Illini Game Preview
6 p.m. @ Joe's...$2 pitchers!
Let me know if you're going to make it.
The Retail Squeeze
Friend of the program Mark Pinsof was in attendance at Sunday's 62-53 win versus Eastern Michigan. He reported that Jamar Smith and Brian Randle jerseys were on clearance. "No one is buying," texted Pinsof.
You thought that was funny...
Ahead by 21 points in the 1st half, the Loosiers choked away a big time lead at home to Lipscomb. No that is not a typo...Lipscomb. Never heard of them?...neither had I. The Lipscomb Bison are in the Atlantic Sun, but it's not like they are a solid D1 team. The Bison are 5-6 with losses to Elom and Samford (not Stanford). The IU train wreck is hilarious. I expect these guys to be the Detroit Lions of the Big 10.
Purdon't
Illinois opens up Big10 play against this year's league favorite - Purdon't. The Boilermakers are returning a majority of its starters from a squad that went 25-9 last season. We played the Choo-Choo's three times in 07'-'08 (we lost twice), and their defense during both regular season losses was outstanding. Junior Guard Chris Kramer is a shorter version of Lucas Johnson, averaging 2.3 steals per game and 3.5 charge-flops per game(unofficial statistic). Illini Guard Demetri McCamey must take good care of the pill tonight.
Both teams will have to work for every basket. If the Illini can limit turnovers, and capitalize on Purdon't overplaying the lanes, Illinois will have a shot. Mike Davis was non-existent Sunday, and I expect him to be open in the high post and on the short corners to hit his feathery J.
Illinois - 59
PurWon't - 58
Sincerely,
Freakin' Libscomb!
Monday, December 29, 2008
Monday, December 22, 2008
Illinois vs. Misery
Illinois Game Preview
Tonight vs. Misery
6:30 pm @ Joe’s
Let me know if you’re gonna make it.
Man is it cold outside. It is so cold that my nose hairs froze together while walking to work, and my nuts didn’t descend from my abdominal cavity until lunchtime. I even saw a penguin walking along Lower Wacker. But it didn’t stop Bears Fans from tailgating all day. Here is a conversation relayed to me from two coworkers who went to last night’s game.
Coworker A: “We got tickets. Lisa, Heather, and I are going.”
Coworker B: “Cool. What time are you guys heading over there?”
Coworker A: “We’re going to start layering at 4 and head over to the bar around 4:30. We’ll de-layer at the bar from 5 to 5:15, drink beers from 5:15 to 6:30, re-layer from 6:30 to 7:15, and get to the game by 7:30.”
Coworker B: “Why is it going to take you 30 minutes to layer the first time and 45 minutes to re-layer the second time?”
Coworker A: “Because we are going be drinking heavily between layering session 1 and layering session 2. What time are you heading to the game?”
Coworker B: “We are going to start tailgating at 2.”
Coworker A: “Are you crazy?!”
Coworker B: “Maybe a little crazy, maybe a little dumb.”
Coworker A: “Maybe a lot dumb.”
I am happy to say that Coworker B reported back to work today with only a minor case of frostbite (they told me the beer froze before their eyes if they didn't drink if fast enough) and a huge hangover ...but it was well worth it.
Detroit
As cold as it is outside, the Illini were scorching hot shooting the ball against Detroit on Saturday. The team shot 65% from the field and broke the 80 point mark for the second straight time. That’s not to say that the Illini were not without problems. Both Mike Davis and Demetri McCamey were held out of the starting line-up in the 2nd half because Head Coach Bruce Weber did not think the duo was playing hard every play.
