College Basketball 2006-2007

[Andy]

Not to break up the IU/UI discussion, but ND dropped from 20 to 22 in the polls. I was expecting to drop out completely and am pleasantly surprised.

 

By way of seguing back to the Big Ten, IU debuts in the polls this week at 23.

[CP_414]

Hell of a win for IU. UCONN was undefeated at home before today. UCONN was also the most athletic team IU has seen this year. Sampson's boys are now 15-4, with all 4 losses coming to teams currently ranked (UK will drop out in the next poll). With the 77-73 win, the Hoosiers have still not allowed 75 points in a game this season.

 

Actually, UConn got beat by Marquette in their last game at home, ending a 31-game win streak at home. Still, that's a program defining win. Kelvin Sampson will be in Bloomington for as long as he wants the job. Amazing effort by the boys in red. They got manhandled on the UConn end of the boards, but they hit their free throws. 20-21 from the line, including 6 for 6 down the stretch. UConn was just 17 of 28 from the line, which was the difference. IU did a great job sharing the ball, with 18 assists on 24 baskets. The experienced stars stepped up with White having a monster 1st half and Wilmont doing it in the 2nd.

 

I worry about going back on the road again on Tuesday to face the Illini. U of I hasn't been very good this year, but DJ is gonna be spent having played 38 minutes today and again having to face an athletic front line.

 

I'm worried about the emotion of that game as well. U of I fans don't exactly like IU's program right now, and it will be a really tough enviornment to go in and win. I'd love the win, but I'm not incredibly hopeful.

Looking forward, that Wisconsin game at home in a week or two is huge. The only game IU plays them this year at Bloomington-a win there gives us a possible huge tiebreaker advantage while protecting the homecourt.

 

I just got cheap tix to IU-UI on ebay! It will be crazy there, and a tough game, but IU is the better team. If any Illini want to brawl, I'll be the guy in red.

Another internet tough guy.

 

Dude, that was obviously a joke. Are you kidding me? Yeah, I am really picking a physical fight with every Illinois fan on a message board. :roll:

[CP_414]

I understand the game tomorrow has a lot to do with it.

 

That, combined with IU playing very well (when most Illinois fans thought they would finish in the lower half of the Big 10) and the Illlini battling some injuries and losing a few more than they thought they would have to this point.

 

I'm not fully confident IU can go into Champaign and get a win. Despite the three losses at home by UI, it is still a tough environment to play in. I do know this game means a hell of a lot more to UI than it does for IU.

 

It just cracks me up to read a lot of Illini fans say tomorrow night is their chance for a "signature win" when just a couple months ago they didn't miss an opportunity to tell everybody how awful IU was.

Oh we are cooked. Two starters out. You are still awful, you play hard and have had an easy big ten schedule thus far. Plus the big ten sucks besides the two big teams. About how it has been the last 5 years with just two new teams at the top. Alhtough I guess it was three and wiscy remained.

 

Awful?

 

#16 RPI

# 8 Pomeroy

#15 Sagarin

 

I'll take that kind of awful any day of the week.

 

14-4. 4 losses to Butler, KY, Duke, and Ohio St.

 

Don't forget IU is now ranked in the AP and ESPN/USA Today polls. Pretty good for an "awful" team. Also, every team IU has lost to is ranked in the ESPN/USA Today poll. HAHA "awful."

[illiniguy]

I understand the game tomorrow has a lot to do with it.

 

That, combined with IU playing very well (when most Illinois fans thought they would finish in the lower half of the Big 10) and the Illlini battling some injuries and losing a few more than they thought they would have to this point.

 

I'm not fully confident IU can go into Champaign and get a win. Despite the three losses at home by UI, it is still a tough environment to play in. I do know this game means a hell of a lot more to UI than it does for IU.

 

It just cracks me up to read a lot of Illini fans say tomorrow night is their chance for a "signature win" when just a couple months ago they didn't miss an opportunity to tell everybody how awful IU was.

