Illini_1979
- Oregon
I wouldn't object if Liddell decides to go pro after this year. He's a tough matchup.
Am wondering how our teams in '48-'52 under Harry Combes compared. He had such an excellent run as coach over 20 seasons but those three early teams that made it to the final four must have been something else.I'm still gonna say 89 team was the best ever - pure talent with healthy Gill. 2005: precision, machine, fast like crazy, shooters. 2021 Illini: pretty darned good in all respects.
GO ILLINI! Flying that flag for you, men! Where can I buy an Ayo mask? Cool!
EJ Liddell picked OSU because he felt stuck between a rock and a hard place (Mizzou & ILL) so he took the easy way out. He justified it by saying the OSU had more talent than either Mizzou or ILL. OSU is a really good team. I however agree with illliram here, he didn't have the guts that Ayo did. He wanted to come to Illinois as a sophomore but was concerned with our talent. He wanted to play in the B1G but didn't have the courage to take on the challenge. That is ok by me and I wish the kid well. It does however speak to why AYO is a Saint for our program. WhynotMe he said, and he changed the face of this program overnight. We owe him immensely.What a lonely feeling EJ Liddell must have today. They just lost their last 4 games. If he even thought for 10 seconds last night that he made a mistake going to OSU, that would make me feel good. He didn't have the guts that Ayo did. Let this be a lesson to the top players in Illinois that Illini basketball is here to stay, and to make the commitment to your home state. I see a passion on the Illini sideline I have not seen before, and that I have craved for our football team for years. Let's do this! Happy March!
He looks like he’s got a lot of guts whenever I’ve seen him play.EJ Liddell picked OSU because he felt stuck between a rock and a hard place (Mizzou & ILL) so he took the easy way out. He justified it by saying the OSU had more talent than either Mizzou or ILL. OSU is a really good team. I however agree with illliram here, he didn't have the guts that Ayo did.
He is a really good player. Wish the kid well and hope he goes pro right now!He looks like he’s got a lot of guts whenever I’ve seen him play.
You are correct, sir. The Whiz Kids! Man, I bet they made their free throws!Am wondering how our teams in '48-'52 under Harry Combes compared. He had such an excellent run as coach over 20 seasons but those three early teams that made it to the final four must have been something else.
Lol years ago I created the flyin Illini shirt with the flight numbers on the back. If I still was in that business I would make a “domino” shirt with the Batman 11 graphic. It would sell like crazy!If his jersey says “Dominio” for the first game of the BTT, we all know who to blame, @LouHenson.
Agree. They were well-coached, really quick, and played tough, tough defense. I am very partial to the ‘49 team. A couple of banners were raised to the rafters from players on that team!Am wondering how our teams in '48-'52 under Harry Combes compared. He had such an excellent run as coach over 20 seasons but those three early teams that made it to the final four must have been something else.
No. 1 option there, no. 3 option here? Surprised not seeing him on draft projections. See Wagner and not nearly the player in any aspect.Well, I'm not going to pretend that I know what he's feeling. But he's the leading scorer on a top 20 team in the country as a sophomore. I don't know why he didn't pick us, but I have no reason to believe it's because he lacks "guts".
The days of in-state loyalty as a major driving factor in recruiting are pretty much over. No one should expect it and dozens of players have shunned Illinois and been very happy, even when they look at us in our brightest of days.
And yes, any time a kid picks someone else over us, I'll take some glee when they fall short in head to head competition. But as long as they treated the recruitment with class (Liddell appears to have done that) I'll generally wish them well in their college careers.
That was after the main group of the Whiz Kids played in ‘41-‘43. The ‘43 #1 ranked Illini never played in the tournament because some of them went to war...You are correct, sir. The Whiz Kids! Man, I bet they made their free throws!
We're certainly in a smidge better position to reel in Illinois Mr. Basketball winners than we were three years ago.Supposedly Liddell grew up a big OSU football fan. We were in bad shape when he committed, Ayo led Illini wasn't strong early on and Kofi hadn't committed.
Not sure he made a bad decision, he is highlighted on a top ten team and looks like he will be a player to watch next year.
Hoping our success can lead to more instate recruiting victories that we would of lost the last 15 years.
The time to appeal the league champion decision was prior to the decision being made or immediately after. Not ~a week afterwards.So are we now ranked #2 or #3 on Monday and what are the odds of a BIG Ten co-championship being granted.
