fathom

QUOTE (danman31 @ Feb 8, 2010 -> 11:46 PM) I don't see how Michigan State having their best player would have no impact on the game. Regardless, I think Illinois is a team 3-4 games worse than their record. They are 8-3 in the Big Ten. They are 2-3 in the Big Ten against teams not named Iowa, Indiana or Penn State. Northwestern, a team no one is going to claim is near the top 25, is 4-6 against Big Ten teams not named Iowa, Indiana or Penn State. Same winning percentage. Illinois is a young team with potential for the future, but this year's team is very pedestrian and you're only setting yourself up for disappointment if you expectations are higher than a tourney birth. No kidding, Lucious played a TERRIBLE game. Lucas is about the most overrated player in the country, but he's still almost a sure thing to play better than his back-up did. Who cares about the Illini's record right now though, in all honesty? They have such a hard schedule left that if they get to 11 wins, then they deserve to make the NCAA Tournament. The list of bubble teams is pathetic anyways right now.

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Feb 7, 2010 -> 05:28 AM) College basketball just this year implemented the continuation rule, the goal being that guys shouldn't be able to grab a guy whose blown passed them just to stop them from scoring. If it's all a continuation it counts. That's exactly what happened. I think that one was pretty debatable, i'll grant you that, but it's a game at Illinois with Illinois making a run. Teams that go to the basket get the benefit of those calls in every game. Exactly what being homered means. It happens everywhere, but I just get frustrated when so many Illini fans seem to think they're the only ones who get s*** on by refs. For people like chimpy, palehose, and myself, just be happy you don't have to watch your teams play at Duke. Hell, Gani Lawal and D. Favors walked off the bus with 2 fouls on Thursday night at Cameron.

It's crazy to think that two of maybe the 5 best guards in America (Turner and McCamey) were in the same high school backcourt.

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Feb 7, 2010 -> 04:16 AM) Great game. Great win. Awful rushing the court. But what are you going to do? Bunch of 18-22 year olds trying to get on tv. And gmafb on the refs. Michigan State is clearly the most physical of any team in the Big Ten. "Box out" means to check people out of the way. This was a physical game that I thought was called pretty well considering it's the Big Ten. The and-1 with a little over a minute left was comical. Then, the tie up under the hoop was called a foul all night. I wouldn't expect Illinois fans to ever admit they got the benefit of the doubt from refs though.

I hate everything relating to the Illini, but I have no problem with them rushing the court.

Michigan St. is getting homered beyond belief here. I never want to hear an Illini fan complain again, that's 4 straight horrible calls against the Spartans.

QUOTE (Rowand44 @ Feb 5, 2010 -> 10:34 PM) Kyyle summed it up perfectly. We're the worst coached team in basketball, not exaggerating either. Paul Hewitt says hello. I'm still waiting for the Outside the Lines report on the struggles of African-American coaches. Ernie Kent and Paul Hewitt are two of the worst coaches in America.

That lineup is incredibly deep right now. Hopefully it takes them a while to adjust to the new park.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Feb 4, 2010 -> 08:30 PM) If he stays healthy, that is a serious upgrade to one of their major weak spots. Yes. Yikes...another great clubhouse addition.

QUOTE (whitesoxfan99 @ Feb 1, 2010 -> 03:57 AM) Seven McDonald's All Americans isn't a lot of talent? Granted the Wear twins and Drew were laughable selections but still. And I haven't watched as much UNC as you obviously but Thompson is a hell of a lot better option than the Wear twins and John Henson. And he is having a great season statistically. Henson is looking like one of the bigger busts in a long, long time. As for Thompson, he puts up solid numbers, but those are padded by going off on bad teams. Against the better teams, he's been a lot more ineffective. He also plays no defense. One scout was quoted as saying this is the worst defensive UNC team they've ever seen.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jan 31, 2010 -> 11:26 PM) The way Wall can score, you could have them both on the floor at the same time. Wall is really struggling in the half court offense in SEC play. His turnovers are still out of control. In no way could he play shooting guard with Rose at the point guard. Cousins would be the better fit for the Bulls actually.

QUOTE (MHizzle85 @ Jan 31, 2010 -> 06:57 AM) We really should make you kids a completely different thread for this ISU/U of I nonsense. Why can't we just say that all the Illinois-based teams are underachieving this season besides maybe Northwestern?

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Jan 31, 2010 -> 02:29 AM) Apparently the A's are in serious talks with Gabe Gross. Given the already crowded Oakland outfield/DH situation adding Gross would seemingly take them out of the running for Johnny Damon. One less possible suitor, a little less competition, that price tag continues to drop. Phil Rogers think the Tigers are going to get Damon.

QUOTE (DBAHO @ Jan 28, 2010 -> 04:10 AM) I'm actually hearing the chances of Bosh staying in Toronto are better now than what they were before the start of the season. People will be surprised, but Bosh actually likes the city of Toronto. He likes being "the guy" up there. I think if he does leave though, it'll be for Miami not Chicago. Yep, and he has his best friend, J. Jack, playing with him.

If you have Directv, put on channel 687. Seattle has the ugliest jerseys in the history of sports.

QUOTE (chw42 @ Jan 27, 2010 -> 01:01 AM) Why would you want Dye after seeing him hit in the second half of last season? Because I saw him hit in the first half? Also, maybe playing less in the field and spending more time at DH would be good for his legs...which means better strength at the plate? What's the rules though on signing someone you didn't offer arbitration to? Also, how do we know this doesn't mean Carl or Robbie aren't coming back?

I can't imagine Thome's back will stay too healthy playing in that cold up there.

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ Jan 26, 2010 -> 11:21 PM) Worst case scenario. No, it really isn't. Thome as a primary PH is going to be awful. If this means less ABs for Kubel, then good for us. Don't forget that the Twins use Mauer at DH when he's not catching. I'd rather face Thome as a PH late in the game than someone like Morales.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Jan 26, 2010 -> 08:24 PM) First thing Jim said to me was "f*** Timo" and I liked him immediately. See, him and I have something in common!

QUOTE (Ranger @ Jan 26, 2010 -> 08:10 PM) Yeah, I think Beckham will hit 2nd. Pierre/Beckham/Quentin/Konerko?

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Jan 26, 2010 -> 08:54 PM) Eh, I actually met Jim and Quick in person and liked them quite a bit. The internet is the internet. I've actually had great conversations with him via PM. Honestly, I don't even remember the "invite" to meet him and quickman out for a drink. I'll say this about Jim...he makes everyone a better poster when talking about baseball.

QUOTE (b-Rye @ Jan 26, 2010 -> 06:45 PM) Cubs sign Xavier Nady over Dye pending physical... may fail because of elbow. (Tommy John last year) Nady's a very good player, but I'm happy Cubs didn't sign Dye just so I don't have to root against Jermaine.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Jan 26, 2010 -> 05:44 PM) Not when Dye is letting fly balls drop in the outfield at Wrigley. They will have by far some of the worst corner OF'ers in the game when JD and Soriano are out there. Reed Johnson is such a better fit for the Cubs.

QUOTE (b-Rye @ Jan 26, 2010 -> 06:37 PM) For sure... it'd be tough to see Dye on Cubs and Thome on the Twins. and Kotsay on the Sox

I wonder how the mood of this thread will change if Dye signs with the Cubs today like it's being rumored.