LATEST STORIES FROM ILLINITALK
Happy Birthday, Lou!
What more could any great coach ask for on his 80th birthday? Former Illini coach Lou Henson got to see many former players, his name and picture raised to the top of Assembly Hall, a birthday serenade from Illini nation, and the upset of a top 5 team on his birthday. Sounds like a great day!The upset win came despite Ohio State having more rebounds and significantly fewer turnovers...
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January 11, 2012
Discuss
A Giving Spirit
Happy New Year! Christmas has passed, but the spirit of giving has remained strong within the Illini men's basketball team. Big Ten Conference play has begun, and there has been one consistent theme for these boys. They love to give it away...the ball, a lead, their composure, etc.And while this spirit is completely appropriate in many facets of life, it isn't necessary on...
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January 04, 2012
Lost in Transition
The 2011 Braggin' Rights game was frantic. The quick pace contributed to a bit of sloppy play for the Illini, with lots of turnovers. But a key reason they were down much of the game was the poor transition defense. They often got lost, leading to an abundance of easy shots for Mizzou.First-year Missouri coach Frank Haith did something new for a man in his position in the Braggin...
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December 23, 2011
Another Tight One
Is this getting to be a habit? The Illini basketball team struggled against Cornell Monday night, trailing much of the game. They managed to pull out a 64-60 win, but it was tough.The Illini held the advantage inside with Meyers Leonard, who pulled down 16 rebounds. And they had the athletic advantage in the backcourt. But it was actually a pretty mid-range game that was the difference...
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December 19, 2011
Championship Dreams Blocked
It's probably more fun to win the last game of the season than it is to lose, and there's not much comfort in the fact that you played the last game of the season. But what a season, girls!The Illini volleyball team fell to the UCLA Bruins 3-1 in the NCAA National Championship Saturday night. The girls fought hard, but nerves must have been an issue, as they made some uncharacteristic...
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December 18, 2011
Out-Run by the Rebels
Fresh off of finals week, Bruce Weber's Illini looked...sluggish, slow, sloppy. The annual United Center game has gotten to be a not-so-fun visit to Chicago for the Illini. I don't think the UC can be considered the home-away-from-home anymore. Although many of the boys were close to home, they didn't have much to show off to family and friends in the 64-48 loss.The UNLV...
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December 17, 2011
On the Doorstep
The Illini volleyball program has been on trajectory to land in a national championship game for the past few years. And with a win over USC in five sets Thursday night to make it to Saturday's national title game, Coach Kevin Hambly has his team on the doorstep of their first NCAA title.The semifinal match was tough. USC held on to win the first set 27-25, but with strong blocking...
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December 16, 2011
Welcome, Tim Beckman
Dear Coach Beckman,Welcome to the University of Illinois! We look forward to what you will bring to Illini football. I'm sure you've done your research, and you have a pretty good idea of what you are getting into, but here are a few notes to keep in mind as you move to Champaign-Urbana and get to know your new university and conference.You are moving to a college town in...
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December 14, 2011
Progress Report
With finals in full swing on campus, the Illini looked a bit shaky against Coppin State Sunday evening. The final score didn't reflect how the Eagles fought back from a 17-point deficit to pull within 2 points of the Illini about halfway through the second half.Although the Illini won comfortably, their "review" games before finals weren't that impressive. Both...
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December 12, 2011
Final Four
Coach Kevin Hambly and his Fighting Illini volleyball team are headed to San Antonio next weekend for the national volleyball championship semi-finals. After beating both Ohio State and Florida in hard-fought matches in Gainsville this weekend, the Illini have reached the the Final Four!Led by seniors Colleen Ward and Michelle Bartsch, and with strong support from rising freshman...
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December 11, 2011
Marking the Beginning of the Thomas Era
Friday afternoon, new Illinois AD Mike Thomas introduced his first major hire, and gave Illini Nation a glimpse of the direction he plans to take our athletics. In my opinion, the selection of Tim Beckman is the first test for Thomas.Coach Tim Beckman claims to have 46 years of coaching experience, as his dad was a football coach. He has a strong list of mentors, including the new...
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December 10, 2011
Fight Hunger!
Hunger is a very real problem across the country and around the world. As with any widespread problem, anyone can fight against it. Including a .500 college football team on a 6-game losing streak and a vacancy at head coach.The Illini will have a couple weeks of (much needed) practice and recovery with defensive coordinator and acting head coach Vic Koenning (and incoming head coach...
