Category > Illini BasketballPoetry In The Motion
As I walked off the court, I thought, "What a waste of time. These guys drove all this way for nothing." And then I got it. The Lou Henson investiture was not a made-for-teevee moment. It was not for my benefit. All those old codgers, once nimble, who drove and flew collectively thousands of miles, did not travel for entertainment purposes. They stood silently by to dignify the lifetime of a single man whose 80 years earned their quiet respect. …
Who wants to be the next Brandon Paul? That might seem like a trick question, given some of Brandon's recent escapades. But Tuesday night at the Assembly Hall, a handful of prized recruits watched 14,000 besotted Illini fans jump straight into the air, fists raised, as Brandon Paul topped major feat with huge feat, followed by massive feat.
I learned nothing by watching the Illinois/Nebraska game. But afterward, passing the time with Lorita Bertrand and Lynda Paul, I learned a lot. Their sons share the ability to jump three feet directly upward. Joe Bertrand compliments his leaping ability with a high quick-release shot. He developed the technique against older boys, on the playground. He's been doing it since 5th grade. According to Lynda, Brandon Paul's jumper shares that playground genesis. She also answered every Illini fan's nagging question …
I should learn to eliminate details from my Illini basketball coverage. If I avoid opponents names, final scores and stats, I can simply copy and paste the same column for every game. Meyers Leonard didn't get enough touches. Relying on three-pointers is a fickle mistress. The (opposing team's nickname) knew exactly how to defend Illini guards. Our screens yield no advantage. We passed around the arc too much. Illinois' inability to (fundamental basketball skill) continues to haunt the team. And …
Bruce Weber ended the post-game press conference with a flourish. When asked if he thought the Illini’s effort might have won him some friends within the fan base, Bruce flatly replied, “If they didn’t enjoy that game, to heck with ‘em,” and promptly walked out. And really, he’s right. Because if you didn’t enjoy that game, you’re probably a religious zealot, worshipping at the altar of the barely legal athlete, counting your Rivals Top 100 coffers, and treating the …
Another day, another $42,000. That's about how much Bruce Weber earns per game, win or lose. But with each loss, and perhaps even with wins like this one, fan disapproval forges another chink in the armor of Weber's job security. Lowly Cornell, 4-and-5 on the year, led for most of the game, at one point by double-digits. On the season, Illinois is now 7 and 4. They've played seven games that people could stand to watch, and four that drove …
GOOD NEWS FROM SATURDAY Lost in the malaise of Illini basketball's latest Headless Chicken routine, an important point demands attention: Meyers Leonard was fantastic against UNLV's big, butch, bearded front line. From the opening bell, Meyers moved through the low-post with purpose. He set hard screens. Really hard. No Illini big man since ... actually, I can't remember an Illini big man setting so many great screens.
I guess some people didn't like the Coppin State game. I thought it was great. I'd prefer to see Meyers Leonard get twice as many shots, but ten field-goal attempts is a big improvement on the Bonaventure fiasco. Meyers tallied four assists, too — demonstrating an expert understanding of spacing, and a deft passing touch.
Well, that reverie didn't last long. Illini basketball thought it was pretty hot shit for a few days there. Wednesday night against a .500 St. Bonaventure team, Illinois slurried from its brief flirtation with solidity. Forgetting about the giant, NBA-bound athletic freak in the paint, the Illini devolved into a slippery slop not seen since... Cancun? Any Penn State game? Every year since Dee left? Actually, every year since Deron left. The disease is familiar. The cure continues to elude …
Before Tuesday's practice at the Assembly Hall, the Illini seemed pretty loose. For the players, that's not unusual. But even the coaches were relaxed. Bruce Weber handed out Tootsie Pops to staff. Jay Price sang the dreidel song. Jerrance Howard joined the team managers' hot topic of discussion: who will be the next Illini football coach? Wayne McClain arrived last, which is generally the case with the coach assigned to prepare the scouting report for the upcoming opponent. Here's what …
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Oh, by the way, the “Champaign County YMCA” no longer exists. The official name is now the “Stephens Family YMCA” (the website has not been updated, but check out the latest program guide). And no, it’s not just the name of the building. It’s the name of the organization.
Very inspired Photochops as well….
