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St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Lee Enterprises

Monday, March 17, 2008 10:29 PM CDT
EIU sophomore is making switch to Quincy University

By RICK DAWSON, Staff Writer
rdawson@jg-tc.com

CHARLESTON -- Justin Brock is no longer a member of Eastern Illinois’ men’s basketball team.

The former Liberty High School player decided to return closer to home, announcing his transfer to Quincy University last week. The 6-foot-8 sophomore forward played in only three games before a stress fracture in his foot forced him to take a medical redshirt. He averaged five points and 6.7 rebounds after an injury-plagued freshman year in which his totals were 2.1 points and 1.4 rebounds per game.

According to the Quincy Herald Whig, Brock made his decision on Wednesday.

“I wanted to have the experience,” Brock told the paper of his decision to go to NCAA Division I out of high school. “I remember when Coach (Marty) Bell was recruiting me as a junior and he told me that I’d always have a home at QU. That kind of stuck in my mind. I thought my time was up at Eastern.”

Brock had to await his release from the letter of intent he signed at Eastern, an action that was denied at first, before it was finally granted last week.

Panthers coach Mike Miller was out of the office on a recruiting trip Monday and could not be reached for comment.

Brock saw limited action off the bench, averaging 19 minutes for Eastern this year, which finished 7-22, 6-14 in the Ohio Valley. As a freshman he averaged 7.5 minutes in 27 games as the Panthers finished 10-20, 6-14 in the OVC. He did lead the team in rebounding this year before his injury, from which he is continuing to progress.

“My decision didn’t have anything to do with playing time,” Brock said. “Of course, you always want to play more, but I was satisfied. It was more of a personal decision. I wanted to be closer to home, and QU seemed like a better fit for me

“I’ve been playing some pickup games this week in Liberty. It just feels good to be on the court again.”

Brock was the third player on this year’s team to exit early. Mike Robinson was dismissed and Bobby Jolliff left the team in December after nine games.

A first-team, Associated Press all-state selection as a high school senior, Brock led Liberty to a fourth-place finish in the IHSA Class A state tournament.

Contact Rick Dawson at rdawson@jg-tc.com or 238-6855.

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eiualum78 wrote on Mar 18, 2008 12:31 AM:

" can you blame him? Eastern has been terrible under Miller and the records and fact that people have quit and given up on Miller goes to prove this. Eastern needs to get a new coach and get back on track. Until then players will not come here, will quit, will transfer, and once again, no one will be in the stands supporting. "

RDCENT wrote on Mar 18, 2008 12:40 PM:

" eiualum78 - Why did he transfer? Was it the losing? Brock did not even play due to injury, so he at least wasn't as involved in the losses. Was Miller too tough or too soft on him? Or was it because he wanted to be closer to home, girlfriend, grades, expected playing time, etc... He is going to Quincy (Div II) so maybe he did not think that he was good enough or committed enough. "

eiualum78 wrote on Mar 18, 2008 9:03 PM:

" He maybe tranfering for all of the reasons you posted. One can't blame him for this or his injuries. In order for kids to believe in the system and themselves, they have to have a coach and a system that proves their success and post a winning record in the season and tournament time. EIU does not have any of that. To lose players this year, and last year (Bil Duany, Austin Hogue, Robinson, Bobby Jolliff) what is EIU showing for? Losing 5 players almost one year and posting a terrible record in all 3 seasons, who could blame any of the players for transfering?? Obviously the confidence isn't there in many of the players. Had the system been successful in the past two years, I wouldn't think anyone would transfer from d1 to d2 for whatever reason it may be. Any athlete should want to be part of a successful d1 b-ball program. "

Hit the road jack wrote on Mar 19, 2008 11:50 AM:

