Could it be Mo??

[it's boogie time]

I enjoyed going to Western Hall to see Bradley play in the past. It's not a bad road tuneup game to start the year since the fan support has been even in the past. I like seeing a lot of red away from Peoria.

[2bradleyfans]

No, I don't think Bradley is above them in the sense someone might think I meant - especially on the road.

I would just hate to see the Schadenfreudes come outta the woodwork if Bradley were to struggle on the road (as they often do at times) and lose at WIU to Mo.

The PJ Star Editorial staff and their ilk that post on message boards will have a field day about how Coach Mo out-coached Les which would be their proof that Mo shoulda never been let go.

I don't want Bradley to have any part of that crap.

We play them in Peoria - ONLY, or not at all, as long as Mo is the head coach. PERIOD.

Understand, tho....

I am excited for Mo and WIU and will enjoy following them. I wish Mo all the best.

Ahhhh, I see, yes. You do make a good point there MM.

[Scouter]

No, I don't think Bradley is above them in the sense someone might think I meant - especially on the road.

I would just hate to see the Schadenfreudes come outta the woodwork if Bradley were to struggle on the road (as they often do at times) and lose at WIU to Mo.

The PJ Star Editorial staff and their ilk that post on message boards will have a field day about how Coach Mo out-coached Les which would be their proof that Mo shoulda never been let go.

I don't want Bradley to have any part of that crap.

We play them in Peoria - ONLY, or not at all, as long as Mo is the head coach. PERIOD.

Understand, tho....

I am excited for Mo and WIU and will enjoy following them. I wish Mo all the best.

Well, if Bradley were to win (as one would expect), then that wouldn't be the case, would it?

Would it be wrong of people to say that Mo out-coached Les if Mo's team won the game and did out-coach him? Hmmm ... I'm gonna say no. Now if that happened, would that mean that Mo never should've been let go? Hmmm ... I'm gonna say no.

I wasn't around here at the time, but everything I've heard about Molinari's firing makes it sound like his time here had simply run its course and it was time for a new regime. Who's been saying this whole time that Mo never should've been fired?

[MacabreMob]

Well, if Bradley were to win (as one would expect), then that wouldn't be the case, would it?

Would it be wrong of people to say that Mo out-coached Les if Mo's team won the game and did out-coach him? Hmmm ... I'm gonna say no. Now if that happened, would that mean that Mo never should've been let go? Hmmm ... I'm gonna say no.

I wasn't around here at the time, but everything I've heard about Molinari's firing makes it sound like his time here had simply run its course and it was time for a new regime. Who's been saying this whole time that Mo never should've been fired?

I didn't say people would be wrong to say anything about Mo out-coaching Les.

This is just the kinda crap I believe Bradley needs to steer away from in scheduling.

Bradley doesn't need to put themself in this position, that's all I am saying.

I'd much rather see Bradley go play at Tulsa to start the season than play at WIU the first week of December.

As to It's Boogie Time's comments.... yea, "Illini fans First" that also root for Bradley (a little) don't mind watching Bradley on the road at a place like WIU. A bunch of people go to the circus hoping to see the trapeze artist fall. Just like there are many schadenfreudes who go watch college basketball games.

[tornado]

I am excited for Mo and WIU and will enjoy following them. I wish Mo all the best.

I have talked with Mo numerous times over the past 6 years since his firing (as I know lefty & Mrcoachdude have, and I'll bet they can confirm my statements), and one thing that is so admirable is how he ALWAYS has had fine and complimantary things to say about Bradley, about the new coaching staff, about the fans, and about everything related to Peoria and BU.
He has never uttered even one foul word or criticism despite begin treated quite poorly and even unfairly by the Peoria press, some fans (if you can call them that), and one person at BU who is no longer there.
Jim is one of the finest people I have known, one of the most intense & hardest working, most loyal, most giving, and obviously one of the most knowledgable in the realm of college basketball.
I expect Mo to be at WIU a long time, since he will do well, and he isn't likely to leave for some other job no matter how glitzy.

[Bravesfan]

Have fun WIU fans with Slow Mo that will be like watching paint dry.

Who cares what style of play he uses? It has worked for Chris Lowery all of these years.

[bu fan 9]

WIU is trying to get fans in the stands and style of play will have a lot to do with that.Being a coach it doesn't always matter about wins and losses the most important thing is how much money you can raise.

