Illinois vs. the Golden Lophers

6:30 p.m. at Assembly Hall
TV: BTN

Add a few more Illini themed gifts to your shopping list for next year.  I received Illini cheese dip, salsa, tabasco sauce, chips, mug, and hot chocolate mix.  These will be consumed at an Illini themed taco night (dedicated to Timothy Ore) sometime very soon.

Mizzery


Mizzou lived up to expectations during the first half of last Thursday's contest by building a 41-30 halftime lead in St. Louis.  I was watching the game with a few fans who reminisced about how much the Tigers looked like the '04-'05.  They were hard to keep out of the lane, and they were shooting lights out.  The game was threatening to turn into a blowout until, lightly used red-shirt sophomore Joseph Bertrand sparked the Illini on a 17-2 run.  Bertrand poured in 19 points on 9-9 shooting, but the Illini fell short to the Tigers 76-74 after a pair of costly turnovers in the final minute.

Bertrand was spectacular in going strong to the rim and burying short jumpers.  The Illini played much more of a 4 guard lineup to counter Mizzou's speed.  Weber also installed Brandon Paul at the high post when Mizzou went zone.  Against a zone, the middle is always vulnerable to attack.  By having Paul who can shoot the short jumper or drive to the hoop, the Illini had many  more options to attack Missouri.

Minny


The Gophers frontcourt was looking solid early this year as shot blocking machine Ralph Sampson III ruled under the basket and forward Trevor Mbakwe was scoring 14ppg.  But Mbakwe suffered a torn ACL against Dayton a few weeks ago and is out for the remainder of the season.  The Lophers have actually excelled without Mbakwe defeating Virginia Tech and USC in back to back games.

I'd love to see the Illini repeat some of the strategies they used Thursday night against Missouri.

1. More Joseph Bertrand (I'd like to see more Crandall Head as well - Breaking News: Crandall Head has left the team per Illini beat writer Paul Klee.)
2. Play a 4-guard line up.  
3. Put Brandon Paul in the middle against a zone.  This gives the Illini more ways to score if the 3-pointer is not falling. 

The Illini need to start the game off right by putting the ball down low to Myers Leonard.  I expect a big game from him and from Brandon Paul who scored well against Missouri but made a few key turnovers late.

Illinois - 63
Lophers - 57


Sincerely,
Chips & Dip

Illinois vs. Mizzery

Tonight, 8pm @ The Barn & Company (950 W. Wrightwood)

Email me if you are going to come out.

Saturday was painful as the Illini fell to UNLV 64-48. It was difficult to watch for those in attendance at the United Center. There was even a smattering of boos as the final seconds ticked off the clock. The IGP does not condone booing a college team. Sitting in the 300 level, it was interesting to watch the game from above. I could see the sets develop much better than on TV and now understand why coordinators in football like to watch the game from above.

There was a lot that concerned me about the game:

· What’s the play?: Several times in Saturday’s game, the Illini looked at each other and pointed in different directions. Some on the court didn’t know the play or how to start the set. We need to know every play from every position on the court.

· Entry Pass: UNLV played up on the Illini and denied the first pass. When Maniscalco or Abrams couldn’t get rid of the ball after crossing mid-court, the offense looked discombobulated. After the screen and re-screen to get open, the shot clock was already down to 20 seconds and the offense had not been initiated yet. We need a counter when this happens – usually some sort of back door screen or cut to create a lay-up and hopefully loosen up the defense on future possessions.

· Inbounding the Ball: Have we ever scored off an inbounds play? I often watch them and wonder if we are trying to score or just avoid a 5-second call. We need to turn inbound plays into scoring opportunities.

· Middle of the Floor - Drive: The ball spun round and round the perimeter like a top. For Weber’s offense to be effective there needs to be a scoring threat. When Dee, Deron, and Luther were in their heyday, the Illini would pass around the perimeter but they were always a threat to drive to the front of the rim. This kept the defense off balance and created open three pointers, unlike the highly contested shots the Illini were taking Saturday.