Maybe Josh appealed behind the scenes. Crazy to think that only 2 loses to Maryland for a combined 4 points was the difference between back to back BIG TEN championships. Regardless, super proud of this squad!!The time to appeal the league champion decision was prior to the decision being made or immediately after. Not ~a week afterwards.
Likely a good fit among Illini greats, Chief and Altgeld88, but with no TV, there are likely not more than a couple of dozen folks who saw them play that are still alive. I turned two after that season was over and therefore have no recollection of that team. But thanks to my grandfather, I was practicing my set shot with a nerf ball about the size of a cantaloupe at a basket stuck on the top of my closet door!!! Had no idea there was a game associated with all that. Manny Jackson and Governor Vaughn were my first Illini heroes and Bogie Redmon, Skip Thoren, Tal Brody, Dave Downey, and Don Freeman led the first Illini B1G champs that I was able to watch....compliments of Chesty Potato Chips.Agree. They were well-coached, really quick, and played tough, tough defense. I am very partial to the ‘49 team. A couple of banners were raised to the rafters from players on that team!
Chesty Potato Chips. Stellar. I had to look that one up.Likely a good fit among Illini greats, Chief, but with no TV, there are likely not more than a couple of dozen folks who saw them play that are still alive. I turned two after that season was over and therefore have no recollection of that team. But thanks to my grandfather, I was practicing my set shot with a ball about the size of a cantaloupe at a basket stuck on the top of my closet door!!! Had no idea there was a game associated with all that. Manny Jackson and Governor Vaughn were my first Illini heroes and Bogie Redmon, Skip Thoren, Tal Brody, Dave Downey, and Don Freeman led the first Illini B1G champs that I was able to watch....compliments of Chesty Potato Chips.
Thanks for bringing them to attention.
Respectfully disagree. All this B1G shaming is good for our team. They are literally pissed, no amount of trash talk could light a fire that has been lite for these guys. After we win the National Championship ... when the celebratory beer is poured at RW52's house and yours... we really won't give a darn about this "asterisk". We should be thankful for the gas pouring motivation at the right time.If we don't get the B1G to make us co-champions (and I would bet a beach house we won't), we should hang a championship banner in the SFC with an asterisk next to champions and then put "unofficial" in very small print at the bottom of the banner. Then tell the B1G to stuff it if they complain.
I remember watching those guys on TV with my parents in Central Illinois. That's when I became a fan; lasted all my life despite decades of distractions. I always come back to my roots as an Illini BB fan.Likely a good fit among Illini greats, Chief and Altgeld88, but with no TV, there are likely not more than a couple of dozen folks who saw them play that are still alive. I turned two after that season was over and therefore have no recollection of that team. But thanks to my grandfather, I was practicing my set shot with a nerf ball about the size of a cantaloupe at a basket stuck on the top of my closet door!!! Had no idea there was a game associated with all that. Manny Jackson and Governor Vaughn were my first Illini heroes and Bogie Redmon, Skip Thoren, Tal Brody, Dave Downey, and Don Freeman led the first Illini B1G champs that I was able to watch....compliments of Chesty Potato Chips.
Thanks for bringing them to attention. You old! On the other hand, I am just maturing!
on the other hand am just maturing.
I am only aware because I have watched old file tapes that I got from WCIA long ago because my father-in-law was on that ‘49 team-known as the Rockford Flash...Likely a good fit among Illini greats, Chief and Altgeld88, but with no TV, there are likely not more than a couple of dozen folks who saw them play that are still alive. I turned two after that season was over and therefore have no recollection of that team. But thanks to my grandfather, I was practicing my set shot with a nerf ball about the size of a cantaloupe at a basket stuck on the top of my closet door!!! Had no idea there was a game associated with all that. Manny Jackson and Governor Vaughn were my first Illini heroes and Bogie Redmon, Skip Thoren, Tal Brody, Dave Downey, and Don Freeman led the first Illini B1G champs that I was able to watch....compliments of Chesty Potato Chips.
Thanks for bringing them to attention. You old! On the other hand, I am just maturing!
on the other hand am just maturing.
No banner is going to be hung until after the NCAA tournament. By that time, the motivation won't make a difference.Respectfully disagree. All this B1G shaming is good for our team. They are literally pissed, no amount of trash talk could light a fire that has been lite for these guys. After we win the National Championship ... when the celebratory beer is poured at RW52's house and yours... we really won't give a darn about this "asterisk". We should be thankful for the gas pouring motivation at the right time.