OT - Smart Rejects Illinois

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March 21st, 2012 at 2:21 PM
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Gopherine
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OT - Smart Rejects Illinois

http://espn.go.com/chicago/ncb/story/_/id/7718478/vcu-coach-shaka-smart-reportedly-turns-illinois

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March 21st, 2012 at 2:24 PM | I'd say it was a (Score:5 Normal)
AKMuskie
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Joined: 10/04/2009
MGoPoints: 472

smart move.

March 21st, 2012 at 2:25 PM | I'm sure Illinois is smarting (Score:5 Normal)
South Bend Wolverine
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Joined: 09/11/2009
MGoPoints: 1608

I'm sure Illinois is smarting from this slap in the face.

Now with 100% less South Bend, 100% more Washington DC.

March 21st, 2012 at 2:28 PM | Maybe they only offered him 5 (Score:5 Normal)
timtebro
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Joined: 06/08/2010
MGoPoints: 1008

Maybe they only offered him 5 million Smarties.

You're HIV-Aladeen.

March 21st, 2012 at 2:30 PM | Woah. (Score:5 Normal)
justingoblue
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Joined: 11/16/2010
MGoPoints: 10854

It would be a Shaka if the offer was that low.

Go Blue!

March 21st, 2012 at 2:34 PM | He probably just weighed the (Score:5 Normal)
BostonWolverine
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Joined: 11/13/2008
MGoPoints: 2421

He probably just weighed the pros and Khans.

March 21st, 2012 at 10:04 PM | When asked why he turned them down, Shaka said, (Score:-1 Redundant)
March 22nd, 2012 at 1:49 AM | It's a different pun (Score:0 Redundant)
March 21st, 2012 at 3:09 PM | Ahhhh, I see what you did (Score:0 Overrated)
March 21st, 2012 at 2:28 PM | Pretty easy decision if you (Score:1)
CR509
Joined: 02/02/2011
MGoPoints: 317

Pretty easy decision if you ask me

March 21st, 2012 at 2:29 PM | I dunno, I'm Shak-ed about (Score:2 Normal)
South Bend Wolverine
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Joined: 09/11/2009
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I dunno, I'm Shak-ed about it.

Now with 100% less South Bend, 100% more Washington DC.

March 21st, 2012 at 2:30 PM | I thought it was a done deal (Score:2 Normal)
oriental andrew
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Joined: 06/30/2008
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What a Shaka... 

For my privacy, my new username is "non-Oriental non-Andrew"
 

March 21st, 2012 at 2:37 PM | It's too bad, he could've (Score:3 Normal)
South Bend Wolverine
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Joined: 09/11/2009
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It's too bad, he could've really Shakan things up there.

Now with 100% less South Bend, 100% more Washington DC.

March 21st, 2012 at 2:31 PM | This is not good for OHIO (Score:1)
74polSKA
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Joined: 05/25/2011
MGoPoints: 1216

This is not good for OHIO (did I do that right?).  Anyone know where John Groce is on their wish list?

March 21st, 2012 at 2:32 PM | Chris Collins (Score:2)
UMICH1606
Joined: 02/21/2010
MGoPoints: 1861

Chris Collins

March 21st, 2012 at 3:00 PM | Open Schedule (Score:1)
raleighwood
Joined: 11/26/2008
MGoPoints: 1031

I've heard that Chris Collins isn't doing anything this week.

March 21st, 2012 at 2:33 PM | This is pleasing news. (Score:2)
OHbornUMfan
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Joined: 01/22/2010
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It is well worth the slew of puns.

March 21st, 2012 at 2:38 PM | Yeah, but some of them have (Score:5 Normal)
South Bend Wolverine
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Yeah, but some of them have me Shakan my head ... :)

Now with 100% less South Bend, 100% more Washington DC.

March 21st, 2012 at 2:53 PM | a slew of puns from a bunch (Score:5 Normal)
sheepdog
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Joined: 06/15/2011
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a slew of puns from a bunch of Smart asses.

March 21st, 2012 at 2:34 PM | He is (Score:1)
Zvornik Bosna
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Joined: 09/07/2010
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building something special at VCU, no doubt about it. By no means do I think he is a lifer but he'll have his pick of jobs in a couple of years. I think he is waiting for an elite blue blood to have a job opening and then he'll accept it for the challenge and not the money. 

March 21st, 2012 at 2:54 PM | Let's see what happens the (Score:1)
aiglick
Joined: 11/27/2010
MGoPoints: 1439

Let's see what happens the next few years.

Last year was special and this year they did fine though many thought they would go Sweet 16.

Brad Stevens and Shaka Smart are great coaches but could see a stock drop if their teams do not continue producing deep runs. It is nice to be like Xavier or Gonzaga as a mid major though.

Here's hoping for a bright future. This team does try hard and I will continue to support them.

