LeatherneckNation / Specific Sports Topic Forums / Leatherneck Men's Basketball

any knowledge of these 3 recruits...

loyalfan — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 13:18:13 GMT

Does anyone have any definitive info on Ronnie Morgan, Jerry Follot, or Billy Rush, who according to jucojunction.com have listed WIU as a school they all three are interested in, as well as others...Getting anyone of the three would be a plus for the front line considering they are all ranked in the jucojunction.com top 200 juco players.

Only 6 Players Listed

WIU712 — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 13:48:43 GMT

I just checked out the 2008-2009 men's basketball roster on the Athletics Dept's web site. It only shows 6 players--all returning from last year's team.

Ceola Clark was listed. I had thought that he was going somewhere else, but maybe he changed his mind.

Looks like we need to find some more players before the first games in November.

Molinari Hires His First Assistant

windy — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 07:43:41 GMT

Billy Wright, ex-player for MO at Bradley, and a guy who has coached numerous D-I
players out of Indianapolis and can recruit the area well.
http://bradleyfans.com/vb/showthread.php?t=8816

Mo's Contract

LeatherCy — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 14:08:32 GMT

Don O'Brien Quincy Herald - Whig Sports Editor did a good job being persistent until he was able to acquire Mo's contract.

http://www.whig.com/images/MolinariContract.pdf

Don is a good guy even if he did graduate from Eastern Illinois after being a Galesburg Silver Streak!!!

WIU in UNLV Tournament by Global Sports Management

NIU_Huskies — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 14:42:30 GMT

http://unlvrebels.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/sched/unlv-m-baskbl-sched.html

First & Second Rounds (at home sites)

Nov. 18 UTPA at UNLV
Nov. 20 UTPA at California
Nov. 22 Western Illinois at Cincinnati
Coastal Carolina at Florida State
North Carolina A&T at UNLV
[b]Nov. 24 Western Illinois at Florida State /b]
Coastal Carolina at Cincinnati
North Carolina A&T at California

Third Round (at UNLV)

Nov. 28 Coastal Carolina vs. Western Illinois
UTPA vs. North Carolina A&T
California at UNLV
Florida State vs. Cincinnati

Championship Round (at UNLV)

Nov. 29 Loser of CC/WIU vs. Loser of UTPA/NCAT
Winner of CC/WIU vs. Winner of UTPA/NCAT
Loser of FSU/CIN vs. Loser of CAL/UNLV
Winner of FSU/CIN vs. Winner of CAL/UNLV

NIU and WIU in the 100 Club Classic Tourney

NIU_Huskies — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 14:40:19 GMT

Word is that both the NIU and WIU Men's Basketball teams will be playing at Kennesaw State (Georgia) in the 100 Club Classic sometime in November. The other participants are Kennesaw State and Maine.

Any other WIU fans heard about this? Good to see NIU and WIU face off in basketball, too bad we have to travel all the way to Georgia just for it to happen.

Congrats Summit League All-Academic Members

Old B-Baller — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 16:20:39 GMT

Four members of the men's basketball team were named Academic All-League Team.David DuBois,David Nurse,James Granstra,and Arsenio Mims were all recognized by the SL.All 4 are returning.

The results are beginning to come in!

Neckfansince71 — Wed, 21 May 2008 18:14:43 GMT

I have really been looking for the results of Coach Mo's hardwork and determination on the recruiting trail and have discovered we have 3 guards committed, one from New Jersey, a Juco from Texas, and another also from Texas.

Stan Elliott, New Jersey 6'3"

Kirby Quentin, Texas 6'2", (juco)

Tommie Tyler, Texas 6'3"

Have been trying to get the low down on each kid. I think there is a power forward about ready to commit to.

First sighting of Mo hiring Asst's & Player Recruitment

B-Ball Fan — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 11:14:58 GMT

Please post whenever you see any news on either front. We know who is leaving, but hoping to start seeing Asst.'s named and some news on recruitment front soon.

