Monday, March 15, 2010
Next Illini Try: NIT
As the brackets were revealed I was very disappointed, although not totally surprised, that the Illini didn't make the NCAA. They had plenty of opportunities to secure a spot, but they couldn't get it done.
But for those who like to point fingers and blame others, I'd point to Michigan. Had they put more pressure on tOSU last Friday in the last 3.2 seconds, Evan Turner may not have gotten off the game winning shot. The way the Illini played Saturday, they likely would have been able to beat Michigan. That puts them in the Big Ten Championship. As far as the Committee is concerned, I think they have to put any team playing in that game on a line somewhere. They simply don't have time to make any changes between the end of that game (or even halftime) and the beginning of the Selection Show.
However, there were plenty of games that slipped away that could have put the Illini in long before this past weekend.
A #1 seed in the NIT isn't what the Illini had hoped for, but let's take it.
First up, Stony Brook. The Illini play Wednesday in Connecticut. (They could have hosted the game, but Assembly Hall is booked by Cirque du Soleil.) If the Illini play like they did at the Big Ten Tournament, they could make a strong run in the NIT. A trip to NYC isn't completely out of the question. But if they play like they did the last 2 weeks of the regular season, they could have plenty of time to enjoy spring break on some beach, somewhere.
Go Illini!
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But for those who like to point fingers and blame others, I'd point to Michigan. Had they put more pressure on tOSU last Friday in the last 3.2 seconds, Evan Turner may not have gotten off the game winning shot. The way the Illini played Saturday, they likely would have been able to beat Michigan. That puts them in the Big Ten Championship. As far as the Committee is concerned, I think they have to put any team playing in that game on a line somewhere. They simply don't have time to make any changes between the end of that game (or even halftime) and the beginning of the Selection Show.
However, there were plenty of games that slipped away that could have put the Illini in long before this past weekend.
A #1 seed in the NIT isn't what the Illini had hoped for, but let's take it.
First up, Stony Brook. The Illini play Wednesday in Connecticut. (They could have hosted the game, but Assembly Hall is booked by Cirque du Soleil.) If the Illini play like they did at the Big Ten Tournament, they could make a strong run in the NIT. A trip to NYC isn't completely out of the question. But if they play like they did the last 2 weeks of the regular season, they could have plenty of time to enjoy spring break on some beach, somewhere.
Go Illini!
Labels: Big Ten Tournament, Illini basketball, NIT
# posted by Alma Mater : 7:35 PM
Sunday, March 08, 2009
The #2 Seed--thank you Iowa and Michigan State
Whether they fully deserve it or not, Illinois will have the #2 seed at the Big Ten tournament, which begins later this week. Illinois had a chance to earn that seed without any help but their loss to Penn State on Thursday forced them to rely on some assistance from others.
Iowa and Michigan State obliged with that help by beating Penn State and Purdue, respectively, this weekend. Never thought I would be happy to see the Hawkeyes win a particular game but they gutted one out in double overtime over a Nittany Lions team that, from my point of view, should definitely be in the NCAA Tournament (barring a total collapse in the conference tournament).
Michigan State has clearly established itself as the top team in the conference this season, especially over the past week or two, and has a shot at a very high seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Illinois has had a very good season and, while I hated to see the loss to Penn State, they have an opportunity to regain some momentum during the conference tournament and get themselve ready for the big dance.
At one point, I thought a NCAA 4 seed or maybe even a 3 seed might be possible for Illinois. Now, I think the only shot at a 4 seed would be winning the conference tournament. A seed of anywhere from 5 to 8 seems much more likely now, with a 6 or 7 seed being the most probable.
Illinois could really be helped by at least making the title game of the conference tournament. However, with all of the parity in the conference this season and the surprises that seem to be the norm in the Big 10 Tournament, I don't think any team can take anything for granted.
I knew Illinois would be better this year but didn't anticpate them being this much better. Some feel that they have overachieved and perhaps they have, but most nights I have really enjoyed watching them play. For all the criticism he has taken over the past year or two, Coach Weber and the coaching staff now deserve a lot of credit for getting this team in the position they are currently in. They have done an outstanding job this season and Coach Weber has certainly earned the national coach of the year considerations he is receiving.
