Bracket Time!

The NCAA tournament is in full swing! Illinois is preparing for this to begin, and I'm sure everyone is a bit nervous. No one is really sure how they will do, but most bets are on them loosing. I, on the other hand, have Illinois going all the way every single year, no matter how good they are. (I guess this is my way of hoping a lot of luck from St. Patrick will head their way!)

Everyone is entering the different bracket competitions I guess you could call them. Whether they are 5$ or 10$ to enter, I always know spring is coming when I see my brother scribbling away at his bracket, talking it over with my dad about who is going to defeat, and who is fall.

No one will forget the starters of the 2005, including Dee Brown. Loosing to North Carolina in the championship is a grudge against that team I will hold forever!

Quick News!

Some quick news:

-Men's basketball lost to Purdue 66-56 (Big Ten Semifinals)

-Men's baseball is ranked number 21

-Men's track partcipated in the NCAA Indoor Championships

-Men's gymnastics is ranked number 4

With all these men's teams, where are all the women? Spring sports are in full swing, with the weather getting nicer and spring break quickly approaching!

Sat. April 25th- first spring football game, and footballs' first practice is March 31st!! Doesn't it seem like we just heard about all the winning teams in football?

Big Ten Network...Friday....530 p.m......your couch and favorite Illini t-shirt...be there! The Men's basketball team faces the Michigan Wolverines tomorrow. March 12-15th is some people's favorite times of the year. It is the Big Ten tournament... the top of their website says Big Life Big Stage Big Ten. If you want big, fun to watch and intense college basketball games, check out the Ben Ten tournament games. (The Big Ten does include 11 teams, not 10). Michigan State, Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin have all claimed the title of champions twice since the beginning of this tournament. Let's see who decides to pull it off this year! Check out this website for more info about the tournament!

Illini Fan- Wear

Whether your hoodie is white,

orange, or blue, you can always

support the Illini while being

fashionable and warm.

Go here for more hoodies from Campus Colors

T-shirts can be casual just to sit around the house,

or perfect for the big football or basketball game. They can just help pack the gym with orange, or have your favorite saying on them.

You can get a Fighting Illini duffle bag for the gym or your sport, or maybe Illinois lounge chairs. Maybe you want to start your day off with an Illini coffee mug. Either way, there are many different items you can purchase to support the Illini. Except most aren't obssessed as my family!

Flips Flops Amaze

As I'm sure most of you agree, gymnastics has always been an aspiration of mine. Therefore, I have an extreme jealousy and admiration for all those who have the ability to be talented gymnasts. The Fighting Illini women's gymnastics team is ranked 15, and has a meet this Saturday against Illinois-Chicago. The meet is a double dual, with the men's team against UIC. The men are ranked number 5 in the nation. WOW! Being the last home meet of the season, it will be senior night.

It is crazy how much we are being reminded that seniors are coming to a close, let's see if a story on senior slide comes about in our feature stories- due Wednesday!! Go here for pictures of the women's team! Also, check out the men's basketball game tongith!

Special Seniors

Today, Sunday March 1st, was the last men's home basketball for the season. There are 4 departing seniors that will be missed, and they inlcude C.J. Jackson, Trent Meacham, Chester Frazier, and Calvin Brock. With the 4 men graduating with four different degrees, they figured out a succesful way to be the leaders of a strong team. Although today was a loss against Michigan State, they put up a good fight and it was not a blow out, but a very close game up until the end. The Illini is one of the most improved teams in the nation, and I'm sure everyone is sad to see these seniors go.

Although loosing seniors in any sport or even just the school is an adjustment, everyone goes on the bigger and better things. As all seniors depart, we must know that they will make the school proud and go very far in their lives. Go here for more information and notes about today's game.

150th Win for Weber

As head men's basketball coach Bruce Weber had his 150th win on Sunday, they defeated Ohio State. He has now the highest winning record of any Big Ten coach who coached 6 total seasons. It only took 203 games to complete his accomplishment of 150 wins. Congratulations Bruce Weber :)

Throughout watching many years of watching Illinois basketball, Bruce Weber has been a dedicated coach through everything. He gets into the games no matter what the score, giving advice and input. I know that he is not one of those coaches that sits during the games, giving no help or guidance. Weber has never given up, even after the hardest losses through the years.

1st No Hitter Since 2005!

The women's softball team participated in the Marriott Houston Invitational yesterday (Saturday). Their 2 pitchers Ashley Wright and Taylor Call helped lead the team to their first no hitter in 6 years. The final score in their game against the Prairie View A&M Panthers was 9-1. The Fighting Illini women's softball team is in full swing with their season record so far at 9-4. Pitcher Monica Perry then led the team to victory against the Northern Illinois Huskies with a final score 3-1.

