dalgreen

But that's just it.... Illinois didn't play well. Still can't shoot and still turn the ball over too much. We did have a really good night at the free throw line which I've been saying this team needs to do. It just so happens that Minnesota didn't shoot well and turned the ball over than we did. Tomorrow everyone will talk about how Weber's benching Tisdale and McCamey was the key to the victory. But honestly, Minnesota played just bad enough for us to win. We need to shoot better because we can't rely on other teams shooting poorly and turning over the ball like Minnesota did. Illinois played extremely well defensively tonight. They've had trouble with turnovers all year, but tonight they were able to force a ton of bad shots and hold their own rebounding against a much bigger team. This was a bad matchup for Illinois, McCamey and Tisdale were their worst players, and they won on the road by 9. I'm not sure what more you want from the team. A road win is a huge win. But I was responding to the statement that you have to play well to win on the road in the Big Ten. Illinois didn't shoot the ball well and again turned the ball over way too much. Thanks to Minnesota for missing 5-7 shots right at the rim tonight. Huge win but do you think we win on Sunday shooting like this and turning the ball over? Great win, we played more inspired ball but still didn't play great.

But that's just it.... Illinois didn't play well. Still can't shoot and still turn the ball over too much. We did have a really good night at the free throw line which I've been saying this team needs to do. It just so happens that Minnesota didn't shoot well and turned the ball over than we did. Tomorrow everyone will talk about how Weber's benching Tisdale and McCamey was the key to the victory. But honestly, Minnesota played just bad enough for us to win. We need to shoot better because we can't rely on other teams shooting poorly and turning over the ball like Minnesota did.

First, I'm glad we're playing a team who shoots as bad as us and actually turns the ball over more than us. Otherwise, we're trailing by 7-10 points. Second, this game is going to come down to turnovers and free throw shooting. I'm not too confident because our guards do not take care of the basketball and one of our big men is known for turning it over down the stretch. Let's see if Weber knows that and lets Leonard finish up.

Any hockey fans here? If so, what do you think Tisdale's +/- on court time is?

I see Leonard has taken some classes from Tisdale. This is the Big Ten guys you can't get the ball in the post and think you can give two ball fakes without the defense collapsing on you.

Cole started the half and quickly picked up his third foul. Why do our guards insist on shooting 3's when no one is hitting them?

I'd say McCamey at least earned it with his effort...Tisdale, I have no [expletive] clue I don't think McCamey has earned it. He had a good 5-7 minute of hustle and smart play in the first half then reverted to the turnover prone no defense McCamey.

He takes this team to the NIT he has to go. I don't care if Mychael Henry is the next Michael Jordan. Guenther is not going to fire Weber. I really think just as Weber is stupidly loyal to his seniors, Guenther is stupidly loyal to Zook and Weber. I don't understand why we continue to turn the ball over. By now you'd think they would have learned their lesson and take care of the basketball. Also, get to the free throw line. We had a good run when our guards would penetrate and go to the basket or go to the basket and then kick it out for three. At the end of close games it helps to be in the double bonus and not the one and one. The only hope we have of making the dance is if Michigan State and Minnesota finish 9-9 in the Big Ten. If we lose against Minnesota on Thursday, the only way in is to win the Big 10 tourney because we aren't going to win in Columbus or W Lafayette. Well, I would think a win in Minnesota shouldn't be too hard, they don't have a point guard at all right now. I'd press the hell out of them. But yeah, we are staring at the NIT again. Uh, I thought a win in Indiana with five of their starters let alone minus two of their starters wouldn't be hard, either. Man, our guard play is just bad right now. It does no good to have guards who score but turn the ball over. And then when the guards don't score they still turn the ball over. It's just hard to believe there is a strong probability of this team winning only one Big Ten road game.

He takes this team to the NIT he has to go. I don't care if Mychael Henry is the next Michael Jordan. Guenther is not going to fire Weber. I really think just as Weber is stupidly loyal to his seniors, Guenther is stupidly loyal to Zook and Weber. I don't understand why we continue to turn the ball over. By now you'd think they would have learned their lesson and take care of the basketball. Also, get to the free throw line. We had a good run when our guards would penetrate and go to the basket or go to the basket and then kick it out for three. At the end of close games it helps to be in the double bonus and not the one and one. The only hope we have of making the dance is if Michigan State and Minnesota finish 9-9 in the Big Ten. If we lose against Minnesota on Thursday, the only way in is to win the Big 10 tourney because we aren't going to win in Columbus or W Lafayette.

If it's a regional CBS game and out of your market, DirecTV will have it on 729 or 730. Thanks. I'll look for it.

Anyone have any idea how I can watch the Illini/NU game on Saturday? I'm sure here in AZ we'll get the pleasure of seeing St Johns/UCLA. Stupid regional coverage.

I guess I'll credit Davis for finally playing up to his capabilities. It also helps that Penn State had to play small. Davis has given me no reason to believe that he's capable of playing like this consistently over the last nine games. He finally acted like he isn't afraid of contact. Tisdale played soft yet again. How many games this year have we lost the opening tip because he creates a tip violation? We still stink from 3 pt land and based on Penn State's travel nightmare, we should've buried them in the first half. Don't mean to be a downer but I know some fans may think we have turned the corner.

