"The Smoker"

[tornado]

I guess if you want to know about the smoker you have to get a ticket

That's what I did

well I just got off the phone with someone who was there, who took some notes and who was willing to talk about what was said...
..someone who has been there regularly the past decade... here goes...
(..and this is coming from someone in attendance so if you want to argue, go ahead, I am unable to verify as I was not there but trust the guy who was.)

- a few local coaches were there, Manual's Booth & an assistant , Dan Ruffin, Dan Grieves from Metamora

-very few questions about players and talents - really only a couple...
almost all the questions were on recruits, recruiting, scheduling, NCAA rules, enforcement, unrelated issues, and off the court stuff

-Groce answered on the Starks waiver - disappointed..doesn't understand why some programs get the waiver on exactly the same situation as Starks yet others are denied. Hinted politics may play a part.

-Geno answered on Walt - extolled his talent and potential as leader, then told the same story about Stefan Zecevic and his languange struggles ("yes coach" ) that I've already heard a few times. Geno had some funny lines...
One question was if Shaw was part of the deal (a player to be named later) that sent SM to Illinois....oddly no mention of the Illini's other MVC acquisition.

-both coaches were asked what they like and dislike about coaching or this job in particular..
Groce as noted seemed bothered a bit by the obsession Illini fans have with the recruiting angle..seemed bothered that fans have expectations on who should be recruited and landed, and he also disliked being away from home & family so much.
Ford talked/joked a bit about Creighton - says it's possible we may still play them but only after Doug McDermott is gone

-Groce talked a lot about Rayvonte Rice - really has high expectations but mentioned all of the other players combined less than he talked about RR - virtually no mention at all of any of the freshmen.

-Geno talked a bit about how Wichita gets a few D-I transfers & jucos whose academics might have barred them from coming to BU or "some" other places.
A few names were mentioned -

-oddly not a lot of talk about the upcoming game between BU & the Illini - it might have been good press and maybe could have even benefited some charity if there'd been some sort of good natured "bet"..

[lefty]

Why would I want to argue?

Sounds close enough

[tornado]

you wouldn't but some always do