Pregame: Illinois at Minnesota, Saturday, January 28th, 7:00pm CT, BTN
Pregame: Illinois at Minnesota
Tim Beckman explains "Only Orange"
Tim Beckman explains "Only Orange"
Wisconsin 67, Illinois 63
Wisconsin 67, Illinois 63
Illini football recruiting
Illini football recruiting
Illini basketball recruiting
Illini hoops recruiting
Photo Gallery: Illinois 79, Ohio State 74
Photo gallery:
Illinois 79, Ohio State 74

Is Weber running out of chances?

Illinois has seemingly done just enough to get into the NCAA tournament as of today.

The question going forward now that the Big Ten season is nearly halfway through is whether just enough will be just enough for Illinois coach Bruce Weber to retain his job.

Reaching the tournament has traditionally given coaches job security. Going dancing from one of the big six conferences typically requires winning 20-plus games, defeating a few ranked opponents and finishing in the top half of the conference. With those results, a team is typically among the top 30-45 teams in the country.

Scott Powers

Bruce Weber press conference

Weber says Sam Maniscalco has had two of best practices this week, said he has some of his rhythm back.
Weber says Myke Henry needs to get minutes but he's been saying that for awhile. We'll see Saturday at Minnesota.
Weber admits that regarding Henry he has to overcome cautiousness and the fear that the freshman can't get the job done.
studurando

Weber: "We have to have great toughness when we go to Minnesota." Tubby likes his team, tough team. Draymond special last night.
Weber: "It's a huge game for us going up there on Saturday."
Weber: "You got to make your own breaks. That's the biggest thing that has to happen." Sam gotten better rhythm last 2 practices.
WernerConnectFM

For many fans, it's a loss of faith

In many circles the discussion is no longer whether Weber should continue as head coach, it's who should replace him and whether AD Mike Thomas will be inclined to make the move after this season ends.

Tupper

1/26 news & notes

Weber: "If you're looking down the road ... you probably have a great chance of getting 8 (#B1G teams in NCAAs)."

Weber says Sam Maniscalco has had two of his better practices this week. He's starting to get in a rhythm.

Weber on criticism: "I don't know if it's unfair. That's part of my job." Understands fans' want for great, not good, team.

Weber said he'd like to stay here, leave a legacy though it might not be what Lou Henson's was. Feels team can be really great soon

Weber on fan criticism: "If you pay attention, you kill yourself. ...The negative people are the ones giving their opinion."

WernerConnectFM

Klee chat

Illinois should finish above .500 in the league. February is a difficult run but that record should be possible. I see five games that should be wins, if not more.

Klee

Meyers Leonard shoulders plenty

He is, thanks to a late growth spurt, a fairly new 7-foot center wrapped in a guard's body. The Illinois sophomore is impressive one day, vexing the next.

His game is not entirely ready for the NBA, but his body is.

His heart would love to remain a college kid, "stay a kid a little longer" as he says, but the responsibilities of his life -- an ailing mother, a brother in Afghanistan -- dictate a more mature path.

Dana O'Neil

Bowl eligibility may require 7 wins in 2014

College football sources told @CBSSports there's "strong support" to increase bowl eligibility to 7 wins in 2014

McMurphyCBS

Ron Zook and Rick Neuheisel will join CBS Sports Net for signing day

Per release, Rick Neuheisel and Ron Zook will join CBS Sports Net for signing day. It will be the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl that never was.

DrSaturday

Tuesday truths: Illinois is driving one alum crazy

I don't remember which episode of "The Simpsons" it was, exactly, or what plot twists ensued from the fact that Krusty had bet against the Harlem Globetrotters ("I thought the Generals were due!"), but I do remember him offering suggestions for his team's defense thusly: "He's spinning the ball on his finger! Just take it, for God's sake!" That's kind of how I feel watching Illinois on offense this season.

John Gasaway

'No' vote puts Thomas in tough spot

There is method to their madness and, if it was an unheard dog whistle for some, it didn't miss my radar: Their minority opinion -- excuse the reference -- was a thinly veiled move to put Thomas on notice that, when the time comes to change the men's basketball assignment, it better be an African-American.

