Well, I didn't see that one coming. Shaka Smart had an offer of $2.5 million plus, doubling his salary, and a chance at a top 20 national job in what was the nation's best conference this year. And he had a chance to step up from mid-major to high-major in the Big Ten. I've been to Richmond, Virginia a couple times so I can tell you- this denial was shocking. The only way … [Read more...] about Top Illini head coaching candidates: non Shaka Smart variety
VCU rams basketball
Shaka Smart to the Illini would make sense on many levels
With the Bruce Weber termination in Champaign all but official, it's time for Illini fans to start looking at who his successor will be. And there's a lot of factors pointing in the direction of VCU leader Shaka Smart. He's currently making $1.2 million per year now at Virginia Commonwealth on an eight year deal. Before his Final Four run, he made "just" $350,000 per season. He … [Read more...] about Shaka Smart to the Illini would make sense on many levels
VCU Rams: America’s new College Basketball Sweethearts?
This NCAA Tournament second weekend features four double digit seeds, three of them within one region. The Butler Bulldogs are back in the sweet sixteen, but it's hard to actually consider them a cinderella, even though they're in a mid-major conference. The city of Richmond, Virginia (mighty metropolis, urbane, sophisticated, international, cosmopolitan mecca that it is) … [Read more...] about VCU Rams: America’s new College Basketball Sweethearts?