Javon Pickett just decommitted from Illinois

[Medill90]

I'd argue that these decommits don't hurt the Illini all that much.

The new staff will do better identifying their own players who are suitable to the system they want to run and culture they want to build.

Lessens the chances for big wins next year, but increases the chances Illinois is more lethal in three or four years.

 

[Wrestlerneverdiesasacatfan]

They wont be competitive next year!

 

[Jonny2TheP]

I'd argue that these decommits don't hurt the Illini all that much.

The new staff will do better identifying their own players who are suitable to the system they want to run and culture they want to build.

Lessens the chances for big wins next year, but increases the chances Illinois is more lethal in three or four years.

I'm in agreement that while decommits may seem like a negative, with a new coaching staff, there's a lot of value to getting your own guys in as quickly as possible for a variety of on court and off court reasons.

 

[scru]

Does my reveling in UoI's challenges make me a bad person? Have to admit I'm really enjoying watching their top 15 recruiting class fall apart. I also believe that for NU to really transform and elevate its basketball program to be perennially in the top half of the B1G, it requires some luck. A down year in the B1G, an impact recruit or two coming our way due to coaching changes at other schools, our in state rival struggling all count as luck to me.

 

[willycat]

I'd argue that these decommits don't hurt the Illini all that much.

The new staff will do better identifying their own players who are suitable to the system they want to run and culture they want to build.

Lessens the chances for big wins next year, but increases the chances Illinois is more lethal in three or four years.

Maybe but only if Underwood doesn't find his new "lifetime" job elsewhere.

 

[IdahoAlum]

I suspect Underwood encouraged Pickett to head elsewhere. Illinois was his only Big Ten offer and he apparently didn't fit in Underwood's style. Will be interested to see where he winds up.

 

[Windy City Cat Fan]

I'm curious - how was his class at OSU and are any of those kids decommitting and potentially looking at Illinois?

 

[charcat]

It seems unfair to me when a coach runs a guy off after having been on the job two weeks. There is no opportunity to show what you can do, and this coach has already made a determination that you are not a fit, based on nothing. Bad form. Go a year, see what they have to offer and have an honest conversation about their likelyhood of seeing playing time, that is a different situation. But this is BS

 

[chicagocatfan24]

It seems unfair to me when a coach runs a guy off after having been on the job two weeks. There is no opportunity to show what you can do, and this coach has already made a determination that you are not a fit, based on nothing. Bad form. Go a year, see what they have to offer and have an honest conversation about their likelyhood of seeing playing time, that is a different situation. But this is BS

Collins did this with like 5 players. Dems da breaks

 

[Walker Fan]

Lieberman and Ajou were not scholarship players. Turner was not a Big 10 level player. Abarahamson was so talented (not) he transferred from Drake after a year. But nice try on your failure of an analogy.

 

[mickbula]

I shed a tear for the paltry Illini. Underwood will be gone before his contract supposedly finishes- just like Lovie will be as well. Smith reportedly is already miserable there. He'll get another coaching job in the NFL and quickly bolt for it- whether it be as a head coach or an assistant. Karma is a ***** aint it Illini fans?

 

[willycat]

Collins did this with like 5 players. Dems da breaks

Which 5 players did Collins supposedly run off, when he took over as coach? Which new recruit after two weeks on the job? Guess the illini have their new hotshot recruiter on board, who incidentally is under NCAA investigation for recruiting violations. So the question might be not how good they are going to be down the line but whether Underwood stays past a year or they get put on probation.

 

[Deeringfish]

Does my reveling in UoI's challenges make me a bad person? .

There is a religion that is having a big week this week that deals with forgiveness for that' and other kinds of guilt. Sadly, it is often misunderstood to be something that adds to guilt. Go figure.

 

[NJCat]

Lieberman and Ajou were not scholarship players. Turner was not a Big 10 level player. Abarahamson was so talented (not) he transferred from Drake after a year. But nice try on your failure of an analogy.

Not that it matters, but Ajou had a scholarship.......

 

[chicagocatfan24]

Lieberman and Ajou were not scholarship players. Turner was not a Big 10 level player. Abarahamson was so talented (not) he transferred from Drake after a year. But nice try on your failure of an analogy.

Running off players is running off players. Who cares when it happens. If Ajou or Abrahamson were commits and not active players when Carmody was fired/ Collins hired I'd put money on Collins saying "no go" to their scholarships upon hire as well

 

[jjjjjjj_rivals298916]

Running off players is running off players. Who cares when it happens. If Ajou or Abrahamson were commits and not active players when Carmody was fired/ Collins hired I'd put money on Collins saying "no go" to their scholarships upon hire as well

So if you were the coach, and Ajou came to you asking about his prospects for playing time, you would either lie and say "lots" (because you would be afraid that telling the truth would run him off) or you would feel bad for him and decide to play him big minutes regardless of talent.

