Illinitalk

We're So Blue...

2012-01-31T19:53:00.002-06:00

If the...game?...between the Illini and Michigan State didn't make you blue, what would? Personally, I'm a bit nauseous. Poor shooting, abundant turnovers, plenty of fouls, great frustration, injuries and poor decisions on both sides made for an u-g-l-y game.

But a win is a win is a win is a win, and Bruce and his boys really, really needed one. Even if they didn't deserve it.

Defense -- for both the Spartans and the Illini -- was the only real bright spot. The Spartans shut down Meyers Leonard, and the Illini, plus fouls and the flu, kept Draymond Green from having much of an impact. The Illini (and an overinflated ball, according to commentator Dan Dakish) held the Spartans to just 24% shooting. And even with 18 offensive rebounds, the Spartans couldn't hold on to a lead.

Tom Izzo's team, fresh off victory #400 for their coach, did everything they could to let the Illini win. And with their characteristic generosity, the Illini did everything in their power to give those opportunities right back to the Spartans:

The Illini barely managed to win the turnover margin, with 12 to the Spartans 15.
They allowed the Spartans to dominate on the boards, 43 to 30.
The Illini shot just 53% from the free throw line, and Brandon Paul missed the front end of two 1-and-1 opportunities that could have allowed us all to breathe.

All that seemed to fit with the Coaches vs. Cancer blue-out that gave Assembly Hall a much more subdued feel than usual. [Note to the Sports Marketing Department: I'm sure the promotion was great for t-shirt sales, but let's skip this one next year.]

However, Paul did lead the Illini with 18 points and 5 assists during his full 40 minutes on the floor. And Myke Henry provided valuable minutes, points, rebounds and hustle off the bench.

This game tape will provide plenty of fodder for the rest of the conference to figure out how to contain the Illini as they head into a brutal road schedule. And plenty of fodder for Coach Weber and staff to harp on during meetings and practice. The boys left plenty to improve on in this game.

But the win was much needed, so we'll take it.

Barnyard Basketball

2012-01-28T21:34:00.002-06:00

Minnesota's Barn has been almost a home away from home for the Illini in the last decade. The antithesis of the Bryce Jordan Center. Not so this season.

This one hurt. Lots. Especially with that bit of deja vu, as Illinois watched their road lead slip away at the end of regulation much like the Gophers watched their road lead slip away in Champaign. Painful.

The Illini got off to a very strong start offensively, and they looked really good in the first 6 minutes or so as they moved the ball and hit good shots. Defensively, they got a few quick ticky-tack fouls, and that came back to haunt them at the bitter end.

Then the Illini got a bit lethargic, as Minnesota came on strong, closed the gap, and took control of the game with their "second line." The Golden Gophers bench played the Illini better than their starters throughout the game.

But about halfway through the the second half, the Illini chipped away at the lead and took over again. They looked to be in good shape, but a couple big 3s and that old-fashioned 3-point play for the tie that took Meyers Leonard out of the game sucked the heart and fight out of the Illini.

Brandon Paul tried to put the Illini on his back in overtime, but momentum was with the Gophers...and the Illini got their third straight L to entrench themselves in the middle of the Conference standings.

Kudos to the Gophers for some beautiful passing for impressive assists and for finally starting to make their free throws during crunch time.

For the Illini, Paul and Leonard both had great overall games, but they also had plenty of painful, unforced turnovers, which seem to be the team's Achilles heel. They also seem to be just a bit off on their communication and timing on the boards and offensive tip-ins. Those little things can easily make a big difference in these tight Big Ten games.

So, after a solid week of practice and another road loss, will Bruce and his boys be able to pull themselves together? We will find out soon...

It's a Win!

2012-01-26T19:56:00.002-06:00

Congratulations to Jolette Law and the Illini women's basketball team on their first Big Ten win! These girls have had a tough go so far, losing several tight games at the end.

But today the girls gutted it out against Michigan State for an overtime win on the road. The Illini were shooting incredibly well in the first half, and took a 14-point lead into halftime. But that lead evaporated quickly at the beginning of the second half, and the Illini played from behind the rest of the way. They kept it very tight, and tied to up to send the game into overtime, where they took the game over. And won. Finally!

Despite foul trouble, Karisma Penn helped the Illini get a Conference win. And Adrienne GodBold was clutch.

So congratulations again, girls! Let's see if you can get another one...

Anybody Want a Ranking?

2012-01-26T19:44:00.002-06:00

So far this season in the Big Ten, one of the best ways to secure a win is to play a ranked opponent.

Illinois was on the better end of that trend against #5 Ohio State a couple weeks ago, but once they made it into the top 25 (barely), they did everything they could to fall from the rankings. At Penn State, it was plenty of turnovers combined with not-their-best defense. Against Wisconsin, they just stalled before the clock ran out.

The Big Ten is a very competitive conference, and as Penn State, Minnesota and Nebraska have shown, anyone can win any game. But the Illini were poised to prove they are contenders for the top of the conference this year. And they weren't able to step up.

Yes, any road game is going to be tough, but the Penn State game (as usual) was winnable. Of course that contact technical was a turning point in that game, but it was still a great chance to steal a W on the road.

But you must protect home court. And unfortunately the Illini didn't do that against Wisconsin's blistering 3-point shooting. Tough loss at home, for sure.

Next up, Minnesota. The boys will have had almost a week to dwell on those loses. Let's hope they are ready...

Happy Birthday, Lou!

2012-01-11T11:36:00.003-06:00

What more could any great coach ask for on his 80th birthday? Former Illini coach Lou Henson got to see many former players, his name and picture raised to the top of Assembly Hall, a birthday serenade from Illini nation, and the upset of a top 5 team on his birthday. Sounds like a great day!

The upset win came despite Ohio State having more rebounds and significantly fewer turnovers (11, compared to 18 for the generous Illini). The current Illini starters did their part in giving Coach Henson a gift/game to remember:

Brandon Paul... there aren't words to adequately describe his career performance. 43 points. 8 of 10 from 3, including that ridiculous shot at the end of the shot clock with Aaron Craft's hand in his face. 4 blocks - highlight material. 2 steals. 8 rebounds. And 7 turnovers, just so he has some room for improvement. Paul was determined to win, and his demeanor on the floor showed it.
Meyers Leonard didn't achieve another double-double, but his 14 points and constant fighting with player-of-the-year candidate Jared Sullinger were critical to the win. Although he didn't have any blocks, he played solid defense, altered shots, and proved that he can play against the best. Leonard should have gotten the ball a bit more often, but game tape will show the Illini how to improve here.
Joe Bertrand drove, pulled up and shot his floater with continued accuracy. He did miss a couple shots, but his game adds a valuable element to the Illini offense that opponents haven't clamped down on yet. Plus, he added 7 rebounds. He has earned his starting spot, and we are finally seeing why he, Paul and D.J. Richardson made up such a strong recruiting class.
D.J. Richardson played all 40 minutes, even with his recently banged-up wrist. That's impressive in a game characterized by fast-paced runs alternating with long, grind-it-out half-court sets. Although his scoring was down, his defense, assists and tenacity were critical in the upset.
Back-up point guard Tracy Abrams has lots to learn, but he earned plenty of experience in this game. And that will pay off as he develops.

Even with a big win, the Illinio gave Coach Henson plenty of reason to be glad he is retired. And reason for Coach Weber to keep them working during their 8-day break. Unforced turnovers. Not getting the ball to an open, hungry Leonard. No free throws for Leonard. A scoreless bench, even though Tyler Griffey added a couple key steals, and Myke Henry had another. Giving up 15 offensive rebounds.

Bruce Weber's Illini currently define the phrase "playing to the competition." Against Nebraska, a team struggling as they get to know their new conference, the Illini allowed them to hang around the entire game. But against #5 Ohio State, they stepped up with tough defense and great shooting. In fact, with the exceptions of the losses to UNLV and Purdue and a couple cupcake wins, the Illini have played everyone close. This will be another thing for the Illini to work on during their break in the conference schedule.

But all said, there was plenty to be excited about in Champaign, especially after that less-than-impressive home performance against the Cornhuskers last weekend. Go Illini!

A Giving Spirit

2012-01-04T21:27:00.000-06:00

Happy New Year! Christmas has passed, but the spirit of giving has remained strong within the Illini men's basketball team. Big Ten Conference play has begun, and there has been one consistent theme for these boys. They love to give it away...the ball, a lead, their composure, etc.

And while this spirit is completely appropriate in many facets of life, it isn't necessary on the court. Illini turnovers have been painful in recent games. The passing game that can take your breath away (remember that Tracy Abrams dunk in the Minnesota game?) has also led to many passes to opponents.

In the Minnesota game, the Illini gave away a strong lead and plenty of momentum as Minnesota came back. The double-overtime win was exciting, but the nerve-wracking, nail-biting opening for all Big Ten play was not necessary.
Against Purdue, the Illini fought hard and kept the game close throughout the first half. But they gave away a few turnovers, transition points and all their mental focus in the second half. Ouch.
At Northwestern, the Illini tried hard to give their late-game lead away. Fortunately, the generous effort was thwarted by a strong block by Meyers Leonard.

There is plenty to like, as the Illini are 2-1 in the conference. Any road win is a bonus, given the way the conference looks right now, and winning at home is critical. Defense and rebounding have looked pretty good, as the Illini take advantage of their athleticism. Joe Bertrand has continued to come on strong, and earned a starting spot.

But they have plenty to improve on, as well. The offense needs to find a rhythm and flow - preferably with an even stronger focus on Leonard. And the turnovers really need to slow down. Significantly. On the court, that giving spirit should not extend beyond your teammates.

That said, stay on track, boys. Go Illini!

Lost in Transition

2011-12-23T00:01:00.003-06:00

The 2011 Braggin' Rights game was frantic. The quick pace contributed to a bit of sloppy play for the Illini, with lots of turnovers. But a key reason they were down much of the game was the poor transition defense. They often got lost, leading to an abundance of easy shots for Mizzou.

First-year Missouri coach Frank Haith did something new for a man in his position in the Braggin' Rights game. He won.

Mizzou drove into a very open lane a few too many times, both in their fast-break and half-court offenses. The Illini defense struggled to stay with their men, while on the other end, the Illini had more than their share of forced and unforced turnovers.

Many of the Illini issues are fixable...hit open shots, go stronger after rebounds and loose shots, work harder for stickier man-to-man defense, communicate better in the passing game. For as many of the 40 (or more) minutes as possible. Oh, and those unforced turnovers when you are on a run - those aren't necessary.

The Tigers are a very talented team, used to beating teams by well over 20 points per game. And credit Missouri - whenever the Illini took the lead, they came up with a big play and/or took advantage of an Illini mistake. This was a very tough test for the Illini. Although they lost, there were bright spots.

Down 14 points on multiple occasions, the Illini didn't give up. They fought hard, and when Mizzou started turning the ball over and missing tough shots midway through the second half, the Illini capitalized.

And a big part of that comeback was Joseph Bertrand off the bench. The promise he showed when he signed out of Sterling Illinois a few years ago. A redshirt sophomore, he had a career night with 19 points and 5 rebounds. Brandon Paul added 19 points, and Meyers Leonard had another strong double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds.

It's hard to watch a great comeback fall short, but if the Illini build on this game, they will be in good shape for Big Ten Conference play.

So, Bruce and boys, enjoy a Merry Christmas despite the loss, and then get focused on the challenge that is the conference.

Go Illini!

Another Tight One

2011-12-19T21:49:00.002-06:00

Is this getting to be a habit? The Illini basketball team struggled against Cornell Monday night, trailing much of the game. They managed to pull out a 64-60 win, but it was tough.

The Illini held the advantage inside with Meyers Leonard, who pulled down 16 rebounds. And they had the athletic advantage in the backcourt. But it was actually a pretty mid-range game that was the difference. Leonard early and Brandon Paul and D.J. Richardson late all hit some nice mid-range jumpers that first helped the Illini fight back from a 10-point deficit in the first half, and then take the lead for good in the second half.

But this was brutal. Apparently zone defense is Greek to these boys. They just don't seem to know how to break it when the 3s aren't falling. And that outside shot has been off of late. The Illini racked up plenty of turnovers trying to get the ball in the middle, as well.

On the other end of the floor, the Big Red was hot, shooting 50 percent behind the arc. However, the Illini did tighten up their defense considerably as the game went on. Although Cornell continued to shoot well, sticky man-to-man D was key to allowing the Illini to stay in the game.

The Illini have plenty to improve on when you look at their games since the Gonzaga win. And they will need to work fast to get ready for Mizzou in St. Louis:

That aggressive streak in Leonard that was mentioned often last year needs to come out - he is capable of playing like a beast, but we don't see it consistently. And what happened to his free throw percentage? He's better than he's been playing there.
Paul needs to play to his athletic strength. He has proven his ability to take over a game (see St. Bonaventure), but again, he's streaky.
Richardson needs to continue looking for his shot. The team needs his points and his defense.
Sam Maniscalco needs to rediscover his shooting touch. He continues to make good decisions, and his experience is invaluable on the floor. But he's even more effective when he backs his leadership with a few clutch baskets.
And Tyler Griffey needs to keep on keeping on. It would be nice if he could avoid fouls, but he does lots of little things that are critical for Illini success. Key baskets down low. Solid D. Rebounds. Hustle.
And the bench needs to back solid minutes of play with points. They are much more talented than the recent stat sheet shows. They came up with a grand total of zero points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists against the Big Red.

Rebounding looked really good Monday night, though, and the tendency to pass the ball for an open shot is a very good one, even though it resulted in a few ugly turnovers against Cornell. There's lots to build on. But it just gets tougher from here. Braggin' Rights will lead right into the Big Ten Conference season. Get ready, boys!

And go Illini!

Championship Dreams Blocked

2011-12-18T08:58:00.003-06:00

It's probably more fun to win the last game of the season than it is to lose, and there's not much comfort in the fact that you played the last game of the season. But what a season, girls!

The Illini volleyball team fell to the UCLA Bruins 3-1 in the NCAA National Championship Saturday night. The girls fought hard, but nerves must have been an issue, as they made some uncharacteristic mistakes - the most obvious being the 11 service errors.

One surprise of this match was how the taller Illini struggled against the UCLA block. That stat belonged to the Bruins. And they made fewer mistakes.

Momentum was a another major factor. The first set was tight the whole way, with UCLA winning 25-23. The Illini trailed in the second set, but caught fire at the end to win 25-23. And they carried that momentum into the third set, leading most of the way. But then the Illini choked, and lost a couple set points, allowing UCLA to come back to win 26-24. After that, it was all Bruins, who cruised to the championship 25-16 in the fourth set.

The Illini were led, as usual, by outside hitters - and seniors - Michelle Bartsch and Colleen Ward. These girls will be missed next year, but they've left a legacy of winning. The experienced gained by younger players in this tournament run should serve the program well in the coming years.

The loss hurts, but thank you, girls, for solidifying the Illini as a national presence in collegiate volleyball. Although this was the first time we played in the last game of the year, I'm confident it won't be the last.

Go Illini!

Out-Run by the Rebels

2011-12-17T18:14:00.003-06:00

Fresh off of finals week, Bruce Weber's Illini looked...sluggish, slow, sloppy. The annual United Center game has gotten to be a not-so-fun visit to Chicago for the Illini. I don't think the UC can be considered the home-away-from-home anymore. Although many of the boys were close to home, they didn't have much to show off to family and friends in the 64-48 loss.

The UNLV Running Rebels have had a great season so far, knocking off then-#1 North Carolina a few weeks ago. And although they lost to Wisconsin last week, they bring a tough, fast-paced game. Saturday afternoon, they got unexpected contributions from Mike Moser and Quintrell Thomas down low, and almost nothing from leading scorer Chace Stanback. They ran, pounded the ball in the paint, overplayed passing lane and forced plenty of Illini turnovers.

The Illini, on the other hand, struggled. Lots. In unexpected areas. They shot just 50 percent from the free throw line, which is very uncharacteristic for this season. Three-point shooting was also tough. And even in the paint the Illini didn't shoot well. Despite efforts by Sam Maniscalco, Brandon Paul and D.J. Richardson both driving and behind the 3-point line, the Illini couldn't find a spark. And after making a run to get within 8 points in the final minutes, the Rebels went on a run and the Illini appeared to give up. That's not cool.

Highlights were few, but Tyler Griffey fought hard and got some tough points. Richardson led the team with 19 points. And rebounding looked ok.

Overall, though the Illini need to make dramatic improvements in their game to be able to fight with Mizzou in the annual Braggin' Rights game next week. So pick yourselves up, boys. Shake it off. Refocus. And get ready for one last push before Christmas -- and conference play. After cheering on the volleyball team tonight, of course.

On the Doorstep

2011-12-15T23:06:00.002-06:00

The Illini volleyball program has been on trajectory to land in a national championship game for the past few years. And with a win over USC in five sets Thursday night to make it to Saturday's national title game, Coach Kevin Hambly has his team on the doorstep of their first NCAA title.

The semifinal match was tough. USC held on to win the first set 27-25, but with strong blocking and powerful hitting, the Illini took the next two sets. In the forth set, the Trojans took control near the end to force a fifth set. The Illini fought hard to pull even, and finally pull ahead 10-9 with fantastic hitting from freshman Liz McMahon. The Illini ended up winning the final set - and the entire match - on an incredibly long, hard-fought set-point volley.

The whole match was intense, and very well played. Senior outside hitters Colleen Ward and Michelle Bartsch did their thing, combining for 49 kills. But this was a team win, with key contributions all around the court.

As tired as I am after watching that match, I can only imagine that the girls are exhausted, but they have 2 days to get ready to play UCLA for the NCAA title. The Lady Bruins swept Florida State in the first match of the evening.

So Saturday, after enjoying the annual United Center basketball game, be sure to catch the national championship game.

Go Illini!

Welcome, Tim Beckman

2011-12-14T11:27:00.000-06:00

Dear Coach Beckman,
Welcome to the University of Illinois! We look forward to what you will bring to Illini football. I'm sure you've done your research, and you have a pretty good idea of what you are getting into, but here are a few notes to keep in mind as you move to Champaign-Urbana and get to know your new university and conference.

You are moving to a college town in the middle of the prairie. It's flat, often windy, hot and muggy in the summer, and cold and icy in the winter. But we deal with it, and you will, too. Remember, variety is the spice of life. ;)

Memorial Stadium is a source of pride, and we think it is beautiful. It was renovated a few years ago, so that you have a boisterous student section in the north end zone, provided your team is competitive. Otherwise they will take off after the Marching Illini halftime show. (That's what we did the season I was a student watching an 0-11 season.) The stadium is across the street from another Illini treasure - Assembly Hall. But just on the other side of that, you will find the South Farms. Ag is an important industry in Illinois, and that is reflected at our premier land grand university (see: The Morrow Plots and the underground undergrad library). So when the wind blows from the south, and you catch the scent of the South Farms as you practice, make sure your players realize that's part of what makes their school unique.

It will take your family a couple hours to get to a major urban area for high-end shopping, culture and professional sports, but when you go, you have your choice of Chicago, St. Louis and Indy. We like to have players from the first two areas, as we consider them local, and we would love to play an extra game in the third area at the end of the regular season.

Speaking of Chicago, a healthy portion of your student body is from that general area. Ties to Chicago are strong, and the Bears borrowed their team colors from the Illini. Please respect that. You also need to pay just enough attention to baseball to know that the Cubs/Cards rivalry is a big deal in downstate Illinois, even though one team just won another World Series and the other team hasn't for a few years (100+, if you want to be technical).

