Category > Illini Football
Tim Beckman is intense. The Ron Zook era has drawn to a close, and with it the tradition of a head football coach who hoarsely bobs his head up and down while peppering his answers with “well…” as he looks all around the room. Brace yourselves. The Tim Beckman era will usher in a new tradition, specifically a tradition of making unbroken eye contact while shout-exclaiming things like “HE’S A CHAMPION!”, “STEAKS AND CAKES!” and “I AM RUNNING FOR STARK …
A surprising update from Trulon Henry: He might play against UCLA on New Year's Eve. That's the big news from my interview with Trulon during halftime at the St. Bonaventure basketball game. Most of our talk was not really about football, but about people.
Saturday marks the last home game for the Illini of this year. It has been reported elsewhere that the parents of the Illini football players organized a group (and remote simultaneous) prayer this week to pray in support of the team and the coaching staff. With one of Illinois’ seniors attending Senior Day on the sidelines recovering for a gunshot wound, there is a lot to be thankful for. A lot remains unknown, too. Whether you’ll have an opportunity to …
As though we needed it, there's even more gristle for the Illini to gnaw on this week. But the “other news” is so stark, perhaps it will help put the Illini loss into perspective. Trulon Henry was shot in the early morning hours of Sunday following the loss to the Wolverines. At a house party at 1004 South Lincoln, U, across the street from the Lincoln Avenue dorms, a party started to get rowdy. Some football players were present, and …
On Saturday, Illinois and Purdue will meet to play for "the Purdue Cannon." To those about to do battle for this trinket, I say: keep it weird. Many lament the influence that enormous amounts of money have had on college football. Conference realignment has been the buzz phrase this year. If you're just tuning in "conference realignment" is code for "schools throwing away the concepts of geography and tradition in pursuit of wheelbarrows full of cash from TV contracts." Conference …
Rock fans of the Schoolhouse variety already know it. Football fans of the Scheelhaase variety should know it. Three is a magic number. Illinois won its homecoming matchup with the Northwestern Purple Cats, 38 to 35. But there's more story there than just the win-loss tally. To quote the inimitable Kai Ryssdal of American Public Media's "Marketplace" — Let's do the numbers. Everyone is talking about 5. Specifically how Illinois is 5–0 for the first time since the early 50's. …
As you have surely heard, Saturday is homecoming. Well, technically all week is homecoming. The University has taken a page out of the Kentucky Derby playbook and arranged a whole week of activities. But we all know the main event is going to Kam's to see middle-aged male alums in pleated khakis and loafers drink flat drafts while ogling co-eds. The upside is that there's likely to be less grinding than Mom's weekend (note "less" does not equal a promise …
If you had a heart attack on Saturday, I'm really sorry about that. After last week's exhortations for exhorting everyone to come to Memorial Stadium and support the Illini, I feel somewhat responsible for any asthma flare ups, panic attacks, or cardiac events triggered by Illinois' play against the Broncos of Western Michigan University. I'm not taking responsibility for bee stings though. I told you not to set up your cornhole game so close to that trash barrel. If you're …
Mike Thomas is in his element. In the gathering dusk, in a quiet, modern, modestly nice University space not open to the hoi polloi, Mr. Thomas, the newly hired Athletic Director is gladhanding an expensively but modestly dressed attractive 50ish woman, sharing a story about the last time he had an opportunity to drive down Florida's A1A highway. They're chatting, exchanging pleasantries, saying a lot without really saying anything. Nothing out of the ordinary: this is part of the job …
The Arizona State Sun Devils bring a hot team into Champaign on Saturday night, and not because they're traveling out of the Retirement Belt. So what of the Illini's opponent? Why the heat? In a nationally televised matchup last Friday, ASU beat then-ranked Missou in overtime. The stadium was packed with black-clad fans for an advertised "blackout effect." The players on the field did their part by wearing uniforms approximating what Phil Knight would design for a combination football game/funeral. …
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Signs someone is “fishing” for a factual anchor: 1. Starts call to radio with: “I’ve been an Illini fan for (XX) years” or “I’m a diehard fan,” as if somehow that unverifiable claim will justify the 5 minutes of B.S. that follows. 2. Makes reference to KenPom…
That’s what she said.