· Middle of the Floor - Post: Feeding the ball into the post opens up the offense just like a drive. Meyers Leonard is a great passer from the post. When he was getting double teamed early, he drew fouls or found the open man. We need to keep going to the big man.

· Loosen up and play ball: I’d like to see our young athletes have some more freedom. Whenever a young player makes a mistake, he is benched. Coach, let these guys improvise a bit and see what happens.

UNLV exposed some holes, but let’s see how the team improves throughout the year. It’s early, and there is a lot of promise.

Mizzery

Missouri looks fantastic early in the year. They remain undefeated through 11 games and are ranked #9 in the country. They have played a cream puff schedule, but they are wining in impressive fashion. While the Illini have been allowing bad teams to stick around (Cornell, Illinois State), Mizzery is scoring 87.9 ppg (2^ndin the nation) and winning big.

UNLV ran the floor against us and so will Mizzou. They are fast and can light it up from long distance. Marcus Denmon is a deadeye shooter. Averaging 19.6ppg and shooting 45%from behind the arc, he is as pure as they come. Whoever draws him on defense cannot lose him for a second or 3-pointers will assuredly be raining down.

Paul Pressey runs the show. He’s fast and can distribute, averaging 6 assists per contest. The Illini have had trouble with fast guards all season. Instead of helping on defense, let’s make him finish. Once Leonard swats a few shots into the second row, Pressey won’t know where to go.

If we want to win, everyone has to play well - most importantly - Meyers Leonard. He needs to touch the ball every possession. If the offense runs through him, we will stand a fighting chance.

The Illini bench is the other place where we need solid production. They’ve been abysmal in the last few games. They have been outscored in the last six games and put up only three points in the last two. Tracy Abrams, Crandall Head, Nnanna Egwu, and anyone else willing to contribute are all welcome to the party.

It’s going to be an uphill battle folks, but I know we can do it.

Illinois – 76

Mizzery – 74

Sincerely,

The Newest Illini Fan - ALW

Illinois vs. The Runnin' Tarks

Tomorrow, 4pm at the United Center

You only have a precious few days before Hanukah, Christmas, or Kwanza to buy a great gift for that special someone in your life.  Let me give you a few ideas for some last minute shopping...Illini style.

I recieved an Illini glassware set during my first Christmas ever at the Haberkorn household (great Illini family).  "What an unbelievable gift," I exclaimed.  "Give me 6 beers, I need to test these glasses out."

A full size Paint the Hall Orange picture has to be the number one consideration for any Illini fan who doesn't have one.  When friends come over, they can't believe how many people are wearing orange in the picture.  They often ask if the picture has been painted or altered.  Nope, all natural baby.


The image to the left is the Paint the Hall Orange picture from the 2004-05 season, when the Illini hammered Chris Paul and #1 Wake Forest.  My Paint the Hall picture is from the inaugural event in 2001 vs. Michigan State.  I still remember shaming Roubi and Dimitry into wearing an Orange t-shirt to the game.  Check out www.LaPayne.com to order your PTHO picture.  (Disclaimer: the IGP receives no kickbacks for these great gifts)



In 2006, my mom and dad bought me a bronze Chief Illiniwek statue for my birthday.  I received a 1 line email from my mom when it arrived at her house.  "The chief is here.  He's big."  He measures 2 feet tall, weighs about 25 pounds, and holds a position of prominence in the Nett Househ



A year ago today, the Nett household was a household of one.  Now I am married to a beautiful woman who I met as an undergrad at Illinois (of course).  Melinda is a huge Illini fan (what did you expect?).  We were married two months ago yesterday (Happy Anniversary, Honey), and my wife surprised me with a gigantic ice statue of the Chief on the day of our wedding.  How many of you can say that the Chief was a witness at your wedding?  Interested in having an ice sculpture of the Chief at a special event? Shoot me an email and I'll get you some contact information.