Expectations for '08 and beyond

western-101 — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 19:51:34 GMT

Ok, Leatherneck fans, I think it is safe to say that for the first time in a long time we have reason for optimism. Let's hope the worst is behind us. I am wondering what peoples expectations for the Leatherneck basketball team is for the next 4 years. Here is my basic win expectation breakdown.

2008-2009: 15 wins, one Summit Tourney win
2009-2010: 17 wins, two Summit Tourney wins
2010-2011: 20 wins, Summit Championship appearance, NIT invite
2011-2012: 23 wins, Summit League Champion, first ever NCAA Tourney invite.

Who will be WIU's next Men's B-Ball Coach

B-Ball Fan — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 16:03:20 GMT

This is probably the most important hire of A.D. Tim Van Alstine's watch while at WIU. Tim has been able to secure outstanding coaches at all the rest of the programs except for Men's B-Ball. Can he get his second try right at making WIU Men's B-ball a relevant sport again instead of a revenue sucking sport that it has become over past 10 years of "VERY BAD BASKETBALL @ WIU." I certainly hope so, because for me....Men's B-Ball is my favorite sport at WIU. Let's go Necks !!!!

BB Asst Coaches ???

WIU712 — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 08:40:33 GMT

Have we heard who Jim Molinari will be having as his assistant coaches ???

Garrick Vicks vs David Jackson

meganeck — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 23:20:17 GMT

With Jackson getting close to passing Vicks in career points, I was wondering if anyone had any opinions on who they think is/was the better player. Vicks played when I went to school down there and I think he was probably the best player during the Kerwin era. I have not seen Jackson much, but I tend to lean towards Vicks. Jackson might be the better all around player, but Vicks I think is the better scorer. Also I think Vicks was a JUCO transfer and didn't play 4 years at Western like DJ. Anyway just something to hopefully get a lively debate going.

Mooooomentum

Neckfansince71 — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 12:31:31 GMT

So let me see, a very well attended press conference, a standing ovation when he is introduced, Peoria press coverage, the Molinarmy, defense, state and area ties, well educated, a proven winner.....has a much gray hair as I do and is just a bit younger , I think fellow Neck fans we are in for a wonderful ride. How many season tickets will be sold just because Mo is the coach. I bet he will walk the campus talking to kids about basketball attendance. He can recruit, he is connected up here and down there.......Guess I am genuinely excited.

Leathercy, you must be breathing easier now. Heard you were a bit apprehensive about the other choice. I think maybe TV just decided the other guy should get back on the plane!

I think all the players will stay! And just because Mo loves d (as do I) does not mean that the Necks will not score points. But I guess they probably will run an offense in order to do just that! Mo brings a presence with him. His comments showed experience, wisdom, and excitement.

The fog has lifted! Now not only am I excited about the football season, but also the basketball season.

Let's Start Search for New Coach Now

B-Ball Fan — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 10:14:37 GMT

Since Derek already sounds like a Coach who knows he will be gone at end of season, why not start our search now instead of later ? I say bring in an upstart Juco Coach from a very strong D-1 program who would bring his top 3 stud players with him. With only 3 Seniors on this year's team, and none signed early or on the horizon, this would work perfectly wouldn't it ? If we select the right Juco coach, we only need to give him 3 Year Contract, because he'll be gone to a bigger and better D-1 job within 3 years won't he ? Or... we could go same old route as the past and bring in retreads or " Top D-1 Asst." ( Sound familiar) and get same old results and 3 more losing seasons. I'm tired of 7, soon to be 8 losing seasons in a row. The few of us who still attend are too. Come on Tim and WIU, step up and make a difference. With that said, I truly believe Derek will land on his feet as at a top D-1 program as the Recruiter. Maybe with some more seasoning, he may succeed as head coach somewhere else. I truly think his down fall at WIU was fact WIU did not have any funds available for him to be able to hire a quality "x" and "o" coach for game management.

Should be an exciting month!

