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I'd planned to title this column "Weber's Waterloo," but by the time I got to my hotel Loren Tate had already published to that effect.
I always read other reports to find out what happened. Unfortunately, few Illini reporters were on hand to tell me. Only Shannon Ryan and John Supinie attended. I spent the Thursday's first half gabbing with Steve Ross and Matt Gardner (two ex-Illinois Law guys, now at PSU), so naturally I was curious to know what legitimate journalists might say.
I'd planned the Waterloo reference for a week, because I'd assumed Illinois would lose this game. The surrealistic bump in confidence post-Ohio State affected casual observers, and a few polls voters. Taking the long view, it was nearly impossible to predict an Illinois win.
That said, I didn't think the game was bad. Ball movement was pretty good. Meyers got a dozen shots, and hit half of them. It's still not enough touches, but it's an improvement.
This was exactly the kind of game Bruce Weber teams lose. We know that to be the case, because Bruce Weber's teams have consistently lost these games. Yes, Ed DeChellis may have cleared out his desk, but he left behind the title deed to Bruce Weber.
If the Illini had hit on 60% of their shots, they totally could've won this game.
GUSHING ABOUT MEYERS LEONARD
Four years on the beat, it's hard to find new talking points. Some things bear repeating. Meyers Leonard's mid-post game is delightful to watch, for all kinds of reasons. His passing is first among those reasons. His brute force is third. His low-post moves are sixth, but still fund to watch. In between those rankings are his dirty tricks, his facial expressions, and ability to remain unique and interesting.
Meyers is a weirdo. ("I'm not really normal" he said after tonight's game.)
Meyers best play of the night came seconds after his 5th foul. He flummoxed the Penn State Pederasts (this may not be the nickname of their student cheering group) during their foul-out walk-off chant. (If you're not familiar, this chant is common to all student cheering groups. They holler "left, right, left, right" as the disqualified player marches toward the bench. They yell "SIT DOWN!" when he sits. But Meyers faked 'em out, jumping back up before his butt hit the vinyl seat.
6 comments
MF
That last play by Sam really showed his inability to spring to the basket. What a funky contest. I am bewildered by this team’s refusal to slash to the basket to either shoot or feed the post…Boring.
PJH
Since you are a local reporter/journalist who follows Illini Mens’ Bball but not employed by WDWS/NG and therefore not presumably affected about access concerns in your reportage/commentary, I have a request. What, in your opinion, are the odds that Weber is still coaching the Illini next year?
I too was impressed by Leonard’s environmental awareness. Soon, his timing will be perfect (a la Trent’s ass to missed free throw ratio in Bloomington).
PJH - I don’t know.
Weber looks great when 60% of the shots fall. I thought last night’s offense was better than most Illini performances. The only problem was the 35% success rate.
I don’t think this team can reach the median (14 losses) this year because the schedule is so favorable. Plus, any Weber team can win any game when someone or some two are on fire.
Does that non-answer seem evasive?
Josh H.
“I didn’t coach well.” Said the guy who had his most athletic player/prolific scorer pass the ball off to a slow, white, geeky chump. Seriously though, that play-call alone should give Bruce pretty high odds of getting the ax. (Not if R.G. were still here, but he’s not, and ol’ Zooker promptly felt M.T.‘s wrath.) Maybe B.W. will move on to choreograph the Luv-a-Bulls.
Yep, more of the same. We are lucky we’ve played our best games against the best competition.
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Oh, by the way, the “Champaign County YMCA” no longer exists. The official name is now the “Stephens Family YMCA” (the website has not been updated, but check out the latest program guide). And no, it’s not just the name of the building. It’s the name of the organization.
Very inspired Photochops as well….
Props on the new YMCA dig. I think it’s a terrible spot for it, but then again, I’m not well-to-do and I’m not willing to drive 15 minutes at $4/gallon to exercise for an hour.
http://motorcycle-intelligence.com/do-loud-pipes-save-lives/1119/ Are you a smoker, too? I feel like I’m just getting recycled arguments.
