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?
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’11-’12 Illini Bare Disturbing Resemblance to ’98-’99 Team
Bruce Weber has his 2011-12 Fighting Illini in real good shape to make the NCAA Tournament, with his third big, signature win coming just the other night over Michigan State. Yet he's on both the hot seat and the bad side of Illini Nation. (Much more on this in a quickly upcoming post) Why? Style points. Illini basketball is "sexy" alright, sexy as Camryn Manheim or Kathy … [Read more...] about ’11-’12 Illini Bare Disturbing Resemblance to ’98-’99 Team
Spartans’ Leading Scorer/Rebounder Draymond Green Leaves Game With Serious Leg Injury
The Big Ten's leading rebounder, and best player on the nation's 9th ranked team may be out for awhile. Michigan State forward Draymond Green seriously hurt his left leg in tonight's mild upset loss to the Illini, and left the game with 3:50 left, unable to walk on his own power. Green was down on the Assembly Hall floor in Champaign for quite awhile, and after examination … [Read more...] about Spartans’ Leading Scorer/Rebounder Draymond Green Leaves Game With Serious Leg Injury
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
Illini Hoops Want More Defense Behind Leaders Richardson, Paul
One of the biggest reasons the Illini fell well short of preseason expectations last year was their lack of defensive heart and intensity. It isn't like a Bruce Weber coached team to not defend, and last year Illinois lost way too many games because their inability to get stops down the stetch and in crunch time. Especially on the road, Illinois would dig deep holes for … [Read more...] about Illini Hoops Want More Defense Behind Leaders Richardson, Paul
Illini Land Top 50 Prospect, Shooting Guard Malcolm Hill
The Illinois Fighting Illini hoops class for 2013 is looking pretty stellar. It's a phat class overall, and Champaign has a verbal commit from point guard Jalen James. Now they got top 50 prospect Malcolm Hill, a 6-5 shooting guard from Belleville, IL who also had offers from Kansas State, Missouri, Southern Illinois and Xavier. … [Read more...] about Illini Land Top 50 Prospect, Shooting Guard Malcolm Hill
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?