There - I've said it. After Friday's loss to Michigan, the Bruce Weber era should be over, NCAA tournament appearance or not. Yes, of course it's the players who lost the game, say the Weber supporters - Weber didn't miss shots, or play bad defense, or allow the Wolverines to end the game on a 21-4 run after the Illini took a 12-point lead with about eight minutes to go. But how come the same thing happened at the end of the 2006 NCAA tournament loss to Washington, and at the end of the 2007 NCAA tournament loss to Virginia Tech? How come the players keep changing, but the team keeps choking away big leads? The only constant is Weber - he takes whatever talent he has and has them playing so tight that they are unable to execute down the stretch of tight games.
Yes, we might still make the NCAA tournament, but does this team deserve it? And does anyone (besides our potential first-round opponent and their fans) really want to see this Illini team play another meaningful game? And are things going to be better next year, when we'll have no seniors, no proven point guard or big men, and when too many of the "great recruits" we've already brought in have regressed (Richardson) or are basically invisible (Griffey, Head, Bertrand)? It's one thing watching ugly, boring basketball when the team wins (see 2008-09), but now we aren't even winning. The only way things are going to improve is by bringing in some fresh blood at the top. I wouldn't worry about losing our incoming recruits - they'd probably welcome the chance to play for a coach who might actually let them, you know, play.
Bottom line - Bruce Weber inherited a program that was on a par with Michigan State, and now we've fallen so far that we're even behind Michigan (to say nothing of Purdue, Ohio State, and Wisconsin). We're pretty much in the same boat with Minnesota, Penn State, and Northwestern - the "S.S. At Least We Aren't Indiana or Iowa". Our Big Ten record the last five years (44-44) is identical to the last five years of the Lou Henson era (45-45), only without the crippling NCAA sanctions. If not for the extra three NCAA tournament berths this year, we'd be in danger of missing the NCAA tournament for the third time in four years - and we might miss the tournament anyway.
Enough is enough. It's time to fire Bruce Weber.
Amen brother Im with u
ReplyDeleteYes, you've said it along with all the other band-wagon Illini, congratulations on your acceptance into lynch gang. I've always said, with today's fans its always easiest to blame the coach, and heaven forbid there may just be good reason for the current downfall. Early on, Weber needed to learn the recruiting game, which he has done very well and we should reap the benefits soon for years to come if fans don't upset the cart. You may also remember that certain recruits with the help of underhanded coaches sabataged the program, and then there was the Smith/Carlswell debacle that took a huge toll on the program. Sure, sure it's all the coaches fault. Wouldn't it all be easy if it was all just coaching? The lack of recruiting and departure of players has put the program in it's current state.
ReplyDeletePatience is something nearly all fans today miss, but in this case it is what is needed the most, if we want to see the reward. Let's face it, Illinois is not exactly as coveted a job as the Illini faithful imagine, so changing coaches every time the season doesn't pan out is like starting from square one over and over again. Not a formula for success!
You blame Weber for the end of the game breakdowns, but how did they get the lead in the first place? This team is good until challenged and then leadership is missing. Absolutely nobody wants to take control and it is evident. Winners want that role, but the Illini haven't had that in current leadership over the past 4 years. If you're going to blame weber for the lack of leadership now, why not praise him for the 05 leadership? Can't have it both ways, can we?
As for next year, you must have a crystal ball for all the assumptions you're making. I for one see a completely different team next year, and now we also have a tough senior point guard to help in the transition.
Lastly, come on, backed into the NCAA-last three teams in? It's a 9 seed not a twelve thru 16! Who do you think you're kidding?
Just another blog to forget about.
Go Big Daddy!
@Dennis - Sorry to hear you won't be back, although I'm not sure what you expected by clicking on a post that included the words "Fire Bruce Weber" in its title. I wish I could have your confidence after five years of spinning our wheels. As a matter of curiosity, in case you do decide to return - are you doing this for every anti-Weber outlet you come across, or did something particular I said cause you to single me out?
ReplyDelete@ Dennis- You can't praise Weber for the 05 leadership that was already in place after Self went to Kansas....Not to mention, Illinois has the potential to have stellar recruiting class every year? Where is your lack of logical reasoning for why Weber can't bring in top recruits? The top recruits we do reluctantly get never show leadership? You and Weber can go elope back down at SIU..
ReplyDelete