Rex Hudler

QUOTE(Buehrle>Wood @ Oct 17, 2007 -> 10:41 PM) The ten calls were in a 2 month review period, not a year, IRRC. YDRC

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Oct 17, 2007 -> 09:29 PM) Marquette's new jerseys. Thoughts? I like the checkerred pattern with the blue but I'm only lukewarm on the whites. Also, can anyone confirm that Shumpert is going to announce at 5:30 tomorrow? They aren't as bad as I thought they might be. I agree the blue is definitely better than the white. Since I don't hate them, I guess they get a thumbs up.

QUOTE(whitesoxfan99 @ Oct 17, 2007 -> 07:12 PM) Look I'm clearly biased on this one and since I'm not a reporter I have no desire or need to be objective. And sure for the calls that were made to a recruit's house intended for the father I have no problem with that. You think all of those calls were of that persuasion? Come on Considering none of those could be proven to be a violation and that reason was brought up as a possibility, I'd say it's very likely that the numbers called matched up with that situation. Can I say all of them? Nope Look, I am an avid IU fan and I am not happy with what has happened. But all of the crap I have been reading makes me want to defend it even though that is not what I am thinking. It would just be nice if people wouldn't cherry pick the info out there (half of which is untrue or unproven) to prove a point that is ridiculous. Call me an idiot if you will, but when looking at Sampson's 10 phone calls, it is not that hard to believe his story. If he was a cheater or felt he was above the law, it sure as hell seems like there would have been more than 10 calls in a whole year! Call him sloppy or stupid, but from everything I have read (reporters who dealt with him all year, coaches and recruits) he was doing everything the right way. They talked about how difficult it was to get ahold of him sometimes because they could not get through and he couldn't call them back. Now the other calls, I can't defend. There isn't much detail out there about them, so I will wait until more info is out before I get my panties in a wad over them, but I certainly am not liking the possibilities there. I very much try not to overreact to situations and wait for all the information to come out. I am doing so here the best I can. I don't want anyone to think I am in Sampson's corner by any means. But forgive me if I defend some of the BS that flies around the media and the internet based on limited, cherry-picked or false information.

QUOTE(whitesoxfan99 @ Oct 17, 2007 -> 04:31 PM) "Cell phone records show many of the calls lasted one minute, MacIntyre said. That could indicate the call didn't connect, and thus a violation might not have occurred." So basically we were trying to break the rules but didn't because the recruit didn't pick up. If you are going to pick and choose your quotes, why not at least try and be fair? What the hell, why in the hell should anyone on a message board actually be objective or fair? For those that didn't read it, the following appeared directly after the above quote. Other calls made to a recruit's house might have been intended for the player's father, who doubled as his coach. Programs are allowed to make an unlimited number of calls to coaches.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Oct 16, 2007 -> 11:33 PM) Im not saying they arent better right now. But this SEC hype is complete bulls***. They are not the end all be all football conference. I'll agree the hype is a bit much. Unfortunately, the egg your Buckeyes laid in the big game last year hasn't helped. The gap between them and other conferences is not that great. But there is a gap. Funny thing is down here, they don't think they get enough credit, which I just find to be completely idiotic.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Oct 16, 2007 -> 06:38 PM) Superior league how? Have you checked the Big Ten record against them? * The Big Ten was 2-1 vs. the SEC in this past season's bowl games. * The Big Ten is 8-6 vs. the SEC in bowl games over the last five years * The Big Ten is 13-13 vs. the SEC in bowl games over the last decade. * Over the last nine years of Bowl Championship Series games, the Big Ten leads all conferences with 15 berths while ranking second with eight victories. The SEC tops all leagues with nine wins and ranks second to the Big Ten with 13 appearances. * In the last 10 years the Big Ten has produced two national champions compared to three for the SEC. * In the last 15 years the Big Ten has produced five Heisman Trophy winners, more than any other conference. Over that same time span, the SEC has claimed one Heisman. * While the SEC ranked first among various recruiting rankings, the Big Ten ranked second or third nationally with four to five programs rated among the top 25 recruiting classes. * The Big Ten has a history of developing players - the most recent Heisman Trophy winner, Troy Smith, was one of the last players to receive a scholarship from Ohio State. * The Big Ten has slightly less than 300 players in the NFL while the SEC has slightly more than 300; Sixteen former Big Ten players earned Super Bowl rings with the Indianapolis Colts earlier this month. I have yet to find out why everyone is brainwashed that the SEC is this great football conference. The only people who believe that are fans of the SEC. I'm a huge Big Ten fan and I will say with no doubt whatsoever that the SEC, top to bottom, is the best football conference in the country. Their depth is second to none, whether they have a team competing for the NC or not. So there's one dissenter

