Bill Cole

[tornado]

FWIW here's the rumor, direct from a "very dependable" source.

http://www.illinoisloyalty.com/Forums/showthread.php?t=7449

some comparison to Kyle Wilson, who left Illinois and went elsewhere for a pretty successful career (at Wichita State).


Bruce Weber did little to suppress such rumors...
"Here's what Bruce Weber told Klee, who asked him about Bill Cole earlier this week:
"Some other guys have stepped up," Weber said. "I have nothing against Billy.
I like Billy. He's kind of an in-betweener. He's a 3, he's a 4. He has trouble
guarding a 4 physical inside, he has trouble guarding a 3 quickness outside.

"And yet he's still smart, he knows how to play. He has some skills out on the court.
He has to keep working at it. You never know. A lot of things can happen:
flu, injuries. I hope it doesn't happen, but we've learned that it can happen.
Hopefully he can get himself in the mix."

http://www.illinihq.com/chats/2008/12/19/ask_the_editor__am_friday

[BradleyBrave]

I heard a similar rumor this week from some somewhat 'inside' Illini folks. They have speculated that BU is his destination. They made some good points in that it might benefit Cole to stick it out this whole season at Illinois and then transfer, as he would then have 2 full seasons to play as opposed to only 1.5 if he left at break. I'd like to have another solid local kid on the roster, but he would be going from one crowded frontcourt to another if he came to BU. He's another 'tweener' that we seem to have too many of already, so I am not sure where he fits either.

[tornado]

He is really only a tweener in the physical Big Ten, he could literally be our Gordon Hayward....a bigger wing player who can hit the three. (and please..I am not predicting anything).
Despite his limited playing time, he is a 40% 3-pt shooter.
He would be way more developed than our freshman big man, and would immediately have a great chemistry with our guys.
BU simply isn't likely to use it's final '09 scholarship on another big man, but if a ride opens up at the end of the school year and if that's the timing for Cole, I could see it and would appreciate it.

[lake Camelot]

Last night

I watched the Illini last night. It's the first time I have seen Bill play this year. He has talent. The thing I was surprised about was how weak he looked. If he stays in the big ten, he is going to have to gain more strength. I thought he looked good in the past, but was surprised he didn't look as ready to play last night as I thought.

[bu fan 9]

I think we would take just because he is a local kid.

[real fan]

We will not take him as it would add too many players in that class.

[bu fan 9]

Most likely one ride will open up next year.

[SFP]

Most likely one ride will open up next year.

Chances are hight that a spot could open up but in reality there's not one that I'd like to see open up for a tweener. We need guys that stick around if JL's system is going to work. This is the reason I am for the 4 year players and not to charged up with JUCOs. If we continue to have players coming and going then JL will have to change his system or we just will not have a prayer to be successful. I also would like our last ride to be a 4 year shooter. I do not care if the person is local. This is not the U of Peoria nor does loyalty go both ways. JL and the University needs to treat this aspect as a business and get the best talent possible.

[georgethedog]

Just another in a long line of local kids who HAD to go to the Big Ten. Most of them have ended up sitting a large part of their career.

[BradleyBrave]

Just another in a long line of local kids who HAD to go to the Big Ten. Most of them have ended up sitting a large part of their career.

There's another one at Indiana. If we were healthy I don't think he'd see much time, but the way we shoot 3's this year, I think he probably would see a lot of time. Unathletic or not, there's no chance his defense would be any worse than what we put out there right now.

[bert notorius]

You can't have him. I will not allow it.

[PTTB]

I wonder if there is any chance he will look at UNI. We've had former Richwoods student-athlete in John Little. Jamar Smith's only other scholy was to UNI prior to getting the Illini offer. And, I believe Richwood's coach is a UNI grad (or has some connection to Iowa). UNI has at least one open scholy right now. He could come in right away if he wants to. Would be nice having another big to play along side Eglseder, Koch, Rody, and O'Rear.

[BradleyBrave]

I wonder if there is any chance he will look at UNI. We've had former Richwoods student-athlete in John Little. Jamar Smith's only other scholy was to UNI prior to getting the Illini offer. And, I believe Richwood's coach is a UNI grad (or has some connection to Iowa). UNI has at least one open scholy right now. He could come in right away if he wants to. Would be nice having another big to play along side Eglseder, Koch, Rody, and O'Rear.

Interesting thought. I can't see Cedar Falls and a program on the decline being a top choice. However, he would likely see major PT from the beginning and does have a connection there. It should be interesting to see.

[MacabreMob]

I'm not a fan of B10 rejects.

[BradleyBrave]

I'm not a fan of B10 rejects.

Marcellus Sommerville would be upset to hear that.