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Mike Davis

Illinois Fighting Illini 2010-2011 Recap, Early look Ahead to 2012

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Inconsistency, lack of effort, and disappointing: those three words are as good as any when it comes to summing up the University of Illinois Men’s Basketball 2010-2011 season. For a team that was supposed to do great things this year, they had a very up and down campaign. After starting the season 10-1 (only loss coming in OT to Texas at Madison Square Garden), the Illini … [Read more...] about Illinois Fighting Illini 2010-2011 Recap, Early look Ahead to 2012

Blame for Disappointing Illini Season Goes Well Beyond Senior Class

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In the bracket of non-existent, 2009-2011 Illini basketball leadership has got to be a #1 seed. And I’m not singling out Coach Bruce Weber, or point guard/star player Demetri McCamey. I’m talking about the total team's overall tendency to just NOT get things done together as a team. If Notre Dame is Gestalt, and a cohesive unit playing well beyond the sum of their parts, … [Read more...] about Blame for Disappointing Illini Season Goes Well Beyond Senior Class

Illini Stayin’ Alive for NCAA Tournament Berth

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Well you can tell by the way they use their walk that...well, they haven't played themselves out of NCAA tournament contention yet. Was that all just an excuse to lead in with that smarmy photo of Disco John Travolta? Yes. Yes it was. But it still needs to be said that, after 29 games, the Illinois Fighting Illini men's college basketball team still is hanging around the … [Read more...] about Illini Stayin’ Alive for NCAA Tournament Berth

Illinois 81, Iowa 68: Rapid Reaction

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It was a college basketball game that highlighted one of the main reoccurring themes of the Illinois Fighting Illini season. Every time they had a big lead, they just couldn't find a way to step on their opponents' throat. The "killer instinct," or "closing speed" just was not there. It seemed like every time they went up 15, the margin was back to five or less before you … [Read more...] about Illinois 81, Iowa 68: Rapid Reaction

Ohio State Dominates Illinois, Making a Case for No. 1

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Ohio State man-handled Illinois 89-70 Tuesday night. After Mike Davis scored the opening basket for the Illini, it was all Ohio State as they led for the rest of the game. While the win came at home against a team that had lost 7 of its past 11 games, it was an impressive victory nonetheless for the Buckeyes. Not only did the Bucks win in impressive fashion, they did so after a … [Read more...] about Ohio State Dominates Illinois, Making a Case for No. 1

Why do the Illini have so Little Fight on the Road?

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Following yet another disappointing road loss at Northwestern, Illinois Head Coach Bruce Weber talked about what he's tried to fix their 1-4 in conference play road woes. "We tried lineup changes, they all want to start, but step up and be a starter, make the plays. Billy (Cole) said it, we got to start the game with shutouts, we got to be determined, we can't let a … [Read more...] about Why do the Illini have so Little Fight on the Road?

Can this Illini Team, specifically the Seniors, Ever Wake Up?

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“We have had people talk to them, and we did everything except electric shock [therapy] to get them going,  Illini coach Bruce Weber said about his college basketball team. “They have to jolt themselves from the inside. We have to be determined and not let a team, especially on the road, jump on us.” Weber made this comment after his Illini team lost at Northwestern; despite … [Read more...] about Can this Illini Team, specifically the Seniors, Ever Wake Up?

Illinois vs. Number ONE Ohio State LIVE BLOG!!

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30 Minutes Until Tipoff: It's gameday in Champaign, everyone!! I know that everyone is focused on the Bears and Packers this weekend, but this is a big-time game! There's no messing around today! It's Ohio State! Jared Sullinger! David Lighty! William Buford! The hated John Diebler! GUS JOHNSON IS CALLING THE GAME!!!! Is there a better recipe for an upset? … [Read more...] about Illinois vs. Number ONE Ohio State LIVE BLOG!!