Illinois: The Worst College BBall State In The Country?

[Tugg Speedman]

Top Ten states by population and the teams in the Tourney

1. California (36.96m) = SDSU, Cal, UCSB, SMC (4)
2. Texas (24.78m) = HOU, UTEP, UNT, TEX, TA&M, BAY, SHSU (7)
3. New York (19.54m) = SYR, COR, SIE (3)
4. Florida (18.53m) = FLA, FSU (2)
5. Illinois (12.91m) = (0)
6. Pennsylvania (12.60m) =LEH, Pitt, TEM, Vill, RMU (5)
7. Ohio (11.54m) = Ohio St, Ohio, XAV (3)
8. Michigan 9.97m) = MSU,  Oakland (2)
9. Georgia (9.83m) = GT (1)
10. North Carolina (9.38m) = Wake, Duke (2)

29 of the 65 come from the 10 most populous states.  Texas leads the way with 7.

The largest state with no teams ... Illinois, and only Illinois

In the Midwest = Wisconsin had 2 (MU and WISC), Iowa has 1 (UNI), Indiana had 3 (ND, But, PUR), Minnesota = 1 (Minn)

[buckchuckler]

Does this seem silly to anyone else?

[Sir Lawrence]

Top Ten states by population and the teams in the Tourney

1. California (36.96m) = SDSU, Cal, UCSB, SMC (4)
2. Texas (24.78m) = HOU, UTEP, UNT, TEX, TA&M, BAY, SHSU (7)
3. New York (19.54m) = SYR, COR, SIE (3)
4. Florida (18.53m) = FLA, FSU (2)
5. Illinois (12.91m) = (0)
6. Pennsylvania (12.60m) =LEH, Pitt, TEM, Vill, RMU (5)
7. Ohio (11.54m) = Ohio St, Ohio, XAV (3)
8. Michigan 9.97m) = MSU,  Oakland (2)
9. Georgia (9.83m) = GT (1)
10. North Carolina (9.38m) = Wake, Duke (2)

29 of the 65 come from the 10 most populous states.  Texas leads the way with 7.

The largest state with no teams ... Illinois, and only Illinois

In the Midwest = Wisconsin had 2 (MU and WISC), Iowa has 1 (UNI), Indiana had 3 (ND, But, PUR), Minnesota = 0

Um, I'm pretty sure I watched a Minnesota team play in the NCAA tourney right here in Milwaukee on Friday.  It sure wasn't the beer making me see things, or perhaps my sobriety had me confused. 

[Tugg Speedman]

Um, I'm pretty sure I watched a Minnesota team play in the NCAA tourney right here in Milwaukee on Friday.  It sure wasn't the beer making me see things, or perhaps my sobriety had me confused. 

Corrected

[Tugg Speedman]

Does this seem silly to anyone else?

Not if you live in Illinois and realize that a state of 12+ million and the third largest city is incapable of fielding a decent college bball team.  And, it is the only large state that is this pathetic.

[Warriors4ever]

I don't see why it's relevant to Marquette whether Illinois has any teams in the tournament.  And I have lived in Illinois all my life. 
I find it embarassing as an Illinois resident but am puzzled by its presence on a Marquette board.

[VegasWarrior77]

I don't see why it's relevant to Marquette whether Illinois has any teams in the tournament.  And I have lived in Illinois all my life. 
I find it embarassing as an Illinois resident but am puzzled by its presence on a Marquette board.

It's relevant because the flat land state is supposed to have so much talent (like the Cubs) and some say it is important for our recruiting.  BTW, embarrassing has two "r"s in it.

[Dish]

I'd argue it's one of the best in the country, as this title and topic is very misleading. When two of the best college basketball players in the entire country are from Illinois, it's hard to say it's the worst college bball state. I know what you're getting at, but it's still misleading. Blame the college coaches who let kids like Evan Turner and Sherron Collins leave the state.

[MUEng92]

Not if you live in Illinois and realize that a state of 12+ million and the third largest city is incapable of fielding a decent college bball team.  And, it is the only large state that is this pathetic.

That is because all of the good players from Chicago come to MU to play!!

[TallTitan34]

When Bruce Weber is recruiting at Illinois, the state is going to lose all of its quality players.  And I love it 

[bartmiller#1]

3 of the 6 Cousy award finalists are from Illinois (S. Collins, J. Scheyer, and E. Turner).  That doesn't even include Pullen, who had a monster game today. 

