Jamar Smith Kicked Off Team

[BU_EMT128]

Just saw a news break on WCIA (News Channel 3, Champaign), Bruce Weber has removed Jamar Smith from the University of Illinois basketball team, due to his probation violation. I am glad to see that the university acted quickly in this instance. You can only get a second chance so many times...


Edit: Found an article on it http://illinoishomepage.net/content/fulltext/?cid=23441

[real fan]

Illinois has done the right thing; now it is time for Smith to apologize to his teamates, coaches, fans and his family for letting them all down; it is time he grows up and start making the right choices.

[Out of Bounce]

Illinois has done the right thing; now it is time for Smith to apologize to his teamates, coaches, fans and his family for letting them all down; it is time he grows up and start making the right choices.

No More Apologizing! He did that once and it didn't mean a **** thing to him. Before he apologizes again, he needs to show by his actions, his life style and seeking help for his alcohol problem. No more basketball, let him go out and do some real work for a while like the common man does. If thats flipping burgers so be it! No more chances on the court until he shows he is worthy of it. This guy needs help in meny ways and it must start from within himself. Illinois and Bruce Weber did the right thing here. My ? is why it took so long, as someone had to know he was on the road to crash again.

[BradleyBrave]

He can apologize all he wants, actions speak louder than words. He's a has been/never was, and no longer worth anyone's time at the University of Illinois.

I wonder if anyone ever considered that perhaps if the players lived on campus or at least near campus, rather than all the way out in Savoy, that this would have never happened. Talk about a 'renegade' program...perhaps the coaches should start getting a little bit more control over their players, starting with getting the players on or near campus and actually living and acting like real students. Heck, Lucas, Arch, and Kittner had an 'off-campus' house just a few blocks from campus, and had the time of their lives. Why does one group of players need to live all the way out in Savoy?

[Da Coach]

Interestin Illini blog with more information about the Jamar Smith situation--

http://illinihq.com/news/recruiting/2008/08/01/klees_corner_jamar

[Out of Bounce]

He can apologize all he wants, actions speak louder than words. He's a has been/never was, and no longer worth anyone's time at the University of Illinois.

I wonder if anyone ever considered that perhaps if the players lived on campus or at least near campus, rather than all the way out in Savoy, that this would have never happened. Talk about a 'renegade' program...perhaps the coaches should start getting a little bit more control over their players, starting with getting the players on or near campus and actually living and acting like real students. Heck, Lucas, Arch, and Kittner had an 'off-campus' house just a few blocks from campus, and had the time of their lives. Why does one group of players need to live all the way out in Savoy?

perhaps the coaches should start getting a little bit more control over their players,

BB, you got it! But remove perhaps. A lot coachs don't give a **** about their players. They are nothing more than a checkbook to get their money. And when one bounces they throw it away and write/get another. If they really cared, as you said, get control over them starting from day one. Maybe there should be a clause in every coachs contract that they will be held accountable (lost of money and lost of job) for the well being/actions of their players. I know things can/will happen but this might make them get control. I would take the %'s if this was done. Living off campus just makes for trouble and uncontrolable condistions for most players.

[SFP]

There is only so much a coach can do. There is a time when a player needs to take accountability. There does seem to be more incidents then in the past but some of this maybe due to the internet access to information that we are able to see. What does seem out of wack is the type of behavior from the players. I believe this is more of a societal problem. In the past there was no way anyone would do anything to merit their way to the slammer now it seems to be a badge of honor in some corners of our society. Hey Paris Hilton went to jail, it can't be that bad?

BTW...BW maybe just too nice for his own good.

[bert notorius]

BAM could have thrown Jamar to the wolves from the get go but instead he backed JS at extreme peril to his own career, preferring to give the boy a second chance at basketball and life. Seems to be a pattern with Bruce. What a horrible man and coach.

[Da Coach]

Now Bert, that's not entirely true. I admire Weber as a coach and person, but last year when he had his chance to take some kind of stance on Jamar and the things that happened, Weber threw his hands in the air and said "this is out of my hands". He refused to institute some discipline when he should have, and allowed things to play out through the chancellor's office at the university. He basically allowed them to decide Jamar's fate, as if he (Weber) was not able to make a decision for himself and the good of the team.
I have no problem with Weber allowing him a second chance and to return to the team, but he never penalized Jamar as he should have back at the time of the crime, and he ignored the fact that the entire team was involved in the drinking and partying, too.
Then as Jamar was reportedly drinking all this past year, nobody from the team seemed to care until another run-in with the police occurred. I think BW is a decent guy, but he's made a number of mistakes with Jamar and I think he reralizes it.
I expect to see more fallout from this as well.

[bert notorius]

I try to choose my words carefully. Jamar screwed up, received a punishment, did not adhere to the terms and was released. However one wishes to perceive BAM's involvement with the decisions made regarding JS's initial handling, Bruce could have sent Jamar packing; it would have been his right as coach. Past performance indicates Bruce tends to be lenient with his boys. How can I say this delicately...the boy has a knack for throwing a ball through a hoop but is not the brightest star in the sky when it comes to life choices. A tragic end to a tragic career.

Too bad all the negative pub it didn't shut down IL's recruiting, as was predicted.

[dogsrus]

BAM could have thrown Jamar to the wolves from the get go but instead he backed JS at extreme peril to his own career, preferring to give the boy a second chance at basketball and life. Seems to be a pattern with Bruce. What a horrible man and coach.

Don't think anyone is down on BW here Bert. He gave him a chance and JS goofed up..again. Now BW has said good bye and good luck. Illinios is doing the correct thing if they continue to help him be it couseling, academics...whatever allthough they don't owe him anything.

As far as the "renegade' program I think the posters just more upset with Whellistone calling Bradkey that when we can CLEARLY see its happening as much if not much more at a program right down the road.

[Stryker]

I think you guys are a bit too hard on the coaches here. The players are just college kids, but remember that they are all also over 18 years of age and considered adults. Why should a head coach have to baby sit these kids? You could argue that it is coaches responsibility since he brought them there and should have known their character, but people change at college or hide who they really are quite often.

Think of all the responsibilities that a head coach has running a large basketball program. I don't think one of their top priorities is knowing what their players are doing every night off campus.

[MacabreMob]

The Peoria Pipeline is officially dried up and its supply is tainted.

Bill Cole?

And are WM and JH the tainted part?

[MacabreMob]

Too bad all the negative pub it didn't shut down IL's recruiting, as was predicted.

I thought it was BAM's unwillingness in the past to "play the game" with the Chicago League and AAU thieves that had some of his recruiting shut down. But now he has decided to "play their game" and the top talent verbals are rolling in.

[bert notorius]

I thought it was BAM's unwillingness in the past to "play the game" with the Chicago League and AAU thieves that had some of his recruiting shut down. But now he has decided to "play their game" and the top talent verbals are rolling in.

You know what "they" say about those that are unwilling or unable to adapt.