When I couldn't write an IGP for the National Championship Game, Brad Cohen stepped in admirably. Not everyone received this because he didn't have the entire email list.
It's with great happiness that I can announce that the most beloved Illini
fan (and beat writer) of all is currently in St. Louis and did indeed find
a ticket to the game tonight. What's unfortunate is that unlike Rick
Telander and Jay Mariotti, he doesn't have an office set up, or even a
computer to preview tonight's matchup between the University of Illinois
Fighting Illini and the North Carolina Tar Heels. There will be no IGP
tonight folks and I or anybody would be crazy to think they could recreate
it. What I can do, however, is remind people what the original and
ultimate purpose of the game previews were. They used to start off as
such:
Illinois vs. North Carolina
Tonight, 6 p.m.
Joe's. Send me an email or give me a call if you plan on attending.
The purpose was to tell Illinois fans to go to Joe's. So although today
we'll have no witty remarks or funny Illini stories - I hope I can count on
every single one of you showing up, rooting on the Illini, and hopefully
witnessing a great end to one of the most fabulous Illinois stories of our
time!
"Tonight, 6 p.m."
"Joe's."
Illinois - 73
North Carolina - 69
Sincerely,
Mike Nett's $400 ticket
Monday, April 4, 2005
Friday, April 1, 2005
The Final Four
Illinois vs. Louisville
Tomorrow at 5 p.m.
The Road to the Final Four
I’m doing it. I’m going to St. Louis for the Final Four. I don’t have any tickets, but I’ll find them. Just like the Illini found a way to pull out a win versus Arizona on Saturday, I will find a way to get into the Edward Jones Dome tomorrow. Here is where writing your own Illini basketball column has its advantages…if ANY of you have tickets…or know ANYONE who has tickets, please, please, please, let me know.
I might not be able to pay top dollar, but I’ll definitely have a good story to tell you about my trip. It might involve a 15 point come from behind victory, or it might involve stolen signs and the po-po. If neither of those happen, well, I am going w/my man BC…and when BC is around, crazy things happen!
The Pre Game
Reader, I don’t view myself as a journalist or a writer, I see myself as the sixth man…just like each of you. They say that the crowd can be like having an extra player on the court in a big game, and last week we proved it by helping rattle 'Zona as our boys in orange and blue made the greatest comeback in tourney history.
We can’t all be there. If we could, then I might be paying two months rent for a ticket instead of one. But just because you are not there, doesn’t mean that you be the Illini sixth man.
During Saturday's game, as soon as I moved from the couch to the floor, we mounted our comeback. I didn’t move back to the couch until the final buzzer sounded. I wasn’t at the game, but I was doing my part as the Illini’s sixth man.
When it became too much to bear for my friend Melinda, she jumped in the shower to get ready for a night out. A few minutes later, her friends yelled that we were coming back. “So I did what any logical Illini fan would do, I stayed in the shower until the Arizona lead washed away.”
Now Melinda probably won’t stand in the shower for the next two games (though it paints a pretty nice picture) – you get my point. Each and every Illini fan knows that he or she can directly affect the outcome of the game. And in our own way…we all do.
So if you have a lucky Illini shirt, wear it. If you have a lucky seat, sit in it. If you think that the Illini play better while you’re swilling a beer, then pick up a cup and chug. Basically, if something's working for the Illini, for God’s sake man, keep doing whatever you are doing!
Game Preview
Has anyone listened to the interviews w/Rick Pitino this week. He is one arrogant son of a gun. If his players love him half as much as he loves himself, then they’d go thru a wall the guy. I hate him; and for our team, he stands in the way of a National Championship. So he’s going down…hard.
Illinois has its Three Amigos, and Louisville has its own three pronged attack. Just like a pitchfork that the devil throws, you don’t know which prong is going to get you. (Yes I am comparing Rick Pitino to the Devil…Louisville’s primary color is red you know.) Francisco Garcia, Taquan Dean, and Larry O’Bannon lead the way for the Cardinals. They’re a bit taller than our guards, measuring in at 6’7”, 6’3”, and 6’4” respectively. Instead of the 5 or 6 passes that you’ll see from the Illini, it’s more like 5 dribbles, 1 pass, and 1 shot for the Cardinals. Their game is to penetrate and kick. Controlling the drive is our primary concern. We must play D like we did in the first half against ‘Zona…not like the second half.
My key for the Illini is easy baskets inside. The long arms of the Louisville defenders will prevent Illinois from getting open shots behind the arc. So if Roger Powell and James Augustine are shooting a high percentage at halftime, that means that they are getting quick hits off assists from our guards.
Using the pump fake will be a great weapon. If Luther, Deron, and Dee can get the Louisville defenders off balance by faking a shot, then we can penetrate and dish all afternoon. Establishing dominance in the paint, will open up the three point shot as the defense collapses. I think that Deron will have a double-double in points and assists as he leads us to victory and a shot at the National Championship.
Illinois – 79
Louisville – 72
Sincerely,
The Golden Ticket
PS…Last week I gave you a column to read for inspiration before the game. This week…I have a song guaranteed to pump you up. Check out the attachment.
Tomorrow at 5 p.m.
The Road to the Final Four
I’m doing it. I’m going to St. Louis for the Final Four. I don’t have any tickets, but I’ll find them. Just like the Illini found a way to pull out a win versus Arizona on Saturday, I will find a way to get into the Edward Jones Dome tomorrow. Here is where writing your own Illini basketball column has its advantages…if ANY of you have tickets…or know ANYONE who has tickets, please, please, please, let me know.
I might not be able to pay top dollar, but I’ll definitely have a good story to tell you about my trip. It might involve a 15 point come from behind victory, or it might involve stolen signs and the po-po. If neither of those happen, well, I am going w/my man BC…and when BC is around, crazy things happen!
The Pre Game
Reader, I don’t view myself as a journalist or a writer, I see myself as the sixth man…just like each of you. They say that the crowd can be like having an extra player on the court in a big game, and last week we proved it by helping rattle 'Zona as our boys in orange and blue made the greatest comeback in tourney history.
We can’t all be there. If we could, then I might be paying two months rent for a ticket instead of one. But just because you are not there, doesn’t mean that you be the Illini sixth man.
During Saturday's game, as soon as I moved from the couch to the floor, we mounted our comeback. I didn’t move back to the couch until the final buzzer sounded. I wasn’t at the game, but I was doing my part as the Illini’s sixth man.
When it became too much to bear for my friend Melinda, she jumped in the shower to get ready for a night out. A few minutes later, her friends yelled that we were coming back. “So I did what any logical Illini fan would do, I stayed in the shower until the Arizona lead washed away.”
Now Melinda probably won’t stand in the shower for the next two games (though it paints a pretty nice picture) – you get my point. Each and every Illini fan knows that he or she can directly affect the outcome of the game. And in our own way…we all do.
So if you have a lucky Illini shirt, wear it. If you have a lucky seat, sit in it. If you think that the Illini play better while you’re swilling a beer, then pick up a cup and chug. Basically, if something's working for the Illini, for God’s sake man, keep doing whatever you are doing!
Game Preview
Has anyone listened to the interviews w/Rick Pitino this week. He is one arrogant son of a gun. If his players love him half as much as he loves himself, then they’d go thru a wall the guy. I hate him; and for our team, he stands in the way of a National Championship. So he’s going down…hard.
Illinois has its Three Amigos, and Louisville has its own three pronged attack. Just like a pitchfork that the devil throws, you don’t know which prong is going to get you. (Yes I am comparing Rick Pitino to the Devil…Louisville’s primary color is red you know.) Francisco Garcia, Taquan Dean, and Larry O’Bannon lead the way for the Cardinals. They’re a bit taller than our guards, measuring in at 6’7”, 6’3”, and 6’4” respectively. Instead of the 5 or 6 passes that you’ll see from the Illini, it’s more like 5 dribbles, 1 pass, and 1 shot for the Cardinals. Their game is to penetrate and kick. Controlling the drive is our primary concern. We must play D like we did in the first half against ‘Zona…not like the second half.
My key for the Illini is easy baskets inside. The long arms of the Louisville defenders will prevent Illinois from getting open shots behind the arc. So if Roger Powell and James Augustine are shooting a high percentage at halftime, that means that they are getting quick hits off assists from our guards.
Using the pump fake will be a great weapon. If Luther, Deron, and Dee can get the Louisville defenders off balance by faking a shot, then we can penetrate and dish all afternoon. Establishing dominance in the paint, will open up the three point shot as the defense collapses. I think that Deron will have a double-double in points and assists as he leads us to victory and a shot at the National Championship.
Illinois – 79
Louisville – 72
Sincerely,
The Golden Ticket
PS…Last week I gave you a column to read for inspiration before the game. This week…I have a song guaranteed to pump you up. Check out the attachment.
PS…Last week I gave you a column to read for inspiration before the game. This week…I have a song guaranteed to pump you up. Check out the attachment.
Thursday, March 24, 2005
Illinois vs. UW Pearl
Illinois vs. University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Tonight @ 6:27 p.m.
Hoops squads throughout the country play their best basketball during the madness of March, so too do writers step up their games in an attempt to satisfy the basketball jones of loyal fans. Re-typed below is one of my favorite columns of all time. It's about basketball, and it's a bit long. So print it out if you want, but be sure, however, to read Steve Rushin's 'Profession of Faith' before tip-off tonight.
Game Preview
After taking an 11-0 lead in last weeks 2nd round game against UWM, an unnamed Boston College player turned to UWM guard Ed McCants and spewed, "I don't give a sh!t what you did to Alabama. This is the Big East, baby." Unfortunately for BC, UWM closed out the game with an 83-64 run , and earned a trip to the Sweet Sixteen.
UWM plays basketball hard. They play the game the way it should be played -- 94 feet by 40 minutes. W/all but one starter standing under 6'5", UWM's four guard attack has forced a hair under 18 turnovers a game. Still, would it be wise to press a team like the Illini? We have 3 point guards on the floor at all times, and James Augustine and Roger Powell are much more mobile than the other forwards UWM has played in the tournament. All week, Weber has been simulating the UWM press by throwing 7 guys on the floor to defend his team. Augustine, Powell, Ingram, Smith, and Carter have been participating in drills usually reserved for guards.
UWM is relentless, and they proved it during their upset wins over Alabama and Boston College. If Illinois can get out to an early lead, then they cannot afford to go on cruise control. An 11 point lead can disappear very quickly against a pressing team like this. So how will we do it? We will attack when we have numbers, and we will feed our forwards down low when we get into a half court set.
We will get a gauge on how comfortable our players are early in the game. If we are pounding the ball into the ground to beat the press, then we could be in for a tight one. But if we move the ball across half court w/crisp passing, then Bruce Pearl and his team will be on the receiving end of a SportsCenter highlight real. Down low, I expect Powell to have a monstrous game on the glass. He will eat these guys up if he can get the ball consistently on the block.
Much has been made of the Bruce Pearl saga in the week leading up to this game. Tonight, as much as 70% of the Rosemont Horizon will be dressed in Illini orange and ready to cheer their team on to a birth in the Elite Eight. I encourage you all to read Steve Rushin's column below and remember that March is about hoops and not a feud that started 15 years ago. Go Illini.
I believe in b-ball
Hockey players, among all athletes, have the coolest way of entering the game, hopping over the boards with one hand, like Steve McQueen getting into a convertible. But basketball is forever, and so players are often made to genuflect in front of the scorer's table for a moment before stepping onto the court, as if entering a house of worship. Which, in a manner of speaking, they are.
For one is baptized into basketball not with water but confetti (conferred on the head by Curly Neal). And one believes in basketball, as one believes in the Bible and in all those names that are common to both: Moses and Isiah and Jordan…
Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden and so -- eventually -- were the Celtics, and sometime in between I became a believer, and this is my profession of faith:
I believe in Artis Gilmore, whose wife is named --as God is my witness -- Enola Gay.
I believe in new high-tops, always evocative of Christmas morning, for you get to open a large box, remove crinkly paper stuffed into the toes, and -- before wearing them for the first time -- inhale deeply from each sneaker as if from an airplane oxygen mask. (It's what wine connoisseurs call "nosing the bouquet" and works for Pumas as well as pinot noirs.)
I believe in tear-away suits, which make the wearer feel -- when summoned from the bench -- like Clark Kent, ripping off his business suit to reveal the S on his chest.
I believe a team's fortunes can always be foretold -- not from the length of its lifelines but from the integrity of its lay-up lines.
I believe in God Shammgod and Alaa Abdelnaby, and James (Buddha) Edwards (and in Black Jesus, Earl Monroe's nickname long before it was the Pearl).
I believe in accordion-style bleachers that push back to expose, after a game, car keys and quarters and paper cups, which sound like a gunshot when stomped on just right. (And always, stuck to the floor, the forlorn strands of molting pom-poms.)
I believe -- now more than ever, in the time of global disharmony -- in World B. Free and Majestic Mapp. And that control of the planet's contested regions might be better determined by a simple, alternating possession arrow.
I believe that 300 basketballs dribbled simultaneously by eight-year-old basketball campers sound like buffalo thundering across the plains. And inspire even greater awe.
