So the Illini extended Brad Stevens of Butler an offer, supposedly. The University of Illinois met with Stevens and allegedly gave him an offer similar to what VCU’s Shaka Smart turned down. I guess Illinois A.D. Mike Thomas is not a very good salesman. This is the second big mid-major leader to turn down the chance to step up to the Big Ten.
BU released this statement just now:
“I am happy and extremely grateful to be the head coach at Butler University, and I am already looking forward to next season and the start of our postseason workouts in April.”
Well, that ends that speculation. I told y’all on Friday, not to get hyped up and buy into the rumors about this.
I guess the Illinois job is much lower in the college basketball pecking order than we thought. Now the Illini must move on to John Groce of Ohio. Stevens and Groce were assistants together under Thad Matta at Butler. Perhaps Stevens’ meeting with Illinois was also a chance for UI to ask him to vouch for Groce’s credentials?
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