Mizz (0-8 in the last 8 games against Illinois) ouri
The atmosphere for the Braggin’ Rights Game is as intense as it gets this early in the season. Former Illini Guard Doug Altenberger tells the following story of his first Bragging Rights Game:
"My freshman year (in 1982), I remember breaking my nose in the second half and Rod (Cardinal, longtime athletics trainer) shoving two cotton balls in my nostrils and telling Lou (Henson) I was ready to go back in. Dazed and confused, I finished the game but couldn't tell you much, only that we won. Lou will tell you I didn't know who to guard, either." (Check out Paul Klee of the News Gazette to read more Bragging Rights anecdotes http://www.illinihq.com/news/mens_basketball/2008/12/22/former_illini_weigh_in_on_braggin_rights_streak/ )
I’ve never been to a Braggin’ Rights Basketball Game, but I did go to the Bragging Rights Football Game earlier this year. We went for Spitzer’s bachelor party, and we tailgated from 11 until kick-off (8 pm). To pass the time, we played drinking golf (email me if you are interested in hearing our rules), and made Spitzer dress for the occasion.
The Illini have won 8 straight against the Tigers, and we are winning the series 26-12. Misery is 9-1 to start the season, and they are averaging 86.3 points per game. Head Coach Mike Anderson likes to play zone, but if Illinois can shoot like it did on Saturday, the zone will be short lived.
The frontcourt is the heart and soul of Missouri’s team. Demare Carroll and Leo Lyons average 34 points and 15 rebounds combined. Illinois has had big problems handling big teams on the boards this year. Limiting Missouri to second chance tries will be pivotal.
Chester Frazier has shown a much improved jumper over the last 10 games, shooting 40% from behind the stripe (12-30). His intensity leads the way emotionally for the Illini, and I expect him to come up big during the last Braggin’ Rights Game of his career.
Illinois – 75
Misery – 72
Sincerely,
Alex Brown's vertical
PS…The result of last week’s poll: Where will the Illini finish in the Big10 this year? 2nd place – 2 peeps, 3rd place – 2 peeps, 4th place – 8 peeps, 5th place – 5 peeps, and 6thplace – 1 peep. According to the IGP audience, we’ll be a bubble team at the very worst. That’s another reason why tonight’s game is so important. We need a solid non-conference win to polish up our tourney resume.
Tonight vs. Misery
6:30 pm @ Joe’s
Let me know if you’re gonna make it.
Man is it cold outside. It is so cold that my nose hairs froze together while walking to work, and my nuts didn’t descend from my abdominal cavity until lunchtime. I even saw a penguin walking along Lower Wacker. But it didn’t stop Bears Fans from tailgating all day. Here is a conversation relayed to me from two coworkers who went to last night’s game.
Coworker A: “We got tickets. Lisa, Heather, and I are going.”
Coworker B: “Cool. What time are you guys heading over there?”
Coworker A: “We’re going to start layering at 4 and head over to the bar around 4:30. We’ll de-layer at the bar from 5 to 5:15, drink beers from 5:15 to 6:30, re-layer from 6:30 to 7:15, and get to the game by 7:30.”
Coworker B: “Why is it going to take you 30 minutes to layer the first time and 45 minutes to re-layer the second time?”
Coworker A: “Because we are going be drinking heavily between layering session 1 and layering session 2. What time are you heading to the game?”
Coworker B: “We are going to start tailgating at 2.”
Coworker A: “Are you crazy?!”
Coworker B: “Maybe a little crazy, maybe a little dumb.”
Coworker A: “Maybe a lot dumb.”
I am happy to say that Coworker B reported back to work today with only a minor case of frostbite (they told me the beer froze before their eyes if they didn't drink if fast enough) and a huge hangover ...but it was well worth it.
Detroit
As cold as it is outside, the Illini were scorching hot shooting the ball against Detroit on Saturday. The team shot 65% from the field and broke the 80 point mark for the second straight time. That’s not to say that the Illini were not without problems. Both Mike Davis and Demetri McCamey were held out of the starting line-up in the 2nd half because Head Coach Bruce Weber did not think the duo was playing hard every play.