We are the Fighting Illini. We have a wonderful tradition at football games - the Three-in-One. We used to have the Chief dance officially there, but since the NCAA and people with too much free time on their hands had a fit, the Chief dance now happens unofficially. But those of the alumni who care passionately about our athletics love the Chief. Be sure to research that tradition and be able to talk to us about that intelligently. That will make you a more popular guest speaker at fundraisers.

Your alumni base is strong. We love our team, but we also love to have something to be excited about, and that's been inconsistent from the football program lately. We like to wear that obnoxious orange color that really stands out. It should now be your favorite color. And your family should learn to love it, too. We will go to bowl games and spend our money. We are partial to Pasadena, though we don't get to go very often. Get us into contention for New Year's Day in SoCal or Florida on a regular basis, and we will be very supportive.

About our team...they looked really good at the beginning of the year. But in the past few years, they've been caught by the pull of a season's momentum. A big win propels them forward, but a tough loss gets into their heads and triggers a downward spiral that seemingly can't be stopped (see: seasons following the Rose Bowl appearance, 2011 Ohio State game). As head coach, you are responsible for breaking this trend.

And for recruiting. We've enjoyed getting some impressive talent from other parts of the country. You have your work cut out for you, convincing 17- and 18-year-old boys that they want to grow into men at the University of Illinois (see: above - it is in the middle of nowhere). But it can be done, as there are a handful of Illini in the NFL. This will be critical to your success.

You have a defensive background. Have you seen what Vic has done with our defense in recent years? We're pretty good on that side of the ball. Please don't let the boys slip backward there. Now on the offensive side, that's another story. We've been inconsistent. We have lots of firepower, but sometimes we've been anemic. Since that's not your strength, please be sure to bring in someone who can build an offense that can score. In the Big Ten.

Yes, welcome to the Big Ten, as well. We do know how to count. We are well aware that we have 12 teams, but we Midwesterners are the traditional type that aren't crazy about major change, so we will keep the name Big Ten. It's been an adjustment to accept our divisions and we find the names "Leaders" and "Legends" a bit cheesy.

You've spent time in the SEC, the Big XII and the Big Ten in the past, so you are aware of the different styles of play. We have oodles of proud tradition in the Big Ten, and from Memorial Stadium in Lincoln to Happy Valley in State College, there are lots of tough places to play. But it's been a tumultuous few years in Big Ten football. Lots of losses at Michigan, although Brady Hoke has them back on track. Scandal of epic proportions. Ohio State was a big deal until Penn State made that look almost silly. Please be aware that we really don't want any of those kinds of stories coming out of our football program. Ever. Please follow the rules (even though many of them are cumbersome and ridiculous).

Of course you will be reviewing plenty of tape to get to know your conference opponents. You now will be coaching against one of your former bosses, as Urban Meyer takes over at Ohio State. As Nebraska gets to know the rest of us, they will probably be even tougher to play. Wisconsin breeds O-linemen like nobody's business. Michigan State may be rebuilding a bit as this class graduates, but they've built a strong program, as has Iowa. Northwestern is always a wildcard, and Pat Fitzgerald is doing impressive things with his team. And even the teams that have been weaker in recent years, like Purdue, Indiana and Minnesota, are showing great improvement. You did impressive things at Toledo, and we would like to see you do similar things at Illinois, but the level of competition is a bit different than the MAC -- and the Illini have struggled against MAC teams the past couple years.

And one final note. Your boss is new to us, too. Under our previous AD, we had a reputation for giving coaches time to get their programs in place. We've been patient. We don't know yet if your boss has the same philosophy, and you will be a big part of helping us learn that about him.

Obviously you know you've taken on a big job. And it can be a great job. It's a delight to be part of Illini Nation. We really want to see you succeed. We want cheers of I-L-L I-N-I to resonate from Memorial Stadium. We want to wear our orange with pride. We want to cheer for our team both on and off the field. We want to take vacations over New Year's. We want to embrace you and your family wholeheartedly.

And we will. Just keep in mind that winning, especially a few years down the road, will help.

Again, welcome to the University of Illinois. I hope this helps you get to know us a bit better.
Sincerely,
Alma Mater

P.S. Go Illini!

Progress Report

2011-12-12T08:54:00.005-06:00

With finals in full swing on campus, the Illini looked a bit shaky against Coppin State Sunday evening. The final score didn't reflect how the Eagles fought back from a 17-point deficit to pull within 2 points of the Illini about halfway through the second half.

Although the Illini won comfortably, their "review" games before finals weren't that impressive. Both the St. Bonaventure and Coppin State games highlight that while the Illini are a strong team, they have lots of room to improve. And they need to focus on those improvements while taking exams, because the rest of the non-conference season will be as tough as those classroom tests. Next up: UNLV and Mizzou, both teams playing very well.

With all the youth on the team, here's a progress report to help them track where they are and where they need to go if they want end up near the top of the Big Ten.
Achieves expectations:

Rebounding - The Illini don't always win rebound battles like they should given their size, but individual players look good when they jump for the ball, pull it down with authority, and then protect it. This is a skill that will be critical for conference play.
Passing - With Sam Maniscalco leading at point, the Illini are playing classic Weber motion offense, where the extra pass leads to wide-open looks. They have quite a few assists, and the whole team does a great job finding open guys most of the time. Watching Meyers Leonard pass when double-teamed...that's a beautiful thing.
Free throw shooting - What a relief to know that the Illini can make free throws. Consistently. There are plenty of clutch shooters who can spark comebacks or ice a game from the free throw line. Keep up the good work!
Chemistry - The 2011-2012 edition of the Fighting Illini seem to be having fun playing together, and that will help them go farther than they can on individual talent alone. These boys appear to get along, and it's fun to watch whoever is on the bench cheering for their teammates on the floor.

Needs improvement:

Getting to the paint - Whether passing to Leonard or the other big guys, or driving into the lane, this is something the Illini have the ability to do very well. But often they don't. Against Coppin State, getting the ball to Leonard triggered much of the Illini success. But The Eagles came back when the Illini stuck to the perimeter. Guys, please note that future opponents will watch that tape and exploit that tendency. Brandon Paul and D.J. Richardson should drive a bit more, and either go strong to the basket or kick the ball out. See: Maniscalco. His driving shots are a bit unconventional, but he can get in there and make things happen.
Strong starts - Much like the Illini football team, the basketball team tends to start games a bit on the sluggish side. With their talent and chemistry, there is no reason to still be in single digits eight minutes into a game. Starting strong will set a great tone for the rest of the game, build confidence, and help intimidate opponents. The schedule really just gets tougher from here on out, guys.
Getting to the free throw line - This team can make free throws. But they need to get there more often. Go strong to the basket. Be aggressive. Make other teams stop you. And then take the free points.
Avoiding cheap fouls - The Illini defense has been very good, but it's still a bit sloppy. Cleaning up the D and minimizing off-ball or non-shooting fouls will help key players stay on the floor longer.

All that aside, the Illini deserve props for being 10-0 as they head to the United Center and then to St. Louis.

So, boys, study hard, take your tests, and rest up a bit this week. Because after these two tough games, the conference grind will begin.

Go Illini!

Final Four

2011-12-11T14:07:00.002-06:00

Coach Kevin Hambly and his Fighting Illini volleyball team are headed to San Antonio next weekend for the national volleyball championship semi-finals. After beating both Ohio State and Florida in hard-fought matches in Gainsville this weekend, the Illini have reached the the Final Four!

Led by seniors Colleen Ward and Michelle Bartsch, and with strong support from rising freshman standouts Liz McMahon and Anna Dorn, the Illini continue to extend their season. The Florida match was tough, but the Illini won 3-1 with an almost unstoppable performance by Ward (a Florida transfer). The whole team contributed to the win, with great leadership from setter Annie Luhrsen, solid defense from libero Jennifer Beltran, key hits and blocks from Erin Johnson and support in the backcourt and on the service line from Rachel Feldman. These girls are fun -- and exhausting -- to watch.

The Florida match was broadcast on ESPNU, and despite the encouragement from the commentators and the highlight reel team, the Gators weren't able to overcome the Illini. Not sure why the analysis was so pro-Florida, but it was a bit annoying.

The Illini are the highest remaining seed in the tournament, ranked 3rd overall going into it. They spent 4 weeks at #1 during the season, longer than any other team. And although they finished tied for second in the Big Ten (arguably the toughest volleyball conference in the nation) they are the only conference team still in the national title hunt. They will take on USC Thursday night.

Congratulations, girls! And Go Illini!

Marking the Beginning of the Thomas Era

2011-12-10T11:04:00.007-06:00

Friday afternoon, new Illinois AD Mike Thomas introduced his first major hire, and gave Illini Nation a glimpse of the direction he plans to take our athletics. In my opinion, the selection of Tim Beckman is the first test for Thomas.

Coach Tim Beckman has to have 46 years of coaching experience, as his dad was a football coach. He has a strong list of mentors, including the new Ohio State football coach, and most importantly, he engineered a dramatic program turnaround for the Toledo Rockets in just three years. Beckman describes himself as intense and competitive, but also says he values a family atmosphere and trust. Those priorities sound like a continuation of the current Illini program claims, as many players cite the family atmosphere as the reason they chose to play in Champaign.

Beckman appears to be a good choice to lead the Illini. Much like Michigan's Brady Hoke, he is an up-and-coming coach who has proven successful in a lesser FBS conference. The Rockets, like the Illini, are headed to their second bowl in as many years. The question for Beckman to answer is can he reproduce that success against traditional powerhouse opponents like Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State and Nebraska? But to be honest, a program like Illinois, where expectations are more manageable than, say Penn State, is a good spot for Beckman to prove himself.

So, at this point, it looks like Mike Thomas is off to a solid start. Of course, it will take a few years and a few other hires to see what Thomas will build. In the lesser sports, he's got really strong programs. Illini volleyball, gymnastics, soccer, tennis, golf and wrestling have all been very strong programs in recent years. If those coaches stay put and those programs continue to do well, and hires like Beckman prove successful, life as Illini fans will be fun.

Oh, and be sure to cheer on the Illini volleyball team tonight as they take on Florida for the chance to be in the Final Four. Go Illini!

Fight Hunger!

2011-12-09T09:48:00.002-06:00

Hunger is a very real problem across the country and around the world. As with any widespread problem, anyone can fight against it. Including a .500 college football team on a 6-game losing streak and a vacancy at head coach.

The Illini will have a couple weeks of (much needed) practice and recovery with defensive coordinator and acting head coach Vic Koenning (and incoming head coach Tim Beckman?) before taking on a 6-7 UCLA team that is also waiting for a head coach. The Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl in San Francisco on Dec. 31 certainly can claim credit for both raising awareness of a critical issue and giving two struggling teams an opportunity to build toward next season's fresh start. At least the game should be competitive!

The Illini got caught in a downward spiral that just got uglier as the season went on and was capped by a painful loss to Minnesota. But they are bowl eligible, and they were chosen to take the place of Army in this bowl. I'm sure the local organizers expect dedicated Illini fans to show up ready to spend money in San Fran. And I am sure their expectations will be met.

Though the season has been disappointing, the Illini still have managed to get bowl invites in back-to-back seasons, and Whitney Mercilus was recognized nationally as one of the top defensive linemen on the Walter Camp All-America Team. So there are bright spots.

And the game will be fun to watch with extended family before ringing in the New Year. Go Illini!

Running on BP

2011-12-08T08:17:00.004-06:00

Last week, Bruce Weber's basketball team looked like a Big Ten surprise. They came back in a tough road game at Maryland to help the Big Ten win the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. And then they played really, really tough against #19 Gonzaga in Champaign, as if to let the country know they could play.

This week, now ranked #22, Weber warned of the potential for a trap game against St. Bonaventure. Coach knows what he is talking about.

It was ugly. After a quick start, the Illini struggled, with 13 turnovers to 9 assists and a paltry 24 points each half. The Illini trailed most of the game, and would have fallen, but for the late energy provided by Brandon Paul.

The Bonnies called a timeout at 4:30 in the second half, and Weber's message was clear - drive the ball. Paul went on an 8-2 run in the next 2 minutes, creating a tie game. Solid free throw shooting, a few key tap-out rebounds by Meyers Leonard and a couple friendly officiating calls allowed the Illini to pull out the win. But Paul was the key.

Despite the sloppiness, the Illini remain undefeated. Next up: Coppin State and finals. Good luck with both, boys. 'Cause after that, it's going to get tough...

Catching Up

2011-12-03T21:54:00.002-06:00

There's been no end to recent activity in Illini sports. And we've been paying attention, even if we've neglected to write. Here are a few highlights and lowlights...

The men's basketball team started their non-conference season looking a bit raw and uncertain. But now, at 8-0, they've gained confidence. The win on the road against Maryland in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge proved they could come back in a tough environment. The win against a ranked Gonzaga team at home proved they can compete hard and build on the energy of Assembly Hall. Their are some really tough games coming up before what should be a brutal Big Ten season, but the Illini should be competitive.

The football team started a downward spiral in October that continued through November. The missed field goal in Happy Valley. Missed opportunities in efforts to come back against Michigan. A poor showing against Minnesota. And the understandable end of the Ron Zook era. A bowl bid is still likely, but these boys have lots of work to do, as does new AD Mike Thomas.

On the other side of post-season play, the Illini volleyball team claimed the #3 overall seed in the NCAA tournament, and swept both Central Michigan and Marquette at Huff Hall to head to the Sweet Sixteen, where they will meet Ohio State. This team has the potential to go deep in the tournament, and they are so much fun to watch.

After winning the Big Ten tournament, the Illini soccer team advanced past Notre Dame to the second round of the NCAA tournament before losing. But Coach Janet Rayfield garnered regional coach of the year honors for the second year in a row, and midfielder Vanessa DiBernardo was a player of the year finalist.

So despite a depressing finish to the football season, Illini Nation has plenty to be optimistic about... Go Illini!

Love, Loss and What I Wore

2011-10-26T21:17:00.003-05:00

It's a book I haven't read and a delightful play I just saw.

It also summarizes my thoughts on Illini sports during the month of October.

Love: I love my team. I often claim to bleed orange and blue. I watch. I cheer. I agonize. I rejoice. I support. I am committed to the Illini.

Loss: It started with the first play of the Indiana game - a kickoff returned for a Hoosier TD. The Illini special teams just seemed to have lost the ball carrier. Fortunately, the Illini got that turned around by the end of the first half, and went on to win in Bloomington.

Then came Stripe the Stadium (which looked really, really cool). The Buckeyes were desperate, and they have a very strong defense. It was a battle, and Illini lost turnovers were the difference in a depressing game. The Illini were poised to take off, with a very manageable remaining schedule, minus Wisconsin at home. And they couldn't go anywhere. They struggled to move (and hold on to) the ball. And the Illini picked up their first loss of the season.

Last Saturday the Illini were on the road for the second time this season. And in West Lafayette they picked up right where they left off, allowing big runs on D and struggling to move the ball on offense. Again miscues led to a very disappointing loss. I honestly don't want to dwell on it.

Later in the day, the #1 Illini volleyball team faced their toughest test of the season so far, on the road at #4 Nebraska, who were also undefeated in Big Ten play. This was a great volleyball match. The Huskers jumped out in every set, but in the first one, the Illini fought back and ground out a win. The second set was back and forth, but the Huskers finally pulled it out in the end. And somewhere along the way, the Illini lost their spark. They went on to lose their first match of the season 3-1 in Lincoln.

During the month of October these Illini teams felt the sting of loss.

What I wore: I'm not a fashionista by any stretch. Nor am I superstitious. But the last two Saturdays, I wore my bright orange sweater. It isn't exactly Illini attire, but I intentionally wear it to support my team when I can't wear my team gear. Or I did until last Saturday. I will find something else to wear this Saturday. That will be my effort help the Illini make a better showing in Happy Valley this weekend.

But losses and all, I still say, Go Illini!

Unbeaten

2011-10-01T22:40:00.003-05:00

That sounds really, really good. Especially to the #1 Illini volleyball team. They've played a couple top-15 Big Ten teams in the last couple weeks on their way to that #1 ranking and 15-0 record. Michelle Bartsch and Colleen Ward are leading the Illini in kills, while Anna Dorn and Erin Johnson are leading the team in blocks. Overall, this team is on a roll. Keep your eyes on these girls!

Note to the BTN: I would like to see an Illini volleyball game on your network broadcast schedule. Thanks much!

Unbeaten also sounds good to the (barely) 5-0 Illini football team. The last two gave have been...adventures. But the Illini have managed to pull out wins, despite nerve-wracking finishes. After coming from behind and way behind, I believe this team is building character and confidence that will serve them well through the rest of the season.

The Big Ten opener against Northwestern reinforced some of the weaknesses Western Michigan exposed the week before. The Illini seem to forget how to play defense for long stretches. Special teams aren't all that special. And, the running game is fading painfully.

But when these boys get hot, on either side of the ball, they are on fire. The Illini looked much, much better in the 4th quarter against Northwestern (minus the fumble). They seem to respond well to pressure.

Nate Scheelhaase is growing up as we watch. His passing has improved, but there are still times he should pull the ball down and run. And that option pitch fumble...ugh. But he did throw to a few more guys this week, although A.J. Jenkins is his obvious favorite. Congrats, Nathan, on setting your career passing record! Way to answer Dan Persa's impressive return.

Speaking of Jenkins, he's playing really, really well. And he's fun to watch. Congrats, A.J., on the Illini receiving record.

The penalties and turnovers against the Wildcats were ugly. But Northwestern deserves plenty of credit. Dan Persa proved that his team missed him, with 4 TD passes and plenty of jaw-dropping escapes from a very tough Illini D. His wide receivers came through, too. These boys were the first to get points off an Illini turnover all season.

On the other side of the ball, the Wildcats stopped the run effectively, holding the Illini to less than 100 yards as a team. Their defense did a great job forcing turnovers, including Jason Ford's fumble.

And the final NW play of the game was brilliant. The cross-field pass to Kain Colter and keeping the ball alive for a long time...they probably deserved to come away from this game with the upset.

But the Illini stiffened up on D and got the ball moving. The comeback was impressive. And Ron Zook's team is still unbeaten.

Go Illini!

Fall is More than Football

2011-09-21T21:45:00.002-05:00

Really. It is. Fall is also volleyball. That's another favorite fall sport.

The #3 Illini have gotten off to a perfect start in the non-conference season, and they are currently at the top of a loaded Big Ten. The Illini will open conference play Friday night at #9 Minnesota.

And the entire conference season will be tough. Currently, the Big Ten boasts 4 of the top 10 teams (#5 Penn State, #10 Nebraska), and 7 of the top 25. BTN will help us follow what should be an exciting season. In fact, they started us off tonight with a great matchup in Lincoln where the Huskers notched their first Big Ten win against the Lady Lions in 5. The last set was fantastic.

The Illini are looking good. But as the highest-ranked team in the conference, they will be targets. They deserve the rank, but they will have to play really, really well to keep it. However, I believe the tough conference season will prepare these girls well for the post-season.

If you have a chance, keep your eyes on these girls. Go Illini!

What to Work on

2011-09-20T20:19:00.003-05:00

The Illini football team has a week to focus on improving some weaknesses before the Big Ten season starts (thought Western Michigan is not a team to take for granted). As mentioned earlier, here are a few areas at the top of the "weakness" list.

