illinilaw08

So, I recently accepted a legal job in Phoenix. I don't know a whole lot about the area, and I was wondering if anyone on this site had an idea about where I should try to live. I will either be working downtown or in Durango depending on where I am placed to begin. Thanks for any help/advice from people familiar with the area.

Tyler Griffey to Illinois per the News-Gazette. Barring transfers that wraps up recruiting through 2010. http://www.news-gazette.com/blogs/basketbl...fey_to_illinois

QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ Dec 21, 2007 -> 11:38 AM) Your ignorance is almost as poorly informed as it is laughable. The Illini program, going back to the late 80's, had been stopped by only the Deon Thomas scandal. Lon Krueger fixed it, Bill Self built it, and Bruce Weber has destroyed it. The two previous coaches to Weber had built/were building something very special in Champaign, and Bruce Weber in only a couple years has destroyed the program and sent it into a spiral of mediocrity that will last at a minimum two years, but more likely three or four, if not until there is a new coach. Not to mention the fact that Bruce couldn't sell water to a thirsty man in the desert, so I'll believe this great class of 2009 when it's signed. The numbers under Weber don't like: 2003-2004: 5 Self recruits starting, Sweet 16 2004-2005: 5 Self recruits starting (all as juniors and seniors), 5 NBA players, National Runner Up 2005-2006: 5 Self recruits starting, but lost Luther, Deron, Powell, and Ingram: blew 11 point 2nd half lead in 2nd round. 2006-2007: 4 Self recruits starting, but lost James and Dee, blew 13 point lead in 8 minutes to lose in 1st round 2007-2008: 1 Self recruit (the only one left) starting, no guard play, 6-4 record, NIT bound (maybe), only help incoming next season is the 100th 3 star big man Weber has signed, and a convicted felon. If that's not a bad coach ruining a great program that he inherited, I don't know what is. And he's done it FAST, I didn't even think the falloff would be this quick, I mean it's an undeserved fluke they were even in the tournament last year, should have been in the NIT with their resume. Without starting a war here, Kruger was criticized constantly in Champaign for his inability to land CPL players. Kruger was fortunate that he landed the Peoria Manual kids (Sergio was the reason they didn't all end up at Indiana if I remerber right) and he was blessed with Cook being another insane talent from downstate (the type of player that was coming to Illinois regardless of coach). Beyond those players, he landed guys like Lucas Johnson, Damir Krupalija, Robert Archibald, and Corey Bradford who weren't on anyone's top 100 lists. On Weber, I find it hard to believe that the '09 and '10 kids are going anywhere. While it is true that the current state of the program is on Weber and Illini fans are going to suffer through a stretch of bad basketball for the next year and a half, the future looks bright and Weber has proven that he can coach talented guards. And if Chester Frazier had any basketball ability whatsoever he would be amazing... it's too bad he doesn't. Agree on all fronts that it's time to throw McCamey to the wolves.

QUOTE(ChWRoCk2 @ Apr 28, 2007 -> 12:34 PM) Bears got Archuleta, Manning and Brown, I doubt that. Yeah, but with Brown's health issues, I don't think it would be too far fetched to want a permanent upgrade at the position.

Any thoughts on the Skins potentially having taken Landry for the Bears? I'm just thinking S is definitely a need or is that deal all the way dead at this point?

QUOTE(StrangeSox @ Apr 24, 2007 -> 09:33 AM) Does anyone know where this channel might be down in champaign, just in case they do get it in? Comcast + is generally channel 21 (the NASA channel) in Champaign. However, with both the Cubs and Sox on Comcast + tonight, I'm not sure if it will still be on NASA or not.

Didn't see this anywhere yet. Jamar pleading not guilty. However, I doubt there is anyway this case ever makes its way to trial. http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=2773947

Two things: 1) Has there been any confirmation of Couch's report that Chester was the person that went out to the car with Jamar? Logically it makes sense that it was Chester since he and Jamar live together, but Couch isn't exactly an Illini beat writer, and there isn't anything clear from the State's Attorney's report that this was Chester. I'm just curious. 2) I agree fully with Soxbadger on Chester. Assuming he is the second person with Jamar at the car, what he did was not illegal. You have no duty to call 911 when someone is hurt and I guarantee Chester would have a lawyer immediately if he lost his scholarship for doing something that, while morally reprehensible, is not illegal in the eyes of the law. I don't know what you can do to him other than a long lecture, maybe a game or two suspension for "not taking care of business" but removing him from the team would not be the correct move, in my opinion. As a diclaimer, I am in no way advocating what Frazier allegedely did, but he should not be dismissed for it.

