Last night the #23 Illini lost at home to a Northwestern team that has their coach squarely on the hot seat, is reeling from injuries and without their best player in Drew Crawford. The loss was the third in a row by double digits for the Illini, and the three defeats have been even more lopsided than the scores indicate. This shouldn't be happening to a team that was ranked in … [Read more...] about 9 things really wrong with Illini basketball right now
tracy abrams
#12 Illini struggle too often in beating bad teams
The 12th ranked Illinois Fighting Illini have struggled this pre-conference season in blowing out/closing out teams that are supposedly very inferior to them. When you're a top 15 ranked team, with very solid signature wins over #13 Gonzaga and #18 Butler, you should handle the mid-major and low-major scrubs very easily. But the Illini don't do that. They let bad teams hang … [Read more...] about #12 Illini struggle too often in beating bad teams
Illini Basketball MVP Thus Far: Sam Maniscalco
Where would the Illlini be without Sam Maniscalco? What would become of their point guard situation if the three time team captain at Bradley, All-Missouri Valley second team pick wasn't eligible after his transfer this season? Illinois didn't play very well, but they did make it three straight wins in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge, and snapped a three-game skid vs. Maryland in the … [Read more...] about Illini Basketball MVP Thus Far: Sam Maniscalco
How’s the Illini Point Guard Situation Coming Along?
Heading into this season, the Illinois Fighting Illini had some questions to answer at "the one." Two games in, they still do. Demetri McCamey, as inconsistent and polarizing as he was, provided minutes and some sense of stability. The situation was helped this offseason when Bradley transfer Sam Maniscalco became eligible. He provides a steady veteran hand while PG of the … [Read more...] about How’s the Illini Point Guard Situation Coming Along?
Illini Open New Season and Court With Victory Over Loyola 67-49
The state of Illinois has produced only one college basketball national championship, and it wasn't accomplished by the Illinois Fighting Illini; although they were just a couple 3-pt FGs away in '05. Depaul made the Final 4 in '80s glory years under Ray Meyer, but no further. SIU has won a lot of games in March lately, but they haven't cut down the nets either. I doubt any … [Read more...] about Illini Open New Season and Court With Victory Over Loyola 67-49
Bradley University Grants Sam Maniscalco His Release
Updating yesterday's story on Bradley point guard Sam Maniscalco's possible transfer, Bradley University has granted the senior his realease and given permission to ten schools to talk to him about his services for the upcoming season. Under the rules of the NCAA's graduate school waiver, Maniscalco is allowed to transfer and play next season without sitting out a year as … [Read more...] about Bradley University Grants Sam Maniscalco His Release
Is Bradley’s Sam Maniscalco Transferring to Illinois?
The University of Illinois has spent most of the week preparing for the Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis. Off the court on Thursday, however, they may have gotten the best news that they'll get before Selection Sunday. … [Read more...] about Is Bradley’s Sam Maniscalco Transferring to Illinois?
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.