whitesoxfan101

Drake is unreal, it's amazing how good they are. Oh, and it's amazing what happens when you give Rodney Alexander a fair shot to play some real minutes, isn't it Bruce? Too bad you had to continue your losing this team and suspend Pruitt for some mystery reason, what a joke. At least NIU beat mighty Ball State, lol.

Watching the end of the Packers game alongside 2 Packers fans made me think of this. I am a life long Bear fan and Packer hater, but seeing their reaction as the field goal went through in overtime almost made me feel bad, such a horrible way to lose. Anyways, list your best and worst moments as a fan in this thread. You could have been at the game, or watching on TV, or listening in the car, it doesn't matter, because you remember that feeling when it happened. For me, the best: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDDX--lb2m0 Game 3 of the 1994 Conference Quarterfinals. It was the 3rd to last hockey game at the old barn, I was only 8 year old, but I remember all 4 goals by Tony Amonte, the 5-4 victory, and the roar of the anthem like it was yesterday. It's the first game I ever went to, and my first distinct sports memory. NIU 20, #15 Maryland 13 in overtime. I was going to visit the campus only a few weeks later, but I went and checked out this game, completely unaware that I would be in the midst of a insane sellout crowd, and a huge upset that would spark what was a very fun team to follow that year. I was at the Iowa State game too which was fun, but everybody expected to win that one. Illinois vs. Arizona, 2005 elite 8. I don't really need to say much more, except that was the loudest building I've ever been in, including the old stadium. Amazing night indeed. And on it's own merit, seeing my best friend win a football state title in person in 2004, a team that I also had a lot of other friends on, was pretty good stuff. In person games without youtube evidence include the NIU win over Western Michigan the day after Thanksgiving in 2005 that sent the Huskies to the MAC Title game. It was an absolute rout, as Greg Jennings and Tony Sheffler were shut down and Garrett Wolfe ran wild. And then, of course, the three Cubs/Sox games I've been to: The Mike Caruso basket home run game after like a 3 hour rain delay to help the Sox win it and sweep at Wrigley in 1999 (in extras too, I think), the Carlos Lee walk off grand slam game that had so many fight afterwards in 2001, it led to restrictions on Sox night games, and of course, the A.J./Barrett game in 2006. If we're heading into the games I wasn't at direction, obviously the entire 2005 White Sox season (too many individual moments to list, so I'll just say everything) is the best, with the winning of the World Title being my favorite sports moment ever, period. Being old enough to watch and remember the second Bulls 3-peat was a blast, especially 72-10. Anytime Devin Hester returns a kick, Luther Head's tip in to win the 2004 Big Ten title outright, the 2001 Illini football team finally beating Penn State, and the blowout bowl win over Virginia in 1999 for Illinois, as well as NIU beating DeMarcus Ware and Troy in a bowl in 2004. Worst moments (I'm not wasting my time being too specific or finding youtube evidence): In person, the Bears/Eagles 2001 playoff game has to be right up there. I felt pretty good, but then Hugh Douglas took out Jim Miller and after that, what a trainwreck. Watching NIU blow a 10 point lead to Toledo to lose the MAC West in 2004, as all the students around me threw stuff on the field was bad. SIU/NIU this year in football is up there, since I think it ruined our whole season. But the worst was traveling all the way to San Diego to see TCU kick our ass in the Poinsettia Bowl. The rest of the trip was great, but that was a nightmare of a game. Fortunately, I haven't seen any really bad late season Sox losses in person. As for not in person, oh man....... The suicide squeeze by Carlos Guillen caps off a sweep by Seattle of the Sox in 2000. It's the last time sports made me cry, to this day. With 15 seconds left and a 30-24 lead, Akron WR Dominic Hixon catches a TD to beat NIU and steal the MAC Title 31-30. That's as close to crying as I've come since the 2000 Sox playoff series since it made us not even make a bowl at all. NIU at Bowling Green and Toledo, 2003 football. 2005 NCAA Basketball National Title game. Illinois at Wisconsin, 2003 basketball. 2003 Sugar Bowl and 2008 Rose Bowl Carolina at Bears, 2005 NFL Playoffs. Illinois vs. Arizona, 2001 elite 8 game. First time I've see the refs win an elite 8 game, and still haven't since. Illinois vs. UNC, 2005 National Title Game. The White Flag Trade. Super Bowl 41. The second half of September 2003 with the White Sox. Most noteably, the 2 home losses after the Jose Paniagua game, the sweep at Minnesota, Esteban Loaiza's choking, and just the whole collapse. I still think the 2003 team was more talented (by far) than the 2005 one.