Special teams - receiving. Yikes. This is perhaps the most uncertain part of the game so far. And it must be shored up if the Illini want to prove themselves a legitimate contender in their division.
Special teams - punting. As I've said before, there's potential, and we are seeing progress. But in tough games, backed up against the goal line...I'll be nervous. Freshman Justin DuVernois needs seasoning, but in the meantime...
Multiple receiving threats. Because while A.J. Jenkins is playing well, and while Darius Millines has proven to be a deep threat, better teams will find it easier to focus on these boys. Others need to step up, and Nathan Scheelhaase needs to build confidence in throwing other directions.
Patience. The Illini were fantastic in their first game, drawing zero penalties. Unfortunately, that didn't set the tone for the rest of the season, and they've gotten sloppier as the young season has progressed. That yellow flag can turn the game quickly...let's keep it off the field as much as possible.

The Broncos won in Detroit three years ago. Although the Illini need to be ready, if they play like they have so far this season, they should be in good shape. However, there can't be a letdown after the big night game. The win over the Sun Devils was significant, but there's plenty of football left, boys.

Go Illini!

A Few of My Favorite (Football) Things

2011-09-18T12:54:00.003-05:00

Coach Ron Zook's Fighting Illini looked really good as they devoured the first two cupcakes of the season. The win over #18 Arizona State was much sloppier, but it was still a big win.

Though my schedule has limited my time to write, I've still managed to watch the Illini so far this season. They have plenty of room for improvement, but there has been a lot to like.

Here are a few of my favorite things from the season so far, in no particular order:

Jason Ford's running game. Ford rarely is stopped on first contact. He keeps going forward. He plows through tackles. He is fun to watch. And, he has good potential to overtake Howard Griffith at the top of the most touchdowns scored for the Illini list. Ford has been waiting for his opportunity to shine, and this could well be his year.
Interceptions. The Illini D has at least one reception in every game. And a few of them have been very impressive. Trulon Henry picked one off of an Arkansas State receiver and the ground. Against Arizona State, Glenn Foster caught a nice ricochet off the back of a Sun Devil. Good stuff.
Tackles for loss. Vic Koenning's defense has done a nice job getting behind the line of scrimmage. In fact, they have 26 TFLs in 3 games, including 11 sacks, for a total of 96 negative yards for opponents. While quite a few players have gotten in on this fun, the Illini are led by Jonathan Brown with 4.5 and Whitney Mercilus with 4. This could bode very well for the conference season.
Nathan Scheelhaase under center. Scheelhaase continues to prove he can run the ball, but his passing is improving, as well. He did much better in the first two weeks against weaker opponents. He was exposed a bit against the Sun Devils with a couple interceptions, but he still is showing progress from his redshirt freshman season. He is getting more consistent with his favorite target, A.J Jenkins, but he needs to spread the love a bit for the Illini to strengthen the passing game inside the Big Ten.
Memorial Stadium. The Illini have a very, very favorable schedule, with eight home games. Memorial Stadium is a great place for these boys to play, build confidence, and build excitement around a team that could prove to be a surprise Big Ten contender.
Wide receivers A.J. Jenkins and Darius Millines. These boys have done a very nice job hauling in passes and picking up yards after the catch. Jenkins has become the most likely third down target.
Promising young players. From the freshman running backs that have take a few carries to Reilly O'Toole getting his feet wet, and even punter Justin DuVernois showing improvement from game to game, the future of the Illini program has promise. Yes, DuVernois has a long way to go, and special teams in general are nerve-wracking, but the fact that he is improving is encouraging.
3-0. That's a beautiful record to start the season. The Illini have great potential, a couple years under Koenning and Paul Petrino, plenty of home games and a relatively gentle conference schedule.

I'll save the points that need vast improvement for another day. Go Illini!

And the Season Begins!

2011-09-03T09:06:00.003-05:00

After a cool start, it's been a hot summer. That flew by. And now, it's time for football!

But though time flies, it's been a rough off-season in the Big Ten. Jerry Kill starts his tenure against USC. Luke Fickell is in charge in Columbus. Brady Hoke will debut in Ann Arbor. And there are plenty of players not on the field or sidelines.

As for the Illini, they have the potential to surprise. Somewhere in the middle of the new Big Ten, the Illini could impress. They've got plenty of games in Memorial Stadium, starting with Arkansas State.

The Illini should be in good shape against the Red Wolves, but they must not take anything for granted to mentally prepare themselves to make a strong showing in the Big Ten and get a bowl game added to their 2011 schedule.

Nathan Scheelhaase, in his sophomore season, has great potential, and he's got experienced protection from his O-Line, with four returning starters there. Look for a strong running game from Jason Ford, as well.

On D, there are some holes to fill, and it will be interesting to see how Vic Koenning addresses those issues and builds on the progress this unit made in 2010. Watch DB Ian Thomas and Trulon Henry for leadership on this side of the ball.

And get ready for another season of Illini football! I-L-L...

A Brand New Day...Welcome, Nebraska!

2011-07-01T20:19:00.002-05:00

It's official. The University of Nebraska is now a member of the Big Ten. Congrats and welcome, Cornhuskers! I believe the Big Red will fit in nicely here.

My job has put me in contact with quite a few Nebraska natives in the past year and a half. And they universally have expressed excitement to be part of the Big Ten conference. Much of this excitement is due to their confidence in dominating on the football field, but although they have a strong team, their inaugural Conference schedule will be a challenge. If they make it to Indy, they will have earned the trip.

But Nebraska fans can look forward to much more than just football. They bring another of the nation's top women's volleyball teams to what I believe will be the top conference in the country. Penn State, Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska, etc...it will be fun to watch. And the BTN will help us do just that.

The basketball teams may be in for a few tough seasons as they transition to the Big Ten. Actually, the transition will challenge all the teams. For the rest of the Big Ten, one new team will be manageable to scout and learn. The Cornhuskers have a whole conference to "meet."

Overall, though, I'm excited to see this addition to the Big Ten. Now, if we could just get logical names and organization for the divisions...

Very Good News

2011-06-02T11:35:00.001-05:00

This is very good news. There may be hope yet that this shakes out with a good hire.

Good Supinie Article

2011-05-24T12:08:00.003-05:00

Props to John Supinie, who unpacks the drama behind the scenes in the search for the new athletic director at Illinois. I hadn't seen this story when I posted earlier today but it's a good one.

Here is the key paragraph:

Instead, Guenther seems intent on steering the university toward a new A.D. with “institutional history,’’ possibly with input from two lame ducks — Guenther and Easter. Guenther said he wouldn’t be part of the search committee, but seven of the 10 members of the committee have close ties to the current A.D.

This should serve as a start to the reporting that needs to be done on all the maneuvering that is going on behind the scenes.

This is an opportunity for the university to make a very good hire that could propel its athletic programs to success. However, if they botch it, the university could be digging out of a deep hole for a long time. And in my opinion, letting Ron Guenther have a lot of sway over the process is probably not in the university's best interest.

AD Search: Hire Your Own Boss?

2011-05-24T09:59:00.003-05:00

According to this article in the Chicago Tribune today, the search committee to find Ron Guenther's replacement will consist of 10 members. Half the members already work in the athletic department.

Perhaps I'm the only one who feels this way but it seems a little odd that members of the athletic department get to choose their boss. Every reporter who covers Illinois sports and the university should be asking hard questions of the university administration starting with why the university chose to do it this way rather than go with a firm that specializes in high-level executive hires.

Time Flies...

2011-01-22T23:32:00.003-06:00

Whether you are having fun or not. And time has flown for the Illini basketball team. Bruce Weber and his boys have had lots of fun -- the first 3 games of the conference season when they couldn't miss. And they've not had fun, when playing on the road at Penn State and Wisconsin. A roller coaster indeed...

Against #1 Ohio State, the Illini played well overall. Yes, that last possession was incredibly painful. And the Illini had a chance to pull away, and decided to let up a bit in the middle of the second half. Like every game, the Illini had their opportunities. But there was still lots to like in their play.

That's been the case throughout the Big Ten season so far.

Good stuff: Passing -- Demetri McCamey leads the Big Ten, but he's not the only one that can make pretty passes. We've seen some nice high-low play from Mike and Mike, good assists from Brandon Paul, and much more. Shooting -- D.J. Richarson, Bill Cole, Brandon Paul, Jereme Richmond, Mike Tisdale, McCamey...on any given day any or all of these guys can be red hot. Those are fun days. Defense -- for the most part, the Illini have done a good job making opponents work for points.

Not-so-good stuff: Rebounding -- Let's grab the ball, guys, not just tip it to each other, or the other team. Some days it's good, some days not. But with the height advantage the Illini have, this should be a consistent strength. Shooting -- Because on the days when they aren't hot, these boys just keep shooting the same shots instead of working the ball down low. Playing on the road -- the Big Ten is a tough conference, and the teams that come out on top will manage to win a couple away from home. The Illini haven't done that...yet.

I have lots more thoughts, but my personal schedule has made it hard to share them here. Hope to get to that a bit more often in the coming weeks...

Welcome to the Roller Coaster

2010-12-23T21:21:00.003-06:00

There have been plenty of ups and downs for Illini sports over the past month. It's a pretty intense roller coaster. I've been paying attention, even though I haven't posted.

Take the football team...finally bowl eligible after that impressive game at Wrigley, followed by a disappointing loss at Fresno State. The Texas Bowl looks to be a good matchup, although Baylor fans are likely to own the stadium.

The volleyball team dropped a couple tough matches late in the season, but made it to the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA tournament before falling to Texas, who in turn lost to eventual national champions Penn State (again).

And then there's the basketball team. They looked great against the Tar Heels (it's always fun to beat those boys) and Gonzaga. They looked not-so-great against Oakland (regardless of the ball size), Northern Colorado, and UIC. They looked better against Missouri, but the roller coaster ride between the Davis steal and Richardson 3 to the Tisdale intentional(???) foul seems to express the season well to date.

All I can say is I'm glad I'm buckled in...

Fasten Your Seat Belt...

2010-11-19T21:24:00.002-06:00

We're in for a heck of a basketball season!

Bruce Weber and his boys headed to New York for the finals of their pre-season tournament. This year it was the 2K Sports Coaches vs. Cancer tournament in Madison Square Garden. This was the first serious test of the very young season. And although the Illini came away 1-1, they proved that the high expectations are well founded.

Thursday night against Texas, the Illini played fast and furious, despite slow starts to each period. If OT was a bit longer, they probably would have tied or taken the lead again. This was a not a bad loss, though. The Longhorns look pretty good.

Friday night, the Illini executed well with a more patient style of play, and despite failing to ice the game at the free throw line, they came away with a good win.

So, now that we've gotten a bit better look at the 2010-11 Fighting Illini, there's a lot to like. But there's plenty of room for improvement, too. Here are a few suggestions for the boys to work on before the Tar Heels come to town:

Ball security. McCamey is zipping great passes to everyone, but a few people aren't holding on to the ball to convert. The Illini have height. But they should secure the ball on rebounds, rather than tipping it.
Hustle. At times, the Illini are down the floor quickly, but they get beat more than needed. And lose balls seem to bounce around a bit too long. They need to go after the ball with authority.
Free throws. Make them. Last season they did quite well from the line. No need to return to the poor form of a few seasons ago, where putting the Illini on the line was a the best way to come from behind to beat them.
Cleaner play. The refs are emphasizing clean play down low. The Illini need to adjust their style of play to clean up the foul trouble issues before their reputation for fouls causes them to get more whistles than then deserve.
Experience. The freshmen are talented. But they are freshmen. They need a bit more intensity. They need to finish plays. Then need to learn to handle McCamey's passes.

But there is so much to like. This team will be fun to watch for many reasons:

Demetri McCamey. He's passing, scoring, directing traffic, finding open guys and being the leader we expect him to be as a senior. This is his team. And he is poised to take them a long ways.
Open shots. The beauty of Weber-style basketball is crisp passes to the open guy. And often the open guy finds the even-more-open guy. Egos don't appear to be a big issue, and assists seem to be valued on the stat sheet. So the Illini can take good, open, high-percentage shots.
Three-point shooting. Although the Illini can rely too much on the 3-point shot, they can make it look pretty. D.J. Richardson, Brandon Paul, McCamey, Mike Tisdale, Tyler Griffey, Bill Cole, almost the entire team can sink a 3. This makes them hard to guard.
Soft touch inside. The Illini are tall. 7'1" Mike Tisdale in foul trouble? Bring in freshman 7" Meyers Leonard. And Mike Davis has a wingspan and jump so that he seems even taller than his listed 6'9". But all these guys, plus Cole, have great mid-range games with a soft touch that earns points.
Experience. The seniors, McCamey, Davis, Tisdale and Cole, know the routine and how to handle each situation. They are smart, patient, seasoned and ready to win. And a year of experience at the college level has helped Richardson, Paul and Griffey improve.
Freshman. These boys are good. Jereme Richmond brings energy and does lots of good stuff, but he needs to learn to finish strong and better decisions. Meyers Leonard looks good too, although he needs to gain some strength. Crandall Head looks to be as sharp and talented as Illini fans would hope, and with a bit of experience, he will be able to build an Illinois legacy much like his big brother's. You can tell these guys are young, but they have lots of potential.
Athleticism. The Illini can run and jump and dunk and block. They are strong and quick and able to just plain play.

It looks to be an exciting season. Go Illini!

Illini 1-2 on BTN

2010-11-19T21:01:00.002-06:00

Last Saturday (11/13), the Big Ten Network treated Illini fans to three games. And although the Orange and Blue only won one of those games, it made for a great opportunity to see where our teams were at...

Football
The loss to Minnesota hurt. Badly. The Illini played so well all season. But the defense seems to have disappeared somewhere on the road to Michigan. They weren't able to rebound against Minnesota, and instead of becoming bowl-eligible, the Illini gave the Gophers their first conference win of the season.

Volleyball
The Illini women went into the night in State College at the top of a very tough Big Ten conference. And Penn State was second. The Illini had snapped the Nittany Lions' incredible conference winning streak when those girls visited Champaign earlier this season. The Illini are fun to watch, but they were just a bit off Saturday, and lost in 3 sets. But as I've said before, these girls are worth watching. Check them out if you get the chance.

Basketball
Bruce Weber welcomed his former assistant and team to Assembly Hall. The Salukis are improving, but the Illini had a chance to shine. There's a lot of talent, energy and generosity on this team. They are going to be fun to watch this season. The Illini won easily, although they had to work a bit harder than they had earlier in the week.

So, with the football season deflating, we've got plenty to look forward to as volleyball heads toward the post-season and basketball heats up.

Go Illini!

(Yes, I realize I should have posted this several days ago.)

Bring on Basketball Season!

2010-11-09T22:56:00.002-06:00

Happy Basketball Season! The 2010-2011 Fighting Illini basketball team started their season ranked #16 in the country.

And they started their first regular-season game with intensity that fits a top-25 team. The Illini took off with hot 3-point shooting from Brandon Paul off the bench, sweet passing, finding the open man, jumping passing lanes and grabbing rebounds. Bruce had his boys clicking, and they led 42-18 at halftime.

The second half was a study in the Illini. They lost a bit of that edge, and the tendency to let up and let life mess with their heads showed up. This is the team that will need every trick Bruce Weber has in his coaching book to do what most Weber teams do and overachieve their potential.

Because this team has a lot of potential. Experienced, gifted veterans plus athletic sophomores with a season under their belt plus top-100 talent-level freshman could equal a special season.

Go Illini!

Shootout at the Big House

2010-11-09T22:23:00.003-06:00

So after a couple impressive games, the Illini headed to the Big House to take on the Wolverines.

Paul Petrino and his offense had proved their ability to score, and they reinforced that on Saturday. They scored again and again and again and again... And then again and again and, well, you get the idea. They ran and passed well, and the D.C. package with Eddie McGee at QB.

But in this shootout, the Illini got out-shot.

Uncharacteristically, the Illini defense did an imitation of the 2010 Wolverine defense, and struggled to stop Big Blue. Michigan scored again and again and again and again... And then again and again and again. Including that 2-point conversion in 3OT...

This season, the Illini defense has been key to earning Ron Zook & Co. "Most Improved" in the Big Ten. That wasn't the case this week. Although they had countless opportunities to stop Denard Robinson and then Tate Forcier, they couldn't capitalize. And that almost-interception on the goal line in overtime (which one? They blurred together since they all ended in TDs...) was just one of the perfect opportunities to end the game with the Illini on top.

It was an intense game. Of course, it would have been better if the Illini had won. This one hurt.

This loss wasn't as high-quality as the other losses thus far, but the Illini did continue to show that they are a much better team than they were last year.

However, based on the rest of the schedule, the Illini should be bowl-eligible soon...Go Illini!

Boiled Up

2010-11-09T22:03:00.003-06:00

That's what happened to the Boilermakers when then they visited Champaign a couple weeks ago. The Illini put on a show in all aspects of the game.

Special teams started the game with a great play on their first kickoff. They recovered the ball after it unexpectedly hit off a Purdue player. The TD off that turnover set the tone for the rest of the game.

The Illini offense shone both through the air and on the ground. 44 points included 4 TD passes from Nathan Scheelhaase. My favorite was the one to Mikel Leshoure when he stood all by himself in the endzone (we've seen that a few more times since). And the running game kept the Illini rolling downhill Clock management was very nice, with the field goal right before the half.

The D kept Purdue under wraps all game, with a shutout until the 4th quater. They held the Boilermakers to just 205 yards and 9 first downs. Although the offense allowed them plenty of time to rest, they made the most of their time on the field with a forced and recovered fumble, TFLs, etc.

I know it's been a while, but it's nice to remember this game...

Something Special

2010-10-26T21:52:00.002-05:00

Against Indiana last weekend, the Illini special teams and secondary came up with a couple special plays:

A blocked punt
A blocked punt drop for a safety (very cool play)
4 interceptions -- 2 returned for TDs
1 strip that turned into a handoff

The Illini running game was steady. And although the Hoosiers passed for 279 yards, they were held to just 1 TD and 2 field goals.

Offense, defense and special teams all showed great improvement compare to the past couple years. And that improvement really is something special.

Go Illini!

Coming Home

2010-10-23T08:55:00.003-05:00

The Illini football team will play their third Homecoming game in a row today. They spoiled the day at Penn State, but after a very tough 30 minutes at Michigan State, the home team took control for the type of Homecoming Spartan alumni expected.

Today the Illini welcome their own alumni for Homecoming weekend in Champaign. The Hoosiers are in town to challenge Coach Zook's team.

This has been a challenging game for the Illini in recent years. And Indiana's offense has the potential to take off. Their passing game has been impressive against weaker defenses. The Illini defense has improved significantly over last season, but Indiana will test the secondary, which is the most vulnerable piece of Vic Koenning's unit.

But, as seen in the past couple weeks, Indiana's defense can be porous. If Mikel LeShoure, Jason Ford and Nathan Scheelhaase get the Illini running game going, they can take control. And that would make coming home much more fun.

Coming home...Memorial Stadium does feel like a touch of home for Illini alums and fans. A stately stadium, the horseshoe seats in the south endzone, the bright orange I on the 50-yard-line, cheers of I-L-L I-N-I ringing through the air, shallow steps that lead to any seat in the stadium, the Block I and the marching Illini feel familiar to any alum who had student season tickets. Yes, there have been (relatively recent) changes with the student section and block I in the north end zone and the press box high on the west side of the field, but it's still home.

So, boys, let's see you take on Indiana with confidence, run them out past the South Farms, and treat Illini Nation to a victorious Homecoming.

Go Illini!

Stalled Out

2010-10-19T22:35:00.003-05:00

The Illini offense -- especially the running game -- stalled in East Lansing last weekend, unable to break through the Spartans big line. But although the Illini lost big, they still showed signs of improvement compared to last season.