Montgomery and Oliver hail from Chicago, where the large African-American culture lives and dies with its basketball. And they're hearing plenty of scuttlebutt up that way, as well as down this way, that Bruce Weber is not long for the job if his Illini continue to struggle. The trustees weren't really trying to dump Beckman. They were simply shoving a foot in the door in anticipation of the next go-round, whenever it happens.

Tate

Conference realignment 2012

Tracking the Big Ten football attendance figures

Illinois

2011: 49,548
2010: 54,188
2009: 59,545

Rittenberg

Weber: Illini season reaches "breaking point"

Following the road game, the Illini host Michigan State and Northwestern, then play four of the next five games on the road. Coming off losses to Penn State and Wisconsin, the Illini have hit a crossroads.

"This is the breaking point of our season," Weber said. "You have to make strides, correct some little things, then come with a great mindset, a toughness factor that will help us get ready.

"We're not that far off. Now we have to figure out what things we can correct."

Supinie

Illini to host football Signing Day event at Assembly Hall

Illinois football coach Tim Beckman and his staff will host an event open to the public to announce the 2012 Fighting Illini recruiting class at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 1, at Assembly Hall.

fightingillini.com

1/23 Bracketology


Jereme Richmond pleads guilty to gun charge, gets probation

Ex-Illinois basketball player Jereme Richmond pleaded guilty Monday to gun charges and was sentenced to 1-1/2 years on probation.

As part of a plea agreement with Lake County prosecutors, Richmond, 19, pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon for the Aug. 8 incident in which a .40-caliber Smith and Wesson handgun was in the back seat of a car he drove.

suntimes.com

What's up with Illinois?

Brandon Paul was sensational two weeks ago with 43 points in a 79-74 home win over Ohio State. It was easy then to buy into Illinois. Now? Sell. The Illini lost at Penn State, 54-52, and then fell Sunday to Wisconsin, 67-63. This Illinois team is still young in key spots but the lack of consistency makes it exceptionally hard to buy into this team being a true Big Ten contender. Bubble here they come.

Andy Katz

Loss is a headache for Illini

The score tied at 53 with five minutes left, Illinois didn't show the urgent effort that made the difference in 50-50 games against Nebraska and Northwestern. Weber said the most disappointing aspect of the loss was that Wisconsin "out-hustled" and "out-toughed" the Illini.

"At home," said Weber, whose team trailed on the Matto chart for just the second time this Big Ten season (Nebraska). "You can't do that. You shouldn't allow it to happen."

"They got a couple offensive rebounds that killed us," said Joseph Bertrand (15 points, five rebounds, five assists).

Klee

Wisconsin hands Illinois second straight conference loss

The Illini lost the Matto battle 25-23, a hustle chart number boosted by the Badgers with some late-game offensive rebounds, and when the final seconds ticked off the clock, 90 percent of the season's first sellout already had split for the parking lots. Illinois plays Saturday at Minnesota (7 p.m., Big Ten Network).

"That was a goal to not have highs and lows in the season," Illini center Meyers Leonard said. "Obviously, that's taken a turn. Hopefully, we can steal one on the road. Hopefully, we get better. That's what matters. We've got a lot of guys with talent. We've got to continue to listen to coaching."

Supinie

Football commit: Devin Church

Wisconsin 67, Illinois 63

Live Chat: Illinois Fighting Illini vs Wisconsin

Thanks for chattin'.

Continue...

Joe Paterno dies at 85

Big (man) challenge

Illinois has made it a priority to get Leonard quality touches in the post. In the past two games he's attempted 24 shots. And that's the goal, Weber said. They would like the big man to have 12-15 scoring opportunities in every game. Leonard grew frustrated early in the Penn State game when teammates weren't looking for him. "But in the second half I thought they did a great job of getting me the ball," Leonard said. "I know sometimes it's hard. They've got people hounding them on the perimeter. It's just a tough angle. I've just got to always remember to stay positive and keep playing."

Klee

Weber says 20-25 minutes for Maniscalco vs Wisconsin but Abrams will continue to start

Weber says 20-25 minutes for maniscalco vs. Wisconsin but Abrams will continue to start.

