I remember leaving the Super Dome on Jan. 1, 2002 and thinking how disappointing it was for Illinois to have lost so decisively to LSU. I felt that way for two reasons. One, it was a jolting realization of how much Illinois needed to undergo a massive upgrade in the speed department. And, two, that was a team built with some very key seniors and players like Kurt Kittner weren’t going to be back anymore. I wondered if Illinois’ one-and-only big-time bowl chance had evaporated that night.
My feeling as I prepare to leave the Rose Bowl, where USC whipped Illinois 49-17 Tuesday night, is quite different. Sure, I hoped to see a better, more competitive football game. And the score looks downright ugly.
But my feeling about this team is that we’re seeing the beginning, not the end. We witnessed a painful but necessary step in the process Tuesday night. Illinois was a team without a single player with bowl experience. Southern Cal was playing in its sixth straight BCS bowl game. That’s a huge difference and there’s no question it benefitted the Trojans and hurt the Illini.
Call it star-struck, call it nerves, call it whatever you want. It’s an amazing venue, a riveting spectacle and if you don’t think a veteran team that has done it every year has an edge over a young team that has never even been to a minor bowl, well, I think you’re wrong.
So now Illinois knows what it’s like. It has a much better understanding of the feeling, of the routine, of the way a game of this stature needs to be approached. And it wasn’t something the coaches could just explain to them; they had to live it, even if doing so hurt.
I also thought it was a football game filled with weird plays, none of which went in Illinois’ favor. Make no mistake, I don’t claim that Illinois could have won the game with a couple breaks. USC was probably too good and too deep to be defeated here.
But after Rashard Mendenhall went 79 yards for a touchdown to cut USC’s lead to 21-10, Illinois was threatening to score again and a touchdown early in the third quarter would have made it 21-17. A short pass from Juice Williams to Mendenhall turned into a 55-yard gain and put the ball on the USC 23. Then Williams hit Jacob Willis with a pass and Willis turned it toward the goal line.
The Illini fans were in a frenzy when USC knocked the ball loose and recovered the fumble in the end zone. It was a big turning point because it would have been fun to see the emotional swing when USC was forced to play without the momentum and with the Illini fans worked into a lather.
And there were other plays. The “fumble” early in the game that Justin Harrison returned for a touchdown (the play was ruled dead, no fumble). The lateral pass that bounced right into the hands of Joe McKnight, USC’s best offensive player, that he turned into a long gainer. The monster hit by Harrison that sent the ball flying into the air, only to be caught by another USC receiver for a first down. Harrison’s interception and 45-yard return. If he gets a block, he’s gone. Unfortunately, no block and Jason Reda eventually missed a field goal. Blah, blah, blah. And there were others.
Like I said, USC rang up 633 yards and 49 points, so it’s not like Illinois was one play away. But you know how college games swing on emotion and big plays and Illinois had a bunch of them out there.
I’m already looking forward to next season. I want to see Juice Williams go to another level as a passer. Although he didn’t do as well as I had hoped, this had to be a great experience for him. I was disappointed not to see more plays for Rejus Benn early. I doubt we’ll be seeing Rashard Mendehall anymore so replacing him will be a big job.
But a team many of us hoped could win 5 or 6 games won 9, made it to the Rose Bowl and walks away from here with a world of experiences and new knowledge. Most of all, I think they’ll be more hungry than ever to get back and next time they’ll be better equipped to win a game like this.
January 2nd, 2008 at 12:51 am
Yah, we got our hats handed to us by a very good football team. If USC is not the best in the country, I’m not sure who is. But look how far we have come.
Hats off to Coach Zook and the 2007 Fighting Illini. Better things to come in 08.
Hail to the Chief
January 2nd, 2008 at 3:09 am
I’d just like to say “Thank You” to the team and coaches for a thoroughly enjoyable season - and for the great effort and skill they exhibited. I’m with you Tupp, fall can’t get here fast enough.
Go Illini !
January 2nd, 2008 at 6:33 am
Yep, dem’s the breaks. Turnovers really killed the momentum. But you are correct, this is a lot different than the 2002 Sugar Bowl. It will be up to the coaches to remind the players in spring practice how much more work needs to be done.
January 2nd, 2008 at 7:01 am
“A begining not a end..
..well stated. The USC players at times seemed both bigger and quicker. I thought our freshman gave a good showing, and with a few breaks definitely a more competitive game.
P.S.
Xavier, you dont think Coach Weber also put a hex on the football team do you?
January 2nd, 2008 at 7:10 am
I did not go to the Rose Bowl because I sat through the same game 24 years ago. At the end of the game, one of the Illini fans screamed at one of the UCLA fans: “Next year we will be back but you won’t”. However, it didn’t happen and later we were hit with sanctions that sank White’s program. Hopefully Zook will be a different story. Even with a good recruiting class, winning 9 games next year will be tough.
January 2nd, 2008 at 7:23 am
I agree with your comments about this game. However, I think a more competitive game against Arkansas in the Cotton Bowl would have been the best situation for Illinois. In reality, Missouri was a much more deserving Rose Bowl participant. I’m sure the trustees at U of I will disagree, especially when the university receives the check for playing in the game.
On another note, Hawaii had a chance to quite its critics but laid an even bigger egg against Georgia. The result proves that playing good teams is what makes teams better, not beating all the inferior teams.
January 2nd, 2008 at 7:40 am
Great season Illini, unfortunately all the breaks went the wrong way, and that just can’t happen against a team of this caliber. I just wanted to say one thing, USC is a classless act! I think they received unsportsmanlike penalties after every touchdown they scored. They were dancing on the sidelines with the coaches with a 14-0 lead, one player does a flip into the endzone, one player lights up an Illini receiver after an overthrown ball with 4 minutes left, and finally Great Carroll with 50 seconds left and 1st down (49-17 score) runs plays instead of downing the ball. Just a classless act. I though Carroll was better than that! California dreaming for next season.
