Mick to Illinois?

[UCBearcats]

Rumors are already starting on twitter. Bruce Webber will be fired and Mick's name has surfaced along with Brad Stevens, Shaka Smart and a few others.

I can't say I see Mike Thomas making the same mistake twice but I've got my fingers crossed.

I say we give them Mick, BearcatMick and Ralph for a rack of basketballs.

All serious jokes aside, I guess the Thomas connection makes this a possibility.

 

[JasonS]

Rumors are already starting on twitter. Bruce Webber will be fired and Mick's name has surfaced along with Brad Stevens, Shaka Smart and a few others.

I can't say I see Mike Thomas making the same mistake twice but I've got my fingers crossed.

I say we give them Mick, BearcatMick and Ralph for a rack of basketballs.

All serious jokes aside, I guess the Thomas connection makes this a possibility.

I heard rumors that not everyone here enjoyed working for Mike Thomas. Plus, Illinois is not a step up. Mick is not going anywhere. This talk is worthless.

 

[Who Dey Time]

Rumors are already starting on twitter. Bruce Webber will be fired and Mick's name has surfaced along with Brad Stevens, Shaka Smart and a few others.

I can't say I see Mike Thomas making the same mistake twice but I've got my fingers crossed.

I say we give them Mick, BearcatMick and Ralph for a rack of basketballs.

All serious jokes aside, I guess the Thomas connection makes this a possibility.

Just because you wish for something to happen doesn't mean it has one ounce of truth. Sad.

 

[UCBearcats]

It was on Twitter, and while I would love it, it doesn't mean that I made it up. It makes sense his name would get thrown out there because of the Thomas connection.

rickbozich@rickbozich
Didn't take long. David Haugh of Chicago Trib mentions Brad Stevens, Shaka Smart, Chris Collins, Mick Cronin, Gregg Marshall for Illini job.
Retweeted by Lance McAlister

 

[JasonS]

And just because something is mentioned on twitter, it doesn't mean there is any validity to it.

 

[Who Dey Time]

It was on Twitter, and while I would love it, it doesn't mean that I made it up. It makes sense his name would get thrown out there because of the Thomas connection.

rickbozich@rickbozich
Didn't take long. David Haugh of Chicago Trib mentions Brad Stevens, Shaka Smart, Chris Collins, Mick Cronin, Gregg Marshall for Illini job.
Retweeted by Lance McAlister

I didn't say that you made it up. I said there isn't an ounce of truth to it which there isn't no matter what a (insert name here) columnist tweets or not.

 

[Lobot]

Point blank. Mick does not like MT and neither does CBJ. Period.

 

[Who Dey Time]

Point blank. Mick does not like MT and neither does CBJ. Period.

While I don't know specific details I have heard that Mick was very frustrated with MT's reluctance to open up the coffers so to speak and enhance the OOC schedule. If anyone can elaborate or refute this I'd love to hear what happened.

 

[UCBearcats]

And just because something is mentioned on twitter, it doesn't mean there is any validity to it.

Not saying I think it's valid, just wanted to see if anyone else on here might think it was a possibility. You know, maybe a topic of discussion, get some opinions, on a message board....something like that.

Some of you dudes need to relax, and I'm not directing this at you JasonS.

From my point of view I think it's crazy that people give Mick so much support when he really hasn't accomplished anything as the coach here at UC. From some of your points of view you think I'm crazy because I don't like Mick and don't think he's been a great coach so far. That's kind of the whole point of the board right? Discussion, opposing view points, am I missing something?

 

[Who Dey Time]

am I missing something?

Yes. The Mick debate is over and done with. Maybe not on a message board where people are free to state whatever no matter how misguided it is but it is over in terms of there being any doubt who the coach of this program is now and well into the future. So, IMO, the debate itself is really silly since it isn't a topic for discussion in any logical circle.

And UCBearcats you have stated you opinion on this time and time and 1,000,000 times again. Is it really worth trying to debate you on it since you are so illogically and vehemently entrenched against Cronin?

 

[JasonS]

Not saying I think it's valid, just wanted to see if anyone else on here might think it was a possibility. You know, maybe a topic of discussion, get some opinions, on a message board....something like that.

Some of you dudes need to relax, and I'm not directing this at you JasonS.

From my point of view I think it's crazy that people give Mick so much support when he really hasn't accomplished anything as the coach here at UC. From some of your points of view you think I'm crazy because I don't like Mick and don't think he's been a great coach so far. That's kind of the whole point of the board right? Discussion, opposing view points, am I missing something?

Your definition of accomplishing something is different than mine and I think most other fans. It was pretty obvious that this rebuild job was going to take 5 years. Nancy decimated this program with her timing in firing Bob Huggins. The fact that this program is now competitive in the best league in the country is an accomplishment. This program now needs to take the next step and become a perennial tournament team. That is very close to happening and once it does, the recruiting will continue to improve. Justin Jackson was a top 100 recruit. Shaq Thomas was a top 100 recruit. At one time, Jeremiah Davis was a top 50 recruit if my memory serves me correctly. The future is bright. I know fans don't like to hear the word "patience" but that is what was needed and still is to an extent. Please understand that Mick is a terrific coach, good recruiter, and wants to be at UC for the long haul. UC was the only team in Division 1 that won more games in each of the last 5 years. Don't be so quick to try to get rid of someone who is good at what he does and wants to be at UC. How many coaches have we had on the football side in the last 2 decades that viewed UC as a stepping stone program? It wouldn't be any different on the basketball side of things either. Mick has obvious ties to the University and deserves every chance to succeed and I think he will.