QUOTE(Jenksismyb**** @ Oct 16, 2007 -> 02:49 PM) Perhaps I need to remove my orange glasses, but who exactly has Michigan beaten? I know they've lost to a I-AA team, at HOME. They've beaten a 1-6 Notre Dame team. They barely beat a team that lost to DUKE of all teams. Ah yes, they beat a completely overrated Purdue (who also had not beaten anyone of note before being outed by Ohio State) and that oh so difficult match up with Easern Michigan. So that leaves Penn St, whom they barely beat at the big house, and who Illinois also beat. Illinois 30 Michigan 17 Book it. (and that's not an unrealistic view of Illinois' development, it's a realistic view on Michigans talent) This is expected from someone that doesn't follow a team in detail. I'm sure Illinois has issues that I don't know. But Michigan's talent level is far from lacking. Their performance thus far has not lived up to said talent. A few notes on Michigan's season you might not know: 1. Their starting CB from the first two games was kicked off the team (failed drug test is the word). Not suspended, just flat out kicked off. 2. Michigan is now starting a true freshman at CB. Obviously, it takes time for a true frosh to develop. Illini fans should know this as they have several talented freshmen that have played in the past two years. They don't turn into stars overnight. 3. QB Chad Henne missed 3 games (2 full, 2 halves) and is just now getting back to 100%. 4. RB Mike Hart did not play for almost two full quarters against Appy St with a deep thigh bruise. Said bruise lingered for several weeks, even with the success he has had. 5. Michigan's best DE and sack leader barely played the first two weeks while sitting in the doghouse. Reserve DT Marques Slocum who was to provide depth also was in the doghouse the first 4 games. The lack of depth up front and Brandon Graham's time in the doghouse (DE) cause them to use their best LB Shawn Crable as a DE. 6. Two other starting LB's have missed 2 games with injuries. 7. Michigan's top THREE RG's are all injured, causing their RT to shift to G, a position he has never played before, not to mention he is a RS Frosh starting his first season at T. 8. Kick Returner and RB Carlos Brown broke his hand before the season started. He missed Appy St and played with a cast the next few weeks. He fumbled twice in his first few carries with the cast, so they had to keep him on the bench stunting his role and development. 9. Mario Manningham and Brandon Minor both missed a game for breaking team rules. 10. Both backup LB's were hurt and did not play against Appy St. Jonas Mouton, expected to play 3rd downs because he can cover has yet to recover fully and has had minimal PT. 11. They have had as many as six starters out at the same time. Nine if you count the backups to the injured starters. 12. There have also been some team unity type issues. Not sure what is going on, but more players have had disciplinary problems than in recent years. Not sure if you have some younger players not following the lead of the vets or what, but it certainly has affected things. Look I know these are excuses and that every team has such issues. However, I doubt many teams have had as many problems. It is definitely fair to say their early season play has been affected by all of this. They seem to have most of their problems ironed out other than at RG. Judging Michigan by what they have done so far is not going to give you an accurate portrayal of what they can do. I have seen the signs each week that this team is ready to bust loose and become the team that everyone rated highly before the season. It may not happen and they definitely won't make it as high in the rankings, but that's okay. I am very confident they will finish the season strong. That is, as long as they don't take Illinois lightly this weekend. The combination of a night game on the road with a hungry, talented, young team coming off of a loss scares me. If they handle business this weekend, watch them finish VERY strong.

QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ Oct 16, 2007 -> 02:57 PM) The SEC is a superior league due to the low academic standards leaguewide at the schools, and the Big 10 has it's problems due to the high academic standards leaguewide at the schools. I thought everybody knew this, they don't call the SEC "skip every class" for nothing, and it's a known fact that Big 10 schools are pretty good academically for the most part. The SEC just has a lot more kids to choose from than the Big 10 due to academic things. Let's not forget an immensely larger talent pool to draw from in the Southeast. The state of Florida alone provides as much D-I talent as most of the midwest. Football is a way of life in the South, much more so than up north. I've lived in both. People choose a wedding date by their team's schedule in the fall. Not just trying to avoid the rival game, but to have it on an off week so they don't miss ANY game. Women are into football here like I have never seen before. It is just part of the identity of the South. The kids are bred into it and the best athletes play football in the South, not basketball. I'm not discounting the academic issue, just adding to it.

Well geez, don't people understand to take my posts for what I mean, not what I type??? I can see how it would be interpreted that way. I did indeed from the beginning mean that Illinois will not with both of their next two games. However, it is very possible at this point, my original statement may be correct regardless of how you interpret it. I just hope Michigan plays with purpose and doesn't get cocky after thrashing Purdue and seeing Illinois lose to Iowa. Not sure what we will get out of Hart either. As soon as I doubt him, he'll run for 187 yards on 32 carries. I'm okay opening things up less and giving Hart less carries, while also allowing Carlos Brown to pick up 10-12 carries to lighten the load. Playing at night on the road is not Michigan's thing. They play zero home night games, so the game time itself is a change in routine. My prediction: Michigan 34 Illinois 23

QUOTE(Buehrle>Wood @ Oct 15, 2007 -> 10:13 PM) What? What is confusing about that statement?

It wasn't pointless at all. The tone of posts from Illini fans did not show the expectation of a let up coming. I stated Illinois would not win its next two games and they didn't. I also stated, as a Michigan fan, I was worried about this weekend's game with Illinois. So basically, I am saying the exact same thing you are. They are good, but not great. I just did it in a lot fewer words. ;-) QUOTE(Shadows @ Oct 15, 2007 -> 03:33 AM) Yeah you sure proved a point.. Iowa got a win, but I don't think they deserved it.. Zook made some real dumb decisions with those penalties on 3rd, Iowa got extremely lucky that an 81 yard TD got called back and after Illinois made it look easy with McGee to go straight down the field he pulled a Missouri and pretty much sealed the game for them.. I still think what you said was really pointless, but hey you're entitled to your opinion.. all I know is, Illinois is good. Being good doesn't mean you have to be a National Title Contender, but its looking likely that Illinois is going to end up with prolly 8 victories this year.. We played four very good games in a row including wins over two ranked teams there was bound to be a let up somewhere.. but college football this season has been like this pretty much every week, and I don't think I was out of line questioning you about why you thought Illinois was gonna lose, all things considered..

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Oct 14, 2007 -> 10:14 AM) SO, uh yeah go Bucks. I cant believe that we graduated 8 first team all big ten players and are back in the #1 slot. I have said it over and over that I dont think that they are even a top 5 team in the country, but I guess we will see. I don't really think there is a "top 5" team in the country right now. This year seems so balanced that the Top 10 is a joke. Teams that in normal years would never sniff the top 10 are visiting for a week or two. This year it is truly going to be the two teams that survive better than the others. That said, I hope OSU stays undefeated until they trek to Ann Arbor and get their asses kicked. Note that is not a prediction, just a wish.

QUOTE(Palehosefan @ Oct 13, 2007 -> 06:22 PM) Yep, it was an irritating game. Refs blew the interception by Deunta early on and SC held on at the end. I'm excited about UNC football for the first time since Mack left. Led by freshman and sophomores everywhere. Rashard (sp?) Mason playing any for UNC? I know Michigan wanted him because he has loads of potential, but I wasn't sure if he was ready to play right away.

QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ Oct 12, 2007 -> 02:36 PM) Michigan's defense is just so mind bogglingly slow that I like the Illini's chances in that game, especially with what App. State and Oregon did to them, but that's not a sure thing at all. Henne should be fully revved up again by that game, and their offense is dangerous. Michigan's defense is NOT slow. They simply look slow when they are playing in a reactive mode, rather than aggressively. When they make a bad read and are frozen trying to change direction, they look incredibly slow. When they play well (which I admit has not been often of late), they don't look slow at all.

