Death From Above: Illinois
THE ESSENTIALS
WHAT
Illinois at Michigan
WHERE
Crisler ArenaCenter, Ann Arbor, MI
WHEN
1 PM Eastern, Sunday
LINE
M –5 (Kenpom)
TV
CBS
THE THEM
Illinois is the only Big Ten opponent Michigan hasn't faced yet this year. They're a weird team, blessed with two A-level stars but capable of scoring droughts spanning a quarter of the game.
The main...
Via MGoBlog
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1 day ago
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1 day ago
IU v Illinois Quick Recap and Postgame Show
Indiana defeated Illinois tonight in a win that was remarkable for just how unremarkable it was.
I say this not to disrespect Illinois, but rather as a sign of respect: last year, beating a solid Illinois in a close game at home induced a court storm and a crazed Tom Crean hoo-hoo-hoosiering in the Assembly Hall lobby; this year, IU beating a solid, potential-tournament Illinois...
Via The Assembly Call
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3 days ago
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3 days ago
Leonard: We're better than Northwestern
Days after Northwestern’s win in Champaign, and one day before Illinois plays No. 23 Indiana, Fighting Illini center Meyers Leonard was still thinking about their loss to the Wildcats.
Via northwestern.scout.com
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3 days ago
Video: Meyers Leonard, Brandon Paul talk Indiana
Via FightingIllini.com:
Via Inside the Hall
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3 days ago
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3 days ago
What to Expect: Illinois
After a road win over the Boilermakers on Saturday night in Mackey Arena, the Hoosiers return home to Assembly Hall for a Thursday night meeting with Illinois. The Fighting Illini have dropped four of five and are 1-3 on the road in Big Ten play.
The game will be shown on the Big Ten Network (Gus Johnson and Jimmy Jackson) and broadcast on the IU radio network (Sirius 94/XM 192)...
Via Inside the Hall
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4 days ago
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4 days ago
Just how shaky is Illini coach Bruce Weber’s Job Security?
The Assembly Hall crowd in Champaign called for Bruce Weber’s head. Illini fans in B Section screamed “pack your bags” and “I can draw up a better offense.” This has gone on for years, except this time there was one major difference- No one in the orange and blue crowd stuck up for Bruce.
And this happened during one of this year’s signature wins...
Via The Sports Bank
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5 days ago
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5 days ago
Devin Langford Improving While Redshirting
At this point, the Fighting Illini basketball team is bringing in only one new player for next year, point guard Michael Orris. But there may be more help on the way in the person of Devin Langford. The Alabama product is redshirting due to multiple injuries this year, but his skill level and long-term potential are excellent.
Via illinois.scout.com
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9 days ago
Illinois upsets No. 9 Michigan St. 42-41 (AP)
Brandon Paul shook off a poor-shooting game to score 18 points, including two free throws with 45 seconds left that gave Illinois the lead in a 42-41 victory over No. 9 Michigan State on Tuesday night. Paul had two chances to extend the lead for the Illini (16-6, 5-4 Big Ten) but he missed the front end of 1-and-1s with 26 seconds and 11 seconds to play.
Via Yahoo! Sports
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12 days ago
Illinois upsets No. 9 Michigan St. 42-41 (AP)
Brandon Paul shook off a poor-shooting game to score 18 points, including two free throws with 45 seconds left that gave Illinois the lead in a 42-41 victory over No. 9 Michigan State on Tuesday night. Paul had two chances to extend the lead for the Illini (16-6, 5-4 Big Ten) but he missed the front end of 1-and-1s with 26 seconds and 11 seconds to play.
Via Rivals.com
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12 days ago
Illinois knocks down No. 9 Michigan St.
Brandon Paul shook off a poor-shooting game to score 18 points, including two free throws with 45 seconds left that gave the Fighting Illini the lead in a 42-41 victory over the Spartans on Tuesday. To add to Michigan State's miserable night, forward Draymond Green left with what appeared to be a left knee injury.
Via MSNBC
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12 days ago
Post-game thoughts, after the Gophers – Illini Insanity.
Between consoling myself over another hard to believe lose from ahead loss and having flashbacks to Frank Williams knocking in a last second floater to end the Gophers NCAA tournament hopes, a Minnesota team was in a must win situation, and did win, in overtime no less. I can’t begin to explain all the twists [...]
Related posts:Gophers vs. Illini starts key three game stretch...
Via From The Barn
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14 days ago
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14 days ago
Gophers vs. Illini starts key three game stretch
A big game on a cold January Saturday night. What could be better?
This space is usually reserved for disclaimers that there is no such thing as a must win game in January and platitudes about how a season isn't over until it's over because of the automatic NCAA tournament bid awarded at the end of the Big Ten Tournament. Nope, I'm not going to do it this time. This...