To me, those are both bad choices, but I guess you know better.

 

[hdhntr1]

It seems unfair to me when a coach runs a guy off after having been on the job two weeks. There is no opportunity to show what you can do, and this coach has already made a determination that you are not a fit, based on nothing. Bad form. Go a year, see what they have to offer and have an honest conversation about their likelyhood of seeing playing time, that is a different situation. But this is BS

One thing if the guy is already enrolled and another if he is still in HS. I would guess Underwood has a pretty good idea who he is and strengths and weaknesses. Likey not strangers. I don't have a problem with this. If he enrolls and go through the year etc as you suggest then he has to sit out a year. Better for him to find a home now.

 

[hdhntr1]

I'd argue that these decommits don't hurt the Illini all that much.

The new staff will do better identifying their own players who are suitable to the system they want to run and culture they want to build.

Lessens the chances for big wins next year, but increases the chances Illinois is more lethal in three or four years.

Except that it is pretty late in the process for this year to get what he needs and that is a lot of guys to find replacements for. How many guys did IL have as Srs.? Sets things back a year. Still if as you say, not right guys for your system...

 

[hdhntr1]

Does my reveling in UoI's challenges make me a bad person? Have to admit I'm really enjoying watching their top 15 recruiting class fall apart. I also believe that for NU to really transform and elevate its basketball program to be perennially in the top half of the B1G, it requires some luck. A down year in the B1G, an impact recruit or two coming our way due to coaching changes at other schools, our in state rival struggling all count as luck to me.

Yes but we are cheering you on secretly

 

[willycat]

Running off players is running off players. Who cares when it happens. If Ajou or Abrahamson were commits and not active players when Carmody was fired/ Collins hired I'd put money on Collins saying "no go" to their scholarships upon hire as well

Ah Chicagofan per Big Ten rules a coach cannot just pull a schlorship but it's likely that coaches have one on one meetings with players, explain what they need to work on and where they fit on the roster. Ajou just wasn't a Div. I player and Abrahamson was pretty one dimensional and Turner was a reach and wanted to play C and not F where he might have fit. Likely these kids were told that they would be the 5th C, or 4th Forward off the bench and chose to move on. Maybe you noticed that I didn't include "cat" in your handle because your constant hatred towards Collins makes you anything but a "caftan".

 

[chicagocatfan24]

Ah Chicagofan per Big Ten rules a coach cannot just pull a schlorship but it's likely that coaches have one on one meetings with players, explain what they need to work on and where they fit on the roster. Ajou just wasn't a Div. I player and Abrahamson was pretty one dimensional and Turner was a reach and wanted to play C and not F where he might have fit. Likely these kids were told that they would be the 5th C, or 4th Forward off the bench and chose to move on. Maybe you noticed that I didn't include "cat" in your handle because your constant hatred towards Collins makes you anything but a "caftan".

My constant hate towards Collins? WTF are you talking about? I love Collins and hope he's at NU for his entire coaching career. Do me a favor and show me where I've ever said anything remotely negative about Collins and I'll venmo you $100

Edit: and for the record, however it went down, I'm glad none of those players were at after Collins took over. I don't know them personally, they're not my friends and I don't care if they are about to solve world hunger. They're just numbers to me. If they aren't good at football or basketball then I don't want them on the team I live and breath for.

 

[willycat]

My constant hate towards Collins? WTF are you talking about? I love Collins and hope he's at NU for his entire coaching career. Do me a favor and show me where I've ever said anything remotely negative about Collins and I'll venmo you $100

Edit: and for the record, however it went down, I'm glad none of those players were at after Collins took over. I don't know them personally, they're not my friends and I don't care if they are about to solve world hunger. They're just numbers to me. If they aren't good at football or basketball then I don't want them on the team I live and breath for.

OK, guess I'll just accept that. Actually you criticized Collins just a few posts earlier you stated that it didn't matter when he ran off players and that Collins told them that their scholarships were a "no go". Earlier you compared him to Underwood and his running off recruits. You have a odd way showing your love.

 

[chicagocatfan24]

OK, guess I'll just accept that. Actually you criticized Collins just a few posts earlier you stated that it didn't matter when he ran off players and that Collins told them that their scholarships were a "no go". Earlier you compared him to Underwood and his running off recruits. You have a odd way showing your love.

I wasn't criticizing Collins. He was doing what was best to turn NU into an NCAA team by running the players off, telling them they'll never play, whatever he did to get them to transfer. Not sure how he did it, but I am glad he did and will defend him for it.

What I was saying is that it happens at all schools. People are acting like it doesn't happen at NU, but it has. Look at the Vassar story. No idea what the truth is behind it, but as the saying goes "where there's smoke..."