I believe that two high school janitors pushing twin dust mops at halftime can be every bit as hypnotic as dueling Zambonis.
I believe that any sucker can wear a $40,000 gold necklace as thick as a bridge cable when the only necklace worth wearing in basketball is a nylon net that costs $9.99. (but --and here's the point -- it can't be bought.)
I'm a believer in Lafayette Lever and regret never having covered him, for if I had, my first sentence about him would have been, "There must be 50 ways to love your Lever."
I believe that jumping off a trampoline, turning a midair somersault, slam-dunking and sticking the landing -- while wearing a gorilla suit that's wearing, in turn, a Phoenix suns warm-up jacket -- is enough to qualify you as a first-ballot Hall-of-Famer.
I believe in Harthorne Wingo, and I believe in Zap the dingo, the Detroit shock mascot whose costume was stolen from the Palace of Auburn Hills by two men who were caught -- one in the dingo head, the other in the dingo feet -- drinking in a bar across the street.
I believe in dunking dirty clothes into the hallway hamper and sky-hooking -- from the shotgun seat -- quarters into highway toll baskets. And I believe in finger-rolling heads of lettuce into my shopping cart, even though I have never, in the last 10 years, eaten a piece of lettuce at home.
I believe I can still hold, in my right hand, a boom box the size of Samsonite Streamlite while carrying, in my left, a slick rubber ball whose pebble-grain stubble has long before been dribbled away. And that I can do so while riding a 10-speed bike and steering with my knees.
I believe that the Truth (Drew Gooden) and the Answer (Allen Iverson) are out there, if we will simply follow the bouncing ball.
I believe that we, the basketball faithful, speak in tongues: the red, wagging tongue of Michael Jordan and the red, wagging tongues of our unlaced Chuck Taylors.
I believe that Larry Bird's crooked right index finger -- which he raised in triumph before his winning shot fell in the 1988 All-Star weekend three-point contest -- resembles, almost exactly, God's crooked right index finger, as depicted on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.
Which would make sense, If God made man in His image. For I believe, above all, in what G.K. Chesterton wrote, and what Rick Telander echoed in the title of a book: Earth is a task garden. But heaven is a playground.
-Steve Rushin
Illinois - 78
UWM - 65
Sincerely,
Your Last Place Bracket
Tonight @ 6:27 p.m.
Hoops squads throughout the country play their best basketball during the madness of March, so too do writers step up their games in an attempt to satisfy the basketball jones of loyal fans. Re-typed below is one of my favorite columns of all time. It's about basketball, and it's a bit long. So print it out if you want, but be sure, however, to read Steve Rushin's 'Profession of Faith' before tip-off tonight.
Game Preview
After taking an 11-0 lead in last weeks 2nd round game against UWM, an unnamed Boston College player turned to UWM guard Ed McCants and spewed, "I don't give a sh!t what you did to Alabama. This is the Big East, baby." Unfortunately for BC, UWM closed out the game with an 83-64 run , and earned a trip to the Sweet Sixteen.
UWM plays basketball hard. They play the game the way it should be played -- 94 feet by 40 minutes. W/all but one starter standing under 6'5", UWM's four guard attack has forced a hair under 18 turnovers a game. Still, would it be wise to press a team like the Illini? We have 3 point guards on the floor at all times, and James Augustine and Roger Powell are much more mobile than the other forwards UWM has played in the tournament. All week, Weber has been simulating the UWM press by throwing 7 guys on the floor to defend his team. Augustine, Powell, Ingram, Smith, and Carter have been participating in drills usually reserved for guards.
UWM is relentless, and they proved it during their upset wins over Alabama and Boston College. If Illinois can get out to an early lead, then they cannot afford to go on cruise control. An 11 point lead can disappear very quickly against a pressing team like this. So how will we do it? We will attack when we have numbers, and we will feed our forwards down low when we get into a half court set.
We will get a gauge on how comfortable our players are early in the game. If we are pounding the ball into the ground to beat the press, then we could be in for a tight one. But if we move the ball across half court w/crisp passing, then Bruce Pearl and his team will be on the receiving end of a SportsCenter highlight real. Down low, I expect Powell to have a monstrous game on the glass. He will eat these guys up if he can get the ball consistently on the block.
Much has been made of the Bruce Pearl saga in the week leading up to this game. Tonight, as much as 70% of the Rosemont Horizon will be dressed in Illini orange and ready to cheer their team on to a birth in the Elite Eight. I encourage you all to read Steve Rushin's column below and remember that March is about hoops and not a feud that started 15 years ago. Go Illini.
I believe in b-ball
Hockey players, among all athletes, have the coolest way of entering the game, hopping over the boards with one hand, like Steve McQueen getting into a convertible. But basketball is forever, and so players are often made to genuflect in front of the scorer's table for a moment before stepping onto the court, as if entering a house of worship. Which, in a manner of speaking, they are.
For one is baptized into basketball not with water but confetti (conferred on the head by Curly Neal). And one believes in basketball, as one believes in the Bible and in all those names that are common to both: Moses and Isiah and Jordan…
Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden and so -- eventually -- were the Celtics, and sometime in between I became a believer, and this is my profession of faith:
I believe in Artis Gilmore, whose wife is named --as God is my witness -- Enola Gay.
I believe in new high-tops, always evocative of Christmas morning, for you get to open a large box, remove crinkly paper stuffed into the toes, and -- before wearing them for the first time -- inhale deeply from each sneaker as if from an airplane oxygen mask. (It's what wine connoisseurs call "nosing the bouquet" and works for Pumas as well as pinot noirs.)
I believe in tear-away suits, which make the wearer feel -- when summoned from the bench -- like Clark Kent, ripping off his business suit to reveal the S on his chest.
I believe a team's fortunes can always be foretold -- not from the length of its lifelines but from the integrity of its lay-up lines.
I believe in God Shammgod and Alaa Abdelnaby, and James (Buddha) Edwards (and in Black Jesus, Earl Monroe's nickname long before it was the Pearl).
I believe in accordion-style bleachers that push back to expose, after a game, car keys and quarters and paper cups, which sound like a gunshot when stomped on just right. (And always, stuck to the floor, the forlorn strands of molting pom-poms.)
I believe -- now more than ever, in the time of global disharmony -- in World B. Free and Majestic Mapp. And that control of the planet's contested regions might be better determined by a simple, alternating possession arrow.
I believe that 300 basketballs dribbled simultaneously by eight-year-old basketball campers sound like buffalo thundering across the plains. And inspire even greater awe.
I believe that two high school janitors pushing twin dust mops at halftime can be every bit as hypnotic as dueling Zambonis.
I believe that any sucker can wear a $40,000 gold necklace as thick as a bridge cable when the only necklace worth wearing in basketball is a nylon net that costs $9.99. (but --and here's the point -- it can't be bought.)
I'm a believer in Lafayette Lever and regret never having covered him, for if I had, my first sentence about him would have been, "There must be 50 ways to love your Lever."
I believe that jumping off a trampoline, turning a midair somersault, slam-dunking and sticking the landing -- while wearing a gorilla suit that's wearing, in turn, a Phoenix suns warm-up jacket -- is enough to qualify you as a first-ballot Hall-of-Famer.
I believe in Harthorne Wingo, and I believe in Zap the dingo, the Detroit shock mascot whose costume was stolen from the Palace of Auburn Hills by two men who were caught -- one in the dingo head, the other in the dingo feet -- drinking in a bar across the street.
I believe in dunking dirty clothes into the hallway hamper and sky-hooking -- from the shotgun seat -- quarters into highway toll baskets. And I believe in finger-rolling heads of lettuce into my shopping cart, even though I have never, in the last 10 years, eaten a piece of lettuce at home.
I believe I can still hold, in my right hand, a boom box the size of Samsonite Streamlite while carrying, in my left, a slick rubber ball whose pebble-grain stubble has long before been dribbled away. And that I can do so while riding a 10-speed bike and steering with my knees.
I believe that the Truth (Drew Gooden) and the Answer (Allen Iverson) are out there, if we will simply follow the bouncing ball.
I believe that we, the basketball faithful, speak in tongues: the red, wagging tongue of Michael Jordan and the red, wagging tongues of our unlaced Chuck Taylors.
I believe that Larry Bird's crooked right index finger -- which he raised in triumph before his winning shot fell in the 1988 All-Star weekend three-point contest -- resembles, almost exactly, God's crooked right index finger, as depicted on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.
Which would make sense, If God made man in His image. For I believe, above all, in what G.K. Chesterton wrote, and what Rick Telander echoed in the title of a book: Earth is a task garden. But heaven is a playground.
-Steve Rushin
Illinois - 78
UWM - 65
Sincerely,
Your Last Place Bracket
Thursday, March 17, 2005
IGP: The Tourney Edition
Illinois vs. Farleigh Dickenson
Tonight @ 8:30
Welcome to the 2005 NCAA Tournament Edition of the IGP. In only a few hours the madness will begin, and you will be on your way to winning the office pool…that is, if you follow my 3 Steps to Office Pool Immortality Guide. I expect a steak dinner in the off-season when you win.
1. Pick the winner. Like it or not, if you want to be in the $$$, then you need to pick the winner. It's nearly impossible to catch up on points if you don't have the final game predicted correctly. This one is easy, though. It's the Illini.
2. Bank on heavy hitters. I am not talking about the steroid induced gorillas in baseball. I am talking about college hoops gamers. Every year a prime performer hits on all cylinders and carries his team to the Sweet Sixteen or further. Randolph Childress, God Shamgod, Harold Arceneaux, and Kyle Korver are a few examples. This year we have the obvious choices like Salim Stoudemire - 'Zona, Jerry McNamara - 'Cuse, or Francisco Garcia - Louisville. But how about Nate Funk - Creighton (17.6 ppg), Allan Ray - 'Nova (17.3 ppg 41% 3pt shooting pct), or Andrew Bogut - Utah (21ppg 12 rpg). Bank on these guys winning at least one round, and Allen Ray leading his team to the Sweet Sixteen by topping 'Cuse (there is only room for one orange and blue team).
3. Bet on winners. I've seen Georgia Tech is a popular choice to go deep in the Albuquerque bracket. I don't understand why. They're 2-9 against the field of 64, and they barely squeaked into the field thanks to a late run in the ACC tourney. The Yellow Jackets are a shadow of the team they were last year - find the white out. Florida is another squad that will blow up your brackets if you pick them to go deep. Head Coach Billy Donovan is a choke artist in the NCAAs. He's an underachiever who will fall to an overachiever named Jay Wright who is the Head Coach at Villanova.
On to the meat and potatoes
I received a disturbing e-mail the other day from a diehard Illini fan who was at the Big 10 tournament. He told me that he was worried about the Illini in the NCAAs. "They didn't look like a final four team," he whined. After picking myself up off the floor, I wrote down a few of Illinois' accomplishments this year.
· 14-0 non-conference record
· 15-1 Big 10 record - Outright Conference Champs
· 13-0 vs. tournament teams
· 15 wks ranked no. 1
· 3 First Team All Big 10 Selections
· Big Ten Player of the Year and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year - Dee Brown
· 5 Players averaging double figures
· Home Court Advantage throughout the tournament (Indy, Chicago, St. Louis)
Feeling better?
When we started the season, every overpaid hoops analyst said that our frontcourt was suspect. But who carried us through the Big Ten Tournament? James Augustine earned tourney MVP honors by averaging a double-double; while Roger Powell played like a 7 footer, pulling down every offensive rebound available. Our perceived weakness has become a strength.
Smiling?
We have the best backcourt in the country. Dee Brown was quoted in the paper as saying he's been taking 300 shots a day. He said that he's not concerned w/how many he makes. He is searching for his shooting touch. It's a feeling that is not satisfied by the sound of a swish but by the feeling he gets when the shot leaves his finger tips. Deron Williams gets that feeling when he sees a teammate open in the lane. He mentally chalks up an assist before Augustine or Powell even catch the ball. Luther Head gets that feeling when he's going to hole. He can smell the front of the rim, and something inside wills him to beat his man to the basket.
Getting charged up?
I told you earlier in this letter to bank on a few prime performers to take their teams deeper in the tourney. Illinois doesn't rely on one player to win They play the best team basketball in the nation. That is why they will succeed.
This year, I wrote that the Illini make sweet music when they play together; I said they were like superheroes on the basketball court; and I even compared them to a prize fighter. Illini fans, there is only one thing left that I want to call this team - CHAMPIONS.
Sincerely,
Mike Nett
Tonight @ 8:30
Welcome to the 2005 NCAA Tournament Edition of the IGP. In only a few hours the madness will begin, and you will be on your way to winning the office pool…that is, if you follow my 3 Steps to Office Pool Immortality Guide. I expect a steak dinner in the off-season when you win.
1. Pick the winner. Like it or not, if you want to be in the $$$, then you need to pick the winner. It's nearly impossible to catch up on points if you don't have the final game predicted correctly. This one is easy, though. It's the Illini.
