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Post by flamesfan20 on Mar 10, 2023 19:44:34 GMT -6
I went and looked and Yaklich has recruited 15 players to UIC (excluding grad transfers) and 10 have transferred out….that is not normal even in todays age of the portal. A change needs to be made
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Post by Big D on Mar 10, 2023 19:45:57 GMT -6
Expected Jace to go, sad to see Jalen go. That one stings. 😳 I thought Jalen would stay. Seemed to be into UIC, particularly academically. Another guy that improved throughout the year and would have been a solid piece next year. So do these guys inform Yak beforehand or is he as surprised as us when their announcements come across his Twitter feed?
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Post by Camfan on Mar 10, 2023 19:56:01 GMT -6
Pretty sure it's known ahead of time.
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Post by flames1106 on Mar 10, 2023 20:23:42 GMT -6
I don’t think that all of the blame for the transfers should be put on the coach. The entire b-ball program is in shambles. Zero presence in local media ( it’s as if we don’t even exist) , no marketing of the team, horrible attendance and anything but a good college basketball atmosphere during Pavilion games. Why would any player want to stay in this environment?. It’s embarrassing that visiting teams’ fans routinely turn the Pavilion into literally a home court for their team.. The extent to which the crowd was pro SIU for example for the last game off the regular season was just ridiculous. Attendance, recruiting and winning are all interrelated. UIC has to begin any rebuild by recognizing this and putting the resources and effort into the program to address all areas. I question if the administration is willing to do this. With most organizational failures, the problems usually begin at the top. I assume that they do here as well.
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Post by UICJohn on Mar 10, 2023 20:41:39 GMT -6
0 wins next season
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Post by flamernation on Mar 10, 2023 21:01:35 GMT -6
People can go back and forth on who are best player was last year between, Anderson, Carter, Jackson... now none will be on the team. I think Toby stays but would not be surprised to see former Mizzou commit hit the portal in East St.Louis star Christian Jones... Think with how many minutes they got Fens and Clay stay back at UIC don't have enough stats and game film on them.
We need 5 starters and 3 bench pieces. Im happy with Toby as our 6th man and Fillip as our 8th guy in rotation. Need 5 starters!
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Post by UICJohn on Mar 10, 2023 21:05:00 GMT -6
The transfer portal is tough but the number of players and level of players each year says a lot about us as a program.
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Post by goveybaseball on Mar 10, 2023 21:10:52 GMT -6
You got to be kidding me Jalen Jackson is gone too! Why the hell is he leaving? Geez we are so screwed.
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Post by UICJohn on Mar 10, 2023 21:12:04 GMT -6
I’ll predict we see Jace at a school in Florida or that region that is a slight improvement in conference. Something like a South Florida type school.
As for Jalen - I predict we see him twice a year (and beat us twice a year) by transferring to another MVC school.
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Post by goveybaseball on Mar 10, 2023 21:14:34 GMT -6
I'm sorry this coach has to go this is not normal for all these kids to leave.
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Post by goveybaseball on Mar 10, 2023 21:19:55 GMT -6
Cam Fan why are these kids leaving with is going on!
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Post by uiclaflame on Mar 11, 2023 10:32:35 GMT -6
Man, losing J-Jack hurts but can't say I'm that shocked. I did feel like at least 1-2 fresh would be out - but thought perhaps Jalen would stay because of what he's said publicly about Yak and his playing time. I think the reality is that 3-star level recruits will be harder to retain in this climate with our program. If there are no meaningful changes to transfer rules made, I think the path forward will have to be building a cohesive/committed team as possible with sub-3 star guys to at least build a little momentum/culture before we start getting 3-star level guys regularly.
If 3 of Jones/Fens/Clay/Brownell stay and develop I will take that. Will be very curious to see our recruting looks this offseason - have a lot of production and spots to fill. Going to be a make-or-break offseason for Yak
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Post by uiclaflame on Mar 11, 2023 10:49:02 GMT -6
I'm sure Jalen being an Indiana HS All-Star and seeing his fellow peers play in bigger conferences with bigger crowds and more NIL opportunities created FOMO for him - or perhaps he wants to play closer to home
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Post by flames1106 on Mar 11, 2023 12:18:02 GMT -6
I’ve said this before, but there is not a chance that Yaklich can turn this around without out more support for the overall basketball Program. The university must commit to providing the vision, resources and effort to make the program successful. Otherwise why bother? . We might as well go D2. UIC has many advantages that are not being taken advantage of. It’s a shame. We all know the difficulties in turning around a mid-major especially one that has historically been pretty much a commuter school in a city that loves professional sports. But I think that the constant focus by those within UIC on those inherent difficulties becomes almost an excuse for the repeated failure. I think UIC should focus on how to break through this horrible stretch of terrible seasons. It will be tough but it can be done if the right people are put in place.
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Post by uiclaflame on Mar 11, 2023 12:37:17 GMT -6
Are there any "successful" programs with similar comps to UIC (i.e., commuter school, major city, limited sports culture, etc.)? There has to be a similar comped team/school that has a some inkling of a blueprint to follow
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