It appears the Illini have found Reda's replacement, as Derek Dimke of Rockford Boylan (#13 kicker in the nation according to scout.com) has verballed. He owns the record for longest made FG in a playoff game in the history of Illinois HS football. The playoff field goal was 54 yards, and he also made a 54 yard try in the regular season this year, plus 85 percent of his kickoffs the last 2 seasons were touchbacks, so he has a strong leg. http://www.wifr.com/sports/headlines/13959987.html http://www.rrstar.com/sports/x1151550372

I do the same thing as some of you guys, eat things one at a time, I think it's actually called "shift eating", but I'm not sure on that. I always have to make sure all the doors in whatever building I'm in are locked (same goes for the car). It's a tradition I gained because only of my earliest memories is moving to the Northwest Suburbs and, in the process, going to the Brown's in Palatine not even a week before the massacre. I'm also really bad at arguments/disagreements with family or friends. A friend of mine lost a close friend of theirs who I did not know in HS, and it haunts her to this day they were in a fight when he passed away, so I try and always settle disagreements with friends or family as quickly as I can, and it always bothers me if my last convo with somebody I care about didn't go well or seem to go well.

I was at the game last night. At least there is still hope for Thabo, I just wonder why he hasn't gotten more minutes much sooner. I don't understand this teams trance over Detroit in the regular season either, but it was nice to watch an enjoyable Bulls game again, and in person no less.

For all the credit Mike McCarthy gets in regards to his playcalling, I watched the entire game in all 4 of their losses this year and the Packers playcalling was AWFUL in all 4 of those games. I thought McCarthy was an offensive guru or something? Anyways, New York clearly was the better team, that game would have long been over if not for quite a few breaks for GB, so congrats to the Giants. And if New England can play that bad and still win by 9 and run 9:15 off the clock to beat San Diego, they'll beat the Giants. The Giants played their best in week 17, at home, NE didn't, and the Pats still won.

QUOTE(Palehosefan @ Jan 18, 2008 -> 11:48 AM) Football recruiting weirdness for Illini and myself as a UNC fan. LB Evan Frierson commits to UNC on official visit, backs out an hour later, commits to Illinois the next day, and now he has backed out a few days later and is open between Illinois and UNC. Hilarious(or sad?) stuff. Friersons confusion is directly related to Will Compton and I'll explain why. Frierson commited to UNC, but the reason he switched within a day was when Illinois got word of the verbal, they called Frierson and told him they had no shot at Compton, thus Frierson would have a shot to play early at MLB and be on a team with several other D.C. area guys, so he changed his verbal. However, now Compton has said he will announce next Tuesday and Illinois (and Frierson) think the Illini have a shot at him now, so there is just mass confusion all over the place. Once Compton announces next week, this confusion should begin to clear itself up.

Minnesota is definitely on the rise, which is good for the league IMO. Problem is, "The Barn" is the toughest place to play in the Big 10 outside of the two assembly halls when Minnesota is good.