Mizz (0-8 in the last 8 games against Illinois) ouri
The atmosphere for the Braggin’ Rights Game is as intense as it gets this early in the season. Former Illini Guard Doug Altenberger tells the following story of his first Bragging Rights Game:
"My freshman year (in 1982), I remember breaking my nose in the second half and Rod (Cardinal, longtime athletics trainer) shoving two cotton balls in my nostrils and telling Lou (Henson) I was ready to go back in. Dazed and confused, I finished the game but couldn't tell you much, only that we won. Lou will tell you I didn't know who to guard, either." (Check out Paul Klee of the News Gazette to read more Bragging Rights anecdotes http://www.illinihq.com/news/mens_basketball/2008/12/22/former_illini_weigh_in_on_braggin_rights_streak/ )
I’ve never been to a Braggin’ Rights Basketball Game, but I did go to the Bragging Rights Football Game earlier this year. We went for Spitzer’s bachelor party, and we tailgated from 11 until kick-off (8 pm). To pass the time, we played drinking golf (email me if you are interested in hearing our rules), and made Spitzer dress for the occasion.
Spitzer is the only person to be pictured twice in the IGP. If you’ll remember, around the same time last year, Spitzer and I barged in on the Clown Bar Crawl where Spitzer was accosted by the “Billy Joel Clown”.
The Illini have won 8 straight against the Tigers, and we are winning the series 26-12. Misery is 9-1 to start the season, and they are averaging 86.3 points per game. Head Coach Mike Anderson likes to play zone, but if Illinois can shoot like it did on Saturday, the zone will be short lived.
The frontcourt is the heart and soul of Missouri’s team. Demare Carroll and Leo Lyons average 34 points and 15 rebounds combined. Illinois has had big problems handling big teams on the boards this year. Limiting Missouri to second chance tries will be pivotal.
Chester Frazier has shown a much improved jumper over the last 10 games, shooting 40% from behind the stripe (12-30). His intensity leads the way emotionally for the Illini, and I expect him to come up big during the last Braggin’ Rights Game of his career.
Illinois – 75
Misery – 72
Sincerely,
Alex Brown's vertical
PS…The result of last week’s poll: Where will the Illini finish in the Big10 this year? 2nd place – 2 peeps, 3rd place – 2 peeps, 4th place – 8 peeps, 5th place – 5 peeps, and 6thplace – 1 peep. According to the IGP audience, we’ll be a bubble team at the very worst. That’s another reason why tonight’s game is so important. We need a solid non-conference win to polish up our tourney resume.
Friday, December 19, 2008
IGP: Illinois vs. Rock City
Illinois Game Preview
Tomorrow vs. Rock City
7pm @ The Yard
Let me know if you're interested
Moving in a terrible housing market
With interest rates reaching 37 year lows, the IGP bought a little piece of internet property yesterday. Come visit us at our new address: http://www.illinigamepreview.com/. Beer is the only acceptable house warming present.
Be sure to sign up as an IGP follower.
Hoosier Dank
Long time reader and newly hired field reporter HC, e-mailed me a story yesterday explaining why the Loosiers fell apart last season after starting with only 1 loss in their first 18 games. Drugs. If I were a Hoosier, I would self medicate as well.
Former guard Eric Gordon said that the team was splintered because half liked to smoke up, and the other half…was studying. I have no idea what would posses Gordon to talk about this; but he does bring to light how easy it is for a team to screw up its chemistry, especially a team made up of 18 to 21 year olds.
Last year’s Illini team might have been in a similar place – though not pulled apart by drugs. Ego is a better explanation. We all praised and cursed Senior Center Shaun Pruitt the entire year. The swearing was loudest when Pruitt blew 3 free throws that each would have sealed the game against the aforementioned Hoosiers. This was the only time all year that I felt sorry for Big Shaun (the IGP is very empathetic).
Any other time I watched Pruitt, he was pouting at the refs, his teammates, or his coaches – sometimes all at once. Pruitt was not a great team player; but being a senior, he was viewed as a leader – one who I would have found uninspiring and difficult to follow. We didn’t have high expectations for last year’s team, but a lack of team chemistry definitely lead to an underachieving season.
What about this year?
The Hoosiers won’t have to blame drug use for this year’s crappy season. They have no talent, and they will suck. They’ve already lost 5 games, and it will be their fans who smoke copious amounts of weed in 08/09.
What about this year?...for the Illini!
