Klee: Finish line in sight
INDIANAPOLIS — As he answered a few final questions from media in the Illinois locker room, Bruce Weber had the makings of tears in his eyes.
He was able to hold them in this time. But the idea these are the final days of his career at Illinois had washed over the coach.
The long, grueling demise of this Illinois basketball season may have ended with a 64-61 loss to Iowa in the first round of the Big Ten tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. It was an inglorious end to a lost season.
And the end of the Weber era at Illinois probably is coming, as well. Athletic director Mike Thomas and Weber are expected to meet Friday, according to a source. Weber left the locker room in a hurry after Thursday's game. The Illini players later returned to C-U.
"I don't know. I don't even know if we'll be in the NIT, to be honest," Weber said when asked about the speculation surrounding his job status. "So I don't know anything."
Illinois (17-15) has lost 12 of 14 games after falling to Iowa (17-15). Thursday's loss guaranteed the Illini would miss the NCAA tournament for the third time in five years.
Weber said earlier in the week he expected to be fired after his ninth season went south in a 1-6 February; it was simply a matter of when. He was hoping for one final push in the Big Ten tournament.
An NIT appearance is in doubt. Weber said Thursday the Illini are on the bubble for the NIT. Given the likely coaching change and a roster worn down from the past six weeks, Illinois also could suggest to the NIT committee, "Thanks, but we're OK if you find somebody else."
Some players, like fifth-year senior Sam Maniscalco, want to continue to play as long as they are allowed. Others are done, done, done after the heavy drama that hit hard in February and March.
"The NIT, if that's what we have to do, we'll go try to win some games there and try to win a championship," said D.J. Richardson (11 points).
On the topic of whether he would want to coach in the NIT, Weber said, "I don't even think that should be a question. This is my team. These are my players. It's what I do (coach)."
Really, not much was surprising about how Thursday's game unfolded.
The Illini built a seven-point lead but didn't have the spirit to withstand an opponent's run. There seemed to be fewer trips to the free throw line (zero) than good passes. The best option on offense — big man Meyers Leonard — was ignored at critical times. He wasn't afforded a shot attempt in the final nine minutes of what could be his final game at Illinois.
"Whenever we went to what Coach said on offense instead of doing our own thing, it seemed to work," said Leonard (18 points).
"We were out there making the turnovers. Coach is doing a good job of coaching," said Richardson. "We've just got to do a better job out there on the court."
The whole thing seemed inevitable. Still, the emotions afterward were thick.
Assistant coach Jerrance Howard shook his head as he left the court. The other staffers sat solemnly in a training room. Weber left the locker room briskly. The scenario reminded of Jolette Law's final game one week earlier in the same arena. The UI women's coach lost Thursday, hurried from the locker room and was fired the next day.
Over the final two months, the emotions of the coaches seemed to weigh on the players, several of whom broke down in games (at Nebraska) or in private meetings (in the coaches office). And there were myriad reasons why the mood got so emotional, even while a handsome buyout of $3.9 million was in the waiting.
For one, Weber genuinely bonded with this group of players.
"Characterwise," he said, it was the best bunch he's coached in nine seasons at Illinois.
Two, in his 30-plus years of coaching, Weber rarely has failed. He won often at Purdue, SIU and early in his nine-year stay at Illinois. This losing — and the critics who came with it — was new and unsettling.
But the part that really has bothered him was how he didn't go down his way.
Despite watching Brandon Paul shoot 2 of 11 and commit seven turnovers, Weber kept him in the game until less than one minute remained. Despite Shaun Pruitt's locker-room antics, Weber kept him on the roster. Despite the Jereme Richmond saga, Weber felt he could help the talented forward until the final days of his one-year stay.
Weber never would have stood for those episodes in previous stops at Purdue and SIU. It was as if the coach was held hostage by his own anxiety — "Coaching not to lose," as he put it.