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/streetsurvival/dangerous_motorcycle_safety_myths/index.html “Myth 2: Loud Pipes Save Lives”
Yes, I also love the idea of the downtown! However, the “turds” that ride Harley’s or any other motorcycle have the right to ride their motorcycles regardless of the “loudness” anywhere they want. They are buying gas, hence they are contributing to the motor fuel tax that…
Yup, this was the year I realized there’s no way this is my last CU marathon, even though I’m gradumacating next week.Where else am I gonna get cheered on by 70+ year old heart-of-gold volunteers who smile at me so genuinely I could believe I’m their granddaughter?…
I always have a good, but disappointed, laugh when marathon time creeps up and I start seeing posts on the WCIA Facebook page lamenting race day and how difficult it is to get around town that day. One this year said, “can’t they just go run in…
Reminds me of Total Football (soccer) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_Football
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Looking forward to trying this place!
I’m in the middle (or the beginning or end, depending on how you look at it) of re-reading Slaughterhouse Five. What a great companion column.
Get yours early. The Rave’s CD will be available at Exile and at The C-U Flea on Saturday. C-U Flea details here: http://www.smilepolitely.com/news/sp_radio_podcast_c-u_flea_arrives/
I don’t know about Gerard and a random police sargeant. My (mild) outrage is based on this: “...he worked closely with Champaign City Clerk Marilyn Banks to make sure he was licensed properly as a transient food peddler, filling out the necessary paperwork and paying a $225…
Local Yocal pretty much nails it here. I suspect there will be merchants who oppose food trucks because they arguably don’t pay their fair share to locate their trucks in high traffic (high rent) areas. The food trucks take away business from rent payers, park in city…
Oh nice! I’d totally vote for Matt Campbell!
“Smile Politely sports writer announces candidacy for city government.”
I also got to visit Big Grove Tavern during the soft open and definitely enjoyed the pork belly the most of all the dishes I sampled. The cheesy grits and the vinegary pickled vegetables were a perfect compliment to the rich pork belly.
The Alan Partridge lookalike on the right in the first small photo has nothing to condescend to anyone about. AH HA!
Snell and the little Hitlers of the neighborhood association need to chill out. Legitimate businesses should have the freedom to exist without having to endure the slings and arrows of ignorant and misguided opposition.
represent, Matt.
Yeah, I’d agree that Transporter Room 3 is the worst house venue I’ve ever seen.
Food trucks are the start-up, small businesses of the future for those unable to afford real estate. No surprise, that merchants who pay rent, utilities, and maintenance on a property would despise the traveling competition. Or developers who build more empty retail spaces would want to close…
Not so much far-right Tea Party as a balanced, moderate viewpoint between letting businesses succeed and protecting society with reasonable regulations. In spite of what the city reps are saying, the interpretation of policy on this issue certainly has changed. Letting a business start up under one…
I think it’s neat that SP has turned rightward, now espousing a Tea Party-style frustration with government regulations & taxes.
This makes me so sad. (Happy to live in Urbana, though!) Crave Truck has been a GREAT addition to the food choices in C-U, and it’d be a travesty to chase them away. This town should be supporting small businesses. I’m glad to hear that they’ll still…
*slow. clap.* Still offering no threat of intelligence…. I know I said I thought you should just write this whole column yourself next year, Isaac, but now that you’ve gone and taken a “part deux” run at it, I’d like to modify my request: Best Music 2013,…
Actually, it’s kind of nice, the quiet. John Heoffleur’s engaging commentary/dialogue is sorely missed, however. In lieu of someone intelligent saying something, I’ve compiled a list of Honourable Mentions: BEST ROCK BAND: Take Care ::these gentlemen have four completely different sets at their disposal right now (which…
What? Echo! (Echo!) Where’s the dischord and dissent?
This weekend will mark the first appearance of Kayla Brown’s Fire Doll Candle booth at the Market. Check it: http://www.facebook.com/firedollcandles
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@Dan - Wow. Unfortunately, I have to refrain from further comment due to a previous employment relationship. But with that brief context you might be able to imagine possible comments or responses I could have.