tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8458433186867121068.post83138445937144480..comments2023-05-16T10:46:29.789-05:00Comments on Maxeymum Sports Blog: No Jabari, Denied!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8458433186867121068.post-29457439487968444822012-07-18T13:28:41.648-05:002012-07-18T13:28:41.648-05:00Mr. Basketball, Thanks for the comments and hopefu...Mr. Basketball, Thanks for the comments and hopefully my future articles will spark up the same level of interest and discussion.Maxeymum Sportsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8458433186867121068.post-45175171624626759802012-07-18T13:05:01.010-05:002012-07-18T13:05:01.010-05:001984: If only there hadn’t been that bad NCAA ru...1984: If only there hadn’t been that bad NCAA rule<br />1989: If only there hadn’t been that hot Michigan team<br />2005: If only Head had hid that shot.<br /><br />Here are some more:<br />1985: If only Dekinger hadn’t blown that call at first base<br />1998: If only the ref had called Jordan with a foul, when he “stole” the ball with seconds left on the clock<br />2003: If only Bartman had let Alou catch that ball<br /><br />Any team in any sport can say “if only” for that one incident, we would have won. And, sometimes it may be true, but it’s a bottom line business.<br /><br />Here’s one more: If only Groce could recruit one star player<br /><br />This is my last post on this topic. Enjoyed talking basketball with you, always enjoy your articles.Mr. Basketballnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8458433186867121068.post-15751480193302656112012-07-17T13:14:10.683-05:002012-07-17T13:14:10.683-05:00Thanks again for the response. The winning progra...Thanks again for the response. The winning programs you are speaking of had to start somewhere and they had to land players too that weren't in their program. Example of Duke when Coach K had taken over was on the verge of being fired only a couple of years after taking over because their fanbase didn't feel he was working out. They stuck with him, he landed great players, and we all know how that turned out. The Illini unfortunately haven't won a championship but have had instances where they were on the cusp and it could have gone either way. See Illinois teams in 1984, 1989, and 2005. The 1984 team was robbed of a chance to win a national championship because they had to play AT Kentucky in the Elite 8 and which is now why the NCAA changed this rule for hosting games in the NCAA tournament. The 1989 team was beat by a very talented and inspired Michigan Wolverines team they destroyed in the regular season 2 times on a last second shot by Sean Higgins in the Final Four. They would have crushed Seton Hall in the title game. The 2005 team was beaten by a super talented Carolina team in the championship game that came down to a few possesions late and a Luther Head three that could have given them the lead with seconds left and that would have been different. So it shows luck isn't always on your side but it doesn't mean your not a winning program because you didn't win a championship. Illinois is at a low point in their existance but it only takes one person to "buy in" and change the culture in Champaign. Especially in basketball where a player can make a mediocre team a good or great team. Then others will certainly follow. Thanks again for the comments.Maxeymum Sportsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8458433186867121068.post-45902374891783752162012-07-16T14:35:20.747-05:002012-07-16T14:35:20.747-05:00Had Parker included Illinois in his list of ten, i...Had Parker included Illinois in his list of ten, it would have only been a courtesy extended to the U. of I., and everyone would have know it. Top ranked players, because they will be in school one or two years at the very most, want to go to winning programs, like Kentucky, Duke, etc.<br /><br />Perhaps my memory about Lou, Jimmy and Bill isn’t all that good. Exactly how many NCAA championships did they win?Mr. Basketballnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8458433186867121068.post-20442784746631006042012-07-15T11:47:49.865-05:002012-07-15T11:47:49.865-05:00I don't know what your "team of choice&qu...I don't know what your "team of choice" is in regards to rooting interest so I will respond in this manner. I mentioned Illinois wouldn't have probably landed Jabari; however, to be in his final list for his services will sooner or later pay off on someone. Every coach beats his head on the pavement in order to land players and then finally breaks through. Groce will get one and that is where it starts. Hopefully he is successful and brings the Illini to where we all want them to be. To your comment on recruiting MJ's kid or MJ himself I think you are short sighted and not remembering the past. The Illini, with a coach who can recuit, can land those players. In the 80's when Lou/Jimmy where at their best we regularly landed high caliber talent. Bill Self had similar success, obviously. The past 9 years with Bruce Weber have been dreadful in the recruiting game. He left us in a hole to dig out of. Recruiting takes extremely hard work and dedication and John Groce will do the work. Do the kids anyone gets always work out, no. But can you get them here, yes. Thanks for the comment and keep them coming. Love to interact with readers.Maxeymum Sportsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8458433186867121068.post-87538545702469985512012-07-13T21:35:37.582-05:002012-07-13T21:35:37.582-05:00Why in the world would Jabari Parker ever consider...Why in the world would Jabari Parker ever consider Illinois.<br /><br />He is going to be in college basketball one year. He wants to play on a team that he can take to the NCAA championship. Illinois, even with Parker, is not going anywhere, next year or any time in the near future.<br /><br />Illinois is the type of school that might recruit Michael Jordan's son, but they will never recruit a Michael Jordan.Mr. Basketballnoreply@blogger.com