2. Bank on heavy hitters. I am not talking about the steroid induced gorillas in baseball. I am talking about college hoops gamers. Every year a prime performer hits on all cylinders and carries his team to the Sweet Sixteen or further. Randolph Childress, God Shamgod, Harold Arceneaux, and Kyle Korver are a few examples. This year we have the obvious choices like Salim Stoudemire - 'Zona, Jerry McNamara - 'Cuse, or Francisco Garcia - Louisville. But how about Nate Funk - Creighton (17.6 ppg), Allan Ray - 'Nova (17.3 ppg 41% 3pt shooting pct), or Andrew Bogut - Utah (21ppg 12 rpg). Bank on these guys winning at least one round, and Allen Ray leading his team to the Sweet Sixteen by topping 'Cuse (there is only room for one orange and blue team).
3. Bet on winners. I've seen Georgia Tech is a popular choice to go deep in the Albuquerque bracket. I don't understand why. They're 2-9 against the field of 64, and they barely squeaked into the field thanks to a late run in the ACC tourney. The Yellow Jackets are a shadow of the team they were last year - find the white out. Florida is another squad that will blow up your brackets if you pick them to go deep. Head Coach Billy Donovan is a choke artist in the NCAAs. He's an underachiever who will fall to an overachiever named Jay Wright who is the Head Coach at Villanova.
On to the meat and potatoes
I received a disturbing e-mail the other day from a diehard Illini fan who was at the Big 10 tournament. He told me that he was worried about the Illini in the NCAAs. "They didn't look like a final four team," he whined. After picking myself up off the floor, I wrote down a few of Illinois' accomplishments this year.
· 14-0 non-conference record
· 15-1 Big 10 record - Outright Conference Champs
· 13-0 vs. tournament teams
· 15 wks ranked no. 1
· 3 First Team All Big 10 Selections
· Big Ten Player of the Year and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year - Dee Brown
· 5 Players averaging double figures
· Home Court Advantage throughout the tournament (Indy, Chicago, St. Louis)
Feeling better?
When we started the season, every overpaid hoops analyst said that our frontcourt was suspect. But who carried us through the Big Ten Tournament? James Augustine earned tourney MVP honors by averaging a double-double; while Roger Powell played like a 7 footer, pulling down every offensive rebound available. Our perceived weakness has become a strength.
Smiling?
We have the best backcourt in the country. Dee Brown was quoted in the paper as saying he's been taking 300 shots a day. He said that he's not concerned w/how many he makes. He is searching for his shooting touch. It's a feeling that is not satisfied by the sound of a swish but by the feeling he gets when the shot leaves his finger tips. Deron Williams gets that feeling when he sees a teammate open in the lane. He mentally chalks up an assist before Augustine or Powell even catch the ball. Luther Head gets that feeling when he's going to hole. He can smell the front of the rim, and something inside wills him to beat his man to the basket.
Getting charged up?
I told you earlier in this letter to bank on a few prime performers to take their teams deeper in the tourney. Illinois doesn't rely on one player to win They play the best team basketball in the nation. That is why they will succeed.
This year, I wrote that the Illini make sweet music when they play together; I said they were like superheroes on the basketball court; and I even compared them to a prize fighter. Illini fans, there is only one thing left that I want to call this team - CHAMPIONS.
Sincerely,
Mike Nett
Friday, March 11, 2005
Illinois vs. NU
Illinois vs. Northwestern
Today @ 11 a.m.
When I got to work on Monday morning, I had 6 e-mails bursting at the seams ready to taunt me after my alma mater came w/in 6 seconds of a perfect season. The first email read:
O-H
And the second email read:
I-O
The third was from my boss's boss, who went to tOSU, and claimed that I owed him lunch - we didn't even bet on the game!
A Wisky alum sent the fourth email. "How about them Buckeye's?" He asked. This was well deserved because after each Illini win over Wisconsin, I pinned fresh news clippings to his bulletin board.
The fifth was from a converted Illini fan in Chicago who just wanted a reply message to make sure I was still upright.
And the sixth was from mom, telling me that 'Everything was going to be alright.'
After reading these emails, my first thought was REVENGE, but my second thought was 'WWDD'.
What Would Dee Do? Would Dee respond to this trash talking by blowing his cool? No. Would Dee pout at the end of the bench? No. Would Dee send a virus to those who mocked him? No, again. Dee would be patient. He would wait until the moment was right - when the other team was helpless to respond. He would make a steal or two. He would swish a few threes. He would turn into the One-Man-Fast-Break, crushing his opponents w/a sweet finger roll at full speed. Then, after his steal(s), or three(s), or fast-break(s) he would make one defining on-court gesture to send the Illini fans into a frenzy or demoralize the enemy crowd into a boiling silence. It might be a flying chest bump w/6'10" James Augustine, or it might be a muscle tightening scream thru his orange mouth guard. But hopefully, it would be the gesture that made the cover of Sports Illustrated this past week. The one where he lifts his jersey up w/both hands to show everyone what is written across his chest. ILLINOIS
Preview
OK. You all know Northwestern's scouting report, but I'll give you the cliff notes version in case you don't remember.
Head Coach: Bill Carmody - former Princeton Coach. He loves the backdoor (wink, wink).
Defense: Match-up zone. Attack the gaps, reverse the ball quickly, and hit the open shots.
Offense: Don't let anyone w/a funny sounding name shoot the three ball.
We smoked 'em last time at Assembly Hall. We'll smoke 'em this time at the UC.
One of my coworkers is trying to tell me that Illinois' confidence is at a season low. He prophesizes that if we don't win the Big10 tourney, then we will limp into March Madness like a wounded animal. He's a Mizzou fan. So I smile, I nod, and I say, "Have fun at the N.I.T."
If you think that Illinois will come out tentative after their loss on Sunday, then you have not been watching this team. They won 29 straight games, and they are on a quest to win 9 more. The Illini are filled to the brim w/playmakers. From 6'10" Jack Ingram to Dee Brown even to Head Coach Bruce Weber. I have no doubts that they are ready to tear the Mildcats apart.
We may be a little over-aggressive to start; and although most of you will be watching your ESPN ticker instead of the game itself, we'll probably be fast breaking at every opportunity. Deron and Luther will penetrate more than usual in this game. Attacking the basket will give Dee more room to hoist up wide open threes. Our backcourt trio will see to it that we end this game early.
Illinois - 84
NU - 60
Sincerely,
Bob Bowlsby
PS - I never did tell you how I responded to that hate mail. In my defining Dee gesture, I waited until mid-afternoon when IGP Editor Matt Spitz emailed me the new AP Poll. Illinois was still number 1. So I raised my left hand and held up my index finger high. I started humming Three-And-One (the Chief's song), and I clicked send - forwarding the new AP Poll to all of our detractors. Bring on NU. Bring on MSU. Bring on Duke, UNC, and Kansas. I'm ready for them all. I'm ready to take on the world...And so are the Illini.
Today @ 11 a.m.
When I got to work on Monday morning, I had 6 e-mails bursting at the seams ready to taunt me after my alma mater came w/in 6 seconds of a perfect season. The first email read:
O-H
And the second email read:
I-O
The third was from my boss's boss, who went to tOSU, and claimed that I owed him lunch - we didn't even bet on the game!
A Wisky alum sent the fourth email. "How about them Buckeye's?" He asked. This was well deserved because after each Illini win over Wisconsin, I pinned fresh news clippings to his bulletin board.
The fifth was from a converted Illini fan in Chicago who just wanted a reply message to make sure I was still upright.
And the sixth was from mom, telling me that 'Everything was going to be alright.'
After reading these emails, my first thought was REVENGE, but my second thought was 'WWDD'.
What Would Dee Do? Would Dee respond to this trash talking by blowing his cool? No. Would Dee pout at the end of the bench? No. Would Dee send a virus to those who mocked him? No, again. Dee would be patient. He would wait until the moment was right - when the other team was helpless to respond. He would make a steal or two. He would swish a few threes. He would turn into the One-Man-Fast-Break, crushing his opponents w/a sweet finger roll at full speed. Then, after his steal(s), or three(s), or fast-break(s) he would make one defining on-court gesture to send the Illini fans into a frenzy or demoralize the enemy crowd into a boiling silence. It might be a flying chest bump w/6'10" James Augustine, or it might be a muscle tightening scream thru his orange mouth guard. But hopefully, it would be the gesture that made the cover of Sports Illustrated this past week. The one where he lifts his jersey up w/both hands to show everyone what is written across his chest. ILLINOIS
Preview
OK. You all know Northwestern's scouting report, but I'll give you the cliff notes version in case you don't remember.
Head Coach: Bill Carmody - former Princeton Coach. He loves the backdoor (wink, wink).
Defense: Match-up zone. Attack the gaps, reverse the ball quickly, and hit the open shots.
Offense: Don't let anyone w/a funny sounding name shoot the three ball.
We smoked 'em last time at Assembly Hall. We'll smoke 'em this time at the UC.
One of my coworkers is trying to tell me that Illinois' confidence is at a season low. He prophesizes that if we don't win the Big10 tourney, then we will limp into March Madness like a wounded animal. He's a Mizzou fan. So I smile, I nod, and I say, "Have fun at the N.I.T."
If you think that Illinois will come out tentative after their loss on Sunday, then you have not been watching this team. They won 29 straight games, and they are on a quest to win 9 more. The Illini are filled to the brim w/playmakers. From 6'10" Jack Ingram to Dee Brown even to Head Coach Bruce Weber. I have no doubts that they are ready to tear the Mildcats apart.
We may be a little over-aggressive to start; and although most of you will be watching your ESPN ticker instead of the game itself, we'll probably be fast breaking at every opportunity. Deron and Luther will penetrate more than usual in this game. Attacking the basket will give Dee more room to hoist up wide open threes. Our backcourt trio will see to it that we end this game early.
Illinois - 84
NU - 60
Sincerely,
Bob Bowlsby
PS - I never did tell you how I responded to that hate mail. In my defining Dee gesture, I waited until mid-afternoon when IGP Editor Matt Spitz emailed me the new AP Poll. Illinois was still number 1. So I raised my left hand and held up my index finger high. I started humming Three-And-One (the Chief's song), and I clicked send - forwarding the new AP Poll to all of our detractors. Bring on NU. Bring on MSU. Bring on Duke, UNC, and Kansas. I'm ready for them all. I'm ready to take on the world...And so are the Illini.
Thursday, March 3, 2005
Illinois vs. Purdont'
Illinois vs. Purdon't
Tonight @ 8 p.m.
So last week I was home in Chicago having dinner w/my family, when my Illini beer swilling Uncle says, "You'll never guess who ______ saw at _____ Salon (the _____ is not to protect my sources, it's because I do not remember _____'s name or where she gets her hair cut)."
"The Donald?" I asked.
"No, a guy w/even better 'hair' than the Donald. As ______ walks into the salon she recognizes the man who passes her as he walk out. She turned to the receptionist and says, 'Do you know who that is?...That's Gene Keady.' And the receptionist says, "Yeah, he's a real nice guy...really funny. He comes here to get hair extensions for his comb-over.'"
I kid you not Illini fans.
The Boilermaker coach, who owns a scowl mean enough to make Hannibal Lector cower in fear and who sports better extensions than Beyonce Knowles, has been getting way too much press as he makes his farewell tour of the Big10. Tonight should be 100% dedicated to the 5 Illini Seniors graduating at the end of the year. Here's a small blurb on each.
Luther
When Luther Head saw action as a freshman, we all said, "Man that kid can jump; but if he throws up any more bricks, then he'll be able to build a new house for his mother (Sidney Deane, White Men Can't Jump)." Now, Luther is one of the best 3-point shooters in the nation, and is a candidate to be an All-American.
The Preacher
Best known as the only college basketball player who is an ordained minister, Roger Powell Jr. didn't reach his full potential until Bruce Weber came aboard in 2003. Since then, Powell has played w/a Charles Barkley mentality and given us more SportsCenter highlights, than any other graduating Illini.
Chainsaw
As soon as Nick Smith stepped on the court, we all new that he was the tallest player in Illinois history. W/a soft touch from the outside, we got excited every year when the newspapers reported that smith put on 30 lbs. in the off-season. By my calculation, Nick should be tipping the scales at a solid 370...he's not.
Ham Sandwich
Jack Ingram was recruited by Bill Self to Tulsa and followed Selfless to Illinois - paying his own way. As soon as Ingram became eligible last year, $elf jumped ship again for Kansas. Despite it all, Ingram has made the most of his situation, his talent, and his eligibility. I think that this is his 6th year in college, and even Coach Weber likes to kid him about it, "His patience has been tried. I joke that when I got the job, his mom called and said, 'Would you please stay for two years? My son is losing his self-esteem. Coaches leave when he comes.'
The Walk-on
Fred Nkemdi is a seldom used walk-on who says his greatest accomplishment as an athlete was the day he put on his University of Illinois Basketball jersey. In practice, he's the punching bag for our starters; but seeing Dee, Deron, and Luther jump out of their seats whenever he gets a basket shows how much a part of the team he truly is.
Thanks for all the hard work Seniors!
