I have no idea what your thoughts would be. But i think i would search Chicago and all of Illinois and the Detroit area for players.

Secondly i would try to get out of the WAC and in to either the Horizon or summit leagues. because those are some crazy road trips and no real way to build rivalries.

i am sure there are several other things but that would have to help.

Cheat.

[quote]Chicago talent is easy pickings for out-of-town schools and as a result none of the Chicago-area D1 teams are doing very well.[/OUTER_QUOTE]

Didn't a Chicago team just make the Final Four?

Also, Chicago's homicides have dropped from 769 in 2016 to 492 last year.

My son is in his Senior year at Illinois Institute of Technology, which is on the South Side, literally across the Dan Ryan from Comiskey Park (lost track of the current name). We had the same fears when he was considering the school. Doing our research however we found out that the campus had a lower crime rate than the University of Maryland and many other campuses. Just down the street is the University of Chicago. I can assure you demand to get in both schools is pretty high. The D1 schools are in pretty nice areas and I've never had any trepidation about walking around the downtown area. Yes, the murder rate has to come down but I seriously doubt it has any effect on recruiting, especially local talent which is going to know the ins-and-outs on where they should and shouldn't be walking at night. I confess that I don't know much about Chicago State but my understanding is the immediate area is pretty safe. I think the biggest hurdle a coach will face is getting quality recruits to come to a school with no history of success. But all it will take is one coach to get the ball rolling in the right direction. But I would think the City of Chicago should be a huge selling point not a detriment.

Here's what I do:

Off the bat, go the full Texas Southern when it comes to scheduling. The athletics department and school overall need cash, so schedule a murderer's row and collect checks. I don't know if the WAC has a mandate on minimum non-conference home games, but whatever exists beyond that requirement should be spent on the road at Kansas, Notre Dame, Indiana, Michigan, etc. Get at least $80,000 per game. Yes, you will get blown out 99% of the time, but you will make a name for yourself and it could be attractive to recruits to say we're going to give you the chance to play in Allen Fieldhouse, Crisler Arena, etc.

In terms of recruiting, a number of different things you could do:

-I've heard in California if you have the makings of a D1 prospect, you'll get an offer from UC-Irvine before your sophomore year is over. There will be a lot they don't hit, but they make a name for themselves in the region and are able to fill their roster with California guys. Be that program in Illinois. Be a mainstay at Whitney Young, Simeon, etc and target the second or third best guy in each class.

-Be Last Chance U. Target some transfers that may have flamed out at bigger schools. Character issues be damned, get you some talent.

-Using your newfound cash, spend some on recruiting internationally. As has been mentioned, there's more smoke than fire when it comes to Chicago's reputation. It is still a world city that is going to be far more attractive than your average college town.

Shoot somewhat high for a point guard that can get you five assists a game, but then load up on athletes between 6'2'' and 6'8''. Don't bother taking a chance on a 6'10'' stiff. Run a five out offense and press all game. Go all in on small ball. Go 10+ deep, force turnovers, and bomb away from three. You're not going to out-athlete anybody, but one area you can always improve is shooting. Be the Grinnell College of Division 1, so....

Make sure one of your assistants can really teach shooting technique. For another assistant spot, hire the most high profile coach in the Illinois AAU scene. They're going to be able to identify the guys you want to target as early as sophomore year.

This is outside your control, but find a way into the Horizon League or at worst back into the Summit. The Horizon carried two Chicago teams for almost 20 years. It can be done again.

This is hilarious! It’s obvious none of you have ever met our former president, Richard Nixon. You don’t know Dick.

Chicago State was in the Mid Continent Conference (Mid-Con) from 1994-2006. For those of you who do not know, the MidCon is now the Summit League. Chicago State was tossed in 2006 from the league and went independent until it was accepted into the WAC. Chicago State would like to come back to the Summit but that will not occur. Academics, finances, facilities and other reasons exist that the current members of the Summit will not take Chicago State back.

As for UMKC, they are no longer in the WAC and will start their first full season back in the Summit this year.

As for Grand Canyon University, take a look at their athletic facilities and athletic budget. They put most of the MAC to shame.

Horizon idea is fantastic and good post overall

Just having a little fun. You know you’re going to use my Nixon line!

Beat Ohio

Job one should be get to a conference that fits. Summit seems like the best fit and they only have 9 teams currently.

I’d offer DJ Cooper III a scholarship and then play buy games and bide my time until he is in college.

You gonna just sit there and tolerate this reckless disrespect for a formidable opponent, McKinney?