 

[willycat]

I wasn't criticizing Collins. He was doing what was best to turn NU into an NCAA team by running the players off, telling them they'll never play, whatever he did to get them to transfer. Not sure how he did it, but I am glad he did and will defend him for it.

What I was saying is that it happens at all schools. People are acting like it doesn't happen at NU, but it has. Look at the Vassar story. No idea what the truth is behind it, but as the saying goes "where there's smoke..."

Gee, more love for Collins and NU.

 

[chicagocatfan24]

Gee, more love for Collins and NU.

Nothing but love for NU

 

[willycat]

Nothing but love for NU

You definitely know how to "act" like you love NU. How about Collins? Phillips? Fitz?

 

[chicagocatfan24]

You definitely know how to "act" like you love NU. How about Collins? Phillips? Fitz?

Offer is still on the table to show me where I've ever said anything bad about any of these guys

 

[FitzFan]

You definitely know how to "act" like you love NU. How about Collins? Phillips? Fitz?

Don't know about you, willy, but I've sent all three of 'em a series of cryptic and anonymous love letters. Sadly I haven't received a single reply, and I can't get close enough to their residences to deliver more letters now that the police presence has increased. I suppose I'm not a real fan, then. Only real fans have their love reciprocated by the coaching staff.

But seriously, though. Do I need to love Fitz, Phillips, and Collins in order to love NU? Do I need them to love me back? Am I not a NU fan? Help! I'm having a real identity crisis here!

 

[chicagocatfan24]

Don't know about you, willy, but I've sent all three of 'em a series of cryptic and anonymous love letters. Sadly I haven't received a single reply, and I can't get close enough to their residences to deliver more letters now that the police presence has increased. I suppose I'm not a real fan, then. Only real fans have their love reciprocated by the coaching staff.

But seriously, though. Do I need to love Fitz, Phillips, and Collins in order to love NU? Do I need them to love me back? Am I not a NU fan? Help! I'm having a real identity crisis here!

That's a good point; it goes White Sox baseball 1A for me, NU football 1B for me... absolutely couldn't STAND Robin Ventura as a manager. Does that make me less of a White Sox fan?

Edit: was trying to prove a point - I love Fitz, love Collins and love Phillips and hope they're lifers

 

[hdhntr1]

That's a good point; it goes White Sox baseball 1A for me, NU football 1B for me... absolutely couldn't STAND Robin Ventura as a manager. Does that make me less of a White Sox fan?

Edit: was trying to prove a point - I love Fitz, love Collins and love Phillips and hope they're lifers

Actually it is Kenny Williams for me. Hard to have anything to do with the team while he is still in the mix

 

[chicagocatfan24]

Actually it is Kenny Williams for me. Hard to have anything to do with the team while he is still in the mix

Yeah, truth be told I didn't hate Ventura. He inherited **** teams. I was just trying to make the analogy as simple as possible. Didn't think he was a good manager, but Madden wasn't going to the playoffs with Ventura's teams either.

 

[chitownUofI05]

I shed a tear for the paltry Illini. Underwood will be gone before his contract supposedly finishes- just like Lovie will be as well. Smith reportedly is already miserable there. He'll get another coaching job in the NFL and quickly bolt for it- whether it be as a head coach or an assistant. Karma is a ***** aint it Illini fans?

Lovie is not miserable, LOL...? And exactly what bad karma are we being punished with? Hate makes people act illogically, but holy ****. Doubt all you want, but we feel good where we're at, so don't waste your tears.

 

[willycat]

Don't know about you, willy, but I've sent all three of 'em a series of cryptic and anonymous love letters. Sadly I haven't received a single reply, and I can't get close enough to their residences to deliver more letters now that the police presence has increased. I suppose I'm not a real fan, then. Only real fans have their love reciprocated by the coaching staff.

But seriously, though. Do I need to love Fitz, Phillips, and Collins in order to love NU? Do I need them to love me back? Am I not a NU fan? Help! I'm having a real identity crisis here!

Actually it was Chicago---fan, who expressed his love for NU. Yet he continues to knock Collins with lies about the handling of the BB program. Of course Fitz you can love one and all, or not. Actually, all you have to do is follow his distasteful argument on the FB Board with a parent of one of our FB players to judge. I've had more than enough of him, ignore is now on.

 

[chicagocatfan24]

Actually it was Chicago---fan, who expressed his love for NU. Yet he continues to knock Collins with lies about the handling of the BB program. Of course Fitz you can love one and all, or not. Actually, all you have to do is follow his distasteful argument on the FB Board with a parent of one of our FB players to judge. I've had more than enough of him, ignore is now on.

Hey dude. When Collins took over X amount of players left the program. Players that weren't good. I'm PRAISING Collins for that. Not sure the method he used, but they left regardless.