Oh we are cooked. Two starters out. You are still awful, you play hard and have had an easy big ten schedule thus far. Plus the big ten sucks besides the two big teams. About how it has been the last 5 years with just two new teams at the top. Alhtough I guess it was three and wiscy remained.

 

Awful?

 

#16 RPI

# 8 Pomeroy

#15 Sagarin

 

I'll take that kind of awful any day of the week.

 

14-4. 4 losses to Butler, KY, Duke, and Ohio St.

 

Don't forget IU is now ranked in the AP and ESPN/USA Today polls. Pretty good for an "awful" team. Also, every team IU has lost to is ranked in the ESPN/USA Today poll. HAHA "awful."

Oh yeah you guys are pretty much a lock to make the final four. You have done a nice job up to this point, but I still don't think you are all that good. Maybe after I really get to watchyou tomorrow I will feel different.

[CP_414]

I understand the game tomorrow has a lot to do with it.

 

That, combined with IU playing very well (when most Illinois fans thought they would finish in the lower half of the Big 10) and the Illlini battling some injuries and losing a few more than they thought they would have to this point.

 

I'm not fully confident IU can go into Champaign and get a win. Despite the three losses at home by UI, it is still a tough environment to play in. I do know this game means a hell of a lot more to UI than it does for IU.

 

It just cracks me up to read a lot of Illini fans say tomorrow night is their chance for a "signature win" when just a couple months ago they didn't miss an opportunity to tell everybody how awful IU was.

Oh we are cooked. Two starters out. You are still awful, you play hard and have had an easy big ten schedule thus far. Plus the big ten sucks besides the two big teams. About how it has been the last 5 years with just two new teams at the top. Alhtough I guess it was three and wiscy remained.

 

Awful?

 

#16 RPI

# 8 Pomeroy

#15 Sagarin

 

I'll take that kind of awful any day of the week.

 

14-4. 4 losses to Butler, KY, Duke, and Ohio St.

 

Don't forget IU is now ranked in the AP and ESPN/USA Today polls. Pretty good for an "awful" team. Also, every team IU has lost to is ranked in the ESPN/USA Today poll. HAHA "awful."

Oh yeah you guys are pretty much a lock to make the final four. You have done a nice job up to this point, but I still don't think you are all that good. Maybe after I really get to watchyou tomorrow I will feel different.

 

Who said anything about the final four? You said IU is awful. If you really believe that, it is pretty clear you don't know anything about basketball.

[CP_414]

Anyone know for sure about Pruitt and Randle? I assume they are both gametime decisions. Is there a radio station down there I should listen to in C-U tomorrow before the game to hear IU-Illini talk, and injury updates? Thanks.

[illiniguy]

I understand the game tomorrow has a lot to do with it.

 

That, combined with IU playing very well (when most Illinois fans thought they would finish in the lower half of the Big 10) and the Illlini battling some injuries and losing a few more than they thought they would have to this point.

 

I'm not fully confident IU can go into Champaign and get a win. Despite the three losses at home by UI, it is still a tough environment to play in. I do know this game means a hell of a lot more to UI than it does for IU.

 

It just cracks me up to read a lot of Illini fans say tomorrow night is their chance for a "signature win" when just a couple months ago they didn't miss an opportunity to tell everybody how awful IU was.

Oh we are cooked. Two starters out. You are still awful, you play hard and have had an easy big ten schedule thus far. Plus the big ten sucks besides the two big teams. About how it has been the last 5 years with just two new teams at the top. Alhtough I guess it was three and wiscy remained.

 

Awful?

 

#16 RPI

# 8 Pomeroy

#15 Sagarin

 

I'll take that kind of awful any day of the week.

 

14-4. 4 losses to Butler, KY, Duke, and Ohio St.

 

Don't forget IU is now ranked in the AP and ESPN/USA Today polls. Pretty good for an "awful" team. Also, every team IU has lost to is ranked in the ESPN/USA Today poll. HAHA "awful."

