Go Illini!

[moe.ron]

They are giving UNC a beating right now! Does anyone on the Boards go to U Of I -Urbana Champaign? I just got may acceptance letter last wednesday so it look like thats where i will be next Fall.

[Spartan36]

Man I love Illinois.....my second favorite school.

[giddy]

didn't get to watch too much of the game tonight, but Self should have that team in the top 3 in the Big 10

[haildmb]

Originally posted by giddy
didn't get to watch too much of the game tonight, but Self should have that team in the top 3 in the Big 10

hopefully that was because you were watching the Indiana/Maryland game :) that game was so so so so SO good

[PilotC150]

It was awesome!! My dad is Illini alumni (say that 5 times fast). I always cheer for them.

Actually, last winter when mt. dew had their promotion going, I won a free NCAA jersey, and I got an illini one. It's really a quality jersey. I'll have to wear it next time they televise an illinois game.

[StitDawg]

Was Illinois on? Go Hoosiers mofo!!!!!:lol :multi

[moe.ron]

I gotta hand it to Indiana. THat was an awesome game. I actually was in the procees of applying to Indiana when i got my acceptance from U of I but basically the difference in cost for the education made me drop my IU app and start filing out forms for U of I.

[Rdedeian]

Originally posted by giddy
didn't get to watch too much of the game tonight, but Self should have that team in the top 3 in the Big 10


I totally agree, there a young team but should do fine especially since the Big Ten isn't suppose to be really strong this year.

I think Indiana will win the Big Ten this year

[Hoppytoad]

Was very impressed with Illinois' performance. My husband and I couldn't believe how well they did. We were expecting a big let down this year despite the coach's "excitement" that we kept hearing about here in town.

Dare I say they actually looked better than they have the last 2 years? Perhaps I will wait a game or two, but if they keep playing like they did last night...:D

[bdb23]

Top.

Number 1 in both polls.

:monkey

[EatSleepJeep]

This year's Illini are going to be more impressive to watch than that bunch of ineligible morons formerly known as the "fab 5."

[41ravens]

watching the game right now. they seem to be too much for mighty Chicago St.

[EatSleepJeep]

watching the game right now. they seem to be too much for mighty Chicago St.
Oh yeah? What's the spread on that? 50? 70?

[moe.ron]

holy shit this thread is old...i (the original poster) am now a sophomore at U of I. I was at the game tonight but left at half time...we are playing like shit but still up a lot.

[bdb23]

holy shit this thread is old...i (the original poster) am now a sophomore at U of I. I was at the game tonight but left at half time...we are playing like shit but still up a lot.
:lol :lol

[bdb23]

15-point win @ Georgetown. :thumbsup

Let's hope for no letdown against Oregon.

[bdb23]

Forgot to top this thread yesterday. Impressive week for the Illini. First time they'll ever hold a #1 ranking two weeks in a row. :thumbsup

[bdb23]

Nice lead at halftime.

[bdb23]

Whew. 70-64 win. Close. Mizzou is a tough and scrappy team. That Kleiza is a shooter.

[DMBand520]

Whew. 70-64 win. Close. Mizzou is a tough and scrappy team. That Kleiza is a shooter.

Wow I watched the end of that game last night with my roommate and Mizzou was really giving it everything they had. I couldnt believe at one point in the last 2 min or so they had like 6 three point plays in a row. They blew their one chance when then got that turnover down by only 5 with about 30 seconds left and threw that shitty pass out of bounds and gave it back to Illinois!

[bdb23]

Wow I watched the end of that game last night with my roommate and Mizzou was really giving it everything they had. I couldnt believe at one point in the last 2 min or so they had like 6 three point plays in a row. They blew their one chance when then got that turnover down by only 5 with about 30 seconds left and threw that shitty pass out of bounds and gave it back to Illinois!
Yep. When Illinois turned it over I thought there was going to be trouble. Luckily Mizzou turned it back over.


The Illini have only trailed in 22 of the 440 minutes played this year. Awesome stat considering some of the teams they've played.

[amyswmr15]

natalie goes to u of i.

ive been there alot. haha. my ex goes there.

[bdb23]

105-79 win.

That is all.

[Gregb486]

i hate illinois. i have everything about it. you see, that is where the evil one resides. i hope gw plays them in the tourney and rips their hearts out.

[bdb23]

Rolling along with a 19-point win.

I-L-L....I-N-I!!!!

[bustdstuff]

I am so glad that when I looked back at the top it was that old. When I read that Self should have the team at the top I think I looked like this :freak . :lol

[bdb23]

I am so glad that when I looked back at the top it was that old. I read that Self should have the team at the top I think I looked like this :freak . :lol
You know me and the "search" feature. ;)

[Hcdevildmb]

Glad to the Illini are getting some love! ILL...

