Pregame: Illinois vs Gonzaga, Monday, November 19th, 10:30pm CT, ESPN2

[FeelYourPaign]

Wasn’t sure where to put this, but had to share. I’m in Maui with my wife and ran into a friend from high school who’s also an IL grad. He had the following encounter with Bruce Pearl yesterday....

Ok...here is the transcript:

Me: Hey coach. Deon Thomas says hi. (I am wearing an Illini hat).

Pearl: smiles and reaches out to shake my hand.

Me: I'm not shaking your hand. You are a slime ball.

Pearl: why don't you step over here so I can punch you in the face

Me: Go ahead and try to hit me. You will get fired.

Pearl: He starts MFing me. Says how dare you threaten me in front of my wife.

Me: I didn't threaten you. And proceed to walk away.

Pearl: continues flip out. Turns beat red. Asks, do you know who I am? Grabs a security person. Tells them that he is a coach and wants me thrown out of my hotel.

Me: I walk away and go sit back down with my family eating lunch.

Pearl: continues MFing me, asks why I walk away. Security starts to swarm to the area where he is at.

Me: I go back to our table. Stunned at how he flipped out. Tell Jenny and our kids what happened.

Me: Security comes to me. I tell them my version. They tell me to keep separation from him. One security guy actually laughs and says the Pearl is crazy and says he needs to show restraint. Turns out this security guy played Bball at Eastern Michigan.

Pearl: Looms around on the pathway for around 20 minutes with security. Hope's I will get kicked out. Just look looking at our table. Finally he leaves. And now I have a great story!

Aw, dude, where was your phone? I want video !!

 

[Gravy Train]

Aw, dude, where was your phone? I want video !!

Unfortunately I wasn’t with him when it happened, or I would have...

 

[Whitmans Sampler]

Ho ho, it's been a long time my Midwestern friends! Welcome to Maui, where the Zags came in locked and loaded! As a fan of both programs (Gonzaga and Duke that is) I'm really excited for tonight's matchup. Here is what you need to know about this year's Zags:

- Rui Hachimura is a big, strong physical forward who can speak really good English for a guy who only started speaking it 2 years ago and is going to lay down some misunderstood rap lyrics while he throws down tomahawk jams in transition

- Brandon Clarke is the other guy you gotta worry about dunking once he is past midcourt. He can FLY! hey-o! I'm not sure how he feels about Drake though

- Josh Perkins. You've seen him over the years, but not like this. One of the best assist/turnover ratios in the country! He has great hair like all GU guards as well. Not as good as my main man Dan Dickau, but then again who DOES!!!!????

- Zach Norvelle is a Chicago kid and we love him. His nickname is snacks. So hide your popcorn! He's going to rain some 3s! BANG!

- Cory Kispert is our resident swiss army kid - he does it all! Shoots threes, blocks shots, and can make a killer pastrami on rye sandwich

- Our bench has some other players but I don't recall their names nor can I pronounce them correctly

As for the game tonight, I'll say this: Gonzaga will win. Scouting other teams isn't my strength but I watched your game against Georgetown (fake bulldogs) and I love your athleticism and energy but it won't be enough tonight.

Heister OUT!

Wrong.

 

[PtownIllini8]

S

+13

Vegas is drunk.

So go out and get you some!

 

[TheGMan]

Wasn’t sure where to put this, but had to share. I’m in Maui with my wife and ran into a friend from high school who’s also an IL grad. He had the following encounter with Bruce Pearl yesterday....

Ok...here is the transcript:

Me: Hey coach. Deon Thomas says hi. (I am wearing an Illini hat).

Pearl: smiles and reaches out to shake my hand.

Me: I'm not shaking your hand. You are a slime ball.

Pearl: why don't you step over here so I can punch you in the face

Me: Go ahead and try to hit me. You will get fired.

Pearl: He starts MFing me. Says how dare you threaten me in front of my wife.

Me: I didn't threaten you. And proceed to walk away.

Pearl: continues flip out. Turns beat red. Asks, do you know who I am? Grabs a security person. Tells them that he is a coach and wants me thrown out of my hotel.

Me: I walk away and go sit back down with my family eating lunch.

Pearl: continues MFing me, asks why I walk away. Security starts to swarm to the area where he is at.

Me: I go back to our table. Stunned at how he flipped out. Tell Jenny and our kids what happened.

Me: Security comes to me. I tell them my version. They tell me to keep separation from him. One security guy actually laughs and says the Pearl is crazy and says he needs to show restraint. Turns out this security guy played Bball at Eastern Michigan.