From all accounts I’ve read, the team gets along far better this year. The top sophomore in the state of Illinois, Tracy Abrams, recently committed to Illinois (great news) and said “The players [at Illinois] were like family, it was an atmosphere that I want to be a part of.” Even more important, the guys looks more like a team than they have in the last 3 years.
Although the competition has been light so far, I like watching this team play. Last year, the Illini lead most games heading into the second half…then they tightened up and blew it (see Shaun Pruitt in paragraph 5 of today’s IGP). This year, with the exception of Clemson, Illinois has shown tremendous heart. Heart makes up for a lot in college basketball.
Rock City
Detroit is 3-6 and nothing more than a warm-up before the Illinois heads to St. Louis for the annual Bragging Rights Game against Missouri. Now that finals are over, sophomore transfer Alex Legion is eligible to play for the first time this year. Supposedly, Legion is tearing it up on the practice court. Head Coach Bruce Weber even referred to him as ‘Kobe’ during summer workouts. It will be exciting to see Legion hit the court, but Weber will probably ease him into the line-up. The adrenaline will be pumping for this talented guard, so don’t be too hard on him if he’s a bit heavy on his shot to start.
Illinois – 87
Not so mighty Titans – 55
Sincerely,
Mike Lockley’s Retired Headset
PS…Last week 9 of you agreed that the Illini would make it back to the Final Four, while 4 of you told me that I am bat shit crazy. You’re all right. The Illini will make it to the Final Four, and I have a few screws loose.
PPS...Let me know where you think the Illini will end the year in the Big10. See the left hand side of the blog at http://www.illinigamepreview.com/
PPS...Happy Birthday Rhandi!
Tomorrow vs. Rock City
7pm @ The Yard
Let me know if you're interested
Moving in a terrible housing market
With interest rates reaching 37 year lows, the IGP bought a little piece of internet property yesterday. Come visit us at our new address: http://www.illinigamepreview.com/. Beer is the only acceptable house warming present.
Be sure to sign up as an IGP follower.
Hoosier Dank
Long time reader and newly hired field reporter HC, e-mailed me a story yesterday explaining why the Loosiers fell apart last season after starting with only 1 loss in their first 18 games. Drugs. If I were a Hoosier, I would self medicate as well.
Former guard Eric Gordon said that the team was splintered because half liked to smoke up, and the other half…was studying. I have no idea what would posses Gordon to talk about this; but he does bring to light how easy it is for a team to screw up its chemistry, especially a team made up of 18 to 21 year olds.
Last year’s Illini team might have been in a similar place – though not pulled apart by drugs. Ego is a better explanation. We all praised and cursed Senior Center Shaun Pruitt the entire year. The swearing was loudest when Pruitt blew 3 free throws that each would have sealed the game against the aforementioned Hoosiers. This was the only time all year that I felt sorry for Big Shaun (the IGP is very empathetic).
Any other time I watched Pruitt, he was pouting at the refs, his teammates, or his coaches – sometimes all at once. Pruitt was not a great team player; but being a senior, he was viewed as a leader – one who I would have found uninspiring and difficult to follow. We didn’t have high expectations for last year’s team, but a lack of team chemistry definitely lead to an underachieving season.
What about this year?
The Hoosiers won’t have to blame drug use for this year’s crappy season. They have no talent, and they will suck. They’ve already lost 5 games, and it will be their fans who smoke copious amounts of weed in 08/09.
What about this year?...for the Illini!
From all accounts I’ve read, the team gets along far better this year. The top sophomore in the state of Illinois, Tracy Abrams, recently committed to Illinois (great news) and said “The players [at Illinois] were like family, it was an atmosphere that I want to be a part of.” Even more important, the guys looks more like a team than they have in the last 3 years.
Although the competition has been light so far, I like watching this team play. Last year, the Illini lead most games heading into the second half…then they tightened up and blew it (see Shaun Pruitt in paragraph 5 of today’s IGP). This year, with the exception of Clemson, Illinois has shown tremendous heart. Heart makes up for a lot in college basketball.
