Jimmy Collins: Great Recruiter, Terrible Coach??

[BG]

He can get some talent to come to the school, but all you ever see is the sloppy, no-defense, ghetto brand of basketball.

You don't win basketball games by being 'friends' with the players. Team obviously needs more discipline and Collins isn't providing that.

Losing to a D2 team (especially A 2 and freaking 7 D2 team) is UNACCAPTABLE!!

I don't know what to say.

[UICJason]

So the last few years when we were winning 20 games and winning HL tourneys and hanging with Oklahoma or GT, he was a terrible coach? Or did he just become one in the last few weeks?

I have no idea what people are talking about some times. If you want a coach who can recruit solid mediocre suburban players and coach them Xs and Os, then watch NIU, and you'll note a mediocre team.

Terrible coaches don't coach teams to the recent success of the Flames. This team DOESN"T HAVE A POINT GUARD. It's pretty simple. Not much a coach can do about that. Last I checked, one of our good ones got hurt and won't be back for a bit.

[spike1057]

Dont sit there and blame this on a pg, this team has no heart at all. Maybe if they would play some D for a second we would have a win yesterday. Im sorry Jimmy its time to change your coaching style, sure losing Martell is big but your a college coach learn how to get you team together.

[BG]

Jason,

While i respect your opinion, I sure wish I had your rose colored glasses. "Hanging" with teams doesn't do anything for the program. Have we beaten a ranked team ever?? I don't care if we don't have a PG. We just lost to a 2-7 Division II school! Have you watched our me, me, me style of play? We certainly have enought talent to be beating up on UW-Parkside. In my opinion, JC is too much of a players 'friend' and not enough of a disciplinarian. Its time to expect more out of this program. We have possibly the finest recruiting base in the nation, but sadly it seems like we get the athletic but extremely dumb type of player. So, i don't know if they are uncoachable or if its bad coaching, but obviously the team lacks the heart and fundamental skills it takes to compete at the high echelon of NCAA basketball. This team should have TWO losses right now, period.

[UICJason]

We have beaten a ranked team. 25th ranked Michigan St in 1997 I believe.

Anyway, everything you talk about has to do with a point guard. When you have no point guard, players look selfish because they don't know what to do. It's a common problem at all levels of basketball. Why do you think your elite coaches will tell you that they NEED a good point guard? Why do you think Wisconsin is really not very good this year?

UIC has the finest recruiting base in the nation? We may be in a fine city for recruiting, but not the best and certainly one that is picked dry by the upper eschelon programs every single year.

I don't understand the gall of everyone to expect that UIC become this wonderful program after 20 some years in existence. Why do we DESERVE this great program? It takes time, and it takes players. Our problem is that we don't have a point guard...hopefully one will develop.

And I don't wear any glasses distorting reality. It's college basketball. We have talent, and if McGee or White learns to play the point, and this team wakes up, we could easily find ourselves in the tourney again, no thanks to fans who want to boo or not show up.

[BG]

you can really honestly say that, pg or no pg, a loss to UW-Parkside, a 2-7 Division II school, is acceptable?

i'll still support the team, but in my opinion, supporting the team isn't just about making excuses for them.

we still have one of the most talented SG's in the nation, supposedlly.

A loss of this caliber is a HUGE step back in my opinion, especially after providing such high hopes in a well played opening game. that game just showed what this team is capable of, and I expect that effort every single game.

And why don't we have a PG? Wasn't Bailey supposed to get another year of eligibility if he cracked the books? Another sign of NO DISCIPLINE.

If you think there aren't teams with much less talent than us playing at a much higher level, then I'd just have to say that you are in denial.

Its time to expect more out of this program. At least beat freaking DePaul for crying out loud!