Let's start with areas that need to improve:

Accuracy of Nathan Scheelhaase's arm, and his pass protection. Scheelhaase can throw, but he also gets picked off regularly. Remember, he's a freshman, and with experience, this is an area that should improve. The turnovers really demoralized the Illini Saturday, changing the momentum of the game.
Patience and discipline are critical, but the Illini penalties showed a lack of both. The Illini moved backward -- or allowed Michigan State to move ahead -- more than they could afford. These mistakes can be cleaned up, and they need to be to survive the rest of the season.

But despite the lopsided score, there are positives to build on:

Much better return game. It was State that fumbled on special teams this week, and that was a relief after the Illini performance against Penn State.
30 minutes of strong defense. The D kept the Spartans in check for the entire first half, as they were well below their typical output. The second half wasn't quite as pretty, but the D still held Kirk Cousins and his offense to field goals off the third-quarter turnovers. And they may have held better in the second half if it hadn't been for the turnovers.
A.J. Jenkins continues to have some great catches, and even when stood up, the Illini running backs often push the pile forward.

The loss at Michigan State was tough to watch, but the Spartans really are a great team. And the three teams that have beaten the Illini have just one loss between them.

Next up, Indiana at home. If the defense plays well, the Illini should be able to compete well against the Hoosiers...

Happy Day in Happy Valley

2010-10-10T15:45:00.005-05:00

Congratulations to Coach Ron Zook and the Illini! They notched the first Illini win at Penn State on a beautiful Homecoming Day in Happy Valley.

Although Joe Paterno's Nittany Lions have fallen out of the rankings this season after tough losses at Alabama and Iowa that banged up their defense, beating Penn State still sounds pretty good. (Especially after the consistent disappointment of last season.) A 20-point win on the road at a traditional powerhouse can be considered a statement win. The Illini can legitimately claim to be the most improved team in the conference.

The Illini had plenty of highlights, but the problems on special teams could (and probably should) have caused a different outcome.

For returner Jack Ramsey, one mistake (the dropped opening kickoff that fortunately was recovered by Nate Bussey) led to another (fumbled punt #1) which led to another (fumbled punt #2). It's painful to ask your D to stand up again -- in the red zone -- after they've successfully forced a punt.
When you have one of the top punters in the game, the least you can do is showcase his skills by successfully downing the ball where he places it. Anthony Santella has been fantastic this season, and his first punt of the game was placed perfectly just outside the goal line. But his teammates let it slip through their hands and in to the end zone.
Again, with a fantastic kicking game, the rest of the guys on the field need to cover the returner up a bit better. The Nittany Lions had solid returns, and were often just a tackle away from breaking open a big play.

But beyond those miscues, the Illini played very, very well. The defense kept Penn State in check, allowing just one big play. Compared to last year, the defense has perhaps improved the most of any of the units on the field.

Nate Bussey earned a spot on the ESPN Impact Play of the Week ballot and a College Football Final helmet sticker with his pick-6 in the second quarter. That play did shift momentum, despite the quick answer from Penn State. Oh, and he had 8 tackles, as well as covering up the first Illini fumble of the day.
The defense held Penn State to a field goal in the red zone not once but twice, after punt fumbles.
Evan Royster, likely on his way to becoming the all-time leading rusher for Penn State, was held to just 35 yards for the game.
Penn State converted just 2 of 14 3rd downs, and a 4th-and-1 attempt (early in the game when it still mattered) failed, as well. In fact, they had just 7 1st downs for the entire game.
Constant pressure on freshman QB Rob Bolden contributed to a long day with just 8 of 21 passing and 2 sacks.

To be fair, early in the game the tackles didn't look as solid as they had against other teams. And Justin Green did get beat by Penn State's top receiver on the only big play of the day. And to be honest, you can't ask for much more.

The offense kept the ball moving with solid, sustained drives.

The Illini rushed for 282 yards on the day, led by Mikel LeShoure with 119 yards on 27 carries. He did a great job of driving the pile forward for extra yards. Jason Ford and Troy Pollard also had some great carries. The O-line did a great job opening holes and blocking.
Scheelhaase passed for 151 yards, going 15 of 19 on short, easy underneath passes. Including the pass to A.J. Jenkins that he took to the end zone for the first TD of the game. Again, the O-line did a good job providing the protection he needed to make those short, quick passes.
The option -- both QB keepers and pitches -- looked pretty good. There were a few risky passes, but overall the Illini offense seems to be coming together.
Long, sustained drives wore out the Penn State defense, and limited the opportunities Santella had to show off his skills.
Ford's touchdown pass showed us a bit of Paul Petrino's creativity. This season should be entertaining.

I would like to see Scheelhaase stop trying to go over the top for extra yards at the end of runs. It looks cool, but it also increases his chances of injury.

And despite the issues on special teams, the Illini kicking game is fantastic. Derek Dimke was 4 for 4 on field goal attempts, including a 50-yarder that just had the distance needed.

Next week at Michigan State will be very tough, but the Illini have continued to improve, and they should be able to put up a fight in East Lansing. But, for now, what a great confidence-builder this game was.

Go Illini!

Hail to the Orange and Blue

2010-10-09T08:58:00.003-05:00

Although I've been focused on getting to know the 2010 Illini football team, Illini sports in general have given us plenty to cheer for.

Illini volleyball has been ranked in the top ten nationally, broken Penn State's incredible conference win streak, and they have managed to remain undefeated in conference play. These girls are playing very well, and, as always, they are fun to watch.

The Illini women's soccer team has fought their way into the national rankings, and are currently #17. Their defense has been very strong, allowing just 6 goals in 11 games. And standout freshman Vanessa DiBernardo set an Illini record against Purdue, scoring all 4 of the Illini goals in the game.

Both the men's and women's tennis and golf teams have had strong performances so far this season, and the cross country teams have posted great times, as well.

There's plenty to cheer for these days. Go Illini!

Another One

2010-10-09T08:47:00.003-05:00

Tough test, that is. The Illini football team has a brutal schedule to open their conference season. After playing well at home against Ohio State despite the loss, the Illini are on the road in Happy Valley today. Again, not an easy place to play.

Although my recent schedule has prevented me from seeing the full game, the Illini really did play fairly well against one of the best teams in the country last week. The D held Pryor and the Buckeyes to season lows, and they got their first 2 interceptions of the season. The O started strong, complete with a fun Scheelhaase-lateral-to-Fayson-to Scheelhaase pass play for a big gain. They sputtered after that, and didn't take full advantage of turnovers, but they hung in. Despite the late tOSU touchdown that made the score look like the game wasn't all that close, the Illini played a respectable game.

The question is, how long can they play reasonably well with just a few mistakes, and still take a loss? With their schedule, that could happen for a while this season. And usually, games like that send a college team into a downward spiral.

It would be nice to see the Illini come away with a win, and they are just on the edge of capable when playing their best. And Penn State is vulnerable.

But after their disappointing loss to the Hawkeyes, JoePa will have his team ready to go at home. His true freshman QB is gaining valuable experience every week. So, once again, the Illini have a tough test. Let's see them pass this one with a victory -- and not just a moral one.

Go Illini!

Tough Test

2010-09-30T22:07:00.002-05:00

The Big Ten season is upon Ron Zook and his team. First up: Ohio State. That will be a tough test. The Illini D will have their hands full with Terrelle Pryor and his offense. And Nathan Scheelhaase and Mikel Leshoure will be challenged to run on the Buckeyes defense.

But anything can happen on any given day. If the Illini are on, the Buckeyes are off, and the crowd is in full force, the upset is possible.

Go Illini!

On the O-Line

2010-09-27T19:16:00.003-05:00

The Illini offensive line is solid. Literally. The starters range from 305 to 315 pounds, and they stand 6'5" to 6'7". And the backups are similar in size. These big boys are the key to allowing Nathan Scheelhaase and Mikel Leshoure shine. Thus far, the Illini have gotten an average 229 rushing yards per game, and 130 passing yards. But they've also racked up their share of false start penalties, and they've allowed Scheelhaase to be sacked 5 times. They have room for improvement, but they have potential to help the Illini win a few more games.

Jeff Allen is a junior from Chicago. He leads this unit in starts, and has been a key to the Illini rushing success over the last two seasons. He was named to the Sporting News second-team Freshman All-America in 2008.

Hugh Thornton, a sophomore who lived in Idaho before playing his high school senior season in Oberlin, Ohio, is at guard. Despite the strained neck he suffered against Northern Illinois, he was expected to return to start against Ohio State. However, after being arrested on Sunday for his part in a bar fight, his status on the team is questionable. He's had discipline issues before, and to date Zook hasn't announced is decision on how this incident will be handled.
Named one of the most improved offensive players during spring ball, redshirt sophomore Graham Pocic, is the new Illini center. Pocic is from Lemont, Ill., and he saw action in most games last season. Although center is a new spot for him at this level, Coach Zook expressed confidence in him. And so far this season, the snaps haven't been quite as sloppy as some other FBS teams...

Randall Hunt, a 5th-year senior from Hightstown, N.J., starts at guard. He also spent a season at Valley Forge Military Academy before enrolling in at the University of Illinois. Hunt has steadily gained experience during his time in Champaign, and he started in 11 games last season.

Another 5th-year senior, Ryan Palmer starts at tackle. He played in 11 games as a redshirt freshman, but a broken foot in 2008 kept him out for the heart of that season. From Canton, Ohio, Palmer says he is coming off his best off-season this year.

The OL has worked to build chemistry as a unit, but they are a bit non-traditional, since Offensive Coordinator Paul Petrino lists strong-side and weak-side linemen in his depth chart instead of left guard, right tackle, etc. His line flips to either side of the field as needed for a play.

Let's hope they can continue to open holes to allow the Illini running game to keep moving during the Big Ten season.

Go Illini!

Thin Secondary Holding Up

2010-09-25T22:55:00.004-05:00

The Illini defensive secondary has (again) been hit hard with injuries. Two projected starters are out: safety Supo Sanni with a torn Achilles' tendon and cornerback Terry Hawthorne with a stress fracture in his right foot. Hawthorne should return when his foot heals, but Sanni is out for the season.

Safety Travon Bellamy, from Greenbelt, Md., has truly emerged as a leader in the backfield, as he currently is tied for second-most tackles on the team with 24, including a sack. He received a medical redshirt in 2007 due to a shoulder injury, and during his senior season of eligibility he is pursuing a graduate degree.

Sophomore Justin Green, from Louisville, Ky., was moved from running back to cornerback just before the season to strengthen the secondary. Green was recruited for defense coming out of high school, but he wanted to play running back, one of the reasons he choose Illinois. However, he's played well on the defensive side of the ball, with 19 tackles to date and solid pass defense. He's tied for first in both pass break-ups and pass deflections, with 4 each.

Trulon Henry, a safety in his junior year of eligibility, has taken a non-traditional route to the Illini secondary. The older half-brother of former Illini star Arrelious Benn, Henry is taking advantage of his second chance at football -- and an education. Henry was arrested and served time for his role in a robbery. After serving 5 years, he enrolled in a junior college -- College of Dupage in the Chicagoland area. Now married with a daughter, Henry is working hard to take advantage of these opportunities. And he's doing well, with 19 tackles so far this season, including 1 for loss.

Junior Tavon Wilson is a second-year starter in the secondary, and leads the team with 2 fumble recoveries. He also has 11 tackles and solid pass defense stats so far this season. He is tied with Green to lead the team in pass defense stats. Another Washington D.C. native, Wilson was raised by his grandmother after losing both his parents as a child.

The secondary is a known weakness on the Illini defense, but the entire unit has shown great improvement under new coordinator Vic Koenning. As the Illini prepare to face the top of the Conference, we will get a better sense of just how much they have improved.

Go Illini!

Linebackers Start Strong

2010-09-23T19:45:00.004-05:00

At the heart of the Fighting Illini defense, the linebackers have consistently been on top of their opponents. Their tackling has been solid, and they have done a good job of getting into the backfield for negative yards.

Here's a bit of background on the starting LB group:
Senior Nate Bussey, from the Washington D.C. area, went to high school with former Illini and current NFL players Vontae Davis and Arrelious Benn. A high school QB, Bussey converted to safety and then to OLB during the spring of 2009. So far this season, he's racked up 19 tackles, including 2.5 for a loss and two hard back-to-back hits on Mizzou's T.J. Moe (you may remember the second one, which made Moe lose his helmet).

Ian Thomas, a redshirt junior from Berwyn Heights, Md., finished last season as the team leader in tackles, and ranked 10th in the Big Ten. That was after stepping in at MLB after Martez Wilson was hurt. On a personal note, he also helped care for his mother after she suffered a brain aneurism. Thomas is off to a strong start this season, playing opposite Bussey and tied for second in tackles on the team to date with 24 (4 for loss) and a fumble recovery.

Chicago Simeon standout Martez Wilson, has recovered from the herniated disc in his neck that kept him out of all but the opening game last season and earned him a medical redshirt. That makes him a junior in eligibility this year. Expectations for Wilson are high, and he's set lofty personal goals, as well. He's come a long way since he first took over at MLB during the spring of 2009. And so far he leads the Illini with 25 tackles, 3 of those for a loss.

A couple others in the LB rotation include senior and junior college transfer Aaron Gress from California and redshirt sophomore Justin Staples from Ohio. Staples as 10 tackles, including a sack, and Gress has 3 tackles.

This group has been hitting hard. Keep it up, guys!
Go Illini!

Meet the D-Line

2010-09-21T21:55:00.003-05:00

So far, the Illini defense appears to be much improved over the 2009 edition. Much of the change likely can be attributed to new defensive coordinator Vic Koenning.

Here's a look at who Koenning has put on the line:
Corey Liuget, a junior from Miami, was expected to be a leader on the D-line this season. So far, he has proven to be legit (also the correct pronunciation of his name). He actually dropped weight this season, which has helped him move more quickly. A 4-star recruit, he started a couple games as a freshman, and played all last season, starting four games. As a freshman, he ranked 5th in the Big Ten in fumble recoveries. To date this season, he's got 3 tackles for loss including a sack, and he's often one of the Illini jerseys around the football.

Whitney Mercilus, a redshirt sophomore from Akron, Ohio, took over a starting role after Michael Buchanan was suspended. Mercilus had 8 tackles in 11 games last season, and 3.5 were for loss. So far this season, he has 6 tackles -- two for loss, including a sack. He's got great potential this season and beyond.

Senior Clay Nurse, went to high school in Beltsville, Md., after immigrating from Georgetown, Guyana. He offered some insight into the new defensive mindset during spring ball, after earning all-Big Ten honorable mention in 2009. Nurse is starting at Bandit after Buchanan's suspension. He has yet to reach the level he played at much of last season, but his leadership and work ethic has helped change the defensive culture.

Akeem Spence is a redshirt freshman from Fort Walton Beach, Fla. Spence is off to a solid start this season, as he has recorded 6 tackles, including a sack, in his first three games at this level. And he will improve with experience.

Redshirt sophomore Glenn Foster of Chicago is a key part of the D-line rotation so far.

Overall, this group has done a nice job penetrating into the backfield and keeping pressure on opposing QBs. As the level of competition increases with the beginning of the Big Ten season, these guys will be challenged. But if they can control the line, it could be a very exciting season.

Go Illini!

Directional Victories

2010-09-18T16:32:00.004-05:00

The Illini men's gymnastics team is nationally competitive. I don't know what Coach Justin Spring was up to today, but let's hope he was at Memorial Stadium -- or at least watching the football game. Apparently Nathan Scheelhaase was trying out for a spot on Spring's team today.

I love watching the gymnasts twist and flip through the air. But I have to be honest. Watching Scheelhaase fly through the air made me nervous. I like the QB's commitment to getting the first Illini touchdown going up and over the defender, but Scheelhaase did that a couple more times in an effort to get a few more yards. And unless he knows how to land and fall (like gymnasts do), he's risking serious injury on football field. Nathan, hurling your body through the air looks cool on the highlights, but it's a long season, and we'd prefer you be able to play the whole time.

Aside from Scheelhaase's acrobatics, the Illini had plenty of other moments that made fans nervous:

Injury: Illini O-lineman Hugh Thornton suffered a strained neck in the third quarter of the game. He was on the field for several minutes while his neck was immobilized before being carted off to the field and then sent to the hospital. Fortunately the injury wasn't as serious as it could have been.
Defense: The Illini defense has improved immensely over last year, but they still allowed NIU plenty of big plays. The Huskies moved the ball efficiently on their scoring drives and competed in time of possession. This group has plenty to work on during the off week, since Big Ten opponents, especially at the beginning of the conference schedule, will be more difficult to contain than NIU QB Chandler Harnish and RB Chad Spann.
Passing: Scheelhaase can run they ball. But his passing leaves plenty of room for improvement. He did complete 8 of 16 passes against the Huskies, but that accounted for just 70 yards. To allow Leshoure, Ford and himself room to run against Big Ten defenses, Scheelhaase needs to develop a legitimate passing game. He can make impressive plays (as he proved last week against SIU), but he needs to develop consistency.
Third down conversions: The Illini were just 5 for 14 on third downs against NIU. With teams like Ohio State, Penn State and Michigan State coming up, this will be a critical area for improvement.

However, both games against in-state "directionals" showed potential strengths for the Illini as they head into a tough Big Ten schedule.

Kicking: Derek Dimke has been solid on kickoffs, field goals and PATs. And punter Anthony Santella has also done well, starting the day ranked 2nd in the nation. After a couple years of wince-inducing special teams play, it's great to have a reliable kicking game.
Ground game: Mikel Leshoure continues to prove himself as the heart of the Illini running game, with another 100+ yard game. With Jason Ford alongside, the Illini have a stellar RB package. Add the ability of Scheelhaase to run the option, and it's no wonder that the Illini get most of their yards on the ground. Great fakes and pitches made the option especially effective against NIU.
Tackles for loss: Although the Huskies broke free for big plays, the Illini defense continues to do a great job of stopping the ball behind the line of scrimmage. They started the day leading the Big Ten in this category. And basic tackling looks much, much better than it did just a couple years ago.

The Illini needed the wins against SIU and NIU before they head into the Big Ten season. Their conference schedule has a brutal start, with Ohio State coming to Champaign in two weeks, followed by trips to Happy Valley and East Lansing.

Go Illini!

Opening at Home

2010-09-10T22:19:00.003-05:00

After a tough neutral-site battle to open the season, Ron Zook and the Illini will be in Champaign for their 2010 season home opener against the Salukis of Southern Illinois. This is one of those games that the Illini need to -- and should -- win. But given the unpredictability of the college football season so far, nothing should be taken for granted.

Here are a few players to watch:

QB Nathan Scheelhaase has potential, but he needs to hold on to the ball and throw it to his own men. Now that he has his first start under his belt, expect to see him hold on a bit better. He sounds like he's learning quickly as a redshirt freshman.
The Illini defense leads the Big Ten in tackles for loss after the first game. After owning the line in the first half against Mizzou, they should be able to last longer and prove themselves stronger against the Salukis.
RB Mikel Leshoure is closing in on 1,000 career rushing yards. He should be able to pass that mark Saturday.
A healthy LB Martez Wilson should be able to show off his athleticism and prove that he's grown into his position.
WR A.J. Jenkins played well last weekend, and hopes to be on the other end of more Scheelhaase TD passes.
Clay Nurse has been moved to Bandit following the suspension of Michael Buchanan.

The Illini have a great record in home openers. In fact, the opener against Illinois State was one of the two home games they claimed last year. They need a win to build on their solid performance in the loss last weekend.

Go Illini!

It's That Time of Year

2010-09-06T20:10:00.004-05:00

...when the air cools, the fields start to fire (meaning the corn starts to turn brown), and football becomes the game of the day. Get excited!

