To the Illini fans...there were no losers in this game. Your team covered itself in glory and class. Unfortunately, there can only be one winner...one champion. It just was our night.
The game lived up to it's billing...the best 2 teams in the land fighting it out.
I watched the entire second half of the game and it was a good one. It was a well played one by both teams. Only one turn over each for both teams in the second half was especially impressive. As another poster already mentioned, the deciding factor was the outstanding and rugged play of Sean May inside. Overall, North Carolina was not necessarily the better team, but they clearly had the best player on the court. Congrats to the victors.
Much as I'd like to agree with you, I can't. Yes, Sean May had a great game (26 points, 10 rebounds). But so did Luther Head (21 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals). It takes more than one player to win a championship. Illinois beat Wisconsin-Milwaukee even though Joah Tucker scored 32 points.
I'm proud of the Illini. They had a great season, a great tournament, and a fine championship game. They just got beat by a team that played better. (This time.)
There's some minor excitement around Jackrabbit land with now division I SDSU (South Dakota State) getting to travel to play Illinois next week. I guess it is Illinois' opener but not for SDSU as they get to be creamed by kentucky first (This Sunday). These creamings are just a price that has to be paid to step up I guess.
My school...the men's basketball (not football) doormat of the Big Ten...will get their turn to be smashed by Illinois once during the winter. I suppose they will have to make up for the horrendous damage we inflicted on them during the football season. Anyway I dont see any threads for Illini footbal, heh heh.
I'd love to revel in Illinois' defeat of North Carolina today, but the two teams only bear a slight resemblance to last year's championship teams. Can you imagine the top two college FOOTBALL teams starting the next year unranked and ranked 15th? Oh, well. Might as well enjoy it. ILLINI BEAT THE TAR HEELS! ILLINI BEAT THE TAR HEELS! Nyah, nyah, nya, nyahhh, nyah!
Yea but they were SUPPOSED to either beat them or play them a tough game. Back in, I think it was 2001, my school beat them in the NCAA tourament and started their down time. That was a great shame to them to get beat by a school which was making its third appearance in the tourney in fifty years. Oh well, back to being the Big Ten doormat.
I was watching that game last night and I thought Illinois weas going to blow it. My opinion is that when a team is playing to protect a lead and run down the clock, they wind up getting terrible shots if they dobn't turn it over first. However, they changed that in time to get off the game clinching shot.
Now that College Football is over (of course, it was over for the Illini in September), we can get back to bsketball. The Ilini had an admittedly light non-conference schedule, but Michigan State was a real test, and the Screaming Illeenee kicked butt! MSU was held to half its usual score, and Dee Brown racked up 34 for Illinois. Again, no one's really expecting a repeat of last season; but, so far so good!
I said after the Michigan State game, if Brown isn't hitting, they may have trouble. When they tried to go to someone else, they didn't look good, even against Michigan State. Iowa proved they have problems without Brown hitting 35 footers, but maybe they were a little tired too.
It's bad enough that Illinois's NCAA-leading home win streak (okay -- tied with Gonzaga) was ended, but to lose to a team like Penn State? And even worse, to blow a 16-point second-half lead to do it!! Of course, had Rich McBride gotten his last shot off a tenth of a second sooner, Illinois would have won by two. But that didn't happen. Hopefully, this will re-energize the Illini.
Of course, had Rich McBride gotten his last shot off a tenth of a second sooner, Illinois would have won by two. George
I haven't seen the replay ... they reviewed it quite some time ... Did you see it? Was it the right call?
edited in later ... YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING!!!!
it was definitely in his hand though.....
I found that from an Illini forum ...
So now there are 6 Big 10 teams in the top 25, with Iowa the lowest, but first in the Big 10 after beating the snot out of Michigan. LOL ... I think Illinois should be more like 16th ranked, or number 6 when Dee is hitting more than 45%.
I saw a video replay on the ESPN website that showed it pretty plainly. But, more importantly, in an interview after the game, Ed DeChellis (Penn State coach) talked about how the two opposing coaches were together durinbg the review, and each was being pessemistic to each other about what the outcome would be. Evidently they know each other very well and are both class guys.
Well. Another season gone. I would have expected at least the Sweet Sixteen this year, but I guess you can't give the other team almost 40 free throws and hope to win.
