It’s time for another one of my crazy sports conspiracy theories.  The Illini were cruising along, looking like a solid 5 seed and maybe even a 4 seed in the NCAA Tourney.  Then they lost Frazier to a fractured hand/wrist and said he would probably not be back for the Big Ten tourney but he [...]

Illinois pulled the much maligned 5-seed in the NCAA Tournament and they’ll play the 12-seed Western Kentucky in the first round.  The Hilltoppers of course have the best mascot in sports history. So already you have to be worried.  The Hilltoppers should actual give Illinois plenty to think about this week, judging by a quick [...]

March is the best month in all of sports, no question about it.  I was sitting at my computer last night staring at some brackets, when I remembered my favorite moment in NCAA tournament history.  Everyone’s is different I guess, but this is the one for me.  “Williams to tie it with a three..OHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!”

That four seed looked pretty good next to Illinois in the latest bracketology from ESPN.  Well after last night it will take quite a bit to get a four seed or better in the big dance. Last night I was hearing how Penn State was trying to play its way into the tournament, while Illinois [...]

Illinios moved to 23-6 on the year with a win against Minnesota last night.  It was a typical Big Ten battle, with tough defense and a lot of physical play.  The 51-42 win is not pretty to most, but to teams like the Illini wins don’t come any more gorgeous. Bruce Weber was fed up [...]

I’m not a very emotional guy by nature.  I show anger, excitement, and passion, sure, but sadness?  It’s not as easy for me.  After writing about Stormin’ Norman yesterday, I was basically spent in terms of being able to feel sad.  Then the tragic news came in late last night that Johnny “Red” Kerr passed [...]

Illinois players and fans have been trying to forget a 33-point performance earlier in the week.  Sunday’s game at Ohio State went a long way to pushing that memory out.  The Illini made 8 of their first 9 shots and never allowed the Buckeyes to take a lead. After being up by five at halftime, [...]

If If you were screaming for Paxson to make a move for the past 5 years, you finally got your wish.  He made three major moves in the last couple days right before the deadline.  Did he make the moves we all wanted?  I don’t see Chris Bosh or Amare Stoudemire in a Bulls jersey, [...]

*may be false If they didn’t it was damn close.  Illinois had an awful night shooting the basketball, making just 15 of its 50 shots.  In a contest between Illinois shooting regular shots and me shooting free throws with my left foot, it would not be a blowout. The first half saw Illinois score 15 [...]

By all accounts, this season has been a giant surprise for Illinois basketball. After a 13-18 record last season and the loss of two of their “best” players, hopes were not high for Illinois. Then they won 13 of their first 14 games and everyone thought this team might be decent. Now we are certain [...]

Jeff Garcia is a free agent now. Could the Bears be a candidate for his services? A couple of sources “close to the situation” in Phoenix say that it looks like Amare is staying put. Jesse “The Body” Ventura wants Bud Selig to be indicted, similar to Vince McMahon, for his role in the steroid [...]

After being lauded as a defensive stopper, Chester Frazier slipped into the role of offensive hero for a little while Sunday, as Illinois held off Indiana in Bloomington for a 65-52 win. Illinois streaked to a 21 point lead in the first half, but saw Indiana claw back to within six with just over six [...]

It looked like another one of those road games for Illinois. They had played so well at home recently and it seemed like they just needed one road win to cement their place near the top of the Big Ten. Last night it was more bricklaying than cementing against Northwestern. With 5:25 to go, the [...]

Is it finally the “next year” Cubs fans are always talking about? The journey starts today. Bulls blow the game in spectacular fashion against the Heat last night. As my friend NQTC reader Adam pointed out, where was Rose on that last inbounds play? And why was an ice-cold Thabo inbounding the ball? Illinois comes [...]

The Illini will travel to Evanston tonight to take on Northwestern. The Wildcats are 11-2 at home this year and the oddsmakers are predicting a close game. I would say the Illini are playing their best basketball of the season coming off their beat-down of Purdue last week, but it hasn’t been that kind of [...]