[Bravesfan]

I have talked with Mo numerous times over the past 6 years since his firing (as I know lefty & Mrcoachdude have, and I'll bet they can confirm my statements), and one thing that is so admirable is how he ALWAYS has had fine and complimantary things to say about Bradley, about the new coaching staff, about the fans, and about everything related to Peoria and BU.
He has never uttered even one foul word or criticism despite begin treated quite poorly and even unfairly by the Peoria press, some fans (if you can call them that), and one person at BU who is no longer there.
Jim is one of the finest people I have known, one of the most intense & hardest working, most loyal, most giving, and obviously one of the most knowledgable in the realm of college basketball.
I expect Mo to be at WIU a long time, since he will do well, and he isn't likely to leave for some other job no matter how glitzy.

That's exactly why I am rooting for him to do well. He is a class act, and he had a great run at Bradley. It will probably take him a couple of years to turn things around, but once he does, WIU should have a nice run under him. Good luck to Coach Mo!

[Bravesfan]

WIU is trying to get fans in the stands and style of play will have a lot to do with that.Being a coach it doesn't always matter about wins and losses the most important thing is how much money you can raise.

I find that hard to believe. If it was all about style of play, SIU arena would be a ghost town every night!

[bu fan 9]

You don't think style of play puts fans in our stands?

[basketball nut]

I wasn't around here at the time, but everything I've heard about Molinari's firing makes it sound like his time here had simply run its course and it was time for a new regime. Who's been saying this whole time that Mo never should've been fired?

I would have to agree that the #1 reason for Mo leaving was the timing. Had he ran his course @ BU? At that particular time, yes he had. What doesn't get mentioned is he was going through a lot of personal things at that time that do not need to be mentioned on this board(or any other board for that matter).
Jim has always been a good X & O coach and will deffinately teach defense at WIU. It will be interesting to see who he brings in as his asst coaches as that can be as important as the head coach. If you don't have faith in your asst to get the right players or be able to teach what is assigned to him then you will not be successful at any level.
Good Luck Jim, I am another fan of yours that will be rooting for you to succeed and if you ever play BU I will be cheering for BU of course.

[tornado]

By the way.....end the silly speculation....

The people at WIU say Jim Molinari was their TOP CHOICE.

"And we are excited to be able to hire our top choice."

"This is a great hire. Coach Molinari is a coach who will fit in very well to our department, our campus and our community," Van Alstine said. "He's an Illinois guy down to the core, and we're thrilled to get him. He brings with him a long resume of Division I success and he is excited to be here."

http://media.www.westerncourier.com/media/storage/paper650/news/2008/04/11/Sports/Molinaris.The.Man-3318272.shtml

[IlliBraves]

I have heard from a very good source, Mo may be a head coach again. Hope so I'm pulling for ya Mo. If WIU is smart he is a no brainer for that program. We should know before the weeks over. Sure would be fun to get them back on our schedule if Mo gets the job.

I agree, it'd be great to have Mo back in the head coaching ranks, but I don't want WIU on our schedule again. I think BU can take pride the the scheduling they've been able to pull off, I wouldn't want to see them take a step back by scheduling an extremely weak program like Western Illinois, especially a home and home with them. A program like us needs to rack up as many quality wins as possible in the non-conference season. It might be different if Western Illinois was non sight impaired.

[Beninator]

I have talked with Mo numerous times over the past 6 years since his firing (as I know lefty & Mrcoachdude have, and I'll bet they can confirm my statements), and one thing that is so admirable is how he ALWAYS has had fine and complimantary things to say about Bradley, about the new coaching staff, about the fans, and about everything related to Peoria and BU.
He has never uttered even one foul word or criticism despite begin treated quite poorly and even unfairly by the Peoria press, some fans (if you can call them that), and one person at BU who is no longer there.
Jim is one of the finest people I have known, one of the most intense & hardest working, most loyal, most giving, and obviously one of the most knowledgable in the realm of college basketball.
I expect Mo to be at WIU a long time, since he will do well, and he isn't likely to leave for some other job no matter how glitzy.

I have witnessed this as well. Last year mrcoachdude and I went to Indiana to see Minnesota play. After the game, mrcoachdude went to talk to Jim (I didnt know him very well) and one of the first things Molinari said was a compliment about what the BU coaching staff was doing. My jaw dropped when I heard this and I have appreciated Jim Molinari the person much more since then. I wish him the best of luck and I might just have to plan a road trip to WIU next year.

[tornado]

Count me in, Ben....I would love to go watch Mo coach at WIU