MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[advoice]

No offense taken Sager. The other factor regarding trustworthyness (is that a word) is a persons history of being correct or not. If you look back, I was correct in who interviewed for the position at Lewis and I was correct in the way it all played out.  I choose to remain anonymous and I realize that does effect credibility however that is my choice. I am careful that my posts only contain "truths" rather than "rumors" .

Two more "truths"...Al Biancalana wants the IWU job...Kyle Jeffrey is leaving Carthage.

[Greek Tragedy]

OS, you are not really suggesting that a school make a longterm head coaching decision based on the abilities of the current players and how they fit the candidates' coaching style, are you??  That is crazy.  You pick the coach you want, you hope the transition goes as well as it can go with the players who are there, and you build for the future.

I don't think it's out of the question.  I'm not saying they are going to talk to Freeman and others and say, "Hey, what do you guys want..."  but, I think if a school is set in their ways, they'll look for a coach to continue the "tradition".  I don't think Stevens Point has ever been a run and gun team and their tradition has been built on tough defense, solid motion offense etc from the days of the first Bennett to the second Bennett.  They hired Semling because he was an assistant at Point and the boys upstairs knew that he would continue that excellence. 

Down in Grinnell, they have been playing "the system" ever since coach Arseneault got there and I don't see Grinnell changing that style of play even if and when Arseneault moves on/retires etc. 

I don't know the complete history of the IWU program, though I'm well aware that Bridges was an excellent coach, as is Trost.  But I don't see too many schools completely changing philosophies unless their programs go through some lean years and "it doesn't hurt to try something else".  Obviously, I could be way off base because Tharpe's name has come up as a candidate for the IWU position and Lawrence and IWU play completely different styles.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I think there are many players who will admit that losing an assistant could be just as valuable as losing a head coach.

I agree.  I also think this is especially true for d3 schools where there is no monetary connection to the program.  Schools with less national prominence rely on good relationships to keep their players each year.  Again, this is probably not the case as much in the CCIW, but a lot of coaches rely on their assistants to be friends with the players, so the coach can maintain his aura of authority.  I don't know whether or not this is a good tactic, but its very popular and means that the kids have more of a connection to the assistants than the head coach a lot of the time.  It depends on the situation, but losing an assistant can mean a lot.

I have heard from a pretty solid source that IWU has over 100 applicants for the job. 

Even the worst d3 programs get 75-100 applicants for open head coaching positions.  I'm guessing 90% of them are not even considered, but that number doesn't really mean too much.

[True Basketball Fan]

BJ5,

I didn't know that there were many kids looking to exit Elmhurst, but ended up staying because of the greatness of an assistant.  That would suggest that Coach Scherer is not doing very well, if all these guys want to leave.  Since he is and has been doing well, then maybe the players looking to leave were a tad on the wimpy and flighty side, as I've heard that Coach Scherer can be awful tough to play for.  It sounds to me, you might've been one of those guys that wanted to jump ship when it got a little tough, and Coach Baines came to the rescue and saved the day.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Wow, confrontational much?

[bluejay5]

Well look everyone another pointless non factual statement from True Basketball fan.   At no point in my life have I ever quit anything or thought about quitting.  Before you go and make false statements about my dedication as a player maybe you should try and find someone on this board who knows me and ask.  I have kept a close relationship with the Elmhurst Basketball program being that when I was a Senior I started with 3 Freshman, so long after I was gone I had a bond with that team and due to unusual circumstances, One of the Freshman I started with just graduated this year, so I have been able to keep up with the program from the inside and over the last few years numerous players have left the Elmhurst program, or brought up serious thoughts about leaving( Even looking into other schools).  I'm not saying its Coach Scherer or anything but the fact is it is happening a lot.  I know people and players change and leave schools, but when I was a Senior 11 Freshman were brought into that school. 3 First team all-state players and my the time they were Seniors 1 guy was playing at Elmhurst and yes I was friends and teammates with some of these guys so you probably think my opinion is schewed...don't know if that's how you spell that....but these were not wimpy guys. I can handle if a poster comes on here and post truths with facts to back them up, but it says a lot about you to come on here and doubt my character and willingness to quit when you know nothing about me....The only thing I know is that you have no clue what you are talking about.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

How about we get an opinion from a non-player, as his (entirely valid and acceptible) answer might be construed with bias.

