Martin interested in Illinois opening (Rumor)

#277
#277
armchair said:
The SEC is never very good--which is why Martin would be stupid to leave. Kentucky is the big dog, and after that there are a small number of teams vying to be second to fourth-best. Bottom line: The league's mediocrity gives Martin a good chance to get in the Dance every year. That's precisely what Pearl did--and then he did well in the tournament and built the program until his ambition got the best of him. It's all about getting int he dance. Illinois has some tradition, and it's good recruiting territory for sure--but MSU and OSU are always goinig to be the two best teams in that conference--and then a handful of teams will be battle for spots 3-6---IU, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois and maybe Iowa. Bottom line: IMO he's got a better shot at making the Tourney every year in the SEC/UT as opposed to Big 10/Illinois. Hell, we suxed this year, really, and almost got in. It will be tougher in Champagne--book it, Ba-Bee!
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Guess you have only been watching SEC basketball for 2 years. Considering Florida won back to back NCAA titles not to long ago, I wouldn't be using the terms never.
 
#280
#280
govols120 said:
I'm amazed (but knowing VN, it's not that surprising) people still think he's leaving. Don't be stupid.
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Do I think he leaves for Illinois? No.

BUT it's not stupid to realize its a possibility. Give me reasons why he'd stay and I'll match you with reasoning for Illinois.

As I said I don't think he'll go, but there's 2 josb that'd worry me, purdue & Illinois.
 
#281
#281
bleedingTNorange said:
Do I think he leaves for Illinois? No.

BUT it's not stupid to realize its a possibility. Give me reasons why he'd stay and I'll match you with reasoning for Illinois.

As I said I don't think he'll go, but there's 2 josb that'd worry me, purdue & Illinois.
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A man with integrity wouldn't leave after 1 year. I believe Cuonzo has that trait.

Now, if we are talking about down the road, I could see him leaving for the right school.
 
#282
#282
Is there a reason that this thread is still alive other than people not listening to the news and not reading ALL of this thread?
 
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#283
#283
UTFanForLife said:
A man with integrity wouldn't leave after 1 year. I believe Cuonzo has that trait.

Now, if we are talking about down the road, I could see him leaving for the right school.
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And that's one of my reasons for saying i don't think he'll leave, but Illinois is very attractive to him.

As far as right schools I only see 2, purdue & Illinois, unfortunately the Illinois job is open. Maybe an easier way to explain my opinion is that if last year Illinois and Tennessee were open I'd say he'd pick Illinois over Tennessee. I'm hoping though that his integrity, and being here for a year are strong enough reasons to keep him here, IMO they will be.
 
#284
#284
UneducatedGuess said:
Basketball is a one year turnaround for a great recruiter. Doubt me? Watch the Kentucky turnstile.
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Weber was Mr Clean -- Illinois lost out on 2 straight NBA players in Gordon and Rose --- Rose went where ? and who was the coach ? and then what happened ? :eek:lol:
 
#288
#288
Stevens isn't leaving Butler either. Illinois needs to aim a bit lower and realize they aren't a top 10 job right now.
 
#291
#291
Groce would be a solid hire. Marshall would be even better. Groce seems like the most likely hire at this point.
 
#295
#295
Tennessee has Memphis, Illinois has Chicago

Cuonzo's staff is extremely well connected in Chicago. Great players come from that city year in and year out. Recently, they've been leaving the state altogether. If Cuonzo can recruit Chicago, that makes Illinois one of the Elite jobs in the country.

As for Cuonzo and Memphis, Stokes is a great start, but he will always have UK, Vandy and Memphis State to recruit against.

If I'm Martin and Illinois calls, I'm pulling a lame kiffin.
 
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#296
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#297
#297
cwood said:
Tennessee has Memphis, Illinois has Chicago

Cuonzo's staff is extremely well connected in Chicago. Great players come from that city year in and year out. Recently, they've been leaving the state altogether. If Cuonzo can recruit Chicago, that makes Illinois one of the Elite jobs in the country.

As for Cuonzo and Memphis, Stokes is a great start, but he will always have UK, Vandy and Memphis State to recruit against.

If I'm Martin and Illinois calls, I'm pulling a lame kiffin.
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Martin is from East St Louis --- he wont get much respect from Chicago --- If he did leave then see the above post I made UT needs to get Robert Smith
 
#299
#299
508mikey said:
Martin is from East St Louis --- he wont get much respect from Chicago --- If he did leave then see the above post I made UT needs to get Robert Smith
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No but ast Tracy Webster is from Chicago and recruits the hell out of it supposedly. There was also talk that if Martin went there he'd try to add Smith and Thomas as assistants.

In any regard, it appears the Martin to Illinois rumors are dead now anyways so it doesn't matter much.
 
#300
#300
UTCVol said:
You want us to hire a high school coach?
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That's about as intelligent as UT IE 95 suggesting we go after Izzo if Martin left.

Who's the last high major D-1 school to hire a high school coach? C'mon man.

I will say I can understand Illinois hiring him if they don't land their first 10 candidates, but for any other high major it'd be asinine. #1 junior Jabari Parker plays for him at Simeon and would most likely follow him to champagne as that's already a school of interest for him. As I said, I could understand Illinois hiring him as a last resort, but no way another high major d1 school should/would.
 
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