January 2nd, 2008 at 8:55 am
Tupp, I’ll give due respect to your experience in these matters, but I saw something completely different than you did. I chalk up this loss, not to a vast difference in the quality of the teams, but squarely upon the shoulders of Mike Locksley. Yes, USC has bowl experience, but I truly think that is an overrated stat. The Illini did not as Kirk Herbstreit warned, walk out of the tunnel and glaze over with a “Wow, we’re in the Rose Bowl” look. They came out acting like they belonged there. Add to that a rusty USC quarterback coming off an injury, a weak O-line that let the Illini defense through time after time, the well-known lack of strength at wide receiver, and I think USC was absolutely not the Goliath many were saying it was. We defeated Ohio State because we came out at the starting gun throwing long, forcing tOSU defense to play back and opening up the running lanes. In Pasadena, Locksley instead reverted to the playbook he used against Iowa–run, option, option, punt. There was not one pass even attempted beyond the line of scrimmage the entire first half, and as a result, the linebackers were lined up bent over the d-line and the safeties and corners played almost at the depth the linebackers normally occupy. A running game cannot succeed with all 11 defenders lined up within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage. By the time Illinois opened up the game, it was too late. The defense was exhausted from being on the field so long after so many 3-and-outs. It’s true that USC caught every break there was to catch, with the pass Harrison broke up turning into a 15-yard USC gain, Willis having the ball punched out of his arms 3 feet shy of a touchdown, and Juice throwing his first interceptions of the season. However, to me the biggest disappointment in the stadium was the first half play-calling of Mike Locksley. I have a greast admiration for him as a person, and for what he has done to bring quality players to Champaign, but if this was to be his big showcase on the way to a head coaching job, I’d have to say he embarrassed himself.
January 2nd, 2008 at 9:00 am
And now for the truth. Illinois does not operate a “Big Time” program. It will be another twenty or so years before the Illini get back to the Final Four and another twenty or so years before they get back to the Rose Bowl (1952, 1963, 1984, 2008). You do the analysis. Expect the Illini to be 7-4 or 6-5 next year.
January 2nd, 2008 at 9:27 am
Mark, this is the first time I have almost agreed 100% with your blog. A very dissapointing, weird, game where not a single break went our way. Of course if that means we are saving all the karma for when we play in a national championship game- then give me all the humble pie I can swallow right now. Because let’s face it, unless it is the title game, these bowls are just glorified exhibitions.
The only thing that wasn’t touched on and what burns me is the play calling in the first half. It was soooo conservative it was embarrasing. When we opened things up a bit we showed how we could play with them.
January 2nd, 2008 at 9:32 am
I seem to remember people posting here hoping for 5 wins this year, so good job Illini!
Anonymous; Your nut’s.
January 2nd, 2008 at 9:50 am
Please…..dump the option. Run the spread offense. And give McGee a chance to compete for the starting QB position next season.
I am disappointed because we had 5 weeks to prepare for this game and it looked like Zook did absolutely nothing. No different looks. No trick plays. No nothing. USC is too good of a team for us to think that we could just show up and beat them. They stacked the line and dared Juice to throw. Game over. And how can you run an offense and not game plan to get Benn the ball. I just don’t get it.
Congrats to this 9-4 team. They exceeded all of our expectations this year. This is a loss to learn from. Now hopefully we can take the next step and win a Big Ten title and compete for a NC. Go Illini!
January 2nd, 2008 at 10:33 am
The play calling in the first half KILLED us. It was so bad that I thought Ron Turner had sneaked into the coaches box and was helping. The slant play to Benn was available all game long, but the play calling was so screwed up it wasn’t called until the fourth quarter when the game was out of reach. Let’s face it, if you’re a big time college, you can not rely simply on the running game to succeed, so the coaches had better get someone they have enough confidence in to throw the ball.
January 2nd, 2008 at 10:37 am
I too was flabbergasted at the 1st half play calling. Unbelievably conservative. If the option didn’t work the first 4 times, why do you think it’d work the 5th? The option only works on teams if you’re faster and bigger. If you’re not, you need to run up the middle or throw it to play makers, which we finally did in the second half. And McGee to Benn for a TD… where was that combo in the first half?
Heck, Juice did a nice job passing the ball in the entire 2nd half. If only his receivers could hold onto the ball, it’d have been a competitive game.
I wasn’t blown away by USC, but I was very disappointed by our coaching staff.
Especially after watching Michigan hand it to Florida. Michigan at least pulled out some trick plays -heck, even USC did - but we stuck with our 15 play script. Too bad the 15 plays equaled about 5 drives - the entire first half practically. It’s called ‘making adjustments’ or ‘reacting to the game’ people. Was Locksley trying to dissuade further head coaching talk? If so, I’m sure it worked. What do they say about insanity… if you do the same thing and expect different results…?
But we’re getting better, and we’ll be better - in fact, the entire Big Ten should be improved next year.
There might be something to be said about the spectacle of the Bowl game having an impact… Mike Hart goes 1000 carries without a fumble, and then coughs it up twice in a bowl game, both within the 1 yard line. But at least Michigan’s coaching staff had been in a few bowl games before.
This was the first Rose Bowl game for our coaching staff, so I can chalk the whole train wreck to that.
I’m really looking forward to next year’s football AND basketball teams!
January 2nd, 2008 at 10:43 am
Looking forward to February for signing day. And of course a September rematch with Missouri. Wow what a game that will be. Its a new era in the Illinois Football program. PS. Have we found a kicker to replace Reda?
January 2nd, 2008 at 10:48 am
Not surprised how USC acted, no class, ridiculous celebration penalties (the player that flipped into the endzone, what a jerk!) trying to get the 6th string tailback his second td (still don’t think he scored the first time though) I don’t care if he overcame blah, blah, blah it’s a classless act.
USC was FAST! I wasn’t overly impressed with them as a team but they have some amazing athletes.
ABC was horrible: too much Leinart, sideline dancing, watching Pete Carroll look over his shoulder the entire 4th quarter, etc. Missed the officials calling several penalties, could’ve been some better/more replays.
The play calling has got to improve. A 4th and goal screen pass to the short side of the field from about the 20! It doesn’t matter they were down big, what the heck was he thinking!
Too bad it was last game for J and Rashard in the orange and blue. There were chances for the Illini and that’s about all you can ask for.
January 2nd, 2008 at 11:09 am
It was almost like Locksley and Zook decided in the first half to just run some clock and not get blown out in the first half, is my best guess on playcalling. seemed to work when the Illini almost pulled to within 4. don’t care what anybody says about being outclassed. we had the chance to cut it to 21-17 (not including missed fieldgoal)! then three turnovers in three drives all leading to USC td’s! that is what made the score look so ugly, believe it when i say USC was sweating it when Rashard caught that screen pass!
