BEYOND THE ARC: FIGHTING ILLINI FIESTA

by Noce, Chicago Bull

Poised for a potential BCS bowl game after going 9-3 this season including an upset of then #1 Ohio State in Columbus, Ohio, Illinois alumni and college football fans alike must be asking the same collective question: Is there anything Ron Zook can't do?

Recruiting: Zook.
Coaching: Zook.
Limitless Bicep curls: Zook.
2007 Big Ten Coach of the Year: Zook.

The Zooker was in Park Ridge, Illinois Monday night where he received the Dave McClain Big Ten Coach of the year award by members of the media. The man who came in and was forced to clean up Ron Turner's awful mess has sure brought some excitement back to Illinois football, and he may be facing his former Gators team in an upcoming bowl. There's nothing like being thrown into a bowl game in Florida against the team that hung you out to dry, who then went on to win a National Championship with the kids you recruited. Not to mention the kid that I'm pretty sure you illegitimately fathered (pictured below and to the right).

Zook also was able to celebrate that a number of his players were named to the All-Big Ten team Monday night. Running back Rashard Mendenhall was named to the 1st Team All Big Ten as well as the Big Ten Offensive player of the year. Other notable players to be named to the All Big Ten Team are OL Martin O'Donnell, MLB J Leman, CB Vontae Davis, OL Ryan McDonald and DE Will Davis. Standout WR Rejus Benn was named Big Ten Freshman of the year to round out the Illini accolades. There is a slight chance that the Illini could wind up in a BCS bowl, but barring that shock I'm sure Zook would love to go back down to Florida and skin the Gators in their home state.

Speaking of Illini athletics, the Fighting Illini men's basketball team is facing the 10th-ranked Duke Blue Devils tonight in the EA Sports Maui Invitational. The Illini and the Blue Devils each are coming off 20-point victories with strong performances from first-year players Rodney Alexander and Kyle Singler, respectively. If the Illini hope to advance past the anti-Christ himself, Mike Krzyzewski, and his team of white devils, they are going to have to rely on Shawn Pruitt attacking the inside and exploiting Brian Zoubek all night.

Personally, I hope the Illini advance past Duke because I'd love to see Jon Scheyer see what he passed up on by committing to Duke, and because with a win, Coach K would tie former Illini head coach Lou Henson for 8th all-time in wins at 778. I'm sure Bruce will be psyched to face Duke, not even Erin Andrews on the sidelines will be able to distract him from screaming "MOVE" in his high-pitched voice all night. I'm predicting a final score of 80-77 Illini in what is probably going to be a 40 minute 3-point contest.