Boogua

I still can't believe the Illini got Lovie. Just insane.

Home run hire. I haven't been this excited for Illini football in a while.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Mar 5, 2016 -> 04:16 PM) The good news is that Illinois's university budget is in solid shape these days. Hooray for boosters.

Whitman confirms that Groce will be back next year. He better get a commitment from Tilmon.

QUOTE (Buehrle>Wood @ Feb 27, 2016 -> 06:32 PM) Who are you referring too? "Don't see it happening until after the season - assuming Groce is given that vote of confidence." That's the last post from derek piper. What are you reading then? I'm referring to Sturdy on rivals. He flat out said that if Groce stays the class would include Williams, Tilmon, and Goodwin to go along with Pickett. Then when people started freaking out about Groce probably being fired because we're going to lose the recruits he said that we would still have a shot with them. He said Tilmon and Goodwin like Illinois and coach walker. Williams like Illinois.

QUOTE (Buehrle>Wood @ Feb 27, 2016 -> 06:20 PM) As leaked by Groce himself. Seriously though what I'm getting out of the premie board is that they're all worried about Groce's job status, in particular Williams. Nothing can make that better at this point. The guy who said that those players would likely be Illini also said that Williams commitment has little to do with the coaching staff, so I'm not sure that's right.

QUOTE (bigruss22 @ Feb 27, 2016 -> 05:06 PM) Really really want Goodwin, plus he's good friends with Tilmon. On the insider board it sounds like Williams, Tilmon, and Goodwin will all likely be Illini if Groce stays. Doubt that happens at this point, but hopefully the new coach makes quick progress like Groce was his first year. Sounds like the school itself is more important than the coaching staff for Williams, which could be good.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Feb 26, 2016 -> 09:29 AM) Ha. I can't see him leaving what he has at Valpo for Illinois. Dude has it made there. He is a literal hometown here. He led their high school to a state title when he was at Valpo High in 1994. The family loves it there. If he is going to leave, it is going to be for a program that doesn't need to be rebuilt from the bottom floor. He would potentially inherit a soph class that has 4 4 stars (two being top 50 guys) and a 5th in Finke. Not to mention two seniors that average over 15 PPG. The program still needs help, but bottom floor is hyperbole. What Groce took over was bottom floor.

QUOTE (gatnom @ Feb 25, 2016 -> 10:16 PM) Wasn't really saying it in an effort to keep Groce. He'd be our best player next year if he sticks around IMO. Hill is extremely under appreciated. He is just asked to do too much. He can't create on his own against very good athletes, but on a normal team he would usually have a PG to get him the ball in better spots in matchups like that. Or if he played for a coach that ran some sort of offense.

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Feb 25, 2016 -> 10:00 PM) Agreed. Entire staff needs to go. I would definitely keep Walker if possible. Doubtful, obviously.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Feb 25, 2016 -> 09:32 PM) Wtf happened in the second half to Illinois? John Groce

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Feb 22, 2016 -> 10:41 AM) The Lakers have a few really nice talents. I think the real reason they only have 11 wins is because this year is all about Kobe chucking them up. Russell, Randle and Clarkson isn't a bad start. They should be trying to lose as many games as possible. Their pick is going to Philly if it isn't top 3, so they better try to stay below Phoenix.

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Feb 18, 2016 -> 04:57 PM) Do you realize how atrocious Stephenson has been the last year and a half? And the pick, from what I'm reading, is lottery protected in 2019. In other words, they gave up absolutely nothing and got a nice upgrade at their weakest position. Jordan Griffin Green Redick Paul That might be the best starting 5 in the game. This is absolutely not hyperbole. I'm pretty sure the Clippers starting 5 had the best point differential in all of basketball last year and they improved that. Their issue was depth. The trade also gives them an interesting lineup of Griffin-Pierce - Green-Redick-Paul lineup against the lineup of death late in games if they want.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Feb 18, 2016 -> 04:21 PM) Clippers gave up a 1st round pick in there trade with OKC for Jeff Green (where they dumped Lance). Doc continues to get pants in trades. I think that pick is for 2019 and it fills the Clippers biggest need. The Clippers are going for it all, and they should be, with an aging Paul. Really difficult to dislike that trade from either side.

