bjm676 Posted March 31, 2005 Share Posted March 31, 2005 (edited) This could have gone in many forums, but it involves the Sox. White Sox hopeful for Illini Opening Day in Chicago coincides with NCAA final TUCSON, Ariz. -- The White Sox have waited since 1990 to open a regular season at home, the longest streak in baseball since the Montreal Expos opened 19 straight seasons away from Olympic Stadium from 1969 to 1987. But when that special moment comes Monday at U.S. Cellular Field, the White Sox might have to share the spotlight with another rather impressive team from downstate Champaign. If the University of Illinois men's basketball team can survive a battle with the talent-laden Louisville Cardinals during Saturday's NCAA Tournament national semifinal, then the Fighting Illini will be playing for a championship Monday night in St. Louis. The game starts a shade after 8 p.m. in Chicago, so unless the White Sox's contest against the Indians lasts 19 or 20 innings, it should be complete in plenty of time. That looks to be especially true with fast-working Mark Buehrle on the mound for the White Sox. But as the White Sox game nears an end, there might be a few empty seats among the sold-out crowd as fans take off to secure a seat at their local watering hole. Chicago usually is a town divided, where baseball is concerned, with the White Sox and Cubs battling for city bragging rights. Sharing space with a 37-1 college basketball team doesn't seem to affect the South Siders. "It hasn't even crossed my mind. It's no big deal," said White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko, referring to both events possibly being on the same day, not Illinois' title run. "There's no question there will be some people that will have long days, probably going right from our game to some sports bar to watch the championship." "White Sox people are rooting for them," added White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen of Bruce Weber's crew. "We wish them the best. Hopefully, they keep it up, stretching to the end." The excitement of the Elite Eight contests easily found its way to Tucson two weekends ago. Illinois battled the University of Arizona, located just minutes away from the White Sox spring home at Tucson Electric Park, in what turned out to be one of the greatest tournament finishes during its storied history. Trailing by 15 with just over four minutes to play, Illinois refused to lose and forced a tie on Deron Williams' three-point field goal off of a late Wildcats turnover. The Fighting Illini held a one-point lead during the final 11 seconds of overtime and moved on to St. Louis when Arizona's last-second shot clanked off the backboard and dropped harmlessly to the floor. Many of the White Sox players pointed at that particular comeback as an illustration of Illinois being the team of destiny in 2005. But they were cautiously optimistic when asked to pick a winner, especially with a supremely talented squad such as North Carolina on the other side of the bracket. "I think they are the best team, but the best team doesn't always win," said Konerko, of Illinois and the weekend ahead. "I think it will be them and North Carolina, and Illinois will win it all. This is their year. It seems like there is that one team to beat every year, and wire-to-wire, they have been the best team." "Those Tar Heels are rough," added White Sox infielder Willie Harris of the Final Four. "It will come down to those two teams, but hopefully Illinois will pull it out. I'm pulling for those guys." The Final Four doesn't solely have meaning for all the White Sox players simply because of Illinois' involvement. Reliever Cliff Politte and his family live in St. Louis, and the right-hander believes the city and the Edward Jones Dome are perfect locales for the basketball festivities. "Especially since St. Louis doesn't have basketball," Politte said. "We have Mizzou, which is two hours one way, and Illinois the other way. It's a change for St. Louis. We have football, hockey and baseball. It's nice to have the change, and I'm sure it's going to be a good draw for us. "It will be good for the city, and should bring revenue to St. Louis," Politte added. Politte picked Illinois to win the title, with the deciding factor being all of their tournament games sitting so close to Champaign and Chicago. The Fighting Illini fans filled the All State Arena last Thursday and Saturday for games against Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Arizona. Many of those same fans will be arriving early Monday afternoon at U.S. Cellular Field, ready to celebrate the official onset of spring and take a glimpse at the new-look White Sox. Plenty of good seats still are available for Wednesday and Thursday afternoon home games against Cleveland, just in case the Illini's pursuit of glory and Monday's full house dissuades a few faithful. "We should feel proud of those kids," Guillen said. "We've gone a long time without a winning team in our city. It's exciting to see them coming from Illinois." "I think it's important for U of I to win," continued Harris with a wry smile. "I'm a big fan of Dee Brown, and hopefully we can win, they can win and the whole city will be happy." "Regardless of what goes on (with Illinois), Monday will be exciting," White Sox center fielder Aaron Rowand added. "Any time we play at home, in front of a packed house, not to mention it's supposed to be in the 50s, that will be beautiful." Edited March 31, 2005 by robinventura23 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IlliniKrush Posted April 1, 2005 Share Posted April 1, 2005 I have tickets to the final four and tickets to opening day... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greasywheels121 Posted April 1, 2005 Share Posted April 1, 2005 I have 5 classes, and an interview.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KWs OK for Me Posted April 1, 2005 Share Posted April 1, 2005 Lets go Louisville! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soxman352000 Posted April 1, 2005 Share Posted April 1, 2005 (edited) QUOTE(KWs OK for Me @ Apr 1, 2005 -> 12:21 AM) Lets go Louisville! No way Illinois is going to kick Cardinal ass Edited April 1, 2005 by soxman352000 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IlliniKrush Posted April 1, 2005 Share Posted April 1, 2005 QUOTE(greasywheels121 @ Mar 31, 2005 -> 06:14 PM) I have 5 classes, and an interview.... Wanna trade? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnB Posted April 1, 2005 Share Posted April 1, 2005 QUOTE(IlliniKrush @ Mar 31, 2005 -> 06:12 PM) I have tickets to the final four and tickets to opening day... you just like saying that don't you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhiteSox311 Posted April 1, 2005 Share Posted April 1, 2005 if a cat was on a tree in the game would u shoot a footsket Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qwerty Posted April 1, 2005 Share Posted April 1, 2005 QUOTE(WhiteSox311 @ Mar 31, 2005 -> 09:48 PM) if a cat was on a tree in the game would u shoot a footsket Hi8is>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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