Via From The Barn
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16 days ago
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16 days ago
Game Preview: Minnesota vs. Illinois
This afternoon for lunch we went to this really cool authentic Mexican deli-type place where you could order our tacos or burritos or whatever you wanted with any one of a whole bunch of different meat choices, and I noticed that among those choices were beef tripe, beef tongue, pork stomach, and beef head. Now, I really like trying new foods - not that long ago I had wild boar...
Via Down with Goldy
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17 days ago
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17 days ago
Nnanna Egwu Continues His Development
The Fighting Illini basketball team has only five scholarship players who were on the team last year. Freshmen have to provide a lift, but they are still in learning mode. Center Nnanna Egwu doesn't see a lot of time on the floor, but he is improving with each game. The diligent worker is refining his skills and should become a potent force with time.
Via illinois.scout.com
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17 days ago
How Will Illini B-Ball Use Extra Scholarship?
With the midyear transfer of Crandall Head, the Fighting Illini basketball coaching staff finds itself with an extra scholarship. If fast-rising big man Meyers Leonard chooses to depart for the NBA draft after this season, a second scholarship would become available. What are the options for the Illini? Will they try to sign someone else this year or wait until next year?
Via illinois.scout.com
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19 days ago
Illinois’ inconsistency continues to be troubling
When Brandon Paul's 43-point scoring barrage led Illinois to a memorable upset of Big Ten favorite Ohio State earlier this month, many cautioned not to fully trust the Ilini until they showed the consistency they have lacked in recent years.
True to form, Illinois has since made they naysayers look wise by dropping its next two to fall back to its now-customary spot in the middle...
Via The Dagger
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20 days ago
No. 22 Illinois falls to Wisconsin, 67-63
With just over 9 minutes to play Sunday, 7-foot-1 center Meyers Leonard glided away from the basket and hit a soft, fade-away jumper that gave No. 22 Illinois a four-point lead over Wisconsin.
Via Sign on San Diego
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21 days ago
Crandall Head in process of joining DePaul
Crandall Head, once considered one of the most promising high school basketball players in Illinois, appeared close Thursday to finalizing arrangements to complete a transfer to DePaul.
Via Chicago Breaking Sports
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24 days ago
Crandall Head exploring move to DePaul
Crandall Head, once considered one of the most promising high school basketball players in Illinois, appeared close Thursday to finalizing arrangements to complete a transfer to DePaul.
Via Chicago Tribune
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24 days ago
Illinois wakes up on top of Big 10, heads to PSU
(Eds: With AP Photos.) By DAVID MERCER Associated Press Illinois coach Bruce Weber and his team woke up in a place not many expected them to be - alone in first place in the Big Ten.
Michigan's win over Michigan State on Tuesday night left the 22nd-ranked Illini (15-3, 4-1) as the only team in the conference with just one league loss. Illinois also moved back into the Top 25...
Via AP on Fox
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24 days ago
Illinois-Penn St. Preview
Illinois coach Bruce Weber believes an eight-day break after what was arguably his team's biggest victory of the season should be beneficial.
The Big Ten-leading Illini have moved back into the rankings at No. 22 and will resume play Thursday night when they visit Penn State.
Illinois (15-3, 4-1) has not played since a 79-74 home win over then-No. 5 Ohio State on Jan. 10. Brandon...
Via Fox Sports
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25 days ago
Big Ten Basketball: Week in Review
By Adam McGill
Player of Week: Illinois G Brandon Paul – Paul hit an amazing 8 out of 10 3-pointers in the Fighting Illini’s 79-74 upset over 5th ranked Ohio State this week. He was impossible to guard, as he not only scored an unthinkable 43 points, but he also added 4 blocks on the defense side of the ball.Paul hit the go-ahead perimeter shot with only 43 seconds left and...
Via Rant Sports
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27 days ago
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27 days ago
Can Paul Find Consistent Success In His Game?
One extreme or the other. That has been the byword for Fighting Illini basketball player Brandon Paul. He can look sensational at times, his 43 point effort against Ohio State being his most obvious success. But there are other times when mistakes and turnovers mar his effort. Sometimes both extremes occur in the same game. Will he find a happy medium?
Via illinois.scout.com
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27 days ago
Paul Named Big Ten Player of the Week
Illinois junior guard Brandon Paul (Gurnee, Ill./Warren H.S.) has been named Big Ten Player of the Week by the conference office following his record-setting performance in last week's victory over No. 5 Ohio State. Paul earns his first career weekly award. This marks the third time this season an Illini has received the honor, following Meyers Leonard on Dec. 5 and Dec. 26.
Via University of Illinois Athletics
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27 days ago
Tracy Abrams Gaining Comfort In Starting Role
It is never easy to change positions. It is an especially difficult transition for freshmen basketball players being groomed for point guard. Fighting Illini rookie Tracy Abrams has received a crash course this fall and winter. He had played the position some before, but he is now providing major minutes as a freshman. It takes time, but he's learning.
Via illinois.scout.com
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January 13, 2012
THE FIGHTING ILLINI HOT 15








