illinilaw08

QUOTE(aboz56 @ Mar 6, 2006 -> 06:21 PM) What I don't get is how Memphis is even near a No.1. They played a good non-conference schedule, but their conference is horrible. Hell the C-USA of last year was actually pretty good, Louisville was 29-3 and got a four seed. Either Louisville got totally hosed last year or Memphis is being overrated. If they are a No.1, they'll be the first No.1 seed to lose. Excellent point on Memphis. I for one don't think they will get a number 1 because of how bad that conference really is (see the precedent established by Louisville last year). But then again, I have known to be very very wrong about tournament seedings. All I know for sure is that this should be a very entertaining week.

I ask this question because I think everyone acknowledges nova and UCONN as the class of the nation, but after that everything gets interesting. I'm going to go with UCONN, nova, duke (even with reddick's history), and I think LSU is my 4th team right now (only 3 losses in the last 2 months... at UCONN, at bama, at Fla) with a dominant big man. Note, the selection of LSU shows that anyone could fit that 4th spot potentially. Of course these all could change when the brackets are released, I'm just hoping to get some discussion going as I would rather not be working on a paper right now.

QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ Mar 1, 2006 -> 05:46 PM) Because the only team in the league that is really good is Ohio State, and if you can throw big bodies at Dials and defend the perimeter, they all of a sudden aren't quite all that potent either. I didn't say the Big 10 had great teams, I just said that the rest of the country doesn't have great teams, and I don't see anyone beyond UCONN and nova being that much better than the best of the Big 10. This is more an indictment of the rest of the teams in the country than it is an affirmation of the Big 10. As far as about Ohio State, I can point out weaknesses about the rest of the country as well. I want to see some comparisons of other teams, not just that the Big 10 doesnt have a great team, I've already acknowledged that point.

Quick question for the board... why are so many people so sure there wont be a Big 10 rep in the final four this year? I agree there isn't a dominant team in the Big 10, but there is so much parity this year that I think a ton of teams have a shot. Beyond UCONN and Nova, name me a team that looks really good. The Pac-10 is weak, the Big 12 has Texas, but I dont think Texas is overwhelming, and KU is young, the ACC has Duke, but Duke as has mentioned often, has the problem of being completely reliant on 2 players. Tennessee, BC, they both have talent, but I dont see them being any better than the top of the Big 10. Memphis, Gonzaga and GW all play in very weak confrences, so who knows how they will react in March (my guess is poorly). So again, why not the Big 10? With the way Illinois and Iowa play defense, they could go if the matchup is right. OSU has Dials and great three point shooting. Hell, if the brackets go right, Wisky could even make a run. Of course, all this is contingent on the way the brackets get drawn up. Note, please don't consider this to be me drinking Big 10 kool-aid, I just really fail to see anyone other than Nova and UCONN that I think is that much better than anyone else. End of rant.

Real good win, here's hoping NW can take care of business in Evanston tomorrow.

QUOTE(fathom @ Feb 28, 2006 -> 09:50 PM) I never saw the replay on the Pruitt play. That was one of those hard to call plays where you have to focus on the ball in the shooter's hands. The intentional foul should have been clear as day. It hasnt been just those two plays. I feel like I dont know what a foul is in this game which is a testament to how the game has been officiated (and I mean that from both sides). Also of note, STOP FOULING WITH LESS THAN 90 SECONDS TO PLAY IN THE GAME!!!!

QUOTE(fathom @ Feb 28, 2006 -> 09:47 PM) How in the f*** wasn't that an intentional foul called on Dee? The funny thing is that Illini fans are freaking out about the refs, and that non-intentional foul was a turning point in this game. Agreed it should have been an intentional foul. I also think Pruitt got fouled. Both plays were potential turning points in the game. This game's officiating has been very inconsistent IMO.

QUOTE(IlliniKrush @ Feb 28, 2006 -> 09:42 PM) That block on pruitt is a HUGE turning point Agreed. This team needs to refocus in the last 4 minutes cause this game is far from over. And I agree that the replay showed Pruitt got raked across the face after the initial block.

