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QUOTE (Buehrle>Wood @ Oct 8, 2014 -> 02:49 PM) I do have to say this is insanely ironic from a Mizzou fan. Since he took over Kansas, Self and KU have probably been investigated and busted more than any other program in the country. There's something to it at least. And I must be forgetting who Groce has lost out to Self other than Alexander. I'm sure there's someone, honestly can't remember. I don't think it is ironic at all. I hate KU with a passion but I completely recognize why kids go there. My point is that when Jimmy Whitt chose Arkansas over Missouri despite being from Columbia I don't remember a knee jerk reaction of "He was paid more" by Arkansas. And losing to Arkansas sucks because of Mike Anderson. But nearly every U of I fan I know that follows basketball has this instinctive reaction to assign the single reason all of these kids don't choose Illinois as they were better paid elsewhere. It's not a good look. It's not because I love to hate on Illinois, I'm basically forced to follow them just because of this board otherwise I wouldn't think about them at all.

I've heard lots of Illini fans say everyone is dirty. Look, Kansas has great facilities, an incredible history and fieldhouse and the knowledge that if that if it's the best 2 or 3 programs in the country. When they come to talk to you, it just validates that you are the best to everyone. They also likely have a great booster network that is interested in helping out the team. This is also the case for many many programs. And if you sit down and listen to the recruits, every program is going to make you feel like you are taken care of, everyone has a great campus, but the thing that makes you put your ink down is the relationship you feel with the coach and program. Bill Self is Bill Self because he's made great relationships with programs across the country and those coaches trust him and those recruits trust their coaches. But if you listen to Illini fans, every recruit is about to sign on with Ole Jim Groce if not fer Bill Self comin in with a helicopter full of money!

Thibs was playing a lineup of Brooks, Snell, McD, Nazr and Bairstow in OT against Drummond, Monroe and Jennings. Thibs really seems to at least have gotten it that there's no reason to risk anything in preseason. Last year Gibson/Noah/Deng/Butler/Rose would have trotted out to keep our undefeated preseason alive.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Oct 8, 2014 -> 02:17 PM) Sour grapes even before the guy spurns you. This is the Illini special. I don't see any group of fans have these types of comments of "offered more money" "got a better package" more than those fans.

Brooks was great at the end. Sucks that Nazr decided to shoot the last 8 shots rather than passing to McDermott.

Solomon Jones is realllllly bad at everything.

Honestly Jay would still be frustrating but I have to think if we hired Bruce Arians rather than Trestman we would be talking about a 4-1 team right now. I haven't seen 60 minutes of inspired football from a Trestman team. It is always 2 quarters that are sometimes good enough to win. I still think of what was a tremendous coaching class that year we picked wrong. I've lost all faith that Trestman can run a team. As Thibs growls, they have enough to win. They aren't though.

QUOTE (BigHurt3515 @ Oct 7, 2014 -> 08:05 PM) Guess we know who the odd man out of the rotation will be Yeah I don't see him playing much this year. Unfortunately, that means Hinrich is gonna be playing like crazy.

Eh, considering most of those fans are coming from St. Louis county and the history of st. louis, I think that's a pretty good spot to maintain awareness. Certainly those fans gladly took the bait.

Regardless of meaningful or not, there was a bunch of players most have never seen before so it was a pretty fun game.

Honestly, he's not bad enough to justify it, and this team needs to continue to get cheaper talent through the draft. We have Cutler for 3 more years, it's done.

Here are some impressions I had from last night: - If I had known before the game that I'd have to watch classic Kirk Hinrich dribble around the perimeter for the whole shot clock before taking a terrible shot (for what was an entire half) I would not have gone - If I would have known that I could see Derrick Rose do a sweet hand switching layup I would have paid double - Noah looks out of shape - Gasol/Noah will work really well, but it's going to be a while before the offense is figured out. In order for this offense to be a step above it's former self, we need it to run through the two bigs and them to hit slashers since nobody else besides rose can create their shot off the dribble. They are a great duo to do this but needs time - This team has no idea how to use McDermott yet, this will also take time. And holy crap is his release fast. He also is never off balance. Look at him coming off a screen vs Butler. Butler is always falling over - Snell will probably not see the floor much if ever this year. - Nikola is way faster than you'd imagine. He rotates well and has good handles, but is not strong enough to rebound yet. - Nikola and Doug looked awkward with the starter/2nd line. I would not freak out about their getting lost on the court. They have to prove to Thibs they can perform the little things so that they can stay on the court. He knows they can shoot. - Thibs did not send in the starters in the fourth. I think we can relax about his minutes this year. He definitely seems to get it.

