Illinois vs. the Lophers

Illini Game Preview
Tonight vs. Minny


IGPs have been few and far between in the month of February. I am sorry for that loyal readers, but I've been travelling a bunch for work and school is kicking my ass. But do not worry, I've kept my eye on the Big10 Network and my ears open to everything except Dick Vitale's bogus ramblings collecting material for when I get a spare moment.

Last weekend (post PSU and pre-OSU), after playing some pick up basketball at the Moody Bible Institute (the same court where Dee Brown broke his leg before his senior year and was forced to return to school), a few friends engaged me in one of my favorite discussion topics...Illini Hoops.

"Man, we suck. 33 points?! Weber did not have his team ready to play," said one Illini alum.
"Yeah, not a single one of these guys would start on the 04, 05, or 06 team. We are so over rated," exclaimed another Illini Alum.

Ooompfh. It felt like someone had disparaged my mother, soiled the Nett family name, or blasphemed Michael Jordan by claiming that he cheated on his wife. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I will not name these lost Illini souls because I hope they will find their ways home.

So this is my invite. This is me being mother bird and cucawing my fallen Illini friends back to the nest. Come home friends. Here's why...

Why I love the '08-'09 Illini

• Chester...A quote from an NBA scout, "The test for whether you can make the NBA is if you can score on Chester Frazier."
• Heart...The Northwestern Game. We were down 14 with 6 minutes left!
• Chemistry...We have assists on 71% of all baskets - #1 in the nation.
• Da Coach...We have the '08-'09 Big10 Coach of the Year. We were 16-19 last year!
• Mid-Range J...Mike Davis, Mike Tisdale, and Calvin Brock all have great pull up jumpers. Davis was exceptional against tOSU on Sunday.
• Charity... 71% this season vs. 62% LY
• Jerrance Howard. He's excitable, he's a great recruiter, and he has almost as much style as Wayne McClain.
• Defense...Teams are averaging a mere 56pts a game against us - 3rd lowest in the country.
• 1,000 points...Don't look now, but Trent Meachum is 4 baskets shy of scoring 1,000 points in his collegiate career. Not bad for a walk-on that many thought could not hack it as a starter.

College basketball has been crazy this year. Number 1 Pittsburgh was just knocked off by a mediocre, unranked Providence team (Providence was leading by 20 in the 2nd half). Oklahoma lost its last 2 games. Yes, they were without Blake Griffin, but they looked horrendous in losses to Texas and Kansas. Missouri, who we clobbered by 16 points, is ranked 8th in the country!

Folks, these Illini are overachievers and they are for real. Let's start treating them that way.

Cucaww!

Illini vs. Lophers

The Golden Gophers created a defensive template that held the Illini to only 36 points in the first meeting. PSU used a similar defense to hold Illinois to 33 last week. It's pretty simple actually, in your jersey man-to-man defense, avoid switching on picks, do not double anyone, and avoid helping out on defense. Sound simple?

Illinois scores 71% of their baskets off assists. When the opposition over rotates, or double teams, or hedges on picks, Illinois hits the open man. If you stay at home on D, Illinois only has 1 real player that can beat you consistently off the dribble - Demetri McCamey. OSU tried the exact opposite game plan on Sunday and look how that turned out. OSU's over extended zone played right into Illinois' hands because we found Davis open in the hi-post and short corner for easy baskets.

Minnesota is playing for their tournament lives right now, so they will bring the intensity. You can bet that the Illini are a bit embarrassed by the last game these teams played. It is going to be a Big10 brawl tonight, and I can't wait to see the blood and emotion being mopped off the floor during timeouts.

The quicker we can get he ball up court, the less time Minny has to set their defense. I would love to see us push the pace tonight. We need some slashing and energy from Chester Frazier, some bench energy from Calvin Brock, and our big men will have to play far more physical than they did in last contest.

Illinois - 57

Lophers - 53

Sincerely,

The Bubble

Illinois vs. Minnesota, eh

Illinois Game Preview
Illinois vs. Minnesota, eh
Tonight @ 8 p.m.
Meet me at Rebel. Call if you are going to be there.


Making Headlines

I made it onto the University of Illinois Athletic Site (http://www.fightingillini.com/). Check it out. I don't know what the ITA is, but I am definitely looking forward to it.


