The Red Menace
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 fans crazy.
The natives are restless. But I feel compelled to write that, at least Monday night, it wasn't the coach frustrating them. As the Illini's 6-man rotation shrank to its starting five, Illinois stopped running motion and set plays. All five began standing the old Statue of Liberty play, which requires at least one cutter.
Even peppy Sam Maniscalco drew heckles for inactivity, specifically when he failed to follow his own shot and three Cornell guys converged on the long rebound.
Bruce Weber's huge salary requires a lot of side work that you'll never know about. His main task is to find three guys who can hit a seven foot target with a 30-inch sphere from 21 feet. It's proved nearly impossible so far.
Maybe that's because the 5th man in that scheme, the fullback, is not clearing a hole for his ball carrier.
I never thought I'd target Ibrahima Djimde as the key to this team, especially not the key to this team's offensive scheme. But Djimde is the Sweeper. He's a soccer player; great on defensive positioning. And that's what Illinois needs on offense. A guy who sees the floor, puts a body on people, and clears a path. (Tyler Griffey's a natural three, as was Mike Tisdale.)
We knew the annual "deep bench, up-tempo" recitation held as much promise as any New Year's resolution. The only difference is that you're not being paid $1.5 million dollars to lose ten pounds and watch less TV.
Bruce Weber is a smart guy, and hyper aware. He registers every bit of criticism, despite claiming to avoid newspapers, etc. He's probably coming to realize that winning games is not the sole end to his purpose. If the crowd hates watching the style of play, if it continues to stay away by the thousands, Weber will be back on the market. Mike and Jeni Thomas were in the house to see the four thousand empty seats and hear the jeers.
This time, the non-offense worked. Desperation heaves found the basket. DJ Richardson and Brandon Paul made shots when it really counted, and that shouldn't be overlooked. But the outcome was a victory only in the sense that it was a win, and that's not good enough.
A FAMILIAR FACE IN THE CROWD
Bill Cole is in America for a week. Playing pro-ball in England, Bill's home court looks like a high school gym. But he likes it because he's the go-to guy on the team.
Games must be scheduled carefully to avoid religious conflicts. Although Britons are stereotyped as more freethinking than Americans, they're caught in the grip of an obsession which Bill's team, if it hopes to gain a popular following, must avoid.
So no games on Spellbound Saturdays. Ensorcelled Englishmen cannot be distracted from their reverie. Over there, it's a way of life, but in America we call it "soccer."
3 comments
I missed this game last night. It’s the first televised game haven’t watched in recent memory. I just forgot there was a game or possibly, deep down, wasn’t motivated enough to bother know when the next game was scheduled.
Well at least we are winning the close games against mediocre teams. We are a near lock for the NIT now.
I’m amazed to say it at 11-1, but Weber’s job as never been in more jeopardy. I’m afraid this team is going to be sub-.500 in the BT unless something changes for the better.
Q-Tips
It wasn’t televised. You had to go to espn3.com to see it.
I watched the second half, and it was much the way it is described here. Lots of standing around.
11-1 is a great record, but a loss to Missouri and a .500 record in the B1g 2en would mean a 20-11 mark going into the conference tournament. Getting even nine wins in the league this year could be a stretch. Only Iowa and Penn State look to be chalk wins.
I missed this game last night. thomas jersey saints
drew brees jersey
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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…
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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.
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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.