"It's just like life. There's great moments in life and there's moments that aren't so good, and every day you've got to approach life with a positive attitude," he said. "If you just go into a pity party for yourself, nothing's going to happen."
For the second straight year, Illinois blew a second-half lead and bowed out of the Big Ten tournament after one game. Last year there was a locker-room scuffle between Paul and Richmond. This year? More tears, as the proud coach took questions from media.
"If I'm the coach at Illinois, I'll coach every day like I always do," Weber said. "I think we're a bubble team for the NIT. We just have to see how things unfold. For the kids' sake, I would like something positive."
It seems the most cathartic step — for the program and for the head coach — would be a step in a different direction. A basketball marriage that needs a break probably will get one.
"Everybody was a little emotional (in the postgame locker room). Everybody's a little hurt," freshman guard Tracy Abrams said. "We just didn't have it. I don't know what it was."
Paul Klee, please quit making excuses for Weber---he's a big boy! Allowing him a pass by blaming everyone else for his failure is pathetic. Weber decided to let Pruitt remain on the team--the fans weren't demanding he do it, that was his call. He put up with Richmond last year and allowed Leonard and Paul to underperform big time this year--all by his own volition--but now it was that he was forced to coach differently and accept the poor play because of the fans? Ridiculous!!!! Weber said he was coaching "not to lose"---well, isn't that what coaches are supposed to do? Yet now it's the reason why Weber's team played with no heart and lost 11 of 13 games---I for one am not buying it.
Then reporting that some players are "done, done, done" with this season and that Richardson said: "The NIT, if that's what we have to do..." tells you all you need to know about this team and their will to win--or rather quit!!!! A.D. Thomas--No NIT please--have some pride.
And if he'd cut loose Richmond and Pruitt, you and others would've been howling at the coach for getting rid of some of his best players. And no, a coach shouldn't coach "not to lose," they should coach to WIN. There's a big difference, but you'd have to have played the game to grasp that.
It's easy for all the negative commenters to say that "the Illini don't deserve to even go to the NIT," but for the guys on the team, if they have a chance to play even one more game, then they should be afforded that chance. In the big picture, playing major college basketball is something each of these guys will never forget...so they should get a chance to extend it as long as they can. Even if the crabs in the stands and on the internet don't want them to. Don't watch the game (if there is one) if you don't want to...but you don't have the right to tell the guys on the team that they can't play. It's not YOUR team, it's THEIRS.
And if the Illini do get to play another game, or more than one, Illini fans will continue to support them, AND their coaches, encouraging them for as many games as they get to play.
What don't you get jdg, they don't want to play--they've given up. It's one thing to do your best and lose, but this team isn't doing that---have you even noticed???? True Illini fans aren't mindless, they see what's going on (that knocks you out). The team hasn't earned the right to go to the NCAA (surely you will agree to that) and some players act like they would rather pack it up then go to to the NIT (Richardson's and Leonard's comments as reported by Paul Klee). They've decided by their play that they're "done, done, done". So be it.
p.s. Is your first name Bruce?
SEMO - Although I am usually reluctant to reply to idiocy, I'll give it a shot.
It appears that you are inferring that I am not a "true Illini fan." But a TRUE fan is a fan through thick and thin. I would wager that I've been an Illini fan longer than you've been alive, a period of time which encompasses some pretty thin periods, and yet, I'm still here, still wearing orange and blue, still rooting for a team that it would appear most other "fans" have given up on. I would agree with you on one thing, and one thing only...the team does appear to be "done." I don't believe it is because they've given up, but more that they are discouraged and frustrated. For one thing, it can't help but be demoralizing when you hear your own fans boo one of your teammates, and read in the paper all the disrespectful comments that you and others have posted here. But another reason has to be that all they hear is how their coach is unwanted, and is likely to be fired, and you know your play is a large reason for that.
This has been a season of hope and excitement, followed by discouragement and backbiting. I am hopeful there won't be any more seasons like it.