I don't mean to brag (OK, I do), but this is actually the second time I've made FightingIllini.com. The first time was back in 2001 when I was a senior playing on the women's basketball practice squad (http://fightingillini.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/101000aaa.html check the 3rd paragraph down). OK, stop laughing, I didn't wear a wig just to be a part of Illinois athletics. I came in every day with 5 other guys (except Sunday...or when coach was really pissed at the girls and wanted to lay into them) to learn the opposing team's plays and scrimmage the women to get them ready for their next game.

It was actually a ton of fun. I wore an Illinois practice uniform, I played ball every day, I got free shoes, and I was even registered as a student athlete. It turns out that I only have a few years of eligibility left. We got front row tickets to every women's' game, and Coach Grentz even promised to buy us Big10 Champion rings if they won conference (they didn't). Coach only had 2 rules...

1. Show up to practice on time.
2. Don't date any of my players. If you date any of my players I will kick you off the team so fast, that your butts will be back at IMPE before you blink.

She was really serious about rule #2. Some people laughed, but they actually had a pretty good looking team.

Illinois vs. Minnesota, eh

I took a road trip back to Champaign for Saturday's game with some of the fellas. During past seasons, it would be all but impossible to get tickets to a regular season, weekend match up against the Badgers. But after last year's 12-17 finish, a few Illini fans jumped off the band wagon. We were able to squeeze into the very last row of Assembly Hall.

Even from the nose bleeds, Illinois was putting on a show. Sophomore Guard Demetri McCamey was sensational, pouring in 25 points and dishing out 7 assists. He was all over the court, and I half expected him to come out and start flipping with the Jesse White Tumblers; which, as it turns out, McCamey was a member of when he was 8. DMac is by far our best slasher, and his growing grasp of the offense can be seen in his assist per game average that he is carrying during Big10 play - 6 (up from 4.5 apg before Big10 play).

Tonight, the Illini do battle against Tubby Smith and the Golden Gophers. In only his second season, Smith has lead the Gophers to a 17-3 record. They reached as high as 20 in the AP Poll after a big win against Louisville, but back-to-back losses against Northwestern and Purdue pushed the Gophers outside the AP and to #25 in the Coaches Poll. Smith has done such a great job at Minny, that he was rumored as a possible replacement at both Arizona and Alabama. He denied a connection yesterday saying, "I'm not looking for any jobs. We've got a great recruiting class coming here next year, so I'm excited about where the Gopher program is, and I'm not a candidate for any other jobs. "

Illinois has won 20 straight games against the Gophers (wow), and tonight, the Illini will extend this streak to 21. The Gopher's front line is a bit short, and I expect our big men to work the glass and to score in the post. Sophomore Center Mike Tisdale should have his way with the Gopher center by committee. NBA great Ralph Sampson's son is part the Gopher front line. His name is Ralph Sampson III check him out.

Illinois - 71

Minny - 60

Sincerely,
Alex Legion's Obscenely Long Arms

Illinois vs. Fichigan

Illini Game Preview
Tonight vs. Fichigan
TBD. Propose destinations in the comments section.

It looks like karma has come around to bite the Loosiers in the ass. Sunday's 76-45 Illini victory was especially satisfying to rub in the faces of a few of my favorite Indiana fans. Below are 2 text message conversation that took place throughout the game.

Texting Mean Gene

Illini up 16-2

Me: Let's go IU. Gene, IU is looking sharp this year. I've never seen a YMCA team look so much like a Big10 powerhouse.

Gene: Congrats on beating a JV team.

Illini up 26-7 with 10 minutes left in the 1st half.

Me: Uh, Gene, there's 30 minutes left of basketball. Are you conceding defeat?

Gene: No response.

Illini up 58-29. Dominique Keller buries his 3rd three of the game and turns to smile at the Loosier bench.

Gene: Number 23 is an a$$hole!

Gene actually sent the last text message to Spitz because he didn't want to hear me razz him. I was watching the game from Spitz's couch and I laughed.

Texting Big Tony

Illini up 21-2

Me: Who. Who. Who. Whoosiers!

Tony: Yep, I got no response. This is embarrassing!