QUOTE (Rowand44 @ Feb 13, 2016 -> 09:46 PM) Lavine was awesome, Gordon had 2 of the best dunks I've ever seen though. Good god. Gordon should have definitely won. That was the best dunk contest of my lifetime and probably ever though. Jesus.

QUOTE (bigruss22 @ Feb 9, 2016 -> 09:56 AM) Is Tiley really being considered still? I mean I would love that but rumors kept saying that had ended. Yeah, it sounds like they were waiting on a firm no from George before going all out on Tiley.

QUOTE (bigruss22 @ Feb 7, 2016 -> 12:45 PM) Tiley is out of the running per Shannon Ryan, we're going to be stuck with Tom Michael aren't we? If we do I seriously may take a prolonged break from all Illini athletics, it would be just about the worst we could do. I'll hold out hope for now, but the letter from Dee Brown sure seems like the AD hire might be underwhelming. Rumors still out that Khan is pushing for George though.

Solid first quarter for Steph. Just insane.

QUOTE (whitesoxfan99 @ Jan 25, 2016 -> 11:14 PM) So I think people are going to take too much away from this one game but the one thing that is clear is that the Warriors will have more room for error when these teams play in the playoffs. The Warriors are capable of beating the Spurs when they aren't playing their best but the reverse is definitely not true. Yeah, obviously the Spurs didn't want to get blown out or anything, but I doubt they wanted to give up too much scheme wise and stuff. The game also tends to slow down in the playoffs. The Warriors could win all four regular seasons games by 40 and I would still expect the playoff series to go 6 per 7 barring injuries.

QUOTE (Brian @ Jan 24, 2016 -> 03:10 PM) I hope he's just trolling fans. Sit him vs the Lakers or something. To be fair, I wouldn't want to show Golden States my fully healthy team either. They have so many pieces to adapt to things. Think of how they had to adapt to Memphis (finally putting Bogut on Allen) and the Cavs (finally going completely small), both of those teams were able to steal 2 games from them. No reason for them to give the Warriors an idea of what they're going to do.

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Jan 23, 2016 -> 01:37 PM) ? Draft day trade. Dude is reaching so much.

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Jan 23, 2016 -> 12:07 AM) God I can't wait until Monday. I don't think I've ever been as hype for a regular season game as I will be for this one. I think most people, including me, feel this way. I can definitely see Pops benching people for it though, which would kind of be hilarious.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Jan 22, 2016 -> 03:46 PM) I don't think so. Thibs isn't going to interview just anywhere. I'm pretty convinced he'll be the next Lakers coach. He's going to have a ton of opportunities. I don't think the Lakers are his best choice though. I would really like to see him in Minnesota. It also depends on if he wants to be in charge of personnel like Stan Van Gundy. The guy is that good of a coach that he could hold out for an offer like that.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jan 20, 2016 -> 03:29 PM) OK at drafting? You can't seriously look at this team, and call them OK. They have drafted and developed MULTIPLE All-stars in the sport that is the single hardest sport to get an all-star in. Even past Rose, you are neglecting Deng, Noah, and Butler. The Bulls aren't horrible at trades, they just don't make many trades. They are scared. Those are two different things. The Bulls suck at getting Grade A free agents, but have done amazing things at plucking players who are either no names, or fallen out of favor for some reason, and turning them into useful parts. The front office definitely doesn't give a s*** about public appearance, and I do get the feeling that they think coaching is not important. Yeah, considering draft position guys like Gibson, Asik, and (while still in the air) Mirotic were very, very good picks.

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Jan 20, 2016 -> 02:42 PM) They're contenders in the way the 1990's new york knicks were contenders (even they made the finals once). In other words, they were never really contenders. Even in the 62-win season in '11, they finished outside the top ten in just about every major offensive statistic, traditional or advanced, that you can think of. I have a lot of beef with the Bulls. My main beef, though, is their inability or stubbornness or whatever to adjust and adapt to the modern game. It's all about pace, spacing, versatility aka multi-dimensional players and what has become the most lethal shot in basketball - the 3-pointer. Look at the teams that have taken LeBron out three of the last five years. They specialized in spacing, precise passing/ball movement, and lethal three point shooting. The Bulls still operate like it's 1999. Pathetic. The next season after the 62 win season they finished 5th in the NBA in O-Rating. Also, the Spurs might have one of the best teams in history so far and they're 23rd in pace and 26th in 3PA. There's always a best way to win until it's not.