The future of Smith, Illini basketball
With the events that have transpired this past week, Illinois men’s basketball has fallen into a rough period in its long history. We at the DI, along with head coach Bruce Weber, have been saying all season that the team would be entering a new era, but we never imagined anything like this. Since day one with Rich McBride’s DUI to Jamar Smith’s recent charges, and countless injuries and hurdles in between, the Illinois basketball team has struggled to adapt to a Dee, Deron, Luther and Auggie-less atmosphere. Whether it was a lack of leadership on the court or the ability to find a go-to guy in closing minutes of games, the Illini haven’t played to the expectations of the program. But lost in the injuries, police investigations and the growing number of losses is the fact most “experts” saw Illinois falling off much farther than they have. No one thought the Illini would be on the bubble of the tournament or could compete with teams like Maryland and Arizona, and even though they lost those games, just being able to hang with the country’s elite is a testament to how much effort and heart this team has put onto the court. It’s a shame off-court incidents may have tarnished the reputation of this prestigious program.
So what is the future of Illinois basketball? I pose that question to you, readers.
How will this season affect not only the team’s tournament chances, but future teams and recruiting?
Do you think the NCAA will punish Bruce Weber and his future teams? Will it punish Jamar Smith?
Will and should Smith be welcomed back to the program when the aftermath of the crash is concluded?
What other issues will face the Illini in the weeks, months and years to come?
February 20th, 2007 at 11:58 pm
I’m just amazed that Rich McBride’s DUI before the season didn’t send some kind of message to the rest of the team. How can someone, on a full ride, jeopardize that by drinking and driving, DURING a blizzard. Add to that, leaving the scene and also leaving Carlwell in the car. How stupid can a person be? It’s infuriating that Smith has represented the school and team in the way he has. His actions deserve more than a slap on the wrist, they deserve jail time.
February 21st, 2007 at 9:08 am
I.M SORRY TO SAY THAT I AM FROM THE HOME OF MR. SMITH. YOU WONDER WHAT WOULD MAKE SOMEONE LIKE SMITH PUT HIMSELF BEFORE HIS TEAMMATES. IT ALSO MAKES ME WONDER WHAT KIND OF A SHIP MR. WEBER IS RUNNING. WE NEED TO START RECUITING PLAYERS WHO HAVE CHARACTER, BRAINS AND HEART. THIS TEAM NEEDS SOME LEADERSHIP, IT’S TOO LATE FOR THIS YEAR, BUT SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE WORKED ON IN THE OFF SEASON.
February 21st, 2007 at 12:58 pm
I, along with the DI, had expected this year to be tough and at times a little rough. My expectations were more than correct. This year has been exciting in terms of what our team can accomplish after losing what was arguably be the best teams this school has had in its history. However, after Jamar’s accident, all that excitement disappeared. What Jamar did was thoughtless and selfish. Putting a teammate, a team, and a campus in a situation right before the weeks of Selection Sunday could not be described in any other word but selfish. I, as an Illini fan and student, hope Jamar is not welcomed back on the team. No matter how sweet his shot is, or how gifted a basketball player he is. Character outweighs talent. After the incident with Jamar, it shows that character is what Jamar lacks. On the other hand, I hope Coach Weber isn’t reprimanded for what Jamar did. I see this to be out of his hands. He cannot hold the hands of these young adults, HOWEVER I ask myself “Why do athletes live off campus? Why aren’t they in apartments on campus?” Would things such as Rich’s DUI and Jamar’s accidents be avoided if they just lived on campus? Maybe that’s just me… However I look forward to seeing what our Illini can do with the past few games and the conference tourney.
February 21st, 2007 at 4:43 pm
Thank God I bought that Season to Remember DVD, otherwise I’d *really* be depressed.
First of all, nothing is going to be decided regarding his future with the team until the outcome of his trial.
But before we start cleaning out his locker, let’s remember we are dealing with a sophomore in college and anything stupid he does on campus will be in the Chicago Tribune the next day. I bet there are more than a few of you out there who have done things in college they were glad weren’t published or written about. That’s why I couldn’t write in people’s names when I did the Police Blotter. Besides, it’s better that my parents don’t know that I was arrested for peeing on the side of Legends.