 

[BearcatMick]

Just rumors...

Its true that hell have his pick of any school he wants to coach, but hes not leaving. He loves uc

He will be much better than huggins

 

[UCBearcats]

Your definition of accomplishing something is different than mine and I think most other fans. It was pretty obvious that this rebuild job was going to take 5 years. Nancy decimated this program with her timing in firing Bob Huggins. The fact that this program is now competitive in the best league in the country is an accomplishment. This program now needs to take the next step and become a perennial tournament team. That is very close to happening and once it does, the recruiting will continue to improve. Justin Jackson was a top 100 recruit. Shaq Thomas was a top 100 recruit. At one time, Jeremiah Davis was a top 50 recruit if my memory serves me correctly. The future is bright. I know fans don't like to hear the word "patience" but that is what was needed and still is to an extent. Please understand that Mick is a terrific coach, good recruiter, and wants to be at UC for the long haul. UC was the only team in Division 1 that won more games in each of the last 5 years. Don't be so quick to try to get rid of someone who is good at what he does and wants to be at UC. How many coaches have we had on the football side in the last 2 decades that viewed UC as a stepping stone program? It wouldn't be any different on the basketball side of things either. Mick has obvious ties to the University and deserves every chance to succeed and I think he will.

I don't think he's a great recruiter or great coach. I think he average to slightly above average. I don't mind being patient if I believe I'm waiting for something good.

You can say that most fans think Mick is doing a great job but again I'll disagree. We average what, 7k fans a game? All those fans that used to come and don't anymore aren't supporting this program with their dollars. I have season tix, I sit in sec 122 row 11. I have good seats, I sit next to good people. Some business men, doctors, lawyers, and various alumni. Most are intelligent and rational people who love UC hoops. I can tell you right now that 70-80 percent of the people who sit around me are not on board with Mick. Most all of the UC fans I have exposure to are not on board with Mick and its a large and diverse network. Hell, Oscar Robertson isn't even on board with Mick.

He should be doing more by now, his recruiting, in game coaching, ability to develop and overall results leave a lot to be desired.

 

[Lobot]

He should be doing more by now, his recruiting, in game coaching, ability to develop and overall results leave a lot to be desired.

As compared to who and who would you have us hire that would do a better job considering our considerable financial issues within the AD?

 

[JasonS]

As compared to who and who would you have us hire that would do a better job considering our considerable financial issues within the AD?

Exactly. There apparently is a large vocal minority of dreamers out there who think UC is like Duke or UK or OSU and can get any coach in the country with unlimited funds.

 

[Who Dey Time]

I have season tix, I sit in sec 122 row 11. I have good seats, I sit next to good people. Some business men, doctors, lawyers, and various alumni. Most are intelligent and rational people who love UC hoops. I can tell you right now that 70-80 percent of the people who sit around me are not on board with Mick. Most all of the UC fans I have exposure to are not on board with Mick and its a large and diverse network. Hell, Oscar Robertson isn't even on board with Mick.

If we take you at face value (I don't) you want many to believe that people who spend, at bare minimum $4,000 per season to have basketball tickets in that section are so fed up with the program and the coach that they are going to.......spend $4,000 per season to continue to watch something that they are staunchly against??????

The gig is up for the Mick haters. If anything, what this season has proved is that there is plenty of support. Yes, the OOC sked definitely hurt attendance but that has been an issue dating back to the second half of the Huggs tenure. It is time to accept this and support the program with the rest of us or perhaps find something in life that gives you joy.....and doesn't cost so much.

 

[dp3113]

Mick is not going to work for Mike Thomas- period. That is a fact.

 

[Lobot]

Mick is not going to work for Mike Thomas- period. That is a fact.

Yes that Is a fact. Don't know where the MC to Ill. idea got started.

 

[ervins84]

I also think some people forget what the last 4 years before Mick were like. Its not exactly like this program was making the Final Four or was even a top 15 team. Fans just have some extra special memories bc a lot of those teams Win totals and records were inflated by being in CUSA (lets face it, CUSA was legit at the top of the conference, but the middle and bottom were really weak in comparison to the BEast)

A little trip down memory lane

Last 4 years before Mick 87-40
03 Sagarin #47 17-12
04 Sagarin #18 25-7
05 Sagarin #21 25-8
06 Sagarin #33 20-13

 

[thebeast]

I also think some people forget what the last 4 years before Mick were like. Its not exactly like this program was making the Final Four or was even a top 15 team. Fans just have some extra special memories bc a lot of those teams Win totals and records were inflated by being in CUSA (lets face it, CUSA was legit at the top of the conference, but the middle and bottom were really weak in comparison to the BEast)

A little trip down memory lane

Last 4 years before Mick 87-40
03 Sagarin #47 17-12
04 Sagarin #18 25-7
05 Sagarin #21 25-8
06 Sagarin #33 20-13

I love it! This is the truth people act like we actually made it to sweet 16's before Mick got here. We went to one sweet 16 in the last 14 years. With Mick I feel like we can get to a sweet 16 at least 4 or 5 times in 14 years.