QUOTE(Felix @ Jan 18, 2008 -> 01:11 AM) The refs in the Minnesota/Indiana game were horrible, but I won't blame them for the loss. Our team didn't make any free throws anyway, so it didn't matter. Good game, Hoosier fans. You should feel really, really lucky that you got out of Minnesota with a win. I'm sorry, but you simply can't go 11-21 at the free throw line and win, as Illinois has shown and Minnesota confirmed tonight. Shooting only 39.7 percent from the field, 3-17 from the arc, and being beat 39-21 on the glass isn't a wise recipe either. Minnesota is a team on the rise IMO, but really the only reason this game wasn't a blowout was 2 questionable foul calls on Gordon and Indiana turning it over 24 times to Minnesota's 10, but Minnesota was just never able to take advantage of that. Oh, and Jimbo is right, Jimmy Dykes is the worst announcer I've ever heard not named Ron Santo. He must have pictures of somebody, he is to broadcasting what Matt Millen is to GM's, a joke who they somehow still won't fire.

Wallace isn't going anywhere, nobody would take that contract for that pathetic, old, washed up loser who also happens to be a cancer in the locker room. For the first time ever, Jay Marriotti actually had a thought I agree with, referring to Wallace as "Big Bum", because that is all he is.

I would have to think John Paxson's job will be in jeopardy at the end of the year if this continues. This team is the definition of a lack of institutional control, and they already fired the coach, which was Reinsdorf's call moreso than Paxson's. http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sp...-home-headlines Is this just the media overreacting again Pax? What a disaster.

QUOTE(whitesoxfan99 @ Jan 13, 2008 -> 09:53 PM) McCamey has to finish stronger at the rim but he is starting to look like a very good PG. Still makes some dumb plays but that is to be expected from a freshmen. He is taking to long to get his shot up (the reverse layups took way to long, needs to get the ball up much quicker). I think Davis and Tisdale both show flashes of being very good players. Both need to hit the weight room hard over the off season. Tisdale is also clueless when it comes to rotating on defense. He seems to think about where he needs to go on defense rather than just reacting. Makes him look a lot slower on D than he really is IMO. Part of the problem from playing D in HS where all he was asked to do was stand under the rim and try to block shots. Davis is a much much better defender than Tisdale right now, thus I call for his minutes to go up and not Tisdale's. Tizzy should have took a redshirt, that's very obvious even though he could end up a very good player.

McCamey was a positive today I thought. He shot very poorly (2-10 overall, 2-6 on 3's), but he had 5 assists and zero turnovers. To do that in that environment is a big plus. And I still wish Mike Davis would play more. On a random note, I watched Illinois on TIVO because I went to the NIU game (we're 4-1 at home, sure we're 0-9 on the road but I'm reaching). Anyways, the NIU bench scored 62 points (as many as Toledo's entire team total) and the starters scored 16. I can't remember seeing anything like that.

QUOTE(whitesoxfan99 @ Jan 13, 2008 -> 09:39 PM) I don't think it is the reason we lost. IU is better and they had to play poorly and Illinois had to play well for the game to be close. Those calls absolutely did affect the game. Talent is the real reason IU won today, but that doesn't change the fact that the officiating was awful (which is par for the course in the Big 10). I'm not even talking about these boards, or I'd say these boards. The fans here are different from everywhere else, that's why I post here and not on the Illini boards. Anyways, IU just didn't show up today, and Illinois has to find a way to win a game like that one, but as has been all year except Mizzou, lose the close ones at all costs.

Illinois plays close with a team way better than them, loses due to missed free throws, Illini fans think the refs are the reason the game went the way it did. Same stuff, different game, just like it will be when Illinois finds a way to lose to a brutal Michigan team coming up next. Pathetic, the Illini have mastered playing to the level of their competition, and always finding a way to lose regardless.

To get a guy like Glaus is a STEAL by the Cardinals times ten. Rolen was never going to stay there with the bridge burned with LaRussa, and if Glaus is healthy, he could put up some really nice numbers in the NL with Pujols protecting him. Nice job by St. Louis to get something out of a really bad situation IMO.

This is way off topic, but the thing with the Hawks is I'm not as pissed this year because I know how bright the future is even if they crash and burn like they are right now and don't make the playoffs. There are simply too many good things going on there for the franchise not to improve drastically on the ice in the next few years, and I still find that exciting as do many others.

