gflore34

Not with the Randle I watched Tuesday night in Wisconsin, Haluska' a good player but, I don't believe he's as quick or long as Randle nor can he jump with him.

i'd be happy with the illini getting 11-12 wins and coasting into the tourneys feeling pretty good. i think if they beat MSU at breslin they'll win the conference. You might be right. However, that Iowa/IL game in Assembly Hall will certainly be a big game for both teams. If Henderson can shut down Brown again...Iowa will certainly have a shot. That's a tall task though. i gotta say, i put iowa's chances at winning at the AH at about 100-1. while henderson very much has shot to shut down brown, i don't see them winning even if that happens. iowa would have to shut everyone down because illinois will likely make it very difficult for the hawkeyes to score in champaign. 100-1? Don't you think that's just A LITTLE bit high? We did beat you at home earlier this year. Last year we lost at Assembly Hall in overtime and the game in Carver was very close. Two years ago we only lost by 6 in Assembly Hall in a game that came down to the last minute. This group of seniors is 2-4 against Illinois and there's only been one game that wasn't in doubt in the last 5 minutes. At the Breslin Center we just get killed, but in Assembly Hall we've been within striking distance late. The last three games between the two teams have been very close. It will be an extremely difficult game and Iowa's most probable loss the rest of the way. But 100-1 odds? I'll take that bet. The Illini team Iowa will be playing in the Assembly Hall will a much more balanced team than the one they faced in Carver. McBride has begun to conrtibute and Randle seems to improving with every game. Randle is the X factor, Henderson may be able to contain Dee Brown but, there's no one on the Hawkeyes who can match up with Randle. I'd also take McBride' matchup with Horner.

Haven't you heard? We already have a solid RFer in JJ, after all he's going to better than a lot of people think or was it he's going to surprise a lot people?

There are a lot of them in the Big Ten. Weber, Davis, Ryan, Izzo and Monson are all pretty bad. I don't think there's anyone who can work the refs and get more calls than Izzo though. I haven't seen much of Monson, and I don't think Davis and Weber are that bad. Ryan is the worst IMO. You don't think Davis and Weber are bad? Davis has that constant look on his face like he's either in pain or going to cry. Both he and Weber stare in disbelief with their mouths wide open after nearly every foul call on their team. Last night, start of the second half, Chappell (SP?) going at Augustine trying to draw his third foul by lower his shoulder and driving into him, Ryan was at his funniest. His gestures, antics and faces were hilarious; did he really expect fouls to be called on Augustine when it was so blatantly obvious Chappell was initiating the contact?

That's what I don't get about Butch, for his size, he has virtually no inside game. Just hangs out around perimeter shooting jumpers.

Not to mention Randle, in a word, wow. He has amazing talent his combination of quickness and jumping ability may be matched by only Ager or Shannon Brown, once he works on the mid range jumper look out! By the way, I've seen serveral UW games and not once has Tucker been called for an offensive foul. How does he get away with the left arm wrap around and jumping into the defender on every basket he makes?

i think that randle will shut tucker down. I would think that pretty unlikely. Especially considering the fact Weber said he was giving Randle a "Crash course in post defense." He's likely to get in foul trouble on the road anyway. If Tucker scores under 20 I'd consider it a job well done by Illinois. that would be a first, seeing as how nobody has scored 20 on randle yet, and he always draws the opposing team's best offensive player. He draws the best offensive player in Big Ten play tonight, without much post defense expierence, at the Kohl Center. I feel fairly confident that Tucker will get his. No doubt he'll get his and quite probably draw 2-3 fouls on Randle within the first 5 minutes. It's the Big Ten, it's the road therefore, I fully expect UW to shot around 30-35 FT's to UI's 10 and squeeze out a close victory.

yeah I did...Paul Davis definitely got fouled on a layup opportunity late in the game and there was no foul call. I can see how MSU fans were pissed tonight...Michigan is not that bad of a team though this year. I watched it as well, not only was Davis fouled, I can't believe Pentway(SP?) got away with that shoulder and elbow after the Ager' alley-oop dunk. And that happened right in front of the Official! I understand the home team is going to get the majority of the calls in its favor but, a 34-10 FT discrepancy is a little bit too much.