[bustdstuff]

You know me and the "search" feature. ;)


Yea search!!!!! :bounce

:lol :lol

[bdb23]

Yea search!!!!! :bounce

:lol :lol
I topped this thing over 2 years after it died. :lol

[bustdstuff]

Glad to the Illini are getting some love! ILL...

Ummm they're #1 in the country. I think they've been getting love from all over the country. And they get plenty of love in the real bball thread. ;)

[bdb23]

the real bball thread. ;)
:lol :lol :thumbsup

[bustdstuff]

:lol :lol :thumbsup

We know where the action is. ;) ;)

[meatball41]

They're absurd! They're gonna run the table! Then hopefully in the tourney they'll get their chance to get a little sweet revenge from last year against the Dookies and then bitch slap Self's Jayhawks in the Final Four! How sweet that would be!!

[bustdstuff]

They're absurd! They're gonna run the table! Then hopefully in the tourney they'll get their chance to get a little sweet revenge from last year against the Dookies and then bitch slap Self's Jayhawks in the Final Four! How sweet that would be!!

Yeah and UK's gonna get that great eight matchup with Duke again. :rolleyes

[bdb23]

They're absurd! They're gonna run the table! Then hopefully in the tourney they'll get their chance to get a little sweet revenge from last year against the Dookies and then bitch slap Self's Jayhawks in the Final Four! How sweet that would be!!
:thumbsup Let's hope.

[seekupig]

They're absurd! They're gonna run the table! Then hopefully in the tourney they'll get their chance to get a little sweet revenge from last year against the Dookies and then bitch slap Self's Jayhawks in the Final Four! How sweet that would be!!
:lol :lol :lol

the days of running the table in college basketball are over. there will always be that one night when nothing falls, every loose ball goes the other way, etc... and you just lose to an inferior team. doesn't mean they're better, it just happens.

......and i would love for Illinois to play Kansas in the Final Four. you know what happens when you play without your best player for two months? everyone else gets better. KU may lose a few between now and March, but they will be better for it in the end. and who knows Bill Selfs players better than Bill Self? enjoy your romp throught that weak conferece, you'll pay for it later.

[meatball41]

:lol :lol :lol

the days of running the table in college basketball are over. there will always be that one night when nothing falls, every loose ball goes the other way, etc... and you just lose to an inferior team. doesn't mean they're better, it just happens.

......and i would love for Illinois to play Kansas in the Final Four. you know what happens when you play without your best player for two months? everyone else gets better. KU may lose a few between now and March, but they will be better for it in the end. and who knows Bill Selfs players better than Bill Self? enjoy your romp throught that weak conferece, you'll pay for it later.

You're probably right about running the table. But Illinois looks far better poised to do it then Kansas does. I know you haven't had your stud for two games now, but even before he went out you guys were looking shaky at best. No matter who the Illini have played they have DOMINATED. They're beating opponents by an average of over 18 pts. a game. And that includes 4 ranked teams that they've already played so far. You guys have played how many so far? One, and an overrated one at that. And you wanna talk smack about a weak connference? Those who live in glass houses.... And I hope the Illini do play Kansas in the Final Four and then we can all watch Bruce Weber coach circles around Bill Self. You know as well as I do now after having Self for a year and a half Self isn't half the game coach Roy Williams is, or even Weber for that matter. If Self was still the coach of this Illini team there's no chance they'd be playing at this level right now and be undefeated.

[seekupig]

You're probably right about running the table. But Illinois looks far better poised to do it then Kansas does. I know you haven't had your stud for two games now, but even before he went out you guys were looking shaky at best. No matter who the Illini have played they have DOMINATED. They're beating opponents by an average of over 18 pts. a game. And that includes 4 ranked teams that they've already played so far. You guys have played how many so far? One, and an overrated one at that. And you wanna talk smack about a weak connference? Those who live in glass houses.... And I hope the Illini do play Kansas in the Final Four and then we can all watch Bruce Weber coach circles around Bill Self. You know as well as I do now after having Self for a year and a half Self isn't half the game coach Roy Williams is, or even Weber for that matter. If Self was still the coach of this Illini team there's no chance they'd be playing at this level right now and be undefeated.
why does kansas have a strength of schedule of 11, while the Illini' is 96?

[seekupig]

and the one game you didn't dominate was the fifth best team in the Big XII.

[meatball41]

and the one game you didn't dominate was the fifth best team in the Big XII.

Missouri and Illinois always play each other tough year in year out even if one of the programs is having a down year. It's a big rivalry for both schools and both teams get jacked up for it. So ok we didn't dominate our rival like we have every one else. But c'mon..KU 68 vs. Vermont 61? or KU 64 vs. South Carolina 60? Both at home? At least Missouri is a respectable program and it was on a neutral site.