Pearl: Looms around on the pathway for around 20 minutes with security. Hope's I will get kicked out. Just look looking at our table. Finally he leaves. And now I have a great story!

I'll take "Things That Didn't Happen" for $500, Alex.

 

[BananaShampoo]

Wasn’t sure where to put this, but had to share. I’m in Maui with my wife and ran into a friend from high school who’s also an IL grad. He had the following encounter with Bruce Pearl yesterday....

Ok...here is the transcript:

Me: Hey coach. Deon Thomas says hi. (I am wearing an Illini hat).

Pearl: smiles and reaches out to shake my hand.

Me: I'm not shaking your hand. You are a slime ball.

Pearl: why don't you step over here so I can punch you in the face

Me: Go ahead and try to hit me. You will get fired.

Pearl: He starts MFing me. Says how dare you threaten me in front of my wife.

Me: I didn't threaten you. And proceed to walk away.

Pearl: continues flip out. Turns beat red. Asks, do you know who I am? Grabs a security person. Tells them that he is a coach and wants me thrown out of my hotel.

Me: I walk away and go sit back down with my family eating lunch.

Pearl: continues MFing me, asks why I walk away. Security starts to swarm to the area where he is at.

Me: I go back to our table. Stunned at how he flipped out. Tell Jenny and our kids what happened.

Me: Security comes to me. I tell them my version. They tell me to keep separation from him. One security guy actually laughs and says the Pearl is crazy and says he needs to show restraint. Turns out this security guy played Bball at Eastern Michigan.

Pearl: Looms around on the pathway for around 20 minutes with security. Hope's I will get kicked out. Just look looking at our table. Finally he leaves. And now I have a great story!

He forgot the "And then I woke up from my dream." ending to the story.

 

[Deleted member 236589]

Is this that kid who always raises his hand, begging the teacher to do extra credit work over Christmas break? Not quite sure where to put this.

Probably in the annoying but true folder.

 

[foby]

Wasn’t sure where to put this, but had to share. I’m in Maui with my wife and ran into a friend from high school who’s also an IL grad. He had the following encounter with Bruce Pearl yesterday....

Ok...here is the transcript:

Me: Hey coach. Deon Thomas says hi. (I am wearing an Illini hat).

Pearl: smiles and reaches out to shake my hand.

Me: I'm not shaking your hand. You are a slime ball.

Pearl: why don't you step over here so I can punch you in the face

Me: Go ahead and try to hit me. You will get fired.

Pearl: He starts MFing me. Says how dare you threaten me in front of my wife.

Me: I didn't threaten you. And proceed to walk away.

Pearl: continues flip out. Turns beat red. Asks, do you know who I am? Grabs a security person. Tells them that he is a coach and wants me thrown out of my hotel.

Me: I walk away and go sit back down with my family eating lunch.

Pearl: continues MFing me, asks why I walk away. Security starts to swarm to the area where he is at.

Me: I go back to our table. Stunned at how he flipped out. Tell Jenny and our kids what happened.

Me: Security comes to me. I tell them my version. They tell me to keep separation from him. One security guy actually laughs and says the Pearl is crazy and says he needs to show restraint. Turns out this security guy played Bball at Eastern Michigan.

Pearl: Looms around on the pathway for around 20 minutes with security. Hope's I will get kicked out. Just look looking at our table. Finally he leaves. And now I have a great story!

If true, he gets Legendary Status for life.

 

[Gravy Train]

I'll take "Things That Didn't Happen" for $500, Alex.

Well, I want there when it happened..but everyone he was with confirmed the story.

 

[Greg Heister]

Probably in the annoying but true folder.

That's the spirit!

 

[sully]

I will be rooting on the beloved Illini regardless tonight! Here's hoping we can make it a game.

 

[Kathy]

Wasn’t sure where to put this, but had to share. I’m in Maui with my wife and ran into a friend from high school who’s also an IL grad. He had the following encounter with Bruce Pearl yesterday....

Ok...here is the transcript:

Me: Hey coach. Deon Thomas says hi. (I am wearing an Illini hat).

Pearl: smiles and reaches out to shake my hand.

Me: I'm not shaking your hand. You are a slime ball.

Pearl: why don't you step over here so I can punch you in the face

Me: Go ahead and try to hit me. You will get fired.

Pearl: He starts MFing me. Says how dare you threaten me in front of my wife.

Me: I didn't threaten you. And proceed to walk away.

Pearl: continues flip out. Turns beat red. Asks, do you know who I am? Grabs a security person. Tells them that he is a coach and wants me thrown out of my hotel.