Preview
It has not been the type of farewell year that the ugliest coach in the college basketball was hoping. He's 7-18 on the year and 3-11 in the Big10, but every stadium that he's visited this year has presented him with a gift. Hopefully, our gift to Gene will be a good ole fashioned ass whipping. Purdon't's best player is Forward Carl Landry who tore his ACL in Saturday's loss to Minnesota. The Boilermakers will have a huge scoring and rebounding void to fill as Landry averaged 18 ppg and 7 rpg.
Without Landry, Purdon't has no one to guard The Rev. Roger Powell Jr. will go off in a big way on Senior Night. Besides being the odds on favorite to cry before the game, Powell will score off easy lay-ups and dunks set up by dishes from Dee, Deron, and Luther. Powell will hit the offensive glass w/such ferociousness that a double-double is almost guaranteed.
Illinois - 85
Purdue - 59
Sincerely,
Ham Sandwich's Goatee
Tonight @ 8 p.m.
So last week I was home in Chicago having dinner w/my family, when my Illini beer swilling Uncle says, "You'll never guess who ______ saw at _____ Salon (the _____ is not to protect my sources, it's because I do not remember _____'s name or where she gets her hair cut)."
"The Donald?" I asked.
"No, a guy w/even better 'hair' than the Donald. As ______ walks into the salon she recognizes the man who passes her as he walk out. She turned to the receptionist and says, 'Do you know who that is?...That's Gene Keady.' And the receptionist says, "Yeah, he's a real nice guy...really funny. He comes here to get hair extensions for his comb-over.'"
I kid you not Illini fans.
The Boilermaker coach, who owns a scowl mean enough to make Hannibal Lector cower in fear and who sports better extensions than Beyonce Knowles, has been getting way too much press as he makes his farewell tour of the Big10. Tonight should be 100% dedicated to the 5 Illini Seniors graduating at the end of the year. Here's a small blurb on each.
Luther
When Luther Head saw action as a freshman, we all said, "Man that kid can jump; but if he throws up any more bricks, then he'll be able to build a new house for his mother (Sidney Deane, White Men Can't Jump)." Now, Luther is one of the best 3-point shooters in the nation, and is a candidate to be an All-American.
The Preacher
Best known as the only college basketball player who is an ordained minister, Roger Powell Jr. didn't reach his full potential until Bruce Weber came aboard in 2003. Since then, Powell has played w/a Charles Barkley mentality and given us more SportsCenter highlights, than any other graduating Illini.
Chainsaw
As soon as Nick Smith stepped on the court, we all new that he was the tallest player in Illinois history. W/a soft touch from the outside, we got excited every year when the newspapers reported that smith put on 30 lbs. in the off-season. By my calculation, Nick should be tipping the scales at a solid 370...he's not.
Ham Sandwich
Jack Ingram was recruited by Bill Self to Tulsa and followed Selfless to Illinois - paying his own way. As soon as Ingram became eligible last year, $elf jumped ship again for Kansas. Despite it all, Ingram has made the most of his situation, his talent, and his eligibility. I think that this is his 6th year in college, and even Coach Weber likes to kid him about it, "His patience has been tried. I joke that when I got the job, his mom called and said, 'Would you please stay for two years? My son is losing his self-esteem. Coaches leave when he comes.'
The Walk-on
Fred Nkemdi is a seldom used walk-on who says his greatest accomplishment as an athlete was the day he put on his University of Illinois Basketball jersey. In practice, he's the punching bag for our starters; but seeing Dee, Deron, and Luther jump out of their seats whenever he gets a basket shows how much a part of the team he truly is.
Thanks for all the hard work Seniors!
Preview
It has not been the type of farewell year that the ugliest coach in the college basketball was hoping. He's 7-18 on the year and 3-11 in the Big10, but every stadium that he's visited this year has presented him with a gift. Hopefully, our gift to Gene will be a good ole fashioned ass whipping. Purdon't's best player is Forward Carl Landry who tore his ACL in Saturday's loss to Minnesota. The Boilermakers will have a huge scoring and rebounding void to fill as Landry averaged 18 ppg and 7 rpg.
Without Landry, Purdon't has no one to guard The Rev. Roger Powell Jr. will go off in a big way on Senior Night. Besides being the odds on favorite to cry before the game, Powell will score off easy lay-ups and dunks set up by dishes from Dee, Deron, and Luther. Powell will hit the offensive glass w/such ferociousness that a double-double is almost guaranteed.
Illinois - 85
Purdue - 59
Sincerely,
Ham Sandwich's Goatee
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
Illinois vs. the Mildcats
Illinois vs. Northwestern
Tonight @ 7 p.m.
Meet me at Joe's Brewery!
Mailbag
This year, your responses to the Illini Game Preview have been overwhelmingly positive. Everyone is so worked up about the Illini that the IGP mailbag is pretty darn boring. Still, I've found a few gems that I'd love to share with you. The first is from Illini Loyalist Marc Pinsof.
Netter-
On my 23rd Birthday, I stumbled out of a Lincoln Park Tavern and one of my buddies from High School mockingly pointed at Lucas Johnson who was hanging out outside, "Pinz, Lucas is such a crybaby. I can't believe you ever rooted for that guy." In my extreme drunken state, the only way I was able to defend such a comment was to proceed to do the chief dance in front of Lucas while humming the melody of “The Three-In-One” out loud. Lucas laughed, a crowd gathered, and my friends grabbed me and pulled me away from the “B” celebrity.
Pinzy
That's my boy Pinz. I love it when Illini fans do crazy stuff out of love for their home team. Here is an email from HC, BC's sister, who is currently a senior at Illinois and a member of the Orange Krush.
Last saturday i got in line at 5:30 am to get onto the floor
for the Wisconsin game. when i got there at 5:30am
there were alrady 45 other people before me. :( I got on the
floor anyways!! here's the picture of a determined orange
krusher who would do anything to get on the floor to see the
#1 illini play :).
Heather
Great picture HC…and thanks for those "other" pictures you sent as well…keep 'em coming! Here's one from my boy Parkman.
nice..i've been waiting all day for the IGP!!!! yeah
baby!!!!
rock and roll... there's trouble in MSU land!!!
Parkman
Parkman graduated from Loyola and, like me, resides in the South (Austin, TX). I've granted him an honorary Illini Degree for his ardent support of our team.
This next letter shows why you should not let your girlfriend/wife determine your favorite team
Mike-
The IZZone will be rocking tonight. My wife went to MSU so I have a tie to them. Let's put down a wager my friend. Give me 8 points and I'll take the Spartans!!
Stew
Thanks for the cash homey!!!! And thanks for the great wallpaper sent in the following email.
Nett...u like? pass it on! -Dave
Dave is a new reader but an old friend. Check out the awesome background he sent me. If you want to set this as the background of your desktop, then follow these directions. First, save this picture to your computer. Second, right click your desktop and choose properties. Third, select the desktop tab and click the Browse button. Fourth, navigate to the picture you just saved and click OK. Fifth, choose the 'march_arch' choice that was just added to the list and click OK. Sixth, show all your coworkers how cool you are. Seventh, when you coworkers start talking about UNC and Duke, tell them to jump aboard the Illini Bandwagon and commence arguing about how over-rated the ACC is.
This last email was the best of the season, and it was the greatest compliment ever paid to the Illini Game Preview.
Netter-
Whenever I get the IGP, I print it up and take it to the can. It's the best bathroom reading material ever.
Ander
I have arrived!
Preview
If I could revoke Green Cards from anyone in the U.S., then it would definitely be Northwestern's European big men who seem to go unconscious from 3-pt range whenever they play the Illini. Vedran Vukosic and Davor Duvancic each start their last name w/the same initial as their first, and each has killed the Illini during the last 2 games in Evanston. Fortunately, tonight we'll play at Assembly Hall where Illinois Head Coach Bruce Weber will probably extend his defense to prevent being hurt by the long ball.
The Mildcat match up zone will be in full effect. You better believe that coaches around the country will be basing their game strategies in the tourney on how effective NU is tonight. Likewise, if the Illini struggle on offense, then predictable columnists everywhere will write about their 'formula' for beating Illinois. However, the Illini will not provide fodder for any second rate newspapers and prove how good they are…again.
James Augustine will start the game, as he always does, by winning the tip. A combination of long range shooting and dizzying teamwork for the first 15 minutes will crescendo in a fast break dunk by Dee Brown to end the half. Yes. Yes. Dee Brown can dunk…I've seen video. Here's how it will go down: After picking T.J. Parker clean, Dee will blur down the court for a one-handed jam. No he won't cover his eyes like another famous hoopster of the same name, but he will bring all of Assembly Hall to their feet. Illini Nation will be in a tizzy. The dunk will energize his play and his team's. Dee is the prime performer tonight using a combination of shooting, passing, stealing, and dunking to lead the Illini to a late season victory.
Illinois - 70
Northwestern - 56
Sincerely,
The Anti Vitale
Tonight @ 7 p.m.
Meet me at Joe's Brewery!
Mailbag
This year, your responses to the Illini Game Preview have been overwhelmingly positive. Everyone is so worked up about the Illini that the IGP mailbag is pretty darn boring. Still, I've found a few gems that I'd love to share with you. The first is from Illini Loyalist Marc Pinsof.
Netter-
On my 23rd Birthday, I stumbled out of a Lincoln Park Tavern and one of my buddies from High School mockingly pointed at Lucas Johnson who was hanging out outside, "Pinz, Lucas is such a crybaby. I can't believe you ever rooted for that guy." In my extreme drunken state, the only way I was able to defend such a comment was to proceed to do the chief dance in front of Lucas while humming the melody of “The Three-In-One” out loud. Lucas laughed, a crowd gathered, and my friends grabbed me and pulled me away from the “B” celebrity.
Pinzy
That's my boy Pinz. I love it when Illini fans do crazy stuff out of love for their home team. Here is an email from HC, BC's sister, who is currently a senior at Illinois and a member of the Orange Krush.
Last saturday i got in line at 5:30 am to get onto the floor
for the Wisconsin game. when i got there at 5:30am
there were alrady 45 other people before me. :( I got on the
floor anyways!! here's the picture of a determined orange
krusher who would do anything to get on the floor to see the
#1 illini play :).
Heather
Great picture HC…and thanks for those "other" pictures you sent as well…keep 'em coming! Here's one from my boy Parkman.
nice..i've been waiting all day for the IGP!!!! yeah
baby!!!!
rock and roll... there's trouble in MSU land!!!
Parkman
Parkman graduated from Loyola and, like me, resides in the South (Austin, TX). I've granted him an honorary Illini Degree for his ardent support of our team.
This next letter shows why you should not let your girlfriend/wife determine your favorite team
Mike-
The IZZone will be rocking tonight. My wife went to MSU so I have a tie to them. Let's put down a wager my friend. Give me 8 points and I'll take the Spartans!!
Stew
Thanks for the cash homey!!!! And thanks for the great wallpaper sent in the following email.
Nett...u like? pass it on! -Dave
Dave is a new reader but an old friend. Check out the awesome background he sent me. If you want to set this as the background of your desktop, then follow these directions. First, save this picture to your computer. Second, right click your desktop and choose properties. Third, select the desktop tab and click the Browse button. Fourth, navigate to the picture you just saved and click OK. Fifth, choose the 'march_arch' choice that was just added to the list and click OK. Sixth, show all your coworkers how cool you are. Seventh, when you coworkers start talking about UNC and Duke, tell them to jump aboard the Illini Bandwagon and commence arguing about how over-rated the ACC is.
This last email was the best of the season, and it was the greatest compliment ever paid to the Illini Game Preview.
Netter-
Whenever I get the IGP, I print it up and take it to the can. It's the best bathroom reading material ever.
Ander
I have arrived!
Preview
If I could revoke Green Cards from anyone in the U.S., then it would definitely be Northwestern's European big men who seem to go unconscious from 3-pt range whenever they play the Illini. Vedran Vukosic and Davor Duvancic each start their last name w/the same initial as their first, and each has killed the Illini during the last 2 games in Evanston. Fortunately, tonight we'll play at Assembly Hall where Illinois Head Coach Bruce Weber will probably extend his defense to prevent being hurt by the long ball.
The Mildcat match up zone will be in full effect. You better believe that coaches around the country will be basing their game strategies in the tourney on how effective NU is tonight. Likewise, if the Illini struggle on offense, then predictable columnists everywhere will write about their 'formula' for beating Illinois. However, the Illini will not provide fodder for any second rate newspapers and prove how good they are…again.
James Augustine will start the game, as he always does, by winning the tip. A combination of long range shooting and dizzying teamwork for the first 15 minutes will crescendo in a fast break dunk by Dee Brown to end the half. Yes. Yes. Dee Brown can dunk…I've seen video. Here's how it will go down: After picking T.J. Parker clean, Dee will blur down the court for a one-handed jam. No he won't cover his eyes like another famous hoopster of the same name, but he will bring all of Assembly Hall to their feet. Illini Nation will be in a tizzy. The dunk will energize his play and his team's. Dee is the prime performer tonight using a combination of shooting, passing, stealing, and dunking to lead the Illini to a late season victory.
Illinois - 70
Northwestern - 56
Sincerely,
The Anti Vitale
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
Illinois vs. PSU
Illinois vs. Penn State
Tonight @ 7 p.m.
