-The Knicks (15-15) picked up win #7 in a row, and Linsanity (4-6 fgs) kept rolling with 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 13 assists. The fact that he only took six shots paired with 13 assists shows he can play more of a traditional point guard role for the team and still be successful. Everyone is still waiting to see how things shake out when Carmelo Anthony re-joins the team.
-All Star snub Rajon Rondo went for a measly 35 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists in a Celtics loss to the Pistons. How long until Ainge completely blows up that roster? Trading Kendrick Perkins last year was the beginning of the end.
-This is an actual final score from last night:
UAB 47
SMU 28
And yes, those guys are all scholarship basketball players. In case you didn't realize, SMU is coached by Matt Doherty. Yes, that Matt Doherty. Quite a fall from grace.
-Who will be the next coach of Illinois? It seems clear to me that Bruce Weber will be out after this season, especially as it appears they will likely miss the NCAA Tournament. They aren't loaded, but they're far too talented to miss the tourney altogether. Last night's home loss to Purdue dropped the Illini to 16-10 and a lowly 5-8 in Big Ten play. Worse, that's 7 losses in their last 8 games. Even though the lone win was a set-the-clocks-back 42-41 victory over Michigan State (Draymond Green got injured and missed the last 5 minutes, though), you don't want to be trending in this direction in February.
4 comments:
Illinois has Top 25 talent; no question. How absurd is it that Illinois has lost 7 of 9 with their two wins against Top 10 teams, Oh.St and the Spartans? Keep in mind Weber lost his grip on his team each of the last two seasons as well.
Seeing Meyers Leonard throw a fit on one end of the floor while Zeller (his man) is throwing down a dunk on the other end of the floor (with the other 8 players on the court, mind you) in a nail-biter, with no repercussions, is enough to tell me that Bruce needs to go.
Great story in the NYTimes on Butler basketball:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/14/sports/ncaabasketball/a-bumpy-road-back-for-coach-brad-stevens-and-the-butler-bulldogs.html?pagewanted=3&_r=2&ref=sports
From what I've watched of Meyers this season, it sure seems like he has an attitude problem.
Meyers has an attitude problem, sure, but he also has ridiculous talent. He will be a top 15 pick. You can't teach what he has/does (7'1" and hops). I work with an Illini guy who is perenially frustrated by Brucie's inability to maximize talent. In his defense, or perhaps as further indictment, Illinois really has not been blown out. Virtually every one of their last 10 games were decided by 5 points or less. At some point, the inability to get in done in crunch time has to fall on the coach. He is definitely gone. Only question is whether the new coach will be able to lock down any of that Chicago talent---2013 HS class in Illinois is LOADED.
Chicago Recruits (using Rivals #'s)
#2 overall - Jabari Parker (who many say should be #1 overall but one of the Harrison twins is an absolute stud - ahem, look for him to be Calipari's next PG prodigy) ... probably not going to see him at Illinois, regardless of coach.
#18 overall - Kendrick Nunn (Parker's teammate at Simeon) would be a big Illinois pick-up, after de-committing from Texas A/M.
#30 overall - Thomas Hamilton (considering Illinois, Michigan State, other Big Ten schools)
They've got commitments from #50 and #76 overall, but we'll see if those stick w/ the coaching change. I know Jerrence Howard is a major recruiter for Weber, good w/ that area (Chicago).
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