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For those who love the round ball, here is a little story on the Illini Basketball team. Just a little taste of things to come. 8)
http://www.pjstar.com/stories/092705...1J5R.080.shtml
1 last cheer for 2004-05 Illini hoops
John Supinie
ILLINOIS
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Before the start of the fourth quarter in Illinois' blowout loss to Michigan State in the Big Ten football opener Saturday, the Illini basketball team provided a moment of hope for the orange-and-blue nation.
The Illini didn't take delivery on their Final Four rings (the jewelry hadn't yet arrived), but they received an ovation for their accomplishments last season. The ceremony might be the final acknowledgement of Illinois' first trip to the NCAA tournament's semifinals since 1989 and first-ever title game.
"We've got to put closure to it," Illini coach Bruce Weber said. "We talked to the team about it. We're a new team. It's a different team. You have to accept that. If you're looking for last year, we're in trouble.
"We have to create our own team and own personality. It might take some time."
Weber lost five of the top seven scorers from last year's 37-2 team. The Illini won their second consecutive outright Big Ten title and the conference tournament.
Just as Illinois created a new identity in Weber's first season as coach in 2003-04, the Illini must do it again following a major transition in personnel.
"We had to do it two years ago," Weber said. "We won that Big Ten championship that year, but we also got our butts kicked by Providence and a couple other teams. We learned what we were about. We're going to have to do that this year.
"We're a new team. Somebody has to play. Dee (Brown) is going to play. James (Augustine) is going to play. We have three spots and a whole bunch of minutes. I hope they're excited about going after it."
The development of the junior class - guard Rich McBride plus forwards Warren Carter and Marcus Arnold (and redshirt sophomore Brian Randle) - is the key to this year's team, Weber said.
Illinois opens the season Nov. 18 against South Dakota State.
The Illini are ranked No. 11 by SLAM magazine, No. 12 by Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook and No. 22 by Street and Smith's, which put Brown on the all-America first team.
MADNESS: The Illinois basketball team will hold its Midnight Madness on Oct. 14 at Assembly Hall. Doors open at 9 p.m. Activities begin at 9:30. There is no admission fee.
The first 5,000 fans will receive a special-edition poster. The men's and women's teams will be introduced. In the tentative plans, the men's team will also hold a short scrimmage. . . .
Go State! ;D
http://www.pjstar.com/stories/092705...1J5R.080.shtml
1 last cheer for 2004-05 Illini hoops
John Supinie
ILLINOIS
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Before the start of the fourth quarter in Illinois' blowout loss to Michigan State in the Big Ten football opener Saturday, the Illini basketball team provided a moment of hope for the orange-and-blue nation.
The Illini didn't take delivery on their Final Four rings (the jewelry hadn't yet arrived), but they received an ovation for their accomplishments last season. The ceremony might be the final acknowledgement of Illinois' first trip to the NCAA tournament's semifinals since 1989 and first-ever title game.
"We've got to put closure to it," Illini coach Bruce Weber said. "We talked to the team about it. We're a new team. It's a different team. You have to accept that. If you're looking for last year, we're in trouble.
"We have to create our own team and own personality. It might take some time."
Weber lost five of the top seven scorers from last year's 37-2 team. The Illini won their second consecutive outright Big Ten title and the conference tournament.
Just as Illinois created a new identity in Weber's first season as coach in 2003-04, the Illini must do it again following a major transition in personnel.
"We had to do it two years ago," Weber said. "We won that Big Ten championship that year, but we also got our butts kicked by Providence and a couple other teams. We learned what we were about. We're going to have to do that this year.
"We're a new team. Somebody has to play. Dee (Brown) is going to play. James (Augustine) is going to play. We have three spots and a whole bunch of minutes. I hope they're excited about going after it."
The development of the junior class - guard Rich McBride plus forwards Warren Carter and Marcus Arnold (and redshirt sophomore Brian Randle) - is the key to this year's team, Weber said.
Illinois opens the season Nov. 18 against South Dakota State.
The Illini are ranked No. 11 by SLAM magazine, No. 12 by Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook and No. 22 by Street and Smith's, which put Brown on the all-America first team.
MADNESS: The Illinois basketball team will hold its Midnight Madness on Oct. 14 at Assembly Hall. Doors open at 9 p.m. Activities begin at 9:30. There is no admission fee.
The first 5,000 fans will receive a special-edition poster. The men's and women's teams will be introduced. In the tentative plans, the men's team will also hold a short scrimmage. . . .
Go State! ;D