MarkTupper

Tracy Abrams may hold Illini's fate in hands

There's only so much Maniscalco's ankle can take, so the development of Abrams may determine the path for the Illini over the next two months.

"That's the key to the season," said Stephen Bardo, the former Illini guard who worked as an ESPN2 analyst Thursday on the telecast of Illinois' 54-52 loss at Penn State. "He's learning from Sam, but he had a trial under fire. He's getting that right now."

Supinie

Joe Paterno reportedly near death

BREAKING: Penn State coach Joe Paterno near death, family summoning close friends to hospital for final goodbyes.

cvmikesisak

Football recruiting update

 

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Upcoming Events

Sat, Jan 28at Minnesota7:00pm BTN
Tue, Jan 31Michigan State6:00pm ESPN
Sun, Feb 5Northwestern2:00pm BTN
Thu, Feb 9at Indiana7:00pm BTN
Sun, Feb 12at Michigan12:00pm CBS
Full Illini basketball schedule. All times CT.

Fighting Illini Sports Forums

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1/26 News & Notes
Last post by I Hate Lemonier 34s ago
Official 2012 Illini Football Recruiting Thread
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Official 2013 Illini Football Recruiting Thread
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1/27 News & Notes
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Pregame: Illinois at Minnesota, Saturday, January 28th, 7:00pm CT, BTN
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Officiating
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Joe Paterno dies at 85
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IllinoisLoyalty Illini Twitter News

IllinoisLoyalty
Bruce Weber press conference #Illini http://t.co/L5j6ydxx
22 hours ago
IllinoisLoyalty
1/26 News & Notes #Illini http://t.co/tiGNZa3f
1 day ago
IllinoisLoyalty
"Paul..thanks for maintaining a sense of objectivity..My question: What is it going to take to get Bruce Weber fired?" http://t.co/ZW8ehqdJ
2 days ago
IllinoisLoyalty
RT @aatumanova I forget how awesome Paul Klee was... he had such an amazing sense of color. http://t.co/zUwZfP9o
2 days ago
IllinoisLoyalty
#Illini Meyers Leonard shoulders plenty http://t.co/yVvG60i7
2 days ago
IllinoisLoyalty
Bowl eligibility may require 7 wins in 2014 http://t.co/iMpXKE9C
2 days ago
IllinoisLoyalty
RT @DrSaturday Rick Neuheisel and Ron Zook will join CBS Sports Net for signing day. It will be the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl that never was.
2 days ago
IllinoisLoyalty
#Illini 'No' vote puts Thomas in tough spot http://t.co/mv9HxRJz ~ Illinois averaging less than 1 point per possesion http://t.co/OoMpNLmm
3 days ago
IllinoisLoyalty
Weber: "This is the breaking point of our season" #Illini http://t.co/hoiA7pqT
3 days ago
IllinoisLoyalty
RT @Suntimes: Ex-Illini hoops player Jereme Richmond pleaded guilty to a gun charge today, got probation http://t.co/MW9vdxKi
4 days ago
IllinoisLoyalty
Wisconsin 67, Illinois 63 ~ Meyers Leonard: "Hopefully, we can steal one on the road. Hopefully, we get better." http://t.co/A6y7xnPi
4 days ago
IllinoisLoyalty
2 more #Illini football commits over the weekend: Jevaris Little http://t.co/i5EM96nC ~ Devin Church http://t.co/y7pCLz5v
4 days ago
IllinoisLoyalty
Caller: "It's really disconcerting to see what the program has become" ~ Cited the sellout with empty seats, and the lethargic callin show
4 days ago
IllinoisLoyalty
Caller: "I'm just wondering how long we can expect the Bruce Weber Experiment to go on"
4 days ago
IllinoisLoyalty
Caller: "We're staring at a 4-game losing streak right in the face"
4 days ago
IllinoisLoyalty
"This coaching staff is out of it." http://t.co/xIfuavvq
4 days ago
IllinoisLoyalty
RT @WernerConnectFM #illini Weber: asked assistants if he should rotate more. They said they beat OSU without subbing.
4 days ago
IllinoisLoyalty
"No props to Weber for his use of the bench. His starters were gassed in the 2nd half" #Illini http://t.co/0Psho7hu
4 days ago
IllinoisLoyalty
Weber: "I probably gotta use the bench a little more"
4 days ago
IllinoisLoyalty
"We're in big trouble now. Gone from top of the CBB world to facing a big challenge to get to 9 wins." #Illini http://t.co/S0jTyAd9
4 days ago