Me: Gene had a similar answer. It's not even fun to goof on you guys. Oh wait...you lost to Lipscomb!!!! HA!

Tony: Win or lose. The fact remains...Bruce Weber is a whiny b----...sorry, that is all I got...Your team is clearly better...I mean I had to look up Lipscomb on the Internet. In case you are wondering, it's in Iowa.

Fichigan

A crazy schedule quirk brings the Fichigan Wolverines to Assembly Hall only 1 week removed from our loss in Ann Arbor (is a whore). The first meeting was a terrific game with Fichigan going unconscious from 3-point land in the first half and pulling away by tightening up their defense in the 2nd half.

Manny Harris has impressed me so far as the best player in the Big10. He is averaging 19 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists per game. We put Chester Frazier on him last time, but Harris was able to post up the shorter defender and get to the front of the rim with ease. Our match-up will probably change this time around, but the help defense will be a huge factor in this game. Because Michigan was so spread out on offense, we did not have any shot blockers in the lane to help with penetration. This could be a good opportunity for Illinois to go zone during parts of the game, but I can only remember seeing Head Coach Bruce Weber use a zone one time in his career at Illinois.

We scored at will against Michigan use slip screens and pick-and-pops last time. This strategy should be effective again because Fichigan's defense is not disciplined enough for the Illini. A slip screen is like a pick and roll except the pick is faked and rolls early - think James Augustine. A pick-and-pop is like a pick and roll except instead of the roll the pick steps back for a shot - think Brian Cook. Mike Davis is skilled enough to do either, and I think he will blow up on the home court to avenge our only Big10 loss.


Illinois - 65
Fichigan - 60


Sincerely,
Bubba Chisholm

Illinois vs. Loosiers

Illini Game Preview
Tomorrow 2 p.m. @ Spitzer's
Let me know if you're going to make it.


There are many Illini b-ball shots that stick out in my mind over the years.

Cory Bradford's 3-pointer to knock of Indiana in the Big Ten Tourney.
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OQ8o_Ow-qY&feature=related)
Or Marcus Griffin's last second shot off an inbound against Wisky.
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYi4OHcDMWM&feature=related)
I went nuts over Roger Powell's tip dunk of his own shot against Louisville in the 2005 Final Four.
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9eiGQ-WBuQ - at 3:50)
There's Frank William's 3-pointer that defeated Michael Redd and the #13 Buckeyes.
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-s85t5QMP4Y&feature=related)
Don't forget Luther's put back to beat Purdue in 2004.
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkaszwO4K_c)
You have Deron William's 3-ball to tie the score against Arizona.
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MX-6a_Es48Y&feature=related)
And my personal favorite, Nick Anderson's 35 foot buzzer beater at Indiana. I remember watching that at Grandma's house.
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSRuVA6xU-Q&quot)


I have a new favorite play that snuck into the top 5. Chester Frazier's dunk over 6'8" DeShawn Sims on Sunday was straight NASTY! I was lying on my couch, psyched by how fluid the Illini offense looked, when I saw Illinois grab a steal and Dimitri McCamey start the fast break. When McCamey dropped a bounce pass to Chet with Sims closing in, I thought Demetri was playing quarterback and leaving his wide receiver exposed in the middle of the field. Then Chester rose up and dunked with authority over a man 7 inches taller. I was shocked, and I nearly jumped out of my apartment. Unfortunately, I cannot find the video online. Anyone who has a link, please email the IGP or add it in the comments section of the blog.


Chester Frazier is by far the Illini's most improved player this year. In his first few seasons, Chester's offense was worse than the Sooners in the red zone last night. Not this year. Although he is the only starter not averaging double figures in points; he is averaging twice the assists he did last year (6.4 - 6th in the country), his assist/turnover ratio is 2x his ratio in 2007-2008 (3.0 - 18th in the country), and he is shooting a full 10% better from the field (45%). Frazier is a true floor leader who wants to be a coach when his playing days are over. Imagine a coaching staff of Jerrance Howard, Chester Frazier, and Dee Brown (All have indicated an interest in coaching. Side note: Sergio McClain is the Head Coach at Parkland Community College.).


