The Sports Bank's Ngozi Ekeledo stopped by the 2012 NBA Draft Combine's Media Day and talked to the former University of Illinois big man about why he made the decision to leave school early for the NBA. … [Read more...] about Illini Meyers Leonard at NBA Draft Combine (Video)
2011-12 illini basketball
Big 10 Power Rankings 1-27-11
Ohio State or Michigan State? Who's number one? Welcome to the Big Ten power rankings. Go here for our most recent Big East Power Rankings, which are probably more informative and accurate than the rankings below will turn out. … [Read more...] about Big 10 Power Rankings 1-27-11
Big Ten Basketball Power Rankings 1-11-12
I've always said that doing power rankings is only fun (and worth reading) when the hierarchy is rather grey and things are up in the air. PRs are kind of stupid and pointless when you get towards the end of regular season and close to conference tournament time- if you're the sort who has rankings similar to the standings. But doing them now is rather fun! Are things grey … [Read more...] about Big Ten Basketball Power Rankings 1-11-12
Big Ten Basketball Power Rankings: Many Happy Returns Edition
Since Christmas fell on a Sunday this year, today is a day NO ONE is at work. There's no Federal services, no trading on the stock market this Monday. It's December 26th, so if you're a mindless-zombie-worker bee-corporate drone-lemming, I know exactly where you are today- at the mall making your Christmas gift returns. (Remember to take the receipts!) I'm guessing I know … [Read more...] about Big Ten Basketball Power Rankings: Many Happy Returns Edition
2011-12 Illini Have Competitive Advantage over ’10-’11 Version
It's rather ironic when you think about it. Last year's Illini basketball team entered the year with exceedingly high expectations; the theme was last dance for a talented senior trio. This year's team entered with zero expectations. The theme was rebuilding and re-establishing. Yet, if it were somehow possible to get the two teams to play each other I'd pick this year's squad … [Read more...] about 2011-12 Illini Have Competitive Advantage over ’10-’11 Version
St. Bonaventure Coach Invokes Cap’n Crunch When Describing Schedule
St. Bonaventure Bonnies coach Mark Schmidt suffered a tough loss at #22 Illinois last night. Up 39-30 with less than six minutes to go, it looked like his Bonnies were going to get the school's first victory over a ranked opponent since 2002. Instead the UGLIER than it sounds game with a 48-43 final score was in Illini favor. Schmidt's postgame press conference was … [Read more...] about St. Bonaventure Coach Invokes Cap’n Crunch When Describing Schedule
#22 Illini Escape St. Bonnies 48-43; Season Uglier than 9-0 Record
It would be fair to say that last year's Illini basketball team might have lost a game like last night. After all, the 2010-11 Illinois team lost to lowly UIC in a de facto home game at the United Center while being ranked #12. And they failed to win back-to-backs from mid-January on. You could say they didn't handle success very well. The 2011-12 Illini might have a similar … [Read more...] about #22 Illini Escape St. Bonnies 48-43; Season Uglier than 9-0 Record