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
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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
Illini Sign 4 Chicagoans, Net 3rd Straight top 15 Recruiting Class.
National signing day in college basketball is always very anti-climactic, because all it does is make official what we've already known for some time. But it's still a great chance to summate another year of recruiting, and another class. And it's very promising to see the Illini locking down their borders by continuing to recruit the Chicagoland area so well. It yielded them … [Read more...] about Illini Sign 4 Chicagoans, Net 3rd Straight top 15 Recruiting Class.
Illini Need to Rock the Mike (Tisdale, Davis) Right this Season
During the last Illinois Fighting Illini season, they were too many college basketball games in which Bruce Weber could have described Demetri McCamey by a familiar rock anthem. The Cars': "you're all I've got tonight. I need you. Tonight!" If there's one thing I do know, it's that Big Ten and NCAA expectations at Illinois will only materialize if that song becomes played … [Read more...] about Illini Need to Rock the Mike (Tisdale, Davis) Right this Season
Sophomore Brandon Paul electrifies Illini Opener Once Again
Where was this Brandon Paul in February and March? For the second year in a row, Paul started the Illini season off with an impressive showing. Last year against Southern Illinois-Edwardsville, Paul stole the spotlight of the season opener, draining 4 of 6 shots from behind the arc and finishing with 22 points – a freshman debut scoring record. Tuesday, opening the season … [Read more...] about Sophomore Brandon Paul electrifies Illini Opener Once Again
Frosh Jereme Richmond Should Crack Starting Five for the Illini
University of Illinois freshman Jereme Richmond (Waukegan, Ill.) has already accomplished something before he even begins his Illini career. Richmond made the USA Basketball U18 National Team, and played in the FIBA Americas U18 Championship. Richmond became the first Illini on the U.S. U18 National Team since Deron Williams and Dee Brown in 2002. The frosh averaged 21 … [Read more...] about Frosh Jereme Richmond Should Crack Starting Five for the Illini
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
Illini Hoops Media Day Notable Quotables (Videos)
Last season, the Illinois Fighting Illini were one of the most schizophrenic teams in the Big Ten, if not the nation. They beat Michigan State, a Final Four team in an emotional ESPN College Gameday event, and won at Wisconsin's Kohl Center, where almost no one beats the Badgers. They also had Ohio State, a #2 seed in the NCAA Tournament on the ropes in the conference … [Read more...] about Illini Hoops Media Day Notable Quotables (Videos)
Illini Recruit Jereme Richmond makes U18 National Team
Richmond Makes USA Basketball U18 National Team, will play in FIBA Americas U18 Championship University of Illinois freshman Jereme Richmond (Waukegan, Ill.) has been named to the 12-member USA Basketball U18 National Team, following trials at the University of Texas-San Antonio. Richmond will remain in Texas until the end of the month, training with his U.S. squad through … [Read more...] about Illini Recruit Jereme Richmond makes U18 National Team