I agree with this. Didn't want to loop him in because he is still a top 50 kid but he isn't the program changer he was billed to be 4 years ago. He was top 10 as a freshman and his stock has dropped every season. 41 on ESPN list currently.

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He looks like a solid rim protector, but does not have much of an offensive game. His work ethic is under question because he left La Lumiere, which is supposed to be a basketball factory grooming him for the next level. If he's on a team that has a lot of scoring, where he is not expected to be a part of the offense it would help him to develop further.

He's not a program changer. If him flipping is the price for firing Groce, it's worth it. Funny part was that they kept Jamal Walker in large part because he was supposedly going to land Tilmon and Mark Smith. Wonder if Underwood regrets that.

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Why are only 14 percent of black CPS 11th-graders proficient in English?

Not good:



http://www.suntimeshighschoolsports.com ... l-mailbag/

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Why are only 14 percent of black CPS 11th-graders proficient in English?

Poor delicate coaches.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

It seems like something he should do to avoid the negative press and them bitching at the very least.

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Why are only 14 percent of black CPS 11th-graders proficient in English?

I would guess he is worried about the present class and not the next one right now.

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Elections have consequences.

I think this is a good move by Underwood. It's time for Illinois to move away from the Public League and it's prima donna ass coaches. There isn't top end talent in the Public League these days. The talent that does come out hasn't considered Illinois so let them roll.

I like the Antigua move. Just the kind of oily that you need to play big boy ball.

If they give Chin the gig as a way to maintain public league ties then cool but if they don't so be it. Chin is a solid recruiter and he is connected to everyone in the game locally so that would be solid move but not a requirement. I do have it on good authority that the Irvins wanted him to get the job when Groce was hired but Groce went with Parham.

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Didn't I pretty much say exactly that before and you argued?

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

Yeah you did but at the time the Public League was putting out top 5 guys consistently. There isn't much in the pipeline now.

You ignore them until they start putting out a better product. I told Paris to leave the Simeon guys alone when he signed them. If you don't sign Parker then the rest are untouchable. Simeon has primarily produced mid major players masquerading as high majors. You didn't have to dance with Robert Smith in order to sign Jabari because everyone knew that his father Sonny and mother were handling his recruiting.

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Isn't that the case generally in this era where everyone plays AAU? The power of the high school coach has been greatly diminished. I guess there is still some prestige to the high school season but I could certainly see a time where guys don't even play for their high school team and just stay with the clubs like a lot of top players do in soccer and volleyball right now.

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Anybody here seen my old friend Bobby?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
I thought I saw him walkin' up to The Hill
With Elon, Tulsi, and Don

Yep. Navigating the AAU waters is the toughest thing for high school coaches today. Coupled with increased involvement from parents and it can be hell. AAU culture is different too. Kids switch teams week to week. I think it is one of the main reasons that there are so many college transfers these days. Kid doesn't like a situation he will simply leave. That is the residual effect of AAU basketball.

In terms of parents it is hell dealing with them too. AAU basketball doesn't exist without financial backing. If parents don't pay then teams cannot travel. Some teams have sponsors but that is at the upper levels. Most teams need parents that will pay the money.

The parents are willing because as with any investment they think there is a payoff i.e. college scholarship down the line. With their investment comes influence. They are allowed to negotiate playing time and dictate when and if their kid will play and also whom their kid will play with.

Once the high school season starts the same tactics are used on the high school coach. There are some strong coaches that simply won't play the game but most will however. It is a vexxing situation.

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Chin Coleman hired as last assistant.

Damn good hire. This dude Underwood knows what the fuck he is doing. As a third assistant at a big time program you couldn't do much better. He has cred in the city and is like family with the Irvins. At the same time Underwood is demonstrating that he doesn't have to kiss the ass of City coaches to get players. That is where Antigua and even Walker come in.


Chin can walk into any gym in this city and talk basketball with any coach. Has instant credibility.

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Landed Mark Smith. Big signing for BU.

FUCK YEAH IT WAS!!

He will change his mind in a month or two.

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You know me like that.

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

Isn't he a better get, especially for Underwood's system, than either of the two guys they lost?

What is the status with Tillman? Did he sign elsewhere or is he still considering the Illini?

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

It would seem. But I don't count a signing anymore until they graduate and Nick Offerman gives them a speech.

I haven't heard anything about Tilmon - but he's going to Missouri.

He may not suit the system but it's always nice to have some really tall guys.

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You know me like that.

Someone should tell Tillman how many times Illinois has been ranked in the top 25 over the last 30 years

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

That seems like a pro-Illini statement.

Am I reading it wrong?

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You know me like that.

Guess I need to do better.

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

Still not sure.

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You know me like that.

Come on Doc, when have you known me to ever make a pro illini comment...it was a sarcastic shot at that article that was posted showing the Illini were like the 15th program in most times in the top 25 or some non sense like that

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

Being consistently awesome is nonsense?

Still not sure.

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You know me like that.

I'll be heading to God's Country tomorrow.

Join me at Murphy's for a burger and beer all who thirst for wisdom.

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You know me like that.

Mark Alstork transferring to Illinois. Grad transfer so eligible immediately. 1 year eligibility. 6'-5" G. Averaged 19 PPG last year at Wright State.

In other news, rumors are Jalen Coleman-Lands will be transferring out of Illinois.

_________________
O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

That guy was the founder of National Lampoon.

we all thought The Stork was brain damaged

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

Coleman-Lands transferring confirmed.