Who would've thunk it?

For today, that afternoon in Wrigley is forgotten.

Beating Illinois isn't really that big of a deal, is it? It isn't like you knocked off Ohio State.

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

Illinois kicked the crap out of Northwestern in football. Remember?

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You know me like that.

I just remember the pre-game festivities. I'm sure I'll recall those 80 yard runs tomorrow.

I see what you did there.

Iowa winning a road game against anyone in the Big Ten shocked me too.

Just saw this... apparently the Illini did not score a single point according to these highlights

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=A3YkCoZOmwQ

So does Noisewater finally admit his folly as a Bruce Weber acolyte?

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I believe the Bruce Weber System is superior to all others and no amount of evidence to the contrary will ever convince me otherwise.

I would expect you, of all people, would appreciate that position.

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You know me like that.

So who's your pick for the next coach after Weber is relieved of his duties?

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Jeff Fischer

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You know me like that.

What about getting Lon Kruger back? Is Lou Henson still alive?

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Even dead, would Henson be worse?

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2018
#ExtendLafleur
10 More Wins

I'll trade you Carmody.

I believe they don't need a coach.

They should just have the players come together in a cooperative effort, share the decision making, and do away with an oppresive administrative legacy and go more towards a kind of free association of sorts or a basketball oligarchy led by the workers, I mean players.

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You know me like that.

But they don't have a coach. They have Bruce Weber.

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No.

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Lou Henson - 21 seasons

11 20-win seasons
1 Conference championship
2 2nd place finishes


Bruce - 8 seasons

Soon-to-be 7 20 win seasons
2 Conference championships
2 2nd place finishes


Bruce, 2nd winningest coach in Illinois history - behind none other than Bill Self.

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You know me like that.

Are you a former Arthur Andersen employee? You might want to check your math.

If your point is that both Weber and Henson are bad, I agree.

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Checked it. Looks good.

Point is Henson - decent to above-average, cool hair.

Weber - better than Henson, more of a hair helmet.

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You know me like that.

So your contention is that Weber, who has or will have 7 20-win seasons in 8 years with Illinois, has more wins than Lou Henson, who had 11 20-win seasons at Illinois? And that math looks good to you? You wouldn't by any chance be involved with the mortgage industry, would you?

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win·ning·est   /ˈwɪnɪŋɪst/ Show Spelled
[win-ing-ist] Show IPA

–adjective Informal .
1. winning most often: Bruce Weber.
2. most winning or charming: the winningest smile in town.

Upon taking the court at Illinois, only 1 coach has won more often than Bruce Weber and that would be Bill Self.

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You know me like that.

Doesn't that answer the question . . . When Self left he had been recruiting down to the 8th grade level. Bruce inherited three classes at Illinois, one official recruiting class and four years of underclassman. Total --- 8 years of Self recruited players.

I think next year will be the first true test for this coaching staff as it will be the the first year with no Bill Self recruits.

No, these are all Bruce Weber recruits.

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You know me like that.

I'm not familiar with the definition of winningest you're using. Webster's defines winningest as "having achieved the most wins." I'll have to check OED later, but I think your usage is incorrect.

In any event, NSJ is correct in pointing out that Weber inherited a good team from Self and that the program has slowly declined since Weber has had to rely on his own recruits, even despite the "stellar" recruiting classes of the past two years.

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OK. I'm incorrect. 2nd best winning percentage.

NSJ - this year's senior class is the would-be Eric Gordon class. Mike Davis got Gordon's scholarship.

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You know me like that.

They certainly are.

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I find this year's team to be perplexing. They are a talented group but seem to lack some type of motivation or confidence or combination of the two. I feel that stems mainly from McCamey and Tisdale who are talented but seem to disappear at times, inexplicably. Particularly for McCamey who is potentially one of the best players in the country.

I see nowhere else to point the finger than at Weber. His 4-year attempt to pound some motivation into McCamey seems to have broken him down more than elevated his leadership. The team has taken its cue from its best player and also just shutdown at times. This was supposed to be a stellar season for a talented group and they have no ability to play on the road.

Maybe they will turn it around in the last 8 games but I see no reason to think that they will at this point. They have the talent to beat any team in the country but nowhere near the mentality or drive to match the talent.

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You know me like that.

You know you could say the exact same thing about Michigan State. They look tentative and non-responsive during stretches. And no one is questioning Izzo's coaching skills? Doesn't this just happen with a certain "combination" of players?

You can get some great recruits, but sometimes they just don't gel together. Maybe this is the case for BW?