[bdb23]

and the one game you didn't dominate was the fifth best team in the Big XII.
Keep your Illini hating over in the real basketball thread.

I just hear over and over who the best overall team is. And never do I hear the term Jayhawk used. But keep that "#1" in your sig. Wishful thinking, I guess.

[bdb23]

Missouri and Illinois always play each other tough year in year out even if one of the programs is having a down year. It's a big rivalry for both schools and both teams get jacked up for it. So ok we didn't dominate our rival like we have every one else. But c'mon..KU 68 vs. Vermont 61? or KU 64 vs. South Carolina 60? Both at home? At least Missouri is a respectable program and it was on a neutral site.
:thumbsup :lol :lol

[bustdstuff]

You're probably right about running the table. But Illinois looks far better poised to do it then Kansas does. I know you haven't had your stud for two games now, but even before he went out you guys were looking shaky at best. No matter who the Illini have played they have DOMINATED. They're beating opponents by an average of over 18 pts. a game. And that includes 4 ranked teams that they've already played so far. You guys have played how many so far? One, and an overrated one at that. And you wanna talk smack about a weak connference? Those who live in glass houses.... And I hope the Illini do play Kansas in the Final Four and then we can all watch Bruce Weber coach circles around Bill Self. You know as well as I do now after having Self for a year and a half Self isn't half the game coach Roy Williams is, or even Weber for that matter. If Self was still the coach of this Illini team there's no chance they'd be playing at this level right now and be undefeated.

Sorry but I got to bring you back to reality. Since I'm a Duke fan I have a good (not pleasant) memory of this beautiful season in '99. They're only loss all season was to an inferior Cinnci team (just got off a plane from alaska about6-8 hours before the game), and went into the tourney 32-1. Do I need to remind you what happened? I really don't want to relive the no call on Langdon with .7 left. basically my point is that it don't mean shit to run the table or dominate every game. It just makes you a juicier opponent later in the seaon. Tourney time that is.

[meatball41]

Sorry but I got to bring you back to reality. Since I'm a Duke fan I have a good (not pleasant) memory of this beautiful season in '99. They're only loss all season was to an inferior Cinnci team (just got off a plane from alaska about6-8 hours before the game), and went into the tourney 32-1. Do I need to remind you what happened? I really don't want to relive the no call on Langdon with .7 left. basically my point is that it don't mean shit to run the table or dominate every game. It just makes you a juicier opponent later in the seaon. Tourney time that is.

It certianly means shit when it comes to seeding and placement come tourney time. And when you're having a year like the Illini are this year or like Duke had that year you're already coming into the tourney with a big bullls eye on your back anyway, so it's not like teams are preparing for you any different then if you had one loss or four losses. If anything coming into the tourney like Duke back in '99 or when UNLV did back in '90 or '91, (whenever it was when they ran the table during the reg. season) I think it's an intimidation factor and gives you a huge psychological advantage over your opponent.

[JanelleM]

Random: my grandpa played football for the University of Illinois: Random

[bustdstuff]

UNLV ran the table in the regular season during the '90-'91 season, and Duke took the down in the tourney. On their way to the first Duke national championship. But they a little more incentive seeing that UNLV had beat them the year before in the championship game by 30 (largest margin of victory in the final game).

Anyway all I was saying that dominating in the regular season isn't always the best thing going into post season. Sometimes guys need to be able to remember what it feels like to lose.

[seekupig]

UNLV ran the table in the regular season during the '90-'91 season, and Duke took the down in the tourney. On their way to the first Duke national championship. But they a little more incentive seeing that UNLV had beat them the year before in the championship game by 30 (largest margin of victory in the final game).

Anyway all I was saying that dominating in the regular season isn't always the best thing going into post season. Sometimes guys need to be able to remember what it feels like to lose.
it also helps to play a couple of close games. Illinois fans are talking about how dominating their wins are (which they have been, taking nothing away from them), but come tourney time in a close game, you need experience to deal with the pressure of having to make shots when it's do or die. so far Illinois doesn't have that. Kansas '97 is another example of a team that dominated all season and lost in the tournament when put in a close game against a hot team. Going into the Arizona game, Kansas was 34-1 with their only loss coming at Mizzou 96-94 in double OT.

[meatball41]

it also helps to play a couple of close games. Illinois fans are talking about how dominating their wins are (which they have been, taking nothing away from them), but come tourney time in a close game, you need experience to deal with the pressure of having to make shots when it's do or die. so far Illinois doesn't have that. Kansas '97 is another example of a team that dominated all season and lost in the tournament when put in a close game against a hot team. Going into the Arizona game, Kansas was 34-1 with their only loss coming at Mizzou 96-94 in double OT.

