It's been a great week and change for Illinois Fighting Illini basketball. They beat the #1 Indiana Hoosiers, then the #18 Minnesota Golden Gophers at their place. Then they finally ended their 8 game losing streak to Purdue, trouncing them by 20. I don't have the facts and figures, but I bet the winning streak was good for their ticketing office. So things were going great for … [Read more...] about Misinterpreted Fighting Illini basketball promotion exudes family values (photo)
Fighting Illini basketball
Illini basketball introduces John Groce: I hope reality is inverse of press conference
You've heard the expression "win the news conference." Well, for the University of Illinois and the Illini basketball coaching hire of John Groce, that ship sailed weeks ago. Any time you get your sixth (possibly seventh) choice in a men's basketball coach at a basketball school, your news conference is...well, you just hope there's no pitchforks and flaming torches. Most … [Read more...] about Illini basketball introduces John Groce: I hope reality is inverse of press conference
Your next Illini basketball coach: Ohio’s John Groce
It's not official yet, but it's looking very likely that Illini Nation will have to settle for their sixth choice in a head coaching candidate, a man with a 34-30 career record in the MAC. Ohio Bobcats coach John Groce could be introduced as Bruce Weber's successor in the next couple days. And he's not a terrible hire, it just means that this basketball hiring process has … [Read more...] about Your next Illini basketball coach: Ohio’s John Groce
Top Illini head coaching candidates: non Shaka Smart variety
Well, I didn't see that one coming. Shaka Smart had an offer of $2.5 million plus, doubling his salary, and a chance at a top 20 national job in what was the nation's best conference this year. And he had a chance to step up from mid-major to high-major in the Big Ten. I've been to Richmond, Virginia a couple times so I can tell you- this denial was shocking. The only way … [Read more...] about Top Illini head coaching candidates: non Shaka Smart variety
Tom Izzo Angry About Illinois Firing Bruce Weber (audio)
Tom Izzo had strong words for University of Illinois' Athletic Director Mike Thomas, who earlier today announced that Bruce Weber would no longer be the coach of the Fighting Illini. Speaking as not only a close friend with Bruce Weber, but also as the president of the coaches association, Izzo was not at all happy with what precedent Thomas' move may set for the coaching … [Read more...] about Tom Izzo Angry About Illinois Firing Bruce Weber (audio)
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
At Illini Madness, Joseph Bertrand Displays Regained Athleticism
In the grand scheme of things, does Midnight Madness mean anything? Probably not. It is a marketing ploy to get students excited about the basketball season by allowing the players to show off absurd moves and dunks that likely have no place in a formal Bruce Weber practice. For example, D.J. Richardson tried to teach Huff Hall how to dougie at Illinois' Midnight Madness … [Read more...] about At Illini Madness, Joseph Bertrand Displays Regained Athleticism
When Young Jordans Go To Vegas, It Doesn’t Stay in Vegas
At some point, you would think their father would educate them in the ways of how to deal with the media. Hasn't happened yet. Michael Jordan's sons, Jeffrey (a former University of Illinois basketball player) and Marcus, are proving to perhaps be a little bit more of the spoiled, legacy children than any of us thought after spending a few wild days in Las Vegas, … [Read more...] about When Young Jordans Go To Vegas, It Doesn’t Stay in Vegas