danman31

I'm glad to know others agree with me and I wasn't just being an ass. Milkman delivers has posted what I wanted to before I did so that's good times haha.

QUOTE(SoxFan1 @ Feb 18, 2007 -> 12:42 PM) And as far as compring it to a top tier league, fine then...I'll compare it to the 2nd league in England. Sunderland still gets 40,000+ per match, Southhampton gets 30,000+, Leeds gets 30,000+, Derby gets 30,000+, Sheffield gets up to 40,000. Like I said, everywhere else in the world, it's about passion, tradition, history, pride, etc. In the US, no one gives a s*** about football. Look at who goes to the games...Mexican immigrants, Polish immigrants... First of all I said MLS is trying to become a 2nd tier league, they obviously aren't there yet. Again, way to read buddy. Second of all your numbers aren't very accurate. I took a look at ESPN Soccernet's attendances and the numbers are roughly in this area, significantly lower than you advertised. Sunderland is averaging 30k. Southhampton is averaging low-mid 20s. Leeds is averaging under 20k. Derby is averaging low-mid 20s. Sheff Wed is averaging mid-high 20s. Those numbers seem attainable down the road.

QUOTE(SoxFan1 @ Feb 17, 2007 -> 09:04 PM) You saying it doesnt mean s*** is the same as saying 1 person doesnt have a greater impact on a big issue. Beckham starts the trend, Zidane follows, then it just becomes a joke. And if it does continue, well, then leave it to the US to f*** something good up. Drawing fans where? In the US? I've never seen a 20,000 fan crowd at Nou Camp or San Siro or at Old Trafford... Thanks for the ignoring the point that it already happens. Gabriel Batistuta went to I believe Qatar or UAE to finish his career. He was on his way out and got more money there instead of gradually moving back down the ranks of European leagues. I don't get why you are so against the US trying to put something together. They are trying to put a 2nd tier European league together down the road and you are comparing them to first tier leagues now. Stop hating so much.

QUOTE(Rex Hudler @ Feb 17, 2007 -> 10:28 PM) Danman, Hinkle may have a small gym feel, but it seats between 10,000 and 11,000 and was packed to the rafters today. Hinkle is an unbelievable place and as others have said every basketball fan should see a game there. I saw a game many years ago there where Evansville beat Butler 136-128 in two overtimes. It was one of the wildest games I have ever seen. Yeah, I liked it a lot. Looked very cool and the atmosphere was great.

QUOTE(IlliniKrush @ Feb 17, 2007 -> 04:33 PM) This has to be one of the worst weeks in the history of illinois basketball, or at least one of the worst years in the history of illinois basketball. What about when Corey Bradford was a freshman and they were towards the bottom of the conference?

QUOTE(IlliniKrush @ Feb 17, 2007 -> 03:08 PM) Justin is literally first row behind the SIll bench if i'm seeing this correctly, haha That's what he said. I don't know how he pulled that off. This may sound mean, but I mean it as a compliment: the atmosphere is like that of a sectional final or supersectional high school playoff game. Slightly smaller gym, crowd is really into it, student section knows it's the biggest home game of the year, it's good stuff.

QUOTE(SoxFan1 @ Feb 17, 2007 -> 02:23 PM) I don't see Zidane coming out of retirement to come to the MLS. That would out a big asterisk next to his legacy. Like shipps said, his best years are behind him. If he does sign, I would truly feel sorry for him and for the sport in general. If it's going to come down to dishing out all sorts of millions just to get some names, then it takes a lot away from the tradition and history of the sport. Yeah? It wouldn't be the first time and it's not like the sport doesn't have black eyes in more important things (fan riots, Italy just recently). Stop being a soccer elitist. Seriously. I know we've had this argument before, but c'mon it's not going to mean s*** to the rest of the world if he goes to MLS. Guys end their careers in the Middle East and it's the same idea. They play in a lesser league to end their careers with more money. That said I wouldn't want Zidane on the Fire after his run in at the World Cup.

Mizzou upsets Ok State on the road 75-64. Ok State hadn't lost all year at home. Stupid Missouri sports getting my hopes up (more for next year than this year). Tigers now 16-9 with a 5-7 record in conference. With 3 winnable games left they could win them and a game in the Big 12 tourney to get 20 wins on the year, but they probably won't. Ok State is still winless on the road and is under .500 in conference. Depending on how far their RPI falls they could be on the bubble considering their recent struggles.

QUOTE(jackie hayes @ Feb 14, 2007 -> 11:24 PM) When you've gone that far, why bother with an apology? That just makes you a liar on top of everything else. Not really. His apology per SportsCenter said he shouldn't have said it, not that he didn't believe what he said.

