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Illinois Fighting Illini (you'll see)

http://espn.go.com/chicago/ncb/story/_/id/7718478/vcu-coach-shaka-smart-reportedly-turns-illinois

VCU coach Shaka Smart turned down Illinois' offer to become head men's basketball coach, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

Smart, 34, had been Illinois' top choice to replace Bruce Weber, who was fired on March 9.

The Sun-Times cited multiple anonymous sources saying Smart informed Illinois AD Mike Thomas of his decision.

Illinois is one of three Big Ten schools never to have a minority football or men's basketball head coach, and Thomas recently talked about the importance of diversity in this hire.

Bad choice on his part. Top 10-15 job, fertile recruiting grounds, double his pay, top conference, etc etc... What job could he possibly hold out for that's better right now?
 
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NFBuck;2129283; said:
I don't know. I think Illinois is a good job, maybe top-20, certainly not top-10 (IMO), but...maybe he's holding out for something better down the road.


I've seen some such as Seth Davis call it top 10. It would be big money- pretty close to top 10 highest, top rated conference, fertile recruiting grounds, strong history- just in NCAA final in 2005, 13/16 past seasons over 20 wins... it's a pretty good job. Bill Self really got them bumping, and I think Weber's lack of recruiting top tier talent sank him, along with a poor season.
 
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In reaction to Elliott verbaling here and how Beckman has a disadvantage vs. Meyer/Hoke:

As for the whole "we aren't OSU, we aren't Michigan" stuff, we aren't. We're the Illinois Fighting Illini. I think they're better than OSU and Michigan. I'd pick the Illini over OSU, Michigan, or anybody else. There are a growing number of players who feel the same way. If Beckman and Co. get their way (I think they will), there won't be any question whether or not the Illini are an elite team (B10 or anywhere else) because they WILL be. Its a process, but they're definitely on the right track. All it will take is a monster 2013 class (And 2014, beyond) and the pace gets sped up that much more. I think it will definitely happen.

You already know.
 
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TheStoicPaisano;2135953; said:
In reaction to Elliott verbaling here and how Beckman has a disadvantage vs. Meyer/Hoke:



You already know.

Yep, all it takes is a "monster" class in 2013.....and 2014.......and 2015....and.......


Must be nice to live in ThaKids world where everything is sunshine and lollipops.
 
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I'll just respond to the defensive part because I think the offense will breakout (Especially if they use their two future big time NFL TE's like they're supposed to). I should also add that if I'm Beckman or Gonzales or Beatty, I'm definitely using Terry Hawthorne on offense. There could be a Charles Woodson like effect there if they do.

On to the defense though, this defense has a chance to be really special. The only thing I don't like is the depth in the secondary (I like the young talent but its not experienced). It could be as good as anyone anywhere if they had a little more depth (Heck it still might be anyway), but I still think they'll be top 10/top 5 for sure because of the studs they have. Hawthorne, Brown, Buchanan and Spence are all 1st round ability players and I think all will go there when they come out. Remember that Spence and Brown will only be juniors this year so they could come back. We all know about them, but there are a few guys flying under the radar big time. Justin Green is one of those guys. He will be in the NFL playing CB right along with Hawthorne next year. He has the potential to really put it together and open eyes this year for some early round consideration. Glenn Foster is another. In fact, I'm torn between who I want to see more this year between him and Darius Caldwell. Foster has accepted that he is a DT now and is up to 290+. I think he's going to open a lot of eyes as well in the form of NFL interest. Don't be surprised at just how high he will shoot up. It's the same for Justin Staples too. People will find out why I've said for the longest that there's not much seperation between he and Buchanan, if any. Staples is going to have a big year.

Other than those guys, obviously Sanni, Williams, Hull, PNY, Ramsey and others are back too. I think all will factor in and I would not be surprised to see a few of those guys emerge. I want to see how Eaton Spence, Nick North and others will factor in, but again this defense will be really special. One last thing I wanted to point out is that I'm really excited about the young DL and LB's. I mentioned Caldwell (He's going to be the best to come out since Simeon..watch), but Denmark (I want to see how big he has gotten...if he gets to 245+, it's a wrap), Kynard, Nelson (Sleeper), Dickinson (LB U continues), Cooper (Very Brown-like) and the freshmen like Powell and Williams all have a lot of talent and potential. If they can bring in 2013 studs like Merrick Jackson, Josh Augusta and others to team up with them, the defense is going to stay on top of the B10 for a long time.

Just wait (you'll see).
 
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There could be a Charles Woodson like effect there if they do.

Charles Woodson had 24 reception for 395 yards and 3 TDs during the 1996 and 1997 seasons combined (basically split evening between the two years). :lol:

Chris Gamble had 31 receptions for 499 yards (no TDs) in 2002.

Two of best dual-threat players of the last quarter century (longer?) really didn't have that big of an impact on offense.

I know ThaKid being an idiot doesn't need any additional evidence to support it... but I think I'd go with a mediocre run-of-the-mill Illinois receiver over a dual-threat guy that can have a "Woodson-like" impact. :slappy:
 
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Buckeye86;2135991; said:
Charles Woodson had 24 reception for 395 yards and 3 TDs during the 1996 and 1997 seasons combined (basically split evening between the two years). :lol:

Chris Gamble had 31 receptions for 499 yards (no TDs) in 2002.

Two of best dual-threat players of the last quarter century (longer?) really didn't have that big of an impact on offense.

I know ThaKid being an idiot doesn't need any additional evidence to support it... but I think I'd go with a mediocre run-of-the-mill Illinois receiver over a dual-threat guy that can have a "Woodson-like" impact. :slappy:

Just wait (you'll see). He's booking his Rose Bowl and NC tickets now.
 
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