Why do I have the feeling we struggle to break 45 in at least one more (maybe 2) games this season? With a little perspective, both MSU and Wisky are among the top 5 in Kenpom’s defensive rating scheme.
My first thought was, “What the hell is Brad Miller doing at our game?” Of course, he now plays for the Timberwolves. Man, I miss him in a Bulls uni—even if we don’t need him as much this year. It’s cool that he’s saying hi to his…
Ya, I felt the same way. The question I was asking in the game was, “what’s wrong with DJ?” He’s repeated his second major shooting slump in as many years.
It’s no wonder we are having a problem recruiting solid players for our athletics programs - Look at what we have to compete with! http://deadspin.com/5879065/whatever-youre-doing-with-your-life-its-not-as-awesome-as-the-athletes-in-this-recruiting-video
Never the subject of your articles, but at the risk of boring the flock once again: the real recruiting outrage continues to be this system that exploits the sons of these working class families to make big money for the likes of the incompetent, 1.6 million-salaried coach.…
dAn insightful article, Rob. Barring an very expected turn around, I think the odds are better than not that Weber will be shown the door at the end of the season. We really haven’t played good team basketball for the entire season. The results despite almost completely…
Did it look like they were having fun? If you’re playing a game and you’re not having fun then regardless of whether you’re winning or losing then you’re not doing it right. When the Indiana fans stormed the court against NorthWestern, as asinine as it may’ve seemed…
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Nope. It’s the back (east) side of Urbana Tire Company at 202 S. Vine. How much is a hug and kiss worth? Do I have to take them all at once or can I break it up?
FACT: Silverfish feed only on carbohydrates, such as starches and sugars. They will not consume proteins or fats (the main materials from which human beings are constructed). THUS: That was not actually a human waiter we were conversing with, but rather a lifelike simulacrum created from semi-digested Fruit Loops.
nice fishnets you’ve got there, dan!
is that illini auto on main?
The geniuses at the News-Gazette site have it all figured out. This happened because we don’t have the Chief!
Pamela - Are the roasteries in Seattle as clean as CSR? It always disturbs me a little that it is so clean in there.
Now you will be able to munch on pizza and shrimp cocktails in downtown Urbana (whilst a DJ spins?) after your dissolution of marriage http://www.news-gazette.com/news/business/features/its-your-business/2012-02-05/its-your-business-new-pizza-place-downtown-urban Is this a franchise of a Reno pizza joint, or just a coincidence of name? http://www.blackrockpizza.com
Signs someone is “fishing” for a factual anchor: 1. Starts call to radio with: “I’ve been an Illini fan for (XX) years” or “I’m a diehard fan,” as if somehow that unverifiable claim will justify the 5 minutes of B.S. that follows. 2. Makes reference to KenPom…
That’s what she said.
Black dog and Siam terrace is where I always go after my divorces.
Love CSR. Apart from making my way through the regular roasts in 1/2 pound increments, I also like to pick up some of the little sample packets of the flavored stuff for when the lady and I feel like getting crazy. Sticky Bun is pretty nice.
If you happen to be getting a divorce, or fighting a DUI prosecution, downtown Urbana is a great place to eat.
HUUUUUUGE fan of their Black Velvet roast…It makes up about 75% of my coffee intake. LOL CSR is definitely one of those Champaign institutions that I brag about to people not from here. :-)
We like CSR too! We french press at home and I leave the lid off while it steeps—letting the ground beans bloom. Then, like in your tasting, I scoop off the top layer before pressing. We really need to invest in a burr grinder though, as I…
Confidential? In this state? Hahahahahahahhahahaha
just confirmed: there will be white russians served. the art abides.
big lebowski at the art. mark it, dude.
There’s a great video promo out for “Company” too: http://vimeo.com/36077847
Wow, His Majesty took the time to answer your polite plea. It’s been a while since I spoke fluent arrogance, but allow this attempt at a translation: “I deeply regret the embarrassment…” = I wish we hadn’t got caught and it wasn’t a big deal really. “...and…
I love the Guitars
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The geniuses at the News-Gazette site have it all figured out. This happened because we don’t have the Chief!