7 posts tagged “illini”

My trip to Pasadena was first class and started with a trifecta of new years celebration's in the central, mountain, and western time zones.  I went straight from the airport to the Rose Bowl Stadium and started tailgating with fans from both the Illini and SC side.  It first appeared that the Illini Nation would be vastly outnumbered, but as the morning progressed the Illini faithful began showing up in droves.  My overall opinion of SC fans is that they are arrogant and pompous, but that does not apply to everyone.  My new friend Jose was generous enough to share some Mexican beer and burritos for an early breakfast, as well as his warm space heater.  Thanks to some other friends I was warned that the Rose Bowl will be cold in the morning, and it was.  Once the sun rose the party really started, and I went from lot to lot tailgating.  The fun almost stopped as we entered the stadium.  The Illini were embarrassed 49-17.  Despite the crushing lose Reshard Mendenhall had a game the pro scouts were looking for out of a starting running back.  His 80 yard run was the highlight of the game for Illini fans.  With several key players returning for the Illini I hope to make the trip again, and possibly watch the parade this time around. 

Look no further for the perfect holiday present.  J Lehman presents Orange Krush sold by Ron Zook.  This All American Candidate put together an infomercial that aired on ESPN.  Make sure to get your orders in before the Rose Bowl by calling 555-ZOOK.  I'd also like to note that my new year is guaranteed to start with a bang as I plan to be following the Illini to Pasadena for the Rose Bowl.

Check out JLeman.com for his player bio and Cribs, Memorial Stadium Edition.

It is rumored that His Airness, Michael Jordan, is looking for to buy a house in Champaign.  Since the Hawthorne Suites and other hotels in Champaign are not up this MJ's standards he needs his own bachelor pad in the cornfields.  It is possible that his son Jeffery Jordan, who currently lives in my old freshman dorm, will use the house during his college career.  It is important for the team to look into the rent payments that other players will have to pay.  Last year Dyane Jarrett was sited for violating NCAA rules because Matt Leinhart's father was paying most of their rent.  The rumor has grown even larger because the house that may soon be MJ's was formerly owned by former Illini coach Bill Self.

Speaking of selfish people in the college basketball that I dislike, there is always Kelvin Scampson roaming around stealing recruits and violating NCAA rules.  Recently, the Hoosiers coach was sited for violating his old NCAA santions by making 3-way calls, which he was prohibited from doing.  His staff continues to be up to no good by making more illegal calls, of which 35 have already been labeled as possible NCAA violations.  I believe Bruce Weber is a much more honest man, which is not the most ideal attribute in college recruiting.  Also, I hope Eric Gordon gets snubbed by not being able to play in the post season in his only college year, and his draft status gets lowered.

Here is an article written on Monday, October 22nd about the outcome of IU's infractions.

Dear Associated Press,

Welcome Illinois back to your wonderful list of top 25 college football programs.  Illinois has managed to beat two ranked teams in back to back weeks.  Most recently, the Illini took down number 5 Wisconsin and ended the longest winning streak in the nation.  Their only loss came in St. Louis to Missouri, who is still undefeated.  Ron Zook has managed to recruit the top talent in the country, and now the nation is having a chance to see this young players preform.  It is also important for the press to know that Rashard Mendenhall is fifth in the country in rushing yards and third in the county in scoring, averaging almost 7 yards a carry.  I know its pretty ambitious put add his name to the bottom on the Heisman list.  This Illini team is young and believes in Zook's vision.  It has taken almost three years since Zook's arrival to campus but Illinois football is back.

My prediction for this week is that the Illini will be ranked 17th in the nation.  And do not forget Florida won the National Championship with Zook's recruits.

It was the first time I went back to visit campus, and even after a little over a year a lot has changed.  People on campus seem to be talking more about football than basketball, and our football team isn't even that good.  One of the bars I frequently went to is gone.  A new establishments have sprawled across campus.  There are also current projects taking places that will bring new life to campus.  The most impressive buildings I was told about is a new 17 story luxury high rise that is being build on campus, a grocery located around University and Springfield, and the new business building across from Wholers Hall.  While many of my friends have graduated and left the Champaign area, I still have a few friends who were on campus that were more than hospitable. 