Neckfansince71 — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 11:38:42 GMT

I am really excited about our head basketball prospects and I really think this will be a great month for Leatherneck basketball!!!! Mo and Barry H are names that would have never been in the running 5 years ago. TV knows that this is the most important hiring in this decade and I really think he has been ready for this for the last year. A big hire will create some definite excitement on campus and in town, and maybe the Athletic Department will get the basketball season ticket machine rolling again. I just don't think that this is as bad of a job as it may seem.

Met a former player and coach from South Dakota State whose team won a state title in Mexico! He loves the Summit and the Gateway and pointed out that SDst fan base is quite large with only two schools USD and USDst in South Dakota and State the only current D-1 school! He saw the Necks play at SDst and said they weren't very good that night!!!

I would imagine today will be a very busy day for TV and company!!! Can't wait to hear who the finalists are!

Harrellson

meganeck — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 09:50:45 GMT

Just read elsewhere that Harrellson was released, but under a few conditions. That is all I know since you have to be a paid subscriber to read the whole article.

Returning players

meganeck — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 17:32:03 GMT

I think it got buried in another post, but can someone confirm how many returning players the men's team may have coming back? In an article TVA mentioned six returning players, by my count we should have more than that. He also mentioned having 4 or 5 schollies available to the new coach. That wold put the roster at 10 or 11. Isn't it at least 12 on a roster?

All-conference team

meganeck — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 18:37:31 GMT

I know this is kind of old news now, but I guess I never paid attention when the all conference teams came out. I guess I was shocked to see Jackson only made Honorable-mention. I just assumed he got first team, if not second team. Then I figured Dubois would get HM. I don't know the players well enough to say this guy didn't deserve first or second, but I thought DJ would be higher. Does anybody else agree or am I over valuing DJ.

So how many of remaining games will WIU win ?

B-Ball Fan — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 17:09:17 GMT

WIU host Oral Roberts tonight and Centenary on Saturday for final home game before they go to IUPUI, Oakland, & IPFW. I see good chance of beating Centenary and outside chance of IPFW. That puts us up against ??? in first round of Summit league Tourney. What do you folks think our final record will be "if"this is the last year of "DT Era" ? I say 12 - 18 at worst and 14 - 17 at best. Hope we win out and win the Tourney, but realistically what do you fans think ? If WIU wins 1 more game, would be most ever by a "DT Team" during his 5 year tenure at WIU.

Who will be Coach in 2008-09

B-Ball Fan — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 12:02:00 GMT

Some still think DK will be back. Some have thrown out former Coach Jack Margenthaller's son Matt in the mix along with former Drake Asst. and current Quincy University Coach Marty Bell. I'll throw out a name I would like to see added. B.J. McCollum who is current Lincoln College Coach who has 17 years college experience. He's a hard worker who has coached some very good D-1 prospects and has run a clean program. Now 1 of his current players is a Vashon graduate who is there planning on going back to ISU next year, but BJ had nothing to do with his issues at Vashon. On a side note, I don't think Matt would be interested and Marty Bell is probably just hoping he isn't let go by QU after this season so I don't believe either one of them are viable candidates. Matt could be, but really don't think he's interested.

It's official...finally!

WIU02 — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 23:28:15 GMT

The agony of another season has been put to rest. I didn't attend a single game this year (usually try to make one or two a season). It's miserable watching, or should I say hearing double digit after double digit loss. When we get a double digit win, it's like DT is our hero, then we proceed to go on multiple double digit loss streaks. Thanks for the time Derek, but it's time to fly.

John Q. Hammons UMAC

western-101 — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 10:25:14 GMT

The Summit League Tournament is almost here and once again the host venue is John Q. Hammons UMAC (Union Multipurpose Athletic Center). I have seen the MidCon Tourney Championship game played there the last couple of years on TV and thought it looked like a nice medium sized arena. I was astounded to learn that this buildings main tenant is the Union High School Basketball team Unbeleivable as it may seem this building which would be the envy of half of the D-1 basketball programs in the NCAA is the home arena to a high school team.

Check out the Digs:

Notice the blatent rip off of Miami's logo.