Then there’s the blame we could thrust onto Bruce. First Rich McBride now this? With all the underage drinking going on, I’m tempted to think the Illini go funnel a few beers together at halftime.
That would explain the awful second half shooting percentage.
On the other hand, there’s no way to test for integrity or common sense when recruiting. If there was one, don’t you think NASA would have used it on Astronaut Lisa Nowak?
I can imagine question one, “When caught in a love triangle do you: A) Strap on a diaper and drive across country to the other woman’s home, B) Threaten her with a knife, C) Pack a B-B gun to shoot her, D) All of the above.
I digress.
As much as I want to blame the Coach and the athletics department, we can’t expect Bruce to go from Coach to Father once these kids come to Champaign. People do stupid things, and this was undoubtedly one of the dumbest, most irresponsible, unbelievable things an Illini athlete has ever done. I’d like to think not just Bruce, but A.D. Ron Guenther had a long talk to these kids about drinking and driving after McBride got busted. Compound that with Luther Head’s DVD collection, and it definitely makes you wonder.
What really is mind boggling though is the fact that Smith is trying to fight the case. I would have figured a family that had enough money to buy their son a Lexus to drive around campus could afford a better attorney than Lionel Hutz.
Why in the world would anyone fight a DUI case where the state has you over twice the legal limit and almost killing a person? Maybe it’s because if the verdict comes back guilty, the lawyer’s fees are on the house. Maybe his lawyer can coin the phrase, “If he shoots 50% from three, set him free.”
Someone ought to let the guy know that Jamar is shooting just above 31% from three-point land. That might get you out of a speeding ticket, but it’s hardly high enough to beat a DUI rap. Especially when witnesses saw you leave your unconscious friend in the car after thinking he was dead.
Somehow I think a plea of “not guilty” isn’t going to fly with the judge or the public. Here’s a better idea Jamar, plead ’stupidity,’ apologize and throw yourself on the mercy of the court because there is zero chance of an acquittal.
Boy has our school taken a tumble as of late.
I always thought Ohio State, Miami, and Georgia were home to the stupid athletes. Illinois is supposed to have student-athletes that might get beat on the court, but not in the classroom.
I guess I am just naive, our guys are just as dumb.
That being said, I think I’ll go and pop in that DVD again.
February 22nd, 2007 at 10:03 am
It’s horrible that Jamar was driving under the influence. It’s reprehensible to cause bodily injury to another person/friend/teammate because of his decision to drive while intoxicated. It boggles my mind that he failed to assist the same seriously injured person after the accident.
OK, he had a concussion and probably panicked at the entire situation. It sure didn’t help that alcohol clouded his ability to make rational decisions. There will be a lot of people willing to accept his weak excuses. But this is the issue that makes me question the humanity of these players.
According to recent newspaper accounts, after Jamar drove back to his apartment, at least one other unidentified person was made aware of the seriousness of the situation. But no 911 calls were made until other bystanders in the parking lot took action to assist the stricken Carwell.
I hope the newspapers are wrong and the timelines are not true.
If this is the truth, it is chilling to consider the callousness of these individuals regarding the life of another human. What possible reason prevented a 911 call to help Carwell? Was his life less important than a damaged car or a likely DUI?
When it was time to show character and demonstrate responsibilty, Jamar fell short. But what about the others? What’s their excuse?
February 22nd, 2007 at 10:50 am
As a followup, Chicago’s Channel 2 news station has already reported that up to SIX OTHER PLAYERS were made aware of the serious condition of Carwell. The report names the players involved (or should I say not involved!).
Carwell’s friends, his beloved team members refused to help him at the most critical time of his life. He needed an assist but they “hung on to the ball”.
This team is colder than the weather. Let’s hear no more talk about teamwork and other crap.
They have shown considerable talent for playing seemingly important games. But no one will remember them for the things done on the basketball court. Their legacy is set. They have no heart for the important things in life.