I hope we can continue to watch this Illinois team play for a few more weeks but regardless of when or how this season ends, I think all Illini fans should be excited about what lies ahead in the coming years for Illinois basketball. If the returning players continue to develop and improve as much as they did from last year to this year and if the incoming recruits next year and beyond are as good as they appear to be, then the future is indeed bright for the Illini.
For now, let's enjoy the conference and NCAA tournaments and see how far this team can advance. And, again, my thanks to the Hawkeyes and Spartans for their help this weekend--it was much appreciated. Until next time, GO ILLINI!
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Iowa and Michigan State obliged with that help by beating Penn State and Purdue, respectively, this weekend. Never thought I would be happy to see the Hawkeyes win a particular game but they gutted one out in double overtime over a Nittany Lions team that, from my point of view, should definitely be in the NCAA Tournament (barring a total collapse in the conference tournament).
Michigan State has clearly established itself as the top team in the conference this season, especially over the past week or two, and has a shot at a very high seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Illinois has had a very good season and, while I hated to see the loss to Penn State, they have an opportunity to regain some momentum during the conference tournament and get themselve ready for the big dance.
At one point, I thought a NCAA 4 seed or maybe even a 3 seed might be possible for Illinois. Now, I think the only shot at a 4 seed would be winning the conference tournament. A seed of anywhere from 5 to 8 seems much more likely now, with a 6 or 7 seed being the most probable.
Illinois could really be helped by at least making the title game of the conference tournament. However, with all of the parity in the conference this season and the surprises that seem to be the norm in the Big 10 Tournament, I don't think any team can take anything for granted.
I knew Illinois would be better this year but didn't anticpate them being this much better. Some feel that they have overachieved and perhaps they have, but most nights I have really enjoyed watching them play. For all the criticism he has taken over the past year or two, Coach Weber and the coaching staff now deserve a lot of credit for getting this team in the position they are currently in. They have done an outstanding job this season and Coach Weber has certainly earned the national coach of the year considerations he is receiving.
I hope we can continue to watch this Illinois team play for a few more weeks but regardless of when or how this season ends, I think all Illini fans should be excited about what lies ahead in the coming years for Illinois basketball. If the returning players continue to develop and improve as much as they did from last year to this year and if the incoming recruits next year and beyond are as good as they appear to be, then the future is indeed bright for the Illini.
For now, let's enjoy the conference and NCAA tournaments and see how far this team can advance. And, again, my thanks to the Hawkeyes and Spartans for their help this weekend--it was much appreciated. Until next time, GO ILLINI!
Labels: Big Ten Tournament, Illini basketball, NCAA Tournament
# posted by Good Hope Orange : 1:53 PM
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Don't Stop Now
Brian Randle and Shaun Pruitt just aren't ready to go home. Pruitt played strong inside, (although it would have been nice to give him the ball a bit more often in the second half) and made his free throws (6 of 7 -- not bad, big guy). Randle did lots of little things, made big baskets, and stayed out of foul trouble. The senior starters led the Illini in scoring.
It wasn't pretty. Turnovers and other mistakes were evidence of fatigue for both the Gophers and the Illini. The injury no-call clock thing and Brock's swollen eye with 7.8...I mean 8.0...I mean 4.7 seconds left summed up the game. [Please note that Hoffarber slaps well with his right hand, even though he is left-handed. The ESPN College GameDay crew acknowledged their error in claiming he was a righty during their coverage of his miracle shot to knock off the Hoosiers.] Both teams looked like they were playing their 3rd tough game in 3 days, with lots of missed shots, passes and plays.
But the Illini have Tubby's number this season, as they extend their win streak against the Golden Gophers to 20 games. The Gophers almost recovered from the momentum swing after Tubby's 10:25 timeout that sparked a quick Illini run, and I was pretty nervous when Calvin lost the ball off his own leg with about 18 seconds left and only a 4-point lead. [Personal side note: At least I was watching, as I understand some -- my brother included -- didn't make the effort. Why would you choose emptying a moving truck over this?] But the Illini pulled it out, and now have the privilege of facing Wisconsin Sunday afternoon.