I was hoping to see Illini vs UConn ... oh well Big Ten is already down to just Ohio State now I think ... other than maybe rooting for Gonzaga, I've lost interest in the tourney now ...
the Illini message room felt they got screwed, Weber seemed to feel that way too ... Brown said they (Illinois) were hacking and undisciplined ...
I think Washington had 7 field goals in the second half ... Illinois had a run, but got shut down with the foul calls. It seemed Washington was hacking pretty good as well.
Sorry about your Illini, George. That was a huge lead to lose like that. Too bad.
Our IU lost last night too, though they gave it a good try. We weren't expecting them to necessarily get to the 16, but it would have been great to see Mike Davis' face if they had.
I'd love to know where they found the refs for that game. Tyler Hansborough gets beat up all game and Carolina shoots a total of 4 free throws. Unbelievable.
The Tar Heels did a lot better than anybody expected since they lost their top seven players off last year's championship team. They'll be hard to handle next year.
Everyone I know is pretty po'd about this. How do a few loud mouths get their way?
The new mascot should be something generic ... but it should do the same dance. Could "they" complain about that? Maybe a big orange. Is there a movement to protect overly sensitive oranges?
They allowed them to keep "Illini" because it is a nick for Illinois. And fighting as in fighting spirit. Good grief.
So I'm for a fighting orange. But those "Secret Life of Plants" people will surely show up in due time to squelch the fighting orange, becasue it is offensive to orange trees everywhere.
I wonder if a non-fighting Illini would be OK? A passive Illini? Maybe only a socialist Illini would pass muster.
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oenophile
To the Illini fans...there were no losers in this game. Your team covered itself in glory and class. Unfortunately, there can only be one winner...one champion. It just was our night.
The game lived up to it's billing...the best 2 teams in the land fighting it out.
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dmiller
The only consolation I get out of the NC win is Sean May is the son of Scott May (Indiana University Hoosiers -- 1976 NCAA champs).
Us Hoosiers are everywhere.
:D-->
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Mark Sanguinetti
I watched the entire second half of the game and it was a good one. It was a well played one by both teams. Only one turn over each for both teams in the second half was especially impressive. As another poster already mentioned, the deciding factor was the outstanding and rugged play of Sean May inside. Overall, North Carolina was not necessarily the better team, but they clearly had the best player on the court. Congrats to the victors.
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def59
Excellent commentary Mark. Hit it right on the head.
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GeorgeStGeorge
Guys,
Much as I'd like to agree with you, I can't. Yes, Sean May had a great game (26 points, 10 rebounds). But so did Luther Head (21 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals). It takes more than one player to win a championship. Illinois beat Wisconsin-Milwaukee even though Joah Tucker scored 32 points.
I'm proud of the Illini. They had a great season, a great tournament, and a fine championship game. They just got beat by a team that played better. (This time.)
George
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Lifted Up
There's some minor excitement around Jackrabbit land with now division I SDSU (South Dakota State) getting to travel to play Illinois next week. I guess it is Illinois' opener but not for SDSU as they get to be creamed by kentucky first (This Sunday). These creamings are just a price that has to be paid to step up I guess.
My school...the men's basketball (not football) doormat of the Big Ten...will get their turn to be smashed by Illinois once during the winter. I suppose they will have to make up for the horrendous damage we inflicted on them during the football season. Anyway I dont see any threads for Illini footbal, heh heh.
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GeorgeStGeorge
Yes, the Illini football team played about two and a half good games this season. I can't believe they got pasted by PURDUE today.
With three of the Illini basketball team's top players from last year gone, expectations aren't high for another 37-win season, but we'll see...
George
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GeorgeStGeorge
I'd love to revel in Illinois' defeat of North Carolina today, but the two teams only bear a slight resemblance to last year's championship teams. Can you imagine the top two college FOOTBALL teams starting the next year unranked and ranked 15th? Oh, well. Might as well enjoy it. ILLINI BEAT THE TAR HEELS! ILLINI BEAT THE TAR HEELS! Nyah, nyah, nya, nyahhh, nyah!
6-0!
George
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Lifted Up
Yea but they were SUPPOSED to either beat them or play them a tough game. Back in, I think it was 2001, my school beat them in the NCAA tourament and started their down time. That was a great shame to them to get beat by a school which was making its third appearance in the tourney in fifty years. Oh well, back to being the Big Ten doormat.
I was watching that game last night and I thought Illinois weas going to blow it. My opinion is that when a team is playing to protect a lead and run down the clock, they wind up getting terrible shots if they dobn't turn it over first. However, they changed that in time to get off the game clinching shot.