First of all I totally agree with both you guys that it's good to have a loss or two under your belt and to be a little battle tested going into the tourney. Kind of allows you to judge how you're team bounces back from a tough loss and how well your team handles the pressure of being in a tight game. No question knowing both of those things going into the tourney are invaluable. With that being said the Illini have been somewhat tested in a few games this year. Against Arkansas the Razorbacks had the lead down to 4 or 5 at around the 4:30 mark, and Missouri had the lead down to 4 with around 2 min. to go and both games the Illini responded well and pulled out a W. But all I'm saying is that for Illiniois to run the table during the regular season would be a HUGE knot in this programs belt. Their program isn't nearly as storied as Duke's or Kansas', so for the Illini to be this good doesn't happen year in/ year out like it does for the Blue Devils or the Jayhawks, so forgive us Illini fans if we are a little over zealous about our boys this year and the chance (as small as it may be) of running the table.

[seekupig]

First of all I totally agree with both you guys that it's good to have a loss or two under your belt and to be a little battle tested going into the tourney. Kind of allows you to judge how you're team bounces back from a tough loss and how well your team handles the pressure of being in a tight game. No question knowing both of those things going into the tourney are invaluable. With that being said the Illini have been somewhat tested in a few games this year. Against Arkansas the Razorbacks had the lead down to 4 or 5 at around the 4:30 mark, and Missouri had the lead down to 4 with around 2 min. to go and both games the Illini responded well and pulled out a W. But all I'm saying is that for Illiniois to run the table during the regular season would be a HUGE knot in this programs belt. Their program isn't nearly as storied as Duke's or Kansas', so for the Illini to be this good doesn't happen year in/ year out like it does for the Blue Devils or the Jayhawks, so forgive us Illini fans if we are a little over zealous about our boys this year and the chance (as small as it may be) of running the table.
point taken. enjoy the season.

[bustdstuff]

point taken. enjoy the season.

I concur. I think both of us just don't want you guys (total fanbase) to be totally devestated when it happens. I don't know how many games you get a chance to go to, but when that loss comes the team will need it's fanbase to help pick them up. Duke and KU programs both already know this. I hope the Illini becomes one of those programs. Which I think they are well on their way.

[meatball41]

I concur. I think both of us just don't want you guys (total fanbase) to be totally devestated when it happens. I don't know how many games you get a chance to go to, but when that loss comes the team will need it's fanbase to help pick them up. Duke and KU programs both already know this. I hope the Illini becomes one of those programs. Which I think they are well on their way.

:thumbsup Thanks, I hope so.

[bdb23]

Back from 9 down to win by 9. Sweet second half.

[meatball41]

Dee Brown to the rescue...thank you very Much! :)

[moe.ron]

Dee Brown to the rescue...thank you very Much! :)
not only did he hit some big 3's but he was everywhere on defense in the 2nd half! Im glad we are having to play from behind a little bit right now so we can be prepared for the better big ten teams and the tourney...im a little worried about playing michigan state

[IlliniGal]

i know this isn't basketball, but...turner's back with the bears.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=1962774

[bdb23]

Top for tonight.

[meatball41]

Big game baby! Big game! :bounce

[bdb23]

HUGE game.

[bdb23]

I-L-L...

[meatball41]

I-L-L...

I-N-I!!

[PilotC150]

Just bringin this back now that the game's over!

[bdb23]

I-N-I!!
20 minutes to get that. Not bad considering I posted that immediately after the game was over. Gotta love the orange and blue.

[meatball41]

20 minutes to get that. Not bad considering I posted that immediately after the game was over. Gotta love the orange and blue.

You know it! 20-0 baby! :bounce

[bdb23]

I-L-L...

[meatball41]

I-L-L...

...I-N-I

Damn them boys are stroking it from three in the first half! They've shot 17 3's in the first half already!! Go Orange and Blue!

[bdb23]

...I-N-I

Damn them boys are stroking it from three in the first half! They've shot 17 3's in the first half already!! Go Orange and Blue!
:thumbsup :thumbsup

[bdb23]

I-L-L...

[meatball41]

I-L-L...

I-N-I!!!

[bdb23]

Wasn't pretty but 24-0.

I-L-L...

[meatball41]

That was anything BUT pretty. 7-24 from 3 pt. land! :24 For fucks sake they drive me insane sometimes! And with that perimeter defense I have no idea how they are still undefeated. :violent

...I-N-I!!!

[bdb23]

28-0 baby!!!!

[PilotC150]

Two games left.

I believe this would be the first year where there would be one undefeated team and one completely defeated team.

[meatball41]

28-0 baby!!!!

You know it! Were you able to catch the game Brian? It wasn't televised out here in Maryland so I didn't get to see it, but from the score it looks like it got pretty ugly for Northwestern.