I'll remember the 89-72 shellacking of Gonzaga when I realized that this Illini team was really good.
I'll remember the 91-73 destruction of Wake Forest when I realized that this Illini team was really, really good.
I'll remember Luther Head's 25 point, 42 minute performance against Iowa in an overtime win.
I'll remember Ingram's two three-pointers that helped snap Wisconsin's 38 game home winning streak.
I'll remember Dee Brown tossing the ball over his head to Deron Williams who punched the ball to James Augustine for a monstrous dunk in the opening minutes of our win over Indiana.
And I'll most definitely remember Dee Brown's refuse to lose attitude in the second half of the Michigan game.
Reader, these moments will be filed away next to some other special Illini memories that I've gathered over the years. I’d like to share one with you now.
[Cue cheesy music]
It all started like bad 80's movie. Dimitry called me from Australia where he was visiting his girlfriend who was studying abroad.
"The bitch dumped me," he said dumbfounded.
"What?! How did that happen?" Dimitry started to explain how it went down, but his words faded as I hatched the greatest idea I’d ever had.
"Let's go to Dayton," I interrupted.
"Huh? You want me to fly half way around the world so that we can go watch Illinois in the first round of the NCAAs?"
"Yes."
"That's a great idea," his voice quivered
Thirty-six hours later, I picked up D at O’Hare and we drove to Dayton to watch Illinois vs Northwestern State in the first round of the 2001 NCAA Tournament. On the way I called up my friend Jared. He was President of the Orange Krush at the time and is the Co-Author of 100 Years of Illinois Basketball. We booked a room, bought tickets, and prepared for the deepest Illinois tourney run in 10 years
Friday’s game was a laugher, and after we watched the games all day Saturday, we decided to celebrate St. Patrick ’s Day in downtown Dayton. We were drinking green beer at a tented block party when I hatched my second greatest idea ever. "Fellas," I said. "Each hotel that is housing a team has an NCAA basketball banner on display. I think we need some decorations for our houses. A sparkle twinkled their eyes. At that, we were off like Dee Brown on a fast break.
We snuck into a parking garage in downtown Dayton where we untied and stole a 10 foot long NCAA banner. We stuffed it into Jared's car and Dimitry wondered aloud, "who gets to keep it?" Jared and Kevin lived together, while Dimitry and I resided at the Cottage, a huge 8-man mansion we called home. "Well, let's go get another one offered up Jared.
At our second stop, the four of us swiped a low hanging sign, and we started the hi-fiving each other as we walked back to the car. All of a sudden we heard footsteps and then, "You, you there. Stop where you are."
We took off.
I dropped the sign, and we jumped into Jared's car. He threw it into reverse when we heard a sickening THUD. Our heads snapped around to see a lanky man in cowboy boots flying in slow motion through the air. 'Oh Shit' should have been stamped on all of our foreheads as we looked at each other dumbfounded. The hotel security guard had tried to jump on the car as we were making our getaway
We got out and saw that the man was OK. We knew that he was OK because he picked himself off the payment and screamed, "Get your asses inside. I'm calling the cops and charging you four w/trespassing." We contemplated another escape, but Zed (that's what we'll call him for dramatic purposes) said, "Don't even think about it. I have your license plate number."
We sat in the hotel lobby waiting for the police when Jared started to plead our case. "Sir, we're just fans who wanted a souvenir. It's not like we got drunk and decided to go steal something." I nearly lost it.
The police strode in and things immediately started to look up. "I hear that you boys have been very naughty," said one of the cops trying to contain his laughter. The police let us off with a warning, and as we left they said, "Go have some fun,"
We were all pretty pleased until Jared saw the trunk of his car. There was a huge dent from where Ned had jumped on trying to do his best MacGyver impersonation. We called over the police and Jared showed them what had happened.
"Pop the trunk and let’s see the damage. You might be able to file charges against the hotel."
At that point, we all realized that the first sign we stole was stashed in the trunk. We were about to be caught red handed.
"Uh, Uh...let's just forget it. I don't want to push our luck," Jared told the officers.
We drove back to the hotel relieved that there would not be any jail time and happy about the story we had to tell from our trip to Dayton.
The next day, Illinois defeated Charlotte to earn a trip the Sweet Sixteen and a meeting w/Kansas.
A month after the tournament was over, we were still telling our story to anybody who would listen, when Dimitry and I received a strange package in the mail with no return address. When we opened it, we found the very banner we tried to steal in Dayton. Attached to the sign was a note from the police.
Guys,
Sometimes its better to ask then to steal.
Officer Johnson and Officer Nadel.
I know that many of you have some great Illini memories, so please send them my way. I’d love to read them, and I may even publish them in my annual IGP Mail Bag Edition.
Game Analysis
The Nittany Lions - bad .
The Fighting Illini - good
Illinois - 79
Penn State - 60
Sincerely,
The Ghost of Illini Past
Tonight @ 7 p.m.
I'll remember the 89-72 shellacking of Gonzaga when I realized that this Illini team was really good.
I'll remember the 91-73 destruction of Wake Forest when I realized that this Illini team was really, really good.
I'll remember Luther Head's 25 point, 42 minute performance against Iowa in an overtime win.
I'll remember Ingram's two three-pointers that helped snap Wisconsin's 38 game home winning streak.
I'll remember Dee Brown tossing the ball over his head to Deron Williams who punched the ball to James Augustine for a monstrous dunk in the opening minutes of our win over Indiana.
And I'll most definitely remember Dee Brown's refuse to lose attitude in the second half of the Michigan game.
Reader, these moments will be filed away next to some other special Illini memories that I've gathered over the years. I’d like to share one with you now.
[Cue cheesy music]
It all started like bad 80's movie. Dimitry called me from Australia where he was visiting his girlfriend who was studying abroad.
"The bitch dumped me," he said dumbfounded.
"What?! How did that happen?" Dimitry started to explain how it went down, but his words faded as I hatched the greatest idea I’d ever had.
"Let's go to Dayton," I interrupted.
"Huh? You want me to fly half way around the world so that we can go watch Illinois in the first round of the NCAAs?"
"Yes."
"That's a great idea," his voice quivered
Thirty-six hours later, I picked up D at O’Hare and we drove to Dayton to watch Illinois vs Northwestern State in the first round of the 2001 NCAA Tournament. On the way I called up my friend Jared. He was President of the Orange Krush at the time and is the Co-Author of 100 Years of Illinois Basketball. We booked a room, bought tickets, and prepared for the deepest Illinois tourney run in 10 years
Friday’s game was a laugher, and after we watched the games all day Saturday, we decided to celebrate St. Patrick ’s Day in downtown Dayton. We were drinking green beer at a tented block party when I hatched my second greatest idea ever. "Fellas," I said. "Each hotel that is housing a team has an NCAA basketball banner on display. I think we need some decorations for our houses. A sparkle twinkled their eyes. At that, we were off like Dee Brown on a fast break.
We snuck into a parking garage in downtown Dayton where we untied and stole a 10 foot long NCAA banner. We stuffed it into Jared's car and Dimitry wondered aloud, "who gets to keep it?" Jared and Kevin lived together, while Dimitry and I resided at the Cottage, a huge 8-man mansion we called home. "Well, let's go get another one offered up Jared.
At our second stop, the four of us swiped a low hanging sign, and we started the hi-fiving each other as we walked back to the car. All of a sudden we heard footsteps and then, "You, you there. Stop where you are."
We took off.
I dropped the sign, and we jumped into Jared's car. He threw it into reverse when we heard a sickening THUD. Our heads snapped around to see a lanky man in cowboy boots flying in slow motion through the air. 'Oh Shit' should have been stamped on all of our foreheads as we looked at each other dumbfounded. The hotel security guard had tried to jump on the car as we were making our getaway
We got out and saw that the man was OK. We knew that he was OK because he picked himself off the payment and screamed, "Get your asses inside. I'm calling the cops and charging you four w/trespassing." We contemplated another escape, but Zed (that's what we'll call him for dramatic purposes) said, "Don't even think about it. I have your license plate number."
We sat in the hotel lobby waiting for the police when Jared started to plead our case. "Sir, we're just fans who wanted a souvenir. It's not like we got drunk and decided to go steal something." I nearly lost it.
The police strode in and things immediately started to look up. "I hear that you boys have been very naughty," said one of the cops trying to contain his laughter. The police let us off with a warning, and as we left they said, "Go have some fun,"
We were all pretty pleased until Jared saw the trunk of his car. There was a huge dent from where Ned had jumped on trying to do his best MacGyver impersonation. We called over the police and Jared showed them what had happened.
"Pop the trunk and let’s see the damage. You might be able to file charges against the hotel."
At that point, we all realized that the first sign we stole was stashed in the trunk. We were about to be caught red handed.
"Uh, Uh...let's just forget it. I don't want to push our luck," Jared told the officers.
We drove back to the hotel relieved that there would not be any jail time and happy about the story we had to tell from our trip to Dayton.
The next day, Illinois defeated Charlotte to earn a trip the Sweet Sixteen and a meeting w/Kansas.
A month after the tournament was over, we were still telling our story to anybody who would listen, when Dimitry and I received a strange package in the mail with no return address. When we opened it, we found the very banner we tried to steal in Dayton. Attached to the sign was a note from the police.
Guys,
Sometimes its better to ask then to steal.
Officer Johnson and Officer Nadel.
I know that many of you have some great Illini memories, so please send them my way. I’d love to read them, and I may even publish them in my annual IGP Mail Bag Edition.
Game Analysis
The Nittany Lions - bad .
The Fighting Illini - good
Illinois - 79
Penn State - 60
Sincerely,
The Ghost of Illini Past
Tuesday, February 8, 2005
Illinois vs. Fichigan
Illinois vs. Fichigan
Tonight @ 6 p.m.
There are two undefeateds left in all of college basketball, and both will see action tonight as Illinois heads to Ann Arbor and Boston College takes on Notre Dame in South Bend. If you get a chance, flip over at the commercials because BC vs. the Fighting Irish should be a good one. Notre Dame has some phatty beads and they're going to expose BC like a college girl on Bourbon Street. And as all the sinners pass out from a night of booze and debauchery, Illinois will be the only team left w/a chance to run the table in the regular season.
Michigan
After last year's "championship" run in the Not Important Tournament (NIT), Michigan looked strong earlier this season and was poised to surprise a few teams and maybe even earn a birth in the NCAA. Unfortunately, injuries to Lester Abram (shoulder - season ending) and Graham Brown (hernia), combined w/Daniel Horton's indefinite suspension for allegedly choking his girlfriend (how many felons are we going to play this year?), the Wolverines are flat on their backs and looking up at the champ.
Abram and Horton were the team's top players, but without them Michigan has dropped their last 6 games in a row. Dion Harris (6'3" 205) has tried to fill the void at point guard, but his 9 turnovers against tOSU show his inexperience handling the rock. As a team, Michigan recorded 29 turnovers in Saturday's loss, and they have tallied 88 turnovers in the last 4 games. That has to be a record. Keep your eye on Sophomore Brent Petway (6'8" 205), the kid has big league hops and is fun to watch.
Illinois
From what I've read, the mood in the Illini locker room following Sunday's game against Indiana was so somber that you would have thought the team lost by 13 instead of won by 13. Bruce Weber said earlier in the season that Illinois doesn't have to lose in order to learn. A blow out win over Michigan should prove that tonight.
The Illini will come out w/intense 3-quarter court pressure to take advantage of Fichigan's inexperienced backcourt. They'll want to play like they did in the first five minutes of the Indiana game. Deron Williams collected 7 of his 11 assists in that opening sequence Saturday. The kid collects dimes like everyone's favorite Champaign bum "Spare Anything" on Green Street. Deron's scoring average took a hit as he only had 1 point Saturday, but I think he'll break out tonight w/a double-double…20 pts 10 dimes.
Illinois - 87
Fichigan - 69
Sincerely,
Dee's 'Fraids
Tonight @ 6 p.m.
There are two undefeateds left in all of college basketball, and both will see action tonight as Illinois heads to Ann Arbor and Boston College takes on Notre Dame in South Bend. If you get a chance, flip over at the commercials because BC vs. the Fighting Irish should be a good one. Notre Dame has some phatty beads and they're going to expose BC like a college girl on Bourbon Street. And as all the sinners pass out from a night of booze and debauchery, Illinois will be the only team left w/a chance to run the table in the regular season.
Michigan
After last year's "championship" run in the Not Important Tournament (NIT), Michigan looked strong earlier this season and was poised to surprise a few teams and maybe even earn a birth in the NCAA. Unfortunately, injuries to Lester Abram (shoulder - season ending) and Graham Brown (hernia), combined w/Daniel Horton's indefinite suspension for allegedly choking his girlfriend (how many felons are we going to play this year?), the Wolverines are flat on their backs and looking up at the champ.
