News & Notes - February 22nd

Dan · Feb 22, 2013, 06:35 AM

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Great photo. Thanks in #Illini nation for braving the storm. http://instagram.com/p/WBGCQlLGzI/

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Illinois 64, Penn State 59: 'They grinded'

"Our guys found a way, and they grinded. Sometimes in February, they don't always look sexy and pretty," Illinois coach John Groce said. "We found a way and made some plays, and I was proud of the guys for that."

The crowd was sparse, and justifiably so. A winter storm meant only 7,667 made their way inside the Assembly Hall on Thursday to witness the eyesore.

Officials Ed Hightower, Terry Oglesby and Brian Dorsey called 52 fouls in the game.

Marcus Jackson

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Nerves

Surprise with a win at Ohio State or Michigan and make a little run in the BTT and we can start talking about a possible five or even a four seed. Lose to Nebraska on senior day and maybe we’re talking 10. But for tonight, we'll tuck away the ugly win and never speak of this again. That's our stinker for February, and it won't happen again this season. It won't happen, right? Man, what if we play like that against Nebraska?

*begins pacing*

http://alioneye.com/2013/02/21/nerves/

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It's not pretty, but Illinois beats Penn State

Illinois side-stepped a potentially damaging loss Thursday night, surviving a free throw contest that masqueraded as a basketball game.

In a game marked by 52 personal fouls and 52 attempted free throws, D.J. Richardson scored 18 points and Brandon Paul became the 10th player in school history to pass the 1,500-point mark as Illinois escaped Penn State 64-59 for its fifth straight victory.

Tupper

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Illini hold on to beat Penn State 64-59

"Illinois is playing with a lot more toughness and is defensive minded," Penn State coach Patrick Chambers said. "John is doing a great job with his energy, fire and enthusiasm."

Supinie

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Illinois holds off Penn State 64-59

"It just shows our maturity," Paul said. "We just kept fighting. You can't just show up one game and compete. You have to show up every game. We knew this was going to be a fight. Their record doesn't really show how hard they play."

Shannon Ryan

Letswinagain · Feb 22, 2013, 06:39 AM

Good stuff, Dan. Thanks for the quotes and links. Time to dig out from the storm and hope the team brings their "A" game to Ann Arbor.

job71188 · Feb 22, 2013, 06:43 AM

Is Supinie with the PJ Star now? If so that's great

Botb9 · Feb 22, 2013, 07:43 AM

That's a fantastic shot.

SteakSandwich · Feb 22, 2013, 07:46 AM

The Assembly Hall looks like a painting on a wall. Thanks for the cool picture.

IlliniFan95 · Feb 22, 2013, 08:21 AM

Football team got to see what it looked like to play with inensity and purpose and to out-tough Penn State!

PointGuardU01 · Feb 22, 2013, 08:34 AM

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Originally Posted by IlliniFan95

Football team got to see what it looked like to play with inensity and purpose and to out-tough Penn State!

I'm glad we won, but at no point in that game did we 'out-tough' Penn State. They beat us up on the boards and for loose balls. They're just so poorly skilled that they couldn't hit enough shots or defend without fouling so we pulled it out. No need to apologize for being better though!

Dan · Feb 22, 2013, 09:02 AM

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Catching up with Kansas State's Bruce Weber

Weber on seeing Illinois having success the year after he left:

"Those are the guys I recruited. You have a good relationship with them. Some of the guys you've known for five, six years. You recruited them as sophomores and juniors in high school. You always feel good when they do well. At the same time, I don't stare at the TV channel every time they're on. I've got enough things to worry about with my team and recruiting and my family and everything else. It's a fine line. When Tyler Griffey makes a game-winner, you feel good for him. He's a senior and a guy you recruited. You hope he has success. You cheer for him. ...It also helps that my daughter is still a cheerleader there. I've got to pay attention a little bit."

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports...weber/1937575/

TheSecretWeapon · Feb 22, 2013, 09:03 AM

did Weber recruit these guys? I couldn't tell from reading the quote...

nicksmith4three · Feb 22, 2013, 09:10 AM

I am sure he doesn't have a ton of time to sit and watch Illinois games. That said, if his daughter is still cheering on the sidelines, as a parant, I would assume he watches every game he can even though the cheerleaders are hardly a focus.

PointGuardU01 · Feb 22, 2013, 09:11 AM

I really wish we would cut the BW cord...even though I know we won't.

FeelYourPaign · Feb 22, 2013, 09:12 AM

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Originally Posted by PointGuardU01

I really wish we would cut the BW cord...even though I know we won't.

IDKWTI

Decatur1955 · Feb 22, 2013, 09:16 AM

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Originally Posted by TheSecretWeapon

did Weber recruit these guys? I couldn't tell from reading the quote...

