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
Monday, April 4, 2005
The Missing IGP
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
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
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
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