Well, I didn't see that one coming. Shaka Smart had an offer of $2.5 million plus, doubling his salary, and a chance at a top 20 national job in what was the nation's best conference this year. And he had a chance to step up from mid-major to high-major in the Big Ten. I've been to Richmond, Virginia a couple times so I can tell you- this denial was shocking. The only way … [Read more...] about Top Illini head coaching candidates: non Shaka Smart variety
VCU
Shaka Smart to the Illini would make sense on many levels
With the Bruce Weber termination in Champaign all but official, it's time for Illini fans to start looking at who his successor will be. And there's a lot of factors pointing in the direction of VCU leader Shaka Smart. He's currently making $1.2 million per year now at Virginia Commonwealth on an eight year deal. Before his Final Four run, he made "just" $350,000 per season. He … [Read more...] about Shaka Smart to the Illini would make sense on many levels
Indiana Hoosiers must move against VCU
The fourth-seeded Indiana Hoosiers now have a NCAA tournament win in the Tom Crean era. They should get their second such victory at 7:10 p.m. today in Portland. Should. Even so, the Hoosiers face a daunting obstacle to a berth in the Sweet 16 in No. 12 seed Virginia Commonwealth, who could make IU pay for repeating one of its worst habits. … [Read more...] about Indiana Hoosiers must move against VCU
Championship Week: Mid-Major Mania
Where did a whole year go? I swear it was just last night that Kemba Walker led the youthful UConn Husky Puppies to a National Championship. March always sneaks up on us, but this year seems different. Maybe it's because I live in Wisconsin and we are just now starting to see snow. I don't know what it is, but I like it. March marks the start of tournament time for … [Read more...] about Championship Week: Mid-Major Mania
10 Butler-UConn National Title Game Questions
It’s finally here, the Super Bowl of college basketball. The end of all the madness that March left will be resolved on Monday night between the Butler Bulldogs and Connecticut Huskies. I think Butler has the advantage with the experience and better guard play (sorry Kemba Walker). If Butler can force this young UConn team to make mistakes, they should win. It should literally … [Read more...] about 10 Butler-UConn National Title Game Questions
VCU: The Journey to the Unthinkable
The NCAA tournament is known to have upsets and madness, but nothing like this. After VCU’s upset win over the last remaining #1 seed Kansas, practically everyone’s bracket is busted. And no one believed that this team from Richmond, Virginia could do the unthinkable and get to college basektball's Final Four. Why? Because no one believed they even deserved to be here. So the … [Read more...] about VCU: The Journey to the Unthinkable
VCU Head Coach Shaka Smart Making Wisconsin Proud
The Wisconsin Badgers and Marquette Golden Eagles both were outed in the Sweet 16, but that doesn't mean the state isn't paying attention anymore. Shaka Smart, Head Coach of Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and Wisconsin native has his squad dancing to their first ever Final Four. The mastermind behind 2011's Cinderella team hails from Fitchburg (a small city … [Read more...] about VCU Head Coach Shaka Smart Making Wisconsin Proud
VCU Rams: America’s new College Basketball Sweethearts?
This NCAA Tournament second weekend features four double digit seeds, three of them within one region. The Butler Bulldogs are back in the sweet sixteen, but it's hard to actually consider them a cinderella, even though they're in a mid-major conference. The city of Richmond, Virginia (mighty metropolis, urbane, sophisticated, international, cosmopolitan mecca that it is) … [Read more...] about VCU Rams: America’s new College Basketball Sweethearts?
Purdue Gets Blown out of the Building by VCU
I guess VCU will soon become a trending term. Virginia Commonwealth University might become America's sweethearts since we have no true cinderella this march madness season, and America loves an underdog story. It's fitting that Purdue University's initials are PU, given the way they played tonight. At least on the defensive end, where they surrendered 94 points to the Rams … [Read more...] about Purdue Gets Blown out of the Building by VCU
Illini Derail Hoosiers, Continue to Enhance NCAA Profile
Truthfully, if I again hear the words "enhance NCAA profile" or "NCAA profile needs enhancing" like there's some sort of a erectile dysfunction drug to fix it, I'll probably punch all the Viagra in the world. It's getting out of hand people. Seriously. But we've had to examine the profile of the Illinois Fighting Illini a lot these past couple of seasons. There's been a lot … [Read more...] about Illini Derail Hoosiers, Continue to Enhance NCAA Profile