A hectic summer schedule prevented me from spending much time previewing Ron Zook and his 2010 Fighting Illini, but based on what they showed us in the opener, this rebuilding holds promise. I had no idea what to expect, and low expectations, so I was pleased with the 13-3 halftime lead over Mizzou. It's not a good sign when I start cheering, "Go clock, go!" just minutes into the third quarter, but the Illini didn't give up. They put in a stellar first half and didn't completely fold in the second half. This Illini team has something to build on.

Defense: I want to start here because they were such a question mark last season. At the start of the game, the Illini forced a 3-and-out against a proven offense. Yes, Mizzou sputtered throughout the first half, but give the Illini credit for taking advantage of those first-game miscues. A recovered fumble, solid tackles, deflected passes, and more. Despite being thin, the secondary held well in the first half. The linebackers pursued the ball. And the D-line pressured Gabbert well. The second half was a different story, as Gabbert caught his rhythm. But these guys kept playing and hitting hard.

Offense: It looks completely different with a new QB, but Nathan Scheelhaase has potential. He can run, and that fits well into the option offense that the Illini have run the last few years. His arm is adequate, and he's got some good targets. With time and experience, the passing game could become a complement to the running game. (At least once the turnover tendency is cleaned up.) And the running game will be where the Illini have a chance to shine this year. Behind Scheelhaase, Mikel Leshoure has both power and speed. He will be fun to watch.

Special teams: Here's hoping the 52-yard field goal is a sign of what the special teams are capable of. That was a great boost heading into halftime. Kickoff coverage was solid, as was the kicking game itself. Definitely improvement over last year.

I expect that this season will bring moments that are hard to watch, like the Mizzou drives in the second half. But if we can have periods like the long, steady Illini drive in the first quarter, this season could be a pleasant surprise, as the Illini rebuild. The question, of course, is what does Zook need to accomplish to retain his job?

Regardless, I'm excited that football season is here. Go Illini!

The End of the World as We Know It?

2010-06-13T17:28:00.003-05:00

The University of Nebraska is the twelfth member of the Big Ten Conference. Effective July 1.

The University of Colorado has decided to go to the PAC-10. And Boise State is no longer part of the WAC.

The Big 12 is in danger of disappearing.

(And I have learned that I could get addicted to hockey. Congrats Blackhawks!)

Is this the beginning of the end of the college sports world as we know it? Quite possibly, though only time will tell.

As with most change, there are positives and negatives to these developments. At first glance, most of the positives revolve around cash flow. Although football is the focus, research can benefit, as well.

But this being a sport blog, I'll focus on the implications for the teams and conferences. For the Cornhuskers, they will have a chance to travel beyond the windswept plains. The Buffs will spend quality time on the beautiful coast of the Pacific. But the Broncos are opting out of regular trips to Hawaii... As for the Big Ten, it will be entertaining to contribute to Nebraska's third largest city on fall Saturdays. (I've always wanted to visit Memorial Stadium, Neb...) And the PAC-10 will make it to the other side of the Rockies.

As a fan, there's a lot to be apprehensive about...from the name of the conference to the implications for rivalries. Part of the challenge of conference play is that the teams know each other very well. The unexpected can happen. But in large conferences, like the Big East, you can barely remember all the teams in the conference, and you certainly don't play them regularly.

But the bigger story is what this step toward mega-conferences would mean for college sports. The current changes feel like a desperate bid for relevancy. On the part of both the growing conferences and the moving schools...

There's much more to be said, but let's stay tuned for further conference developments...

ESPN Illini Football Preview

2010-04-28T11:06:00.003-05:00

Great preview running right now on the ESPN's college football page by Adam Rittenberg.

Vaulting Ahead

2010-04-02T21:53:00.002-05:00

Congratulations to Coach Justin Spring and his Illini men's gymnastic team, the 2010 Big Ten champions!

The Illini went into the Big Ten Championship meet ranked 1st in the conference and 3rd in the country. These boys, led by their first-year Olympic bronze medalist coach, have had a very successful season

But this title wasn't easy to grab. It seemed that a couple of the strongest Illini gymnasts struggled in at least one of their specialties. Falls on the high bar, floor and pommel horse kept the Illini in second or third through five rotations. But the boys fought hard to match the Michigan Wolverines each rotation, and make up the 3- to 4-point gap between them.

But it wasn't until the final routine of the final rotation -- the Illini on vault and the Wolverines on rigns -- that the Illini finally took the lead. They literally vaulted past Michigan to take the title the two teams shared last year.

It wasn't always pretty, but these boys fought hard. Go Illini!

Flying Not-So-High

2010-03-25T22:53:00.002-05:00

The 2009-2010 Fighting Illini basketball season has drawn to a close. And not the ending the team would have chosen.

The week began with a very strong performance against Kent State, where the Illini took over in the second half. They looked good.

But the Dayton Flyers brought it Wednesday night. They out-hustled the Illini much of the game. The Illini had plenty of chances, but missed layups and free throws and passes kept the Illini from getting all the way back in the game until the final minute. And by then, they just didn't have enough time to recover from their up to 16-point deficit.

The Illini were a solid team all year. But they just couldn't get it all together at critical points throughout the season. Even in their last game, they showed they had what it took, but couldn't quite fulfill that potential.

And that made it hard to watch. As I've mentioned before, this team wasn't easy to watch, but they certainly kept things interesting. So, congratulations, boys on making the most of a disappointing season. Work hard this summer. Work on your mental games. Get ready for some exciting freshmen. And let's see what next season will bring...

Survive and Advance

2010-03-18T22:09:00.002-05:00

The Illini visited Long Island and Stony Brook, and they walked into a classic trap game. And they looked like it.

Their disappointment at being in the NIT instead of the NCAA was palpable. And their travel schedule seemed to be a bit much for them. They essentially were sleepwalking through the first several minutes of the game.

Stony Brook, on the other hand, made the most of their first nationally televised game in school history. Their fans filled the gym and made plenty of noise. And the Seawolves played their hearts out. The America East conference champions are a solid team, with excellent shooting, sound rebounding and plenty of hustle.

The Illini were sloppy. With 17 turnovers, the assist-to-turnover ratio was 1. Mike Davis played well, and led the Illini in scoring. But he also had some lazy passes and turnovers that were hard to watch. Demetri McCamey ended with a strong night. Although his scoring was needed, his assists were perhaps even more important. Mike Tisdale hit some big shots, including a couple 3s. And D.J. Richardson also ended in double figures. But the whole team was out-hustled, and they had to work to get ahead and keep the lead.

But, it's March. And even if it is the NIT, the name of the game is still survive and advance. Ugly as it was, the with still means the Illini will play another game. So bring on Kent State. At home, as it should be for a 1 seed in this tournament.

Which reminds me, one of the highlights of the night, in my opinion, was the "Cirque du P.A." piece on SportsCenter that kicked the anchors out of their studio for the Illini NIT segment. A bit embarrassing to have the Illini made fun of like that, but it was a clever piece.

Ok, boys, you got the disappointment out of your system, I hope. You have what it takes to win this tournament. Prove it.

Go Illini!

Next Illini Try: NIT

2010-03-15T19:35:00.004-05:00

As the brackets were revealed I was very disappointed, although not totally surprised, that the Illini didn't make the NCAA. They had plenty of opportunities to secure a spot, but they couldn't get it done.

But for those who like to point fingers and blame others, I'd point to Michigan. Had they put more pressure on tOSU last Friday in the last 3.2 seconds, Evan Turner may not have gotten off the game winning shot. The way the Illini played Saturday, they likely would have been able to beat Michigan. That puts them in the Big Ten Championship. As far as the Committee is concerned, I think they have to put any team playing in that game on a line somewhere. They simply don't have time to make any changes between the end of that game (or even halftime) and the beginning of the Selection Show.

However, there were plenty of games that slipped away that could have put the Illini in long before this past weekend.

A #1 seed in the NIT isn't what the Illini had hoped for, but let's take it.

First up, Stony Brook. The Illini play Wednesday in Connecticut. (They could have hosted the game, but Assembly Hall is booked by Cirque du Soleil.) If the Illini play like they did at the Big Ten Tournament, they could make a strong run in the NIT. A trip to NYC isn't completely out of the question. But if they play like they did the last 2 weeks of the regular season, they could have plenty of time to enjoy spring break on some beach, somewhere.

Go Illini!

Life on the Bubble

2010-03-14T14:19:00.004-05:00

The Illini have been squarely on the NCAA Tournament Bubble for a couple weeks. And although their performance in the Big Ten Tournament was encouraging, only The Committee can determine it if was enough...

After a demoralizing loss to the Badgers at home to end the season, the Illini came out strong Friday afternoon against Wisconsin. Although they tried to give the game away, they held on to play another day.

Ohio State just barely survived to advance on a last-second shot by Player of the Year Evan Turner over Michigan. And on Saturday, the Illini played the Buckeyes much, much better than they had in either of their 2 previous meetings this season.

After an excellent run, the Illini stalled and allowed the Buckeyes to go on a 20-point run. But then they rallied to give Thad Matta's team all they wanted. The Illini played really, really well, but they did fail to get a potential game-winning shot off at the end of regulation. But they did well in overtime, again, despite Mike Tisdale fouling out and again failint to get a potential game-winning shot off before the buzzer. The Illini didn't have enough gas to get through the second overtime, but they played hard for the full 50 minutes.

But it's March, and playing hard isn't enough. ESPN bracketologist (don't you love made-up professions?) Joe Lundardi has the Illini among the last 4 teams in at the beginning of the weekend, but conference tournament play has moved them to the last 4 out list.

In or out? Who knows! That's life on the bubble. The talking heads on all networks have lots of opinions, but The Committee seemed to indicate that most of the at-large bids were decided before the last couple days of conference tourney play. So I'm guessing that there wasn't as much riding on the Illini's play (beyond winning the automatic bid by winning the tournament) as we would like to think.

I hope then are in, but they certainly haven't given the impression of peaking as they headed into March... only time will tell... but we will know soon...

Despite it all, go Illini!

Awards

2010-03-14T14:14:00.003-05:00

Congratuations to D.J. Richardson, the Big Ten Freshman of the Year. D.J. has had some excellent games, he's grown this season, and he shows great promise for future seasons.

Demetri McCamey was named to the Conference First Team, for his assist and scoring leadership on the Illini. Congratulations to him as well.

Both these awards are bright spots in a disappointing finish to the season...

Not A Happy Ending

2010-03-10T20:39:00.005-06:00

The game against Wisconsin at the Assembly Hall was not quite what Illini players and fans were looking for. The Illini played fairly tough despite poor shooting for roughly 3/4 of the game, but that's not enough to beat a quality team like the Badgers.

As hard as it is to admit it, Bo Ryan knows how to get players that fit his system. And he knows how to make his system work.

And the Illini just weren't all there. These boys know how to play, but so often they don't execute. Demetri McCamey had a very good game, but a few mistakes and poor decisions helped dig a hole deeper than the Illini could escape.

I did find a few positives...Tyler Griffey is showing great potential. Although there have been days that Dominique Keller really stepped up, his circus-style shots will soon be filed under Illini memories. Although the Illini often rely too much on jump shots, they do have pretty jump shots, especially the big men. Weber doesn't stop coaching.

But there's no denying, this was a painful loss, and it doesn't set the boys up well for a strong run through the conference tournament and off the NCAA bubble. Especially when you consider that the next team up for the Illini is...Wisconsin.

Identity Crisis

2010-03-02T22:19:00.004-06:00

I'm confused. And I think the Illini basketball team is, too.

No one really knows who they are. Are they really the team that battled back at Clemson to win, beat Michigan State and Wisconsin and played Purdue tough on the road? Or are they the team that lost to Bradley and Utah and played sluggishly at home in losses to Ohio State and Minnesota?

The Illini are consistently inconsistent. The past few games have been hard to take after a strong stretch in the heart of the Big Ten season. (I've been out and about for a week or so, but I've managed to catch the games.) The win over Michigan was anything but inspiring, and the loss to the Golden Gophers was painful -- though I give the boys credit for getting back in the game at the end. And then a second loss to Ohio State. Although the Illini played much better than they did at home against the Buckeyes, it was still a painful loss.

With just one more game left on the schedule before post-season play, the Illini need to find themselves. Here's hoping a win at home over the Badgers, if they can pull it off, will put them in the NCAA tournament...

That's More Like It

2010-02-21T13:18:00.003-06:00

Despite the loss, the Illini played much, much better at Purdue Saturday, especially compared to their performance against Ohio State before their week off.

Yes, the Illini left themselves plenty of room for improvement. Poor rebounding allowing the Boilermakers way too many second chance points. Inability to get to the free throw line skewed these stats heavily in Purdue's favor, as well. And turnovers hurt, too.

But, the Illini were playing one of the top teams in the country on the road, and they made a fantastic game of it. And don't forget that Matt Painter's team dominated the Illini during the second half of their game played in Champaign. This was a much tougher game for Purdue.

And because of that, there was plenty to like about the way Bruce Weber's boys played.

Demetri McCamey ties school and season assist records. The performance of the day. McCamey played an incredible game, finding open teammates over and over and over and over again. His passing was beautiful, highlighting Weber's motion offense at its best. He made his teammates better -- as a point guard should. He dominated for the Illini, even though he only scored 6 points.
Mr. Double-double showed up. Mike Davis had 16 points (many thanks to McCamey) and 12 rebounds. It's been a while since we've seen this side of Davis, and he looked good.
Offense. Four Illini scored in double figures, and as a team they shot 49% for the game and 50% from 3-point range. They battled in a back-and-forth game and led for a good portion of it.

After the game, Coach Weber expressed his pride in the game his team played. It would have been a huge win, but Purdue, at full strength, is the class of the Conference. And perhaps the country.

As the Illini head into the home stretch of the conference season, they have a tough schedule. But if they play like they did this weekend, they can come into the conference tournament in strong shape.

Go Illini!

Letdown

2010-02-17T00:43:00.002-06:00

It happens. Usually after putting it all out there. And that's what happened for the Illini on Sunday. After inspiring games against Michigan State and at Wisconsin, the Illini crashed hard against Ohio State.

The Buckeyes seemingly couldn't miss, even though the Illini did a respectable job of containing Evan Turner in the first half. At the same time, the Illini couldn't find the basket. They had plenty of looks (and plenty of bad shots), and nothing seemed to fall.

And so, the Illini lost in spectacular fashion. Maybe it was too early on a Sunday for them to be awake. Maybe the extra day to the game got them out of rhythm. Maybe Ohio State is the team to beat, now that Turner is healthy.

On a personal note, I enjoyed the Assembly Hall atmosphere despite the loss. Hadn't been there for a game for a very long time. And, as one of my Illini cousins said, "I'd rather be an Illini fan, even with a loss, than an Ohio State -- I mean an Iowa -- fan."

This will be a long week for Bruce's boys as they review this ugly loss and prepare for the tough final stretch of conference play. Let's get back on track, boys! Go Illini!

View from the Top

2010-02-09T22:32:00.002-06:00

Dear Coach Matt Painter and the Purdue Boilermakers,

Thank you for your impressive performance in East Lansing tonight. Your road win let a quality Michigan State team feel what it's like to skid -- something the rest of the Big Ten teams are familiar with.

You also played a critical role in allowing the Illini to enjoy a few days tied for the lead in the Big Ten. Yes, the Illini had an easier schedule for the first half of the conference season, but as they head into a very tough stretch of games, which includes you, it's encouraging to see them at the top of the standings.

So for this, for tonight, thank you.
Alma Mater, on behalf of Illini Nation

Making History

2010-02-09T21:12:00.003-06:00

The Kohl Center is not a friendly place to play. In fact, unranked opponents almost always leave with a L. Only NDSU won there a couple years ago. And for Big Ten teams, heading to the Kohl Center unranked was a guaranteed L.

So the Illini victory, 63-56, really did make history. Go Illini!

Honestly, the game was played mostly at the Badgers' pace, slow, methodical and not that exciting. Bo Ryan and his team got off to a great start, and led by as many as 11 in the first half. The Illini struggled to score in the opening minutes. In fact, Mike Tisdale was the only player who could consistently find the bottom of the net for a while.

Here are a few things the Illini learned tonight:

Demetri McCamey can dominate. Ok, so we know that, but it was nice to see McCamey take over the game just a couple days after a fantastic performance against the Spartans. He hit some crazy shots, leading all scoring with 27, and dishing 7 assists. My personal favorite was the pass for the Bill Cole shot. McCamey got the Illini in the game, and kept them there. He really can dominate. And when he's on, there's not much the opponent can do.
Mike Tisdale can shoot. Yes, we know this too. But for all 7+ feet of him, he really shines with his hook shot and jump shot. Yes, he put the ball down a couple times with authority, but he's not a typical Big Ten big man.
Bill Cole can do the little things. That's why he's a captain, of course. But he showed those little things. He had a couple key offensive rebounds. He finished a tough shot off a lovely feed from McCamey, and had a couple critical free throws. He added a steal to his 8 rebounds on his stat line, but he hustled. Went after loose balls. Played hard. The little things that make a team good enough to win in an impossible environment.
The freshman can play. D.J. Richardson had a solid game, including a block and a steal. Sure, he only hit 1 trey, and his share of fouls, but he hung in there for his first visit to the Kohl Center. Tyler Griffey did well off the bench, too. He was the only player besides McCamey and Tisdale to score in the first half, but he added 2 offensive rebounds as well. And although Brandon Paul struggled with fouls and his shot, he hung in there, as well, with a steal.
The Illini can close out a game. This one didn't have the authority of the game-ending dunk that Mike Davis had Saturday, but once the Illini got the lead and the clock wound down, they managed to stay in control. They missed several opportunities to extend the lead, but solid defense kept the Badgers from catching up. They did just enough to keep Trevon Hughes & Co. at bay.

The whole game felt a bit lethargic, and the Grateful Red weren't as intense as they could have been. I'm not quite sure how the Illini managed to chip away and catch the Badgers. Although the Illini outrebounded Wisconsin, they had more turnovers and allowed 11 3-pointers.

But they did. The Illini made history. Did the impossible. Bo Ryan doesn't have many losses at home, but the Illini are responsible for 3 of them.

[Side note: I find it fascinating that Penn State can nail the Illini, but that the Illini can get to Wisconsin.]

Next up...another tough game against the Buckeyes at home. Go Illini!

In the Spotlight

2010-02-08T21:00:00.003-06:00

The Illini took center stage in the college basketball world Saturday, hosting ESPN's College GameDay and holding on to beat the Spartans at home, 78-73. They handled the spotlight well.

The energy in Assembly Hall was fantastic, and the Illini fed on it. There were stretches of crisp passes for open shots. Demetri McCamey had a fantastic game -- a double-double with 22 points and 11 assists -- but he wasn't alone. Mike Davis added 16 points off the bench, along with 2 blocks. The last block was critical, setting up his dunk that put an Illini exclamation point on the game.

Mike Tisdale was a success in that he didn't disappear. Although he only had 6 points, he grabbed 8 rebounds. Freshmen D.J. Richardson and Brandon Paul had strong games, too. Richardson scored 14 and Paul had 8 points and 6 rebounds off the bench.

It would have been nice to make more free throws and grab a few more rebounds. The Spartans got plenty of second chances off 11 offensive rebounds. But the Illini took advantage of the crowd energy, the prime time slot and absence of Kalin Lucas.

No question that Tom Izzo missed Lucas. His team racked up 18 turnovers, even though they soundly out-rebounded the Illini. The Spartans are still the team to beat in the Big Ten, and will likely go far in March, but it was so nice to beat them.

At the end of the game, when the Krush celebrated on the floor, Dickie V chided them for rushing the floor. For Dick and other critics of this tendency, I would say remember the context. I don't blame the students for rushing the floor, and I think it was appropriate for a few reasons.