Also, IMO the UMAC would be just about the perfect type/size arena for WESTERN to build to replace Western Hall.

WIU Men's B-Ball for 08-09

B-Ball Fan — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 12:14:27 GMT

Looks like 12 - 18 was right on unfortunately.

SIUe to join the Summit?

western-101 — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 12:36:25 GMT

I am really eager to find out what the heck is going on at SIUE for next year. My methods of scouring the internet looking for tidbits of information have not revealed any useful information on this topic.

Does anyone know if SIUE is courting the Summit or vice versa? I think SIUE would be a good aquisition for the league. Also could end up being a new rival for Western, same State, geographicaly close.....All of Western's previous rivals are no longer in our league.

Could Summit have two dancing?

western-101 — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 12:09:30 GMT

Oral Roberts has a decent resume for at large consideration. Wins over Oklahoma State, Tulsa, and winning this weekend vs. Creighton would be huge. ORU's RRI is in the 40s.

Odds on favorites for the Summit League torunament championship game are IUPUI and ORU. If ORU wins it's a one bid league, if IUPUI wins it is possible there could be two going to the tournament.

Just something to speculate about. Any opinions out there?

More Seating Needed for Students!

WIU712 — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 13:37:02 GMT

Western Hall needs a student-only section!!
by Ryan Ferguson
Western Courier
Published 2-15-08

Fans scream and shout behind Oral Roberts' bench during Western's near upset of the Golden Eagles Thursday night.

With average attendances of 498 (Leathernecks' games) and 319 (Westerwinds' games), Western Illinois basketball fans will never be mistaken for Duke's Cameron Crazies or members of the Orange Krush at Illinois.

But Western fans should have a chance to be equally as loud and crazy - in a more engaging spot - at their school's basketball games.

Currently, sections C, D, E, J, K and L (see seating chart) are reserved for those who paid $10 for a reserved seat and reserved season-ticket holders. This leaves sections A, B, F and G as well as H, I, M, N and O open for students.

Yes, there are more sections open for students than are reserved for paying fans, but look where those seats are.

Seeing the full action of a basketball game is made difficult by sitting in those sections, which causes students to spread out to where they feel they have the best sightline to the court.

Most students go to the purple bleachers (section Q) on the east side of the court, but then they are left to deal with a view obstructed by the backboard, shot clock and cheerleaders.

Without the unity of a student section, there is not nearly as much noise - and therefore overall support - at basketball games.

If you were to walk into Western Hall on the same night as a basketball game, you would wonder where all the fans were. Your presumption of Western students not caring about basketball would appear to be correct.

However, if you were to put every student in the arena in the same section, it would at least seem as though the 'Necks and 'Winds basketball teams have strong fan followings.

Giving the students a section of their own - in a premier location - should not take away from those season-ticket holders who paid good money to see Western basketball.

However, there should be some give and take.

Give the students section D. It is at half court with no impeding elements, and the fans could harass the opposition equally during both halves of play.

Instead, it is left reserved for the few who pay extra to sit there. So, rather than of having one section moderately full during a game, it is reserved and filled to 30 percent capacity with people who do not make that much noise.

Paul Quillia, a graduate assistant within Western's Ticket Operations, said there have been talks to make sections I, J and K into student-only seats. There are two reasons for this change:

First, all of the camera angles feature the south side of the arena (behind the benches) where those seats are located. Showing the student body is more important than showing some of the 191 men's and 110 women's season-ticket holders.

Secondly, those sections are behind the visiting team's bench. If there is nonstop noise right in the coach's and player's ears during a game, perhaps it would benefit the home team - you know, home-court advantage.

Lately, there have been a handful of students using those sections. They come dressed in funny costumes, holding signs and making a ridiculous amount of noise.

If Western Illinois basketball fans were to raise that number from a few to many, Western Hall would become a place where opposing teams dread to visit.