A recent blog by Chester's high school coach tells the story of Frazier's recruitment process:

"Well, as I was watching Illinois upset Purdue the other night, I started thinking about what an inexact science recruiting is. Chester Frazier plays for Illinois and was fantastic against Purdue. He played for me when I was at Notre Dame Prep School. His entire recruitment by the University of Illinois lasted about an hour. The story goes like this…

"Five years ago, I received a phone call from Bruce Weber, who is the Head Coach at the University of Illinois (when Bruce was at Southern Illinois he had recruited one of my players so I knew him a little). He was in New Hampshire at one of the prep schools and was flying out of Boston the next day. He wanted to watch a kid that was playing for me workout, but his flight was at noon, so he wanted to know if we could work out in the morning. Now normally, I would not move a workout the evening prior, however Coach Weber is a good guy and he is the Head Coach at Illinois. Also, I felt a little bad for him because he did not like the player he went up to New Hampshire to see, and it was not going to get better for him at Notre Dame Prep – the player that he had heard about here was not good enough to play in the Big Ten. So, I moved our workout to seven the next morning. Bruce arrived at 6:30am just as my assistant coach, Mike McMahon, was turning on the lights.

"Just a little aside on Chester Frazier…He had been a good player for us at Notre Dame Prep. He could help win a game offensively and defensively. The thing I remember most was his toughness. He got injured in January and the doctor said he will be out for eight weeks. Four weeks later we were about toplay a big game, and Chester walked into my office and told me he wanted to play. I ask him what the doctor said, and he replied, “Who cares?” I then said, “Not me, the bus leaves at 3:00” (Oh relax, of course I checked with the doctor – I just can’t recall if it was before or after the game). Anyway Chester helped us win the game, and I have always thought that he is one of the toughest players in the country. Now, back to Coach Weber and 7:00am practice…

"The kids started playing, and I am telling you, Chester went off! He was sensational. He must have hit ten straight threes, was driving to the basket and finishing above the rim. He did it all. At about 8:00am, Bruce came over and asked if Chester plays like that all the time. I told him “Why, yes. Every 7:00am practice with a Big Ten coach in the gym, yes, he does play like that.” At about 8:15am, Bruce told me he was going to offer Chester a scholarship. Bruce visited again the next week and Chester, once again, did not disappoint. The rest, as they say, is history. Currently, Chester is a senior at Illinois, and he has been a good player for them for four years. Yes, a coach flew out to New England to see a kid that didn’t work out, so on his way to the airport, he stopped in to a hastily arranged workout to watch yet another kid he had heard about, and ends up offering a scholarship to a third kid – Chester Frazier, a player he had never heard of before that day. Recruiting is a crazy business. I have seen coaches spend two years recruiting a kid, pour their heart and soul into it, and then not get him. Then there are stories like Chester’s – I love stories like this one, don’t you?"

The full story can be read at http://collegechalktalk.com/general/assoc-head-coach-bill-barton-duquesne-recruiting-an-inexact-science/

Chester is a special player and a tough kid. Let's be sure to cheer extra hard for Chet during his senior year.

Illinois vs. The Big 1o Team Who Lost to Lipscomb (TB10TWLTL)


TB10TWLTL is 5-9 this year and 0-2 in the Big10. In a previous blog I mentioned that TB10TWLTL would not win a conference game all year, but TB10TWLTL surprised me last week by playing Michigan to the wire. They lost 72-66 in OT. Still...they lost to Lipscomb. Lipscomb for crying out loud. Devan Dumes and Tom Pritchard are the only players for TB10TWLTL averaging in double figures. Dumes is good off the bounce, and we saw what dribble penetration did against Illinois in the 2nd half against Fichigan. Our help defense will have to be better. Don't get me wrong, I am not too worried about TB10TWLTL, I am just making a point about our defense to better educate the IGP audience.

Our front line should have a field day against Indiana's small and inexperienced forwards (all but 1 are freshman). One of the Mike's (Davis or Tisdale) will go for 20 and the other will hit a double-double. Welcome to the Big10 Tom Crean.


Illinois - 76
TB10TWLTL -59

Sincerely,

The Former TCU Horned Frogs Offensive Coordinator

PS...Thanks for naming the IGP as the pre-conference Illini MVP - 42% of the vote.

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