Dick said that with all the success Illinois has had over the years, the celebration was unwarranted. Yes, Illinois has been one of the top programs over the past decade. But the peak was in '04-'05, which was 5 seasons ago. Since then, the Illini have struggled a bit, so this was a marquee win.
The last time the Illini were nearly unbeatable at home was about 4 years ago. And the students in Orange Krush weren't in college then. They are young, and although they appreciate the history of the program. they haven't lived it. This one of the biggest wins they've been courtside for.
The Illini had lost 5 straight to the Spartans. The Spartans are coming off a Final Four appearance. Beating them is a big deal.
College GameDay started relatively early on a Saturday morning (it is a college campus), and the students had been hyped up all day to show off their passion. With that kind of emotion going all day, rushing the floor was a natural response to a win.
National TV cameramen were egging the students on throughout the game. After so much encouragement, the Mike Davis dunk was all they needed to celebrate on the court.

So go ahead, Krush. Have your fun. You were recognized for your passion and philanthropy. You did well on GameDay. The "NIT" chant for UNC was my personal favorite. And you made Assembly Hall a House of Paign for Michigan State. Congratulations.

Next up, Wisconsin on the road...Go Illini!

Still Playing

2010-02-06T17:47:00.003-06:00

Super Bowl Sunday is almost here, so there aren't many NFL players still playing. This year, just 2 Illini will be on the field in Miami, but both are worth watching.

Running back Pierre Thomas is a great story. The former Illini went undrafted in 2007, but was signed by the New Orleans Saints. During his time in the Big Easy, Thomas has established himself as a key part of the Saints offense. He's had some outstanding games this season, especially in the playoffs.

On the other side of the field, corner back Kelvin Hayden has been with the Indianapolis Colts for 5 seasons. A starter when healthy, Hayden already has a Super Bowl interception. He caught a 4th quarter pass from Rex Grossman and returned it for a TD to close out the game against the Bears. In fact, he's tied for 4th in post-season interceptions for the Colts.

Congrats to both Illini. Have fun on Sunday!

A New Class

2010-02-02T22:04:00.003-06:00

Signing day for college football is not likely to be a banner day for the Illini. Zook's incoming class is ranked 8th in the Big Ten. Not quite what we saw a few years ago, and that's not exactly promising for the future of the program.

But there are a few bright spots, including QB Chandler Whitmer, an in-state prospect ranked in the top 20 at his position. And center Alex Hill recently chose Illinois over Duke.

As for leadership, one new member of the team, a JuCo transfer, could be a great leader. Trulon Henry, Regis Benn's big brother, has a fascinating story. With his tough past and his commitment to his future, he could be a great character asset to this team.

It will be interesting to see what this coming season will bring for the Illini, coming off a very disappointing season. But for now, we can still hope for the best.

For those signing on as Illini tomorrow -- welcome! Go Illini!

Take the W...

2010-01-30T17:21:00.003-06:00

Because this Illini team needs every win they can get. This was a tough one, but it had a happy ending: Illinois 72, Indiana 70.

This Illini team firmly believes in keeping their fans on edge. They apparently aren't in to playing with a lead. And Indiana went all out.

The first half was nice. Crisp passing. Beautiful assists. Strong play down low. The Illini were playing to their strengths. It looked like Illini basketball, and they had a nice lead.

But then in the final minutes of the first half, they made a few mistakes, had a few turnovers and all of a sudden, the Hoosiers tied the game on a crazy half-court shot from Devan Dumes.

In the second half, the Illini didn't look like quite the same team, but Demetri McCamey took over. And as the boys fell behind, he led them back, along with some key plays from Mike Tisdale. Bill Cole stepped up to tie the game on an open 3, as well.

But at the end, with the game tied, the ball belonged in McCamey's hands. Coming out of a timeout with 4.4 seconds on the clock, he drove and threw up a shot that somehow went in at the buzzer for the win.

So it was tense, but a win is a win, right? There's plenty of room for improvement as the Illini get ready for another tough stretch of conference play. And so every W counts.

Go Illini!

Aye Aye, Captain

2010-01-27T20:10:00.003-06:00

Juniors Demetri McCamey and Bill Cole emerged from a difficult few days as the captains of Bruce Weber's '09-'10 Illini. And in a 77-67 win against Penn State, Illini fans saw some of what their teammates saw.

Bill Cole stepped up. He hustled and played 27 solid minutes, with 12 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks. Cole shot 4 out of 5 from 3-point range. Bill Cole! Definitely an X-factor in this game.

Demetri McCamey led in a slightly different way, dishing out 9 assists -- 8 in the first half. He added only 6 points, but he protected the ball well. And he directed the action on the floor very well.

Other bright spots for the Illini included the play of their freshman. Tyler Griffey added energy despite that missed layup. Brandon Paul hit some clutch shots that demoralized the Nittany Lions, despite fouling out with some cheap (and in my opinion questionable) fouls. And, most notably, D.J. Richardson calmly hit 8 consecutive free throws during the never-ending last 2:30 of the game. His 20 points led the Illini.

Off the bench, Mike Davis contributed an understated 11 points and 8 rebounds -- not quite a double-double, but close. Dominique Keller had some key baskets. And Jeff Jordan played quality defense on Talor Battle, giving Richardson a break.

The Illini still need to work on playing 40 solid minutes. They need to learn to lock down on defense, to prevent those annoying runs that allow leads to disappear...

However, they needed that win to get on track. Indiana at home and Iowa on the road are manageable, if they play well. And that will have the Illini in good shape for the College GameDay visit in a week and a half...

Go Illini!

Ugh...

2010-01-25T21:15:00.002-06:00

The Illini loss at Northwestern is a bit tougher to take than the first two conference losses. The Illini and the Wildcats appeared to be fairly well matched. But the Illini had plenty of advantages that they exploited through the second half.

Until they stalled for a couple minutes. Sometime between the last two media timeouts, the Illini decided to stop playing and let Bill Carmody's crew catch up. And take the lead. And although the Illini continue to shoot very well from 3 with under 2 minutes to play, it was once again too little, too late.

It's one thing to be beat by a more talented team. It's another thing to give up a game that is basically under control.

These boys need to learn to play with the lead and close out a game. They need to play more aggressively on the road. They still have so much going for them, but their season is now in serious danger. The Big Ten is not going to be a friendly place to play, and at Penn State will be another tough one...

Reality Check (Part 2)

2010-01-19T22:15:00.002-06:00

That was a tough one. Purdue 84, Illinois 79. Not necessarily an unexpected loss, given that (at one time) Purdue was a top 5 team, and given that the Boilermakers came to Champaign with a losing Big Ten record.

But the way they lost...that hurts. After a solid first half, the Illini lost their intensity. The problems were glaring: poor shooting, lazy passes, tipping the ball instead of grabbing rebounds, below-average free throw shooting, liberal fouls (Mike Tisdale and Bill Cole both fouled out) and basically not playing their game. Until the pressure of the clock really hit them.

Then the Illini made what's becoming their trademark late-game comeback. But as the quality of competition increases, they are finding it more difficult to make it all the way back to take the lead at the end. (However, it is nice to see Clemson playing well, despite their loss to Georgia Tech tonight. That win will be a good one come tourney time...)

Of course, it's hard not to appreciate the career game by John Hart after not even making Matt Painter's official book. But that the Illini allowed Hart and his team to respond to the technical foul that resulted from that oversight...ouch.

Now, the bright spots...Demetri McCamey continues to dish and score. He had 9 assists to go along with his 28 points, and he would have had even more assists if his teammates could have gotten some easy shots to fall. And welcome back, Mike Davis! Mr. Double-Double was back in business with 17 points and 15 rebounds. D.J. Richardson finally got some 3s to fall as the clock wound down, and Brandon Paul brought intensity off the bench, and got a couple nice rebounds.

And finally, Steve Lavin quotes of the night:

"Fresh snow..." in reference to an offensive rebound and fresh shot clock. Snow = shot clock? Really?
"Spalding sandwich," describing a clean block by Bill Cole, which at least make a bit more sense...and it was a fantastic block.
"Coach Weber...sharing the sugar" is a term Lav usually reserves for an assist on the floor, but this time, he was talking about Weber tossing a ball onto the court to help dislodge the game ball that got stuck between the backboard and the shot clock. Sugar when no points were involved?

I would much rather have had Steven Bardo courtside instead of in the studio. Just sayin'. Next up...at Northwestern. This isn't going to get any easier.

Reality Check (Part 1)

2010-01-19T21:41:00.004-06:00

What a game on Saturday! Crisp passing. Good shot selection. Nice teamwork.

Unfortunately, that only described the Illini for the first 10 minutes or so of the game. The rest of the game, that described the Spartans, who showed why they continue to be the class of the Big Ten.

But honestly, the Illini were on top of the Big Ten after playing teams in the lower half of a tough conference. They are just now getting into a tougher stretch.

Despite the painful loss, there were a few encouraging signs:

Strong start. The Illini got off to a great start in East Lansing, and that was a refreshing change from the anemic starts we've seen earlier this season.
Tyler Griffey. Freshman Griffey provided an unexpected spark off the bench in one of the Big Ten's toughest venues. He scored 12 points and grabbed 7 boards in 15 solid minutes of play. Nice to see him have a good game.
Not giving up. Despite the deficit, the Illini, especially freshman Brandon Paul, continued to play hard.

However, this really was a reality check for the Illini. Although Mike Tisdale has improved greatly, he went up against the stereotypical Big Ten big men underneath. And he hasn't reached that level yet. Tisdale got pushed around, picked up more than his share of cheap fouls, and was a non-factor.

The Illini learned that they are capable of playing at the intensity level required on the road in the conference. But they also learned that they need to sustain that intensity for (at least) 40 minutes.

And then there's the issue of actually making baskets. And not throwing the ball away...or directly to the other team.

Tough loss -- ugly in fact -- but one the Illini can build on. The Spartans are a better team this year, and the game on the road wasn't one the Illini were expected to win...but let's see where they go from here...

Monkey Off Their Back

2010-01-12T21:59:00.004-06:00

Assembly Hall in Champaign is known as one of the toughest places to play in the country. Filled to the brim with orange, court surrounded by the loud, proud and philanthropic Orange Crush, it's the kind of place that can intimidate.

But the last few years, Penn State has been an odd exception. They had won 3 straight on the road against the Illini. And the Nittany Lions have been in the middle to the bottom of the conference the whole time, a monkey on the back of the Illini.

With a 54-53 win, the Illini just managed to end PSU's streak at the Hall. In an ugly game, the Illini scored just enough baskets and played just enough defense to go 4-0 in conference play. We are starting to see some trends that could end up defining the '09-'10 Illini.

Trends to like:

Mike Tisdale is developing into a Big Ten big man. He still has his soft shooting touch and pretty jump hook, but he's also becoming more aggressive. Tisdale's diet and exercise plan has helped him bulk up, and he can now bang with at least the lower half of the Big Ten. He's going after rebounds more aggressively, and he's becoming a scoring machine. This stronger, more experienced Tisdale is learning to take advantage of the mismatch he presents most teams. It's pretty exciting to have a 7'1" guy who can hold his ground!
Demetri McCamey has maintained his scoring and attitude coming off the bench in recent games. He started against the Nittany Lions, and led the Illini in scoring. McCamey responded well to Weber's tinkering with the line-up. But best of all, he's leading the conference in assists and has been dramatically improving his assist-to-turnover ratio.
Jeff Jordan has earned quality minutes and a couple starts, adding defense and leadership, allowing McCamey to share point guard duties. Jordan has become a valuable piece of this team, and they would really be hurting had he opted to stick just to the classroom this season.
Rebounding is also improving as the season progresses. Mike Davis and Mike Tisdale are leading the way, but the guards have also improved in going aggressively after rebounds and grabbing the ball. There's still plenty of room for improvement, but they are trending up here...
Free throw shooting has improved dramatically, and it helped the Illini win against the Hoosiers. Yes, Tisdale missed the front end of the one-and-one against Penn State, but he's still shooting around 87%...not bad for a big guy.
Shot blocking is one part of the Illini defense that is really fun to watch. Tisdale does really well, but he's often not alone in that stat line. Blocks have saved a couple Illini wins.

Trends to dislike:

Fading freshman as the Big Ten schedule gets into full swing. D.J. Richardson has had some fantastic games and some struggles. Brandon Paul got off to a hot start this season, but the grind seems to be wearing on him, as he has struggled, as well. These guys are talented, and they will play key roles on the team. But they appear to be hitting that wall...
Mike Davis has been strugging to find his game. "Mr. Double-Double" isn't quite reaching the goal Coach Weber challenged him with. We know Davis is capable, but he's gone cold with the weather. Fortunately, he has the experience to turn this trend around.
Turnovers continue to plague the Illini. They tend to pass to the opposing team or to thin air. And it's a trend that they just can't stop, as noted during the first two possessions against Penn State.
Allowing open 3s behind opponents' picks and screens makes it much easier for them to get back into games after the Illini take strong leads. The Illini have had a few possessions of lock-down D in recent games, so we know they are capable, but they lack consistency.

That said, the Illini have taken advantage of the conference scheduling. I happen to like seeing them near the top of the conference standings. Next up...a very tough game at Michigan State. Izzo's team is also undefeated in conference play.

Go Illini!

Rebuiling Ruined Programs

2010-01-10T15:45:00.004-06:00

The Illini are off to a strong start in the Big Ten, at least according to the win column. Their games so far have been adventurous, with an overtime win against Northwestern, an ugly but dominating win over Iowa, and what may be this season's signature, a come-from-behind win at Indiana.

While there is lots of room for improvement, the Illini have quite a bit going for them -- young talent, seasoned conference veterns, the ability to shoot free throws (at least compared to a couple years ago), a stronger Mike Tisdale who can hold his own in the Big Ten paint, team chemistry that allows the leading scorer/point guard to come off the bench, solid minutes from a guy also values his college education, and much more. [Note to team: For our health and blood pressure level, your fans would appreciate it if the double-digit trailing thing doesn't become a habit.]

But the Illini have also gotten a close-up look at the rebuilding process and progress of 3 Big Ten programs.

Ok, so maybe calling the Northwestern Wildcats a rebuiling project is a bit of a stretch, since they've never played in the NCAA tournament, but there's no question that Bill Carmody is certainly building a program in Evanston. Now in his 10th season, Carmody slowly but surely laid a strong foundation for a tough basketball team. The Wildcats and their Princeston-style offense have become a tough opponent both at home and on the road in the conference, and Carmody has taken them from a perennial gimme-game to the brink of entering the Dance.

How? Well, he's relied on smart kids who love basketball (after all, he is at Northwestern), internationaly recruiting and a system that helps equalize talent differences between his team and others. He's got a great story going.

But the last two Illini opponents, Iowa and Indiana, truly are programs working to rise from the ruins of recent seasons past. Todd Lickliter and Tom Crean are both very good coaches with very different challenges in front of them.

Crean, in just his second season at Indiana, has already equaled the win total from his first season. But Lickliter, in his third season in Iowa City, still is struggling to put a Big Ten-calibur team on the floor. Why the difference?

In my opinion, Crean has a much stronger foundation to build on. The Bobby Knight legacy is strong, and (despite the opinion of many Hoosier fans) Mike Davis continued to build on it with character and quality teams. Plus, the Kelvin Sampson era was short enough to prevent too much damage to that foundation. And so, Crean can recruit both on the strength of Hoosier basketball and his own reputation for excellence at Marquette, etc. And so, he has been able to quickly find players with the talent and character to fit his program. Although the Hoosiers will still likely struggle in conference play this year, their quality of play has increased immensely, and that will pay off soon. Probably sooner than a loyal Illini fan like me would like to see. Crean will have the Hoosiers in the Big Ten title hunt in a couple years, if not sooner.

For Todd Lickliter, the job is much bigger, as the ruins are older. Iowa basketball doesn't have the kind of foundation that Lickliter wants to build on, so he is truly starting from scratch. Steve Alford, for all he accomplished as a collegiate player, built his program using something of a Bob Huggins mentality -- it doesn't matter who they are, as long as they can play. And while thugs may be good basketball players, they don't make the best student-athletes/role models/teammates. Lickliter has a history of a different kind of program. At Butler, he had an 82% graduation rate of players. He found talent with character that could excel at that level.

But his philosophy apparently hasn't sat well with existing players, as he's faced with transfers even as he struggles to recruit his kind of player with the talent to compete at the Big Ten level. Somehow, playing basketball in Iowa City just doesn't have the same wide draw that playing basketball in Bloomington, Ind., has. For these reasons, among others, Lickliter will need a few more years to build the type of program he wants to have in Iowa City. If the Hawkeyes give him time, he has the ability to build a very competitive basketball program (as much as this Illini fan hates to admit it). But he will need a few more years to recruit and instill his basketball and character values on the program. On the bright side for the Illini, that means that Iowa will be a slightly easier Big Ten game over the next couple years...and given the talent and familiarity in the conference, that's a good thing.

Given the success of the Golden Gophers and Wolverines, the Big Ten could be considered the poster-conference for the rebuilding of ruined programs. Find a talented coach, preferably with quality character and give him the time and support he needs to succeed.

Oh, and as the 7th-winningest program of the previous decade, we really can't consider our Illini as part of that group...

Up next, Penn State, another one of those programs that is steadily improving over the years...

New Year's Resolutions

2010-01-07T20:22:00.003-06:00

I spent New Year's in the frozen woods of the north, isolated from Bowl games and far from the United Center. But although I missed the Gonzaga game, I've heard enough about it to know that the Illini played really well for good chunk of the game. And lost a heartbreaker.

I did catch the Iowa game this week, and so, with what we've seen so far, I have some (somewhat belated) New Year's resolutions for Bruce Weber and his team. And they don't look that much different that typical college student resolutions.

Stop procrastinating. Like any college students, this Illini team has a thing for putting off the work that needs to be done. Why score in the first few minutes of the game when you have the whole second half? And why score at the beginning of the second half when you will still have 15 or so minutes for that later? That procrastination philosophy needs to end. A strong start will definitely help them earn a better grade come March.
Maintain your energy. Get enough sleep, so you have the energy to study. And defend. The dirty work that isn't nearly as much fun. As a team, they need to step up the energy on the defensive end of the court.
Don't drop the ball. With assignments or classes. Or literally. The turnovers...especially when the ball goes to where someone is supposed to be and isn't...or through someone's hands. These kids need to resolve to stop. Now.
Make sure your friends don't starve. In other words, make sure they stay well-fed. In this case, I'm thinking of the big guys inside, who often have a size advantage on the opponents. Note to the Illini guards: Make sure Mike and Mike get the ball early and often and all game long. That will help you all stay healthier.
Don't lose sight of the long-range. College students often focus on the short-term, and miss what's happening in the long-range. As in the 3-point shot on the other team. Last season, the Illini had the best defense in the conference. This season, 3-point shooters are practically playing H-O-R-S-E against the Illini defense.

If the Illini, especially the freshman, embrace these basic resolutions, the conference season will be much more manageable. Iowa was a good game to shake off the loss in Chicago, but most of the Big Ten will be a bit tougher.

These boys have great potential, and they are fun to watch. Not always easy to watch, but definitly fun. 2010 is off to a respectable start. Here's to a great conference season!

Go Illini!

Like Mike

2009-12-30T22:47:00.002-06:00

Sing with me now. "If I could be like Mike. I wanna be, I wanna be, I wanna be like Mike."

Of course, that commercial was probably before the time of this Illini team. But they should be singing it this season, and not just because Jeff's dad is around at times. Who wouldn't want to be like Mike Tisdale and Mike Davis?

Mike & Mike are learning to take control of games (kind of like Jeff's dad), how to dominate. And against Northwestern, Tisdale led the way.

