Was Saturday's 73-68 loss to Northwestern the last chance for Illinois to keep its NCAA Tournament hopes alive?
"We've just got to win a game. That's what I'm worried about," coach Bruce Weber said. "I'm not worried about anything except trying to win a game.
Practice won't be any fun in the days leading up to Illinois' next game at Penn State on Wednesday. Weber was particularly irked at his players after this loss. He wouldn't let his players speak with the media after the game -- a consequence of their lack of communication, Weber said.
"Until they start talking and taking leadership, they're not talking to anyone else," Weber said. "I don't know when it will end. I hope it ends soon. Somebody's got to take this team and go with it, but right now, it's not happening."
Saturday was the best game that freshman Brandon Paul played in the Big Ten. Paul had 12 points and, for most of the game, played the way Weber and the coaching staff wanted him to on the offensive end.
Instead of trying to force up a difficult shot near the basket against multiple defenders, Paul would dribble toward the basket, then pull up and take a jumper, something Weber has been harping on him to do recently, though Weber added that Paul forced up some 3-pointers.
It was also a good night for freshman D.J. Richardson, who led the Illini with 17 points. "I thought D.J. and Brandon were important for us because they can make plays and shots," Weber said.
Weber also commended junior Bill Cole and said that his hustle shows that Cole "cares" when he's on the floor.
When asked if that was the case with the rest of his team, Weber said:
"(Cole) plays as hard as he can play, gives his all. And I don't think all the other guys play as hard as we need to play for us to be successful," Weber said. "I told you that before the season, I was worried about it -- leadership, toughness, playing hard, defense -- and I'm saying it right now."
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Everybody calling for Webber's head is ridiculous. As a former player, I know that coaches coach and players play. Coaches can only do so much...teach, show, diagram, motivate.
It's funny...Tom Izzo has been saying the same things about his players and teams (this year and in years past). In fact, he called out Kalin Lucas and kicked him out of practice this year. Is Izzo not a leader? Is Izzo lame for calling out his players publicly?
Bruce is like all Illini fans...totally frustrated with this group of players. He's doing everything he can to get them to play better together.
Some of the suggestions of you posters are moronic...
Press? There's no athletic shotblocker at the back end.
Zone? Paul and Richardson are way too easy to shoot over and rebounding would suffer.
I thought for the most part that the Illini played well except for Davis who was as usual lost. We played a good team ontheir court and had an 8 point lead or so halway thrught the second period. The problem was that on three straight possessions (two I think were steals) instead of scoring Davis and others made bad decisions. That was the turning point of the game. We get turnovers from playing good defense and fail to cnvert and then of course they come down and hit a three for a five piint swing. Don't blame McCamey. Even though he may not be the vocal leader we all want him to be, he is one heck of a player. Maybe he does not have the enrgy to play 40 straight monutes of up and down. People are doubling him and chasing him and he has to expend a lot of energy. Agree that Jordan has taken a step back and would play the freshman more. Do not see Jordan as part of the team next year.
I thought for the most part that the Illini played well except for Davis who was as usual lost. We played a good team ontheir court and had an 8 point lead or so halway thrught the second period. The problem was that on three straight possessions (two I think were steals) instead of scoring Davis and others made bad decisions. That was the turning point of the game. We get turnovers from playing good defense and fail to cnvert and then of course they come down and hit a three for a five piint swing. Don't blame McCamey. Even though he may not be the vocal leader we all want him to be, he is one heck of a player. Maybe he does not have the enrgy to play 40 straight monutes of up and down. People are doubling him and chasing him and he has to expend a lot of energy. Agree that Jordan has taken a step back and would play the freshman more. Do not see Jordan as part of the team next year.
It's time for Weber to stop looking at the top 3 for leadership, and start focusing on DJ Richardson. While the kid continues to make some freshman mistakes, he's been getting progressively better and fits more with the future. This season is already lost and McCamey is a dud that will never understand what team ball is. There is a whole new crop of players coming in next year, and they'll need a leader then too. To think that you'll get it from McCamey, Tisdale or Davis is like touching a hot stove, you'll get burned every time. Can't wait until the McCamey years are over.
It's pretty simple, has there ever been another coach that puts more blame on his players than Bruce Weber? Seriously, look at the big wins, he takes credit for the big wins. Players take blame for the losses. Fact is Weber is a baby and will never change. We're Illinois basketball and we got beat by Northwestern. And seriously if I have to hear another compliment of Bill Cole, I may stab myself. That kid is such trash. We all call him Goose because in the state title game (against D-rose), Cole put up the dreaded one point. Which everyone agrees is worse than not scoring...hence, Goose. What a piece of garbage.