QUOTE (Brian @ Oct 7, 2014 -> 12:39 PM) I've always liked watching McDermott move without the ball. Last night, there were like 3 times in a few minutes where Brooks was dribbling, drew Doug's guy off and just kept dribbling instead of passing to McBuckets. I was oddly upset cuz I wanted to see him shoot a bunch. Guess this isn't the summer League for Snell anymore. Yeah the other players need to learn to play with him when it's not a set play. Thibs needs to drive this too. Speaking of, all of the people that make non stop thibs jokes must have been impressed at the minutes last night and he's now sitting Rose and Noah tomorrow.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Oct 7, 2014 -> 01:01 PM) If anyone wants to read something humorous, read Cowleys tweets from the game last night. He clearly thinks Mirotic is nothing more than a project, and says it multiple times in different ways. But when Mirotic started lighting it up, instead of backtracking he started giving him back handed compliments like "what the Bulls have shown is that their 10th man is better than Washingtons 10th man". Nikolai looked really nervous with all vets offensively, but part of that was Kirk Hinrich being a black hole last night. I really liked that Nikolai took over when he realized he was best on court. He was getting pushed around on rebounds though. Also everything autocorrected to Nikolai so apologies. Man Taj and Hinrich were miserable last night.

Oh crap, I forgot Kim English is playing. That will be kind of fun too.

I'm really excited to see Mirotic. So crazy to finally get to see this guy after so many years of anticipation. I hope he plays Deng minutes (if he's good tonight, otherwise I'll immediately call him a bust and take ownership to task for not using the asset at its higher value!)

Much as I dislike them, they are asked to write a sox article before there is any possible sox news.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Oct 6, 2014 -> 08:10 PM) I think your example of Falcons isn't necessarily a good one. I don't know anyone who thought they would be bad. Injuries bit them a ton a year ago and were the reason they went from very good to very bad. I do agree with the parody (yes..since you called me out, I decided I'd take the time to spell it vs. just type as fast as I can) though. Saints were supposed to be great and they look lousy. Then again, its funny. Eagles have a very good record but if you watch them play, often times they look pretty poor too. I think a lot of the successes in the league have to do with a few plays going with / against you + the ease of your schedule. Bears schedule is just absurd. I still don't get how a team has to play that many early season road games. LOL.

QUOTE (scs787 @ Oct 6, 2014 -> 06:39 PM) Ha, ya I noticed that. I've noticed it many a times though(The san fran game comes to mind), to the point where I'm thinking maybe the play clock we see is different than the one refs are seeing. Honestly, it's just not called very often because it is usually bang bang and they need to check two places at once. I don't think it's that big of a deal unless a full second has passed. The games are so long now the last thing I need is another "point of emphasis".

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Oct 6, 2014 -> 08:00 PM) All bears talk aside, it has been a really weird year across the board. A lot of teams expected to be good, not(Patriots). A lot of teams expected to be bad, actually looking decent(Atlanta). Nobody undefeated anymore. Just strange Sounds like the NFL to me.

No idea, but I can snapchat the game from the 300 level for ya. I'm excited to see Mirotic and McDermott in the preseason b/c who knows how much we'll see them live after.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Oct 6, 2014 -> 03:53 PM) I agree, but that's not Logan Thomas. In 2012 he had 18 TDs and 16 INTs. In 2013 he had 16 TDs and 13 INTs. In college. In the ACC. Seriously, can't believe that guy ended up with a pro career.

QUOTE (TheTruth05 @ Oct 6, 2014 -> 02:46 PM) If Cutler can't succeed in Trestman's system, then I doubt he can succeed in ANY system. Agreed. He is a special guy. He seems to lock down on 2 routes and hang on until their open, but also is not great at stepping into pocket so he needs to get rid of the ball faster than he should. So that results in a) throwing into coverage or b) getting sacked/fumbled.

QUOTE (Jose Abreu @ Oct 6, 2014 -> 03:46 PM) To name a few: Red Sox, Yankees, Dodgers, Lakers, Celtics, Patriots, 49ers... basically the big market East/West coast teams. You know what though, I feel like their Org feels the same way and...it just kind of works. Those organizations due tend to get these deals to work through some sort of big market swagger or something.

If our defense is banged up, then Carolina's is decimated. Carolina is a bad bad team with their injuries and we allowed them to drop 31 on us. That "we" isn't referring to the defense, because frankly the offense and special teams have been just as responsible. I've never seen such a full team effort for bad defense until the Trestman Bears. The offense contrubutes to our bad defense, special teams contributes to our bad defense, and the defense defense does.