January 2nd, 2008 at 11:32 am
How can people say that the Illini will not be as good next year. Yes loosing Leman and Mandenhall will hurt but look who is behind them. Martez and Dufrene and Pollard. If the O line is in question remember Leman described three redshirt O line players as earth movers. Losing both safeties can be solved by Vontae and a JUCO player coming in. Zook has so fare put together two top 20 recruiting classes consecutively. If he continues, that is how teams become a power and look at how we are playing three freshman regularly that will only be older and better. I am looking forward to next year like Tupper said and only see a bright future for the Illini.
January 2nd, 2008 at 11:47 am
Wish I could say I was suprised. Fact is it was our first bowl game and it showed. Let’s chalk the play calling and execution up to youthful exuberance. (Although how some on here can rail against lack of “new things, adapatation, then let Weber pass is beyond me but I digress!) We really should take this opportunity to take a step back and decide if our methods will take us to the top even if executed to perfection. Take a look at the Mizz/Ark game. One team runs exclusively the other is balanced. Fact is when we ran only against Mizz we had no chance of winning. Mix it up and we score 35. Our two touchdowns in the Rose bowl? A long run after PASSING on first down. The second was by our extremely spare backup who somehow threw a ROPE to our ROOKIE of THE YEAR receiver! CRAZY!!! Much like desperatley clutching to Chester will get us nowhere (Brooks) clutching to a one dimensional offense will be nice against Indiana, and Minny, and even a clueless O.State it is not for the long run. (Seriously Brooks how do you root for McGee and root against McCamy starting? That couldn’t make less sense. What are we hoping for? Keeping the other team in the 30’s?) Many people here (Bart) complain about the negative slant of many posts. Fact is nobody thought we would win this. Could yes, would no! I understand many UofI fans are used to looking like the goomba on the front page but the time of lovable looser is tired. New year resolution should be to persuade, encourage, scream, at our head coaches and staffs to pry your fingernails from the ledge or “good enough” and go for the landing! We’ve seen good enough. We know how to get there without Garmin. Take a book from Carroll. Got an upperclassmen runningback whose leads the team in touchdowns. So he features his FRESHMAN tailback. If your not playing for grande burrito then start for next year. Fact is we had a chance to work on the passing game which we know we need and Lockseley decides to ride with the parking brake on. If we are in to playing it safe we should have called the Rose Bowl, declined, and saved and players the grief. The Seniors deserved BETTER!
January 2nd, 2008 at 11:57 am
With Herbstreit and especially Musbuger going on and on about the fabulous USC and Pete Carroll I was ready to hurl. Not that it was their fault we played like we did in the first half offensively and the later part of the second half. That 4th quarter was tough to set through. The USC lovefest kicked into high gear, yuck. The offense seemed to revert to what we saw a few times during the season, very one dimensional and easy to defend. Our defense as usual gave us all they had. Surprisingly the announcers did take notice of that at least. I hope we can iron out some of these offensive issues for next year, I don’t like seeing us get our butts kicked on national tv. Believe me I’m not disrespecting what we accomplished this season not at all. But it is still going to take more than effort and breaks to compete with these upper tier programs. Recruit em Zook!
January 2nd, 2008 at 12:14 pm
A little Dickens…
The Ghost of Rose Bowl Past: Rick Neuheisel (of UCLA). He tells ABC that Illinois should “throw more on first downs” which they finally do right there at the end of the first half.
The Ghost of Rose Bowl Present: Kirk Herbstreit. He tells us the Illini need to “start off fast” in order to believe they can play with USC. We didn’t.
The Ghost of Rose Bowl Future(?): Eddie McGee comes in and immediately throws a touchdown. Will he get a decent chance to start next year?
January 2nd, 2008 at 12:18 pm
I am old and my eyes aren’t like they used to be, so I am glad that some of you youngsters saw Locksley’s play calling to be as bad as I did. Wasn’t Zook at the same game we were watching?
He could have changed the game plan, when he saw this one wasn’t working.
Ron Zook’s team did a great job this year. Maybe Zook didn’t. Weber is a farce after having a great season with someone elses recruited players. Let’s hope that Zook doesn’t turn out that way. I am anxious to see what he does with the play calling problem. Maybe Locksley should go to West Virginia.
January 2nd, 2008 at 12:30 pm
I said in a post before the game that I hope we are not victimized by being slower than USC (I could take being killed by inexperience). Well, I would say, for the most part, it was our inexperience (both coaches and players)that did us in, but in a few ways, speed hurt. Herbstreit said the USC coaches were attacking our linebackers because they were too slow, and they were right. Their running backs beat our linebackers (when they passed to their RBs) all game long. Mr. Zook, please recruit speed at linebacker!
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Misquote of the day: Musberger said that the last time the Illini were in a bowl, it was when we played LSU in the Sugar Bowl when we were coached by “Norv Turner.” OUCH! says his brother Ron!
January 2nd, 2008 at 1:01 pm
Why is there so much complaining by Illinois fans? You guys did not lose a nailbiter that hinged on a questionable call; no, you got dominated from the first whistle to the last. USC was bigger, stronger, faster, better prepared, more motivated, and played with more hustle. The coaching was lightyears better and that made the gap even larger.
What’s this about USC playing without class? The hit Taylor Mays delivered did not warrant a penalty - the ball was slightly overthrown but the hit was timed so that a better delivered pass would’ve arrived simultaneously. Countless times Illinois players looked to start fights on the field - I’ve never seen a team act that way while trailing the entire game, in blowout fashion. And Arrelious Benn? Give me a break - you score a touchdown against our 3rd string defense after being non-existent the entire game, and you throw the ball at our BAND? You were trailing by five scores at that point, and you’re a freshman who has caught less touchdowns than USC’s fullback. Know your role.
Yes it was definitely a learning experience for the Fighting Illini. They learned that they should stick to the Meineke Car Bowls in the future.
January 2nd, 2008 at 1:09 pm
That 4th down and 20 screen pass made me want to get sick. Just an unexcusable play call.
January 2nd, 2008 at 1:46 pm
I agree completely with the comments regarding the play calling. Rick Neuheisal saw the bad play calling. At the half Doug Flutie could not say quick enough “They didn’t even throw one pass over the line of scrimage the first half”, and we all saw USC stacking the line against the run. The option can work of you mix it up, spread it, throw it, option it etc…
I am sure the play calling was conservative to keep turnovers down. They killed us the second half when we opened it up.
Bringing the score to 21-17 would have been interesting. USC tackles the ball every play - it is all they focus on.
I only hope the coaches either show confidence in Juice and let him balance it out more or bring in McGee.