I have seen a lot of players "quit" basketball at d3 schools before their elligibility is up.  Very few have had poor reasons for doing so (like "It got too hard" or "I wasn't getting the ball enough.")  Reasons I have heard and respect: "I need to work to support my family after class instead of going to practice;"  "I need to grow up and my priorities in life have changed.  I can't commit that much time to basketball;"  "My education is more important than basketball and I won't get into grad school unless I spend more time studying."

There are dozens of these.  People grow up and mature quite a bit between 18 and 22 years old.  A lot of times they realize that basketball isn't as important to them as it once was and that other things have taken priority.  I applaud the kids able to make that decision as examples of a successful athletic program, not as failures.  People who can make tough decisions with foresight and maturity are what the college and university system is supposed to produce.  Let's not equate real growth to "quitting" and "sticking it out."

Sure, there are tough situations sometimes, but you can't argue with a kid who just says "the headache isn't worth the trouble anymore" especially when they aren't even giving up a scholarship by doing so.

[bluejay5]

Hoops fan I totally agree with you, There are many reasons players leave and that happeded to many of the 11 of mentioned, just didn't want to play anymore, wanted to enjoy college.  I should have been more clear on the reasons for leaving.

[True Basketball Fan]

I can handle if a poster comes on here and post truths with facts to back them up, but it says a lot about you to come on here and doubt my character and willingness to quit when you know nothing about me....The only thing I know is that you have no clue what you are talking about.

Hence the word "might've" in you my oh-so-terrible statement about your character.  That word means "possible" or "speculation", not fact or truth.  You're right, I don't know you, nor too many other people here.  Therefore, I speculate (a little on the offensive side, that's why my karma is low).  It's been joyful, please come again.

[bluejay5]

Thank you for the English lesson I always find it helpful to get a refresher course on the English Language every once in a while, you know keep up with current contractions such as Might've. You are correct though this comical banter back and forth has been enjoyable, especially if you find correcting someone who makes incorrect assupmtions and then tries to cover that up with quick english lesson.  If that is the case this has been totally enjoyable, and at this moment I would say I just Might've hurt my Karma...In case no one on the board knew the word or words since Might've is made up of two is MIGHT'VE.

[bluejay5]

For the rest of the Board sorry you have to see this I get bored at work and posting is all i have to do.

[Outnthewoodsman]

I feel confident in my Augustana/NCAA coaching/misc. D3-based sources about every name for the IWU job I have posted here, just as I was confident in the same sources who confirmed that Scott Trost was leaving for Lewis the day before it was announced.  I am sure of:

John Tharp (Lawrence)
Mike McGrath (Chicago)
Todd Raridon (North Central)
Ron Rose (Bloomington H.S.)
John Baines (Elmhurst, Asst Coach)
Rick Samuels (Eastern Illinois, former head coach)

Now this comes from a different source, so I do not yet know how reliable, but I recently heard another name --

Pat Cunningham (Trinity)

Not clear if Cunningham applied, or if the source was pretty sure he would.  Not very solid info.

I have heard from a pretty solid source that IWU has over 100 applicants for the job.  The real intrigue would be to know who are some of those 90+ guys we haven't identified.  Most of the names above were pretty obvious going in.

Would seem to me IWU is going to end up with a great coach.

I heard that the Hope assistant whom I wondered about is interested.  If the stats are correct from their tourney program earlier this season, he has been at Hope for a large share of the current coach's years as head coach.  I agree....seems like IWU will have a great coach as it's next leader of the Titans.

[David Collinge]

Now this comes from a different source, so I do not yet know how reliable, but I recently heard another name --

Pat Cunningham (Trinity)

Not clear if Cunningham applied, or if the source was pretty sure he would.  Not very solid info.

I would not be surprised to learn that Trinity's Pat Cunningham is interested in the IWU vacancy.  He's a good and well-respected coach, he used to coach in the area (at Chicago, IIRC), and has shown a willingness to move.  Of course, for all I know he's happily rooted at Trinity; but if not, he'd seem a logical candidate.

What's my source?  Sorry, but I have none.   

One of the great things about this room is that there are so many well-connected posters who have inside information and can speak intelligently about matters ranging from IWU's coaching vacancy to recruiting to NPU's next president.  But I think we need to be careful not to squeeze out the idle speculation.  Facts are great, but opinions can be valuable too.  So long as someone is not passing off their opinion as immutable truth, or spreading vile rumors intended to mislead or hurt, I believe there is room for reasonable speculation.

[diehardfan]

But now are beer nuts don't taste the same.

That's our, right? 

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I was going to give you karma for the song, but grammatical errors and dissing kermit lost it for you.