Oh yeah you guys are pretty much a lock to make the final four. You have done a nice job up to this point, but I still don't think you are all that good. Maybe after I really get to watchyou tomorrow I will feel different.

 

Who said anything about the final four? You said IU is awful. If you really believe that, it is pretty clear you don't know anything about basketball.

Just played in college, but hey don't have to know anything about college ball to play in it right?

[Knightlife_in_Lubbock]

I understand the game tomorrow has a lot to do with it.

 

That, combined with IU playing very well (when most Illinois fans thought they would finish in the lower half of the Big 10) and the Illlini battling some injuries and losing a few more than they thought they would have to this point.

 

I'm not fully confident IU can go into Champaign and get a win. Despite the three losses at home by UI, it is still a tough environment to play in. I do know this game means a hell of a lot more to UI than it does for IU.

 

It just cracks me up to read a lot of Illini fans say tomorrow night is their chance for a "signature win" when just a couple months ago they didn't miss an opportunity to tell everybody how awful IU was.

Oh we are cooked. Two starters out. You are still awful, you play hard and have had an easy big ten schedule thus far. Plus the big ten sucks besides the two big teams. About how it has been the last 5 years with just two new teams at the top. Alhtough I guess it was three and wiscy remained.

 

Awful?

 

#16 RPI

# 8 Pomeroy

#15 Sagarin

 

I'll take that kind of awful any day of the week.

 

14-4. 4 losses to Butler, KY, Duke, and Ohio St.

 

Don't forget IU is now ranked in the AP and ESPN/USA Today polls. Pretty good for an "awful" team. Also, every team IU has lost to is ranked in the ESPN/USA Today poll. HAHA "awful."

Oh yeah you guys are pretty much a lock to make the final four. You have done a nice job up to this point, but I still don't think you are all that good. Maybe after I really get to watchyou tomorrow I will feel different.

 

Who said anything about the final four? You said IU is awful. If you really believe that, it is pretty clear you don't know anything about basketball.

Just played in college, but hey don't have to know anything about college ball to play in it right?

 

No it doesn't. Just means you need to know which booster is giving you the Blazer.

[illiniguy]

I understand the game tomorrow has a lot to do with it.

 

That, combined with IU playing very well (when most Illinois fans thought they would finish in the lower half of the Big 10) and the Illlini battling some injuries and losing a few more than they thought they would have to this point.

 

I'm not fully confident IU can go into Champaign and get a win. Despite the three losses at home by UI, it is still a tough environment to play in. I do know this game means a hell of a lot more to UI than it does for IU.

 

It just cracks me up to read a lot of Illini fans say tomorrow night is their chance for a "signature win" when just a couple months ago they didn't miss an opportunity to tell everybody how awful IU was.

Oh we are cooked. Two starters out. You are still awful, you play hard and have had an easy big ten schedule thus far. Plus the big ten sucks besides the two big teams. About how it has been the last 5 years with just two new teams at the top. Alhtough I guess it was three and wiscy remained.

 

Awful?

 

#16 RPI

# 8 Pomeroy

#15 Sagarin

 

I'll take that kind of awful any day of the week.

 

14-4. 4 losses to Butler, KY, Duke, and Ohio St.

 

Don't forget IU is now ranked in the AP and ESPN/USA Today polls. Pretty good for an "awful" team. Also, every team IU has lost to is ranked in the ESPN/USA Today poll. HAHA "awful."

Oh yeah you guys are pretty much a lock to make the final four. You have done a nice job up to this point, but I still don't think you are all that good. Maybe after I really get to watchyou tomorrow I will feel different.

 

Who said anything about the final four? You said IU is awful. If you really believe that, it is pretty clear you don't know anything about basketball.

Just played in college, but hey don't have to know anything about college ball to play in it right?

 

No it doesn't. Just means you need to know which booster is giving you the Blazer.

Didn't play at that level of college. I got a scholarship, but trust me there were no blazers. Nice joke though.

