Illinois vs. Minny

Tonight, 7pm at the Barn
8pm at Finnegan's if you are in South Beach

In the history of the Illini Game Preview (9 years for any of you new subscribers), I’ve picked the Illini to lose only once.  I felt so guilty and there was such uproar from Illini fans that it never happened again.  Every week, when I pick them to win, I know they can do it.  Every so often, when we play a team like tOSU or Kansas last year in the tournament, I have a few doubts – but overall, I’m confident.

My confidence in the Illini is still there, but my confidence in the coach is gone. 

I have always been a fan of Bruce Weber.  I don’t think that any other coach could have done what he did with the 04-05 Illini.  He has helped his players grow as basketball players and as men – leading them to the NBA and to some of the highest ratings of academic achievement for a college sports team.  It is time, however, for coach to be dismissed at the end of this season. 

You’ve all seen the stats in recent articles: a .500 Big10 record over the last 5 years (48-47 including this year), making the NCAA tournament 3 out of the last 5 years, and only winning one time.  Some Illini fans point to our stagnant offense or poor play calling at the end of the game as reasons for the Illini descending to a middle of the road Big10 team.  I point to something else – a lack of identity.

In college basketball, a new group of players comes into the program every year.  When Dee Brown, Deron Williams, and James Augustine joined the Illini in 2003, it was still Brian Cook’s team; but the Illini had an entirely new dynamic.  They fed the post whenever they could, but they also converted more fast break points than we had seen in a while. 

In addition to new players joining the team, older players change dramatically – think Kevin Turner as a senior, Robert Archibald as a senior, Luther Head as a Senior, or Warren Carter as a senior.  All these guys were completely different players than they were as freshmen.

With a new crop of freshman and ever changing upperclassmen, the Illini identity should be different every year.  Under Coach Weber, the Illini offense has stayed the same, their defense has stayed the same, and the personality of each team hasn’t shown through.  In college basketball, heart, hutstle, and teamwork trump individual skill and coaching strategy 99% of the time.  Let’s give our Illini some freedom to play basketball.

Minnesota

The Illini already turned back the Gophers once before this year in Champaign, but it took them double overtime to do it.  Ralph Sampson III was excellent for the Lophers in the first meeting, but Meyers Leonard has been steadily improving throughout the year, and I expect him to get the best of this match-up tonight.

I hope to see one of my favorite newcomers Myke Henry get some bigger minutes tonight and team up with Brandon Paul to lead the way.

Minny – 57

Illini - 59

Sincerely,

South Beach