A bit late but I feel I should join in the Big Ten/Big East discussion. The Big Ten is 6-3 vs. the Big East this year (games listed below) and is 4th in the RPI as opposed to the Big East's 5th. So, yes, 7 in the Big East as opposed to 3 in the Big Ten is a bit much. Wis W @ Marquette, W vs Pitt OSU W @ Cincy Indiana W @ UConn Purdue W vs DePaul Michigan L vs Georgetown Iowa L vs Villanova Northwestern W vs DePaul Penn St L @ Seton Hall

QUOTE(Jimbo @ Feb 12, 2007 -> 04:56 PM) I believe your wrong, when they lose, they beat themselves(I call it the Self is a mental **** syndrome) I'll give you that, but that fact is independent from whether they are a great defensive team or not.

QUOTE(Jimbo @ Feb 12, 2007 -> 04:53 PM) KU has a great defense....better than your swiss cheese 40 minutes of "hell" Find me a better perimeter defenders than Chalmers and Robinson...ill give them that. I never brought up Mizzou, but even in a blowout loss the press created numerous turnovers. I just wouldn't say Kansas has a great defense.

QUOTE(Jimbo @ Feb 12, 2007 -> 04:48 PM) The best Defense I have seen outside of KU and A&M, they are damn shut down. They have scorers and play well as a team. I am thoroughly impressed by them, and became a huge fan after the WSU game. They are heads up avove any other team in Illinois. KU and defense?

QUOTE(Sonik22 @ Feb 11, 2007 -> 04:54 PM) Yeah i really don't understand this, i think thats just because they are predicting an Evansville MVC tourney win. Read the 2nd article by Katz that he linked. They were given mid-major conf. tourney champs.

QUOTE(Jimbo @ Feb 11, 2007 -> 02:13 AM) Julian Wright is just flat out good That was a charge.

Yeah, that was a great article.

QUOTE(Jimbo @ Feb 8, 2007 -> 03:11 PM) Duke has had better recruting classes than Kansas...There is no way of ever defending Duke. Coach K picked the wrong players and they suck together. The only decent talent is Scheyer. Fine, ignore the obvious fact that of the three young teams brought up Duke is the only one that lost it's best two players from last year. Last year Carolina was 22-7 with losses at home against Miami and at USC and Virginia. Kansas was 24-7 with losses at Missouri and at home against St. Joe's and Kansas State. Duke is 18-6 and has at least only lost to probable tournament teams. My point is they are comparable and you guys are jumping all over them like they are horrible this year.

QUOTE(JuiceCruz16 @ Feb 8, 2007 -> 02:56 PM) Carolina is every bit as young as Duke. That argument does not hold water either. QUOTE(Jimbo @ Feb 8, 2007 -> 03:00 PM) Kansas is just as young too...Paulus is crap and McRoberts is overrated. Suffer Rat Face Kansas and Carolina have slightly more talent than Duke. They were getting the top guys at their positions as opposed to Duke getting top 10. Not to mention Kansas of a year ago was basically what Duke is this year in terms of results anyway. Duke lost their best two players while Carolina and Kansas returned their best players as well as gaining talented freshmen. It's a totally different situation. I can't believe I'm defending Duke...

QUOTE(IlliniKrush @ Feb 8, 2007 -> 02:08 PM) This makes zero sense. I believe he was referring to how people from Illinois accused Indiana of foul play.

QUOTE(Palehosefan @ Feb 8, 2007 -> 02:03 PM) Coach K is such a miracle worker, he has Duke at 18-6 with so little talent... To be fair the argument isn't talent, it's experience.

I agree with most of what was said. Rolfe isn't big enough or good enough to play for the MNT, plain and simple. The game was pretty boring though, I was disappointed. At least the US won.

QUOTE(SoxFan101 @ Feb 8, 2007 -> 12:22 AM) Well thats me assuming, I dont know the exact number and I havent seen Sweeney besides in spring training and his short stint last season. Im assuming your mostly the same, so its hard to make judgement. But I do know all scouts think that power will come and im going to stick to that. Yeah, that's fair. If I'm remembering right, the HR projection has followed the pattern I posted. 25 HR is still possible, but doubted by many, and a best case scenario. The only reason I brought up Sweeney's walk rate is that if he is going to be a .280-.290 hitter with minimal to below average power he is going to need to bring his on base up via the walk.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Feb 7, 2007 -> 10:40 PM) And dan, you should be happy Sheyer had a career day (26 points) but Duke ended up losing so it was like the best of both worlds (kind of like hot ice). Yeah, I found myself rooting for Carolina but hoping Scheyer would make every shot. I can't do that from now on, I'm gonna have to pick a side. I'll probably end up sticking with Carolina because every time Duke has lost this year I've been slightly pleased despite the fact that I've been rooting for them during the game.

QUOTE(SoxFan101 @ Feb 7, 2007 -> 09:12 PM) Im going to go with what scouts say and pencil Sweeney into the 15-25 HR mark consistently if he reaches his potential. This season will definitely be interesting with him, first time ever repeating. It's funny that that number has fallen from a 30 HR guy to a 25 HR guy to 15-25 HR.

QUOTE(WHarris1 @ Feb 7, 2007 -> 09:15 PM) Some of those 3 point shots were just horrendous...nothing but air. They are the worst team under Carmody's tenure. It didn't help that Vince Scott decided to not show up at all.