Props on the new YMCA dig. I think it’s a terrible spot for it, but then again, I’m not well-to-do and I’m not willing to drive 15 minutes at $4/gallon to exercise for an hour.
http://motorcycle-intelligence.com/do-loud-pipes-save-lives/1119/ Are you a smoker, too? I feel like I’m just getting recycled arguments.
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/streetsurvival/dangerous_motorcycle_safety_myths/index.html “Myth 2: Loud Pipes Save Lives”
Yes, I also love the idea of the downtown! However, the “turds” that ride Harley’s or any other motorcycle have the right to ride their motorcycles regardless of the “loudness” anywhere they want. They are buying gas, hence they are contributing to the motor fuel tax that…
Yup, this was the year I realized there’s no way this is my last CU marathon, even though I’m gradumacating next week.Where else am I gonna get cheered on by 70+ year old heart-of-gold volunteers who smile at me so genuinely I could believe I’m their granddaughter?…
I always have a good, but disappointed, laugh when marathon time creeps up and I start seeing posts on the WCIA Facebook page lamenting race day and how difficult it is to get around town that day. One this year said, “can’t they just go run in…
Reminds me of Total Football (soccer) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_Football
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As a liberal conservative, and a person who favors taxes & services ... and also a sense of proportion; I savor the comic potential that still exists in this comments section. I’m pretty sure we can goad more anti-government rhetoric from confirmed progressives and government employees. If…
Did the Crave Truck get a permit to park in city metered spots and city right of way? Or did they just get a permit? The city clerk’s office seems to be a suspect here, but it’s not clear they did anything wrong. Did the Crave Truck…
High-profile whining. AKA Lobbying.
it’s quite choice. looking forward to seeing how it and its patronage grow and develop over the course of the year. could be a neat little ecosystem.
“It was at this point, before he started his business, that working with city employees should’ve raised red flags…” But they didn’t because: 1) The City Clerk’s office originally mis-interpreted the rules, or are indeed re-interpreting them. 2) Champaign’s brick-n-mortar merchants hadn’t yet started whining about The Crave Truck.
Super cool! Excellent track, Excellent band.
Looking forward to trying this place!
I’m in the middle (or the beginning or end, depending on how you look at it) of re-reading Slaughterhouse Five. What a great companion column.
Get yours early. The Rave’s CD will be available at Exile and at The C-U Flea on Saturday. C-U Flea details here: http://www.smilepolitely.com/news/sp_radio_podcast_c-u_flea_arrives/
I don’t know about Gerard and a random police sargeant. My (mild) outrage is based on this: “...he worked closely with Champaign City Clerk Marilyn Banks to make sure he was licensed properly as a transient food peddler, filling out the necessary paperwork and paying a $225…
Local Yocal pretty much nails it here. I suspect there will be merchants who oppose food trucks because they arguably don’t pay their fair share to locate their trucks in high traffic (high rent) areas. The food trucks take away business from rent payers, park in city…
Oh nice! I’d totally vote for Matt Campbell!
“Smile Politely sports writer announces candidacy for city government.”
I also got to visit Big Grove Tavern during the soft open and definitely enjoyed the pork belly the most of all the dishes I sampled. The cheesy grits and the vinegary pickled vegetables were a perfect compliment to the rich pork belly.
The Alan Partridge lookalike on the right in the first small photo has nothing to condescend to anyone about. AH HA!
Snell and the little Hitlers of the neighborhood association need to chill out. Legitimate businesses should have the freedom to exist without having to endure the slings and arrows of ignorant and misguided opposition.
represent, Matt.
Yeah, I’d agree that Transporter Room 3 is the worst house venue I’ve ever seen.
Food trucks are the start-up, small businesses of the future for those unable to afford real estate. No surprise, that merchants who pay rent, utilities, and maintenance on a property would despise the traveling competition. Or developers who build more empty retail spaces would want to close…
Not so much far-right Tea Party as a balanced, moderate viewpoint between letting businesses succeed and protecting society with reasonable regulations. In spite of what the city reps are saying, the interpretation of policy on this issue certainly has changed. Letting a business start up under one…
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@Dan - Wow. Unfortunately, I have to refrain from further comment due to a previous employment relationship. But with that brief context you might be able to imagine possible comments or responses I could have.