" There are two things I find interesting about the article. First is that news of Brock's defection came not from the EIU athletic office but from the Quincy newspaper. Why would EIU try to hide such a significant development. Make no mistake about it, Brock was to be an important part of the basketball program for the next two years. This brings me to my second point, the article points out that Miller initially refused to release him from his letter of intent but relented (presumably when word spread of Brock's leaving). This is essentially an indentured servitude approach to college athletics. In fairness, EIU is not the only institution that engages in such conduct, but it is still unseemly nonetheless. Is this what we've sunk to- a secretive and vindictive basketball program? I bet this really makes players want to come here. "

RDCENT wrote on Mar 19, 2008 1:22 PM:

" I would be interested in knowing why he transferred because I agree that he was going to be an important part of the team the next 2-3 years. What really matters, though, is what type of recruits can be signed with the four open scholarships. Except for Tandy who averaged about 18 minutes, 4 pts, 4 rebounds a game for an NIT team this year, I haven't seen that anyone has proven that we have lost much basketball talent or is in much demand. (That is not to say that some aren't good kids.) Miller needs to get better players and have them stay. Momentum is not on his side but an opportunity to play is definitely there. "

291953 wrote on Mar 19, 2008 8:28 PM:

" I am going to side with eiualum78 on this one. This person probably as I do remembers the days of Don Eddy(the coach before Samuels) and how Lantz rocked with every home game. That hasn't been happening recently. I would say that many pro teams would fire a coach with Miller's record in a heartbeat. Nobody will want to come and play with a team that has little or no chance to go to a post-season tournement. Would you be eager to come to Eastern and play ball with our record for the last three years?? Didn't think so.

Step one: yes, Miller has to go. A 23-63 record during his tenure is not a good reason to keep him around. Step two; Do a GOOD search this time. When Miller was hired it was said that he would be a coach like Samuels,who was fired. He has been, and he should be. Have somebody in place that could do a little recruiting before next season. Step three; What's with this practice of recruiting everywhere except around
here? Are the area HS and JC players not good enough for EIU? If not, then Ohboy.

Just some of my rantings and ravings. I am an old EIU B-ball fan and it stinks to see us sink to such levels. We deserve better. "

Hit the road jack wrote on Mar 20, 2008 10:29 AM:

" It is clear to any informed observer that Miller has to go. But the previous A.D. (McDuffie) made sure we would be saddled with this guy thru the 2008-'09 season by giving him a contract extension after the '05-'06 season when he posted a 6-21 record. The only way to get Miller out would be to buy out the remaining year of his contract while paying a new coach to take over the program. EIU's athletic budget in general and basketball budget in particular cannot afford it. A recent article by sports reporter Matthew Stevens (an EIU alum)in Bracketology.com points out that thru its first four games the average attendence at EIU basketball games was 910 fans ( I'm sure that figure dropped precipitously as the season progressed but work with me on this). If as a fundraising effort to buy out Miller's contract EIU decided to collect $5.00 from every fan that has attended one of the 15 home basketball games this year they would only raise $68,250. Not nearly enough for this purpose.This is an outrageous example but I think it illustrates the point. We're stuck. "

eiualum78 wrote on Mar 20, 2008 12:42 PM:

" I will go ahead and predict the 2008-2009 season.

Catching and Byrne along with 3 other seniors gone. No heighth, no depth, not much to work with.

Another losing season in which no fans will show up. Next season will be worse than this season was.

Miller will get fired after next year. He has to. I have no idea how he is a college coach. Poor records in all his years, can't recruit, and anyone who has ever attended a game knows he has no idea how to utilize a team. I might be bashing miller too much, actually I am not. This is division 1, not high school. His record, his actions, his poor recruitment need to hit the road and EIU needs to take time and hire a good coach with that can turn this program around.

Until then empty seats, poor record, and loss of hope for all EIU fans and new recruits.

"

Hit the road jack wrote on Mar 21, 2008 12:52 PM:

" Finally, a new A.D. I certainly wish her well. She'll have her work cut out for her. Does anyone think she'll have the nerve to come in and make sweeping changes right away (like finding a way to get rid of Mike Miller)? There are many EIU fans who would consider her a hero if she could do this. "