2011-12 Illini Basketball Schedule

Record: 15-5 (4-3)
DateOpponentTime/TV
Fri, Nov 11Loyola-ChicagoW 67-49
Mon, Nov 14SIU EdwardsvilleW 66-46
Thu, Nov 17LipscombW 79-64
Tue, Nov 22RichmondW 70-61
Wed, Nov 23Illinois StateW 63-59
Sun, Nov 27Chicago StateW 90-43
Tue, Nov 29at MarylandW 71-62
Sat, Dec 3GonzagaW 82-75
Wed, Dec 7St. BonaventureW 48-43
Sun, Dec 11Coppin StateW 80-63
Sat, Dec 17UNLVL 64-48
Mon, Dec 19CornellW 64-60
Thu, Dec 22MissouriL 78-74
Tue, Dec 27MinnesotaW 81-72 2OT
Sat, Dec 31at PurdueL 75-60
Wed, Jan 4at NorthwesternW 57-56
Sat, Jan 7NebraskaW 59-54
Tue, Jan 10Ohio StateW 79-74
Thu, Jan 19at Penn StateL 54-52
Sun, Jan 22WisconsinL 67-63
Sat, Jan 28at Minnesota7:00pm BTN
Tue, Jan 31Michigan State6:00pm ESPN
Sun, Feb 5Northwestern2:00pm BTN
Thu, Feb 9at Indiana7:00pm BTN
Sun, Feb 12at Michigan12:00pm CBS
Wed, Feb 15Purdue7:30pm BTN
Sat, Feb 18at Nebraska4:00pm BTN
Tue, Feb 21at Ohio State6:00pm ESPN
Sun, Feb 26Iowa5:00pm BTN
Thu, Mar 1Michigan6:00pm ESPN(2)
Sun, Mar 4at WisconsinTBD
All times CT.

Illini Tickets

Seating charts:   Assembly Hall   Memorial Stadium
2 Illinois Basketball Tickets Available (Games Listed In Thread)
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2 Bulls Tickets vs Jazz, March 10th
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Bulls Home Game Tickets For Sale
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3 Tickets for sale vs. Purdue - C Section
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Wanted: 2 or 4 tickets to the Iowa bball game
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2012 Illini Football Schedule

DateOpponent
Sat, Sept 1Western Michigan
Sat, Sept 8at Arizona State
Sat, Sept 15Charleston Southern
Sat, Sept 22Louisiana Tech
Sat, Sept 29Penn State
Sat, Oct 6at Wisconsin
Sat, Oct 13at Michigan
Sat, Oct 20---Bye---
Sat, Oct 27Indiana
Homecoming
Sat, Nov 3at Ohio State
Sat, Nov 10Minnesota
Sat, Nov 17Purdue
Sat, Nov 24at Northwestern
Game times & TV will be added when announced.

2011 Illini Football Results

Record: 7-6 (2-6)
DateOpponentResult
Sat, Sept 3Arkansas StateW 33-15
Sat, Sept 10South Dakota StateW 56-3
Sat, Sept 17Arizona StateW 17-14
Sat, Sept 24Western MichiganW 23-20
Sat, Oct 1NorthwesternW 38-35
Sat, Oct 8at IndianaW 41-20
Sat, Oct 15Ohio StateL 17-7
Sat, Oct 22at PurdueL 21-14
Sat, Oct 29at Penn StateL 10-7
Sat, Nov 12MichiganL 31-14
Sat, Nov 19WisconsinL 28-17
Sat, Nov 26at MinnesotaL 27-7
Sat, Dec 31UCLAW 20-14

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