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December 09, 2011
Running on BP
Last week, Bruce Weber's basketball team looked like a Big Ten surprise. They came back in a tough road game at Maryland to help the Big Ten win the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. And then they played really, really tough against #19 Gonzaga in Champaign, as if to let the country know they could play.This week, now ranked #22, Weber warned of the potential for a trap game against St...
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December 08, 2011
Catching Up
There's been no end to recent activity in Illini sports. And we've been paying attention, even if we've neglected to write. Here are a few highlights and lowlights...The men's basketball team started their non-conference season looking a bit raw and uncertain. But now, at 8-0, they've gained confidence. The win on the road against Maryland in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge...
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December 03, 2011
Love, Loss and What I Wore
It's a book I haven't read and a delightful play I just saw.It also summarizes my thoughts on Illini sports during the month of October.Love: I love my team. I often claim to bleed orange and blue. I watch. I cheer. I agonize. I rejoice. I support. I am committed to the Illini.Loss: It started with the first play of the Indiana game - a kickoff returned for a Hoosier TD....
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October 26, 2011
Unbeaten
That sounds really, really good. Especially to the #1 Illini volleyball team. They've played a couple top-15 Big Ten teams in the last couple weeks on their way to that #1 ranking and 15-0 record. Michelle Bartsch and Colleen Ward are leading the Illini in kills, while Anna Dorn and Erin Johnson are leading the team in blocks. Overall, this team is on a roll. Keep your eyes on...
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October 01, 2011
Fall is More than Football
Really. It is. Fall is also volleyball. That's another favorite fall sport.The #3 Illini have gotten off to a perfect start in the non-conference season, and they are currently at the top of a loaded Big Ten. The Illini will open conference play Friday night at #9 Minnesota.And the entire conference season will be tough. Currently, the Big Ten boasts 4 of the top 10 teams (#5...
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September 21, 2011
What to Work on
The Illini football team has a week to focus on improving some weaknesses before the Big Ten season starts (thought Western Michigan is not a team to take for granted). As mentioned earlier, here are a few areas at the top of the "weakness" list.Special teams - receiving. Yikes. This is perhaps the most uncertain part of the game so far. And it must be shored up if the...
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September 20, 2011
A Few of My Favorite (Football) Things
Coach Ron Zook's Fighting Illini looked really good as they devoured the first two cupcakes of the season. The win over #18 Arizona State was much sloppier, but it was still a big win.Though my schedule has limited my time to write, I've still managed to watch the Illini so far this season. They have plenty of room for improvement, but there has been a lot to like.Here are...
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September 18, 2011
And the Season Begins!
After a cool start, it's been a hot summer. That flew by. And now, it's time for football!
But though time flies, it's been a rough off-season in the Big Ten. Jerry Kill starts his tenure against USC. Luke Fickell is in charge in Columbus. Brady Hoke will debut in Ann Arbor. And there are plenty of players not on the field or sidelines.
As for the Illini, they have...
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September 03, 2011
A Brand New Day...Welcome, Nebraska!
It's official. The University of Nebraska is now a member of the Big Ten. Congrats and welcome, Cornhuskers! I believe the Big Red will fit in nicely here.My job has put me in contact with quite a few Nebraska natives in the past year and a half. And they universally have expressed excitement to be part of the Big Ten conference. Much of this excitement is due to their confidence...
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July 01, 2011
Very Good News
This is very good news. There may be hope yet that this shakes out with a good hire.
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June 02, 2011
Good Supinie Article
Props to John Supinie, who unpacks the drama behind the scenes in the search for the new athletic director at Illinois. I hadn't seen this story when I posted earlier today but it's a good one. Here is the key paragraph:Instead, Guenther seems intent on steering the university toward a new A.D. with “institutional history,’’ possibly with input from two lame ducks...
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May 24, 2011
AD Search: Hire Your Own Boss?
According to this article in the Chicago Tribune today, the search committee to find Ron Guenther's replacement will consist of 10 members. Half the members already work in the athletic department. Perhaps I'm the only one who feels this way but it seems a little odd that members of the athletic department get to choose their boss. Every reporter who covers Illinois sports...
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May 24, 2011
Time Flies...
Whether you are having fun or not. And time has flown for the Illini basketball team. Bruce Weber and his boys have had lots of fun -- the first 3 games of the conference season when they couldn't miss. And they've not had fun, when playing on the road at Penn State and Wisconsin. A roller coaster indeed...Against #1 Ohio State, the Illini played well overall. Yes, that...
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January 23, 2011
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