QUOTE(crazyman26 @ Feb 27, 2006 -> 02:18 PM) This was from another message board. Clearly I was right all along. Angelo was hinting with his statements he really does not want Rex to become a starting QB for Chicago ever, regardless what Lovie may want. In fact Lovie may not get his contract renewed as a result, wanting Rex to become a starting QB for the first time when nobody else in the organization wants it may cost him his job. Any post from a message board saying the Bears have interest in Aaron Brooks I pray is not accurate. Rex may have a history of injuries, but Brooks has a history of being not good.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=2348153 Sumpter is taking the medical redshirt. Unfortunate for Villanova because he really could have helped them in the tournament.

QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ Feb 28, 2006 -> 09:49 AM) I find it hilarious that there is a site with Iowa fans that want Steve Alford FIRED AND there is a site of Indiana fans wanting Steve Alford HIRED at the same time. Kind of ironic. http://www.firestevealford.com http://www.hirestevealford.com Hahahaha. That is awesome.

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Feb 27, 2006 -> 11:27 PM) Eh, they were a 2, two years ago, a 3 last year, and they'll probably finish with a better record this year then last with a better rpi then last. If they win out, which they probably will and should then they'll be a 2 imo. My bad, should have done my research on that one. Alcohol has clearly killed a lot of brain cells from the undergrad years.

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Feb 27, 2006 -> 11:21 PM) They won't be a 1 but there is a good shot they get a 2. I honestly don't think they will get a 2. Gonzaga has been here before with the hype, the high ranking, and the very good record. I think the cupcake confrence they play in will hurt their seed once again (and rightfully so), but that's just IMHO.

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Feb 27, 2006 -> 11:20 PM) To be honest, I don't think it's going to matter whether Morrison goes off or not. They're one of the worst defensive teams in the country and they'll be exploited come tourny time imo. Yeah, they aren't a great defensive team, but one of the reasons I think Morrison can carry them is that this is such a down year in college basketball. There is a ton of pairity, and if Morrison gets his points, Gonzaga will have a chance in most of the games they play (unless they run into an athletic, defensive oriented team in which case I agree they will get run out of the gym.

QUOTE(IlliniKrush @ Feb 27, 2006 -> 11:16 PM) Well their conference is terrible. Also, they played 5 teams when they were ranked and lost to 3 of them. And yeah, how many of these teams will make the tourney? Gonzaga can't defend anyone, they are so overrated it's ridiculous. Rankings don't matter, seeding does. They will not be a 1 or a 2 seed. As already has been mentioned, they can't control their conference. You have to give Gonzaga respect for playing tough competition outside of confrence play (espeicially since you can't fault Gonzaga that a lot of their competition underacheived). I still agree with you they are overrated, just not by as much as you do.

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Feb 27, 2006 -> 11:13 PM) So they're 1 and 3 against tourny teams. I know I've said it enough but they won't get past the first weekend. Depends on the seed and the draw they get IMO. If they play someone that can put a tall, athletic wing on Morrison, I agree with you. If Morrison goes off, I could see them surviving that first weekend. I don't like him, but if he gets hotter than a pistol, watch out.

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Feb 27, 2006 -> 08:58 AM) Since 2000, Frank was paid a total of $42.5 million from the White Sox. This is what the White Sox got for that money 1482 AB 244 RUNS 381 HITS 86 2B 1 3B 104 HR 282 RBI 278 BB 330 K .257 AVE .374 OBP .527 SLUG Considering he can't play the field, it is the White Sox who have been disrespected. Frank should give some of the money back. How much money was Frank paid when he was winning his two MVPs? Look, neither Frank nor KW is right on this, I just don't understand how people can be s***ting on the best hitter this organization has ever seen.

QUOTE(SoxPride56 @ Feb 26, 2006 -> 09:58 PM) How many World Championships was Mark invovled in? 1 How many did Thomas have anything to do with? 0 Its all about winning buddy, and Thomas never did that. Mark might go to the Cards sometime in his carrer, but he might not. I bet you if he does, he will not leave on the terms that Thomas did. He will handle it with class, that is a given No, Frank never won a WS in his prime, but if I recall correctly, he was the only guy who hit for the Sox on the team in '93 that lost in the playoffs and he was the MVP in a strike shortened season in '94. Now no one knows how that team would have done, but Frank was on some good Sox teams in the '90s that just never got over the hump. Also, let's not even discuss MB leaving. There is no way to tell how someone will handle a situation where they leave a team, and I hope it is a long, long time before we have to worry about it with MB.

