bigruss

QUOTE (Brian @ Jun 5, 2014 -> 10:54 AM) Glad I continue to ignore the sources of some posters here. Btw, hell yeah! Rumors of grade issues swirling, not sure if there's any truth to it or just saltiness. It's too bad, he would've been a huge get for Illinois image wise.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ May 18, 2014 -> 07:45 PM) Too bad he likes Kentucky. He's been talking up Illinois quite a bit the past month or so. Most likely doesn't come here but who knows, if Kentucky doesn't ever get hot on him then I could see a chance.

It's softball, not sabr metrics. I'm going there to have fun, playing against guys who are looking for walks or taking close pitches (and the umps who allow this) is not fun. Of course if the ball is 2 feet outside or not making it to the front of the plate I'm not swinging.

QUOTE (MAX @ Jun 3, 2014 -> 05:45 PM) I don't think anyone here is offended. I am just perplexed by the importance placed on this. There is a reason that its a joke in the simpsons. It is because its comical behavior for an owner to care about this. Honestly posters on here have probably spent more time worrying about this than the entire White Sox organization. It's like being told to come to work with a nicer outfit, you say sorry and come back the next day with something nicer on. It takes all of what, 2 minutes of time/focus?

Woahhhh, I knew that was coming but damn who wrote that s*** that way.

Our team is starting to come together now that we are closer to getting everyone out there. Won another game last night vs a team that beat us twice last year. Went 3/4 again, not bad considering I had traveled for about 14 hours before the game. I'm excited for this team, we could be pretty good when it's all said and done, the problem though is that we don't have a lot of depth. An injury or two and we will be struggling.

Arrived yesterday back from my 3 week backpacking trip through Europe. The trip was absolutely fantastic and couldn't ask for a much better one. Highlight of the trip was definitely the 4 day whiskey tour to the Isle of Islay. Driving through the Scottish Highlands and ferrying to the island was so much better than I thought it would be, and the isle itself was beautiful. It was amazing how few people inhabit those lands, beautiful sights and almost untouched scenery. And the whiskey, oh god the whiskey, I'm going to go broke drinking it now.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ May 9, 2014 -> 03:31 PM) Its going to be a battle for him, we have Mitchell and Grandstaff all over him. Jawun Evans is looking more and more like Illinois as well, that would be a coup if we got both (and one of them coming here helps with the other I'm sure).

We came out strong, one of our new guys hit 2 HRs and we played good D the first 5 innings. Then we couldn't hit anymore (we have 4 guys who will be lucky to hit .250 which is sad, once we get our full squad it'll be better) and we made some key defensive mistakes that led to extra runs. Lost 14-8 in the end (led through the 5th). Went 3-4 though so that was good.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ May 8, 2014 -> 03:46 PM) Thought I would share this with you guys http://www.roverplusnine.com/mm5/merchant....-dye-sub-shirts order of 12 brings price to 40 per jersey, fully customizable We decided to buy some jerseys this year, just some 3/4 sleeve shirts. We're not good enough for a jersey like that We have our first game tonight, our league is a B and C league this year instead of just C, we picked up some good players but I have a feeling we'll get smoked in some games.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ May 8, 2014 -> 12:25 PM) *bump* anyone going? Im going to the first session. I also have an extra ticket if anyone is interested. PM me. I was planning on going until i made my vacation plans and Im leaving the country that day. I had been looking forward to it ever since you mentioned it last year, sounds like a great time.

I almost want to see Putnam hit, dude could rake it in HS/college.

Delaney has such a hard on for the east coast, hopefully they don't completely move these events to the east coast because it's going to really upset all the midwestern fans. Keep Chicago as the main site for the event (every other year) then alternate DC/Indy the other years and I wouldn't be too upset. Still, how empty is that stadium going to be?

QUOTE (IlliniKrush @ May 5, 2014 -> 02:03 PM) Not sure how a guy from TX is ours to lose...plus he's not even announcing until Jan 2015. I'm as hopeful as the next guy, but I don't put much stock in to whoever said/thought that wherever you read it. From everything I've seen, Thomas really likes Illinois. But as you said, his decision is so far away that he isn't anyone's to lose at this point. I think we'll be in it til the end unless we somehow pick up another big or two beforehand (possible, not likely). I like where we stand, I'd love to get him and Evans which would make this class stellar, but it'll be hard to get 2 guys from TX to come here.

QUOTE (Buehrle>Wood @ May 2, 2014 -> 12:56 AM) I liked Groce destroying Bardo in such a calm manner. He's got quite a way with words. Where was this? At the Illini Caravan?