As for your postscript question....well, see my first statement.
Oh go cover your ears and close your eyes and say "I can't hear you" big baby.
I don't care if Weber's fate is sealed. It is sealed precisely because he is an inept, incompetent coach who has trashed the glorious basketball program he inherited and left Illnois irrelevant. Watching him scream on the sidelines and whine in press conferences is an embarassment. It is what it is. If you rever and idolize him so much don't read the open discussion. Otherwise shut up already and stop being a righteous pompous censor, hypocrite and whiner like your hero.
Oskeewowwow quoted:
"I still think this is an incredibly talented, athletic group...Weber seems to be the weakest link. The way he slows the game down doesn't play to their strengths, he seems to have a complete inability to adapt and change strategy, and the basketball IQ of his players is at an all time low. When Illinois / NU has "turned into a pretty decent rivalry," it tells you everything you need to know about how far this program has fallen under Weber. A rivalry with a perennial NIT team?? Please. Once again, King Ron saddled the DIA with a bad contract when he gave Law an undeserved extension based on mediocre results, just like he did with Zook and Weber."
Wow, thanks for confirming what I already thought about you. I use facts and logical arguments regarding performance, W/L record, coaching strategy, etc. You choose personal attacks and hurl insults. There's quite a difference. "Fans" like you give Illinois a bad name.
Yeah, I agree with Klee, you got to wonder why he kept Brandon Paul in the game after all those turnovers and poor shooting. That was the difference in the game. The coach has got to recognize that and make adjustments before it's too late. I don't think many coaches would have tolerated that and it sends a bad message to the rest of the guys on the bench who don't get any minutes. What do you have to lose by letting someone else get some minutes for a good player who is clearly having an off night?
Not subbing Leonard to give him breathers throughout the game is also puzzling. Why burn him out so early in the game? He was cleary gassed midway through the second half. That has happened in several games. At least use all your timeouts to give him more rest if you don't think you can play without him.
Anyway, hopefully these kids can learn from this year and rebound next year. This is learning the hard way. This was an inexperienced group. No doubt about it. There is talent there however so there is hope.
I think Weber will also learn from this and become a better coach and talent evaluater. He's a good man and maybe deserves critisism but not spite.
I was amazed that Weber didn't pull BP at least for a few minutes and even more amazed that he allowed BP to in bound the ball as many times as he did and he's the worst passer on the team. But today was a new low by BP. 7 turnovers and 2 for 11 shooting. The real laugher is that he'll probably "test the waters" about his NBA stock this spring. Would you draft him today? BP clearly has moved on from this season and maybe even from the program. The thing is he has the tools but either won't or doesn't know how to use them.
As far as Weber goes well it's all been said and now we are just waiting for the final drama to play out. A good man but today summed up what Weber didn't do not just this year but much of the last 3 to 5 years and that was to play more players and get deeper into his bench and to pull players that were hurting the team's chances. Weber played not to lose to keep BP and DJ out there that long.
I do wish Weber the best but it'll be better for everyone involved to move on especially Bruce.
I mean this season is going down much worse than the 07-08 debacle but at least that team rallied to win 3 games in the BTT and was a springboard to an NCAA appearance the next season. But today the team went down without a fight and the players are just relieved to be done. How sad.
The saddest part of this year is the lack of support from the AD at mid season. I feel that when he went on the radio and the news across the nation was that he showed no support for Weber, the season went down hill from there. The players had to have that on their minds as well as the coaching staff. I think he could have handled himself better and the outcome might be different.