I'm hoping Richmond will improve his jumper this off-season. Remember, Luther Head was a terrible jump shooter his freshman year, too. Weber seems to have lost his seniors. If he realizes that he'll play Leonard, Griffey and Richmond more. Paul and Richardson can still be salvaged but they won't be if the offense still centers on McCamey.

He is in the minds of about 90% of the fanbase, but the AD is absurdly loyal, he's most likely safe through at least next season There's no way we don't win the NIT next year. We are gonna be loaded and have experience in that tourny. Honest question, how much does Simeon beat IU by if they play today? 10? Simeon wins by 10 at IU and 20 at any gym or arena in Chicago. Hell, that may be the same point spread I'd give Simeon over Illinois. Weber might be able to cut the 90% down to 75% if he starts Richmond and Leonard for the last 10 games.

He is in the minds of about 90% of the fanbase, but the AD is absurdly loyal, he's most likely safe through at least next season Unless we have a booster like T Boone Pickens come forward Weber will be here until at least 2014. I think his contract doesn't run out until 2015. I don't see Guenther paying the buyout unless we have a donor make a huge contribution.

For what's it's worth Richmond does seem to have the makeup and balls to take over, he alone could rip up Penn State. I hope he does. I agree regarding Richmond. I actually think he and Leonard are capable of being leaders and challenging people. Once Richmond matures a bit he'll be awesome. One comment I'd like to make is that people talk about our seniors not having the desire to win. To me, what's worse is they don't hate to lose. I know it may be semantics but if they really hated to lose they would've learned their lesson after the UIC game. If not then, than after the Penn State game, if not then, than..... Again, we got a team in the double bonus and we still create new ways to NOT get to the free throw line.

The only hope is that our big men recruits will actually play like big men. I think it's hilarious that the entire Big Ten and maybe the nation knows we have no one on our team who wants to carry the team on their back. Next to last possession everyone saw that no one wanted the ball. Someone help me to maintain some kind of optimism, but is there anything that shows you that we can go 6-4 or better the rest of the year?

In my opinion, here is the good from today: If we play the rest of the season like today, we win the next four and maybe lose only two more games. We won't see another Sullinger type player this year and we shouldn't send another team to the line 27 times. OSU is the class of the Big Ten.

Why didn't Griffey play today?

Jereme Richmond showed today that he may be the best all-around player on Illinois. He may not be the most mature kid, but when he does he will be awesome. I hope he doesn't try and leave for the NBA next year. McCamey, I think, showed why he is not a top NBA prospect. He can play well against average to slightly above average college players but against the top-notch athletes he gets lost. And in the NBA you don't play against average college players. I have beaten up on the Mikes all year but they played well today. Davis had a much better 2nd half than 1st half. Does anyone else wonder why Cole and Tisdale seem to lose the ball or go to the floor so often with the ball? The Big Ten title is gone unless Illinois can steal wins @Purdue or OSU. I still think we'll find a way to lose at Northwestern. Another 10-8 Big Ten record may mean NIT for Illinois.

But, we still played with them. Just wish we would get a freaking shot off once when it matters. Playing with them is not saying much. First, Penn St played with OSU,too; two, we are playing in the Hall --it should not only be expected for our teams to play with people but the expectation should be wins. I remember during the 80's and early 2000's when teams put an "L" down on their schedule when they saw @ Illinois. I thought we'd go undefeated at home this year. This game was lost because we didn't shoot the 3 today and I still think it's dumb for any team to rely so heavily on the 3. Again, due to our hatred for contact, we didn't get to the free throw line by being aggressive to the rim instead settling for 3's. 10 FTs? Yeah, refs missed a lot of calls, but when you take so many jumpers and rarely go to the hole, refs are going to miss calls. Similar to a pitcher who is rarely around the plate not getting close pitches called for a strike. Had we been able to go to the line even five more times, I think we win the game. OSU had 5 team fouls with 13 minutes left and we let them off the hook. And is Tyler Griffey in the doghouse?

The game in Bloomington, IN should be a win, but IU will shoot at least 55% and play the best basketball of their year. We will just have to play well that game to win, similar to what we had to do last year.

Wouldn't Jereme have to sit out all of next year if he transferred? I don't see him sitting out a whole year.

MSU isn't very good. You should win at home. As frustrating as this team is I see us winning the next four games and maybe five if we can show some guts at Northwestern. I still don't think we'll lose a home game this year. Plus remember, Tisdale's M.O. is play one bad game, play one good game, bad game, good game.... so he'll have a good game Tuesday night. You honestly think this team is going to beat Ohio State? I sure as hell dont Yep. I'm still not certain just how good Ohio State is. They are a very good team but i'm not sold that they are the best in the country. I don't remember their Big Ten schedule to this point, but non-conference Florida was their best win. Plus, the Assembly Hall crowd will be hype and Tisdale and Davis will have a good game because they basically pick and choose when they will have good games. I don't think we will lose a home game this year.

Nope, I would honestly be for trying Jereme at the 4. Although who knows how long he's gonna be in the dog house now? I wonder why he missed practice. I don't have a problem disciplining him by sitting him a whole game if he missed for a bogus reason. Plus, maybe his achilles will be much better by Tuesday. I would feel more comfortable with him as a 3" than "4", although, sadly, I think he's our best post player. I just think he'll get too many fouls at the 4 than the 3.