[jcmanson]

no news here

[TDDance234]

He's holding out for a blueblood job, IMO. With Kentucky and UConn potentially becoming open sooner rather than later, I can't blame him.

[Sly Fox]

He better hope his flavor of the month status lasts that long.

[RubberMallet]

yeah dumb move by shaka if he's looking to move up but its apparent, he's content and thats fine. even more awful move by illinois getting rid of weber. tim thomas is nothing more than a puppet for the boosters and they were screaming for him to get rid of weber. i like weber but he wouldn't play the chicago games that self did. you can't fire him though unless there is another big name available. now they are screwed. there is a big push to hire a minority coach so they are hamstrung. its really hilarious how they've bungled this and the football coach vacancy. tim thomas will be out the door shortly.

[BJWilliams]

Nothing to see here. As I said on the Hoops forum, you had to figure this was gonna be taken care of pretty quickly once VCU was out of the tournament

[TDDance234]

The rumor is they are now after going after Anthony Grant at 'Bama.

He goes from the hot seat to potential coach of the Illinois. Crazy!

[jcmanson]

Anthony has already said he's not interested. And he's really not in the hot seat at Bama.

what he said

[Kolzilla41]

What is the deal with Illinois? I mean historically, they've never been that good at basketball. Why would he want to leave a place that has the potential to shock the tournament every year?

[jcmanson]

its apparent, he's content and thats fine.

at least someone gets it

[jcmanson]

Not every coach is wired the same way. On paper, this seems like a logical move. If you hear Shaka speak/watch him interact on the regular, you know he's wired differently than most coaches.

[Sly Fox]

For the record, the Illini have won the Big Ten five times in the past 15 years.

Good for Shaka and I'm glad he's content. But he is taking a major gamble. If results don't continue for him at VCU then his current contract will become a noose around his neck and he may never get another shot like this again.

[jcmanson]

Good for Shaka and I'm glad he's content. But he is taking a major gamble. If results don't continue for him at VCU then his current contract will become a noose around his neck and he may never get another shot like this again.

That's true, but why would they fall off? They have a solid history of success the past 10-15 years under multiple coaches (Capel, Grant, Shaka). They graduate 1 senior, and have a stud recruiting class coming in. They should be borderline top 25 next season.

[LUconn]

He's holding out for a blueblood job, IMO. With Kentucky and UConn potentially becoming open sooner rather than later, I can't blame him.

Funny you said that. Poneman, who is a fairly well connected guy tweeted this yesterday.

can't say I'd be too upset with that as the Calhoun coaching tree is pretty much garbage.

[jcmanson]

I don't know if he's necessarily holding out for any particular job. I think he wants to see this VCU thing through its completion (whatever that may be).

[RubberMallet]

What is the deal with Illinois? I mean historically, they've never been that good at basketball.

uhhhh illinois is a perennial big ten champion contender, and over the last 11 seasons has been a 5 seed or better in the tournament 8 times.

[Purple Haize]

Well I was wrong on this one, but I like the 'Blueblood' train of thought. Hey he could be like a Brad Stevens at Butler, and like BYD loves Richmond, I think Indy is a great place. I'm suprised but if he wants to stay at VCU good for him.

[lynchburgwildcats]

What is the deal with Illinois? I mean historically, they've never been that good at basketball. Why would he want to leave a place that has the potential to shock the tournament every year?

Because the last Non-"Power SIx" conference team to win the national championship was UNLV in 1990. Got to go to the "big show" to win a championship.

[Sly Fox]

I was just in Indy a couple of weeks ago. And that it is certainly not a place I'd want to stay willingly. Although the burger suggestion Carmel was decent (I enjoyed the marshmallow dip for my sweet potato fries).

[Purple Haize]

I was just in Indy a couple of weeks ago. And that it is certainly not a place I'd want to stay willingly. Although the burger suggestion Carmel was decent (I enjoyed the marshmallow dip for my sweet potato fries).

You gotta luv Bubs Burgers! Did you do the challenge? I LOVE Indy. Great sports, restaurants, shopping , low cost of living, low crime..

[JK37]

What is the deal with Illinois? I mean historically, they've never been that good at basketball. Why would he want to leave a place that has the potential to shock the tournament every year?

Because the last Non-"Power SIx" conference team to win the national championship was UNLV in 1990. Got to go to the "big show" to win a championship.

For some coaches, that is not the ultimate goal.

[Sly Fox]

You gotta luv Bubs Burgers! Did you do the challenge?

No I didn't take the challenge. I did dispose of a decent elk burger.

I LOVE Indy. Great sports, restaurants, shopping , low cost of living, low crime..

Dude, I live in Houston. Better sports, better restaurants & shopping with a lower cost of living. I'll not mention crime but that's the penalty of lower cost of living. Color this native Cincinnatian (childhood summertime Brownsburg resident) unimpressed. To each his own in this one.

[RubberMallet]

Indy vs Houston. LOL

[Purple Haize]

Cincinnati. That explains it all

[Purple Haize]

I think this is another record....still waiting....

[NotAJerry]

I could see Smart trying to build VCU into something like Gonzaga out west. VCU has been pretty steady for the last 10+ years, the CAA has been a multiple bid conference the most of the last few years (and should have been this year), and Richmond is a solid area to recruit to. Unless a cherry job comes along, and they offer insane money, I could see him being happy at VCU.