Saddest part of the year is the AD? You are as clueless as your boy Weber. That is the stuppidest excuse for Weber's incompetence I have heard yet blaming it on Thomas. Please go back in your room and drool over your life size poster of Bruce and stop spouting ridiculous garbage. Thank God Illinois has an AD like Mike Thomas who is honest and forthright not some double talking insincere little league politician. FYI, the coaching staff was told before the season began that the expectations of them were that Illinois would be in serious contention for the Big Ten championship, make the NCAA tournament handily and make some noise. No additional expectations or pressure were placed on them. They already knew before the very first game they had to perform satisfactorily or they would be gone and the team knew of that too. Weber went into one press conference and basically threw his players under the bus and blamed them for the team's dismal losses. Then Weber finally admitted in another press conference after the Purdue game that he was to blame because he didn't develop his players or use his bench, he didn't discipline them and make them tougher and he played not to lose which served to handicap the team. Weber knows he blew it and why. None of it has to do with Thomas. That's another in a long string of absurd excuses by Weber apologists trying to blame everyone else but the very guy that is most responsible and accountable.
The players we have on this team are quitters and we should not allow them to even play one more game for my beloved Illini let alone the NIT Mike Thomas needs to bring in all new coaches and then they need to bring in all new players that know how to win and have great work ethics. This is the worst team I have ever seen here at my U of I WOW! So sad that something was not done years ago to prevent this mess from ever happening. Mike Thomas, do the right thing today and clean house! Fire EVERYONE! And I mean EVERYONE! Leave no hint of this former regime. Wash this program clean, sanatize it and decontaminate it of its cancers weakness, heartless, gutless, prideless coaches and players or I should say non-players.
THAT A BOY, PeterE, you shout down anybody that does not think exactly like YOU!
Everybody knows Weber HAS to go. Who the heck cares which reason you think is at the top of the very long list.
I am sure most of the posters on this site, will dislike whoever the new coach to. They are already after Beckman, and he hasn't lost a game yet.
I believe Mike Thomas will do the right thing, and I look for the anouncement TODAY!
You're darn tootin' I'm going to light into numbskulls that tries to absolve Weber by blaming Thomas for Weber's failure. That kind of crap calls for repudiation and indignation. Weber worshipers have no shame by indicting good guy Mike Thomas instead of actually holding their hero responsible and accountable for his own poor performance and failure. Darn tootin'
My problems have been with Bruce the coach not Bruce the person. I really believe he is a good sincere guy. But I have gone crazy watching his offense sputter doing nothing except some sort of quasi-weave until the shot clock gets down to 3 seconds and is ended with a desperation off balance shot. How many times did the Illini have the opportunity to actually "push" the ball downcourt but instead the amble dribble down court waiting for their teammates to get there in order to "set-up" the offense.
I saw this last year as well so I blame Bruce's "style" of offense which totally inhibits the athleticsm of the kids. I thought when Bertrand started figuring it out, penetrate and pull up, that there was hope. But either that style was not encouraged or else JoeB just lost it.
We will have a few down years until a new coach establishes himself in the recruiting arena.
If they go to the NIT, let coach Jerrance Howard run the team and lets see how the kids respond.
As an Illini fan, I support our teams when they are doing well and when they are struggling. A true fan offers support when the team is winning and losing. I know we want winning teams and, obviously, it is more fun to watch a winning team but how does giving up on a team in December help them down the road? I think a lot of people lose sight that these are just kids on the court. I can't imagine the pressure they must have been feeling. What they needed to hear was, "Hey, we know you are struggling but we believe in you. Keep fighting." How on earth do people think that yelling negative things at kids playing a game will show support for them? How are they supposed to believe in their coaches when they hear so much negative? It's very easy for all of us to second guess coaches. I understand that is why the coaches make the big bucks and it is the nature of the beast. You win, everyone loves you. You lose, it is easy to see who are the true Illini fans. What I don't understand is why the haters keep watching? Why do you keep showing up for the games? Give up your seats so we can get real fans in the hall. I wonder how many recruits who sat at the games will think about the negative atmosphere when making their decisions on where to play? Guess you will blame the poor recruiting on the next coach. Best of luck to Coach Weber and his staff. Thanks for your loyalty, sorry Illini nation was not as loyal.
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