Rock City
Detroit is 3-6 and nothing more than a warm-up before the Illinois heads to St. Louis for the annual Bragging Rights Game against Missouri. Now that finals are over, sophomore transfer Alex Legion is eligible to play for the first time this year. Supposedly, Legion is tearing it up on the practice court. Head Coach Bruce Weber even referred to him as ‘Kobe’ during summer workouts. It will be exciting to see Legion hit the court, but Weber will probably ease him into the line-up. The adrenaline will be pumping for this talented guard, so don’t be too hard on him if he’s a bit heavy on his shot to start.
Illinois – 87
Not so mighty Titans – 55
Sincerely,
Mike Lockley’s Retired Headset
PS…Last week 9 of you agreed that the Illini would make it back to the Final Four, while 4 of you told me that I am bat shit crazy. You’re all right. The Illini will make it to the Final Four, and I have a few screws loose.
PPS...Let me know where you think the Illini will end the year in the Big10. See the left hand side of the blog at http://www.illinigamepreview.com/
PPS...Happy Birthday Rhandi!
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Illinois vs. clemSON
Illinois Game Preview
Tonight vs. clemSON
6:30 pm @ The Yard (a new Illini bar)
Let me know if you'll be there.
Illinois is 6-0, and the IGP is back in business. Did you miss me?
DJ Hi-Tech
We are going hi-tech this year. I am replacing the weekly emails with a blog format that will allow you to share the articles with your friends more easily and to comment on my asinine or spot-on analysis of the upcoming game.
Hey, you founds us (http://www.netters-igp.blogspot.com/). Click the "follow this blog" link and sign up for an account. I am still learning the site; but if you sign up, you should be notified via email when a new blog is posted. I will continue to send out an IGP email until January to give you a chance to get used to the new format.
Da Coach
Bruce Weber is in his sixth season as head coach of the Illini basketball program. Last year was the first time in 10 seasons that the we failed to make the NCAA tournament. Some Illini fans are beginning to wonder if Weber can lead us back to the Final Four. Those fans are wrong. And to show you how wrong they are, I am willing to make the boldest prediction in the history of the IGP: The University of Illinois Men's Basketball Team will return to the Final Four in the 2010-2011 season. Why such a prediction? Three reasons:
1. Coach tells it like it is. Weber cuts to the quick with his players like no other coach in college basketball. Last year, Spitzer and I attended the Kentucky-Wesleyan game and sat in the second row behind the Illini bench. During the first possession of the second half, Shaun Pruitt caught the ball in the high post, took one dribble, and put up a brick. Pruitt was promptly benched and on his way to the sideline he said, "Coach, that was a good shot." "No. That was a turnover," Weber snorted.
Another example occurred over the summer when Calvin Brock's locker was cleared out by the coaching staff. It was a motivational tactic telling Brock to work harder over the summer or don't expect a spot on the team. Weber gets the most out of his players by telling them what they need to hear.
2. Recruits. Our next 2.5 recruiting classes are stacked. Starting this December 20th, hot-shot Kentucky transfer Alex Legion will join the team and bring some much needed firepower to the offense. In 2009, three highly touted guards will come to Champaign with dreams of being the next Dee, Deron, and Luther. Brandon Paul, DJ Richardson, and Joseph Bertrand will become household names along with forward Tyler Griffey. For 2011, two top twenty recruits will compete for starting spots immediately and fill out the roster on our next Final Four season. Jereme Richmond is a 6'6" forward from Waukegan, and Crandall Head (Luther's bro) is a 6'3" hi flyer ready to pick up where his brother left off.
3. A dream. The Chief and Lou Henson visited my dreams and told me that it would be so.
Do you think it's possible? Let me know in the comments section of the http://www.netters-igp.blogspot.com/
Big10 - ACC Challenge
The Big10 is 0-9 since the challenge's inception in 1998, and only one Big10 team has a winning record - MSU (5-3). The Illini is looking to push its record to 4-6 in the challenge tonight against Clemson. The signatures of this year's Illini are tough defense and quick ball movement. The Illini are ranked 22nd nationally in scoring defense (56.2 ppg) and 9th in total assists (19.2 apg - assists on 75% of baskets).