Melinda's brother Lou is a Black Hawk Pilot in the Army stationed in Japan (what up Lou?).  Lou and his wife Caroline are extremely creative gift givers.  They outdid themselves with the wedding present at right.  It's a beautifully painted picture of Chief Illiniwek that I am currently lobbying for placement above the fireplace.

 What's the greatest Illini gift you've received?  Send it my way, because I am always looking for ideas.  Looking for a last minute gift?  I have two extra tickets to Saturday's game at the UC.  Email me if you are interested.  Apologies that the comments section of the IGP is not working.

National Champions?


The Illini basketball team is undefeated, but I am not drinking the Final Four cool aid just yet.  It's the women's volleyball team that we need to be cheering for this Saturday against UCLA.  They topped the  USC Lady Trojans in the Final Four last night and take on UCLA for the National Championship (ESPN2, 8:30pm on Saturday).  After you watch the Illini men top UNLV at the United Center (BTN, 4pm), make sure to tune in for the volleyball match.

The Rebs

For those of you headed to the United Center, it is a rematch of last year's 8 vs. 9 first round tournament game that featured the Illini shooting lights out from 3-point land en route to an 11 point win.  The Rebs are without our favorite unibrowed coach, Lon Krueger.  Still, we'll need the same shooting tomorrow to turn around a run of bad games at the UC.

UNLV is equally as streaky as the Illini have been this year.  They defeated #1 UNC Thanksgiving weekend, but then lost to Witchita State a week later.  Both teams are looking for consistency as we get closer to conference play.

In the front court, Chace Stanbeck and Mike Moser are the Reb's top scorers.  Both measure in at 6'8", so we'll have to keep them off the boards.  The veterans need to play well for the Illini who have lost two straight at the United Center.  Expect Brandon Paul and DJ Richardson to lead the way.

Illinois - 69
Runnin' Tarks - 64

Sincerely,
Two Tickets to Saturday's Game

Illinois vs. The Bonnies

Tonight @ 8 pm
ESPN2

She’s smoking hot, isn’t she?

Last week, we compared the Illini to a blind date.  We weren’t quite sure what to expect.  So far she’s smoking hot, isn’t she?  First, the Illini overcame a slow start to turn away Maryland 71-62; then they handed number 18 Gonzaga its first loss of the season with a commanding 82-75 win.  I can’t wait for the next date tonight.

If you watched either of these games, you became a huge fan of Senior transfer Sam Maniscalco.  Maniscalco was a clutch performer against Maryland (24 points) and Gonzaga (6 assists).  He does not look like your prototypical Division I basketball player.  He looks more like he could have a guest role on the Jersey Shore than be First Team All Big Ten.  He is chubby stocky and sports a buzz cut with ever present stubble on his chin.  What are we going to call him?  Last week, my wife suggested "Butterball" or "Sammy the Salami."  What do you think?  Leave your ideas in the comments section.  Whatever he looks like, he is a winner.  Even as a Freshman at Bradley University, Maniscalco was named captain of the team and continues in that role despite being the new guy on the block at Illinois.

Sophomore Center Meyers Leonard on the other hand looks every bit of his 7’0” frame.  He is athletic and has showed limitless potential early in the season.  What I’ve enjoyed the most is watching him get open by moving without the ball.  He has great spacing on the pick and roll and his slip screen reminds me of James Augustine, who would routinely show screen and break to the hoop early for an easy bucket.  Leonard is only going to get better as we get deeper into the season.

St. Bonaventure Bonnies

We have some pretty standard shtick over hear at the IGP.  We always pick the Illini to win, we hate the opposing team’s coach, and we make fun of the other team’s name by changing it in some way (i.e. Purdon’t, Loosiers, MerryLand, etc.).  We are playing the Bonnies tonight.  Seriously, that’s their team name.  Does anyone know what it means?

I am equally as clueless about the Bonnies basketball skills – though I have an idea because they play in the Atlantic 10.  They are 3-3, and we should have our way with them.

Illinois – 75

The Bonnies – 62

Sincerely,

“The Restricted Area”