Congrats to the Seniors

meganeck — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 14:25:24 GMT

Well I made a road trip and took in my first Westerwind and Leatherneck games of the season. It was a nice win for the Leathernecks. It was a nice crowd, but would have been nice to have more fans there to honor the seniors. The seniors really showed some emotion and so did Coach Thomas. Western built a nice second half lead, but Centenary came back and made a game of it, but luckily the Necks were able to hang on. Centenary should have a nice team down the road. No seniors on the team, the only thing their coach seems like a jerk, berating the players when he took them out of the game. So who knows if all of them will stick around. Anyway enough about them, hopefully WIU can pick up a road win Thursday because that is probably there best chance.

I was surprised at how many people left after the women's game. It would have been a good crowd if most had stayed. Especially the students, had a nice student section behind the basketball hoop, but they all left after the women's game. They didn't make much noise but still was a nice group.

Also one final thing, I by no means am a prude, but did anyone notice what the Cententary female assistant coach for the women's team was wearing. Although I had a nice time looking at her I thought it was not really appropiate coaching attire - a short, short skirt with thigh boots. I wanted to ask her what club she was dancing at. Anybody else agree or disagree with me about her. Am I getting old?

Is there anyone who believes.....

Leatherface — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 10:43:25 GMT

DT will be retained? If so, I would seriously like to know your reasons.

Good Day for DT

meganeck — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 15:25:36 GMT

First he learns his day has been elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, then he leads the Leathernecks to a victory over Southern Utah. Now they have to go on the road against the Dakotas. would be nice to get a sweep, but need at least a split. I liked the fact in the post game show that Thomas thanked the crowd for showing up and making some noise.

NCAA Tourney & DT

Leatherface — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 18:26:35 GMT

I made a comment on the women's forum, that I would like to carry-over on this forum. I believe WESTERN is the only D1 school in Illinois-men's BB- to never get to the NCAA Tourney. When looking at DT's success- or lack of- during his stay in Macomb, some are hoping WESTERN might be turning the corner this year-hence, maybe he should be looked at year by year.

My point is, WESTERN hasn't gotten to the NCAA Tourney-ever. The question should be - is he the man to do this? To me, this should be a high priority for the men's BB team. Looking at his productivity, one would conclude he doesn't have this coaching ability.( recruiting services have ranked WESTERN'S recruits during his tenure very high- in some instances)

WESTERN needs someone to take the program to a higher level, and I don't believe he has that in him.WESTERN needs some men's BB success, and, I don't believe it can come with the current situation.

Does WESTERN want to be satisfied with just " hanging around D1", or, do they have the commitment to reach for the higher levels? Only the AD can answer this, and I believe we will know this answer come spring.

I'd be excited if this was year two, but!!!!!

Neckfansince71 — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 19:48:14 GMT

So 712, I happen to be leaning the direction presented by B-ball! So in the 11th hour DT finally puts a team on the floor!!! A team that plays together, that is not made up of a bunch of thugs that care more about me than team. He can recruit and has done a nice job this year in that regard. The other four years???? Well does the name Mahorn give you a bit of a scare. As Bobby
Sherman said back in the early 70's, "easy come, easy go!" And boy have they gone!!! It has been a revolving door for the past 5 years. I still wonder if they are running an offense, I mean one that forces the other team to play at their tempo. By this time there should be a foundation, an established program, a run for the conference title and an NCAA birth. I mean come on, he doesn't teach, the only job he has is to recruit, schedule, and coach basketball. Don't give me this crap about Western Hall. I have been to a lot of gyms that were not palaces but had character. Hey Chicago State has a new facility with 900 fans every game. NIU is not better. Nice digs, but no furniture. Enough is a enough. He is a nice guy, a good family man, but look at the record. To little, too late, contract payed, decision made. Who can blame TV for waving goodbye, heck maybe there is a job for DT with the university. But he is not capable of taking us to the next level. Maybe with a little more seasoning, but even a mediocre piece of meat doe not get any better with more Lawreys. I have a dream, of a packed Western Hall, of a team that does it all, of a university excited past the Fall. I still think it can be, but the coach is the key! I have a dream!!!

