubbard...Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8458433186867121068.post-16198819095249255282013-01-23T16:11:16.030-06:002013-01-23T16:11:16.030-06:00I acknowledge he recruited Myers, as you have ment...I acknowledge he recruited Myers, as you have mentioned a first round draft choice, and I also mentioned I hope Myers is successful in the NBA. I want ALL past, present, and future Illini to be successful. <br /><br />I just feel the past is what we are trying to get away from. Illinois has a new AD who is trying to build a winning culture and won't settle for second best. <br /><br />Things change. Cultures change. Every Illini fan wants a winning program and it is possible here. <br /><br />You have to believe in it. If you constantly say it can't and won't happen at Illinois then you are just as bad as those fans who leave the arena early.<br /><br />We will see what Groce is able to accomplish in his recruiting and if he wants to build a program for the long term. Or if he is just another coach along for the ride with a stop in Champaign before his next destination.<br /><br />Great debate and appreciate the readership. I look forward to continued discussions in the future.<br /><br />And GO ILLINI! Maxeymum Sportsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8458433186867121068.post-87933606148049889752013-01-23T15:01:54.688-06:002013-01-23T15:01:54.688-06:00Weber recruited a first round draft choice, a fact...Weber recruited a first round draft choice, a fact you still will not acknowledge. It could be that Leonard had no interest in the U of I after Weber was fired. No one knows the answer to that but Leonard, and I don't think he is the type of person to say one way or the other.<br /><br />It really doesn't matter if his jersey is ever on the rafters or not, he has a great future, and any true Illinois fan should root for his success in the NBA.<br /> <br /><br />Mr. Basketballnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8458433186867121068.post-26403452816189233622013-01-22T17:25:16.833-06:002013-01-22T17:25:16.833-06:00Unlike, Mr. Basketball, I am not necessarily a Web...Unlike, Mr. Basketball, I am not necessarily a Weber fan, however, he is right in this instance.<br /><br />First, facts we can all agree on:<br />When Weber is given great players, he will win with them.<br />Unfortunately, he did not show the ability to recruit those elite players at Illinois.<br /><br />Now, for the cold hard facts of reality:<br />No coach is going to consistently recruit top tier players at Illinois. It is impossible to get that kind of player to commit to a University that has an outdated arena that looks like a mushroom in the middle of a corn field, and that has a fan base who spends every waking moment trying to find ways to bring back from the dead their beloved mascot, the Dancing Indian.<br /><br />If by some stroke of luck a Bill Self appears, the moment he has shown he is a winner, he will be looking at Illinois in the rear view mirror of his car.<br /><br />Which brings us back to Weber, a good, but not great coach who had some weaknesses. A perfect fit for Illinois, who has a good but not great athletic program with some major flaws.<br />Eleven Ringsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8458433186867121068.post-67740555894600460742013-01-22T15:59:45.160-06:002013-01-22T15:59:45.160-06:00Thanks for the reply and positive feedback. Hope ...Thanks for the reply and positive feedback. Hope to hear more from you in the future. Maxeymum Sportsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8458433186867121068.post-46657554243703829412013-01-22T15:58:05.607-06:002013-01-22T15:58:05.607-06:00To respond to your comment I would first ask that ...To respond to your comment I would first ask that you look at any program who is trying to build a foundation and see who they first brought in to start their career. Coach K was struggling at Duke his first few years and then finally broke through. <br /><br />I feel like you are still upset with the firing of Bruce Weber and you need to get over it. Groce did try and recruit Parker but was only given a small window of opportunity to sell his brand. It is not Groce's first class that will tell how well he is going to succeed but the second and third classes that will define his program long term. <br /><br />This is where Weber was totally lacking in ability. If it just came to X's and O's Weber is a fantastic coach. In the recruiting game he just isn't a closer. <br /><br />As for Leonard and seeing his jersey hanging...it won't happen. There are requirements in order to accomplish this great honor. There are six different criteria as follows: national player of the year, member of the National Basketball Hall of Fame, U.S. Olympian, Big Ten Player of the Year, first- or second-team All-American or Illinois All-Century Team member. Mr. Leonard was none of the above. I wish him success as an Illini basketball alumni and enjoyed his play at times but as for his legacy at Illinois it will be unfortunately lackluster. <br /><br />I want Illinois to be successful and their former players to be successful. As for former coaches, I don't care if they are successful. That is what makes me an Illini fan and not a fan of a particular coach. <br /><br />You are either with us or against us. Plain and simple. Maxeymum Sportsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8458433186867121068.post-81978003407261837212013-01-21T17:32:01.032-06:002013-01-21T17:32:01.032-06:00Outstanding blog! A very accurate read of the sit...Outstanding blog! A very accurate read of the situation! Keep up the great work!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8458433186867121068.post-50026297951929510852013-01-21T16:21:27.509-06:002013-01-21T16:21:27.509-06:00Let’s see, when Groce gets off to a great start it...Let’s see, when Groce gets off to a great start it’s in spite of Weber, but when he fails to continue his success, it’s because of Weber.<br /><br />Tate and Nunn could be good complimentary players on a great team, but without a Jabari Parker Illinois will continue to be just another mediocre team. Groce tried to recruit Parker, how did that work out?<br /><br />I notice that you did mention Myers Leonard. He was a Weber recruit who was drafted in the first round of the NBA. How about giving Weber credit for recruiting a player good enough to turn pro after two years. If Leonard continues to develop into a good pro player, you will see his jersey hanging it the assembly hall.<br />Mr. Basketballnoreply@blogger.com