In the bracket of non-existent, 2009-2011 Illini basketball leadership has got to be a #1 seed. And I’m not singling out Coach Bruce Weber, or point guard/star player Demetri McCamey. I’m talking about the total team's overall tendency to just NOT get things done together as a team. If Notre Dame is Gestalt, and a cohesive unit playing well beyond the sum of their parts, … [Read more...] about Blame for Disappointing Illini Season Goes Well Beyond Senior Class
Mike Tisdale
Illini Stayin’ Alive for NCAA Tournament Berth
Well you can tell by the way they use their walk that...well, they haven't played themselves out of NCAA tournament contention yet. Was that all just an excuse to lead in with that smarmy photo of Disco John Travolta? Yes. Yes it was. But it still needs to be said that, after 29 games, the Illinois Fighting Illini men's college basketball team still is hanging around the … [Read more...] about Illini Stayin’ Alive for NCAA Tournament Berth
Illinois 81, Iowa 68: Rapid Reaction
It was a college basketball game that highlighted one of the main reoccurring themes of the Illinois Fighting Illini season. Every time they had a big lead, they just couldn't find a way to step on their opponents' throat. The "killer instinct," or "closing speed" just was not there. It seemed like every time they went up 15, the margin was back to five or less before you … [Read more...] about Illinois 81, Iowa 68: Rapid Reaction
Why do the Illini have so Little Fight on the Road?
Following yet another disappointing road loss at Northwestern, Illinois Head Coach Bruce Weber talked about what he's tried to fix their 1-4 in conference play road woes. "We tried lineup changes, they all want to start, but step up and be a starter, make the plays. Billy (Cole) said it, we got to start the game with shutouts, we got to be determined, we can't let a … [Read more...] about Why do the Illini have so Little Fight on the Road?
Can this Illini Team, specifically the Seniors, Ever Wake Up?
“We have had people talk to them, and we did everything except electric shock [therapy] to get them going, Illini coach Bruce Weber said about his college basketball team. “They have to jolt themselves from the inside. We have to be determined and not let a team, especially on the road, jump on us.” Weber made this comment after his Illini team lost at Northwestern; despite … [Read more...] about Can this Illini Team, specifically the Seniors, Ever Wake Up?
Northwestern Closes Out Illini, Illinois Road Woes Continue
In the second battle between Chicago's two Big Ten college basketball teams, the outcome was drastically different from the first. Just how much of a disparity? It would be like comparing the body composition of Illini Center Mike Tisdale (7-1, very svelte) to that of Jersey Shore star Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi (4-8, very squished). In their first meeting in Champaign, … [Read more...] about Northwestern Closes Out Illini, Illinois Road Woes Continue
Illinois’ Second Half Choke Not Surprising
There wasn't much you could say about the Illini and their fall to top-ranked Ohio State on Saturday afternoon. It was certainly disappointing. It was certainly a let down after building a lead. The one thing you really can't call it, and we all know it deep down inside, was all that surprising. … [Read more...] about Illinois’ Second Half Choke Not Surprising
Illini Whip Northwestern; Wildcats in 0-3 in Big Ten
Last year's game was A BIT closer than this. When the Illinois Fighting Illini took on their rival Northwestern Wildcats for the first time in 2010, the annual meeting in Champaign resulted in an exciting and very high-scoring overtime thriller in which the Cats took care of the ball astonishingly well, committed very few mistakes, but fell just short. This battle to be … [Read more...] about Illini Whip Northwestern; Wildcats in 0-3 in Big Ten
Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Northwestern Wildcats, LIVE BLOG! The “Rivalry” Renews!!!
OHHHHHHHHH It's a family affair here at the Ass Hall tonight. Not really, but I feel like Northwestern is our "little brother"... We're three minutes to tipoff! The purple weenies are here! There was a bigger crowd for Wisconsin (wait, that's not good)...Northwestern HAS to win this game (wait, that's worse...). Uh oh. Maybe this is gonna be trouble tonight...2:30 til … [Read more...] about Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Northwestern Wildcats, LIVE BLOG! The “Rivalry” Renews!!!
Illinois Fighting Illini versus Wisconsin Badgers! BASKETBALL LIVE BLOG BABY!
BOO YA KASHA!!! Happy New Year sports fans! I'm forgoing the Bears and Packers at Lambeau, and we're live blogging from THE Assembly Hall in Champaign! I don't want to say this is a must win game for the Illini...but....It's a must win game for the Illini. I'm finally going to leave an Illinois game with an impression about this team. This is making me, for one, … [Read more...] about Illinois Fighting Illini versus Wisconsin Badgers! BASKETBALL LIVE BLOG BABY!