October 31, 201312 yr @FunnelFiasco @HammerAndRails #TomCreanIsLateBecause the Dan Ryan Expressway plays a 2-3 zone. I have to fill out a job application for Syracuse today and now I'm suddenly motivated to find a way to reference a 2-3 zone in the application.
October 31, 201312 yr Ha. Painter already complaining about the officiating and rule changes. Something along the lines of "a lot of good players will be taken out of games."
October 31, 201312 yr Had an opportunity to do a 1-on-1 with Groce today at Big Ten Media Day. Guy just oozes passion and it really looks like players enjoy playing for him. Bertrand, Egwu and Abrams were all there as well. He said the biggest surprise from year one as head coach was simply how much more time he had to commit to the program. From media requests to overall attention to the program, it was a huge step up from Ohio. Second biggest surprise was the strength of the conference and how even in conference play, you might have 4 or 5 straight games against top 25 teams. Obviously he was very high of the Big Ten conference, lauding the depth from top to bottom and mentioning how even teams in the bottom half are so talented and have really good players, and a lot of teams have a lot of good players returning. He's excited to add Rutgers and Maryland to the conference next season. He hates when people ask about him bringing in "his guys" and how he apparently inherited another coach's team but he was very adamant in saying that last year's team was "his guys" and how much he loved them and thanked them for the hard work. As for this season, he's really expecting a lot out of Abrams and Egwu, specifically in leadership roles, but more so to be more consistent and share the experience with the young guys. When asked about the loss to Miami, he said it motivates him and the returning players. "Guys tasted some Filet Mignon and got a couple bites, now you want more of that." He understands that it is expected of Illinois to compete and make the tournament every year. In regards to recruiting, he basically insinuated that Illinois sells itself. Specifically mentioned the Forbes ranking as one of the top schools, as well as the sell-out crowds, the arena and the renovations, the facilities/upgrades, the Big Ten conference and most importantly, the people he has around him. Absolute pleasure to talk to.
October 31, 201312 yr I saw his comment about his son asking about his friendship with Matta. Awesome.
October 31, 201312 yr QUOTE (SoxFan1 @ Oct 31, 2013 -> 02:07 PM) Had an opportunity to do a 1-on-1 with Groce today at Big Ten Media Day. Guy just oozes passion and it really looks like players enjoy playing for him. Bertrand, Egwu and Abrams were all there as well. He said the biggest surprise from year one as head coach was simply how much more time he had to commit to the program. From media requests to overall attention to the program, it was a huge step up from Ohio. Second biggest surprise was the strength of the conference and how even in conference play, you might have 4 or 5 straight games against top 25 teams. Obviously he was very high of the Big Ten conference, lauding the depth from top to bottom and mentioning how even teams in the bottom half are so talented and have really good players, and a lot of teams have a lot of good players returning. He's excited to add Rutgers and Maryland to the conference next season. He hates when people ask about him bringing in "his guys" and how he apparently inherited another coach's team but he was very adamant in saying that last year's team was "his guys" and how much he loved them and thanked them for the hard work. As for this season, he's really expecting a lot out of Abrams and Egwu, specifically in leadership roles, but more so to be more consistent and share the experience with the young guys. When asked about the loss to Miami, he said it motivates him and the returning players. "Guys tasted some Filet Mignon and got a couple bites, now you want more of that." He understands that it is expected of Illinois to compete and make the tournament every year. In regards to recruiting, he basically insinuated that Illinois sells itself. Specifically mentioned the Forbes ranking as one of the top schools, as well as the sell-out crows, the arena and the renovations, the facilities/upgrafdes, the Big Ten conference and most importantly, the people he has around him. Absolutely pleasure to talk to. You didn't turn off the recorder and ask about Cliff?!
October 31, 201312 yr QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Oct 31, 2013 -> 02:36 PM) You didn't turn off the recorder and ask about Cliff?! Ha, I wish. Wasn't a chance in hell he'd even hint at something.
October 31, 201312 yr QUOTE (SoxFan1 @ Oct 31, 2013 -> 02:38 PM) Ha, I wish. Wasn't a chance in hell he'd even hint at something. He is just as anxious about it as you fans are. Coaches dont know much until the kid calls them right before they announce.
November 1, 201312 yr I hope ESPN and others keep moving OSU down. Love to see them hyping teams we most likely match up against nicely.
November 2, 201312 yr QUOTE (RockRaines @ Nov 1, 2013 -> 12:15 PM) I hope ESPN and others keep moving OSU down. Love to see them hyping teams we most likely match up against nicely. I just generally prefer to be the underdog.
November 5, 201312 yr Author ESPN tipoff marathon in one week. I know its exhibition but Walton looks legit. LaVert looks good as well for Michigan. Edited November 5, 201312 yr by Brian
November 6, 201312 yr Stop me if you've heard this before, but Iowa State just landed a transfer. F Jameel McKay from Marquette.
November 6, 201312 yr Author QUOTE (Heads22 @ Nov 5, 2013 -> 08:06 PM) Stop me if you've heard this before, but Iowa State just landed a transfer. F Jameel McKay from Marquette. Get ready for a lot of Nader shooting
November 6, 201312 yr QUOTE (Brian @ Nov 5, 2013 -> 08:21 PM) Get ready for a lot of Nader shooting Okay.
November 7, 201312 yr QUOTE (HickoryHuskers @ Nov 7, 2013 -> 07:04 AM) Kevin Ware played 10 minutes last night. Scored 6 points. Good for him. It turns out the sight of the injury was much worse than the actual damage. At the time people were saying he was better off than had he torn his ACL or something similar, he would still be out.
November 7, 201312 yr Good for him. It turns out the sight of the injury was much worse than the actual damage. At the time people were saying he was better off than had he torn his ACL or something similar, he would still be out. Yeah, broken bones look a lot worse, but heal much, much faster than tendon/muscle tears.
November 8, 201312 yr Author Wish BTN app was on Apple TV so I could see the ceremony before the Michigan game. Watch ESPN app is though, so I can check Illinois out tonight.
November 8, 201312 yr Go Canes Should be an interesting season. I have zero idea on what to expect. NIT bid would be nice. Just lost a freshman earlier this week that sounded like he was going to be a major scoring option.
November 8, 201312 yr QUOTE (Brian @ Nov 8, 2013 -> 04:24 PM) Wish BTN app was on Apple TV so I could see the ceremony before the Michigan game. Watch ESPN app is though, so I can check Illinois out tonight. The Illini game is on Watch ESPN? Thanks!
November 8, 201312 yr Author QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Nov 8, 2013 -> 05:16 PM) The Illini game is on Watch ESPN? Thanks! Bill is in the mail.
November 8, 201312 yr Author QUOTE (fathom @ Nov 8, 2013 -> 05:17 PM) Gus and Raftery doing games together all year....yes please! Catch phrases overload!
November 9, 201312 yr QUOTE (fathom @ Nov 8, 2013 -> 11:17 PM) Gus and Raftery doing games together all year....yes please! This is going to be awesome.
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