Cannot Falter

Bruce Weber gave a speech in Peoria last night along with Ron Zook and Illini women’s basketball Jolette Law. Normally, even a speech by Crean would not cross my radar, but Weber just made a series of bizarre comments. I know the premise of the article is that this was like a stand-up routine, and Weber’s job at these events is a lot different than Crean’s, but some of the things he said were just plain odd. First, he called Peoria the capital of the basketball world:

Weber, on Peoria’s hoops prominence: “With Jerrance [Howard], that’s all we hear about. Not only is Peoria the basketball capital of Illinois, but the world.”

Probably just relaying what Jerrance Howard said, but even still. If someone on your staff thinks Peoria is the basketball capital of the world, keep that crazy talk in house. Second, he calls his own player a ballhog:

Weber, on Kentucky transfer Alex Legion: “The players have nicknamed him ‘Kobe.’ He has a ways to go, but I understand the comparison. He can score, but he doesn’t guard anybody and we just had to teach him a new word. Pass. When he gets his first assist, everybody should give him a standing ovation because that will be his first one.“

Now no one holds any real illusions as to what Legion’s game is, and what you’re signing up for with his mom, but “doesn’t guard anyone”? “Have to teach him a new word. Pass”? Seems a bit harsh. Finally, the comment that prompted this post, Bruce Weber on the 2008-2009 Indiana Hoosiers:

Weber, on the Big Ten race: “The league should be wide open and we can be right in the middle of it. I do know one thing, though. I think Indiana will suck. Don’t put that on the Internet.“

Maybe he’s joking, but if he’s not still obsessed with Indiana, it’s not on the front of his mind to make that joke. And first rule of being quoted Bruce: if you say not to put something on the internet, that just means it’s exactly the type of juicy quote that should go on the internet.