Abram and Horton were the team's top players, but without them Michigan has dropped their last 6 games in a row. Dion Harris (6'3" 205) has tried to fill the void at point guard, but his 9 turnovers against tOSU show his inexperience handling the rock. As a team, Michigan recorded 29 turnovers in Saturday's loss, and they have tallied 88 turnovers in the last 4 games. That has to be a record. Keep your eye on Sophomore Brent Petway (6'8" 205), the kid has big league hops and is fun to watch.
Illinois
From what I've read, the mood in the Illini locker room following Sunday's game against Indiana was so somber that you would have thought the team lost by 13 instead of won by 13. Bruce Weber said earlier in the season that Illinois doesn't have to lose in order to learn. A blow out win over Michigan should prove that tonight.
The Illini will come out w/intense 3-quarter court pressure to take advantage of Fichigan's inexperienced backcourt. They'll want to play like they did in the first five minutes of the Indiana game. Deron Williams collected 7 of his 11 assists in that opening sequence Saturday. The kid collects dimes like everyone's favorite Champaign bum "Spare Anything" on Green Street. Deron's scoring average took a hit as he only had 1 point Saturday, but I think he'll break out tonight w/a double-double…20 pts 10 dimes.
Illinois - 87
Fichigan - 69
Sincerely,
Dee's 'Fraids
Tuesday, February 1, 2005
Illinois vs. Sparty
Illinois vs. MSU
Tonight @ 6 p.m.
OK everyone, please move to the center of your aisles. Get a little cozier w/the person next to you, and please, please refrain from smoking. Our Illini Bandwagon is filling up on its way to the Final Four, and we will probably need to pick up a few more peeps after tonight. Everyone is welcome aboard, w/the exception of Bruce Pearl, Duke fans, and Tom Coverdale. Coach Self tried sneaking on twice already, and we had to beat the bastard back w/a stick.
I've stocked the wagon w/plenty of thrills, fast breaks, and enough cans of 'Whup Ass' to last about 18 more wins. The beer is on chill, and we will be stopping for a giant block party at the Breslin Center tonight (please don't burn any couches). I know it's game day, but try to get your work done so that you can cut out a few minutes early. You'll need some extra time to put on your orange, find a seat, and grab a Brewski for the 6 o'clock tip-off. Oh,… and in case of an accident, your seat cushion can be used as a flotation device.
MSU
I hate Steve Alford, I hate Mike Davis, I hate Bo Ryan, I hate Tommy Amaker, and I hate Gene Keady; Ed Dechillis, Dan Monson, Thad Matta, and Bill Carmody do not win enough to be worthy of my hate. However, I do not hate Tom Izzo…I actually kind of like him. Our rivalry w/MSU has been one of the best in the Big10 for the past 8 years or so. It's different than the others. When we beat up our other Big10 opponents, I like for us to kick them in the ribs a few times while they are down…maybe even rub their faces in the mud or use their own arms to hit themselves and ask, "Why are you hitting yourself, why are you hitting yourself?" But our MSU rivalry is more along the lines of Arturo Gatti vs. Mickey Ward than Tupac vs. Biggy. These two pugilists fought three times totaling over 30 epic rounds of Rocky like action. Each fighter respected the other, but when the bell sounded those two went to battle.
Ding Ding
MSU is almost a mirror image of the Illini this year, they start 3 guards and their power forward is a 6'6" 'tweener. However, the Spartans are a little different from the rough and tumble teams of recent memory; they like to run and probably will not try to slow Illinois down like previous opponents. Maurice Ager stole 3-year starter Kelvin Torbert's job this season w/stellar scoring numbers 14.5 ppg and lock down defense. Expect a 40 minute battle between him and Luther Head or Deron Williams. He teams up w/hi-flyer Shannon Brown (Dee's former high school teammate) and sharp shooter Chris Hill to form a poor man's version of the Illinois backcourt.
Paul Davis is a load inside, but he sat out MSU's last game w/an ankle sprain. He reminds me of a more skilled Robert Archibald the way he uses positioning to score. He has terrific body control, but at any moment he looks like he might start to cry. My inside sources say that Weber is going to have Roger Powell guard the 6'10" Davis even though Alan Anderson seems like a perfect match-up. Anderson could give Augustine problems on the perimeter if he is aggressive in driving to the hoop.
Illinois
While MSU's home court advantage has not received the same media attention as the Kohl Center did, MSU is 95-6 at the Breslin Center over the last six seasons. They are planning a White Out for tonight's game - a knockoff of Illinois' Paint the Hall Orange - and the atmosphere should be electric. But Illinois has already proven that they are a bunch of ducks…the pressure rolls off their backs like water.
James Augustine has been awesome in the last 2 games and earned Big Ten Player of the Week for his efforts. We need a strong showing from him in the post to offset Davis' scoring for MSU. Keep racking up the dunks big man!
While Jack Ingram has been garnering some well deserved ink lately, Rich McBride has stepped up w/his own strategically placed three's and increased intensity on defense. While Jack helped to put the game away against the Badgers, it was McBride's three that start Illinois on their run I think McBride busts loose for some bombs like he did against Memphis last year. This Prime Performer will go for 11 points on 3 three-pointers tonight.
MSU is 5-1 in the Big Ten and we are 7-0, so a win tonight gives us a two game cushion and puts us in the drivers seat for the conference championship.
Illinois - 83
MSU - 79
Sincerely yours,
Fess Hawkins
Tonight @ 6 p.m.
OK everyone, please move to the center of your aisles. Get a little cozier w/the person next to you, and please, please refrain from smoking. Our Illini Bandwagon is filling up on its way to the Final Four, and we will probably need to pick up a few more peeps after tonight. Everyone is welcome aboard, w/the exception of Bruce Pearl, Duke fans, and Tom Coverdale. Coach Self tried sneaking on twice already, and we had to beat the bastard back w/a stick.
I've stocked the wagon w/plenty of thrills, fast breaks, and enough cans of 'Whup Ass' to last about 18 more wins. The beer is on chill, and we will be stopping for a giant block party at the Breslin Center tonight (please don't burn any couches). I know it's game day, but try to get your work done so that you can cut out a few minutes early. You'll need some extra time to put on your orange, find a seat, and grab a Brewski for the 6 o'clock tip-off. Oh,… and in case of an accident, your seat cushion can be used as a flotation device.
MSU
I hate Steve Alford, I hate Mike Davis, I hate Bo Ryan, I hate Tommy Amaker, and I hate Gene Keady; Ed Dechillis, Dan Monson, Thad Matta, and Bill Carmody do not win enough to be worthy of my hate. However, I do not hate Tom Izzo…I actually kind of like him. Our rivalry w/MSU has been one of the best in the Big10 for the past 8 years or so. It's different than the others. When we beat up our other Big10 opponents, I like for us to kick them in the ribs a few times while they are down…maybe even rub their faces in the mud or use their own arms to hit themselves and ask, "Why are you hitting yourself, why are you hitting yourself?" But our MSU rivalry is more along the lines of Arturo Gatti vs. Mickey Ward than Tupac vs. Biggy. These two pugilists fought three times totaling over 30 epic rounds of Rocky like action. Each fighter respected the other, but when the bell sounded those two went to battle.
Ding Ding
MSU is almost a mirror image of the Illini this year, they start 3 guards and their power forward is a 6'6" 'tweener. However, the Spartans are a little different from the rough and tumble teams of recent memory; they like to run and probably will not try to slow Illinois down like previous opponents. Maurice Ager stole 3-year starter Kelvin Torbert's job this season w/stellar scoring numbers 14.5 ppg and lock down defense. Expect a 40 minute battle between him and Luther Head or Deron Williams. He teams up w/hi-flyer Shannon Brown (Dee's former high school teammate) and sharp shooter Chris Hill to form a poor man's version of the Illinois backcourt.
Paul Davis is a load inside, but he sat out MSU's last game w/an ankle sprain. He reminds me of a more skilled Robert Archibald the way he uses positioning to score. He has terrific body control, but at any moment he looks like he might start to cry. My inside sources say that Weber is going to have Roger Powell guard the 6'10" Davis even though Alan Anderson seems like a perfect match-up. Anderson could give Augustine problems on the perimeter if he is aggressive in driving to the hoop.
Illinois
While MSU's home court advantage has not received the same media attention as the Kohl Center did, MSU is 95-6 at the Breslin Center over the last six seasons. They are planning a White Out for tonight's game - a knockoff of Illinois' Paint the Hall Orange - and the atmosphere should be electric. But Illinois has already proven that they are a bunch of ducks…the pressure rolls off their backs like water.
James Augustine has been awesome in the last 2 games and earned Big Ten Player of the Week for his efforts. We need a strong showing from him in the post to offset Davis' scoring for MSU. Keep racking up the dunks big man!
While Jack Ingram has been garnering some well deserved ink lately, Rich McBride has stepped up w/his own strategically placed three's and increased intensity on defense. While Jack helped to put the game away against the Badgers, it was McBride's three that start Illinois on their run I think McBride busts loose for some bombs like he did against Memphis last year. This Prime Performer will go for 11 points on 3 three-pointers tonight.
MSU is 5-1 in the Big Ten and we are 7-0, so a win tonight gives us a two game cushion and puts us in the drivers seat for the conference championship.
Illinois - 83
MSU - 79
Sincerely yours,
Fess Hawkins
Tuesday, January 25, 2005
Illinois vs. Wisky
Illinois vs. Wisconsin
Tonight, 8 p.m.
The Illini Game Preview (IGP) uses the same format for every issue. First, I tell a funny story, make fun of the opposing team's players/coaches, or rant about something that seemingly has nothing to do w/basketball. Then I breakdown our opponent - their strengths and their weakness. I tell you how we are going to beat them. And finally, I write about what we need to do to win. The IGP is comforting to the Illini Nation, like a knit afghan or a cup of soup when its cold outside. Well not today! There will be no bullsh!t leads or comedic anecdotes to loosen you up for this game. The Illini will be taken out of their comfort zone tonight at the Kohl Center, and I must do the same for you. Let's cut to the quick.
A Streak Will End Tonight
The Badgers bring a 38 home game winning streak into tonight's meeting w/the Fighting Illini. The Kohl Center has garnered a near mythic reputation from the media in the week leading up to this game. Bo Ryan is 53-2 in his first four seasons at Wisky, and the 17,142 fans w/tickets to tonight's game are dying to reach 54. I attended the Illinois-Kansas Sweet Sixteen Game in 2002, and my favorite characteristic of the stadium was its short walk from a healthy Madison bar scene. You better believe that the Grateful Red student section will stop for some liquid libations on their way from the dorms to the Kohl. Be on the lookout for three scantily clad UW co-eds in the front row. They get more TV time during stoppages in play than the ESPN announcers.
One of the biggest reasons for the Badgers success under Bo Ryan is their patience. They work for high percentage shots deep into the possession. Kind of like the way Muhammad Ali let his opponents punch themselves out as he played possum against the ropes, Wisconsin makes you work defensively and demoralizes you as soon as you let your guard down. The pace of this game is priority number one for the Illini. If you're ordering your third beer by the first TV timeout, then we will be OK. (There is a direct correlation between the pace of the game and how quickly you drink your beer. I've studied the phenomenon in great detail.)
Senior Wisconsin Forward Mike Wilkenson (6'8" 240) is the present day Brian Cardinal. They have a similar style of play and similar records against the Illini. Wilkenson (14.3 ppg 7.4 rpg) is a skilled PF who has great range and uses positioning to score in the post. He presents a slight match up problem for us because our big men do not defend well out on the perimeter.
Alando Tucker (6'5" 205) is the Badgers sensational sophomore who averages 14.7 ppg and buries the three-ball at a 38% clip. Tucker broke Michael Finley's vertical leap record as a Freshman; the kid owns a 40 inch vertical and plays well above the rim. He scares me the most. Tucker broke his ankle last season and injuries have hampered his play this year to date. He's a tough kid so I do not see his injuries playing a factor. PG Shariff Chambliss (6'1" 180) transferred from Penn State last season and is the Badgers third option. He is a dead-eye from three-point range, so whoever is defending him will not help on defense if another Badger breaks into the lane.
I circled two games before the season started that would be good indicators of how far this team can go come March. We already proved ourselves at home against Wake Forest, but tonight will show this teams true character. On Thursday, Iowa's shot blockers really changed the game as Roger Powell and James Augustine combined for 3 of 21 shooting. Confidence is key for each player, and I think Coach Bruce Weber will draw up some plays to give Roger and James a few early points and get them going from the start.
Luther Head has been the Illini's most consistent player to date, and he is my Prime Performer for tonight. If he is shooting well from the perimeter, then the lane will open up from his unorthodox pump fake. He is our best slasher, and we are going to need some penetration against Wisky's physical defense. Luther is playing like an All-American, and a good performance tonight will solidify his spot among the nations elite college basketball players.
Illinois - 78
Wisconsin - 75
Sincerely,
The Winning Streaks
Tonight, 8 p.m.
The Illini Game Preview (IGP) uses the same format for every issue. First, I tell a funny story, make fun of the opposing team's players/coaches, or rant about something that seemingly has nothing to do w/basketball. Then I breakdown our opponent - their strengths and their weakness. I tell you how we are going to beat them. And finally, I write about what we need to do to win. The IGP is comforting to the Illini Nation, like a knit afghan or a cup of soup when its cold outside. Well not today! There will be no bullsh!t leads or comedic anecdotes to loosen you up for this game. The Illini will be taken out of their comfort zone tonight at the Kohl Center, and I must do the same for you. Let's cut to the quick.
