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Illini fans can find themselves fortunate that Illini basketball finds itself down just 4 at halftime of this game at Maryland. While Maryland found itself the beneficiary of a number of foul calls, the Maniscalco Continue reading this post »

It’s always a great sign when the B1G-ACC Challenge rolls around. Basketball season is rounding into shape and football (long the bete noir of any Illini fan) is more or less in the rearview mirror. The B1G has won the last two challenges, with Illinois providing a win in each of the last two years. Maryland has a rich ACC history, providing many Duke upsets and memorable players. However, the Terps are in a rebuilding mode. Just seven players who had a scholarship to start the season suit up for UM. This is a rematch of last year’s squeaker in MSG, where the Illini prevailed 80-76 in a game which was not all that close until the end. The two teams have a decidedly different look this year, as most of each team moved on either via graduation or other means. (cough Jereme Richmond cough)
Expected Starters:
Maryland:
G Terrell Stoglin (20.2 ppg, a lousy 26% from 3pt.)
G Sean Mosley (11 ppg, a sparkling 47% 3pt.)
G Nick Faust (6.2 ppg, A/TO < 1, 19% 3pt.)
F James Padgett (8 ppg, shoots better from the field than at the FT line)
C Berend Weijs (2.4 rpg for a 6-10 guy; 25% from the line)

As we can see, this is a frustrating lineup for new coach Mark Turgeon. Terrible FT shooting, and volume scorer in Terrell Stoglin who never saw a shot he doesn’t like. The leading rebounder for the Terps comes off the bench: Ashton Pankey with 7.6.

Illinois:
G DJ Richardson (13.5 ppg, ’nuff said)
G Brandon Paul (7.8 ppg, due to break out. Scored 0 against NC in last years challenge after scoring 20 against Clemson the year prior.)
G Sam Maniscalco (11.5 ppg, has never played against an ACC team)
F Tyler Griffey (7.7 ppg, 5.5 rpg, had season-high 9pts against Maryland last year)
C Meyers Leonard (12.8 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 3.2 bpg (!))

Predicted outcome: Illinois 77, Maryland 62. The freshmen shake out the jitters as a poor defensive Maryland team struggles to contain DJ and Brandon. Leonard dominates the inside in a game not as close as the score indicates. Minutes played by Crandall Head: 11.

With the recent firing of Ron Zook, Fighting Illini football is on the hunt for a new coach. This is an important inflection point for the football team; the Fighting Illini have finished with a .500 or better record in consecutive seasons for the first time since the ’94 and ’95 seasons, and will likely go to a bowl game in consecutive years Continue reading this post »

In a move that surprised absolutely no one, new Illinois athletic director Mike Thomas fired Ron Zook today. This move came after the Illini football team became the first team to start 6-0 Continue reading this post »

Some random musings from halftime of the Fighting Illini – Badgers football matchup.
-Nice to see Donovan Young get some postive results on the Continue reading this post »

Illinois and Wisconsin find themselves in similar places this Saturday. Note, I did not say comparable. I’m thinking similar in the geometric sense-Wisconsin is a large triangle, say a 30-40-50, and Illinois is its smaller cousin, the 3-4-5. Their seasons have unfolded in a parallel fashion: Big start, high expectations, and then the pinprick of reality.
Wisconsin enjoyed its characteristically weak preconference schedule. The SRS of their non-conference opponents: 107, 95, 44, and N/A (non FBS). Even their highest rated non-B1G opponent, NIU, has inflated its rating with a run through the MAC. The Badgers continued their romp with a thorough beating of Nebraska before reality set in-painful losses to MSU and OSU pushed the Badgers out of the BCS picture for the time being.
….REALIZES THIS IS A NOON KICKOFF…KICKS SELF FOR FOCUSING TOO MUCH ON BASKETBALL…REALIZES THAT WAS A REASONABLE REACTION TO THE LAST FOUR WEEKS OF FOOTBALL….CRIES IN UNOPENED BEER….OBSERVES THAT THE KEYS FOR THE ILLINI FOOTBALL TEAM ARE EXACTLY THE SAME AS THEY ALWAYS ARE…REMEMBERS OUR COACH IS STILL RON ZOOK….EOM

Predicted final score: Wisconsin 33, Illinois 19
HOPED-FOR FINAL SCORE: ILLINOIS 45, WISCONSIN 7.

All right, that’s a final! The Illini eased up a bit on the gas towards the end, but maintained a solid 20 point lead for 10 minutes or so as they were cruising to victory.

Weber continues to try out different combinations: Some posters on the Illinois Loyalty Continue reading this post »

Fighting Illini 33, Lipscomb 26:
Leading Scorers: Illinois: DJ 9, Sam-Man 9. Lipscomb: Boyd, 11 (3-4 3pt).
Leading Rebounders: Illinois: Griffey 5. Lipscomb: Boyd, 5.
Assist Leaders: Illinois: Sam-Man 2, Paul 2. Lipscomb: 4 are tied with 1.

Observations:
1. Get the ball down low. Griffey had Lipscomb looking overmatched underneath. With Leonard (2 fouls) coming back for the second half, we should take advantage of our size either for post scoring or kickouts to shooters.
2. Penetrate. Lipscomb is overplaying passing lanes and biting on fakes. Get to the hole and we should see some better results in the second half.
3. Be patient. No more threes early in the shot clock. We have the physical advantage, let’s use it.

I know there’s some nail biting going on out there. The foul trouble has us a little befuddled I think. The bench needs to provide a little more scoring, though Bert looked smooth out there and Crandall seems to be playing under control. This is a great potential learning opportunity-there are minutes available for those that want them.