Wilson will start at linebacker next year and the speed will increase. Hopefully Zook can pluck some big-time running back to replace Rashard. It is time for him to play on Sunday, especially while he is still healthy.
Great season, great reward, and something to use to grow on.
Congrats to the Illini.
January 2nd, 2008 at 2:12 pm
I think what you saw in that game was what many already knew or believed: Illinois WAS NOT ready for a game of that caliber. I, for one, was shocked to see us in a BCS game. I think we would have fared better in the next tier of bowls. I also believe that we saw the swan song of Mendenhall. Watch for him next season on Sundays. The play calling was ridiculous. I odn’t hink we saw two pass plays beyond the line of scrimmage in the same series until 2 minutes were left in teh first half. Then, low and behold, we started moving the ball! I am not sure if it was good or bad for Illinois to see how far away they are from being a truly top tier team. Only their reaction next year on the field will tell the tale.
January 2nd, 2008 at 2:22 pm
Football213- It’s easy to talk smack after the game. You are correct though. We got outcoached and got our butts handed to us. No question about that. But to say that your team is a bunch of choir boys is ridiculous. USC is an established, elite program. Illinois is still on its way up. Hopefully we will see you guys again in a NC game in a few years.
KYM- Never been a Frazier supporter. I want McCamey to start. You just can’t start him until he quits letting guards blow right by him. Weber will continue to give him more minutes as he gets better and better. My point was you can’t start the freshman until they prove they can play solid defense. Your idea of playing zone would only make things worse. I would personally bench Frazier, Randle, and Pruitt. Start Meachem, McCamey, Brock, Davis, and Tisdale.
Xavier- You are correct. The 4th down call was awful. Even if he caught the pass, he was going no where. Here’s hoping we get rid of the horrible option. It works against big teams, but it’s useless against a fast team like USC.
January 2nd, 2008 at 2:25 pm
For the record, McGee threw a touchdown pass against the third string for USC’s defense…..so of course he should get the starting role next year. Seriously folks.
Football213 - Go away. Please. The flip into the end zone was totally uncalled for. Talk about class…you guys HAVE been there before, act like it. What Benn did hardly warranted a penalty. If that is excessive celebrating, then USC should have been penalized after each score.
Here’s another one for you……you guys are up 32 with less than 2 minutes to play and you keep trying to score?? Seriously? You have the cahunas to come on our blog and criticize us for being classless?? Another touchdown does nothing for your program at that point. But we need to allow our sixth string running back to get another score because his collegiate career didn’t go as planned. That’s about as classy as the college basketball player a few years ago that got hurt being short of the scoring record by a point. So…they put her in and the other team LET’S HER SCORE to get the record??? You may have set records, but what does it really mean in the end?? Nothing.
Definitely not the outcome I would have liked, but it will serve as a foundation on which to build. I agree we should have attacked more in the first half and a lot of that falls on the coaching staff. I think they were more afraid of USC than our players were. That’s a shame.
Here’s to next year!!! Can’t wait!
January 2nd, 2008 at 2:53 pm
Being a long time Illini fan, I agree that Illinois basketball and football are destined to make the championship level of competition approximately every 20 years. We (Illinois) have never been revered as a top named football school and never will. Reality has finally hit home as another blowout on national television will take years to recover from. I also agree that the football team was ready to play this game and the loss rests on the offensive coordinator’s shoulder’s. He know’s it, the other coaches know it and so do the fans. Being that unprepared for a nationally televised major bowl game is unacceptable and will cost the school if it is ever considered for another appearence at teh Rose Bowl. The sad part is the school signed him to a $500,000.00 contract extention. So we get to see more of his play calling genious.
January 2nd, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Some of you have already made some good comments about the play calling & I agree, we should have mixed it up more. I would also agree about the lack of class by USC, especially when they were still trying to score at the end instead of taking a knee. I wonder how the USC fan, football213, would rationalize that? How in the hell did a USC fan find this blog anyway?
=
It was a great year for the team & I’m looking forward to next year. Did anyone else see the image of the Chief in the backround of the pregame show on FSMW? I thought that was pretty cool. Thanks, Tupps, for the great coverage from Pasadena.
January 2nd, 2008 at 4:22 pm
Illinoops - Not to be picky, but if you are going to call a guy (albeit with sarcasm) “genious” you should probably spell it correctly (genius to save you the trouble of looking it up on dictionary.com). And it is extension - not “extention”. And one more! “appearence” would be appearance. Look on the bright side, you got a couple of the other tough ones correct! Bully for you!!
I’m bored and have nothing else to do right now.
January 2nd, 2008 at 5:03 pm
Brooks,illinirev, I may be coming around a little regarding the Juice/ McGee issue especially after last night. McGee’s TD pass has nothing to do with my opinion, it’s all about Juice’s limitations. I believe the coaching staff does not have full confidence in him, throwing wise, look at the first half play calling last night. We have some verbals from several top receivers, who’s gonna throw to these guys? Passing is second or maybe even third nature to Juice, it’s going to take to long to get this kid were he needs to be. Receivers like Cordell Scott do not commit to a program to improve the running game and spend their carriers blocking for the option. The only way there is going to be greater emphasis on the pass is if somebody else is doing the passing.The offense we use at this time suites Juice, I have great respect for him but we are only going to be as good as he is.
January 2nd, 2008 at 5:16 pm
Guys, Guys, A USC fan preaching to us about class? This is the program that invites OJ to practice. Thank you for coming Mr. 213. You can collect your door prize at the door (figured I had to explain that one to ya). Oh don’t forget your shinebox!
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Brooks - Well McGee isn’t exactly error proof! Fact is you are looking long term with McGee and your not when you advocate wasting ANY minutes on a player that will NEVER play in a big game for us. Your theory is Weber can hand slap him into a defensive player. I guarantee if you let him be himself offensively, the defense will follow.
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Bart - Don’t think I let your rambling incoherent diatribe go away that easily. So you never said recruiting wasn’t important. It’s the right players for the system. Oh, so that’s why your so high on Legion. You’re sure he’s a perfect fit for the system? BS!! You like him because he’s ranked and Weber has messed up the guard positin so badly we would take Watkins! Your also bagging on Pruitt and Randle as Self’s guys? Is this the same Self that currently sits third in the country? The same coach whose team would blister us by 30!! Go ahead take away Pruitt, Randle and don’t forget Meachum. Remember, the walkon that Weber told should stay at Dayton and not transfer? Think about how great this would look without Self’s guys and the guy Weber told not to come here!!! Great Point!!! Really stellar stuff!
