It was a college basketball game that highlighted one of the main reoccurring themes of the Illinois Fighting Illini season. Every time they had a big lead, they just couldn't find a way to step on their opponents' throat. The "killer instinct," or "closing speed" just was not there. It seemed like every time they went up 15, the margin was back to five or less before you … [Read more...] about Illinois 81, Iowa 68: Rapid Reaction
2010-11 illini basketball
Five Worst Moments of the 2010-11 Illini Hoops Season
The Illinois Fighting Illini came into this year with across-the-board top 15 preseason national rankings. Yet here they are receiving no votes at all (deservedly so) in either poll for the past few weeks, under .500 in conference, and squarely on the NCAA bubble. In other words, grossly underachieving and not even remotely close to meeting expectations. And it’s not just … [Read more...] about Five Worst Moments of the 2010-11 Illini Hoops Season
Illini Crush Penn State, McCamey’s Final Battle with Talor
Two all-star senior point guards meeting for the final time...unless of course they square off in the Big Ten Tournament. But during the four years that Demetri McCamey manned the one for the Illini, and Talor Battle served in the same role for the Nittany Lions, Battle won the war 5-4. This is a substantial aberration, because Illinois has an all-time 22-10 advantage in the … [Read more...] about Illini Crush Penn State, McCamey’s Final Battle with Talor
Illini Basketball Weaknesses: Zones, Neutral Courts, and Complacency
It's certainly nice that Illini basketball has started 2-0 in Big Ten play. It's a lot better than 0-2. Their win yesterday over Wisconsin was just the second time they've beaten a ranked opponent in '10-'11. (Gonzaga, exactly like the Badgers, were ranked #24 in the coaches poll, receiving votes in the AP). It was a good win, and the Illini do have a couple decent wins … [Read more...] about Illini Basketball Weaknesses: Zones, Neutral Courts, and Complacency
Kendall Gill on McCamey, Deron, Richmond and all Things Illini
Everyone here knows Kendall Cedric Gill, retired NBA player, now professional boxer and analyst for Comcast Sports Net and the Big Ten Network. The ex-Chicago Bulls player and current Bulls expert for CSN starred at suburban Rich South before taking his talents to Champaign-Urbana for the "Flyin' Illini" of the late 80s, earning a Final Four berth in 1989. He's … [Read more...] about Kendall Gill on McCamey, Deron, Richmond and all Things Illini
Kendall Gill Optimistic About his Alma Mater (Illini) Chances
Everyone here knows Kendall Cedric Gill, retired NBA player, now professional boxer and analyst for Comcast Sports Net and the Big Ten Network. The ex-Chicago Bulls player and current Bulls expert for CSN starred at suburban Rich South before taking his talents to Champaign-Urbana for the "Flyin' Illini" of the late 80s, earning a Final Four berth in 1989. He's … [Read more...] about Kendall Gill Optimistic About his Alma Mater (Illini) Chances
D.J. Richardson, Illini Need to Bring More Defense to the Table
As you might have noticed Thursday night, given you watched the #13 Illinois Fighting Illini in their 90-84 OT loss to #22 Texas in the 2K Challenge college basketball tournament benfitting Coaches vs. Cancer, Illinois has some problems stopping people. Sure the Longhorns went seven minutes without a field goal down the stretch, but that was more due to leading scorer Jordan … [Read more...] about D.J. Richardson, Illini Need to Bring More Defense to the Table
Illinois Hunt Down Salukis in Spirited Rivalry Game
After a football game that nearly defied all description, Illinois head coach Bruce Weber knew it was important for the Illini basketball team to get out fast. "I did bring up the football game in the shootaround -- you just never know and you gotta be ready to play," Weber said. "When you are winning you've got to keep pouring it on. One of the things we weren't that … [Read more...] about Illinois Hunt Down Salukis in Spirited Rivalry Game