Me: I walk away and go sit back down with my family eating lunch.

Pearl: continues MFing me, asks why I walk away. Security starts to swarm to the area where he is at.

Me: I go back to our table. Stunned at how he flipped out. Tell Jenny and our kids what happened.

Me: Security comes to me. I tell them my version. They tell me to keep separation from him. One security guy actually laughs and says the Pearl is crazy and says he needs to show restraint. Turns out this security guy played Bball at Eastern Michigan.

Pearl: Looms around on the pathway for around 20 minutes with security. Hope's I will get kicked out. Just look looking at our table. Finally he leaves. And now I have a great story!

I really hope you're kidding!

 

[Kathy]

I'll take "Things That Didn't Happen" for $500, Alex.

Exactly!!!

 

[Deleted member 2050]

Ho ho, it's been a long time my Midwestern friends! Welcome to Maui, where the Zags came in locked and loaded! As a fan of both programs (Gonzaga and Duke that is) I'm really excited for tonight's matchup. Here is what you need to know about this year's Zags:

- Rui Hachimura is a big, strong physical forward who can speak really good English for a guy who only started speaking it 2 years ago and is going to lay down some misunderstood rap lyrics while he throws down tomahawk jams in transition

- Brandon Clarke is the other guy you gotta worry about dunking once he is past midcourt. He can FLY! hey-o! I'm not sure how he feels about Drake though

- Josh Perkins. You've seen him over the years, but not like this. One of the best assist/turnover ratios in the country! He has great hair like all GU guards as well. Not as good as my main man Dan Dickau, but then again who DOES!!!!????

- Zach Norvelle is a Chicago kid and we love him. His nickname is snacks. So hide your popcorn! He's going to rain some 3s! BANG!

- Cory Kispert is our resident swiss army kid - he does it all! Shoots threes, blocks shots, and can make a killer pastrami on rye sandwich

- Our bench has some other players but I don't recall their names nor can I pronounce them correctly

As for the game tonight, I'll say this: Gonzaga will win. Scouting other teams isn't my strength but I watched your game against Georgetown (fake bulldogs) and I love your athleticism and energy but it won't be enough tonight.

Heister OUT!

You know how everyone on Facebook is always screaming for a "dislike" button?

 

[bobbob]

Wasn’t sure where to put this, but had to share. I’m in Maui with my wife and ran into a friend from high school who’s also an IL grad. He had the following encounter with Bruce Pearl yesterday....

Ok...here is the transcript:

When you tell the story and don't realize you're the jerk.

Pearl's a jerk too, but there is no hero in this tale.

Edit: I guess there are words that we can't say...

 

[mattcoldagelli]

As a fan of both programs (Gonzaga and Duke that is)

Imagine typing this about yourself

 

[Actionjackson]

When you tell the story and don't realize you're the jerk.

Pearl's a jerk too, but there is no hero in this tale.

Edit: I guess there are words that we can't say...

Bruce Pearl deserves every fan comment that can be mustered for being a cheating, lying sack of.....it's called karma

 

[tpbradley]

Imagine typing this about yourself

 

[PlayAZ]

Wasn’t sure where to put this, but had to share. I’m in Maui with my wife and ran into a friend from high school who’s also an IL grad. He had the following encounter with Bruce Pearl yesterday....

Ok...here is the transcript:

Me: Hey coach. Deon Thomas says hi. (I am wearing an Illini hat).

Pearl: smiles and reaches out to shake my hand.

Me: I'm not shaking your hand. You are a slime ball.

Pearl: why don't you step over here so I can punch you in the face

Me: Go ahead and try to hit me. You will get fired.

Pearl: He starts MFing me. Says how dare you threaten me in front of my wife.

Me: I didn't threaten you. And proceed to walk away.

Pearl: continues flip out. Turns beat red. Asks, do you know who I am? Grabs a security person. Tells them that he is a coach and wants me thrown out of my hotel.

Me: I walk away and go sit back down with my family eating lunch.

Pearl: continues MFing me, asks why I walk away. Security starts to swarm to the area where he is at.

Me: I go back to our table. Stunned at how he flipped out. Tell Jenny and our kids what happened.

Me: Security comes to me. I tell them my version. They tell me to keep separation from him. One security guy actually laughs and says the Pearl is crazy and says he needs to show restraint. Turns out this security guy played Bball at Eastern Michigan.

Pearl: Looms around on the pathway for around 20 minutes with security. Hope's I will get kicked out. Just look looking at our table. Finally he leaves. And now I have a great story!