January 2nd, 2008 at 6:43 pm
BASKETBALL TALK:
With the Big Ten opener tomorrow, I sat down and looked at the schedule. Illini stand at 8-5 entering Big Ten play. I think most of the readers of this blog know Illinois’s offensive shortcomings, so on with the prediction. I sat and looked at the schedule and I have decided that the Illini will be lucky to go 10-8 in Big Ten play (when I just went down the line from game to game I actually had them at 8-10, but I am willing to allow for a couple of upsets by our guys). A 10-8 Big 10 season puts us at 18-13 heading into the B10 Tourney. I think we will win one B10 Tourney game and lose one, so that means 19-14 after the B10 tourney. That is only going to get us in the BIG DANCE if some of those wins are upsets over ranked teams. I welcome others to submit their predictions before the opener tomorrow night.
January 2nd, 2008 at 6:44 pm
congratulations to coach zook and for making football at illinois enjoyable to watch. in recent years i’d bypass the game and catch the score afterwards because they were unbearable to watch. this season illinois fans couldn’t wait until the next game was played and the bowl game helped kill a miserable month of the basetball season.
there are no guarantees in the world of college sports. illinois could actually be (and maybe should be) a better team next year, but could take some steps back in terms of record. this year illinois had michigan, wisconsin and penn state at home. next season those will all be road games and even though ohio state will be at home, all four of those games will be difficult games. throw in a missouri team that may very well enter next season ranked in the top 5 and it’s very conceivable illinois could lose all five of those games. at best, it’s hard to imagine illinois going through those five landmines without at least a couple of hits in the loss column.
again, i don’t want to discredit what illinois accomplished this season and they came a long, LONG way. i’m just wanting to remind people before we get too carried away this was actually the big 10’s third place team that got sent to the rose bowl. illinois finished tied for second with michigan, but michigan won head-to-head. as much as i detest michigan, they were probably the ones who should have gone to pasadena and illinois should have gotten florida.
January 2nd, 2008 at 6:56 pm
We got beat, not because of SC’s speed, like all the experts claimed we would, but because of poor play calling and the fact that because we were one deminsional. Any time you play a game against a team that has a defense as good as S C’s the defense will try to make you one deminsional, When you make yourself one deminsional, you are just handing the game to the other team on a silver platter. As soon as we complete a couple of passes at the beginning of the second half —Boom– Mendenhall suddenly gets a nice long run. And when Eddie McGee comes in an starts passing We get another TD. SC was camping on the run all game! Until you either teach Juice how to read defenses and pass, or replace him with Eddie McGee, nothing’s going to change. In fact until you solve that problem, we wil be lucky to get halfway back to the Rose Bowl next year, in spite of all the 4 & 5 star players we get. We had all of the stars we needed to have won the game, and we had a good attitude, if we had had a passing game things could well have been different!
January 2nd, 2008 at 7:20 pm
SD Running Red - I think your dead on. Locksley doesn’t throw because he doesn’t think Juice can throw. I can just see him reading this blog going “You idiots don’t see this guy practice. Every time he cocks his arm it’s a fire drill!!!” Fact is we won’t keep getting good receiving talent like you say so they can work on their run block skills. In fact can this Cherest (?) guy run the spread or is he a classic passer? I’m starting to wonder if Zook is just recruiting players or is he going with a system. PS You gotta include me in the McGee now camp! I’m at least Treasurer!
January 2nd, 2008 at 7:50 pm
I never understood why coaches play not to lose, especially in a game like this. It really did look like the Zooker was trying to get underneath the spread the entire first half. Could we have really done much worse if we would have opened things up?
I hate the stats folks and talking heads that make it seem worse than it was. USC was good but hardly a juggernaut. Our worst enemy was our coaches first and then ourselves and turnovers. It is just the easiest thing to do to look at the score and offer up the criticism.
One thing i do think is wrong is the criticism that USC tried to run up the score. That is dead wrong. They ran the ball I believe practically every possession in the 4th qtr. and we couldn’t stop them. Our guys obviously gave up and that was sad and dissapointing.
- did anyone notice that on the one score where their “famous” backup scored, he really didn’t score? Replay showed he was down on about the 1/2 yard line but nobody protested. Everyone including the refs and zook gave up.
KYM I agree in that you can’t poo poo the 4 & 5 star recruits we don’t get yet praise Bruce’s recruiting when he lands them from a transfer or for future classes. What is it guys?
January 2nd, 2008 at 8:50 pm
I’m curious about which is more disappointing to all of you: the lost to USC or the loss to TSU at home? Although the play calling and the mistakes were frustrated me during the bowl game, the lost to TSU at home is more disappointing to me. This was a cupcake game that you add to the schedule every year just to boost your win total. I can’t think of any good excuse that would begin to explain loosing this game. We should have been able to win this game with 2 starters and 3 bench players. It was also disappointing to see that Chester played over 30 minutes again. I’ve been an Illini fan for almost 20 years now, and can’t recall a time when the basketball games were this tough watch. Another blogger indicated that he wouldn’t watch another game until CF was benched; while I’m not to that point, but I hope something changes quickly. The best thing that Zook could say now about the football team is “the QB race is wide open for next year.”
January 2nd, 2008 at 9:43 pm
D-bird, the RoseBowl was WAY more dissapointing because I have come to expect the worst from the basketball team. What hurt about the game yesterday is that everyone was calling it. All the talking heads said we would get destroyed and all of us knew we could pull it off. We wanted SO badly to show them up that when it went the way it was nationally scripted, it hurt worse.
About Chester. I think I have given my 2 cents on him. He will go down as THE WORST player in Illini history. Anyone who plays as much as he does and gives you negative numbers like he does has to be the worst. Actually, I would say he is the worst D1 point guard in the country and I wish I had more time to prove it.
January 2nd, 2008 at 10:11 pm
The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ,
Moves on; nor all your Piety nor Wit
Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line,
Nor all your Tears wash out a Word of it.
– The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam
January 2nd, 2008 at 10:47 pm
The game was winnable, but we needed to play virtually mistake-free, and obviously didn’t. Still, I agree with all those who criticize the first-half play-calling. The passing game finally started clicking a bit after they threw the long one to Cumberland to open things up. Too bad no one thought of that in the first half. On defense, we got beat outside all day (somebody please explain the concept of contain to our left end, #81), and it would have been nice to pay more attention to the tight end and the freshman back. SoCal had better overall talent, but not 32 points worth. Our guys played hard but dumb. The mistakes will happen with younger guys, but Zook absolutely has to get a handle on the late hits, hits out-of-bounds, and the unsportsmanlikes. The other team was full of punks, in the mold of their smarmy coach, but we can’t stoop that low. Happened in the Michigan game too.