[bdb23]

You know it! Were you able to catch the game Brian? It wasn't televised out here in Maryland so I didn't get to see it, but from the score it looks like it got pretty ugly for Northwestern.
Yeah. Started out 7-0 and just got ugly from there.

[meatball41]

Yeah. Started out 7-0 and just got ugly from there.

:thumbsup Good stuff. Do they not have another game until next Thursday vs. Purdue?

[bdb23]

Shitty first half but pulled it out in the end. That's my team....

I-L-L...

[clayj41]

Huh, that's weird. Looking over the dates of all the posts in this thread, it seems that no one posted on March 6th. :D

[bdb23]

Huh, that's weird. Looking over the dates of all the posts in this thread, it seems that no one posted on March 6th. :D
We had enough posts with Jelly's favorite fan. :D

[meatball41]

Shitty first half but pulled it out in the end. That's my team....

I-L-L...

They had me squirming like crazy at the half. Good to see Dee get out of his 3 game funk. :thumbsup

...I-N-I

[meatball41]

We had enough posts with Jelly's favorite fan. :D

:lol :lol Exactly!

[meatball41]

Brian, have game times been posted yet for Saturdays games do you know?

[bdb23]

Brian, have game times been posted yet for Saturdays games do you know?
Not that I know of. They keep talking about us having an early evening game. :confused

[meatball41]

Not that I know of. They keep talking about us having an early evening game. :confused

Yeah, I heard a couple of times them mention something about an early time, but I wasn't sure if they were referring to early as in afternoon or evening. :shrug

[clayj41]

We had enough posts with Jelly's favorite fan. :D

:lol :lol :lol

[bdb23]

WOW!!!!

Still amazed.

[thegreatr1]

with the illini down 15, i promised a girl a date if they came back. looks like im taking her out this week. works for me! haha

[bdb23]

with the illini down 15, i promised a girl a date if they came back. looks like im taking her out this week. works for me! haha
:lol :lol

[thegreatr1]

it was win win for me...i wanted the illini to win anyway!

[rochny89]

One of the best college basketball finishes i've ever seen. My question to Lute Olsen, what was that last play and why did Frye/Stoudamire not get a touch?

[bdb23]

"It's heart man, it's just heart," Illinois' Dee Brown said. "The whole time I was saying 'If it was meant to be, it was meant to be.' And I guess it was meant to be that we go to the Final Four."

[OCMarsh]

:freak :eek :ugh



I still cannot believe what I just watched.



.....and my bracket lives!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[drumdude05]

I knew they wouldn't let me down.

[bdb23]

http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/ill/galleries/m_baskbl_20050326/52483260_10-lg.jpg

[drumdude05]

Is it just me or does Dee Brown look like a sponge in that picture?

[thegreatr1]

:lol

[standup]

"What in the hell was that about?"

Wow, Arizona

[Gregb486]

fuck life

[NickDMBandFan]

Illini rtock...but someties they annoty nme with theri threeee
shoooting

[drumdude05]

Illini rtock...but someties they annoty nme with theri threeee
shoooting

Yea dude it looks like they ticked you off so much that you can't even type.

[bdb23]

I woke up and said "Oh, my god" for about the 50th time since that finish.

[bdb23]

In light of the NCAA's horrible decision, I'm going to post this site...

http://www.honorthechief.org/index.htm

[moe.ron]

I am actually a fan of the NCAA's decision. The cheif is gonna have to go sometime and frankly it is a black eye controversy on the school and needs to be taken care of. I think a ruling like this is just the push the school needed in order to finally get rid of it. While I don't have a problem really with the mascot, I think we need to get past it as soon as possible.

[PilotC150]

I agree with the intent of the NCAA ruling, but many of the schools on the list do not treat their logos, mascots, nicknames with any disrespect at all, us included.

Hopefully some appeals will allow us to host tournament games, since in the past 4 years we have hosted 8 (I think) football playoff games.

[Bswartz95]

I agree with the intent of the NCAA ruling, but many of the schools on the list do not treat their logos, mascots, nicknames with any disrespect at all, us included.


I agree. I think the NCAA went a little too far here.

[PilotC150]

And as our president said in a statement he released, the NCAA ruling uses the word mascot, nickname and logo interchangably. We don't even have a mascot.

[bdb23]

We don't have a mascot. We have symbol. The Chief doesn't even stay on the sidelines during any games. A halftime dance, and that is all. This is just pathetic. I'm seriously going to start a crusade against the Fighting Irish. I'm Irish and I take offense at that mascot. It's my ethnicity and the NCAA should do something to stop this offensive portrayal of my heritage.

[EatSleepJeep]

What's the penalty for non-compliance? A fine? Some thing more? If the penalty is lame, I say flaunt it anyway UI.