I have one question for all of you, how would you handle 3 passive personalities like McCamey, Davis, and Tisdale?
Also if you think this is throwing kids under the bus, you must be no older than 21 and was handed everything in your life.
He is simply asking for leadership. He is asking for someone to step you and take control. The same thing my dad and i were yelling on Saturday night.
The problem is that these kids (21 yr olds BTW) are pansies who are coddled all their lives. Weber is a great coach, when players buy in. Look at 03-04 as an example (His 1st year) They hit the skids, fell to 3-5 in the conference, the won 8 straight to tie for the title. Why because Dee and Deron finally bought in and took LEADERSHIP!!!
Then we all know what happened the following year. Until McCamey decides to play his ass off for 40 minutes, this team will not advance.
But I guess all you people calling for Weber's head know more than a man who sat under Gene Keady for 19 years. I trust Gene Keady over all of you anyday. If we let Weber go, it will come back to haunt us.
So let's add Weber to the list of coaches that sports radio geniuses and their lemming listeners want fired, i. e. Lovie, Vinnie, Lou,etc.
So let's add Weber to the list of coaches that sports radio geniuses and their lemming listeners want fired, i. e. Lovie, Vinnie, Lou,etc.
I always thought a player was supposed to follow a coach's instructions. If Weber tells McCamey to be more vocal and he does't respond, he should be on the bench. If McCamey responded by saying no big deal, I'll come of the bench- Weber should keep him there- regardless of how well he plays. Problem today is the players think they can do whatever they want. As much as it pains a loyal Illini, I miss the days of coaches like Knight.
Michael Jordan should get a DNA test done on his son at Illinois. He's supposed to be Michael Jordan's son?
The Dude hardly ever shoots the ball.
back on the topic...
Webber teams(the players HE recruited), always seem to be a mish-mash of players, never really in sync, and playing as a cohesive team. And there's something about his coaching style that doesn't lend itself to ever being an NCAA Champion anywhere down the road.
The guy just isn't in the same league as the elite coaches of the Big ten. It time to think about a replacement. Come on Chicago has some of the greatest talent in the world yet we lose them to Kansas and Jon Caliper (Wherever he is coaching). He doesn't inspire me. I would rather play for Bo in Wisconsin.
I remember when Duke lost Bobby Hurley for an extended period of time. Someone asked Coach K "who will lead the team?" He responded "I'm the leader of this team." Coach Weber doesn't want to accept this responsibility.
He can't make changes on offence when we need points, can't make adjustments on defense when we need a stop. Puts all the blame on the players he recruited. It's time to stand up and take responsibility for your shortcomings.
Coach Weber is trying to put square pegs into a round hole. An example, Tisdale is to slow to play man to man defense on 70% of his opponents, that's why he gets in foul trouble. He asks for leadership from guys who have passive personalties. Though Illinois has had some success with a full court press, he never uses it unless the Illini are down, & heaven forbid we actually practice & use a zone.
What do you mean somebody needs to take this team and lead? Is't that YOUR job?!
Mike Tisdale and Bill Cole are so soft!!!! They get pushed around so easily on the court. They play like they're scared all the time.
Webber has sucked all the confidence out of his players. When the freshman came out at the start of the season sizzling he wanted morte scoring from his upperclassmen. Then we LOST. He's the only head coach that mentions being in the polls! He would be a nice High school coach somewhere!
Weber has totally lost this team and fan base, myself included. He needs to go after this season.
Right on Darrell! I'm tired of seeing Webbers open moth what went wrong look. He tries to talk to his players through the media and whines all the time. We need a real coach that can man-up!
Webber needs to go! He couldn't even run an offense with Williams, Brown, Powell & Augustine. They would go 10 minutes without scoring and that has continued all through his Illini coaching career. He has good players but like Illini football you need a plan instead of his wide open mouth all the time... duh!
Jason, just proof what a whiner Weber is. Northwestern is no slouch this season.
When will Bruce Weber stop throwing his players under the bus and realize he has to take responsibility for the team... He's the one who assembled the team.
So...we won't be hearing from these guys anytime soon. Good.
These guys aren't mature enough to lead; that's the problem. On Illinois teams in past years, there has always been at least one leader, sometimes several. These guys don't get that they need to step up.