Tisdale had a monster game, scoring nearly half of the Illini points in the first half. He ended with a double-double, career-high 31 points, along with 11 rebounds. Oh, and 2 steals and 2 blocks. Unfortunately, he fouled out in the middle of OT. Otherwise, he could have racked up even more stats.

Davis also dominated, with yet another double-double: 20 points and 17 rebounds. Yes, the Big Ten's leading rebounder pulled down 17. When Tisdale had to sit down, Davis took over where he left off, scoring down low.

Mike & Mike showed passion and energy. They asked for the ball, shot well, passed it off and went after rebounds aggressively. And the Illini will have a much better season if they can all be a little more like Mike.

As the Illini prepare to head to the United Center to face Gonzaga, they all can work on cutting down turnovers, boxing out to prevent offensive boards and hustling a bit more.

But we will take the 1-0 start to the conference season. And we will watch to see if the rest of the team can be like Mike.

Go Illini!

Another Conference Tip-Off

2009-12-30T19:28:00.003-06:00

The Big Ten men's basketball season is underway. Although some of the teams have stumbled in non-conference play, conference play will likely be grueling. Despite tough losses, I still think the conference is improving.

A few quick notes on what to expect...

Illinois: The Illini will have moments of brilliance and moments best forgotten. But they should be very competitive in the conference, and if they stay on track, they could be among the top 3 or 4 in the conference.

Indiana: Tom Crean had his work cut out for him when he came to the Hoosiers, and he is slowly but surely laying a foundation for his program in Bloomington. The Hoosiers will still likely be toward the bottom of the conference, but expect the Hoosiers to play tougher. They may even sneak up on a couple teams.

Iowa: Believe it or not, Todd Lickliter's team is (slowly) improving, IMO. And their performance against Purdue in their conference opener is evidence of this. The Hawkeyes will get seriously beat up during conference play, and his program will take longer to build than Coach Crean's. This will be another tough year in Iowa City, but again, a foundation is being laid for a much more respectable program.

Michigan: John Beilein has some of the top players in the conference on a team that will be really tough in conference. The Wolverines have lost to teams that they may have been able to beat, but they also have gained good experience for the conference season and beyond.

Michigan State: The Spartans played a relatively meaty non-conference schedule, and 2 of their 3 losses are road games at North Carolina and Texas, games that will only help Tom Izzo work his magic in March. This team, as always, will be one of the best in the conference and in the post-season.

Minnesota: The Golden Gophers look good coming into the conference season, despite the light non-conference schedule Tubby Smith's boys faced. Tubby is a good coach, as his work over the last couple years has proved. Another tough team that will be in the conference mix.

Northwestern: Improving constantly, even without their top scorer, the Wildcats have convinced many talking heads ands and coaches they are for real this season. Bill Carmody's trademark Princeton offense has consistently improved, and could give the conference fits this season. And their first NCAA Tourney bid is a very real possibility come March.

Ohio State: The Buckeyes' loss to Butler was a stumble, but they have talent and quality coaching with Thad Matta. And, as usual, his team will be tough. They played UNC well in an early loss on the season.

Penn State: Ed DeChellis and his Nittany Lions had hoped for a stronger start to their season, building on a great season last year. But they struggled more than anticipated in a relatively soft non-conference schedule. But don't count this team out yet. They have been improving for years, and they will again play tough in conference.

Purdue: Expected to be the class of the Big Ten, the undefeated Boilermakers are set for a great season. However, they will find that the familiarity of conference play will challenge them, as their first game at Iowa showed. However, expect Matt Painter's boys to maintain control of the conference...

Wisconsin: The Badgers and Bo Ryan will, as always, play better than the national talking heads expect. Yes, they stumbled in their loss to UW-Green Bay, but that's not likely to be the norm for this team. They showed what they are capable of against Duke at the Kohl Center, and the Big Ten will likely see more of that play when in Madison this year.

All this to say that there will not be any gimme games for anyone in Big Ten Conference play this season. Even Iowa and Indiana will push teams. I won't try to predict seeding for the conference tourney, but I will predict plenty of good games and a strong showing in the Big Dance in a couple months...

Enjoy the season!

Not This Year

2009-12-24T13:54:00.002-06:00

All good things must come to and end, or so "they" say. That was true for the 9-year/game Illini win streak in the annual Braggin' Rights game against Mizzou.

The Illini seem to be lethargic on neutral courts and on the road, and they will have to fix that to compete in the Big Ten. But credit Mike Anderson's Tigers, as they played an impressive game.

Although the Illini struggled in most parts of their game, they stayed in it until about the last 5 to 6 minutes. That they were only down 6 at that point didn't show their constant turnovers (22 -- ouch!) and ice-cold shooting (there was more than one point-blank shot, layup or dunk that didn't get finished off). All to prove that this Illini team is not too bad, even when they are playing poorly. The final score was much more indicative of the way Bruce's boys played in St. Louis.

The Illini rebounded well at times, although Mizzou showed more hustle. And Bruce worked hard to coach his boys up during the game, with timely breaks in the action. Down low, both Tisdale and Davis finished with double-doubles. But the Illini just weren't all there. Without their normally on-target shooting and with a tendancy to pass to Mizzou instead of each other, they just didn't play Illini basketball.

The Tigers were hungry. They played with intensity that was bolstered by "mcdougtastic" shooting (concensus term from the game-watching party I attended). And with what commentator Steve Lavin termed the "Emerald City green light" to take opportunistic shots and "share the sugar", Mizzou took the Illini defense apart. [Side note: Lavin's commentary often leaves me scratching my head...he comes up with some rather ridiculous terms to fill the air waves.] The number of open 3s and jump shots that they buried will back up Coach Weber's claims that this year's Illini aren't quite there defensively yet. But Mizzou also made their share of impressive tough shots, even though they had several bounce out from halfway through the rim.

So the Tigers just barely managed to get their Braggin' Rights for this decade. As disappointing as the Illini play and this loss is, at least the Orange and Blue have owned this one since the turn of the century.

Next up -- the conference opener against a surprising Northwestern team. But first, enjoy the holidays. Here's hoping Santa drops off a bit of intensity, a hunger to win and a more consistent shooting touch for all of the team.

Merry Christmas!

Braggin' Rights: 2009 Edition

2009-12-23T00:17:00.002-06:00

The Illini head into their annual Braggin' Rights showdown with Mizzou on a record 9-game winning streak in the rivalry game. The Illini haven't lost (yet) this century.

Wednesday the Illini and the Tigers are in similar positions. Both teams have 3 losses, including a couple games they know they should have won. Both teams will have about half the crowd in their colors. Both teams have a lot to play for before heading into a tough conference season.

Freshman guards Brandon Paul and D.J. Richardson will be facing Mizzou Coach Mike Anderson's press for the first time. They will need to limit turnovers and take cues from Demetri McCamey, who has experience against this style of pressure defense. Hopefully lessons learned in the Clemson game will help the Illini against these Tigers.

Mizzou continues to improve, and this will be a tough one for the Illini, especially after the disappointing Georgia loss. How will this team respond to their last loss? How will the freshman respond to the atmosphere in St. Louis? As always, a win would be a fabulous Christmas present!

Go Illini!

Will Coaching Changes be Enough?

2009-12-19T11:14:00.004-06:00

After another disappointing football season, Coach Zook has been making big changes in his team.

Paul Petrino left his position as Arkansas offensive coordinator to take on the challenge of that position on Zook's staff. Petrino has nearly 20 years of experience, including 1 season on an NFL staff. However, Petrino was not able to convince Arrelious Benn to stay in college for his senior season. Benn has declared for the NFL draft. [Side note: I wonder what NFL team I will have to cheer for simply because they choose Benn? /side note]

On the other side of the ball, Vic Koenning will take over as defensive coordinator. Koenning spent 1 year at K-State, where he dramatically improved the D, after four successful years at Clemson. He has both playing and coaching experience.

So, will these changes be enough to bring consistency to the Illini performance on the field next season? Zook is clearly in an unstable position, but these hires look good, at least on paper. Other changes have been made within the coaching staff. Will these changes help or hurt team chemistry? Will locker room morale recieve a boost? Only time will tell...

Congratulations to...

2009-12-19T10:57:00.003-06:00

Illini outside hitter Laura DeBruler, named first team All-America.
Three of her teammates, sophomore right side hitter Michelle Bartsch, junior middle blocker Johannah Bangert and junior setter Hillary Haen were named Honorable Mention All-America.
University of Illinois senior offensive lineman Jon Asamoah, named to the second-team The Sporting News All-America team.

Signs of Games to Come

2009-12-14T22:45:00.003-06:00

The Big Ten basketball conference season is going to be tough. But the dominating win over Western Michigan shows how the Illini are using the non-conference seaseon to prepare for the next two months.

Offense: This Illini team can score! Yes, they were ice-cold for the first 4 minutes of the game Sunday. But, unlike last season's team, the 2009-10 Illini have plenty of firepower. With Mike Davis consistently getting double-doubles, Mike Tisdale's mid-range jumper and hook shot, Demetri McCamey both dishing and scoring, Brandon Paul driving, D.J. Richardson from 3 and Dominique Keller coming up big off the bench, the Illini have plenty off options to rack up the points. And they are -- getting more than 80 points a game. I don't expect scoring to stay that high once conference play starts, but we should see more points than we did a couple times last year.

Strength: Against WMU and others, the Illini have had a clear size advantage. And they've exploited it. But Sunday, one promising sign for the future was the aggressiveness and strength of Tisdale down low. He consistently went after rebounds more assertive than we've seen from him in the past. And he was a bit more aggressive in the low post. Good preparation for the physical play in the Big Ten. Tizzy will be fighting bigger guys for position in a couple weeks, but I like to see him fighting now. He's got a bit more meat on his bones, and he's showing he can use it. Paul adds great strength on the perimeter, as well.

Speed: This team can run. And they like to run. As individuals and as a team, we've seen plenty of quickness on the floor. McCamey chasing down loose balls. Paul blowing by defenders for a dunk. Transition offense. Quick passes that get ahead of the defense. Yes, these boys do get out of control and throw it away more than they should when going fast, but they are still taking advantage of their athleticism.

Free Throws: Sunday the Illini were very good from the stripe, shooting 14 of 15. Although they aren't consistent getting to the free throw line or making those baskets, the Illini are trending up over time, and this will be critical in conference play.

Defense: The Illini don't lock down quite as firmly as they did last year on defense, but they did hold the Bronos' leading scorer David Kool to 13 points, well below his 23 ppg average and his recent 32-point games (yes, that's plural). Shot blocking has added lots of excitement to the defense, and Tisdale isn't the only one doing that. The Illini have also shown us they can play more than just man-to-man D. This is another area with plenty of room for improvement, but it looks to be trending up.

But before the Big Ten season starts, the Illini have a couple tough road games. In Atlanta against Georgia Saturday, and the Braggin' Rights game next week.

Should be fun. Go Illini!

Hawai'i Ends Illini Run

2009-12-14T22:26:00.002-06:00

The Illini volleyball team fell to Hawai'i in their Sweet Sixteen match-up last Friday. Although Kevin Hambly's team would have liked to keep going, they had an excellent season. Congratulations to these girls for a strong showing in the tough Big Ten and to Laura DeBruler, who added regional honors to her long list of accolades for the season.

The Mismanagement of Ron Guenther

2009-12-11T08:10:00.002-06:00

Ron Guenther is managing the Illini football program the way the government has managed our money: incompetently. This story from today's Sun-Times confirms this to be true. Please, just make a decision already.

A Tale of Two Teams...

2009-12-09T23:34:00.002-06:00

Ron Zook and the Illini football team started the 2009 season with high expectations and several big questions.

Bruce Weber and the Illini basketball team started the 2009-10 season with optimistic expectations and several big questions.

Zook had an experienced team with strong senior leadership.

Weber had a young team with a need for upperclassmen to step into leadership.

Zook's boys came out in St. Louis and took a sucker punch to the gut against Missouri. They staggered and didn't really recover until late in the season. After good games against Michigan and Minnesota, the Illini stumbled again. However, the Illini offense played well in losing efforts against undefeated Cincinatti and Fresno State.

Weber's boys came out in Las Vegas and took a sucker punch to the gut against Utah, after letting a big lead disappear in the final seconds. They staggered, losing to Bradley and looking dazed during a 10- to 12-minute stretch against Clemson. But then the Illini came roaring back with a stong showing in the second half of a game they went on to win in the final minutes.

So many similiarities. Such different results (so far). Why?

Initially, I would have expected the more experienced football team to recover from such a tough loss more quickly. But although the football team had experience winning (see 2007 season), they also had plenty of experience not winning (see recent Illini football history). The Illini basketball team has talented freshman players with plenty of AAU experience, who are just learning to play at the college level. They may not know how devestating those two losses should be. And the team as a whole has more experience exceeding expectations that failing to meet them (see recent Illini basketball history). Coaching is another factor. Zook's teams lack consistency, while Weber's teams consistently perform above their talent level.

The final play of the Fresno State game expressed the Illini football season perfectly. The Illini allowed themselves to get in a tough position, and although they did all they could, they just couldn't win. A 2-point conversion by a lineman on a deflected pass from a QB who was going to the ground...yeah, that's about right.

Let's hope the second half of the Clemson game and the entire Vanderbilt game express the Illini basketball season. If that's the case, Weber's boys should be able to write a much more exciting ending to their season tale.

But whatever happens, go Illini!

Oh -- and let's not forget the Illini volleyball team. Kevin Hambly's girls will face Hawaii in the Sweet Sixteen on Friday.

Juice Williams

2009-12-08T20:50:00.006-06:00

Isaiah "Juice" Williams' senior season was not the one he had hoped for nor one that Illini fans were expecting. Although it was a challenging finish to his college career, I hope all of the Illini faithful will applaud Juice for his effort and how he represented the University of Illinois. He was a key early recruit for Ron Zook and had some terrific moments in the Illini uniform. For more on Juice, take a look at this excellent article from the Chicago Tribune.

A Tale of Two Halves...

2009-12-03T22:53:00.007-06:00

Wow! That was fun! An Illini comeback worth getting excited about. And proof that, despite the disappointment in Vegas, the ’09-’10 Illini basketball team will be exciting to watch. Not always easy to watch, but certainly exciting.

This game is a perfect example
It was the worst of times (during the second 10-12 minutes of the game)...
It was the best of times (from about 2 minutes into the second half until the Illini took the lead, and eventually won)...

Let me break it down a bit

Demetri McCamey
The worst - Two quick fouls before the first break put McCamey on the bench. And when he re-entered the game in Weber’s effort to keep the wheels from falling off, he picked up his third cheap foul. Without their point guard, the Illini had way too many turnovers that the Tigers converted to points.
The best – After picking up foul 4, Weber switch the Illini to zone defense to help protect McCamey. He successfully played big minutes in the second half, boosting Illini ball security without fouling out. Yes, he only had 2 points early, but McCamey showed his value running the floor and dishing out assists.
Mike Tisdale
The worst – Mike all but disappeared in the first half. He had a few plays on defense, but Clemson got around him easily. And he didn’t score. At all. When you have one of the tallest guys on the floor, you need him to score, even if he does get pushed around a bit. And he didn’t rebound. Clemson got way to many offensive rebounds as they dominated the boards in the first half.
The best – Tisdale stepped up big in the second half, with plenty of key baskets. The prettiest may have been the pump fake that took Trevor Booker out of bounds, followed by an easy drive to the basket for the layup that up the Illini up for good. And he followed that with a critical block, coming down with the ball in his hand. But I also liked the aggressive rebounding he showed in the second half, going strong to the ball and pulling it down.
Freshmen backcourt:
The worst – Brandon Paul got off to a hot start, and DJ Richardson had some great shots throughout the first half. And Paul’s drive and dunk…beautiful. But as the Illini fell apart, the freshman were pulled along in the flow. Turnovers. Questionable shot selection. Fouls. As the Tigers made their run, the freshman got a taste of a true college road environment, and it seemed to rattle them a bit.
The best – The Comeback wouldn’t have happened without both Paul and Richardson. Paul had critical 3s, strong drives and handled the free throw line well (although that last one would have helped me breath a bit easier for that last 8 seconds). And Richardson’s 4-point play boosted the team’s confidence while demoralizing Clemson. The experience of this game should pay big dividends this season and beyond for these two.
Mike Davis
The worst – I thought Mike actually handled the ugly part of the game better than most of the team. But I’m not sure the Illini boxed out at all during those painful 10 minutes, and as the team’s leading rebounder, Davis needed to show more energy.
The best – Davis collected a Clemson inbounds pass in the middle of the Comeback that created a 5 point swing. What once looked like an insurmountable lead shrunk quickly. His leadership on the floor, sweet shot and strong rebounding was critical to this win.
Momentum
The worst – I thought the Illini hit their low point when they were whistled for a technical for…I’m not sure what. And those two made free throws were followed immediately by an intentional foul. But I was wrong. Right after halftime, the downward spiral continued as the Clemson lead reached 23.
The best – You know momentum is on your side when your opponent’s leading score goes for a rebound that ends up in your basket. Thank you, Trevor Booker. That was a tough play for him, but it showed how everything was breaking the way of the Illini. And Dominique Keller won’t mind the stats.

Good Hope Orange handed out much-deserved credit to both the players and Weber. And Chief made a good point about Bilas. His comment about the Clemson collapse bugged me -- and I didn't realize how inconsistent Jay was being. Yes, the Tigers collapsed, but much of that was due to pressure from a hungry Illini team, who were already embarrassed, as Weber told them at halftime.

To top it off, the Big Ten finally won the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Thank you Penn State, Purdue, Northwestern, Ohio State, Wisconsin (great game) and our own Illini! They signaled that the Big Ten is a conference to be reckoned with this year.

Go Illini!

Clemson and Jay Bilas

2009-12-03T08:14:00.002-06:00

I agree with everything GHO said below. Solid comeback victory last night that will serve as a great confidence, not to mention resume builder. Anytime you can beat a ranked ACC team on the road it's a good day and the selection committee will take notice.

Hopefully the new guys got a taste of what it takes to win at this level and will step up their games accordingly. And speaking of, it was great to see Richardson and Paul on the floor down the stretch. Should the Illini make the Big Dance, I'm not expecting a real deep run but with the recruits we have coming in (Jereme Richmond) big comebacks and down-to-the-wire finishes are important for these young guys to experience for what I expect will be strong NCAA tourney appearances in the future.

Finally, as the ESPN crew evaluated our game at halftime of the Wisconsin-Duke game I heard Jay Bilas say something along the lines of the following: "This was a big comeback by the Illini but make no mistake about it...with every huge comeback there is an epic collapse and this was a huge collapse by Clemson tonight. They are reeling."

I found that quote interesting because it appears that Bilas gave more credit for our victory to Clemson collapsing than he did to Illinois' adjustments and toughness in the 2nd half.

I also found it ironic that he called the Illinois-Arizona Elite Eight game a few years ago and I'm not sure I ever heard him talk about an "epic Arizona collapse." (Please correct me if I'm wrong.) Could it be because that was Arizona and this was Clemson? Perhaps each school's hoops reputation contributed to Bilas' inconsistency in his analysis. Just a thought.

From Embarrassment to Excelllence

2009-12-02T20:24:00.002-06:00

Wow, what a win by the Illini tonight! Chief asked to see some hungry Illini players and I think coming back from 23 points down to win 76-74 over Clemson surely qualifies as a postive step forward!

Side note: I missed most of the first half (good for me I guess) and, while it would have been easy to not even watch the second half, whenever I think about turning a game off, I remember the Illini's amazing win over Arizona to advance to the Final Four during their 2005 tournament run. I was glad I didn't turn the TV off that night and I am glad I didn't turn it off tonight!