[PilotC150]

We don't have a mascot. We have symbol. The Chief doesn't even stay on the sidelines during any games. A halftime dance, and that is all. This is just pathetic. I'm seriously going to start a crusade against the Fighting Irish. I'm Irish and I take offense at that mascot. It's my ethnicity and the NCAA should do something to stop this offensive portrayal of my heritage.
That's still more of a mascot than we have. We literally have nothing but our logo and our nickname.

And you're right. Who is to decide what is offensive and what isn't?

[pjlovesdmb]

i am part native american and i don't see anything wrong with the schools having these nicknames or mascots .as long as they are not made to make native americans look bad.

[EatSleepJeep]

And you're right. Who is to decide what is offensive and what isn't?


Some fuck at the NCAA.

[PilotC150]

I believe UND is going to appeal at some point, and I know Florida State has already filed a lawsuit.

[41ravens]

to the top in honor of today's huge win. great game today.

edit: and i'm aware that this was orginally for the basketball team. but it'll do.

[Tiduwho]

Fuck yeah Illinois, I don't know what happened finally but Illinois Football is relevant again!!! :multi

[chr35919]

wow. that's all i can say. we beat #5????

[MPizzle06]

wow. that's all i can say. we beat #5????

Doesn't surprise me the way we've been playing this year so far. #18 in the COUNTRY and ranked for the 1st time since '01!:thumbsup

Campus is buzzing and it feels amazing. I've been to too many Illini games to count, both football and basketball, and Saturday's was definitely the best. Just being in Block-I and us kicking Wisky's ASS was amazing. I knew the resurgence would come, and I'm so glad I'm here to see it!! GO IILLINI Beat the Hawkeyes!

[bothedmbfan]

I'm amazed at our amazingness.

[MPizzle06]

bump

So no one is giving this Illini team any credit, and sources say even USC's players are pretty damn pissed they are playing a 9-3 squad in the Rose Bowl.

But the facts don't lie:

- #10 SOS this year (USC is in the 80s), 2nd in the BCS only to WVA
- Beat 2 top-5 opponents: only team to accomplish that this season
- Beat a little team named Ohio State at the horseshoe, who are playing in some game on January 7th...forgot the name of it...;)

Now I'm not proclaiming Illinois to be high and mighty, and I'm not even predicting a victory on January 1st (well not yet), but I just don't understand all the criticism (apart from the 3 losses thing).

The concensus is that this will be the worst of the 5 BCS games, but I think it'll surprise a lot of people and end up a very close, entertaining game.

[bothedmbfan]

Oh, I think we'll get an ass kicking, but at the very least, it'll be good experience/

[meatball41]

Fuck USC!!

[dre2142]

USC 42, Illinois 20

[MPizzle06]

USC's Tradition & Name 42, Illinois 20

I changed it for you to reflect your basis for opinion.

[chr35919]

illinois vs. indiana!

i'll be in attendance

[SmoothD41]

^ you lucky bastard

I'm sporting my "Got Gordon?" shirt, but will be watching the game from my couch. I was looking for tix on Ebay a while back, but they were just too much.

It is going to be an insane atmosphere.

[chr35919]

^ you lucky bastard

I'm sporting my "Got Gordon?" shirt, but will be watching the game from my couch. I was looking for tix on Ebay a while back, but they were just too much.

It is going to be an insane atmosphere.:hump my girlfriend's dad is this big alumni, so our seats should be pretty decent too.

[thehoss]

eric gordon will score 20 plus, including 3-4 from the arch

[chr35919]

great, great game.

gordon was shut down for the first half but made that clutch three at the end of regulation.

if pruit could make a goddamn free throw, we'd have won

[chr35919]

i'd just like to say eric gordon is a lying bitch :)

[UNC41]

i'd just like to say eric gordon is a lying bitch :)

And those Illini players who decided to get physical with him are even bigger bitches. Seriously, can you blame the guy? Weber is running that program into the ground.

[chr35919]

And those Illini players who decided to get physical with him are even bigger bitches. Seriously, can you blame the guy? Weber is running that program into the ground.maybe, but he's a liar. you don't commit for 10 months and cancel.

[chr35919]

the crowd was great

"Fuck-you Gor-don!"

[clayj41]

i'd just like to say eric gordon is a lying bitch :)

18-3 > 10-14 :)

[chr35919]

18-3 > 10-14 :)of course, you got the liar gordon, we didn't.

[UNC41]

maybe, but he's a liar. you don't commit for 10 months and cancel.

He committed to Illinois fresh off a National Championship game season, and once the luster of that wears off realizes the program is heading down, not up. Meanwhile, Mike Davis didn't recruit him hard, but Sampson takes over and Gordon takes interest in his home state school. If you want to be mad at anyone, be mad at Sampson. Then again, this kind of thing happens all the time in college football. A verbal is just a verbal ...