The defense will have to be on point because Clemson is shooting 49% from the field and averaging 81 PPG. Forward Trevor Booker (6'7") and Guard Terrence Oglesby (6'2") are the Tigers' top scorers averaging 14 points apiece. Clemson has yet to face a decent Division I basketball team this year, so I expect us to capitalize on a few turnovers early.
Let's keep our undefeated schedule intact.
Illinois - 68
Clemson -62
Sincerely,
Jerrance's Extra Padding
Tonight vs. clemSON
6:30 pm @ The Yard (a new Illini bar)
Let me know if you'll be there.
Illinois is 6-0, and the IGP is back in business. Did you miss me?
DJ Hi-Tech
We are going hi-tech this year. I am replacing the weekly emails with a blog format that will allow you to share the articles with your friends more easily and to comment on my asinine or spot-on analysis of the upcoming game.
Hey, you founds us (http://www.netters-igp.blogspot.com/). Click the "follow this blog" link and sign up for an account. I am still learning the site; but if you sign up, you should be notified via email when a new blog is posted. I will continue to send out an IGP email until January to give you a chance to get used to the new format.
Da Coach
Bruce Weber is in his sixth season as head coach of the Illini basketball program. Last year was the first time in 10 seasons that the we failed to make the NCAA tournament. Some Illini fans are beginning to wonder if Weber can lead us back to the Final Four. Those fans are wrong. And to show you how wrong they are, I am willing to make the boldest prediction in the history of the IGP: The University of Illinois Men's Basketball Team will return to the Final Four in the 2010-2011 season. Why such a prediction? Three reasons:
1. Coach tells it like it is. Weber cuts to the quick with his players like no other coach in college basketball. Last year, Spitzer and I attended the Kentucky-Wesleyan game and sat in the second row behind the Illini bench. During the first possession of the second half, Shaun Pruitt caught the ball in the high post, took one dribble, and put up a brick. Pruitt was promptly benched and on his way to the sideline he said, "Coach, that was a good shot." "No. That was a turnover," Weber snorted.
Another example occurred over the summer when Calvin Brock's locker was cleared out by the coaching staff. It was a motivational tactic telling Brock to work harder over the summer or don't expect a spot on the team. Weber gets the most out of his players by telling them what they need to hear.
2. Recruits. Our next 2.5 recruiting classes are stacked. Starting this December 20th, hot-shot Kentucky transfer Alex Legion will join the team and bring some much needed firepower to the offense. In 2009, three highly touted guards will come to Champaign with dreams of being the next Dee, Deron, and Luther. Brandon Paul, DJ Richardson, and Joseph Bertrand will become household names along with forward Tyler Griffey. For 2011, two top twenty recruits will compete for starting spots immediately and fill out the roster on our next Final Four season. Jereme Richmond is a 6'6" forward from Waukegan, and Crandall Head (Luther's bro) is a 6'3" hi flyer ready to pick up where his brother left off.
3. A dream. The Chief and Lou Henson visited my dreams and told me that it would be so.
Do you think it's possible? Let me know in the comments section of the http://www.netters-igp.blogspot.com/
Big10 - ACC Challenge
The Big10 is 0-9 since the challenge's inception in 1998, and only one Big10 team has a winning record - MSU (5-3). The Illini is looking to push its record to 4-6 in the challenge tonight against Clemson. The signatures of this year's Illini are tough defense and quick ball movement. The Illini are ranked 22nd nationally in scoring defense (56.2 ppg) and 9th in total assists (19.2 apg - assists on 75% of baskets).
The defense will have to be on point because Clemson is shooting 49% from the field and averaging 81 PPG. Forward Trevor Booker (6'7") and Guard Terrence Oglesby (6'2") are the Tigers' top scorers averaging 14 points apiece. Clemson has yet to face a decent Division I basketball team this year, so I expect us to capitalize on a few turnovers early.
Let's keep our undefeated schedule intact.
Illinois - 68
Clemson -62
Sincerely,
Jerrance's Extra Padding
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