If Slick Willie comes into the picture that other school will magically morph from Memphis to Kansas, no doubt…

I just watched the game (i've been working a ton and had it taped). How can you call that a clean block? Moody got hammered. Not that it mattered. I can't believe we gave that game away. Self cost us that one. You tell your kids explicitly, "Don't shoot until ten seconds are left in the clock." But were just jacking it up. Unbelievable. We should be undefeated in conference. Instead we're 2-2 with losses to our two biggest rivals. We've got our work cut out for us if we want to make the tourney now. self's not a great in-game coach. he'll do something with those recruits, though, provided that they stay for a couple years. and moody DID get hammered. you'd think a 3-4 time academic all-american could develop some type of consistent and repeatable free-throw shooting form. it's not that hard. Ok try and follow me with this. If Self keeps all of those kids there with Collins, I think he might be able to win it all. That said I don't see it happening. I think Rush goes pro after this year. But if he doesn't, he comes back at the 3. That pretty much assures that Downs is gone. But, Collins is his 1. Robinson will be a junior and will have to play. In a lot of ways Chalmers is his best player. All three of those guys are gonna play. So if Rush stays I guess Wright becomes his 5, if he can beat out the three MCDAAs KU has in Giles, Kaun, and Jackson. What a mess. Why did Bill recruit all of those kids at the same position in the same year? I will never be able to figure that out. First--Kaun, DJ, and Giles weren't McD's. As for a rotation next year. I'm not sure what Rush will do. 2 weeks ago, I thought he was gone. Now, I'm not sure. He's been real hit or miss. So he might stay, and if he does, there will still be plenty of room for Downs. We could have a 9-man rotation as follows. 1. Robinson/Collins 2. Chalmers 3. Rush/Downs 4. Jackson/Wright 5. Kaun/Giles If Rush goes, which is still the more likely scenario, this would be the rotation, w/ Wright playing 3/4: 1. Robinson/Collins 2. Chalmers 3. Downs/Wright 4. Jackson/Wright 5. Kaun/Giles Case, Morningstar, and Stewart would probably fight for the last spot. Either way, I don't see any scenario where Wright plays the 5, and I think we also have to expect Collins to be eased into the game. As for why Self recruits so many players, that's simple. One, many of the players he recruits can play multiple positions. (Collins, Chalmers, Robinson can all play 1 and 2. Downs, Rush, and Wright are not locked into any one position.) Two, recruiting isn't an exact science. Sometimes a guy flames out or transfers or goes pro or sucks. If you put all your eggs in that basket, you're screwed if he flops. If you have multiple guys who can fill in, you've covered yourself and your team better. It's simple recruiting, and most of the premier programs do it. NOT ANY MORE!!! Downs just left KU. http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/13700764.htm That is 7 in 2 and 1/2 years. I guess now Bill can go after Rose as he has another scholly open. I told ya three guys that good at one position in one class is just plain ignorant. Here's hoping that the Illini can out-recruit Slick Willie for Rose, there's a fairly long standing, good relationship between Simeon and Illinois. Benn Wilson (probably), Nick Anderson, Calvin Brock and I know I'm missing others, let's hope that counts for something with Rose.

Oden had 33 points, 17 boards and 6 blocks. The announcers called him the best defensive (high school) center they've ever seen. The dude is 18 and looks about 25. There ought to be an investigation. what was your impression of gordon? i should've taped it. Slow start. They made some halftime adjustments and he started to score in the second half. His team is not on the same playing level as Lawrence North. I would like to see the 4 teams that are better than LN in the country since they are #5. As far as Oden looking 25, not sure where that comes from. Is it because he is filled out more than most 18 year olds? He is at the school 2 hours before it starts working on his game and lifting weights. I had the chance to meet him the summer between his sophmore and junior seasons and everything the announcers were saying about him being grounded and well-mannered are correct. Unlike other high-schoolers with that much hype, he still treats everyone and still wants to be treated as an average guy. Oden was certainly fantastic but, Gordon may have had the highlight of the night. On a break away by a Lawrence North G, he (Gordon) came flying in from the left to block the layup. His hand was near the top of the box, simply amazing! Gordon also showed no fear of Oden, hit a couple of sweet floaters over him, even tried to jam one but, was fouled by Oden.

they have a better option on their roster right now, if all you want is a utility IF who can play defense and can't hit. Jerry Hairston would/could fill that role for less money, and give you signifigantly better offensive production. Perez had an OBP under .300. In about 500 or 600 AB's. Think about this. He's bad unless he only plays the last 2 innings in a defensive role only, and maybe gets a pity start every couple weeks. And for the right to enjoy below replacement level production, they paid $5m over 2 years. You've got a point, the whole problem with Neifi is how Baker utilizies him. In the proper role he's as good an option as any but, over the last two seasons Baker as shown an inability to correctly utilize the skills of a player.