[CP_414]

I understand the game tomorrow has a lot to do with it.

 

That, combined with IU playing very well (when most Illinois fans thought they would finish in the lower half of the Big 10) and the Illlini battling some injuries and losing a few more than they thought they would have to this point.

 

I'm not fully confident IU can go into Champaign and get a win. Despite the three losses at home by UI, it is still a tough environment to play in. I do know this game means a hell of a lot more to UI than it does for IU.

 

It just cracks me up to read a lot of Illini fans say tomorrow night is their chance for a "signature win" when just a couple months ago they didn't miss an opportunity to tell everybody how awful IU was.

Oh we are cooked. Two starters out. You are still awful, you play hard and have had an easy big ten schedule thus far. Plus the big ten sucks besides the two big teams. About how it has been the last 5 years with just two new teams at the top. Alhtough I guess it was three and wiscy remained.

 

Awful?

 

#16 RPI

# 8 Pomeroy

#15 Sagarin

 

I'll take that kind of awful any day of the week.

 

14-4. 4 losses to Butler, KY, Duke, and Ohio St.

 

Don't forget IU is now ranked in the AP and ESPN/USA Today polls. Pretty good for an "awful" team. Also, every team IU has lost to is ranked in the ESPN/USA Today poll. HAHA "awful."

Oh yeah you guys are pretty much a lock to make the final four. You have done a nice job up to this point, but I still don't think you are all that good. Maybe after I really get to watchyou tomorrow I will feel different.

 

Who said anything about the final four? You said IU is awful. If you really believe that, it is pretty clear you don't know anything about basketball.

Just played in college, but hey don't have to know anything about college ball to play in it right?

 

If you really believe IU is an "awful" team, I don't care if you coached in college. I don't care if you are Bruce freaking Weber, if you believe a 14-4, 4-1 team ranked in both polls that hasn't lost to a team outside the top 25, undefeated at home, one of the best teams in the Big Ten in scoring and defense is "awful" then yes you are clueless.

[illiniguy]

I understand the game tomorrow has a lot to do with it.

 

That, combined with IU playing very well (when most Illinois fans thought they would finish in the lower half of the Big 10) and the Illlini battling some injuries and losing a few more than they thought they would have to this point.

 

I'm not fully confident IU can go into Champaign and get a win. Despite the three losses at home by UI, it is still a tough environment to play in. I do know this game means a hell of a lot more to UI than it does for IU.

 

It just cracks me up to read a lot of Illini fans say tomorrow night is their chance for a "signature win" when just a couple months ago they didn't miss an opportunity to tell everybody how awful IU was.

Oh we are cooked. Two starters out. You are still awful, you play hard and have had an easy big ten schedule thus far. Plus the big ten sucks besides the two big teams. About how it has been the last 5 years with just two new teams at the top. Alhtough I guess it was three and wiscy remained.

 

Awful?

 

#16 RPI

# 8 Pomeroy

#15 Sagarin

 

I'll take that kind of awful any day of the week.

 

14-4. 4 losses to Butler, KY, Duke, and Ohio St.

 

Don't forget IU is now ranked in the AP and ESPN/USA Today polls. Pretty good for an "awful" team. Also, every team IU has lost to is ranked in the ESPN/USA Today poll. HAHA "awful."

Oh yeah you guys are pretty much a lock to make the final four. You have done a nice job up to this point, but I still don't think you are all that good. Maybe after I really get to watchyou tomorrow I will feel different.

 

Who said anything about the final four? You said IU is awful. If you really believe that, it is pretty clear you don't know anything about basketball.

Just played in college, but hey don't have to know anything about college ball to play in it right?

 

If you really believe IU is an "awful" team, I don't care if you coached in college. I don't care if you are Bruce freaking Weber, if you believe a 14-4, 4-1 team ranked in both polls that hasn't lost to a team outside the top 25, undefeated at home, one of the best teams in the Big Ten in scoring and defense is "awful" then yes you are clueless.