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Apr 29, 2014 -> 05:09 PM) Ha, that's like 9 pin bowling, that sounds fun. A guy on my summer team played a winter league where the only field is the infield, and there is netting with a designated home run area, nothing off the ceiling can be a home run. He said there are few doubles, and triples are almost unheard of. That sounds interesting, Id play that for fun.

QUOTE (Knuckles @ Apr 28, 2014 -> 09:54 AM) Madrid, and Barcelona plus a copule of lazy days in LLoret de Mar next week. Damn man, have fun. I love Barcelona, and only had a few hours in Madrid, but I would love to go back there and spend more time. Heading out to Europe as well in two weeks: Scotland (4 day whiskey tour) London Dublin Amsterdam Paris Prague Brussels/Ghent Super stoked for it, almost 3 weeks total.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Apr 29, 2014 -> 09:39 AM) They are almost 2 different things as the show is an interpretation of the books. I fully recommend starting the books now depending on how fast you read because you are probably going to want to do a re-read at some point. I've gone through almost 3 full times now and each time it gets better. Everyone s***s on book 4 and 5 because there were less wars and action but in reality the information presented is awesome. Of course my favorite character is probably Arya so I like her arc. I've done pretty muc hthe same thing, book 4 was almost a chore to read after book 3. But the 2nd time through I picked up on a lot more and it wasn't nearly as "slow" as I remembered. Yes, there are things that get drawn out that make it tough for TV, but overall they really were good books. Book 5 was especially good imo, lots of new story lines that I liked quite a bit.

I fully expect to see more of these story lines come up, as mentioned they flat out need more exciting material to balance out the drawn out aspects of Feast and Dance. That said, I was torn on the Jon/Craster story: 1) The timing. The raiding party has to be like a day, maybe 3, away. So Jon leaves with fighters to travel on a 120 mile round trip expedition? So either the raiding party just sits around (why??) or they somehow get to Crasters in record speed. 2) Where is Cold Hands? I got so excited at the end of the episode when the rider appeared thinking it was him for a second. That would be a good character to add right about now. Maybe Locke is replacing him? 3) Where is Donal Noye? Another character I liked that would add some interest to the show. He doesnt need to only have 1 arm, just be a respected person who can help counter Alliser's command. All that said though, I'm interested to see where these stories go and I do think it's good overall for the direction of the show. They just need to make sure that the deviations make sense and fit into the main story. Build the characters more, add excitement, but dont take away from the books' good stories.

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Apr 28, 2014 -> 11:25 AM) And then on the other side, we have Illini fans who can't see that holding on to someone for too long puts your program in an even bigger hole. The Illinois football program has been that way for the last 25 years. Every time there are some gains, they take a huge leap backwards because they hire the wrong guy and stick with him way too long. From Tepper to Turner to Zook. Illinois fans, for some strange reason, have amnesia about that and pretend that THIS time is going to be different. I'm in the middle here. I think it takes a few seasons to dig a program out of the mud. It takes time to get the players you want. It takes time to change the culture. But you don't get 4-5 years, you get three to show real improvement. So far, only the offense has improved. This upcoming season will be a telling one. Maybe they go bowling and Beckman and Co. can continue to nab some of these good, not great, players. If they suck next year, he better be gone. And I agree with this, if we have 4 or less wins it's an immediate fire. 5 wins and he's probably safe, but has zero wiggle room.

QUOTE (Buehrle>Wood @ Apr 27, 2014 -> 05:36 PM) I do? It sure seems like it. Honestly, you match one other person I know for most negative Illini fan. I'm not saying Beckman has completely turned the program around now, but this was a needed step in that direction (if he ever does manage to do that). I'm excited, this would've been a tough recruit no matter who was coaching the Illini. Hopefully we keep it up and sign a damn good class and make it to a bowl this year.

Illinois looking to land OL Megginson and possibly one more recruit tonight. Would be huge for us, and a fantastic addition to a solid start for the 2015 class.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Apr 25, 2014 -> 04:21 PM) ...and another 14% raise. Congrats! So what's the secret?

QUOTE (ChiSox_Sonix @ Apr 25, 2014 -> 03:13 PM) Hopefully he got out of it. Down over 50% to .22 cents today. Those kind of stocks can crash fast. But $1 by June!!

QUOTE (HickoryHuskers @ Apr 23, 2014 -> 09:42 AM) Your primary TV rights holder, which in the BT's case is ESPN/ABC, is going to dictate start times. They want their #1 BT game on at 3:30 ET, so in order to get a game in before that it has to start at Noon ET. If all the other games are on the Big Ten network then why do they have to be at that time?