Seconded, I'm fairly certain they used to play 18 Conference games before Penn State became a member. Why not 20?

I second that, due to an extremely favorable schedule they'll probably win the Big Ten. And as a result, get seeded, as the Big Ten's best team, fairly high in the Tournament. However, I don't believe they'll make it to the second weekend. Why do you think that? They made it to the Sweet 16 last year, and although they lost a lot from last years team, they are much deeper this year which I think will help them come tournament time. They're deeper no doubt but, beyond Arlando Tucker there's no inside game. Come Tournament time Brain Butch hanging out around the perimeter shooting 3's is not where he'll be most effective. What happens, and you know it well because, things like this always happen in the Tournament, if Tucker gets in foul trouble?

Good luck trading up into the top 5. New Orleans should trade down. No top pick will want to sign him them. If they sign Young they better put him at wide reciever or get the best QB coach they can find b/c right now he is not pro QB material. He is the most overhyped QB to come out since Lief. Different game but same QB talent. You mean Ryan Leaf, right? I was thinking the along the same lines, he had his TE wide open all night vs. USC yet, I don't believe he managed to hit him once in stride. It seemed every pass was fluttering and without much accuracy. Sure, he showed great leadership and tremendous poise but, all he did effectively was run the ball (behind a pretty terrific OL). If running is all he brings to NFL, he won't last long.

I second that, due to an extremely favorable schedule they'll probably win the Big Ten. And as a result, get seeded, as the Big Ten's best team, fairly high in the Tournament. However, I don't believe they'll make it to the second weekend.

he's definitely one of the best defensive players in the country. however, he has no shot whatsoever, this limits his ability to get into the lane consistently. if he works on his outside jumper, he could be a POY candidate when he hits his senior year. Good point, he does need a jumper by the way, has Marcus Arnold ever made a shot as an Illini? Thus far, all I've seen from him is shot that's either a little short or an air-ball.

I too was impressed with the play of Randle and Pruitt. Sure, they'll lose a couple more road games but, with the continued improvement of Randle and Pruitt they be quite formidable come tournament time. Speaking of Randle, after Shannon Brown and Maurice Ager, he may very well be the Big Ten' most talented player, his combination of speed, length and jumping ability is amazing.

Its OK, let Delhomme act like fool or any way he wishes, I'm certain several of the Bears caught his act. They'll be another time and another place for Mr. Delhomme and the Bears.

In some ways this is similar to the 1984 Post Season, the young Bears were embarrassed in the NFC Championship by the 49'ers. They learned from that and we all know what happened the next season. I'm not saying the 2006 Bears will be as good as the 1985 Bears but, I believe they'll be superior to the 2005 Bears.

By the way does anyone think Seattle will jump that WR screen to Smith and return it for a TD? Seemed like they ran that play exclusively on 2nd down.

I'm upset the Bears lost but, I look upon this loss as a learning experience and ultimately more good will come from it than bad. This is a very young team (3rd or 4th youngest in the NFL) with a very good defense in a division in which every other team just fired their head coach. This team will improve by leaps and bounds next season, a full season of Grossman and the offense will be become a legitimate threat. I'd like to see the Bears draft a shut down corner (to replace and reduce Tillman' role to nickel situations) or playmaking WR or TE this year. Carolina deserves all the credit they were the better team and have an excellent chance at beating Seattle. However, if I had to bet on which team will reach the Super Bowl (after this season) in near future, it’s the Bears hands down.

I was thinking along the same lines, granted the Cubs coaches are barely competent if at all, but, do we really think they're that inept as to not work with Corey on pitch selection and working the count? Most especially the Sarge, think he knows about taking a pitch or two and working the count? Remember 1984? When is it the player’s responsibility? We like to blame every failure on Cubs management but, at some point the player has to be solely responsible for success or failure.

But isn't this better than not tending him a contract? I mean I think (K)orey pretty hit rock bottom here and needs a change of scenery. Hendry totally mishandled the Sosa and Farnsworth deals, but I think this is different. If he never pans out, then this isn't a terrible trade, IMO. Agreed, I believe this is the best deal he could get for Patterson, don't you believe if he could have aquired a Soriano for Patterson he would have done so? Face it, there's wasn't a team out that was going to offer even an average ML player for Patterson.

The key point, no concept of the strike zone and a swing with multiple holes are what did Patterson in and will continue to do so if doesn't learn how to recognize the strike zone. I'm not a fan of the Cubs coaching but, I'd be a fool not think they didn't work with him on pitch recognition. It's possible he may never aquire or learn that skill...