A Streak Will End Tonight
The Badgers bring a 38 home game winning streak into tonight's meeting w/the Fighting Illini. The Kohl Center has garnered a near mythic reputation from the media in the week leading up to this game. Bo Ryan is 53-2 in his first four seasons at Wisky, and the 17,142 fans w/tickets to tonight's game are dying to reach 54. I attended the Illinois-Kansas Sweet Sixteen Game in 2002, and my favorite characteristic of the stadium was its short walk from a healthy Madison bar scene. You better believe that the Grateful Red student section will stop for some liquid libations on their way from the dorms to the Kohl. Be on the lookout for three scantily clad UW co-eds in the front row. They get more TV time during stoppages in play than the ESPN announcers.
One of the biggest reasons for the Badgers success under Bo Ryan is their patience. They work for high percentage shots deep into the possession. Kind of like the way Muhammad Ali let his opponents punch themselves out as he played possum against the ropes, Wisconsin makes you work defensively and demoralizes you as soon as you let your guard down. The pace of this game is priority number one for the Illini. If you're ordering your third beer by the first TV timeout, then we will be OK. (There is a direct correlation between the pace of the game and how quickly you drink your beer. I've studied the phenomenon in great detail.)
Senior Wisconsin Forward Mike Wilkenson (6'8" 240) is the present day Brian Cardinal. They have a similar style of play and similar records against the Illini. Wilkenson (14.3 ppg 7.4 rpg) is a skilled PF who has great range and uses positioning to score in the post. He presents a slight match up problem for us because our big men do not defend well out on the perimeter.
Alando Tucker (6'5" 205) is the Badgers sensational sophomore who averages 14.7 ppg and buries the three-ball at a 38% clip. Tucker broke Michael Finley's vertical leap record as a Freshman; the kid owns a 40 inch vertical and plays well above the rim. He scares me the most. Tucker broke his ankle last season and injuries have hampered his play this year to date. He's a tough kid so I do not see his injuries playing a factor. PG Shariff Chambliss (6'1" 180) transferred from Penn State last season and is the Badgers third option. He is a dead-eye from three-point range, so whoever is defending him will not help on defense if another Badger breaks into the lane.
I circled two games before the season started that would be good indicators of how far this team can go come March. We already proved ourselves at home against Wake Forest, but tonight will show this teams true character. On Thursday, Iowa's shot blockers really changed the game as Roger Powell and James Augustine combined for 3 of 21 shooting. Confidence is key for each player, and I think Coach Bruce Weber will draw up some plays to give Roger and James a few early points and get them going from the start.
Luther Head has been the Illini's most consistent player to date, and he is my Prime Performer for tonight. If he is shooting well from the perimeter, then the lane will open up from his unorthodox pump fake. He is our best slasher, and we are going to need some penetration against Wisky's physical defense. Luther is playing like an All-American, and a good performance tonight will solidify his spot among the nations elite college basketball players.
Illinois - 78
Wisconsin - 75
Sincerely,
The Winning Streaks
Thursday, January 20, 2005
Illinois vs. I.O.W.A.
Illinois vs. Iowa
Tonight @ 6 p.m.
Midseason Observations
We've passed the halfway point for the 100th Year of Illini basketball, and I have a few observations that I'd like to share with you all.
Illini Observation #1. Dee Brown ditched the knee highs. Apparently, an Illini trainer pointed out that his Nike tube socks could be hurting his blood circulation and causing muscle cramps.
Illini Observation #2. Roger Powell has no neck, and it might prevent him from being drafted. If Powell had a 2" neck like most normal people, then he would be listed as 6'8" and a lock for the late 2nd round.
Illini Observation #3. Bruce Weber has some priceless facial expressions during the game. His jaw drops so low that I've seen flies enter during the first quarter and exit during the third. Most coaches have a hateful glare at the refs that says, "Wipe that sh!t out of your eyes and you might not have missed that last call." Weber's stare says, "I can't believe you actually have sh!t in your eyes ref!"
Illini Observation #4. Even the Illini fans are getting media attention. Here is an email forwarded to me by loyal reader Brad Cohen whose sister is a member of Orange Krush:
...Plus, EA Sports will be at the Assembly Hall Thursday to
shoot some footage for NCAA March Madness 2006, the popular
college basketball video game. Sometime before the Iowa
game, they plan to take video footage of Krush for the
cameos that are played when you first turn the video game
on. The crazier you dress, and the more creative you are,
the better chance YOUR face will be locked in a video game.
Illini Observation #5. We still run a few plays from the Bill $elf Era. We've scored sparingly this season off a 1-4 set (pg at top and 4 players spread across the court along the free-throw goal line) where Deron Williams passes the ball to a big man at the elbow (left or right of the free throw line) and Dee or Luther Head break back door for an easy lay-up. Last year we ran some hi-low, but I haven't noticed it at all this year.
Illini Observation #6. Orange is our new home and away color. It seems like we wear orange whenever we can. I love it! I don't think that we've worn blue the entire season.
Illini Observation #7. Coach Wayne McClain is a PIMP.
Illini Observation #8. Illinois fast breaks on made baskets just as well as they do on misses. It's like a dagger to the chest when the opposition scores a seemingly big basket, and Dee or Deron pushes the ball to answer back in 2 seconds.
I.O.W.A. (Idiots Out Wandering Around)
Iowa starts a 3-guard backcourt that is more than excited to benchmark their skills against the #1 team in the nation. Junior Jeff Horner runs the point for the Hawkeyes and he plays a steady all around game. He is 2nd in the Big 10 behind Deron Williams in assists w/5.75 apg, and he scores 14ppg. Adam Haluska is a 6'5" transfer from Iowa State. Haluska holds numerous track records in the state of Iowa, and he can shoot the 3. Pierre Pierce is probably the scariest of all three (He had a run in w/the as a freshman year and was suspended for the year. Though he took a red-shirt and the punishment for his crime has turned out to be a blessing for his game.) Pierce averages 18 ppg, but he only shoots 52% from the charity strip, and he turns the ball over four times a game. Pierce dropped 26 on us last year in their win at Carver-Hawkeye, so I anticipate Deron or Luther playing particularly close attention to this slasher.
Warning: If the commentators start talking about Steve Alford's wife, avert your eyes from the television screen. She brings ugly to a new level.
Illinois
Every week it gets harder and harder to pick my Prime Performer because everyone is playing so well…I even picked Coach Weber as my Prime Performer last week because I couldn't decide. the papers are confused as well; USA today had a picture of each of our stellar guards on the cover of today's sports. I'll go w/the Rev tonight because I don't think Iowa's big men, though tall, have the heart to hang w/Powell. He'll score most of his hoops on second chance opportunities, but I'd like to see him get more touches in the post than he's been getting.
U of I - 75
U of I - 65
I think you all know which one is the Illini.
Sincerely,
Dee's Old Tube Socks
P.S. I hate Steve Alford!
Tonight @ 6 p.m.
Midseason Observations
We've passed the halfway point for the 100th Year of Illini basketball, and I have a few observations that I'd like to share with you all.
Illini Observation #1. Dee Brown ditched the knee highs. Apparently, an Illini trainer pointed out that his Nike tube socks could be hurting his blood circulation and causing muscle cramps.
Illini Observation #2. Roger Powell has no neck, and it might prevent him from being drafted. If Powell had a 2" neck like most normal people, then he would be listed as 6'8" and a lock for the late 2nd round.
Illini Observation #3. Bruce Weber has some priceless facial expressions during the game. His jaw drops so low that I've seen flies enter during the first quarter and exit during the third. Most coaches have a hateful glare at the refs that says, "Wipe that sh!t out of your eyes and you might not have missed that last call." Weber's stare says, "I can't believe you actually have sh!t in your eyes ref!"
Illini Observation #4. Even the Illini fans are getting media attention. Here is an email forwarded to me by loyal reader Brad Cohen whose sister is a member of Orange Krush:
...Plus, EA Sports will be at the Assembly Hall Thursday to
shoot some footage for NCAA March Madness 2006, the popular
college basketball video game. Sometime before the Iowa
game, they plan to take video footage of Krush for the
cameos that are played when you first turn the video game
on. The crazier you dress, and the more creative you are,
the better chance YOUR face will be locked in a video game.
Illini Observation #5. We still run a few plays from the Bill $elf Era. We've scored sparingly this season off a 1-4 set (pg at top and 4 players spread across the court along the free-throw goal line) where Deron Williams passes the ball to a big man at the elbow (left or right of the free throw line) and Dee or Luther Head break back door for an easy lay-up. Last year we ran some hi-low, but I haven't noticed it at all this year.
Illini Observation #6. Orange is our new home and away color. It seems like we wear orange whenever we can. I love it! I don't think that we've worn blue the entire season.
Illini Observation #7. Coach Wayne McClain is a PIMP.
Illini Observation #8. Illinois fast breaks on made baskets just as well as they do on misses. It's like a dagger to the chest when the opposition scores a seemingly big basket, and Dee or Deron pushes the ball to answer back in 2 seconds.
I.O.W.A. (Idiots Out Wandering Around)
Iowa starts a 3-guard backcourt that is more than excited to benchmark their skills against the #1 team in the nation. Junior Jeff Horner runs the point for the Hawkeyes and he plays a steady all around game. He is 2nd in the Big 10 behind Deron Williams in assists w/5.75 apg, and he scores 14ppg. Adam Haluska is a 6'5" transfer from Iowa State. Haluska holds numerous track records in the state of Iowa, and he can shoot the 3. Pierre Pierce is probably the scariest of all three (He had a run in w/the as a freshman year and was suspended for the year. Though he took a red-shirt and the punishment for his crime has turned out to be a blessing for his game.) Pierce averages 18 ppg, but he only shoots 52% from the charity strip, and he turns the ball over four times a game. Pierce dropped 26 on us last year in their win at Carver-Hawkeye, so I anticipate Deron or Luther playing particularly close attention to this slasher.
Warning: If the commentators start talking about Steve Alford's wife, avert your eyes from the television screen. She brings ugly to a new level.
Illinois
Every week it gets harder and harder to pick my Prime Performer because everyone is playing so well…I even picked Coach Weber as my Prime Performer last week because I couldn't decide. the papers are confused as well; USA today had a picture of each of our stellar guards on the cover of today's sports. I'll go w/the Rev tonight because I don't think Iowa's big men, though tall, have the heart to hang w/Powell. He'll score most of his hoops on second chance opportunities, but I'd like to see him get more touches in the post than he's been getting.
U of I - 75
U of I - 65
I think you all know which one is the Illini.
Sincerely,
Dee's Old Tube Socks
P.S. I hate Steve Alford!
Friday, January 14, 2005
Illinois vs. the Mildcats
Illinois vs. Northwestern
Tomorrow @ 3:30
Back-Story
It was a year ago today when Illinois fell to Northwestern in Evanston by a score of 70-60, dropping the Illini to 1-2 in the Big10. The following day in practice, Head Coach Bruce Weber kicked his team out of the Ubben B-ball Facility because he was disgusted w/their effort. But after a players only team meeting, the young Illini begged Weber to come back on the court and finish the day. Since then, Weber hasn't stopped coaching, and the Illini haven't stopped listening.
The Mildcats
Northwestern played a match-up zone that gave the Illini fits during both meetings of the 2003-2004 season. I remember watching from the bleachers of Welsh Ryan Arena; the Mildcats packed it in, and we did not have an answer. We could not shoot from the outside and we could not work the ball into the paint. But on Wednesday night Illinois hit a school record 15 three-pointers. Penn State's zone was so bad that it made me realize that our football team's defense might not be the worst in the Big10. Every Illini player scored.
(Sidebar: Why the hell was PSU playing zone? They were begging the Illini players to shoot the three. If anyone can give me a somewhat logical reason, I'd love to hear it. Ed DeChellis = DUMB! Most coaches might have called off the zone after the Illini hit five three pointers or maybe even ten three-pointers. I told you guys that Penn State should be kicked out of the Big 10.)
Northwestern's Princeton style offense (Head Coach Bill Carmody coached for the Tigers from 1996-2000) is led by speedster TJ Parker. TJ's brother Tony plays for the San Antonio Spurs and kicked TJ's ass every time they ever played 1-on-1. Parker's favorite target is Vedran Vukusic (6'8" 245 lbs.) who is averaging 16.7 pts and 4.9 boards a game. Vukusic is an agile big man who can step back and shoot the three.
Rounding out NU's scoring is 6'10" Mike Thompson. Thompson is a former McD's All-American and Duke transfer from Joliet, IL. Don't worry, though, Thompson averaged 1.8 pts/game in his 1.5 year career at Duke. He's bumped his scoring average up to 12.4 a game, but he still has not lived up to the hype surrounding him out of high school. Thompson was heavily recruited by the Illini; and when he opted for Duke, Illinois gave his scholarship to Junior James Augustine. I'd say that this worked out favorably for the Illini.