While out one night on campus I ran into several basketball players.  Its nice to see them out, but I would rather see them on the court practicing.  This team is going to have some trouble this year, and I hope they can make the tournament during this rebuilding phase.  Tracy Webster, an assistant coach and the only bright spot for our recruiting team, rejoined his former colleague Billie Gillespie at the University of Kentucky.  I was well aware of his departure but did not realize the huge impact it may have on the illini.  Sadly, I just read this SI.com article titled The Decline of The Illini.  I think its easy to point out that the Illini are going through some tough times, but for one of the nation's most winning programs I do not think we are on the decline.  Illinois is still an elite program and there is some hope for this season.  Weber coached a team to the to the Championship game with only one other loss that season.  Those stars are now in the NBA and Weber has not recruited one player that resembles their skill sets.  The Illini faithful are loyal, but this year may test some of our nerves.

The deadline for players to withdraw their names from the NBA draft has passed, and Shaun Pruitt is one of the players who decided to return to campus.  Its no surprise to me that Pruitt will return for his senior season.  Choosing to attend the pre-draft camps gave him a great opportunity to compete with other elite players at a high level, but he is not ready to make to the jump to the pros.  Right now he is projected as a late second rounder in next years draft.  Surprisingly, Pruitt is the only player to start every game over the past two seasons.  This consistency is something that is needed on an Illini team that was prone to injury last season.  The expectations are not as high for this years Illini squad, but Pruitt will have to emerge as a leader.  Brian Randle has not lived up to his potential and Shaun will have to step it up.  If he can improve his game as much as Warren Carter did last year I can see him having a shot at the NBA.  Even though he is a true center and one of the best big men in the Big 10 he will need to improve his game immensely to get drafted to the NBA.  If he has the same fortune as other recent Illini alums, he will have a great senior year and will fight for his spot on an NBA roster.

In other related Illini basketball news, Bracketology by Joe Linardi has the Illini as a 9 seed facing the Pitt Panthers in the first round.  It does not have a lot of meaning at this point in the year or at all, but it is still fun to discuss.  If that game does happen I will have to buy my roommate tickets because he is a Pitt fan, and any game he goes to the team he roots for ends up losing.  Furthermore, there are also trade rumors that the Rockets may be looking to ship Luther Head in exchange for a Power Forward.

The big news today for the Illinois basketball program was landing recruit Jeff Jordan, yes the son of the Michael Jordan.  Jordan is no 5-star recruit and will have to walk on the team.  He has been accepted to school and will join the rest of the incoming class during the summer.  The most notable recruit is Demetri McCamey (6-4 PG) followed by Bill Cole (6-9 PF), Mike Tisdale (6-11 C), Quinton Watkins (6-3 SF from COMPTON), and Juco transfer Rodney Alexander (6-7 F).  This group of freshman will have to replace my most unfavorite Illini of all time, Rich McBride.  Not only did he try and fight me one night but during the 06-07 season his FG% (.342) was less than his 3PT% (.350).  And its not like his was coming off the bench taking a shot or two a

game, he was a starter and put up over 500 shots during the season.  I have edited this post to further my point why I do not like McBride, please refer to the ESPN article Former Illini Player Sentenced to Two Years Supervision.  Anyway, The more important player in the starting rotation thats needs to be replaced is Warren Carter, the man with the magically delicious hair.  It is also possible that we will need to replace big man Shaun Pruitt, who had his name entered into this years draft.

While Shaun may have entered the draft he has not signed an agent and I expect him to return to school for his senior year.  He was invited to the predraft camp in Orlando, but I believe that is as far as he will go and by June we will know that he will return to Illinois.  There was talk this season how C.J Jackson was unhappy with his role on the team and rumors he could transfer.  Well I think the waters have calmed with that story and the big man has begun to practice with Ron Zook's Football Club.  Jackson was a bigtime football recruit out of the state of Georgia but choose to play basketball at Illinois instead.  Overall, I must say GO ILLINI!