whitesoxfan99

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Mar 15, 2008 -> 03:02 AM) I kind of want to see Illinois win the next two games just to see what the hell their seed would be for the big dance. I would imagine it would be somewhere between 11 and 14. Who knows but I can tell you that while we are not a good team I would not be happy if I was a 3 seed who had to play us.

QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ Mar 14, 2008 -> 11:17 PM) Karma's a b**** ain't it Indiana? You lose a share of the Big 10 title on a banked three, and your knocked out of the Big 10 tournament on a miracle 75 foot pass/shot. It's just good to see that cheating still doesn't pay off, although with that said I wouldn't be surprised at all if Minnesota beats Illinois tomorrow. As for IU, they'll be done on the first weekend. Would not surprise me if Minnesota won but we seem to match up well with them. But no matter what happens there are going to be a lot of teams paying real close attention to the Big 10 title game on Sunday because Minny or Illinois are going to have a shot to take a bid from someone.

QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ Mar 13, 2008 -> 04:17 PM) The only league that doesn't determine their automatic bid based on who wins their league tournament is the Ivy League, because they are the only one that doesn't have a tournament. I thought everybody knew that though. Apparently not

QUOTE(ChWRoCk2 @ Mar 13, 2008 -> 04:16 PM) That didnt really answer my question. Your right so if Northwestern the epitome of bad wins the Big Ten its justified they deserve a bid. I'm really gonna pull for NW to win their game today and win out just to show how much of a joke it would be. Absolutely they would deserve a bid. Just like Colorado would if they pulled off a miracle in the Big 12, Oregon State had they pulled off a miracle in the Pac 10 tournament. How would it be a joke? If NW is able to win the Big 10 tournament and likely beat IU, PU, and Wisconsin in order they absolutely would have earned a bid. Would they be one of the best 65 teams in country? Of course not but the NCAA isn't the top 65 teams in the tournament and the best part of march madness is that everyone gets a chance to do something special. What the hell would be the point to all these tournaments if the winner didn't get awarded with a bid to the NCAA tournament?

QUOTE(ChWRoCk2 @ Mar 13, 2008 -> 04:11 PM) You sure, that seems pretty ridiculous. Then heck Northwestern could win out and get a bid which would be bs. Why is it ridiculous? It is the same for every conference in the country (except for the Ivy league who doesn't have a tourney). If you find a way to win 4 games in 4 days and win your conference tourney you deserve to go to the dance.

QUOTE(ChWRoCk2 @ Mar 13, 2008 -> 04:08 PM) I really hope your kidding. Even if Illinois wins the Big Ten they still couldn't make it to the dance. Pretty sure on that. You couldn't be more wrong. Illinois pulls off their .1% chance of winning the BTT and they get an automatic bid to the tourney.

Arizona St. got screwed. What a f***ing joke that over the back call was. Officiating around college basketball is beyond atrocious.

QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ Mar 13, 2008 -> 03:48 PM) There isn't any talent on this team obviously, but you can't just magically turn it off up double digits like Illinois did today with 4:30 left. Just like they turned it off with 5 minutes left against Washington in 2006 up double digits, just like they turned it off last year against Virginia Tech up double digits with 4 minutes remaining. You've watched all those games, you know the trend. Yeah the talent isn't there, but for you to outplay your oppnent for 35 or 36 mintues by double digits, and then just go four corners and shut it off like Bruce's teams do every year in March, it's just amazingly bad coaching to me. We were up 4 with 4:30 left against Washington in 06. And only up by 2 at the TV timeout after a 4 pt play by Dentmon. Washington slowly cut into that lead. Va Tech was bad and the thing I thought Weber messed up there was that we quit attacking. But that game was in large part due to just stupidity on the players part. Warren Carter turned the ball over down the stretch multiple times with no defender even really pressuring him. The problems in close games the last 2 years is in large part just based on the fact we can't score. When you have so much trouble scoring, and can't shoot FTs you are going to struggle down the stretch when pressure is on and the other teams defensive intensity gets higher. Let me ask this, if this team is so poorly coached than how are they in every single game despite having such a lack of talent? Weber does a terrific job game planning. I don't think he has done a great job with adjustments at times but players have to make plays.

QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ Mar 13, 2008 -> 03:38 PM) If not for that layup, Illinois would have had their season ending loss be a game in which they blew a double digit lead with under 5 minutes left, FOR THE THIRD STRAIGHT SEASON. I'm glad they won, but it just amazes me how poorly coached they are. Hopefully they at least give Purdue a game. Coaching had nothing to do with them almost blowing that game. They missed wide open looks and FTs. There isn't any talent and that is on Weber but the coaching was not an issue.

Holy Crap we actually won a close game. Although we tried to choke the game away with FT shooting and a couple of forced shots (Pruitt) towards the end.

QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ Mar 12, 2008 -> 05:09 PM) The defense first style does not work unless you have a DOMINANT defensive player inside (Ben Wallace, circa 2004 and 2005), or a DOMINANT offensive player inside (Tim Duncan). The only real exception to that rule I've seen lately is the 2007 Cavs, who narrowly won maybe the worst conference in NBA history (the 2007 East, only better than the 2008 East) with a transcent postseason from an all time great player on the wing. It's all fine and good if the Bulls want to play a slow down, defensive style. Problem is, they don't have anything more than average (at best) interior players, both on offense and defense. If the Bulls want to win anytime soon at all, they need to speed the game up, and use their youth and athleticism to get on the run. I'm still not sure if the Bulls have enough consistent scoring to do that, but it's the best option right now IMO, especially since they aren't going to get a top 10 pick, and thus likely won't get any sort of dominant player in the draft. I'd argue the 2008 east is better than 2007. Boston is better than any team in the East last year, Detroit really hasn't had any drop off. Orlando is better. Toronto is basically the same team. The Bulls are worse but they weren't a real contender anyway. Cavs still have Lebron. Miami sucks but they weren't a real contender last year either.

QUOTE(nitetrain8601 @ Mar 12, 2008 -> 09:46 AM) I don't know. Big, big, big time schools are going after him. I don't have the confidence in Weber to close the deal. You mean like DJ Richardson, Jereme Richmond, Crandall Head, Alex Legion, and Tyler Griffey?

Last night's episode was terrific. I can't wait to see how they wrap in the next two episodes. By the way from what I've read it sounds like the final episode of this season was shot with two endings. If CBS decides to pick the show back up it will end with a cliffhanger. If CBS decides not to renew than the series will be wrapped up.

QUOTE(thedoctor @ Mar 11, 2008 -> 03:03 PM) donivine stewart from bartonville limestone committed to illinois today. i'm not hugely surprised he committed, but surprised he committed so soon. the 2011 class is off to a nice start. Sounds like someone jumped the gun on this. Stewart hasn't committed yet.

QUOTE(Steve9347 @ Mar 11, 2008 -> 08:27 AM) Rosen is an idiot. CP3 is the much better player than Deron Williams. It's always easy to write a piece like this right after a player puts up 20 dimes like Deron did, but come on, the supporting cast is much better in Utah than in New Orleans... Paul makes that team. Much better...come on that is just ridiculous. Supporting cast much better in Utah? Arguable at best. Can you honestly say that Kirilenko, Boozer, Brewer and Okur are much better than Peja, David West, Peterson and Tyson Chandler. I just don't see it. I'll give you that Utah's bench is better because of Korver and Milsap.

QUOTE(Brian @ Mar 11, 2008 -> 11:58 AM) So only 6 episodes on ABC in the fall or will the just replay this whole season? My head hurts. Based on the way McGinley phrased that it sounds like they are going to film 18 new episodes that will air on ABC.

QUOTE(Sonik22 @ Mar 11, 2008 -> 02:45 PM) South Alabama will be in, and Gonzaga and St. Mary's are in also. I'm worried about the Valley not getting ISU in because they've been calling us a one bid league all year, but i dont know how you can keep illinois state out. That blowout by Drake in the final could bite them, lets hope it doesn't. Watch out for South Alabama though, these guys are good, same with Western Kentucky, who should be in even if they lose tonight. Courtney Lee is a freak. I think they should be in but it is easy to see how you can keep ISU out. Last year Illinois was one of the last teams in the tourney and they had a higher RPI, no bad losses, and 3 wins that were significantly better than anything ISU has. ISU hasn't beaten a single tourney team this season and has 4 bad losses. The only thing they have going for them is that they performed pretty well in a decent conference and their RPI.

QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ Mar 10, 2008 -> 08:44 PM) Another new entry to the bubble, as South Alabama suffered a shocking loss to Middle Tennessee State tonight in the Sun Belt semifinals. South Alabama entered the night 26-5, and 24th in the RPI with three top 50 wins, more than quite a few fellow bubble teams. Just another team for the Ohio State's and Virginia Tech's of the world to worry about, and in fact, South Alabama has a far better resume than both of those teams, or an Illinois State and St. Mary's. To me, South Alabama's resume should definitely get them in (It's much better than fellow Sun Belt team Western Kentucky, who Lunardi has as one of the first four out), but you never know since the whole "conference affiliation doesn't matter" stuff is BS from the committee. ISU's resume outside of their RPI is pretty bad. They have no good wins and 4 bad losses. Usually not a good combo for a bubble team. However the bubble teams are pretty weak this year so they might still sneak in.

PSU without Cornley and Claxton taking IU into OT.

QUOTE(thedoctor @ Mar 9, 2008 -> 07:49 AM) illinois offers bartonville limestone freshman donivine stewart to my knowledge this is illinois's first offer in the 2011 class although i would not be surprised if delasalle's mike shaw and curie's wayne blackshear also have offers, since both are projected to be likely top-50 kids. stewart seems likely to commit to illinois. he's an interesting player from what i've read, not a great athlete and probably done growing at 5-11, but supposedly tremendously smart and savvy. he has scored 45 this year among a series of high-scoring performances. either way, 2011 is the next class that illinois will have available scholarships for, barring transfer. they could have up to six openings that year. Mike Shaw has an offer. Stewart is not a great athlete but he is quick and that is the most important athletic trait for a PG. However, he is absolutely fantastic with the ball in his hands and the numbers he has put up against good competition are amazing for a freshman.

Diamond Taylor from St. Joes in Chicago commits to Wisconsin. Very solid player and recruit for Wisconsin.

QUOTE(thedoctor @ Mar 6, 2008 -> 10:16 PM) looks like juco power forward dominique keller committed to illinois tonight. hoopmasters had him as the no. 12 juco this year. definitely fills a position of need, although illinois has never really had a great track record with jucos. keller It is a no lose situation though. We have an open scholarship for 2 years so you might as well fill it. If he doesn't pan out, doesn't really matter and if he does pan out it is a huge help. BTW - since Jerrance came aboard the staff is 8-8 on the recruiting trail. Ridiculous turn around.

QUOTE(Rex Hudler @ Mar 5, 2008 -> 08:39 PM) Jason, I think you and I are the only ones that watch. Which is sad, because this season has surpassed all of my expectations so far. I figured they would drag out another few episodes and end it. I am not holding my breath, but I'd love to see another season ordered. Does anyone know where to check to see what kind of ratings it has gotten this year? I'm a huge fan of the show. Unfortunately the ratings have not been very strong so I would say just enjoy the next 3 episodes because that is likely all we are going to get. It actually lost to a rerun of Law and Order this week in its time slot.

QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ Mar 5, 2008 -> 04:19 PM) http://videos.thestate.com/vmix_hosted_app...edia?id=1746223 Did he get the shot off in time? It's so hard to tell, i'm glad i'm not those refs. They said it was not off in time, and I'd probably agree that the shot was not away in time, even with the clock starting 1 or 2 tenths of a second late. But this is in the eye of the beholder. Either way you see it, it comes down to a matter of a tenth of a second IMO. Poor refs. As we all know I am pretty critical of refs, but this is the type of call where I really feel for them. Especially without replay that call is just impossible to make. And without higher quality video it is hard to tell if he got it off or not. I was able to stop it with .1 on the clock and the ball is in his hands but I can't tell if he let it go before the red lights came on. Awful situation for all iinvolved.

Beasley really struggling with his jumpshot tonight.