QUOTE(fathom @ Feb 21, 2007 -> 08:52 AM) It's being reported today that Chester Frazier was the only member of the team that went out to check on Carlwell with Smith, and then went back into the apartment without doing a thing. This is one of the most bizarre stories I've ever heard, and really makes me wonder what the hell is going on behind-the-scenes with that program. I know that ever since Weber got there, he's had problems communicating with all of the players. From what I've been told all along, he just doesn't relate well with these kids. I haven't seen that reported anywhere, and it hasn't been mentioned on the Illiniboard yet, but Fathom usually has good sources. Is there a link to this information?

QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ Feb 20, 2007 -> 01:38 PM) My last question is, WHERE THE HELL WERE JAMAR AND BRIAN GOING?? If the party was at the complex itself, and the others players and partygoers were still all there, where were they going, with a drunk driver, in a blizzard?!?! That is mind boggling to me. The complex which the majority of the basketball team lives in is approximately 2 miles south of campus and they live there because the rent is dirt cheap (I know this because I live out there as well) and when you get a monthly stipend for room and board, the less you spend on housing, the more you can spend on other things (leasing cars for instance). In response to where they were going, I imagine that Jamar was driving Carlwell back to the dorms where I assume Carlwell lives as a Freshman before the blizzard hit. There is a bus to the apartment complex in Savoy, but it stops running at like 11 P.M, useful for getting into campus, but not for getting back (something the University and the city might want to address). Regardless of why they did it, this was clearly a horrible decision that Jamar Smith will be paying for for the rest of his life. I have to imagine his career at Illinois is over (though I could see him playing basketball somewhere else, I don't see why he shouldn't get a second chance somewhere, just not here). What strikes me as the worst thing about this is that the only 911 call came from the witnesses, I cannot believe that neither Jamar, nor any of the people he told about the accident, called 911.

Couple of things here It isn't absurd or ridiculous for people to be upset about the end of the Chief, the Chief was more than just a mascot. Krush is correct that there is a huge difference between the Chief and mascots like Sparty. And I must admit that I got chills everytime the Chief performed. That being said, it was time for the Chief to go. The university was getting a bad reputation from it, and as such it needed to be retired. George Will had an interesting column on the Chief the other week (though it should be noted that the surveys he cites have other surveys saying the opposite) http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...6010401590.html And as far as the Seminole tribe, the major difference IS that the Seminole Tribe is paid for it and is a part of the process. Recent surveys from the American Indian Opinion Leaders indicates that they consider ALL Indian mascots to be racist portrayals. I took a class on the subject, and specifically brought up the Seminole tribe and the Professor said that while the Seminole Tribe supports it, the Native American community as a whole does not. I just felt that distinction needed to be made.

According to the News-Gazette, they were driving north on First Street which would signify that Jamar was driving Carlwell back to the dorms and unless they were drinking at Jamar's apt, they werent near bars. I had been out on the roads an hour before that and the roads were nasty. It snowed enough over night that all classes were cancelled today (the first time in my 6 years at this university that this happened). Thus, all signs point toward this being weather related. Prayers go out to the families. Great to hear Carlwell has been upgraded to stable.

Some thoughts on today's Illinois-Indiana game. 1) The Illini showed some heart out there today. When Pruitt sat down early after the 2 at best borderline calls, they could have folded and gone away. Instead they went into the half up 2. 2) If Chester Frazier had any redeemable basketball skills beyond his amazing toughness and hustle, he would be on his way to the NBA. Unfortunately he has a very low basketball IQ, cannot shoot, cannot finish, and makes dumb decisions. 3) They didn't show Weber go through the line, so I can't say whether he shook hands or not, but I will say this, I don't blame him if he didn't. While not being the classiest act, Sampson's failure to update Weber on the Gordon situation has serious reprecussions on Bruce Weber and his job security since he was unable to find an adequate replacement for Gordon that late in the recruiting process. Weber's recruiting failures are well documented and Sampson did something with the potential to undermine his job security. If someone did something like that to anyone on this board in their office, I doubt they would embrace that person. 4) Brian Randle has officially supplanted Brian Cook (pre-Senior year Cook) as the most frustrating player to watch at the University of Illinois. Randle should be a matchup nightmare. He can't shoot, but he finishes so well around the basket. Taller players can't guard him off the dribble and shorter players can't guard him in the post. He's just too damn passive out there and commits the dumbest fouls. 5) Hats off to the IU guards. They played great in the midrange game and really were the reason the Illini lost.

