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Illinois

Purdue to challenge for Leaders Division title?

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If there was ever a time for the Boilermakers to seize the moment, this is, most definitely, the season to do it! This may seem like “old news,” and that I am working toward an incredibly obvious conclusion, but a new factor has been added to the equation: Wisconsin is not nearly as good as they were believed to be. As the season began, the assumption was that since Ohio … [Read more...] about Purdue to challenge for Leaders Division title?

Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Wisconsin Badgers: Brutally Honest Preview

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The Illinois Fighting Illini and Wisconsin Badgers have a lot in common in 2012 and it's not a good thing. Most notably is the unexpected and disappointing starts  for both teams. Neither team looked half-decent against non-conference foes and both lost their Big Ten openers. The Illini's new head coach Tim Beckman could already be on the hot-seat and the Wisconsin Badgers … [Read more...] about Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Wisconsin Badgers: Brutally Honest Preview

Is Northwestern for real?

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You may say it’s too early to talk of such things and that I need to calm down after only one conference game in the books, but this could be a great year for the Wildcats! Their 5-0 record may not have come against the best of opponents (Syracuse, Vanderbilt, Boston College, South Dakota, Indiana), but Northwestern has shown the ability to score, almost on demand. They have … [Read more...] about Is Northwestern for real?

Big Ten Football Quarterly Review

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Believe it or not, the college football season is a quarter over, and we are only a week away from the kick-off of Big Ten conference play! With only three games played this season, it may seem a bit soon to be handing out letter grades, but these first three weeks can be very telling as to what may be in store for the rest of the season. Each team will receive a letter … [Read more...] about Big Ten Football Quarterly Review

Purdue’s Matt Painter gives take on Bruce Weber firing

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Purdue coach Matt Painter is from the same Gene Keady coaching tree as just fired, former Illini Bruce Weber; they're contemporaries, peers and friends. They both spend a lot of time screaming at their players to "MOVE" and "MOTION" in the motion offense system that they run. (It's been a struggle offensively for both teams at times this season). Following his … [Read more...] about Purdue’s Matt Painter gives take on Bruce Weber firing

Bo Ryan and the Wisconsin Badgers stay perfect in Senior Day Games (Rapid Reaction)

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                With a 70-56 win over the Fighting Illini, the Wisconsin Badgers' Head Coach Bo Ryan is now 11-0 in Senior Day games at the Kohl Center. Seniors Jordan Taylor and Rob Wilson were magnificent with 24 combined points to help the Badgers (23-8, 12-6) end the regular season on a three-game winning … [Read more...] about Bo Ryan and the Wisconsin Badgers stay perfect in Senior Day Games (Rapid Reaction)

Illini Get Grindy Road Win at Northwestern, Snap Chicago Area Losing Streak

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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