[chr35919]

He committed to Illinois fresh off a National Championship game season, and once the luster of that wears off realizes the program is heading down, not up. Meanwhile, Mike Davis didn't recruit him hard, but Sampson takes over and Gordon takes interest in his home state school. If you want to be mad at anyone, be mad at Sampson. Then again, this kind of thing happens all the time in college football. A verbal is just a verbal ...he's a liar, plain and simple....gotta love how he stunk it up the entire first half.

great player though.

[clayj41]

of course, you got the liar gordon, we didn't.

Not getting Gordon is the least of their concerns. While he would be a nice addition to any program, he has proven thus far in the Big Ten that he's not that big of a game changer...yet. Granted he was huge in the clutch tonight, even if he did benefit from some no calls.

[UNC41]

he's a liar, plain and simple....gotta love how he stunk it up the entire first half.

great player though.

That's the bitter way to think of it for an Illinois fan watching his program crumble.

A more realistic perspective is after giving a verbal, a 17-year old kid couldn't resist the opportunity to fulfill his childhood dreams and suit up for his favorite college basketball team. Again, a 17-year old kid. Like I said, if you want to be made at someone be mad at Sampson.

[chr35919]

Not getting Gordon is the least of their concerns. While he would be a nice addition to any program, he has proven thus far in the Big Ten that he's not that big of a game changer...yet. Granted he was huge in the clutch tonight, even if he did benefit from some no calls.we took it to you guys tonight, you gotta admit.

[chr35919]

That's the bitter way to think of it for an Illinois fan watching his program crumble.

A more realistic perspective is after giving a verbal, a 17-year old kid couldn't resist the opportunity to fulfill his childhood dreams and suit up for his favorite college basketball team. Again, a 17-year old kid. Like I said, if you want to be made at someone be mad at Sampson.
wouldn't you be bitter too?

[clayj41]

we took it to you guys tonight, you gotta admit.

They played very well, but then again I expected them to play that way with the emotion involved and at home. Tough to pull out road wins in the Big Ten no matter who the opponent is.

BTW, I'm a UNC fan who graduated from IU. I can't tell you how many times I heard people bitch about not getting players like Oden, May, and McRoberts. In the end, whining gets you nowhere and you just have to move on.

[UNC41]

wouldn't you be bitter too?

At Sampson, not Gordon. Hell, I would have done the same thing if I had given a verbal as a junior and was then offered a scholarship at North Carolina. I have a hard time many wouldn't go live what they grew up dreaming of. After all, it's just a verbal. If he had regressed or gotten injured Illinois could have pulled it at any time and you never would have even heard about the situation, let alone made a huge deal out of a kid living his dream.

[chr35919]

They played very well, but then again I expected them to play that way with the emotion involved and at home. Tough to pull out road wins in the Big Ten no matter who the opponent is.

BTW, I'm a UNC fan who graduated from IU. I can't tell you how many times I heard people bitch about not getting players like Oden, May, and McRoberts. In the end, whining gets you nowhere and you just have to move on.this is the one night when whining is allowed:angel

[clayj41]

this is the one night when whining is allowed:angel

Whiner!:p

[dreamingtreeIU]

oden, james, mcroberts, conley, harangody......r u kidding me? why are none of these kids at iu..and at worst purdue?

[clayj41]

oden, james, mcroberts, conley, harangody......r u kidding me? why are none of these kids at iu..and at worst purdue?

Mike Davis.

[seekupig]

you guys still prefer Bruce Weber over Bill Self? :lol :lol

[41ravens]

all this game proved is how overrated indiana is. and that illinois can't shoot free throws. i would've bet anything that pruitt was going to miss that free throw at the end of regulation. i thought he'd at least get one of the two at the end of the first OT. i gave him too much credit.

i'd say this was also a coming out party, of sorts, for jeff jordan. he played very well and showed a lot of composure for a freshman being stuck in a game like that in overtime.

[MPizzle06]

all this game proved is how overrated indiana is. and that illinois can't shoot free throws. i would've bet anything that pruitt was going to miss that free throw at the end of regulation. i thought he'd at least get one of the two at the end of the first OT. i gave him too much credit.

i'd say this was also a coming out party, of sorts, for jeff jordan. he played very well and showed a lot of composure for a freshman being stuck in a game like that in overtime.

All these points are very valid. Indiana has yet to beat a team in the top 40, and I too think they are very overrated.

Jordan played very well, and I hope he gets more playing time the rest of the season, since he'll have a lot harder time getting on the court next season with the amount of talent we'll have.