Mark, I’d love to see Juice get to another level as a passer too, but I have my doubts that we’ll see it happening, especially if they keep the option. He has no “touch”. The longer passes come out like from a howitzer; he can’t drop a throw in to anybody, except when he tosses his screen passes 10 or 12 feet high, so the linebacker and the ball meet the back at the same time. He clearly has an unbelievable arm, but it often hurts him, when he throws way too hard for most of the shorter routes. Maybe he can learn this finesse stuff with a lot of practice, and some coaching. Running an option doesn’t help at all.
Now its time to stock up on the Prozac, to get me through this hoops season.
January 3rd, 2008 at 1:31 am
Early in the game, Locksley was trying to protect Juice. We would try to ‘break’ a first/second down play for 7 or 8, leaving us in a short range passing situation, where Juice is more comfortable. When we had 3rd and long there was no reason to drop back and give the kid a chance to throw a pick that would be taken back the other way.
When we got down, it was time to go for broke and allow Juice to pass the ball, there was no question about it. I think he responded well…and I think Locksley should have come out of the gate with that mentality. But he was trying to keep it close and not put our offense in a position to cost us points.
We got behind and had to change mentality. The team responded well, except for the fumbles. I think it bodes well for next year.
January 3rd, 2008 at 6:51 am
I agree with others on the list. McGee should be give a serious shot next season. Williams is a decent quarterback, but from what I saw of McGee this season, if given a chance to develop, he could be in the same league as Tony Eason and Kirk Kitner. crk
January 3rd, 2008 at 7:42 am
Anybody else noticed how Illinois got crusified by the talking heads after losing to USC 49-17 with all their turnovers, but nobody is crusifing Oklahoma for getting circles ran around them in the Fiesta Bowl? WV ran all over that “vaunted” defense. Must be that national perception that the B10 is so bad. If the B10 is so bad, why does this conference always have two teams in the BCS? Additionally, in basketball (because the B10 is so bad for losing the irrelavent B10/ACC Challenge) they continue to place teams in the final four and championship game. I have a challenge for all of you. Other that the ACC, Big12, and Big10; name another conference that even has a chance to get two teams in the Final Four, heck even the Elite Eight again this year. Ready, set, go!! Go Illini-California dreamin’ in 08-09.
January 3rd, 2008 at 8:33 am
BASKETBALL - With Randal likely sitting out this game, who starts? I’m thinking we start playing more and more young guys and build them up for next year.
January 3rd, 2008 at 8:52 am
Chitwood - I believe the beef with USC is that they STILL tried to score with less than a minute left when they could have run the clock out. That’s like a b-ball team still running their offense with the shot clock off & a 30 point lead. In the past, this was a common courtesy. In today’s world, maybe it isn’t, but it still should be.
January 3rd, 2008 at 9:33 am
I think it’s funny that KYM and I got ridiculed all season long about saying that McGee is the better QB, and now, after 13 games, you guys are finally see the light. I love Juice. He just has limitations. This is where Zook and Locksley need to get innovative. Run some plays with both QB’s on the field.
We have two top rated receiver’s coming in this year and Fayson will be here the year after. Add Cumberland and Benn to the mix and Zook has to run the spread. I hate USC, but they are a great team. There DE’s and linebackers were fast. They had no problems running Juice down. The option will work in a big, slow league like the Big Ten, but not against fast teams like the Pac-10 and the SEC. Now is the time to take this program to the next level.
January 3rd, 2008 at 9:46 am
In spite of the horrid play calling in the first half, so many things could have been different: 1) if our LB covers the back on the trick play. 2) if RM gets the 80 yd run in the 1st half. 3) if Harrison doesn’t get stopped by his own lineman on the interception. 4) if Reda doesn’t miss a chip shot. 5) if a ball comes loose an instant earlier on a USC fumble run back for a TD, the first half would have looked fantastic. Nothing is as bad as it looks when you lose nor is it as good as it looks when you win.
With greater and greater speed coming in, I hope we go after the ball like USC did. In the past we had no speed to recover if the fumble wasn’t caused.
When does Benn get his surgery? It will help for him to be able to reach overhead to catch passes. Once the shoulder is fixed we should see the real Benn. It looks like Juices biggest weakness is throwing slants which is McGees strength. With Benn unable to reach overhead McGee is the only one to get the ball to him. Spring will be interesting.
January 3rd, 2008 at 9:47 am
I agree with Bill, that was my only beef too. Thirty point lead and they are still trying to score, but it’s also sad that we still weren’t stopping them.
Interesting note on Davis. He measured 6′9″ in August when he came to Illinois. They measured him this week and he was 6′10 1/2″. With Randle out once again, lets hope Davis and Alexander step up. It’s time for Davis, Alexander, and McCamey to step up and for Frazier and Randle to hit the bench.
January 3rd, 2008 at 10:09 am
KyM-Some of your best posts EVER!! Great stuff.
Bill Arter-I think the announcers also knew that Carroll is a classless piece of flotsom (look it up), so they concocted that story about he and Zook being such “great friends”. I’ll guarantee that if they were before the game, they weren’t after. No coach likes to have his nose rubbed in it, and Zook is no different. From the time Illinois was named as USC’s opponent, Carroll was a classless can of garbage. And when is the rules committee going to step up, grow some kahunies and rule that if a player dives into the end zone with a flip or swan dive from anywhere OUTSIDE the end zone, he has started his “celebration” BEFORE he scored, and should be penalized accordingly. Spot foul, no score, 15 yards from the point of the infraction. a rule like that and USC is a .500 team!!
I can’t watch the ILL-OSU game tonite. I have plans. I have to sort my sock drawer.
January 3rd, 2008 at 10:17 am
I don’t think anyone has commented on the pass interference penalty that set up USC on the 2 yd line. that was a bad call. yes, ouy guy made contact, but he was in a straight line going for the ball AND Leman CAUGHT the ball BEFORE it hit the ground. It should have been, no touchdown USC, and Illini ball on the 20.