Illinois
I read a great quote on ESPN.com yesterday, "Illinois and Lebron James are showing the youth of today how basketball should be played." So true...so true. Weber has turned his guys into chess players. They see buckets two and three passes into the future. I love it.
Dee Brown looks forward to every game scheduled in Chicago (Evanston is close enough), and I am willing to bet that Welsh-Ryan will be at least 50% Orange tomorrow night. I heard tickets were so hard to come by that NU had to turn down Senator Barak Obama at the ticket office. The Senator is a smart guy, so I assume that he is an Illini fan.
Last year Carmody won the Big Ten Coach of the Year honors for having a .500 season. The honor should have gone to Coach Weber. So my prime performer tomorrow is Da Coach, showing us who should be this year's Big Ten Coach of the Year.
Illinois - 74
Mildcats - 62
Sincerely,
Fred Nkemdi's Vertical
Tomorrow @ 3:30
Back-Story
It was a year ago today when Illinois fell to Northwestern in Evanston by a score of 70-60, dropping the Illini to 1-2 in the Big10. The following day in practice, Head Coach Bruce Weber kicked his team out of the Ubben B-ball Facility because he was disgusted w/their effort. But after a players only team meeting, the young Illini begged Weber to come back on the court and finish the day. Since then, Weber hasn't stopped coaching, and the Illini haven't stopped listening.
The Mildcats
Northwestern played a match-up zone that gave the Illini fits during both meetings of the 2003-2004 season. I remember watching from the bleachers of Welsh Ryan Arena; the Mildcats packed it in, and we did not have an answer. We could not shoot from the outside and we could not work the ball into the paint. But on Wednesday night Illinois hit a school record 15 three-pointers. Penn State's zone was so bad that it made me realize that our football team's defense might not be the worst in the Big10. Every Illini player scored.
(Sidebar: Why the hell was PSU playing zone? They were begging the Illini players to shoot the three. If anyone can give me a somewhat logical reason, I'd love to hear it. Ed DeChellis = DUMB! Most coaches might have called off the zone after the Illini hit five three pointers or maybe even ten three-pointers. I told you guys that Penn State should be kicked out of the Big 10.)
Northwestern's Princeton style offense (Head Coach Bill Carmody coached for the Tigers from 1996-2000) is led by speedster TJ Parker. TJ's brother Tony plays for the San Antonio Spurs and kicked TJ's ass every time they ever played 1-on-1. Parker's favorite target is Vedran Vukusic (6'8" 245 lbs.) who is averaging 16.7 pts and 4.9 boards a game. Vukusic is an agile big man who can step back and shoot the three.
Rounding out NU's scoring is 6'10" Mike Thompson. Thompson is a former McD's All-American and Duke transfer from Joliet, IL. Don't worry, though, Thompson averaged 1.8 pts/game in his 1.5 year career at Duke. He's bumped his scoring average up to 12.4 a game, but he still has not lived up to the hype surrounding him out of high school. Thompson was heavily recruited by the Illini; and when he opted for Duke, Illinois gave his scholarship to Junior James Augustine. I'd say that this worked out favorably for the Illini.
Illinois
I read a great quote on ESPN.com yesterday, "Illinois and Lebron James are showing the youth of today how basketball should be played." So true...so true. Weber has turned his guys into chess players. They see buckets two and three passes into the future. I love it.
Dee Brown looks forward to every game scheduled in Chicago (Evanston is close enough), and I am willing to bet that Welsh-Ryan will be at least 50% Orange tomorrow night. I heard tickets were so hard to come by that NU had to turn down Senator Barak Obama at the ticket office. The Senator is a smart guy, so I assume that he is an Illini fan.
Last year Carmody won the Big Ten Coach of the Year honors for having a .500 season. The honor should have gone to Coach Weber. So my prime performer tomorrow is Da Coach, showing us who should be this year's Big Ten Coach of the Year.
Illinois - 74
Mildcats - 62
Sincerely,
Fred Nkemdi's Vertical
Wednesday, January 12, 2005
Illinois vs. PSU
Illinois vs. Penn State
Tonight @ 8 p.m.
Chalk Talk
On Saturday, I was watching the Illinois-Purdue game w/a few friends (all named Bud), and I was less than impressed w/our defense. The announcers kept babbling about field goal percentage, but when Purdue scored on dunk after lay-up after dunk - they should have called out our defense.
Both tOSU and Purdon't exposed an Illini weakness, the way we defend picks. If a guard picks a guard, then our players switch. But if a big man picks for a guard, then our bigs hedge and trap. Lets use an example (I wanted to borrow John Madden's telestrator for this, but the fat bastard says its for football only), if Augustine's man picks Dee, then Augie will slide up to cut off the ball handler (called hedging) and Dee will double the ball. tOSU and Purdon't employed two different strategies to combat our 'hedge and double'. The tOSU guards did a great job of going inside our hedge and splitting the double team before it could set up. In Saturday's game, after the Purdon't big men set their picks, they rolled straight to the basket. Purdon't's guards passed around the double team (creating a 4-on-3) and the ball was skipped to the paint before we could rotate over. Good coaching. Fortunately, we have a Grand Master on our team, and during both games there was a noticeable difference in execution from the first half to the second half. Weber's ability to change what is working and what is not working will win us several games over the long haul.
Penn State
Penn State should really be kicked out of the Big10. The only thing I like about this team is the name of their head coach - Ed DeChellis. Doesn't that just role of your tongue? Ed DeChellis. Say it with me, "Ed DeChellis". You shouldn't call him 'Ed' or 'DeChellis'. It has to come together...almost like one word Ed-DeChellis. Penn State's floor leader is Junior Forward Aaron Johnson (6'9" 240 lbs.) who averages 15 points and 10.3 boards a game. The man is huge. Not like BD, Dimitry, or James Dolan during their "fat years", but big enough so that he probably has to walk sideways down an airplane's center aisle.
Penn State's guards would probably have a hard time winning on the 1 court at IMPE, so I expect lots of steals and a bunch of points in transition. Let's show Nick Smith some love tonight folks. I know that many of you cringe when touches the ball, but Nick was crucial in wins over Purdue and Indiana last year. We will need him down the road, so let's get the boy on track. I expect to see a mix of mid range set shots and a few post moves for "The Chainsaw". He's my gamer for tonight.
Illinois - 85
Penn State - 62
Sincerely,
"Ed DeChellis"
"Ed DeChellis"
"Ed DeChellis"
"Ed DeChellis"
"Ed DeChellis"
"Ed DeChellis"
Tonight @ 8 p.m.
Chalk Talk
On Saturday, I was watching the Illinois-Purdue game w/a few friends (all named Bud), and I was less than impressed w/our defense. The announcers kept babbling about field goal percentage, but when Purdue scored on dunk after lay-up after dunk - they should have called out our defense.
Both tOSU and Purdon't exposed an Illini weakness, the way we defend picks. If a guard picks a guard, then our players switch. But if a big man picks for a guard, then our bigs hedge and trap. Lets use an example (I wanted to borrow John Madden's telestrator for this, but the fat bastard says its for football only), if Augustine's man picks Dee, then Augie will slide up to cut off the ball handler (called hedging) and Dee will double the ball. tOSU and Purdon't employed two different strategies to combat our 'hedge and double'. The tOSU guards did a great job of going inside our hedge and splitting the double team before it could set up. In Saturday's game, after the Purdon't big men set their picks, they rolled straight to the basket. Purdon't's guards passed around the double team (creating a 4-on-3) and the ball was skipped to the paint before we could rotate over. Good coaching. Fortunately, we have a Grand Master on our team, and during both games there was a noticeable difference in execution from the first half to the second half. Weber's ability to change what is working and what is not working will win us several games over the long haul.
Penn State
Penn State should really be kicked out of the Big10. The only thing I like about this team is the name of their head coach - Ed DeChellis. Doesn't that just role of your tongue? Ed DeChellis. Say it with me, "Ed DeChellis". You shouldn't call him 'Ed' or 'DeChellis'. It has to come together...almost like one word Ed-DeChellis. Penn State's floor leader is Junior Forward Aaron Johnson (6'9" 240 lbs.) who averages 15 points and 10.3 boards a game. The man is huge. Not like BD, Dimitry, or James Dolan during their "fat years", but big enough so that he probably has to walk sideways down an airplane's center aisle.
Penn State's guards would probably have a hard time winning on the 1 court at IMPE, so I expect lots of steals and a bunch of points in transition. Let's show Nick Smith some love tonight folks. I know that many of you cringe when touches the ball, but Nick was crucial in wins over Purdue and Indiana last year. We will need him down the road, so let's get the boy on track. I expect to see a mix of mid range set shots and a few post moves for "The Chainsaw". He's my gamer for tonight.
Illinois - 85
Penn State - 62
Sincerely,
"Ed DeChellis"
"Ed DeChellis"
"Ed DeChellis"
"Ed DeChellis"
"Ed DeChellis"
"Ed DeChellis"
Wednesday, January 5, 2005
Illinois vs. tOSU
Illinois vs. tOSU
Tonight @ 8 p.m. on ESPN+
They stand for peace, justice, and the fast-break. This year's Fighting Illini remind me more of the X-Men or the Justice League than your run of the mill #1 ranked college b-ball powerhouse. Bruce Weber is the bald guy in a wheel chair and mastermind behind the Illini's scorching start. Heck w/nicknames like The Preacher (Roger Powell), The Human Fast Break (Dee Brown), and Chainsaw (Nick Smith) they damn well should be on the cover of a comic book. Even our home court fits the bill. Assembly Hall looks like a space ship from the planet Titan and serves as an appropriate lair for this squad of super heroes.
The New Years' Eve Episode of The Fighting Illini showed our heroes trouncing THUG-ins and Co. 67-45. During tonight's game, the Illini will move from blue-collar crime to white-collar crime...think more Kenneth Lay and Martha Stewart than your neighborhood dope dealer.
During the summer former Head Coach Jim O'Brien was fired for giving $6000 to a tOSU recruit, Aleksander Radejovic. Yes, the Buckeye hoops program is dirty (they are banned from postseason play in 2005), but the football team makes me want to take a shower whenever I read about them. Last season football sensation Maurice Clarrett alleged that boosters arranged for him to receive passing grades, cash, loaner cars, and whatever else he wanted. This season the Muckeyes had to suspend quarterback Troy Smith for accepting cash gifts from a booster.
tOSU must pay!!!...Illini style.
Despite being Big10 doormats last year, ex-Xavier Coach Thad Matta has led his team to an 11-2 record w/impressive wins over Robert Morris and Morehead State (sarcasm). Their best player is big man Terrance Dials (6'9" 255lbs.), who is averaging 16 pts, 9 boards, and 3 cheeseburgers a game. Former McDonald's All-American Ivan Harris and Clemson transfer Tony Stockman could pose a threat tonight...but I doubt it.
Deron Williams seems to be a bit out of sync so far this season. His mid-range game was on the $$$ Friday, and I expect his success to continue against tOSU.
Illinois - 72
Evil - 59
Sincerely,
Clark Kent
Tonight @ 8 p.m. on ESPN+
They stand for peace, justice, and the fast-break. This year's Fighting Illini remind me more of the X-Men or the Justice League than your run of the mill #1 ranked college b-ball powerhouse. Bruce Weber is the bald guy in a wheel chair and mastermind behind the Illini's scorching start. Heck w/nicknames like The Preacher (Roger Powell), The Human Fast Break (Dee Brown), and Chainsaw (Nick Smith) they damn well should be on the cover of a comic book. Even our home court fits the bill. Assembly Hall looks like a space ship from the planet Titan and serves as an appropriate lair for this squad of super heroes.
The New Years' Eve Episode of The Fighting Illini showed our heroes trouncing THUG-ins and Co. 67-45. During tonight's game, the Illini will move from blue-collar crime to white-collar crime...think more Kenneth Lay and Martha Stewart than your neighborhood dope dealer.
During the summer former Head Coach Jim O'Brien was fired for giving $6000 to a tOSU recruit, Aleksander Radejovic. Yes, the Buckeye hoops program is dirty (they are banned from postseason play in 2005), but the football team makes me want to take a shower whenever I read about them. Last season football sensation Maurice Clarrett alleged that boosters arranged for him to receive passing grades, cash, loaner cars, and whatever else he wanted. This season the Muckeyes had to suspend quarterback Troy Smith for accepting cash gifts from a booster.
tOSU must pay!!!...Illini style.
Despite being Big10 doormats last year, ex-Xavier Coach Thad Matta has led his team to an 11-2 record w/impressive wins over Robert Morris and Morehead State (sarcasm). Their best player is big man Terrance Dials (6'9" 255lbs.), who is averaging 16 pts, 9 boards, and 3 cheeseburgers a game. Former McDonald's All-American Ivan Harris and Clemson transfer Tony Stockman could pose a threat tonight...but I doubt it.
Deron Williams seems to be a bit out of sync so far this season. His mid-range game was on the $$$ Friday, and I expect his success to continue against tOSU.
Illinois - 72
Evil - 59
Sincerely,
Clark Kent
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