QUOTE(aboz56 @ Feb 26, 2006 -> 09:26 PM) He is the greatest Sox player ever. I'm just tired of hearing him say obnoxious things that are not true. He was not disrespected. And many, including KW and other fans, are tired of hearing him whine about s*** that he should have no complaints about. What is so hard to understand about that? He needs to just shut his mouth and prove that he is healthy rather than talking about it. He is so insecure its comical. I agree Frank needs to shut his mouth. I also think in this matter KW needs to shut his mouth. Frank has not handled this like a professional, that much is obvious, but I also think that anyone that thinks he should be booed when he comes back is full of s***. Cheer or do nothing.

QUOTE(aboz56 @ Feb 26, 2006 -> 09:11 PM) He helped us win a few games. He is nowhere near the reason we made it. And he did nothing in the playoffs because he was, let me guess, hurt. Also, please remember these other numbers that people seem to forget from last year, when he was "in his prime." .219 average, 31 K's in 105 AB Of his 23 hits, 12 were HR. He was all or nothing. No, he isnt the sole reason the Sox made the playoffs, but to diminish what he did last season when he played is dangerous. One of the great things about last years team is that you can point to every player and say something positive they did to help a team win a game (minus Kevin Walker).

QUOTE(rangercal @ Feb 26, 2006 -> 09:03 PM) Frank Helped us get to the Playoffs. Without his clutch Hr's , Blum and Willie may have not had a chance to even play in the playoffs. Exactly. While Frank was not able to help out in the playoffs, he really helped the offense when he did play and I think he was a big reason the Sox got there in the first place. As many have already started, Frank Thomas helped me become a Sox fan and I grew up watching him play. I will stand and cheer for him no matter where he ends up. That doesnt change the fact that he is acting very spoiled right now. Honestly, this situation reminds me of when you get dumped by a significant other. The only other point I have to make about this situation is that in an era where fans talk about a player's loyalty to a team, Frank Thomas played 16 seasons for the Chicago White Sox and wanted a chance to play out his days in Chicago. While I do believe it was best for this year's team that Thome is replacing Frank, I think a lot of people that are blasting Frank now also would have cried about the lack of loyalty Konerko would have shown had he taken more money to play elsewhere this off-season. Loyalty is something I want to see from both the players on the teams I support as well as from the fans.

Billy Packer's voice is like nails on a chalkboard to me. Nova-UCONN was a very entertaining first half though, these two teams are fun to watch.

QUOTE(SnB @ Feb 24, 2006 -> 11:51 AM) It still happens unfortunately. For all those that don't know, the lowest circle to the court is called 'A section", those are all of the rich 80 year old alumni that still don't wear orange and actually complain about the krush standing up around the court. The most logical thing to do would be to put ALL of the students in A section and not have all the students/krush split up. But ya know..........money. I have actually sat in those seats in A before and I can understand why those old alumni get upset with Krush because in the first 4 or 5 row, you cannot see the game period when the Krush stands up. Those alumni do have the right to sit and enjoy the game. That being said, I agree with you that all the students in A would make the most sense from an atmosphere perspective.

QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ Feb 23, 2006 -> 10:38 PM) 4 star 2007 wing player Darquavis Tucker of Michigan has Illinois, Louisville, and Michigan State as his 3 favorites (per rivals). I'm surprised MSU is still on his list with all the wing players they already have received commits from in that class.

QUOTE(Palehosefan @ Feb 23, 2006 -> 05:33 PM) Ok, I have more info about the Rose situation from Eric Bossi, a Kansas/Scout.com basketball guru. He posted this on InsideCarolina.com about the situation, and he would know as well as anyone. "Here's what is happening. There is a rumor circulating that somebody close to Rose had a meeting with Bruce Weber and let him know that if Illinois wanted to sign Derrick that it would take X amount of dollars. Upon hearing this, Weber supposedly got up and left the room. There is no factual basis for this rumor but it didn't stop it from spreading like wildfire. Rose hasn't dropped Illinois and Weber and assistant Tracy Webster were both at his game yesterday. " He also stated that the rumor came from somebody that is "habitually" wrong. So take it all with a grain of salt about Rose for now. If this rumor is true, good for Bruce. I dont care how good a player is, I dont want to see Illinois get involved in drity recruiting. Hopefully Bossi is correct on this one and the Illini are still very much in the running as it would be very nice for Weber to land the top player in the state.