U Make the Call

[tornado]

Should this coach get fired? Here are some facts -

-currently his team already has 15 wins, and had a 10game win streak this season

-he has averaged over 24 wins per year in the last 8-year span, and 21 wins per season over the past 5 years......and has had only one non-20-win season in the past decade

-he has had only one losing season ever as a head coach (14 seasons)

-in the past year or so he has big, often double digit wins over North Carolina, Gonzaga (twice), Wisconsin, Maryland, Ohio State - who were almost all highly ranked at the time

-he has consistently landed the top 4-Star and even 5-Star players in state
..5 McDonald's All Americans landed in the past decade or so

-he is repeatedly listed and praised as one of the good guys and most ethical guys in the sport and has really never been linked to corrupt practices..

but...as proof of the fickle fan...there are numerous calls for the guy to be canned right now, as we speak... * *

Apparently SIU wants the guy if he's fired....

[Chucky T's]

I'd take this guy at BU in a heartbeat....but I think he'll stay right where he is for $1.5 mil a year

[spoon]

Are there any rumors or anything, or is this mainly fans spouting off? I'm just curious.

[Da Coach]

It's only fans talking and a lot of rumors. But the internet is filled with opinions, and most from Illinois fans and boosters are ready for a change. BW would not be out of work long if Illinois fired him.

[AZ BU Fan]

Should this coach get fired? Here are some facts -

-currently his team already has 15 wins, and had a 10g ame win streak this season

-he has averaged over 24 wins per year in the last 8-year span, and 21 wins per season over the past 5 years......and has had only one non-20-win season in the past decade

-he has had only one losing season ever as a head coach (14 seasons)

-in the past year or so he has big, often double digit wins over North Carolina, Gonzaga (twice), Wisconsin, Maryland, Ohio State - who were almost all highly ranked at the time

-he has consistently landed the top 4-Star and even 5-Star players in state
..5 McDonald's All Americans landed in the past decade or so

-he is repeatedly listed and praised as one of the good guys and most ethical guys in the sport and has really never been linked to corrupt practices..

but...as proof of the fickle fan...there are numerous calls for the guy to be canned right now, as we speak...

Apparently SIU wants the guy if he's fired....

Did he molest any young boys, or, have someone on his staff who did?

[Buesch N Chips]

-he has consistently landed the top 4-Star and even 5-Star players in state..5 McDonald's All Americans landed in the past decade or so

I don't think he should be fired, but I think the problem is his results have not matched the recruit potential.

[lake Camelot]

Depends the school he's at. I think in a state like Illinois you can do better. You could do worse also. He is middle of the road. If that is who you are talking about. The part about the 4 and 5 star players and All-Americans doesn't seem true at all. I assume it must be though. They always seem a little short on talent to compete for the top. Always close. Never there. People say they are loaded with young talent. I don't see that at all. After Leonard goes pro, I think they will be short on talent next year.

For Illinois I say yes.

I also say yes at SIU.

[Future Walk-On]

Depends the school he's at. I think in a state like Illinois you can do better. You could do worse also. He is middle of the road. If that is who you are talking about. The part about the 4 and 5 star players and All-Americans doesn't seem true at all. I assume it must be though. They always seem a little short on talent to compete for the top. Always close. Never there. People say they are loaded with young talent. I don't see that at all. After Leonard goes pro, I think they will be short on talent next year.

For Illinois I say yes.

I also say yes at SIU.

Illinois has more top 100 espn recruits on their roster than ANY team in the Big 10 I believe the number is 8 (well 7 cuz Crandall Left)

DJ, BP, ML, TA, NE, MH, MS

and every year Illinois fans say next year.........honestly if Leonard returned next year they could be really good. Also is JR was around it could be really really good (not including any bad issues that could arise off the court)

[tornado]

I get amused when the press gives Weber no credit but only mentions that Michigan State played badly and gave the game away...

[Air Petey]

........honestly if Leonard returned next year they could be really good........

He really should return next year. He is NOT ready for the NBA!! I thought the loss at Minnesota was on him. Too many mistakes (Shot selection, turnovers and a VERY stupid foul) in the second half. How does he not just step aside and say "Here is your lay up and here is our victory?"

[tornado]

but he helped a ton getting Illinois back from that 10 pt deficit and changed a lot of Minny shots inside..
that last foul was unfortunate and bogus and Weber should have positioned him outside of the lane so that should have never happened

[lefty]

but he helped a ton getting Illinois back from that 10 pt deficit and changed a lot of Minny shots inside..
that last foul was unfortunate and bogus and Weber should have positioned him outside of the lane so that should have never happened

I was bothered more by his 4th foul 25 ft away from the basket after complaining about a call on the other end...and his terrible pass before that for a turnover....

In the end Leornard reminds me of McCamey in that you can't always trust him to play smart

[tornado]

I agree about his consistency - a little bit Jereme-ish but without the seedy side of it...
but if they offered, I'd take him here at BU

[patrick_o'brian]

He really should return next year. He is NOT ready for the NBA!! I thought the loss at Minnesota was on him. Too many mistakes (Shot selection, turnovers and a VERY stupid foul) in the second half. How does he not just step aside and say "Here is your lay up and here is our victory?"

It doesn't matter if he's ready or not. see Patrick O'Bryant for further explanation.

[lake Camelot]

He really should return next year. He is NOT ready for the NBA!! I thought the loss at Minnesota was on him. Too many mistakes (Shot selection, turnovers and a VERY stupid foul) in the second half. How does he not just step aside and say "Here is your lay up and here is our victory?"

Ditto for me on POB's comment. I agree he is not ready. He seems a little more physically talented than POB. He seems pretty immature. But if you are going in the Lottery I say you go pro.