Bon Jour....

 

[ChuckM]

Is this that kid who always raises his hand, begging the teacher to do extra credit work over Christmas break? Not quite sure where to put this.

No, he's the kid who looks at who is picked to be the best team and then goes out and buys that jersey and tells everyone he's been a fan of theirs for years.

He had to hang his Nova jersey up for now.

 

[Deleted member 8632]

Ho ho, it's been a long time my Midwestern friends! Welcome to Maui, where the Zags came in locked and loaded! As a fan of both programs (Gonzaga and Duke that is) I'm really excited for tonight's matchup. Here is what you need to know about this year's Zags:

- Rui Hachimura is a big, strong physical forward who can speak really good English for a guy who only started speaking it 2 years ago and is going to lay down some misunderstood rap lyrics while he throws down tomahawk jams in transition

- Brandon Clarke is the other guy you gotta worry about dunking once he is past midcourt. He can FLY! hey-o! I'm not sure how he feels about Drake though

- Josh Perkins. You've seen him over the years, but not like this. One of the best assist/turnover ratios in the country! He has great hair like all GU guards as well. Not as good as my main man Dan Dickau, but then again who DOES!!!!????

- Zach Norvelle is a Chicago kid and we love him. His nickname is snacks. So hide your popcorn! He's going to rain some 3s! BANG!

- Cory Kispert is our resident swiss army kid - he does it all! Shoots threes, blocks shots, and can make a killer pastrami on rye sandwich

- Our bench has some other players but I don't recall their names nor can I pronounce them correctly

As for the game tonight, I'll say this: Gonzaga will win. Scouting other teams isn't my strength but I watched your game against Georgetown (fake bulldogs) and I love your athleticism and energy but it won't be enough tonight.

Heister OUT!

Is that you bench warmer air guitar guy???

 

[RIVERCITYCHIEF]

As we prepare to face some elite talent, I can't see us coming away with any wins in Hawaii. Afraid our interior will be severely exploited by all of the 4/5 star talent. Predicting we will, however, play either Auburn or SD State in a tight game for 7th place.

Zags 94
Illini 70

I think the National prognosticators have us accurately pegged as the 13th best team in the Big 10. However, Ayo looks to be the real deal. He's got the "it" factor and will be our leading scorer this year. He plays with extreme confidence.

Prove me wrong guys. Go ILLINI!!!

I am so sick of people preoccupied with "stars". Where was Kendall ranked or Norman? So many great players develop into elite players. I guess you would prefer Cliff Alexander to Frank the Tank. I want stars but I trust elite coaches like ours and Michigan's that some ranking serve. Why even play huh? My glass is full! I love our backcourt
Who was ranked higher last year TF or MS? How did that work out? Go illini!

 

[Peace Frog]

Wasn’t sure where to put this, but had to share. I’m in Maui with my wife and ran into a friend from high school who’s also an IL grad. He had the following encounter with Bruce Pearl yesterday....

Ok...here is the transcript:

Me: Hey coach. Deon Thomas says hi. (I am wearing an Illini hat).

Pearl: smiles and reaches out to shake my hand.

Me: I'm not shaking your hand. You are a slime ball.

Pearl: why don't you step over here so I can punch you in the face

Me: Go ahead and try to hit me. You will get fired.

Pearl: He starts MFing me. Says how dare you threaten me in front of my wife.

Me: I didn't threaten you. And proceed to walk away.

Pearl: continues flip out. Turns beat red. Asks, do you know who I am? Grabs a security person. Tells them that he is a coach and wants me thrown out of my hotel.

Me: I walk away and go sit back down with my family eating lunch.

Pearl: continues MFing me, asks why I walk away. Security starts to swarm to the area where he is at.

Me: I go back to our table. Stunned at how he flipped out. Tell Jenny and our kids what happened.

Me: Security comes to me. I tell them my version. They tell me to keep separation from him. One security guy actually laughs and says the Pearl is crazy and says he needs to show restraint. Turns out this security guy played Bball at Eastern Michigan.

Pearl: Looms around on the pathway for around 20 minutes with security. Hope's I will get kicked out. Just look looking at our table. Finally he leaves. And now I have a great story!

You forgot the part about Milky Way candy bars

 

[Goldtop]

When you tell the story and don't realize you're the jerk.

Pearl's a jerk too, but there is no hero in this tale.

Edit: I guess there are words that we can't say...

I have the same reaction. Hoping this is just a tall tale.

 

[oldman]

What is the latest word about whether Trent will play tonight? I assume that this is still the right thread for Gonzaga game news?