I just hated the irony of Pruitt being at the line for all 3 chances we had to win that game...

Oh well IU should revel in their 2 victories against the Illini 'cause I'd bet things will be back to normal next season. And other than Pruitt, I am very proud of the way we played last night :thumbsup:thumbsup GO ILLINI

[MPizzle06]

you guys still prefer Bruce Weber over Bill Self? :lol :lol

Actually, yes I do.

Self = :ggoat (jack ass)
Weber = :twenty4 (bad ass)

:D

[Lee3691]

Aren't teenagers allowed to change their mind where they want to go to school?

[seekupig]

Aren't teenagers allowed to change their mind where they want to go to school?

as long as they're coming to your school and not leaving it to go somewhere else, then it's fine. :lol

[meatball41]

you guys still prefer Bruce Weber over Bill Self? :lol :lol

Are you kidding me?? Bill "the choke-a-saurus" Self NEVER would've gotten that Illinois team to the Championship game. Self might be twice the recruiter Weber is but Weber is 10 times the coach Self is. So far you've lived through 3 years of him choking with all star teams (about to be a 4th)with a couple of 1st round losses to Bucknell and Bradley and I can't believe you've still got the wool pulled over your eyes. He never led Illinois anywhere and he'll never take your boys anywhere either.

[UNC41]

Actually, yes I do.

Self = :ggoat (jack ass)
Weber = :twenty4 (bad ass)

:D

It's really too bad we don't have a smiley that represents the captain of the Titanic. That's essentially what Weber is.

Are you kidding me?? Bill "the choke-a-saurus" Self NEVER would've gotten that Illinois team to the Championship game. Self might be twice the recruiter Weber is but Weber is 10 times the coach Self is. So far you've lived through 3 years of him choking with all star teams (about to be a 4th)with a couple of 1st round losses to Bucknell and Bradley and I can't believe you've still got the wool pulled over your eyes. He never led Illinois anywhere and he'll never take your boys anywhere either.

When you add up coaching ability and recruting ability, give me Self any day of the week. Weber could be the best coach ever, but if he's not bringing in talent it's irrelevent.

And are you really going to refer to last year as a choke for Kansas? That's just you being bitter. They had to play essentially a road game against a very good No. 2 seed, one that reached the Final Four for the second consecutive year.

[seekupig]

Are you kidding me?? Bill "the choke-a-saurus" Self NEVER would've gotten that Illinois team to the Championship game. Self might be twice the recruiter Weber is but Weber is 10 times the coach Self is. So far you've lived through 3 years of him choking with all star teams (about to be a 4th)with a couple of 1st round losses to Bucknell and Bradley and I can't believe you've still got the wool pulled over your eyes. He never led Illinois anywhere and he'll never take your boys anywhere either.

actually, this is his 5th season. two first round upsets, two Elite Eights so far. and i'd rather be in our current position than the one that the Illini find themselves in right now.

and you can say that Illinois never would have played in the title game with Self as the coach and that may be true.... but it's also true that they wouldn't have played in that game if Bruce Weber had been there five years prior to recruit the team. i'm much rather have a great recruiter that's so-so with the X's and O's than have a genius gameplanner with crap talent around him. like the saying goes...... you can't shine shit.

[jgeels3]

At this point anyone who will argue that Weber > Self is completely 100% retarded. Look where Illinois was when Self left, and look where they are now. Oh and Kansas is pretty good last time I checked.

[MPizzle06]

Point is, Weber did suck at recruiting until this season. He finally has started building connections and getting verbals earlier in kids' high school careers which is what you have to do at a big time D1 school.

I'm still a firm believer that he is better for our program than Self, and that he's a better coach than Self.

Just look at Kentucky: they're a "perennial power" having a very down year. Even the "power schools" have rebuilding years, which is exactly what this season is for the Illini.

[seekupig]

Just look at Kentucky: they're a "perennial power" having a very down year. Even the "power schools" have rebuilding years, which is exactly what this season is for the Illini.

first of all, Illiniois isn't a "power school" in basketball. they're a decent program that has mixed in a few above average seasons, but they're not in that top tier of basketball powers.

secondly, when was the last time Kansas had a rebuilding season? the last time they finished a season with a losing record was 1982-1983. they've only had one season in that time period in which they didn't win at least 20 games, and that was Roy's first season (1988-1989), and that year they won 19 games.

[bothedmbfan]

I don't think he's saying that Illinois is a power school, I jsut think he was saying that even the power school's have rebuilding years.

[seekupig]

I don't think he's saying that Illinois is a power school, I jsut think he was saying that even the power school's have rebuilding years.

:thumbsup :lol gotcha.

i get so amped up when talking college basketball that sometimes i don't take the time to figure out what they mean, i just look at what they say and run with it..... my bad. :D