Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Kelvin Sampson possibly in hot water (again)
Interesting-many of us would even say not surprising-story out of Indiana today. I've never understood why IU hired a guy who had trouble following the rules to begin with. At this point, there is such a cloud over the program, I actually hope they keep the guy because I think it helps us.
But the big question in my mind is, what will the NCAA and IU do? After all, the allegations say Sampson misled IU as well. That doesn't bode well for him in my opinion.
I wonder what Eric Gordon and his dad think? Or what they know. Hmmmm.
|
But the big question in my mind is, what will the NCAA and IU do? After all, the allegations say Sampson misled IU as well. That doesn't bode well for him in my opinion.
I wonder what Eric Gordon and his dad think? Or what they know. Hmmmm.
Labels: Eric Gordon, Kelvin Sampson, NCAA
# posted by Chief : 11:10 AM
Saturday, February 09, 2008
Profanity and the Illinois-Indiana rivalry
I was talking to a good friend of mine yesterday who is an Indiana fan. He told me he felt like we deserved to win the game Thursday night. I told him actually I didn't think so.
Pruitt's poor free throw shooting aside (a senior not icing the game from the line is reason enough for me to say we didn't deserve to win) our team, coaching staff and perhaps most of all our fans acted in a pretty classless way. That should not be Illinois basketball. Win or lose.
I didn't watch the entire game Thursday night but from what I watched and if even half of what Mariotti says is true, our folks need to grow up. Can we at least lose with dignity?
At least Guenther and Weber issued an apology. But waiting until the day after? Does it take that long for them to realize things were a little out of control? Did Weber not see Chester's chest bump? If so, does he approve of what he did? I don't because I don't want our players to have the reputation of a bunch of thugs.
And as for the fans, I'm fine with screaming at Gordon and Sampson. They deserve it. And that passion is what a rivalry is all about. But please leave the profanity out of it. I'd like to be able to take my kids to the games someday.
Finally, a word to Indiana fans: You guys aren't much better. I'm all for a good rivarly and the arguing that goes with it. And if you want to come over here and talk smack in our comment section, that's fine. But leave the classless profanity out of it or your posts will be deleted.
Incidentally, my friend (who graduated from IU) said he was also ashamed of their fan behavior. He said he's sick of hearing the F bomb dropped at their place. After getting up this morning and reading the comments from the IU fans here, I believe it.
It's time to grow up, people.
|
Pruitt's poor free throw shooting aside (a senior not icing the game from the line is reason enough for me to say we didn't deserve to win) our team, coaching staff and perhaps most of all our fans acted in a pretty classless way. That should not be Illinois basketball. Win or lose.
I didn't watch the entire game Thursday night but from what I watched and if even half of what Mariotti says is true, our folks need to grow up. Can we at least lose with dignity?
At least Guenther and Weber issued an apology. But waiting until the day after? Does it take that long for them to realize things were a little out of control? Did Weber not see Chester's chest bump? If so, does he approve of what he did? I don't because I don't want our players to have the reputation of a bunch of thugs.
And as for the fans, I'm fine with screaming at Gordon and Sampson. They deserve it. And that passion is what a rivalry is all about. But please leave the profanity out of it. I'd like to be able to take my kids to the games someday.
Finally, a word to Indiana fans: You guys aren't much better. I'm all for a good rivarly and the arguing that goes with it. And if you want to come over here and talk smack in our comment section, that's fine. But leave the classless profanity out of it or your posts will be deleted.
Incidentally, my friend (who graduated from IU) said he was also ashamed of their fan behavior. He said he's sick of hearing the F bomb dropped at their place. After getting up this morning and reading the comments from the IU fans here, I believe it.
It's time to grow up, people.
Labels: Bruce Weber, Eric Gordon, Jay Mariotti, Kelvin Sampson, Ron Guenther
# posted by Chief : 7:24 AM
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Bruce Weber Needs Media Relations Training
Some may argue with me because they hate the media and/or don't trust them but I believe maintaining a good relationship with them is an important part of any coach's job. I realize this doesn't apply in every single case (see Bobby Knight) but much more often than not, it's in the coach's best interest to treat the media with respect and dignity, no matter how much the coach disagrees with them. I even would go as far as to argue that his/her success or failure to some extent hinges on his or her skills with the media.
The reason I believe this? Perception=reality and in this day of 24-hour news cycles, blogs, YouTube, e-mail, message boards, etc., news travels fast. Especially bad news. Therefore, it is very easy to get a negative perception very quickly that is very hard to turn around. If the media doesn't like a coach, they are less likely to write about his/her successes and more likely to write about his/her failures.
In fact, there is nothing the media likes to cover more than a rising or falling star.
To that end, Bruce Weber fed into the falling star perception at his press availability yesterday. Take a look:
This is not at all helpful to an Illinois basketball program that is already struggling both on the court and in the court of public perception. I understand Weber is stressed but he's paid not to lose his cool, especially with the press. It doesn't help the confidence of the fans, alumni or recruits.
Speaking of recruits, it sounds like some Pac-10 school like Arizona may be after Quinton Watkins. That is a good sign. It must mean he's good. But it also means Weber needs to hold on to him. If he doesn't, he might as well quite recruiting. Eric Gordon was stolen and if Eric Gordon's replacement gets stolen then every coach is in the country is gonna know they can take whatever recruits they want from Weber.
Can you see the handwriting on the wall yet? He'll get even more upset. Have another meltdown...vicious cycle. He needs to break it. Now.
|
The reason I believe this? Perception=reality and in this day of 24-hour news cycles, blogs, YouTube, e-mail, message boards, etc., news travels fast. Especially bad news. Therefore, it is very easy to get a negative perception very quickly that is very hard to turn around. If the media doesn't like a coach, they are less likely to write about his/her successes and more likely to write about his/her failures.
In fact, there is nothing the media likes to cover more than a rising or falling star.
To that end, Bruce Weber fed into the falling star perception at his press availability yesterday. Take a look:
This is not at all helpful to an Illinois basketball program that is already struggling both on the court and in the court of public perception. I understand Weber is stressed but he's paid not to lose his cool, especially with the press. It doesn't help the confidence of the fans, alumni or recruits.
Speaking of recruits, it sounds like some Pac-10 school like Arizona may be after Quinton Watkins. That is a good sign. It must mean he's good. But it also means Weber needs to hold on to him. If he doesn't, he might as well quite recruiting. Eric Gordon was stolen and if Eric Gordon's replacement gets stolen then every coach is in the country is gonna know they can take whatever recruits they want from Weber.
Can you see the handwriting on the wall yet? He'll get even more upset. Have another meltdown...vicious cycle. He needs to break it. Now.
Labels: Bruce Weber, Eric Gordon, Quinton Watkins
# posted by Chief : 1:34 PM