End Side Note.

I continue to be very impressed by D.J. Richardson and Brandon Paul. They will have their ups and downs but are very poised and polished for freshmen. Mike Davis is a double-double machine and looks great so far this year, with Tisdale and McCamey also playing solid basketball most of the time. McCamey's ability to play most of the second half with four fouls was critical.

And while we are handing out praise, Coach Weber deserves a lot of credit for not letting the team quit at halftime and for making adjustments (like playing some zone defense, which the Illini never do) that helped them get back into the game. He continues to prove that he is a top notch game coach who gets the most out of his team.

I was disappointed to see Michigan and Minnesota lose their games tonight but the Illini's comeback victory keeps hope alive for the Big Ten to win the Big Ten/ACC Challenge if Ohio State holds serve against Florida State and Wisconsin can upset Duke (very possible with the game being at the Kohl Center, one of the toughest venues in the country to win on the road at).

That's it for now but savor this win - it was a good one and it's the type that can propel a team on a very nice run.

Wanted: Hungry Illini Players

2009-11-30T08:52:00.003-06:00

It was a tough sports weekend. Illini lose twice on the hardwood, once on the gridiron and the Bears take in on the chin in Minneapolis.

Tangent: I was hoping my Bears could pull that game out but if they couldn't I was hoping Adrian Peterson would run for 300 yards so my fantasy team could at least win. Alas, neither happened. Sigh.

End tangent.

I have to admit I didn't watch the entire Utah or Bradley games last weekend but what I saw on the hardwood made me sick to my stomach. Those are two tough early season losses that will definately have an impact on tourney seeding (assuming IL makes the Big Dance).

This will be a big test of this team: whether the team can bounce back, learn from the losses and come back strong with a good effort and hopefully a win Wednesday night at Clemson.

Personally, I would like to see more of D.J. Richardson and Brandon Paul. They are top-flight recruits and should be playing as many minutes as possible. Sure, they will make mistakes but so did Dee and Deron when Self started them as freshmen. However, I think it paid big dividends later on as they had that experience under their belt.

As bad as these losses are, I'm not even close to ready to throw in the towel on this season. I think the Illini probably entered the top 25 a little early. However, my hope is that being knocked out makes them hungry to get back in. This team has talent. They just need more chemistry (which will come as the season progresses) and hunger (which can come with having a chip on your shoulder).

Illini Pass First On-Court Test

2009-11-24T23:13:00.003-06:00

The Illini men faced their first test of the 2009-2010 season against Wofford in Champaign Tuesday night. And although the first half was dicey, the Illini passed, winning 78-64.

Wofford isn't your typical early-season cupcake. The Terriers beat Purdue in West Lafayette a couple years ago, and just last week they beat Georgia, after losing to Pitt by just 3.

And at Assembly Hall, the Terriers immediately set out to prove they can play with anyone, anywhere. Hot 3-point shooting and working deep into the shot clock allowed Wofford to lead much of the first half. But the Illini stepped up on defense and pushed the tempo in the second half to finally pull away.

Lots to like from the Illini:

Inside game. Mike Tisdale dominated down low in the first half, and Mike Davis became a force in the second half. The Illini had a clear advantage down low.
Demetri McCamey. The point guard led the Illini with 21 points, including a buzzer-beater to give the Illini a 3-point lead heading into halftime and a highlight-reel behind-the-back layup in the second half.
Freshman shooting. D.J. Richardson made 5 of 6 from 3, helping the Illini keep pace with the hot hands of Wofford. Although Brandon Paul made the first shot for the Illini, he struggled with foul trouble. But between the two of them, these freshman have accounted for critical scoring for the Illini so far this season.
Defense. Not so much in the first half, but in the second half, the Illini turned up the pressure and severely limited scoring opportunities for the Terriers. The Illini proved they could make adjustments at halftime that really make a difference.
Energy off the bench. The Illini off the bench really added energy to the game, especially Bill Cole. Cole had a nice layup on a break, but he also had some great hustle plays, good defense, a nice tip-in, and enthusiasm. Jeff Jordan added a spark on the perimeter, as well.

Of course, it's only November, and there are opportunities for the Illini to improve as they get ready for a challenging conference season:

Free throw shooting. I'm glad to see the Illini getting to the line. They had 22 attempts compared to 15 for the Terriers. But the free throw percentage needs to go up -- 14 of 22 could easily be the difference in a game in the coming months.
Rebounding. The Terriers out-rebounded the Illini, epecially in the first half. And the Illini had a significant height advantage. I disagree with the ESPNU commentators, who described the Illini as a strong rebounding team. Mike Davis is solid, but across the board the Illini need to be more aggressive on the boards.
Controlling the floor. This athletic Illini team can run. They should be pushing the tempo, controlling the game and pushing opponents faster than they want to go. The Illini did this successfully at some points in the game, but the Terriers dictated tempo for close to half the game.
Defense. Yes, I realize this is in my "lots to like" section. But in the first half, the Illini allowed a few too many open 3s and too much penetration. As the competition gets tougher, the Illini will need to play a full 40 minutes of stingy, aggressive defense. These guys are capable.

And now, on to Las Vegas. Go Illini!

Cross Country Champion

2009-11-24T18:57:00.004-06:00

Illini senior Angela Bizzarri won the 2009 NCAA Cross Country national title Monday, sprinting the last 500 meters of the 6k race to win by nearly 5 seconds. She is the first member of the Illini women's cross country team to win a national title, and the first Illini champion in over 30 years.

Congratulations, Angela!

Did I Hear that Right?

2009-11-19T22:48:00.004-06:00

I must admit that after watching Gonzaga take Michigan State to the wire and Memphis make it close against Kansas, I realized that I had forgotten how much I enjoy college basketball.

But with the fun of college basketball comes that over-enthusiastic voice from the sidelines. And I heard that voice tonight calling the Carolina-Ohio State game. And I think I heard Dickie V. say that the Illini would be better than expected this year. (Because, of course, it makes sense to talk about the Illini in a semi-final game of a tournament they aren't playing in.) He also got in praise for the Orange Krush and Bruce Weber's recruiting.

I think. I tend to tune that voice out.

Did I hear that right?

Directional Challenges

2009-11-17T23:07:00.002-06:00

Although the Illini beat their second "directional" school in as many games, this one wasn't as easy as the first. Northern Illinois challenged Bruce Weber's squad with strong offensive rebounding and points off turnovers. And a half-court bank shot at the end of the first half.

We learned quite a bit more about this Illini team:

Demetri McCamey is critical to their success. When he's on the floor, the passing is pretty. Really pretty. I'm not sure which was my favorite in this game, but the behind-the-back was impressive. McCamey again led the team in assists. But when he left the game with 2 fouls late in the first half, the Huskies went on a strong run thanks to 3 consecutive Illini turnovers.
They can find the free throw line. It's nice to see the Illini driving to the basket and drawing fouls. Next step: improve the team free throw percentage.
Brandon Paul likes to shoot. And he can draw offensive fouls. Paul followed his record debut with a 20-point night, and even though he cooled off in the second half, he continued to play solid defense with some great plays and more than his share of offensive fouls.
Turovers could be a big problem. They had 14 against the Huskies, who took full advantage of their opportunities.
Interior defense has pros and cons. Pro - blocks. Tisdale and Davis have shown their ability to block shots, and Dominique Keller and Brandon Paul got in on that action against NIU. Con - lack of physical presence. Tisdale and Davis are talented, slender perimeter big guys, not bang-the-boards, fight-for-space guys. And that could become a problem in the Big Ten.
Mike Davis is into double-doubles. He had a career-high 17 rebounds and 14 points against the Huskies, and he's been challenged to average a double-double this season. That would be a huge boost for the Illini.
D.J. Richardson has lots of energy. Should he be able to maintain that all season and channel it into defense, he could grow into the designated top-scorer-shut-down defender, a role up for grabs since Chester Frazier graduated.

The Illini have plenty of things to work on, and the Big Ten season will be tough. After all, the Illini are in the top 25, but that still puts them 6th in the conference. They have time to improve before the schedule really picks up, and they need to take advantage of those opportunities.

But despite allowing a 19-point lead to dwindle to 3, the Illini regained control of the game and took care of business. Nice game, boys!

Volleyball Update

2009-11-16T22:03:00.003-06:00

The Illini lost in 3 sets to #1 Penn State last Friday, but they were competitive. Then they finished up their weekend road trip with a solid win at Ohio State. The match against the Buckeyes was on the Big Ten Network, and it was worth watching (especially since the Bears had already put up their disappointing performance for the week).

Coach Kevin Hambly's girls pass the ball well and hit strong. Senior KylieMcCullie and junior Laura DeBruler racked up several kills. And libero Rachel Feldman continues to improve as she fills the hole left by the season-ending injury to Ashley Edinger.

The Illini dominated the first two sets before falling in the third as the Buckeyes finally got thier passing game on track. The forth set was back-and-forth for a while, but the Illini eventually pulled away just enough to take the match.

The Illini should be able to finish the conference season strong, and hope to maintain second place behind Penn State. Then on to the post-season, which should be exciting. Once again, if you want an Illini team to get excited about, check these ladies out.

Go Illini!

A Look at Things to Come?

2009-11-15T16:30:00.005-06:00

The loss to Northwestern was disappointing. The kicking game was...adventurous. The Illini offense really struggled to get going, but the did get back in the game late in the 4th quarter. Not having Juice on the field hurt. As did the questionable interception call at the end of the game.

But, we got a good look at the future of Illini football. Jacob Charest had some great passes and showed promise. He also made some mistakes, but he got quality experience that will serve him well as he takes over the Illini offense next season. Charest shows that he's got a strong arm. His decision-making will develop with time under center.

But I don't have the energy at the moment to dig into that game. I'd rather focus on a few things that haven't made recent posts.

Like the top-10 recruiting class that signed letters of intent for Bruce Weber.

Jereme Richmond followed through on the commitment he made before he even started high school. Richmond hails from Waukegan, Ill., plays wing and is a concensus top-25 recruit.

Crandall Head is set to follow in his big brother's footsteps as an Illini. Like Luther, Crandall plays guard. He recently had an ACL repaired, so he isn't currently playing. He's been around the Illini program since he was in middle school, and now he's officially a member of the Illini basketball family.

Meyers Leonard is a 7' center from Robinson, Ill. According to the Illini staff, Leonard reminds them of James Augustine, with his ability to run the floor. He won the 2A dunk contest last year.

Along with this year's freshman, the future of the Illini basketball program -- back in the national rankings at #23 -- looks very bright.

Go Illini!

2009 Tips Off

2009-11-14T10:55:00.004-06:00

Friday night the 2009-2010 Illini men's basketball season tipped off with a solid win over SIU-Edwardsville, 96-69. And this could be a really fun basketball season.

Warning: I may sound like a broken record with what I like and what needs work with Coach Weber's team.

What I most appreciated about the season opener was the Illini passing. Sharing the ball and getting assists has become a trademark of the Illini under Bruce Weber, and this team showed signs of continuing this style of play. They had 22 assists on 36 baskets, led by 7 from Demetri McCamey. I especially enjoyed the assists from the big guys -- Mike Tisdale and Mike Davis each had one, and their passing looks great.

This 3-guard offense likes 3s, and they probably won't fall so easily all season, but freshman Brandon Paul made the 3-pointer look incredibly easy all night. Congrats to Paul on surpassing Deon Thomas for the most points in a freshman debut, with 22. Paul had a great game, with 4 assists, 4 rebounds and no turnovers to go along with his team-high 22 points, including 4 from 3-point range.

But the Illini did show they could get the ball inside, at least against the defense of SIUE. Both Tisdale and Davis shot 4 of 5 from the field. They will need to continue to feed the big guys to allow the long-range game to work well.

One big improvement from last year -- getting to the free throw line. The Illini attempted 26 free throws, compared to 23 attempts by SIUE. But with that improvement comes a critical challenge -- making those free throws. With the strength of the Big Ten, the Illini are going to need to do better than 18 for 26, or 69%, from the line. The Cougars only missed 1 free throw.

Though the Illini dominated the boards 41 to 30, I would like to see more aggressiveness and assertiveness as the Illini go for rebounds. However, Davis had 10 boards, and Tisdale and Richard Semrau each had 6.

Perhaps the biggest thing the Illini had going for them in their season opener was their energy. If they can maintain the energy level and speed through the season, they will be competitive.

The Illini are off to a good start, and they have a manageable non-conference schedule. This group should be fun to watch...

Go Illini!

Land of Lincoln Trophy Debut

2009-11-14T10:16:00.002-06:00

It's a bronze stove-top hat. You know, like the one often pictured on Abe Lincoln's head. And today it will be presented for the first time. Instead of the Sweet Sioux Tomahawk.

Personally, I've found the best way to handle the ridiculousness of such "PC" moves in sports is to not dwell on them...just let it go. But first, a moment to rant. The new, intentionally manufactured trophy for an in-state rivalry game is a perfect example of hijacking the "organic" process of developing traditions and true rivalries.

Traditions are part of what make college sports so much fun. But traditions are best when rooted in years reality and mythical memories. Did the alums of Texas A&M vote to call themselves the 12th man? Of course not! Rivalries add loads of emotion to college football. But did somebody decide one day that Ohio and Michigan should become bitter rivals? Nope. That's a rivalry that grew over years into one of the most intense in college football.

Trophies are more interesting when they are random and slightly illogical. Like the Illi-Buck. Why a turtle? I don't remember the story at the moment, but the concept of a turtle as a trophy is amusing.

Now, I have nothing against Abe Lincoln, and I'm a proud citizen of the Land of Lincoln. My issue is with the contrived nature of the new trophy. Voting by the fans to come up with a trophy that's more PC? Please. The "Land of Lincoln" has a named derived from the language of the Native Americans who first built the longhouses and learned to master the rivers and forests and plains of our state. Is it discriminating to ignore their contribution to what the state is today? Lincoln wasn't even born in Illinois. And he lost lots more elections than he won. Yes, he was a great president in a very difficult period of our country's history. The Lincoln museum in Springfield is fantastic. But are we ignoring other parts of our history by irradicating any mention of earlier lifestyles and cultures?

But whatever. I'll now just let it go.

Who will bring home the bronze hat thing that was designed by a Hawkeye alum? (Does the fact that it was created by a Hawkeye bug anyone else?) Who knows. Tough to predict. Northwestern is coming off a huge win at Iowa. The Wildcats have Kirk's number. Will they build off of that, or have a natural letdown? And will the Illini play like they have the last 2 weeks, or will the team that played the first half of the season return?

So many questions. Let's see them answered on the field.

Go Illini!

Winning Streaks

2009-11-10T21:17:00.006-06:00

The Illini women's volleyball team is on an 11-game winning streak, after defeating #15 Michigan and Michigan State last weekend. Ranked #5, the Illini will put their longest winning streak in 17 years to the test at #1 Penn State this Friday night.

And Penn State has a very impressive streak of their own going -- 90 straight matches. The Nittany Lions are riding the longest volleyball winning streak in NCAA history, and the 3rd longest winning streak of any NCAA sport.

Last weekend the Illini broke in a new libero, as sophomore Rachel Feldman took over for Ashley Edinger, who ended her Illini career with a torn ACL. Feldman had an excellent debut match, with 19 digs and successful returns on 41 serves against Michigan.

Michigan took the first set, but the Illini rallied from 5 points down to take a one point lead before losing 27-25. But the Kevin Hambly's girls won the next 3 sets to win the match. They followed this performance with a strong win against Michigan State -- the last team to beat the Illini.

Junior Laura DeBruler earned Big Ten Player of the Week honors for her performance over the weekend, and she is second in the conference in both kills and points per set.

DeBruler and her team will face a tough challenge Friday Night in State College. But they are firmly in second place in the Big Ten. They will follow up the Penn State match with a Sunday match at Ohio State. That game will be broadcast as a taped game on the Big Ten Network Sunday night. These girls are worth watching. Seriously.

Go Illini!

Fresh Faces

2009-11-09T18:38:00.003-06:00

Bruce Weber's freshman class has generated their share of buzz as the Illini prepare to tip off their 2009-2010 season. Already, Coach Weber has said that he's seeing leadership from his freshman. So let's get to know them a bit.

This backcourt could be a memorable Illini backcourt, and easy as 1, 2, 3...

1 - D.J. Richardson - Peoria, Ill. Dietrich James Richardson is proof that the Peoria Connection is alive and well. D.J. is proud of his Peoria roots, and he says his favorite Illini growing up were Dee, Deron and Luther, and he's looking to follow in their footsteps. He says he's excited to improve his defense, but he put on a bit of a show in the final exhibition game against Quincy, scoring 23 points. He went 5 for 8 from 3-point range, as well. His team mentality, work ethic, conditioning and talent are all signs that we could see special things from this new Illini.

2 - Joseph Bertrand - Sterling, Ill. Joe Bertrand is one example of the influence D.J. has on others. D.J. helped persuade this 6'5" guard to join him in Champaign. Bertrand is the all-time leading scorer at his small-town high school, and became a familiar name on the local high school sports highlight show. He also joins the list of "freakish" Illini athletes. However, he had surgery on his knee in September, and still has the option to redshirt. That decision should be made this week, and although Bertrand wouldn't choose to redshirt, he will need to consider the condition of his knee. But he's got plenty of potential...

3 - Brandon Paul - Gurnee, Ill. The 2009 Illinois Mr. Basketball, Brandon Paul is the first Mr. Basketball to choose Illinois since some kid named Dee Brown in 2002 (remember him?). Paul also caught the attention of former Illini Deron Williams, who likes Paul's potential. Oh, and Paul can get to the free throw line -- one area that this team of talented jump shooters needs to work on. He scored 13 points in the Missouri-Southern exhibition game, and 11 points against Quincy. Another player to watch over the next few years.

And although the backcourt is getting plenty of attention, let's not forget the addition up front.

42 - Tyler Griffey - Wildwood, Mo. Tyler Griffey is the all-time leading scorer and rebounder at his St. Louis-area high school, which lists former Illini Robert Archibald among its alumni. Griffey could log some minutes as a backup for Mike Tisdale this year, unless he opts to redshirt. However, he could earn a spot in Coach Weber's rotation, as could every member of this class. Tisdale describes Griffey's game as European in style.

These boys should be fun to watch over the next couple months and years. Go Illini!

Where Has That Been?

2009-11-07T17:06:00.002-06:00

That looked more like the offense we expected all season. Once again, the Illini marched down the field immediately to take the lead. And when Juice Williams went down with an ankle injury on a fumble later in the first quarter, redshirt freshman Jacob Charest lived up to expectations. He kept the Illini moving down the field, and added a TD pass.

And the defense...Terry Hawthorne, welcome to Big Ten football. The freshman from East St. Louis followed up his performance last week with a beautiful pick-6 from Gophers QB Adam Weber. And as a whole, the D sacked Weber 7 times for a total loss of 50 yards. Plus, they held strong once again to hold Minnesota to a field goal after a goal-line stand.

The blocked punt for a TD was scary, but the Illini came back nicely to score once more. Yes, the final score shows how effectively the Golden Gophers came back late in the game, but we'll take the Big Ten win on the road.

It would have been nice to see this team a bit sooner this year, but I'd rather have a few games to enjoy than none at all. Yes, it's been a rough season for Tim Brewster and his Gophers, as well, and the Iowa loss to Northwestern doesn't do much for the Big Ten rep. But a win is way more fun than a loss. And a win on the road bodes well for the future, especially after the free-fall that was the first half of the season.

Great game, boys! Go Illini!