March 21st, 2012 at 2:37 PM | This is suprising considering (Score:1)
Hokemania
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Joined: 03/11/2011
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This is suprising considering all the reports saying it was a done deal. Wonder what Illinois will do now.

Whatcha gonna do, little brother?

March 21st, 2012 at 2:58 PM | All the good puns are gone... (Score:3 Normal)
jhender85
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Joined: 10/25/2008
MGoPoints: 1376

With no more "Shaka" "Smart" puns left for me to use, you could say I'm being punished for posting on this thread later?!?!  Get it? Huh? Huh?

Anyways, I want to say I'm surprised at this, but you don't sign an 8 year contract after taking a mid-major program to the final four (which makes you a hot coaching commidity) unless you're in it for the long haul.  Sucks for Illinois, but major win for VCU.

March 21st, 2012 at 2:57 PM | Not too Smart...Herb. (Score:1)
kicknback1
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Joined: 02/03/2010
MGoPoints: 73

 

 

I have to laugh considering this article from Herb Gould at the Chicago Sun Times on Monday. 

Source: Illinois determined to land Shaka Smart as next coach

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/11396707-419/source-illinois-wont-let-shaka-smart-get-away.html

Maybe Herb should have a better "source". Wonder if today's headline will read

Source: Shaka Smart determined not to take Illinois coaching job

 

 

March 21st, 2012 at 2:58 PM | Shaka Smart is a coach. I (Score:2)
Dubs
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Joined: 05/30/2011
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Shaka Smart is a coach.



I did good?

"Welllllllll..."

March 21st, 2012 at 3:08 PM | I hope Illinois can get (Score:2)
goblueritzy92
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Joined: 01/26/2009
MGoPoints: 893

I hope Illinois can get somebody that could potentially keep Jabari Parker away from MSU. Please, anybody...

March 21st, 2012 at 4:12 PM | Robert Smith would fit the (Score:2)
Mr Miggle
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Joined: 10/07/2010
MGoPoints: 1600

Robert Smith would fit the bill.

Eating is murder.

March 21st, 2012 at 4:02 PM | Did he use a "Smart" phone to tell them no? (Score:1)
Wolvie3758
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Joined: 12/12/2010
MGoPoints: 365

just asking

March 21st, 2012 at 6:57 PM | I Don't Blame Smart... (Score:3 Normal)
LSAClassOf2000
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Joined: 01/07/2011
MGoPoints: 8704

...for not leaving VCU. He's taking the Rams to places they haven't been, including the Final Four last year and at least staying competitive against Indiana in a 2nd round game this year, and I think the fans there are absolutely liking the possibility of making some noise from year to year, especially when you represent a conference that is not on the radar of many casual fans of the game. To do what Smart has done with what must be limited resources isn't easy, and I wouldn't blame him if he wanted to see the challenge through. That, and Illinois is a tire fire from a morale standpoint, it seems - it takes a lot to put out a tire fire. 

As for Illinois, was there a Plan B? I have to believe that they considered this possibility, because the  ESPN article only mentions that they contacted the head coach at Simeon Career Academy in Chicago. If Plan A was getting a successful mid-major coach and Plan B was trolling Chicagoland high schools, I would be somewhat worried about the future if I was a fan of the Illini. 

"Funny isn't it, how naughty dentists always make that one fatal mistake."

Follow the random tweets of a Michigan alum - http://twitter.com/#!/LorneEC3

March 21st, 2012 at 11:23 PM | Lots of talk about Reggie (Score:2)
Brown Bear
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Joined: 01/10/2011
MGoPoints: 2605

Lots of talk about Reggie Theus being a possibility the last few weeks on radio here in Chicago.

I poop excellence
March 21st, 2012 at 4:21 PM | SHAK and AWE! (Score:2)
McGreenB
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Joined: 11/13/2011
MGoPoints: 61

SHAK and AWE!

Marry me, Chantel.

March 21st, 2012 at 5:20 PM | Wow, what did Michael Rothstien do (Score:1)
LB
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Joined: 09/26/2009
MGoPoints: 5045

to  you? 

May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift

March 21st, 2012 at 5:20 PM | One thing's for sure... (Score:4 Normal)
MGoShoe
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Joined: 04/23/2009
MGoPoints: 19230

...not going to Champaign-Urbana definitely tells me that Shaka's Smart.

LSA '89 - MBB Natl Champions, Big 10/Rose Bowl Champions | @MGoShoe

March 21st, 2012 at 7:11 PM | If I say that I'm pleasantly surprised (Score:0 Overrated)
March 21st, 2012 at 7:41 PM | the problem (Score:1)
Coach Schiano
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Joined: 10/05/2008
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the problem was: he visited Urbana-Champaign. man is that place a dump.

I am not really Coach Schiano. -Coach Schiano on Mgoblog

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