If you don't think basketball in Illinois is alive and well you're out of your mind. 

The local collegiate programs are in horrible shape, but that says nothing about the talent that Chicago and the surrounding area produces every single year. 

If you don't heavily recruit Chicago-- particularly if you're running a program 90 miles away-- you're a moron.  The caliber of the teams and the talent crushes anything Wisconsin has to offer.

[MUBurrow]

the Koch brothers beg to differ!

[timinatorx3]

Congratulations, this thread is among the dumbest in recent memory!!

It's relevant because the flat land state is supposed to have so much talent (like the Cubs) and some say it is important for our recruiting.  BTW, embarrassing has two "r"s in it.

What about the Cubs??  

[MerrittsMustache]

Congratulations, this thread is among the dumbest in recent memory!!

What about the Cubs??  

This thread should probably be..."Illinois: The Worst Schools at Recruiting Their In-State Talent"


To Brewers fans, any excuse to mock the Cubs is a good one. To everyone else, they look like fools who area jealous of a superior team.

[Tugg Speedman]

3 of the 6 Cousy award finalists are from Illinois (S. Collins, J. Scheyer, and E. Turner).  That doesn't even include Pullen, who had a monster game today.  

Don't forget Derrick Rose who had he stayed at Memphis (again not an IL team) would be a senior this year.

[buckchuckler]

It's relevant because the flat land state is supposed to have so much talent (like the Cubs) and some say it is important for our recruiting.  BTW, embarrassing has two "r"s in it.

This would be relevant if all players from Illinois went to a school in the state.  They don't, so to me at least, this is silly.  If you don't think players from Illinois are relevant, ask Ohio State (Turner) Kansas (Collins) Kansas State (Pullen) Duke (Scheyer).  Those are all tourney teams (or were is Kansas' case), and those are arguably the most important players on their respective teams, and at least one player of the year candidate.
And how soon we forget.  Do you think Wade and McNeal were important to the program?

[buckchuckler]

Sorry, just saw people posted essentially the same thing.  This is all just so silly.

[Pakuni]

This would be relevant if all players from Illinois went to a school in the state.  They don't, so to me at least, this is silly.  If you don't think players from Illinois are relevant, ask Ohio State (Turner) Kansas (Collins) Kansas State (Pullen) Duke (Scheyer).  Those are all tourney teams (or were is Kansas' case), and those are arguably the most important players on their respective teams, and at least one player of the year candidate.
And how soon we forget.  Do you think Wade and McNeal were important to the program?

Don't forget PAC-10 player of the year (and Chicago native) Jerome Randle.

As has been said, Illinois continues to be one of the best - if not the best - at producing talent. It's just that the talent isn't staying in state.

[Tugg Speedman]

Suppose for a second that DePaul gets a coach that can keep some of this talent.  And suppose that Bruce Weber can get his act together and get some of this talent, or is replaced with someone that can.  Ditto a possible next HC at Iowa. 

IF IL talent stays instate, it affects all of college basketball.  How many teams would be diminished without IL talent, including us.

[SaintPaulWarrior]

S. Collins, J. Scheyer, and E. Turner are among the six finalists for the Bob Cousy Award and final candidates for the Oscar Robertson and John Wooden awards.

No area boasts as many high-profile athletes in this season's tournament as Chicago. California's Jerome Randle (Hales Franciscan), Kansas State's Jacob Pullen (Proviso East) and Georgia Tech's Iman Shumpert (Oak Park-River Forest) also are representing the area.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/college/ct-spt-0318-ncaa-guards--20100317,0,690895.story

SECOND ROUND
SATURDAY, MARCH 20

Kansas vs. Northern Iowa: L 67-69
Sherron Collins (Crane) - 10 points (4-for-15 FG, 0-for-5 3-point), 3 rebounds, 4 assists


Kansas State vs. BYU: W 84-72
Jacob Pullen (Proviso East) - 34 points (8-for-15 FG, 7-for-12 3-point), 4 steals, 2 assists


Kentucky vs. Wake Forest: W 90-60
DeAndre Liggins (Washington) - 4 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal

Northern Iowa vs. Kansas: W 69-67
Johnny Moran (Jacobs) - 8 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists

Ohio vs. Tennessee: L 68-83
D.J. Cooper (Seton Academy) - 16 points (5-for-13 FG, 3-for-8 3-point), 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals

Wake Forest vs. Kentucky: L 60-90
Kyle Fowler (Wheaton North) - DNP

SUNDAY, MARCH 21

California vs. Duke, 4:15 p.m.
Jerome Randle (Hales)

Cornell vs. Wisconsin, 1:50 p.m.
Chris Wroblewski (Highland Park)

Duke vs. California, 4:15 p.m.
Jon Scheyer (Glenbrook North)
Todd Zafirovski (Lake Forest Academy)

Georgia Tech vs. Ohio State, 1:20 p.m.
Iman Shumpert (Oak Park)

Maryland vs. Michigan State, 1:30 p.m.
Steve Goins (Curie)

Ohio State vs. Georgia Tech, 1:20 p.m.
Jeremie Simmons (Von Steuben)
Evan Turner (St. Joseph)

Wisconsin vs. Cornell, 1:50 p.m.
Dan Fahey (St. Ignatius)




FIRST ROUND
FRIDAY, MARCH 19

California vs. Louisville: W 77-62
Jerome Randle (Hales) - 21 points (5-for-9 FG, 2-for-5 3-point), 5 rebounds, 2 assists

Cornell vs. Temple: W 78-65
Chris Wroblewski (Highland Park) - 9 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal

Duke vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff: W 73-44
Jon Scheyer (Glenbrook North) - 13 points (3-for-5 3-point), 2 assists, 2 rebounds
Todd Zafirovski (Lake Forest Academy) - DNP

Georgia Tech vs. Oklahoma State: W 64-59
Iman Shumpert (Oak Park) - 9 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds

Maryland vs. Houston: W 89-77
Steve Goins (Curie) - DNP

Oakland vs. Pittsbugh: L 66-89
Reggie Hamilton (Thornwood) - DNP

Ohio State vs. UC-Santa Barbara: W 68-51
Jeremie Simmons (Von Steuben) - DNP
Evan Turner (St. Joseph) - 9 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists

Wisconsin vs. Wofford, W 53-49
Dan Fahey (St. Ignatius) - DNP

THURSDAY, MARCH 18

Kansas vs. Lehigh: W 90-74
Sherron Collins (Crane) - 18 points (7-14, 2-4 3-pt), 6 assists, 4 rebounds

Kansas State vs. North Texas: W 82-62
Jacob Pullen (Proviso East) - 15 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals

Kentucky vs. East Tennesse State: W 100-71
DeAndre Liggins (Washington) - 4 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals

Lehigh vs. Kansas: L 74-90
Matt Shamis (Glenbrook North) - DNP

Marquette vs. Washington: L 78-80
Maurice Acker (Hillcrest) - 3-for-3 from 3-point range, 13 points, 5 assists

Northern Iowa vs. UNLV, W 69-66
Johnny Moran (Jacobs) - 2 points, 2 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 assist

Notre Dame vs. Old Dominion: L 50-51
Jack Cooley (Glenbrook South) - 1 point in 6 minutes
Tom Kopko (St. Laurence) - DNP
Jonathan Peoples (St. Joseph) - No points in 3 minutes

Ohio vs. Georgetown: W 97-83
D.J. Cooper (Seton Academy) - 23 points, 8 assists, 4 steals, 3 rebounds

San Diego State vs. Tennessee: L 59-62
Brian Carlwell (Proviso East) - 3 points, 6 rebounds (5 offensive rebounds)

Vanderbilt vs. Murray State: L 65-66
Andre Walker (Homewood-Flossmoor) - 6 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals

Wake Forest vs. Texas: W 81-80 (OT)
Kyle Fowler (Wheaton North) - DNP

[MarquetteVol]

Don't forget Derrick Rose who had he stayed at Memphis (again not an IL team) would be a senior this year.

D Rose would actually only be a junior this year.

[MUBurrow]

Does anyone know if DePaul's inability to recruit Chicago stems at all from an intentional decision to not keep some of those kids in town? I know its a bit different, but I thought I heard that tan tommy had a policy that he did not like to recruit metro Milwaukee kids because it keeps them too close to home and all the temptations that come with old crews of friends, lack of necessity of getting tight with new teammates, etc.  Chicago would seemingly be too important an area to not recruit for that reason, but I'm curious if there was a history of that philosophy at DePaul anyone knows about.  I would think after a couple years of such, it would be tough to recover.

[Dish]

Evan Turner is on record as saying that if DePaul had recruited him, he would have gone there.