Ok they aren't awful. I am of the opinion that they aren't that good and that when they finally start playing road games in the Big 10 a lot of people will get to see that. As of right now I don't think Weber knows uch about squat. He thinks his players need to stop celebrating and start concentrating during games. Yeah that's it Bruce it isn't your garbage motion offense. Funny how good that puppy looked when future NBA All Star Deron Williams was running it.

[CP_414]

I understand the game tomorrow has a lot to do with it.

 

That, combined with IU playing very well (when most Illinois fans thought they would finish in the lower half of the Big 10) and the Illlini battling some injuries and losing a few more than they thought they would have to this point.

 

I'm not fully confident IU can go into Champaign and get a win. Despite the three losses at home by UI, it is still a tough environment to play in. I do know this game means a hell of a lot more to UI than it does for IU.

 

It just cracks me up to read a lot of Illini fans say tomorrow night is their chance for a "signature win" when just a couple months ago they didn't miss an opportunity to tell everybody how awful IU was.

Oh we are cooked. Two starters out. You are still awful, you play hard and have had an easy big ten schedule thus far. Plus the big ten sucks besides the two big teams. About how it has been the last 5 years with just two new teams at the top. Alhtough I guess it was three and wiscy remained.

 

Awful?

 

#16 RPI

# 8 Pomeroy

#15 Sagarin

 

I'll take that kind of awful any day of the week.

 

14-4. 4 losses to Butler, KY, Duke, and Ohio St.

 

Don't forget IU is now ranked in the AP and ESPN/USA Today polls. Pretty good for an "awful" team. Also, every team IU has lost to is ranked in the ESPN/USA Today poll. HAHA "awful."

Oh yeah you guys are pretty much a lock to make the final four. You have done a nice job up to this point, but I still don't think you are all that good. Maybe after I really get to watchyou tomorrow I will feel different.

 

Who said anything about the final four? You said IU is awful. If you really believe that, it is pretty clear you don't know anything about basketball.

Just played in college, but hey don't have to know anything about college ball to play in it right?

 

If you really believe IU is an "awful" team, I don't care if you coached in college. I don't care if you are Bruce freaking Weber, if you believe a 14-4, 4-1 team ranked in both polls that hasn't lost to a team outside the top 25, undefeated at home, one of the best teams in the Big Ten in scoring and defense is "awful" then yes you are clueless.

Ok they aren't awful. I am of the opinion that they aren't that good and that when they finally start playing road games in the Big 10 a lot of people will get to see that. As of right now I don't think Weber knows uch about squat. He thinks his players need to stop celebrating and start concentrating during games. Yeah that's it Bruce it isn't your garbage motion offense. Funny how good that puppy looked when future NBA All Star Deron Williams was running it.

 

You may very well be right about that, but IU has a pretty favorable schedule. After tonight I believe the Big Ten road games left are at Iowa at Michigan, and Northwestern, at Purdue, and at MSU. IU already went to OSU, and doesn't make a trip to Madison this year. As I have noted a few times in this thread it is really hard to win on the road in the conference (unless you are playing Minnesota who is God Awful). We saw NU almost take down Wisconsin, Illinois nearly take down the Badgers, IU absolutly destroy a then ranked MSU team, Purdue beat a 16-4, 4-1 Michigan team. It's just hard to win on the road in this conference, but as long as IU goes 8-0 at home, and 5-3 on the road they will have a shot at a share of the Big Ten Title (but they still might need a little help).

 

I'm about to head south to C-U for the game in an hour, so this will be my last post about it before the contest. I think this is going to be a very very difficult game for the Hoosiers, with or without your injured guys. Aj Ratliff may also be out for IU, so that would negate Illinois losing Randle. From what I read Randle has been coming off the bench of late and has been a good scoring option like Ratliff. Assembly Hall is going to be the most intense enviornment IU has played in in quite a while, which is saying something because IU went to Duke, UK, and UCONN already this season. I honestly believe IU is a significantly better team than Illinois right now, but as I noted above it is so hard to win on the road in this conference. Still, I think Sampson's boys pull off a win and put themselves on the map for a Big Ten Championship (not just in the race for 3rd).