The Illini will be the second double-digit seed to reach the Big Ten Tourney final. The first? The '99 Illini reached the title game as an 11 seed, where they lost to top seed Michigan State. And Iowa won 4 games in 4 days in '01 to win the tournament. So anything is possible.
Wisconsin will be a tough game. They will be quite a bit fresher than the Illini, and they expected to reach the final. But the Illini are clearly on a mission. I just hope the boys packed enough clean underwear for 4 days in Indy...
Go Illini!
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It wasn't pretty. Turnovers and other mistakes were evidence of fatigue for both the Gophers and the Illini. The injury no-call clock thing and Brock's swollen eye with 7.8...I mean 8.0...I mean 4.7 seconds left summed up the game. [Please note that Hoffarber slaps well with his right hand, even though he is left-handed. The ESPN College GameDay crew acknowledged their error in claiming he was a righty during their coverage of his miracle shot to knock off the Hoosiers.] Both teams looked like they were playing their 3rd tough game in 3 days, with lots of missed shots, passes and plays.
But the Illini have Tubby's number this season, as they extend their win streak against the Golden Gophers to 20 games. The Gophers almost recovered from the momentum swing after Tubby's 10:25 timeout that sparked a quick Illini run, and I was pretty nervous when Calvin lost the ball off his own leg with about 18 seconds left and only a 4-point lead. [Personal side note: At least I was watching, as I understand some -- my brother included -- didn't make the effort. Why would you choose emptying a moving truck over this?] But the Illini pulled it out, and now have the privilege of facing Wisconsin Sunday afternoon.
The Illini will be the second double-digit seed to reach the Big Ten Tourney final. The first? The '99 Illini reached the title game as an 11 seed, where they lost to top seed Michigan State. And Iowa won 4 games in 4 days in '01 to win the tournament. So anything is possible.
Wisconsin will be a tough game. They will be quite a bit fresher than the Illini, and they expected to reach the final. But the Illini are clearly on a mission. I just hope the boys packed enough clean underwear for 4 days in Indy...
Go Illini!
Labels: Big Ten Tournament, Illini basketball
# posted by Alma Mater : 5:35 PM
Thursday, March 08, 2007
I'm Sure This Was Not Intentional
Check out this excerpt from Jeff Gordon's column in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch today:
* Of our region’s teams, Illinois has the most to gain this week. The Illini don’t have to win the Big Ten Tournament to get an NCAA berth; winning two games could get it done.
They will be heavily favored to beat Penn State, but then Indiana would be next on the bracket. The Hoosiers have beaten the Illini 51-43 and 65-61. Those losses, plus Indiana’s HUGE victory over Illinois on the recruiting trail, would create tremendous motivation for coach Bruce Weber and his team.
* Illinois WAS more competitive against the Hoosiers during their second game, due to the simultaneously solid play of Warren Carter, Rich McBride and Chester Frazier. All three players have been all over the map this season.
The only thing wrong with this is that Illinois and Indiana split their regular season games. Just a minor oversight, I suppose. I'm sure it wasn't intentional.
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* Of our region’s teams, Illinois has the most to gain this week. The Illini don’t have to win the Big Ten Tournament to get an NCAA berth; winning two games could get it done.
They will be heavily favored to beat Penn State, but then Indiana would be next on the bracket. The Hoosiers have beaten the Illini 51-43 and 65-61. Those losses, plus Indiana’s HUGE victory over Illinois on the recruiting trail, would create tremendous motivation for coach Bruce Weber and his team.
* Illinois WAS more competitive against the Hoosiers during their second game, due to the simultaneously solid play of Warren Carter, Rich McBride and Chester Frazier. All three players have been all over the map this season.
The only thing wrong with this is that Illinois and Indiana split their regular season games. Just a minor oversight, I suppose. I'm sure it wasn't intentional.
Labels: Big Ten Tournament
# posted by Chief : 11:28 AM
