Season wrap-up review, nobody wants dirty laundry airing-out with their program, so I’ll use some sensitivity in utilizing this piece. While surfing through all my information, I realize today coaches’ struggle so much with making a true evaluation on a kid and consequently they end-up somewhere else enjoying an experience of playing in an NCAA tournament game. I’ve watched all of these programs all season multiple times. No, I don’t consider myself an expert but I watch games closely as if I was a body language expert and I have been around longer than anyone and I cover more ground than most and I don’t tweet at game, I actually watch. So my point is clear! I won’t make many friends, but I discovered I don’t have many anyway.
- Illinois State (21-12) Still playing the Red-Birds boast our state’s most talented roster. They knocked-off Wisconsin-Green-Bay in a first round NIT match-up. The Red-Birds have an opportunity to build some steam with an extended post-season run. The program looks to be in an upward swing. Muller isn’t a popular guy, but he’s getting things done.
- Loyola Chicago (20-13) Beat Rider in the CBI Tourney. Envying the likes of Northern Iowa’s yearly success has captivated the attention of us locals. The injury bug yanked a string of games from the Ramblers best player Milton Doyle. Never-the-less, the program is viewed as one which should compete at the top Missouri Valley every year and it has the assets surrounding it to do so.
- Eastern Illinois (18-14) Squeaked out a 97-91 victory over Oakland last week in 7th Annual College Insider Com Tourney. The Panther program was making just their 3rd post-season appearance as a division one affiliate, they suit-up in a league that’s vastly under-rated. This program got-off to a rousing start in conference play, but soon ran into some issues that almost sucked the life out of their season. Jay Spoonhour has done admirable work in a short period.
- Illinois (19-14) “It’s going to take more than a conversation now!” A painful 79-58 NIT 1st round lost to Alabama has Illini Nation uneasy. No NCAA Tournament appearances have left a cloud over the program, for starters upgrading the roster would be immediate priority, most nights in conference play they went to a scrap without enough fighters. Now landing key instate recruits such as Marcus LoVett (2015), Nick Rakocevic (2016), Barret Benson (2016), Jeremiah Tilmon (2017), Justin Smith (2017) & Christian Negron (2017) is a must. What to do with 2015 signee Aaron Jordan is a compelling question.
- Northwestern (15-17) We sense some arrogance here, yeah we’ve witness some progression, but now a resemblance of tunes heard from Theo and the Cubs rant of selling us a dream of long-term success carded by the potential of their modern day cardiac kids (a youth movement) even with St. Joe’s standout guard Jordan Ash due in the line-up next season, there still’s a shortage of talent on the roster. Folks in these parts ain’t buying the dream yet!
- Northern Illinois (14-16) Ran into a hot-shooting Akron club during the conference tournament ending a 4 game winning streak. They were marred by injuries at the start of the conference season, but positive signs have the program headed in the right direction with a notable recruiting class due on campus next season, highly competitive Coach Montgomery sees a promising future in Dekalb.
- Southern Illinois-Edwardsville (12-16) A non-conference schedule which was puzzling got things off-to-an interesting start. A widely known fact that they weren’t a good defensive team under Forrester. This is a team in need of a make-over, the likely-hood for a competitive finish at the top of the league is a few years away. Names reportedly mentioned most frequently for the vacancy – Jack Owens (Purdue) – John Harris (Cal) – Rodney Watson (S. Indiana).
- DePaul (12-20) Arguably the second most talented roster of our state schools. Whomever lands the opening will inherit a contingent of players who underachieved this past season. Oliver’s resignation didn’t come as a complete surprise considering the team dropped a stretch of 8 games to close out the season. Their lack of team oriented chemistry was clearly evident. Ty Corbin would be the perfect guy to restore some reorganization and stability into a once proud program before they move into their new playing facility.
- Southern Illinois (12-21) Two non-relevant guards left the program Goodwin & Glotta; why can’t we be a Murray State or Northern Iowa year and year out? One significant change has to occur, recruiting the Chicago area more efficiently, targeting the right players who fit their scheme or system. Front-court help is needed as well as a point guard. They’ve rolled the dice now on Lee Academy European forward Rudolfs Stradnieks a 6-9 power forward who verbaled in Friday.
- Illinois Chicago (10-24) Howard Moore’s tenure ended after 5 seasons and a 49-111 record. This is a program expected to rival Valporaiso year and year out for conference titles. The Flames should be the Gonzaga of the Horizon League. This is a program that made some mistakes with their personnel, players and coaches from the start. Newly hired Steve McClain has a challenging task at hand immediately. The roster has some pieces but an overall make-over is needed and now he has to fill some slots with some coaches who can get things done in the area and who understand the landscape, this is going to be essential to his start at UIC.
- Bradley (9-24) Embattled Braves Coach Geno Ford finished his 4th season currently with a 44-76 career record and 18-44 in MVC play. He’s dealt with the cruel realities of college hoops in the last month and a half, and now had to get reacquainted with the new athletic director Chris Reynolds a Peoria native. On Sunday, 03/22/2015 Ford was dealt a final blow, he was ousted. Seven in state kids reside on the Braves roster which just completed a topsy-turvy season. Freshman forward Josh Cunningham was a bright spot. Now let the search begin, Northwestern Pat Baldwin may get a look.
- Western Illinois (8-20) Performs in a Summit League Conference with the likes of North-Dakota State, South-Dakota and upstart program Nebraska Omaha. First year coach Billy Wright lost to top seeded South Dakota State in the conference tournament. 6-5 sophomore guard Garret Covington led the team with 15.6 average. They have size and scoring on the way so look for progression with his program.
- Chicago State (8-24) Tray Dildy has soften through the years, favors for families has exhibit his kindness! Lack of significant guard play and overall talent has doomed the Cougars. The coaching staff has come to the realization that they must improve their overall talent level to compete in the WAC conference. We may start to see some immediate changes with how they do business in Cougar-Land.
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