 

Prediction: IU continues ther streak of not having allowed 75 in a game this season

IU 74

ILLINI 69

[Andy]

Kyle McAlarney ended up getting suspended from school for a semester, which of course means he's done for the year.

 

Sometimes I wish ND would be a little less ND-like in their player punishments (Powers-Neal DUI, suspended remaining 7 games of the season and his career, and now McAlarney possession).

[Knightlife_in_Lubbock]

Kyle McAlarney ended up getting suspended from school for a semester, which of course means he's done for the year.

 

Sometimes I wish ND would be a little less ND-like in their player punishments (Powers-Neal DUI, suspended remaining 7 games of the season and his career, and now McAlarney possession).

 

I applaud them for holding their athletes to those high standards. Unlike other universities and their blind eye approach. One of the most glaring was Scott Skiles at MSU. He got busted 2 or 3 times during his senior year and still was able to stay on the team.

[gflore34]

Scott Skiles what a piece of work - classic game vs. U of M, after repeated pre-game trash talking in his direction by Antoine Joubert, he dropped 30 (or something pretty close) on the Wolverines leading MSU to a 90-79 trashing in Ann Arbor. All the while yelling to Joubert - "Come on, fat boy, show me something!!!"

[CuseCubFan69]

Kyle McAlarney ended up getting suspended from school for a semester, which of course means he's done for the year.

 

Sometimes I wish ND would be a little less ND-like in their player punishments (Powers-Neal DUI, suspended remaining 7 games of the season and his career, and now McAlarney possession).

 

I applaud them for holding their athletes to those high standards. Unlike other universities and their blind eye approach. One of the most glaring was Scott Skiles at MSU. He got busted 2 or 3 times during his senior year and still was able to stay on the team.

 

It'll never happen with the boosters having way too much control of the athletic programs.

[Mark_R]

Scott Skiles what a piece of work - classic game vs. U of M, after repeated pre-game trash talking in his direction by Antoine Joubert, he dropped 30 (or something pretty close) on the Wolverines leading MSU to a 90-79 trashing in Ann Arbor. All the while yelling to Joubert - "Come on, fat boy, show me something!!!"

 

Skiles is the man.

[Bruno7481]

U-G-L-Y performance by IU.

 

Congrats Illinois

[Andy]

ND was down BIG early but ripped off something like 17 straight points (with halftime cutting that into two runs) to take a 52-49 lead. 52 apiece right now.

[SeldomSeen]

U-G-L-Y performance by IU.

 

Congrats Illinois

No kidding. I really wasn't all that impressed by Illinois, but my lord they made us look awful. Well deserved win for them.

 

As always, it's tough to win on the road in the Big 10.

[CubColtPacer]

Congrats Illinois. You played very good defense, and kept IU off balance the entire night, which exacerbated the poor shooting night by IU.

 

Your crowd was hostile, but I was glad to see that they stayed clean with everything-just a good, hard Big 10 arena-thanks to your fanbase for that.

 

Good luck in the rest of your season (except for when we meet you again of course :D).

[illiniguy]

Ho hum 5 out of the last 6 against the Hoosiers. Now we got to find away to beat them at their place.

[Derwood]

I have to say, the Illinois arena looks awful on TV. I hate the rounded seating sections where everyone is facing center court. Safety orange is also about the worst school color ever.

 

That said, nice win

[Andy]

Irish lose 71-68 despite a superhuman 32-point, 6-rebound effort for Russell Carter.

 

I'm so pissed off right now.

[radarluv1]

a very unathletic illinois team. we have some size for the first time in a while. i fail to see how the IU team is any better. hopefully if they heal up UI can make a run and get into the tourney.