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GeorgeStGeorge
Now that College Football is over (of course, it was over for the Illini in September), we can get back to bsketball. The Ilini had an admittedly light non-conference schedule, but Michigan State was a real test, and the Screaming Illeenee kicked butt! MSU was held to half its usual score, and Dee Brown racked up 34 for Illinois. Again, no one's really expecting a repeat of last season; but, so far so good!
15-0!
George
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GeorgeStGeorge
Well, the pressure's off. <_<
15-1.
George
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rhino
I said after the Michigan State game, if Brown isn't hitting, they may have trouble. When they tried to go to someone else, they didn't look good, even against Michigan State. Iowa proved they have problems without Brown hitting 35 footers, but maybe they were a little tired too.
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Lifted Up
Hey, my Lions are tied with Illinois in the Big Ten. Gotta get that in while it lasts. Okay, big deal. But we were supposed to be the last place team.
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Lifted Up
Ha ha ha ha ha...my Lions beat 'em...ON THE ROAD!!!!!!
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GeorgeStGeorge
Ouch!!
It's bad enough that Illinois's NCAA-leading home win streak (okay -- tied with Gonzaga) was ended, but to lose to a team like Penn State? And even worse, to blow a 16-point second-half lead to do it!! Of course, had Rich McBride gotten his last shot off a tenth of a second sooner, Illinois would have won by two. But that didn't happen. Hopefully, this will re-energize the Illini.
20-3
George
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rhino
I haven't seen the replay ... they reviewed it quite some time ... Did you see it? Was it the right call?
edited in later ... YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING!!!!
it was definitely in his hand though.....
I found that from an Illini forum ...
So now there are 6 Big 10 teams in the top 25, with Iowa the lowest, but first in the Big 10 after beating the snot out of Michigan. LOL ... I think Illinois should be more like 16th ranked, or number 6 when Dee is hitting more than 45%.
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Lifted Up
I saw a video replay on the ESPN website that showed it pretty plainly. But, more importantly, in an interview after the game, Ed DeChellis (Penn State coach) talked about how the two opposing coaches were together durinbg the review, and each was being pessemistic to each other about what the outcome would be. Evidently they know each other very well and are both class guys.
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GeorgeStGeorge
Well. Another season gone. I would have expected at least the Sweet Sixteen this year, but I guess you can't give the other team almost 40 free throws and hope to win.
See you next year!
Go Chief!
George
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rhino
I was hoping to see Illini vs UConn ... oh well Big Ten is already down to just Ohio State now I think ... other than maybe rooting for Gonzaga, I've lost interest in the tourney now ...
the Illini message room felt they got screwed, Weber seemed to feel that way too ... Brown said they (Illinois) were hacking and undisciplined ...
I think Washington had 7 field goals in the second half ... Illinois had a run, but got shut down with the foul calls. It seemed Washington was hacking pretty good as well.
Oskee Wow Wow
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jardinero
Sorry about your Illini, George. That was a huge lead to lose like that. Too bad.
Our IU lost last night too, though they gave it a good try. We weren't expecting them to necessarily get to the 16, but it would have been great to see Mike Davis' face if they had.
Good bye, Mike. You'll be missed by the locals.
J.
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Pirate1974
North Carolina's out too. George Mason?
I'd love to know where they found the refs for that game. Tyler Hansborough gets beat up all game and Carolina shoots a total of 4 free throws. Unbelievable.
The Tar Heels did a lot better than anybody expected since they lost their top seven players off last year's championship team. They'll be hard to handle next year.
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HAPe4me
Rhino- we still got little Bradley U. from Peoria for at least one more game!
Go Braves
~HAP
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GeorgeStGeorge
The PC weenies win again
The end of an era
George
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rhino
Everyone I know is pretty po'd about this. How do a few loud mouths get their way?
The new mascot should be something generic ... but it should do the same dance. Could "they" complain about that? Maybe a big orange. Is there a movement to protect overly sensitive oranges?
They allowed them to keep "Illini" because it is a nick for Illinois. And fighting as in fighting spirit. Good grief.
So I'm for a fighting orange. But those "Secret Life of Plants" people will surely show up in due time to squelch the fighting orange, becasue it is offensive to orange trees everywhere.
I wonder if a non-fighting Illini would be OK? A passive Illini? Maybe only a socialist Illini would pass muster.
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