QUOTE(danman31 @ Jan 29, 2007 -> 09:38 PM) So he's a big deal because of what he can be and not what he is now? That's about right because he's never shown anything more than his physical ability and gifts. In terms of anything specific to soccer he was worthless in the World Cup. I won't deny that he, like much of the US team, underachieved during the World Cup, most notably against the Czech Republic, but how can you judge him at the age of 22, playing against world class competition for the first time? Give him some seasoning against the best in the world and see what he can become. Writing him off now would be like writing off Brian Anderson after his first 2 months in the majors because he struggled mightily with major league pitching. Dude is 24 years old... give him a chance.

QUOTE(danman31 @ Jan 29, 2007 -> 05:59 PM) I never understood the Onyewu buzz, but hopefully he does well. He's tall, strong and athletic. Plays physically, and he's only 24 years old. Hopefully playing against top competition allows him to make the leap that he is capable of making. And he will definitely get playing time for Newcastle given the state of their injuries.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Jan 29, 2007 -> 05:51 PM) But, the "Just for the hell of making a move" issue...right now the Bulls have a large expiring Contract in the form of PJ Brown. $8 million or so. That is an asset that the Bulls simply will not have in the next few years, barring something really big involving this team. Furthermore, the Bulls have a draft pick of unknown position in the Greg Oden draft, and I would argue that right now, an unknown potential lottery pick has more value than the same pick at a known position unless it winds up being outside the top 2 (stockpiling lottery balls). In other words, right now, the Bulls have 2 major tradeable assets that they simply will not have a year from now and may not have again for a long time. There is some good reason to make a move just to make a move. Right, so make a move involving PJ Brown or the Knicks pick, but I don't see Gasol coming over without adding some more chips. I should have clarified and said don't move Gordon or Deng just for the sake of making a move.

I wouldn't go so far as to take Curry, but I agree that I just don't see the Gasol move for the Bulls. Honestly, in my mind, if the Bulls make a move, it needs to be the move that puts them over the top in the East. Gasol is a scorer, but isn't a great defender. Unless Garnett is available, I don't want the Bulls to make a move just for the hell of making a move.

Hadn't seen this mentioned anywhere, but this is the type of thing that US soccer needs. Gooch is close to a move to Newcastle. The Magpies back line has been decimated by injury this season (much like the entire squad) so if this loan goes through, Gooch should see some solid playing time in one of the most compeitive leagues in the world. Not to mention, out of personal preference, one of my favorite US players moves to my favorite Premiership team, I'm pretty excited. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id...450&cc=5901

QUOTE(ZoomSlowik @ Dec 4, 2006 -> 02:43 PM) The problem with that is that some conferences are stronger than others, so you'd be letting in a lot of less-worthy teams. For instance, this year LSU, ND and Wisconsin would all be left out because there is really only one at-large berth under that system (which would obviously go to Michigan). There's no way the non-BCS school should be automatic, since there's not always a valid candidate, and a team really has to go undefeated to make a valid case. This year it works, but most years the bigger teams aren't quite as weak. Plus I think it needs to include the option to drop an auto-berth if a conference champ has a sub-12 ranking (ie Wake Forest). Maybe, but it's hard to judge strength of conference. I mean, last year everyone assumed WVA was getting killed in their BCS bowl, but they didn't. My point isn't that this SHOULD be implemented, but that it is the least arbitrary way to have a CFB playoff.

Weighing in on the playoff issue, Krush knows that I have rallied against a playoff for a very long time. I love the bowls and I love seeing the interplay between confrences. That being said, here is my idea for a playoff that I consider to be the only fair way to set it up (bear with me, this is long, but I think worthwhile): 1) Operating much like the BCS, there would be 6 major BCS conferences. Each conference champion gets a spot in the 8 team BCS playoff. In the case of the SEC and Big 12 (and I think the ACC now), the winner of each division plays in their conference championship game as a play-in. 2) Mid Majors- Every year the mid majors clamor for respect. As such, there would be 1 spot guaranteed for a mid major team every year. This spot would be voted on by.. well, someone... but for instance, this year, Boise St. would be the 8 seed. This would be a little arbitrary, but could mid majors complain about guaranteed representation? 3) This leaves one spot open. Every year, in every conference, one team has one heartbreaking loss. Thus, there would be a vote for a "second chance team" if you will, voted on by a secret panel of college football "experts"... secret ensuring they not get bribed one way or the other. The one lucky team completes the 8, and really, can these teams complain? Not really because if you don't get in, win your conference next year. The other bowls stay in tact and you only add two games to the slate. The only problem here is ND since this is a very conference heavy scheme. The last point here is that unlike the current system, it doesn't hurt teams scheduling tough early season games against out of conference opponents so there should be more games like Texas-OSU this year.