Hilarious that you're bashing me here and in a thread on the football board you were legit calling for a position coach to be fired.

 

[FitzFan]

Actually it was Chicago---fan, who expressed his love for NU. Yet he continues to knock Collins with lies about the handling of the BB program. Of course Fitz you can love one and all, or not. Actually, all you have to do is follow his distasteful argument on the FB Board with a parent of one of our FB players to judge. I've had more than enough of him, ignore is now on.

How do you know that they're lies? Were you in the room when Collins may or may not have had discussions with his players? It's all conjecture at this point, including the opinions on the Vasser situation.

I think Phillips is a great AD. But I'll be pissed as hell at him if I need to make a "donation" to secure season tickets after my family has had them for 20+ years. I'm pissed that he hasn't listened to my constant nagging re: getting rid of that stupid "play of the game" sponsorship that occurs with 10 minutes left in the 2nd half regardless of the score. Does that mean I don't love NU? You equate loving everything about the athletics program to loving the academic institution. They're not the same.

But this point is really moot, because chicagocatsfan, as he has said repeatedly, is praising Collins for improving the overall talent level of the team.

 

[willycat]

How do you know that they're lies? Were you in the room when Collins may or may not have had discussions with his players? It's all conjecture at this point, including the opinions on the Vasser situation.

I think Phillips is a great AD. But I'll be pissed as hell at him if I need to make a "donation" to secure season tickets after my family has had them for 20+ years. I'm pissed that he hasn't listened to my constant nagging re: getting rid of that stupid "play of the game" sponsorship that occurs with 10 minutes left in the 2nd half regardless of the score. Does that mean I don't love NU? You equate loving everything about the athletics program to loving the academic institution. They're not the same.

But this point is really moot, because chicagocatsfan, as he has said repeatedly, is praising Collins for improving the overall talent level of the team.

First, I also don't like the early call of Play of the Game but as you said, it's sponsored. So that cash helps to make it possible so an extra donation is not needed to purchase season tickets. Guess you can believe his lies regarding his support of Collins but he is just trying to cover his a--. Think about his statement in a thread regarding Underwood running off a player/recruit at Illinois. He says well Collins ran off 5 players also. If you agree with that, then we have nothing to discuss further. I now have Chicago---fan on ignore, so I won't have to see his love, hate or lies.

 

[chicagocatfan24]

How do you know that they're lies? Were you in the room when Collins may or may not have had discussions with his players? It's all conjecture at this point, including the opinions on the Vasser situation.

I think Phillips is a great AD. But I'll be pissed as hell at him if I need to make a "donation" to secure season tickets after my family has had them for 20+ years. I'm pissed that he hasn't listened to my constant nagging re: getting rid of that stupid "play of the game" sponsorship that occurs with 10 minutes left in the 2nd half regardless of the score. Does that mean I don't love NU? You equate loving everything about the athletics program to loving the academic institution. They're not the same.

But this point is really moot, because chicagocatsfan, as he has said repeatedly, is praising Collins for improving the overall talent level of the team.

Thank you for being rational! Holy hell. I shouldn't need to rationalize my fandom, but I'm going to do so anyways, regardless if Willy___ has me on ignore or not

I first attended an NU game when I was 10 to watch Jon Schweighardt play. He went to the same HS I would later attend and as a 10 year old kinda idolized him. Then when he went to NU I went to a game or two to see him play there. A year or two later I met my now current roommate, who's mom went to NU and had season tickets. Would drive to Evanston 3-4 times a year from Wheaton. Now I'm 28, have been to no less than 50 NU games, am a STH and literally lose sleep when the team loses. I didn't go to NU but as I've said before on these boards, am in the exact demo the "Chicago's B1G Team" marketing campaigned was gunned for. I've brought dozens of friends to games that had no rooting interest in NU who now consider themselves Cats fans because of me introducing them to the program.

I'm not an NU fan? FOH. I'm guessing Willy___ went to NU and wouldn't give two ***** about the $ programs had he not.

 

[Gocatsgo2003]

First, I also don't like the early call of Play of the Game but as you said, it's sponsored. So that cash helps to make it possible so an extra donation is not needed to purchase season tickets. Guess you can believe his lies regarding his support of Collins but he is just trying to cover his a--. Think about his statement in a thread regarding Underwood running off a player/recruit at Illinois. He says well Collins ran off 5 players also. If you agree with that, then we have nothing to discuss further. I now have Chicago---fan on ignore, so I won't have to see his love, hate or lies.

You're not very good at trolling.

 

[willycat]

You're not very good at trolling.

Please tell me GCG if anything I just noted was untrue.

 

[Gocatsgo2003]

Please tell me GCG if anything I just noted was untrue.

He's definitely a Wildcat fan and, whatever phrasing you would like to use, Collins definitely had five guys leave the program after taking over.