What a loaded and deep sophomore class the Illini were to have this year! McDonald's All-American Jereme Richmond, consensus top 90 recruit Crandall Head, 7-footer/future NBA big Meyers Leonard and overlooked Sterling, Illinois product Joseph Bertrand. Well, look at where we are today: Richmond caused as many headaches and issues as possible before leaving school after one … [Read more...] about Illini Most Super Sophomore: Joseph Bertrand!
illini basketball
Illini Brandon Paul Drops 43! Illinois Stuns #5 Ohio State!
Illinois wing Brandon Paul was incredibly efficient tonight, becoming the 1st college basketball player in the last 15 years to score 43+ on 15 or fewer field goal attempts. It's the third most single game points by an Illini in program history. His heroics carried the Illini to a 79-74 victory at home over the #5 Ohio State Buckeyes. What a special performance. There is … [Read more...] about Illini Brandon Paul Drops 43! Illinois Stuns #5 Ohio State!
Illini Get Grindy Road Win at Northwestern, Snap Chicago Area Losing Streak
Lots of cliches applied in this college basketball game "tale of two halves," "halftime adjustments" "wining ugly" "blue-collar" I could go on and on, but I've tortured you enough already. In the battle to be "Chicago's Big Ten team" Illinois defeated Northwestern 57-56 in the same manner they won this year's college football meeting- starting slow, having to come back in … [Read more...] about Illini Get Grindy Road Win at Northwestern, Snap Chicago Area Losing Streak
Illini Outlast Gophers in Never Ending Big Ten Opener
One of my all time favorite The Simpsons quotes: "Mr. Simpson, this is the biggest case of false advertising since my suit against the film the Never Ending Story" --Lionel Hutz The legendary lawyer played by the late, great Phil Hartman refers to a 1984 film with a running time of 94 minutes. Illinois escaping 81-72 in 2 OT over the Minnesota Golden Gophers ran about 2 … [Read more...] about Illini Outlast Gophers in Never Ending Big Ten Opener
Luther Head’s Brother Crandall Leaves the Illini Program
The Illinois Fighting Illini will have one less guard on the bench tonight when they take on the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Bruce Weber announced Tuesday that sophomore guard Crandall Head, little brother of NBA veteran Luther Head has decided to leave the Illinois college basketball program. Head was suspended for four games for the very arcane "violation of team rules" at … [Read more...] about Luther Head’s Brother Crandall Leaves the Illini Program
Illini Show they’re Still “Fighting,” Give #9 Mizzou a True Scare
If you're an Illini basketball fan, you've got to feel much better about this loss 78-74 to #9 12-0 Missouri Tigers team than you do about the last three wins. I'll repeat and explain because I know it's a very odd sounding sentence. You've got to feel much better about this Illinois game tonight when they were down double digits to an undefeated, top ten team yet clawed … [Read more...] about Illini Show they’re Still “Fighting,” Give #9 Mizzou a True Scare
Illini Need Thorough Beatdown of Cornell to Regroup Quickly
The alma mater of Andy Bernard, Cornell, can't get to Champaign fast enough for the Illinois Fighting Illini. The Fighting 'Nard Dogs, actually they're called the Cornell Big Red, with some bear looking thing as their logo/mascot I think?, will get the Illini to re-focus quickly after that UGLY loss to the UNLV Runnin' Rebels at their alleged home away from home, the United … [Read more...] about Illini Need Thorough Beatdown of Cornell to Regroup Quickly
UNLV Running Rebs Nationally Relevant Again?
Last March two college basketball documentaries premiered to remind us college basketball nuts how the game was changed in the early '90s. Both focused on powerhouse programs that fell from grace since then, but today seem to be trending backward. The ESPN film focusing on the Michigan Wolverines Fab 5 may have gotten all the hype and controversy, but the HBO doc on the UNLV … [Read more...] about UNLV Running Rebs Nationally Relevant Again?
Illini Really Having Trouble Winning at the United Center
This used to be the Illini playground. It used to be their second home. Overall, Illinois is 32-11 all-time at the United Center, but that statistic seems disconnected from reality on a day like today when the Illini offense was so ugly it was an insult to college basketball. With the 64-48 loss to unranked UNLV, the #19 Illini dropped their third straight game at the UC, … [Read more...] about Illini Really Having Trouble Winning at the United Center
2011-12 Illini Have Competitive Advantage over ’10-’11 Version
It's rather ironic when you think about it. Last year's Illini basketball team entered the year with exceedingly high expectations; the theme was last dance for a talented senior trio. This year's team entered with zero expectations. The theme was rebuilding and re-establishing. Yet, if it were somehow possible to get the two teams to play each other I'd pick this year's squad … [Read more...] about 2011-12 Illini Have Competitive Advantage over ’10-’11 Version