Illini Forward Myke Henry: hey, thanks for coming!


illini-myke-henry

Yet again Illini nation must say “hey, thanks for coming!” to a college basketball player. Myke Henry is the fourth Illini baller to leave the Big Ten program this offseason. No biggee, the Illini have a tremendous recruiting class coming in, and a couple transfers. Illinois basketball is seeing a lot of influx of players; just as they’re seeing an exodus too.

Henry attended Chicago’s Orr High, and he did contribute some quality minutes this past season under first year coach John Groce.

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Oregon Ducks Cheerleaders Gallery Vol 2 (Bikini Pics)


Our first edition of the Oregon Ducks Cheerleaders Gallery was so popular last year, we felt it was time to do another edition this college football season. Maybe will make this an annual thing. Who knows, maybe we’ll do it more than once a year.

As much as we love the USC Song Girls, the Ducks cheerleader are the hottest in the land hands down. And this time, we have more bikini pics than in the first edition.

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2013 NBA Mock Draft- First Round (5/23/13)


nba draft logo

Here is our updated 2013 NBA Mock Draft.  Click on the players’ name for a complete, in-depth scouting report.

(By the way, The Sports Bank was graded as the most accurate 2011 AND 2012 NBA Mock Draft on the web.)

GO HERE FOR THE SECOND ROUND

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2013 NBA Mock Draft- Second Round (5/23/13)


nba draft logo

Here is the second round of our updated 2013 NBA Mock Draft.  Click on the players’ name for a complete, in-depth scouting report.

(By the way, The Sports Bank was graded as the most accurate 2011 AND 2012 NBA Mock Draft on the web.)

CLICK HERE FOR THE FIRST ROUND

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Cavs all time champs of NBA Draft Lottery


CLEVELAND-CAVS-LOGO

The NBA Draft Lottery was held Tonight and we found out the Cleveland Cavs will pick first in the 2013 NBA Draft.

The Cavs have been lucky enough to get No. 1 pick 3 times in 11 years. However, the Cavs have also been bad enough to get No. 1 pick three times in 11 years.

Unlike last year when Anthony Davis was the clear cut top prospect, a number of players are in consideration this year including Kentucky‘s Nerlens Noel, Ben McLemore of Kansas, and even Michigan‘s Trey Burke or Georgetown‘s Otto Porter.  More than likely, team need will play a huge factor in terms of which player hears their named called first on June 27th.

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Illini Brandon Paul: NBA Mock Draft Composite


brandon-paul-nba-draft

Time to focus on the NBA Draft. It seems pretty certain the Illinois Fighting Illini will once again have representation on draft night. Guard Brandon Paul was at the draft combine last week and he’s had contact with the L.A. Clippers, Lakers, Brooklyn Nets and Chicago Bulls.

Two years ago was a disaster when both Demetri McCamey and Jereme Richmond went undrafted, despite all the pre-draft hype (both attended the combine). Last year brought more pride to Champaign as the Illini Nation saw Meyers Leonard go in the top ten to the Portland Trail Blazers. Brandon Paul should likely hear his name called this June; just nowhere near as high.

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2013 NBA Draft Combine nuggets and tidbits


NBA-draft

The NBA Draft Combine hit Chicago this week. Everyone who’s likely going to get picked in the NBA Draft comes to the Second City for workouts with NBA scouts and interviews with the media.

Here’s the list of all the former college basketball players who were invited to the NBA Draft combine. And here’s our latest 2013 NBA Mock Draft.

The NBA Draft combine is pretty much a beauty pageant for boys.

The 2013 NBA Draft is scheduled to be held on June 27, 2013 at the Barclays  Center in Brooklyn, New York.

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Pitt’s Steven Adams to increase New Zealand Presence in NBA


new-zealand

New Zealand and the NBA isn’t something you hear very often. You’ve had Kirk Penney, the former Wisconsin Badgers guard from Auckland, New Zealand; where he attended Westlake Boys High School. Penney didn’t even last two years in the league. Sean Marks is also from Auckland, New Zealand’s biggest metropolis. He’s from Rangitoto School in Auckland and played his college basketball at Cal.

Marks was taken in the 1998 NBA Draft, Round 2 by the New York Knicks. He stuck around for awhile, but his numbers were rather meager. He hardly produced very much.

Steven Adams is a 7 foot freshman who declared for the NBA Draft last month. He got invited to the NBA Draft combine, so there’s a good chance he’ll get drafted.

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Second chance athletes: Ben McLemore, Michael Jordan, Bethany Hamilton


michael-jordan

Second chances are rare, and it can be hard to bounce back after an initial feeling of failure. This is especially true in athletics where it’s all about being the best and pushing the competition out of the way. However, there are a few stellar athletes who have made it to the top after hitting the bottom, and they serve as inspiration to anyone who is afraid to keep pursuing their dreams after an initial set back.

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Illinois basketball shafted in Tourney; NCAA changes rule yesterday


illinois basketball

Partially due to a blown call, Illinois basketball has beaten a higher seeded NCAA Tournament team just twice in school history. Trailing 57-55 with 40 seconds remaining, replays clearly showed the Illini should have maintained offensive possession on an out-of-bounds call. Instead, the ball was wrongly awarded to the Miami Hurricanes. And even a Miami player admitted it.

Now the NCAA is going to going to make sure this type of thing doesn’t happen again.

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Kendall Gill returning to television; NBA TV


kendall-gill

You can see Kendall Gill back on television soon; just not on Comcast SportsNet Chicago. Kendall Gill did an exclusive with ESPN 1000′s Waddle and Silvy a few days ago. (He comes on around the 1:30ish mark here). This was the first time Kendall Gill talked publicly since he punched Tim Doyle in the face in mid March.

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Mayor Rahm Emanuel, DePaul University step up with Arena Deal


mayor-rahm-emanuel

Mayor Rahm Emanuel today announced plans for a large-scale project near McCormick Place, which includes construction of a 10,000-seat, multipurpose events center to be the new home for DePaul Blue Demons college basketball.

In addition to hosting the DePaul men’s and women’s basketball teams; and serving as a college basketball practice facility, the events center will host the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA) and Chicago convention-related business, Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced.

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