ESPN BracketBuster

western-101 — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 22:48:56 GMT

I was wondering why the Summit League has just one (ORU) participant in the ESPN BracketBuster.

The BracketBuster is a real boon for many a mid-major program. It gives a school/conference exposure and a chance to play competition that would otherwise not be scheduled. Also, the team that travels to the host school is guaranteed a return match up with the host team traveling to the previous seasons road teams arena. Good deal all the way around.

The OVC has every member school participating and the OVC is ranked as the second worst D-1 conference this year. Even Eastern Illinois is hosting a school for the BracketBuster. I am saying this about the OVC to make the point that it can not be argued that the Summit is not good enough to have all it's guys in this thing.

With conferences such as the Missouri Valley, Mountain West, Horizon League, and others, participating The Summit League should definatley want to try to be a part of this next year. (thanks for representing ORU)

I would love to hear others oppinions on this.

WIU/IPFW game thread

meganeck — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 18:48:22 GMT

Good news(for me anyway) I can get the audio for game, hopefully it works for the others on here also. Hope there is a good crowd tonight and cheer them on to a victory. Go Necks!

Can we win at Home ????

B-Ball Fan — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 16:29:15 GMT

We didn't win on the road once again so now can we come home and win during 4 game home stand ? We're 6 - 2 at home (granted 4 - 2 against D-1 opponents) so looks better for our chances. Hope we can crack a 1000 in attendance for at least 1 of the 4 home games. Go WIU !!!!

How Did This Happen??

TheBlueliner — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 01:46:08 GMT

Former Mid-Con member, Chicago St. got this new arena, paid entirely by the state. Why are we stuck in Western Hall? Why won't the state pay for a new arena for us?

http://www.csu.edu/athletics/facilities.htm

http://www.illinois.gov/PressReleases/ShowPressRelease.cfm?SubjectID=1&RecNum=1922

WIU @ Centenary game thread

StLouisNecks — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 18:44:13 GMT

Huge game tonight, as mentioned on wiu athletics its the best start in 10 years!

No WJEQ audio (technical difficulties posted now), but I did get a response from Jason Kaufman:

Our computer department has located the problem and has been working on a solution all week. Hopefully we'll have good news for you in time for tonight's game. If not, you will see a message on wiu.com explaining of some "technical difficulties."

Jason

Can we win on the Road ????

B-Ball Fan — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 16:17:53 GMT

Play a much improved Centenary team who already has beaten Bobby Knight and his Red Raiders of Texas Tech on Thursday and then to "Death Valley" in recent years for WIU at Tulsa vs. ORU. I would be pleased with a split this week and then come home on 24th. with a "W" vs. IPFW. That would put us at 10 - 9 and 5 - 3 in almost halfway point of League play. Not great, but way better than we have been this late in season for 5 years. Maybe we will have a few students show up on 24th. and then we can have 1000 in attendance for first time this year. Go Necks !!!!

1 year at a time!

Neckfansince71 — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 16:12:14 GMT

Well, seems to be that a number of you are beginning to swing back in DT's favor. 712 you seem to think there has been a change for the good, and Musselman thinks things are much better than we thought, but Musselman and DT are friends so that would be like me asking my buddy if he thought I was a good husband!!!!

If he is coming back, I suggest a number of 1 year contracts!!!

Also, the double recruit for womens BB and track, Del Harris seems to be just running track this year. She won the 200 and the 60 at Purdue today. Anyone know what may have happened?

WIU 75 SDSU 52

StLouisNecks — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 20:55:50 GMT

Could WIU actually be getting it together.?. four impressive (EIU, Kennesaw, UMKC and SDSU) wins this season, two of them divisional. Thats a two game division winning streak. Things haven't been this positive in years.

If things continue go well, would you want to keep DT around? I feel like he has had awful luck, and I would give him the benefit of the doubt and keep him around for at least another year. Nurse and DuBois would presumably be back.

Anyways, feeling good about WIU basketball right now... I hope it continues for the difficult test against NDSU this weekend.