With seven weeks done in the college football season, the first edition of the BCS rankings came out on Sunday night, and there were a few surprises through the list. The LSU Tigers ended up edging the Alabama Crimson Tide on the list, finishing a mere .0003 points ahead of them in average. The Oklahoma Sooners ended up finishing in the third spot, followed closely by … [Read more...] about LSU, Alabama Top First BCS Rankings
Illinois Fighting Illini
#36 Illinois Fighting Illini: College Basketball 111 in 111
Welcome to The Sports Bank’s second annual college basketball season preview series. Last year we looked at 99 teams in 99 days. This year, we are being slightly more aggressive and expanding to 111 teams in 111 days. We will rank the 74 power conference teams and top 37 mid-majors in reverse power ranking order. We’ll break down rosters, non-conference schedules, and pick … [Read more...] about #36 Illinois Fighting Illini: College Basketball 111 in 111
Steelers Troy Polamalu’s College Counterpart (Hair Wise): Illini RB Troy Pollard
The similarities between Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu and Illinois Fighting Illini leading rusher Troy Pollard go further than just the amazing coincidence in names. There's the hair thing too! You've seen Polamalu's shampoo commercials, right? "Troy Polamolecules dude." You can go here for more. But let's learn more about the man nicknamed "bucket o' hair." … [Read more...] about Steelers Troy Polamalu’s College Counterpart (Hair Wise): Illini RB Troy Pollard
Illini Football All-Decade Team Announced: Part 2 Offense, Special Teams
The University of Illinois announced their All-Decade Team this week. Today, we'll list the offense named to the 31-player team. The squad, which honors Illini who played between 2000-10, was compiled by a combination of fan voting and input from Division of Intercollegiate Athletics staff. … [Read more...] about Illini Football All-Decade Team Announced: Part 2 Offense, Special Teams
Illini Football All-Decade Team Announced: Part 1 Defense
The University of Illinois announced their All-Decade Team this week. We'll start with the defense, and we'll open with the defensive linemen: Will Davis, Corey Liuget, Brandon Moore, Chris Norwell and Derrick Strong named to the 31-player team. The squad, which honors Illini who played between 2000-10, was compiled by a combination of fan voting and input from Division of … [Read more...] about Illini Football All-Decade Team Announced: Part 1 Defense
Fighting Illini Hoops Crush West Virginia in Scrimmage at Italian Air Base
It is impressive that the Michigan State Spartans and North Carolina Tar Heels will take on each other in college basketball aboard the deck of an aircraft carrier. But don't sell the Illinois Fighting Illini and West Virginia Mountaineers short. The two basketball teams visited Aviano Air Base yesterday during their summer Italian tours. And it resulted in Illinois … [Read more...] about Fighting Illini Hoops Crush West Virginia in Scrimmage at Italian Air Base
Does Former Illini Star Dee Brown have a Future Coaching Basketball? (Videos)
He's one of the most iconic players in recent college basketball history, and the face of Illini basketball for half a decade. Dee Brown, an All-American, and winner of the 2006 Cousy Award (given to the nation's best point guard) was the cover boy for SI's 2005 March Madness issue. During that Final Four run, his "poppin your collar" move became a national trend. He didn't … [Read more...] about Does Former Illini Star Dee Brown have a Future Coaching Basketball? (Videos)
Deron Williams Spectacular Dunk in Alumni Game (Video)
Last night the New Jersey Nets Deron Williams played basketball in front of a crowd for the first time since a wrist injury shut him down ot end the season. After the jump check out this bounce pass dunk to himself (this is soon to be a YouTube sensation) that got the air conditioningless arena rocking. … [Read more...] about Deron Williams Spectacular Dunk in Alumni Game (Video)
L.A. Clippers Brian Cook Headed to China?
It all started with the New Jersey Nets' Deron Williams declaring that he would play in Turkey if the NBA lockout continues. Then more dominoes fell, and the next one could be the Los Angeles Clippers' Brian Cook, like Williams, an ex-Illini. No, this is not the Brian Cook of MGoBlog fame, the well known Michigan Wolverines fan site. … [Read more...] about L.A. Clippers Brian Cook Headed to China?
Nets Deron Williams Takes to the Basketball Court Again
In this summer of the NBA lockout, college basketball alumni games are more exciting than ever. We need to get our Basketball Jones somewhere. And tonight we could find it in Champaign-Urbana as former Illinois Fighting Illini point guards Deron Williams and Demetri McCamey squared off against each other in the UI alumni game. Both are heading to Turkey for the 2011-2012 … [Read more...] about Nets Deron Williams Takes to the Basketball Court Again