QUOTE(Brian @ Jan 13, 2008 -> 01:04 PM) I know Memphis is conference USA, but I'll take that squad over UNC and Kansas right now. Kansas a close second. All 3 teams are top notch, obviously. Memphis is definitely up there at #3 right now, and they play outstanding defense too and have a lot of guys with experience, but I think if they played somebody like Kansas who would make them hit shots from the perimeter, they'd have problems. Plus, their C-USA schedule is going to not do them any favors, however Memphis has a shot at making a circa 2005 Illinois like run here in regards to a perfect record.

One thing I think nobody would argue is the statment we've heard the last several years about the big man in the NBA being dead is starting to look grossly inaccurate with some of the young bigs in the league right now, hell even Chris Kaman has been borderline unstoppable this year with the numbers he's put up without even having Elton Brand to help him.

I think it's obvious that North Carolina and Kansas are a cut above the rest right now with their depth and experience, and I hate to do this since I know Jimbo will read it, but Kansas has to be #1 right now IMO (regardless of what the polls says) because of how well they play consistent defense, unlike what I've seen of UNC so far. Oh, and Tubby should already clear the mantle for his Big 10 COY award. He's a first year guy that is doing a great job taking over what was a disaster of a program until this year, and everybody expects Wisconsin to be good every year now with the job Bo Ryan does.

Darin Erstad D'Angelo Jimenez Mike Jackson Billy Koch Albert Belle Wil Cordero Danny Wright Jamie Navarro Mike Caruso Scott Ruffcorn Royce Clayton David Wells Todd Ritchie Man, we've had some hateable players.

Undefeated Wazzu visits once beaten UCLA in a top 5 showdown in Los Angeles today. Wazzu is the first slow it down team I've ever enjoyed watching, and this should be a grind it out game down to the end.

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Jan 10, 2008 -> 04:51 PM) I think everyone is regretting not choosing Andrew Bynum in that draft from a couple of seasons ago also. I loved Isiah's logic is picking Charlie Frye over him. Can't remember who the Bulls picked in that draft (think everyone wanted Gerald Green, but they didn't, that was a fun draft thread), but we had the next pick after the Lakers and we chose (gulp) Fran Vazquez. Bulls didn't have any picks in the 2005 draft. There is the first round of that draft: Bynum is just surrounded by garbage picks, what a coup that was for the Lakers. Also, at least I got one right saying Granger would end up the steal of the 1st round. The 2nd round was garbage with a few exceptions, like Monta Ellis at #40, Ryan Gomes at #50, and some other guys like Louis Williams and Brandon Bass are having breakout pretty good years this year. Actually, in retrospect, that was just a garbage draft once you get outside some of the studs in the top 10. QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Jan 10, 2008 -> 04:47 PM) The sad thing is that we had Chandler and Aldridge. Obviously Aldridge was picked to be traded but yeesh, it'd sure be nice to have Tyson and/or LaMarcus. Would be nice if we had kept Chandler, traded Gordon, and drafted Roy. Hinrich, Roy, Deng, Joe Smith, Tyson Chandler perhaps could be your starting 5 right now. That might beat some eastern conference teams.

QUOTE(maggsmaggs @ Jan 10, 2008 -> 10:11 PM) For an academically smart guy (very smart) he has an awfully low basketball IQ. Academic and athletic aptitude have NOTHING in common, it's one of sports most common misconceptions. Some of the smartest players you'll ever find are dumber than a box of rocks, then you get guys like Randle who are as intelligent academically as any player you can find anywhere, but he's the definition of a dumb player. Any player who is smart (or dumb) both athletically and academically is simply a coincidence.

Our lineup and defense could actually be pretty damn good if healthy, but our pitching is just awful and with our horrible farm system, NOBODY can get hurt. And in this division, bad pitching=long nights, however I now have faith we can and will finish in a distant 3rd place behind the two headed monster.