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Post by uiclaflame on Mar 10, 2023 10:02:46 GMT -6
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Post by Big D on Mar 10, 2023 10:39:39 GMT -6
Well that sucks. I feel like he really stepped up his game during the 2nd half of conference play, and established himself as our #1.
This is what “everyone” wanted. They wanted a minor league for the power conferences. Without any penalty for leaving (sitting that year is a big deterrent), that’s what we are. A feeder team.
Yak was recruiting Jace very early in high school all the way back to his Michigan days. Just goes to show that the coach/player relationship really just doesn’t matter anymore…it’s all about getting to that next level. On one hand, I certainly don’t blame them, but as a college basketball fan, particularly of a non-power 5 team, when you have to start over every year, what is the point? To be honest, Jace may have just put the nail in Yak’s coffin.
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Post by uiclaflame on Mar 10, 2023 11:39:27 GMT -6
I can't blame any of these young men for wanting to test the waters/leave - especially from a bottom of conference team. While Jace was our clear #1 guy - I am not sure if he was the right type of #1 guy this program needs (on court at least) if that makes sense (although you could argue any all-conference level talent should be wanted). While I appreciate his contributions, his game, and it seems like he had a great personality - I think the path forward is for us to build a team of more "equals" who mesh together well. Easier said than done though...
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Post by bigsaltine on Mar 10, 2023 12:09:04 GMT -6
Let’s just cancel next season and rebuild again. Go spend a bunch of money to hire the biggest name possible as a coach and give the program a chance.
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Post by bigsaltine on Mar 10, 2023 12:09:57 GMT -6
I’m obviously not serious about cancelling next season, but the end of this year gave me a little hope they could improve, now they almost assuredly will be worse to the same.
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Post by goveybaseball on Mar 10, 2023 13:28:47 GMT -6
As I said no surprise. Devastating loss he was easily the best player and most talented. You can't compete in the MVC without talent. Uic is pretty screwed.
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Post by goveybaseball on Mar 10, 2023 13:33:50 GMT -6
Yak needs to go IMO. They need a Chicago coach like Jimmy Collins that knows the city and recruit it. This isn't working. How the hell can they replace Jace? Don't they only have one medicocre recruit coming in?
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Post by bigsaltine on Mar 10, 2023 14:55:46 GMT -6
As much as I want Yak to succeed I agree. We need stronger Chicago ties, with the way the transfer portal is now it’s our best chance of keeping a talented kid more than two years. I guess hit the Juco circuit, transfer portal, and Chicago area schools, that’s how to build a decent program here. Besides, it’s not like Chicago high school basketball is lacking in talent.
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Post by uiclaflame on Mar 10, 2023 15:00:18 GMT -6
In theory, a coach with strong Chicago ties sounds great - but I think nowadays most talented Chicago kids want to go to school away (this probably applies for many more cities/metros/states nowadays too). Even if you look at DePaul, Loyola, and even U of I - very few Chicago and IL players are on the roster.
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Post by bigsaltine on Mar 10, 2023 15:09:52 GMT -6
I definitely agree it’s rarer, but theoretically the Chicago kid that wants to stay home is the one most likely to stick out all 4 years here instead of transferring.
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Post by uiclaflame on Mar 10, 2023 15:57:55 GMT -6
I just hope this doesn't create a domino effect with our other players - in particular our freshmen. I do think one advantage our latest freshmen class has is that they came in as a larger group and many had to contribute right away - so would think they have some camaraderie/commitment/stronger ties to each other. Read thisarticle about Kennesaw State who made their first NCAA tournament with a coach who started his tenure in 19-20 with only 1 win - and one of the main themes is his early freshmen recruits staying and growing together despite the portal culture was key to their turnaround: www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/35800830/kennesaw-state-unlikely-turnaroundKeeping most of the J-Jack/Jones/Clay/Fens/Brownell/Saragba group is likely make-or-break for Yak's UIC team. If Yak can't create a culture where kids want to stay - then we need to hire someone else that can do what Kennesaw State coach did.
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Post by flames1106 on Mar 10, 2023 16:24:38 GMT -6
Well I’m not saying anything that everybody doesn’t already know, but geez this program is in serious trouble. It’s been so very long since UIC basketball was in any way relevant. I thought the move to the MVC would be the boost that was needed, but obviously that move alone is not going to make much difference unless drastic changes are made. We can not win with the level of talent that we have had in recent years and then on top of that consistently losing to transfer better players on the rare occasions when we have one. Losing Carter is a huge setback. We are looking at the bottom of the conference again next year. I still believe that theoretically UIC has a lot going for it and we should be able to match the success of other schools in the area such as Loyola. I think the difference is that mediocrity is accepted at UIC. There needs to be a vision for what this program can become and then the resources and effort have to be put in to make it happen. Of course that is easier said than done but I believe it could happen. One of our main advantages is being in a hotbed of high school basketball in Chicago. The best players that have worn a Flames uniform through the years have all been from the Chicago area. Guys like Ford, Williams, Miller, Banks and Bailey. It’s never been easy to get kids to stay home and go to school in Chicago but it can be done. I’ve always thought the program would live or die based on its ability to develop Chicago recruiting connections. For close to 20 years now we’ve certInly failed in that regard. Certainly what we are doing now is not working. Let’s work hard to become Chicagos Team. Recruit heavily in Chicago. Long term It’s really our only hope.
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Post by goveybaseball on Mar 10, 2023 16:24:52 GMT -6
Uicaflame Loyola during their run has had a few Chicago kids Kennedy for one. Yeah we better hope nobody else transfers. This team is looking at 3-4 wins again next year sorry.
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Post by Big D on Mar 10, 2023 19:11:46 GMT -6
Times have changed. Any potential program-changing player from Chicago will not come here. They are now paid to go elsewhere. We’ve had good Chicago talent but we’ve also had bad Chicago talent. You also have some increased academic risk there…probably a big reason Banks, Bailey, and Armond Williams ended up here. I do think we should have someone from Chicago on this team year in and year out. But realistically, kids don’t want to come here.
Our best bet is to get lucky on a Chicago transfer wanting to come home…and then that person panning out. Like Loyola’s transfer from Kansas. Or, think Zion Griffin, who unfortunately busted here.
In general though, how do you get players here to stay without a strong NIL program?
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Post by Camfan on Mar 10, 2023 19:39:04 GMT -6
Expected Jace to go, sad to see Jalen go. That one stings.
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