Whoever said USC is not as good as advertised is wrong. That was as good a team as I have seen at the collegiate level in many years. I think they would beat Ohio St. worse than they beat us. They just have no class, they are playing a home game and Carroll is a total JERK! Give us just one of those turnovers inside the USC red zone in the second half, let the lateral bounce out of bounds instead of into McKnight’s hands, and give us the “correct” call as I pointed out above - and it is a totally different ball game. USC loses 21 points and we gain 7. Do the math.
January 3rd, 2008 at 10:35 am
SD Running Red:
Juice passing was better in the Ohio game, but against USC he mostly reverted to bad habits. On that first interception, Maualuga would have had the pick EVEN IF the ball had not been tipped — why? Because he was following Juice’s eyes, as Juice stared at where he was going to throw it for several darn seconds! Maualuga was moving to the spot long before Juice threw it!
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It’s easy to read who Juice’s primary receiver is going to be. Then he has trouble scanning the field if his primary receiver is covered. It took ’til the 2nd half for Juice to finally check down to the running back safety valve in the flat– and we got a couple of great gains out of that from Mendenhall. Why was Mendenhall so open? Because USC “knew” Juice rarely checks down to the RBs!
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The ABC commentators said Locksley had 15 plays scripted ahead of time. Almost all were runs. That Locksley didn’t adjust to USC playing the run speaks volumes about the amount of confidence he has in Juice’s passing ability — not much! Locksley kept it simple for Juice — too simple!
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To Magoo and others: Yes, McGee’s throw was against the reserves, but it was, nonetheless, a very good throw — one of the best of the day. Very crisp and fast, very good form. Why play McGee at all if Juice is not a problem?
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KY…if you’re the treasurer (going for the moola, eh?), then I’ll take a different office…VP will do….in the “Fast Eddie” fan club!
January 3rd, 2008 at 10:40 am
First, I would like to say (what many have said) about how angry and disappointed I was with the play calling in the first half… we come in as underdogs, with nobody giving us a chance, but instead of saying the hell with it, and play like we have nothing to lose, we play not to lose which is always equate to diseaster….
Nonetheless, I’m proud of the team achieved this year, and unlike past seasons, I’m actually looking forwards to next season.
BTW, very classy post by that USC fan (football13xxx, whatever)… Ok buddy, USC was better but not by lightyears. Yes we lost bad, but the score was greatly magnified by all the breaks going USC’s way this game (our WRs’ 2 fumbles inside USC’s 20, missing a 30 yd FG, the non-fumble that was run back, the lateral that bounced right into the fastest USC player–MacKnight…etc). Unlike the 2002 Suger Bowl team, this team has the players and the recruit to be back into a BSC game soon. I just checked the recruiting sites, and USC has more 5* than many NFL teams. sheesh.
Finally, I wanted to make a basketball comment here; Brooksy said “Never been a Frazier supporter. I want McCamey to start. You just can’t start him until he quits letting guards blow right by him. Weber will continue to give him more”
Anybody else think that one of the reasons McCamey’s defensive play has not improved as expected is because he practices against one of the worst PGs (and Gs in general) in the country, and does not get to see real D1-level guard play until his limited time on the court!!
Brooksy, buddy, McCamey ain’t gonna get better practicing against Chester; that’s way it is critical for him to get as much playtime this (lost) year so that he can be part of the so-talked about start of turn around next year.
Go Illini
January 3rd, 2008 at 10:51 am
Just got back from SoCal. I have to say that watching live, we looked just as fast/athletic as USC. It’s all been said, but if those 5 or so plays go the other way…
Vontae chasing down McKnight on that lateral/fumble looked like he was shot out of a cannon– Any chance he could return punts/kicks next year?
Juice has a chance to be a special player. It’s nice to have a good back-up in McGee, but don’t think we should give up on the QB who took us to our first Rose Bowl in 24 years— as a Soph!
Can’t wait until next year!
January 3rd, 2008 at 11:03 am
Been watching USC in bowl games for a long time now, waaaay toooo loooong, and one thing is always consistent — Carroll is always a jerk.
January 3rd, 2008 at 11:31 am
Marlin- Honestly, the late hits on the sidelines by both teams bothered me more than anything else. I also thought that Benn throwing the football at the USC band was worse than the flip in the end zone. It’s a game. Have fun. Let them dance in the end zone or do flips if they want. If I am on defense, that would just fire me up. Keep them out of the end zone and you don’t have to worry about it. The less the refs are involved, the better the game will be anyways.
I also thought there was no pass interference until I saw the replay. He did grab him from behind. I hate that call too, but it was called fairly per the rule. I can’t stand Carroll either, but USC is a good team. Even if those plays go our way and the score was close, Zook would have continued to run the option in the 2nd half and we would have been burned. Zook had no game plan and played not to get blown out. And if they didn’t have trust in Juice to throw the ball, then McGee should have been in the game. Weber struggles this year because the talent isn’t here yet. Zook struggled because he is a poor coach. Zook had 5 weeks to prepare for this game and he did nothing. Atleast Weber has proved that he can win with talent. What good does it do for Zook to recruit great talent if he doesn’t know how to coach them? I’m fine if USC beats us because they have more experience and speed than us, but to lose without even having a game plan to try to win is ridiculous. I felt like Ron Turner was calling our plays again. Yikes.
January 3rd, 2008 at 12:04 pm
flot·sam
–noun 1. the part of the wreckage of a ship and its cargo found floating on the water. Compare jetsam, lagan.
2. material or refuse floating on water.
3. useless or unimportant items; odds and ends.
4. a vagrant, penniless population: the flotsam of the city slums in medieval Europe.
Gee, I thought the word meant “pondscum” or the stuff you find on the bottom of soapdishes. Learn something every day
crk
January 3rd, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Marlin, I think my socks need sorting as well.
January 3rd, 2008 at 1:34 pm
BrooksTaylor: Finally, we agree. Can McCamey play the “point” please?
January 3rd, 2008 at 2:07 pm
Doug O - According to this morning’s paper, Alexander will start in Randle’s place. Maybe we’ll see more minutes from the young guys tonight. Marlin - Good one about the sock drawer, but I would bet that you won’t be able to resist taking a peek at the game tonight. Be honest with us & tell us tomorrow if you actually do. BTW,thanks for the advice, but I already knew the definition of the word “flotsam”. Go Illini!
January 3rd, 2008 at 2:20 pm
Football 123….I saw this on a t-shirt here in Decatur that is just about as classy as the USC team…. “Our Juice will only beat you, he won’t kill you”. Now that I think about it, the t-shirt just might be classier.