Did he mention that many times that Bill Self recruited the 05 team? :laugh:

I Bomb · Feb 22, 2013, 10:14 AM

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Originally Posted by PointGuardU01

I really wish we would cut the BW cord...even though I know we won't.

Not as long as a post with his name in it generates so many replies -

HsvIllini · Feb 22, 2013, 10:17 AM

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Originally Posted by FeelYourPaign

IDKWTI

To quote Gotye, "He is just somebody that we used to know"

ChiCityHoops34 · Feb 22, 2013, 10:27 AM

I will always be supportive of Bruce. You all can continue to hate constantly as always, but the man coached our best season in school and almost NCAA history.

Go Illini and in groce I trust

Kleindog · Feb 22, 2013, 10:42 AM

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Originally Posted by HsvIllini

To quote Gotye, "He is just somebody that we used to know"

No one will be able to read this without singing it

FeelYourPaign · Feb 22, 2013, 11:23 AM

Didn't think this was worth a thread of its own, but Butler hosts St. Louis tonight in what could be a pretty good game.
6:00 Central, ESPNU

Groundhogday · Feb 22, 2013, 11:27 AM

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Originally Posted by Decatur1955

Did he mention that many times that Bill Self recruited the 05 team? :laugh:

Bill Self made sure to mention that he recruited the '05 team at every available opportunity.

IlliniSpine · Feb 22, 2013, 07:13 PM

Well, Groce is obviously reaping the benefits of BW recruiting. When he takes this team deep into the tourney, we should all pay homage and give thanks to BW just like we did for Bill Self :rolleyes:

mdonsbach · Feb 22, 2013, 07:23 PM

Have to admit when I first saw the pic of Assembly Hall I thought the thing was on fire...I was thinking...well that is one way to get a renovation!

Holdemall · Feb 22, 2013, 07:27 PM

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Originally Posted by HsvIllini

To quote Gotye, "He is just somebody that we used to know"

But I don't wanna live that way
Reading into every word you say.

Words to live by for IL, I figure.

Feb 22, 2013, 07:43 AM	#4
Botb9 Realist Posts: 3,148	That's a fantastic shot. __________________ Hype is a self-serving beast that feeds on the hopes and dreams of fans.

Feb 22, 2013, 09:03 AM	#9
TheSecretWeapon Location: ILLINI NATION! Posts: 583	did Weber recruit these guys? I couldn't tell from reading the quote... __________________ PSA: Teams "LOSE" games. They don't "LOOSE" them. PSA#2: "Would have" or "would've," not "would of." ORANGEY RUN RUN RUN SCORE SCORE

Feb 22, 2013, 07:23 PM	#21
mdonsbach Location: Bethalto, IL Posts: 1,257	Have to admit when I first saw the pic of Assembly Hall I thought the thing was on fire...I was thinking...well that is one way to get a renovation! __________________ Twitter

Feb 22, 2013, 06:39 AM	#2
Letswinagain Location: On the midwestern prairie Posts: 156	Good stuff, Dan. Thanks for the quotes and links. Time to dig out from the storm and hope the team brings their "A" game to Ann Arbor.

Feb 22, 2013, 06:43 AM	#3
job71188 Posts: 521	Is Supinie with the PJ Star now? If so that's great

Feb 22, 2013, 07:46 AM	#5
SteakSandwich Location: Danville, IL Posts: 110	The Assembly Hall looks like a painting on a wall. Thanks for the cool picture.

Feb 22, 2013, 08:21 AM	#6
IlliniFan95 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 312	Football team got to see what it looked like to play with inensity and purpose and to out-tough Penn State!

Feb 22, 2013, 09:10 AM	#10
nicksmith4three Location: Madison, WI Posts: 55	I am sure he doesn't have a ton of time to sit and watch Illinois games. That said, if his daughter is still cheering on the sidelines, as a parant, I would assume he watches every game he can even though the cheerleaders are hardly a focus.

Feb 22, 2013, 09:11 AM	#11
PointGuardU01 Posts: 1,247	I really wish we would cut the BW cord...even though I know we won't.

Feb 22, 2013, 10:27 AM	#16
ChiCityHoops34 Location: DeKalb IL Posts: 803	I will always be supportive of Bruce. You all can continue to hate constantly as always, but the man coached our best season in school and almost NCAA history. Go Illini and in groce I trust

Feb 22, 2013, 11:23 AM	#18
FeelYourPaign Location: Barrington, IL Posts: 2,294	Didn't think this was worth a thread of its own, but Butler hosts St. Louis tonight in what could be a pretty good game. 6:00 Central, ESPNU

Feb 22, 2013, 07:13 PM	#20
IlliniSpine Location: Seattle Area, WA Posts: 1,101	Well, Groce is obviously reaping the benefits of BW recruiting. When he takes this team deep into the tourney, we should all pay homage and give thanks to BW just like we did for Bill Self :rolleyes: