My first Illinois bb game I attended as a young boy in Champaign was at Huff Hall for the Illinois vs. Iowa game featuring Manny Jackson, Governor Vaughn, Johnny Wessels and from Iowa, Don Nelson. I attended the first Illinois game held at the Assembly Hall. I've witnessed coaches from Harry Combs to the present John Groce. I've seen great teams and I've seen bad teams. The current assembled squad has a parasite festering itself from the top of the program to the bottom. Don't know what it is, but based on the supposed talent featured on the floor this year, it is rampant and deadly. I've never witnessed such a frustrating season. The level of play barely broke that of a very good high school team. The coaching based on the play on the floor is not at Big Ten level. The coaching player personnel decisions were mind blowing. Why would you break up the system that beat Michigan State "at" Michigan State? It was obvious to even the untrained eye that Nunn and Hill both had dramatic regressions once Ray Rice was reinstated into the starting lineup. Should have used him as a bench player - he did not put the team in the "best position to win". Maybe the parasite started festering there? We'll most likely never know. If you were a 2016 signee, how would you feel about coming into the program now? This team is the first team that has blatantly quit on themselves, on the coaching staff, on the student body, and on the University of Illinois. Mike Thomas must charge himself to reevaluate that state of Illinois basketball and make changes immediately. Something is amiss and Thomas is being paid the big bucks to immediately set a new course for this program. I've never been embarrassed by an Illinois bb program until this year and no one that has the heart to cheer for their school the way the students and alumni of The University of Illinois do year in and year out do not deserve this situation. Thanks for allowing for me to vent. Rant over.
Saltwater '71
Saltwater '71