QUOTE(Shadows @ Oct 12, 2007 -> 11:19 AM) And why is that? Because your bitter Illinois beat Indiana? You're tired of seeing us be happy that our team is finally doing good? Just wondering why you would make that claim considering even Indiana crushed Iowa, in Iowa, and Michigan is beyond pathetic this year.. I'm guessing today proved my point quite well thank you very much. Illinois, while improved is not that good. Michigan is nowhere near pathetic. That said, the game next week at Illinois scares me a bit, especially with Mike Hart hurting.

I'll go on record now... Illinois will NOT win its next two games.

An interesting tidbit on UAB basketball. The five players that were arrested about a month ago now have an 11:00 pm curfew for the rest of their college careers. Coach Davis basically put his team on lockdown and they will have to pay for that mistake as long as they are at UAB. I'm sure the guys will find other ways to party, but them not being in bars should keep them out of trouble anyway. I can't remember who all five guys were, but I know Robert Vaden (IU transfer) and Walter Sharpe (Miss St transfer) were two of them.

QUOTE(greasywheels121 @ Oct 10, 2007 -> 04:25 PM) Yeah, we fell out pretty early this summer. We'll be okay though. Things are on the up and up. With Gray hurt and IU doing well so far, it would not shock me for IU to find its way back in his good graces. Then again, it wouldn't surprise me if that doesn't happen either.

QUOTE(Heads22 @ Oct 9, 2007 -> 10:24 PM) I'm a quick one.... Is dyslexic, left ISU because the program we had in place didn't really help. Not really a true point guard, can play there, not your best option. Above average defender, outstanding free throw shooter. Streaky shooter in general. I can't imagine he'd ever start at IU, but not a horrible option for 10 or so minutes a game. They're looking for somewhat of a stopgap/role player. It would actually be advantageous for us to go the JUCO route with one player this year to help balance out the classes. I doubt he would ever be a starter, but someone who could come in and play behind Armon Bassett and Jordan Crawford. They could then go after a top PG in the 2009 or 2010 class.

HIMYM was excellent last night. I was rooting for Ted to just jump right in and it to become another program on another channel real fast, but I'll settle for the way they did it. I really thought I was going to stop liking the show once it came out that Neil Patrick Harris is gay, but I haven't. His character has stayed believable surprisingly. We've all had a similar friend, have we not?

QUOTE(Jenksismyb**** @ Oct 8, 2007 -> 09:14 AM) Have I missed the last four years of college football? When did Mike Hart become the Reggie Bush of college football? He's a decent back with a ridiculous offensive line. Gee that must be tough. Explain how Hart is better than Mendenhall. Mendenhall is probably stronger, more agile, and has break away speed. At the end of the year he's going to have better numbers than Hart, with 1/4 less carries. Watch Mike Hart for a whole game. He is much, much more than a great O-line. Just watch, objectively. I doubt you can, but watching will tell you all you need to know.

Heads, tell me about Dodie Dunson

QUOTE(Kid Gleason @ Oct 7, 2007 -> 09:28 PM) Because I've seen numerous people insinuating that laughing at that show is a sign of low IQ. Not unlike finding humor in Jim Belushi. So you worry about what other people think in terms of what you should laugh at? It is definitely low brow guy humor. Doesn't mean it is not funny. Those people need to freakin relax!

QUOTE(maggsmaggs @ Oct 7, 2007 -> 09:27 PM) Chris Lowery. Let's hope not

QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ Oct 7, 2007 -> 09:36 PM) Wrong, if Mendenhall got to carry the ball 50 times a game like Hart, he'd blow away his numbers, and as is, Mendehall's numbers are more than comparable to Hart's. Mendenhall is very good. But he is no Mike Hart. Hart has proven himself over four years. There is only one other back I might argue is better and that is Darren McFadden. If Hart had breakaway speed, he'd be unstoppable. Mike Hart is the best in the Big Ten hands down.