QUOTE(IlliniKrush @ Nov 29, 2006 -> 04:17 PM) This isn't a bad idea if Bruce feels Carlwell can handle the big minutes on both ends of the floor. The only problem with this idea right now is that Jamar isn't healthy. Once he is, i wouldn't mind that lineup. But it's clear now he should have sat saturday (even if we lost) because he was worthless last night and you need that injury to heal all the way before he's totally effective. Whether that's by saturday i don't know, but don't play em just to play em. Problem with that lineup is that both Carlwell and Pruitt are not a threat offensively from at most 10 feet from the basket. As such, the other team can always have 2 big defenders in the post. Add to that the fact that Bruce's motion offense is predicated on three players with the ball away from the basket requiring Carter to play the same role of a guard (I think he can shoot well enough for that role, but he is neither the passer nor the ball handler for it). Chet still doesn't shoot it well enough for this lineup to work either. The rebounding would be nice, and this lineup may work for short stretches, but I just don't see it fitting the system entirely well.

QUOTE(Palehosefan @ Nov 29, 2006 -> 12:08 PM) Most assistant's will do the majority of the recruiting, and the head coaches are basically used as closers. In some special cases a head coach will do all the recruiting of a player to impress them and try to seal the deal. I would say in college basketball assistant coaches do about 75% of the recruiting, and in college football they probably do about 90% of the recruiting. Agreed on that. I also agree with Weber's assessment of recruiting. The reason the Duke and UNC's of the world continue to succeed with all the high profile recruits they bring in is because the coaches at these programs sell highly recruited players on roles once they are at the school. Weber will be very succesful at Illinois if he can start landing the occasional stud recruit and complement one or two go to scorers with other guys filling roles.

Some points after reading the comments with regard to Benn. Illinois is down, but they are rising as many people said, but don't forget they won the Big Ten in 2001, just 5 years ago. Now they fell hard after that (amazing how quickly they fell when Kittner left), but it's not like Illinois has always been a Big 10 doormat. For those saying a WR is the last position you need to fill, just remember that Derrick Williams was a big reason Penn State rose from the ashes last year. Last point, Zook does not have the best reputation as a head coach, but neither did Mack Brown, or Carrol (remember how inept he was in the NFL), or even Lloyd Carr, and they have all won National Titles. With talent, anything can happen in college football. All I want from Zook is to be competitive every year. And I mean bowl games every year and compete for the Big 10 every 5 years.

I have three things to say about this... first, as has been pointed out often in this thread, BMac is a much cheaper option than any of the other starters leaving the Sox free to spend that money elsewhere. Second, BMac pitched incredibly well down the stretch last year with tons of pressure on him. This wasn't Kip Wells pitching well at the end of a second place season, it was a young pitcher holding down a team during a pennant race. Finally, I think many people on this board expect young players to lock in immediately and be stars right off the bat. It is a major transition from AAA to the majors and very few prospects make that transition seamlessly. Thats why I am less harsh on BA this season as oppossed to Uribe or Pods, and that's why I am willing to look past BMac's bump in the road this season. Sorry about that, I'll get off my soapbox now.

QUOTE(PA32R @ Sep 13, 2006 -> 03:45 PM) I agree with this. So, as someone relatively new to the board and who lives in Cali and thus can't follow Chicago news very easily, why does the majority of this board hate the Twins so much? I'm no Pats fan but I like their organization and respect what they've accomplished. Why wouldn't the same hold for the Twins? BTW, though I'm new to the board my childhood hero was Nellie Fox and the first thing I learned to say was Louis Aparicio so I'm not new to the Sox. Because the Twins have been the bane of the Sox existence for close to the past decade. They beat the Sox almost every year late in the season... that's why we hate them. Sort of like asking a Bears fan why we hate Brett Favre