January 3rd, 2008 at 2:41 pm
Marlin, Arter’s right, you will break away from the sock drawer to watch, however… you will be soo bored with the “motion (or lack thereof)” offense, that a beer and the sock drawer may come calling… however my night will involve being at the Hall and listening to squeaky yell Rodney MOVE! every possesion. But hey Famous Daves is speakin to me. …also, I agree with Brooks, I don’t have a problem with the celebration, I for one know that if Marques Wilkins flipped into the endzone in the Rose Bowl, I would have been throwing high fives and buying the next round, thats just the way life is, if its good for the goose, or I’m to old, you know what i’m sayin.
January 3rd, 2008 at 3:26 pm
Archie- If your skill level is based on who you practice against, then how did MJ get so good? No one was ever better than MJ, yet he always got even better. I am by no means defending Frazier or wanting him to play. I’ve said since last summer to play the young guys alot. They are the future. But you just can’t play them from Day One. They have to build confidence and play good defense. Have patience. Weber knows what he is doing. On a positive note, atleast McCamey gets to practice against Jamar and Legion now.
Illini fan- Too bad the motion offense doesn’t have a true “point guard” position. That was my point all along. Honestly, I feel most comfortable with Trent bringing the ball up the court.
Too bad we couldn’t put Frazier’s heart and hustle into Randle’s body. I’m tired of Randle being hurt. How do you get hurt so much when you play so soft? Play Alexander and Davis. I’m so done with Randle. He’s going to miss the Big Ten opener because his head hurts. Give me a break.
January 3rd, 2008 at 4:27 pm
Brooks - I agree with you about Randle playing soft, but he may have a legitimate excuse for missing tonight’s game. According to the article this morning, he got elbowed in the face & kicked in the back of the head on the same play. I would give him a pass for a game on this one.
January 3rd, 2008 at 4:53 pm
To the team thanks for an exciting year!At least we had a team to watch in a major bowl game; not just Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, etc. I haven’t seen a college team yet that could have beat USC in the Rose Bowl, a home game for them. Frankly I doubt that the Bears or Rams would have beat USC. Your right on Mark, with a few breaks our way, the game could have been respectably close!
January 3rd, 2008 at 5:30 pm
Archie - Good stuff. I can see McCamy now. “When did guards penetrate? WE don’t do this in practice. What happened to the weave?”
*
Illinirev - I know you and Brooks were first. I was thinking it but couldn’t post so you and him can fight for the Presidency. I wanna charge dues to all these Johnny come latelys. And the price of admission (pun alert) will be STEEEEEEP!!!!
*
Disappointing loss. We all say it the same way. What do you say we just let it go. All the coulda’s and maybe’s sound like Bart trying to convince us we lost just because of free throws. Oh you mean if we had been able to handle to most rudimentary form of offensive point scoring we would have won? Well then the basketball team IS better than we think! Hopefully next time they won’t forget to take off their warmups! Sorry, mental lapse. I say we never mention it again and move to hoops. Probably drive those west coast genuises who pay $350.00 a square foot for their houses crazy!
*
Signed: Wish our coach was cool enough to have “Feathered Hair”
January 3rd, 2008 at 5:32 pm
I am actually interested in this game tonight. O. State was playing very well early but seem to have cooled off! I figure we win this then give it right back with a loss against Northwestern or Minnesota or some such.
January 3rd, 2008 at 5:39 pm
I firmly believe that Zook uses his God given talent to recruit to his best advantage. That is he uses that talent to address weakneses and fill holes. He goes out and gets the best talent he can get, I think he has proven that time and again. I believe he knows the passing game has to improve. It has to for us to beat the likes of Wisconsin, Penn St, Michigan on the road this next season or beat a bowl game opponent who is better than anybody we’ve played that season. We’ve got Ohio St. at home this year and oh man we better bring our “A” game.- (Again). Zook now has to deal with a fan base that “expects” good things, not hopes for them. I believe he can get er done.
January 3rd, 2008 at 7:03 pm
I don’t think Locksley will be that powerful candidate for ahead coach after his poor play calling in the Rose bowl. Mendenhall should rethink his decision to go pro. He had a couple of good runs, but over all he was stopped. I agree that Mcgee should get more playinf time. He should have played the fourth quarter. I’m afraid he is going to transfer. Zook not playing him at all, even makes in more possible. Illinois is a four point favorite tonight, . Does anyone know a good bookie. Unbelievable 4 point favorite!
January 3rd, 2008 at 9:11 pm
I gotta think this is a devastating loss. It looked like they played really hard and tried as much as they could offensively. And then to get sort a ran outta your own building. Not good!
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What guard named Frazier was Lavin watching? I don’t blame him necessarliy for the loss but his defense BLEW! Or was the gameplan to let Butler go for 30 plus? McCamy is definetly wild arse but I can’t see any reason not to go 60/40 on their minutes.
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Even I thought the early NIT chants were premature. Um? Not good!
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Bart - When was the last two game losing streak at home under Self? Um, When was the last one under anybody?
January 3rd, 2008 at 9:22 pm
Archie, I wish I would have thought of that. No wonder McCamey can’t play D. His guy doesn’t shoot or drive in practice.
I turned on the tv and guess what was the first thing I saw? Chester kicking the ball of his foot out of bounds. I did see him make a 3 followed up by one that missed the backboard by 10ft. UGHHHHH!!!!!!
I think I will cry now as I can’t take another moment of this dude.
January 3rd, 2008 at 10:35 pm
If weber believes that Frazier is a div 1 guard, he should go to div 3 and watch quite a few Fraziers and cheer them on. This I believe is one of the worse basketball teams at Illinois since the late 60’s and early 70’s. I don’t believe I have ever seen a whole team be so horrible shooters. Tisdale and Davis were open in the middle of the lane several times. but, Frazier, Brock, Meachem or Randle were’nt looking. They were more concern about passing outside. The hot potato is great, if you have some outside shooting. Dump the upper classmen and play the youth. I still can’t understand why Weber won’t play Pruitt and tisdale together. Tisdale is not a back to the basket player. He could be a good outside threat in the corner when Pruitt gets the ball inside and dishes it out. oop, I forgot Pruitt has a problem with passing it back out. Semurau, Holdren and cole can’t be any worse than thats out there. Brock hasn’t looked very good in the past few games. Put Cole in and let him play the kind of game he played in Peoria. All the Freshmen are afraid to play their kind of game, because of Webers dictator coaching.
January 5th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Back to football- anyone think that playing Juice and McGee at the same time might be magic? Plays you could run would be very hard to defense.