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
illini hoops
Top 5 things Illini fans would miss about Bruce Weber
It's complete turmoil in Illini basketball nation right now, but don't feel too bad for them for much longer. Nebraska Cornhuskers coach Doc Sadler had to help wipe away the tears of Bruce Weber following the Illini loss by 23 in Lincoln (the Huskers were up 32, and as decorum dictates wisely took their foot off the gas pedal and it could have been worse). Weber's fate appears … [Read more...] about Top 5 things Illini fans would miss about Bruce Weber
Embattled Illini avoid first winless February since 1907
The college basketball season is only five months long, so any time you're talking about a winless month, it's not a good sign. And in their seventh and final game of the year's shortest month, the Illini would not come up short. They picked up a 65-54 win over the Iowa Hawkeyes, avoiding the February donut, which hasn't happened to the program since 1907. The Illini also … [Read more...] about Embattled Illini avoid first winless February since 1907
Former Illini, NBA Draft bust Jereme Richmond finds “professional” team
The only McDonald's All-American to be recruited by Bruce Weber, and the 2010 state of Illinois Mr. Basketball Jereme Richmond has finally found a place to play basketball again, in the Premier League. No, not that Premier League, the world's finest soccer association in England. The ex-Illini forward will play for the Sauk Valley Predators in the Premier Basketball League, … [Read more...] about Former Illini, NBA Draft bust Jereme Richmond finds “professional” team
Illini basketball season follows same depressing path as Illini football season
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." For Illini fans in 2011-12, both were true. In both revenue producing sports. On the college football gridiron, Illinois started 6-0, on the strength of some ugly wins: (Northwestern, Western Michigan), and ascended to #16 in the nation. They lost as favorites to Ohio State, then became the first team in FBS … [Read more...] about Illini basketball season follows same depressing path as Illini football season
Illini Coach Bruce Weber clarifies, apologies for defeatist comments last night
Illinois Coach Bruce Weber sounded like a dead man walking last night in his post game press conference. Following the Illini home loss to Purdue, which effectively killed his team's NCAA Tournament at-large chances, Weber sounded very defeatist when meeting the media. He called out some of his own players (Meyers Leonard, for his body language specifically), gushed over … [Read more...] about Illini Coach Bruce Weber clarifies, apologies for defeatist comments last night
Just how shaky is Illini coach Bruce Weber’s Job Security?
The Assembly Hall crowd in Champaign called for Bruce Weber's head. Illini fans in B Section screamed "pack your bags" and "I can draw up a better offense." This has gone on for years, except this time there was one major difference- No one in the orange and blue crowd stuck up for Bruce. And this happened during one of this year's signature wins, a victory over a top ten … [Read more...] about Just how shaky is Illini coach Bruce Weber’s Job Security?
Illinois Fighting Illini Tournament Resume: Strengths and Weaknesses
In our latest NCAA Tournament projection, we have the Illini as a #9 seed in the South Regional. Since February is pretty much here- time to think about who needs to shore up the old resume for selection time come March. At 16-6, 5-4 in conference, RPI 37, SoS 26 and 5-4 and vs the RPI top 50 their profile looks very solid, but not extraordinary. Including that BAD loss at … [Read more...] about Illinois Fighting Illini Tournament Resume: Strengths and Weaknesses