I personally love softball, there are some really tough but feminine girls out on the field. Watching a game of even little kid softball can be exciting and keep you on the edge of your seat. (the bleachers usually) I have a lot of respect and admiration for softball players, and I think everyone is proud of the Lady Illini. Go here for more information about the women's softball team.

True Fans

It takes a true fan to deal with last night's game. The Fighting Illini Men's basketball team is now ranked 18th, but lost to Penn State last night. The final score was 38-33, bad guys. The total scoring of the night is a high 71 points, which is the lowest in men's basketball since 2005. Bruce Weber, head coach, blamed this upsetting loss on "failure to get inside shots". Whatever the reason, they were ahead in the beginning, but obviously let that slip. There are no excuses. They have a strong team, a strong coach, and they could and should have won the game.

On a different note.... if you have ever been to Assembly Hall, the home of the Illini, the feeling you get when you walk into a packed place is indescribable. There is just something about the solid orange with little specs of blue and a small section of the opposing teams' fans. With the band playing, the student section screaming, the feeling of home and loyalty is hard to miss.

Check out the link for more info about last night's game...and if you ever get a chance to go to Assembly Hall for a basketball game, GO!

Happy Valentine's for Illini Fans

Happy Late Valentine's Day!

The Fighting Illini Men's Basketball Team has won against the Indiana Hoosiers 13 games in a row, and continued this streak this afternoon. The Illini beat the Hoosiers today, and continue to improve their popularity and rank. Demetri McCamey has been averaged 15. 3 points over the last three games, and is an important part of their team. Another fact, the Illini's top three scorers of the season are sophomores. (Go sophomores!) This proves a bright future for the Illini, as long as Bruce Weber continues to make good recruiting choices.

I know that no team will ever compare to the 2005 team, especially the 5 starters including Dee Brown (if only I could one day meet him, that would be amazing). I hope he knows that if I could meet anyone in the world, it would be him.

For more statistics and facts, go here.

Possibly Unknown Stars

It is for the most part true that not many pay attention to women's basketball. Why is this? I get that men's basketball games may be more interesting for some, but why? When those very tough and in-shape women step onto the court, it is not that different from a bunch of men playing around. Girls can have just as much aggression or fight in the game, and I would like to know why people don't really acknowledge this.

Although the University of Illinois Women's Basketball team is struggling this year, they have a few strong players. Their records this year are 6-17 and 2-10, and are playing against Indiana this Sunday at 12:30 Eastern time. One player, who ranks 7th in the nation in steals, (Lacey Simpson) will help lead Illinois to victory on Sunday. (check out the link for more statistics and information)

Becoming an Illini

As I was searching around Illinois websites, I thought it would be interesting to check out admissions/applications for the University of Illinois. The main things that they look at to begin with are: class rank, test scores, courses taken in high school, admissions essays, and also extra-curriculars. In addition to this, work, service, and also honors and awards are important.

This is all very helpful, not only for this college, but just college in general. Most colleges today are looking for diversity, hard workers, and talent.

Overall Selectivity for 2008 Admitted Freshmen ACT Score
Percentage of 2008 Admitted Freshmen (link has more info and statistics)
32 - 36 26%
27 - 31 51%
23 - 26 18%
22 or below 5%

This truly reminds everyone that ACT isn't everything, but of course matters. Working hard way before ACT even comes in play is very important, as well as remembering balance and hard work all around. Although I have a little while until college choice becomes an issue, especially for juniors I think it is a good idea to check out the top colleges for essay topics, and selectivity as I showed above.

Illini Represented at Super Bowl

Today, on the first of February, 5 Fighting Illini alumni (and also football players), are representing us well at the Super Bowl. These 5 former Illini football players will all be somehow involved in the long awaited "game of the year". The 2 teams playing today both have some Fighting Illini blood in them. Carey Davis and Rashard Mendenhall (on injury reserve) are players for Pittsburgh, with running back Kirby Wilson. (Go Steelers!) Arizona players Nathan Hodel and Neil Rackers will also be representing the Illini.

Although these former Illini will be playing against eachother, as least we've got some representation of Univeristy of Illinois and their football program today in the Super Bowl.

Spectacular Streak

Ranked #20 Fighting Illini Men's Basketball, has quite an impressive winning streak over the Minnesota Gopher's. Over 10 years, 4 different head coaches, and 4 cities, this impressive streak includes 20 straight wins beating the Gopher's. This streak is indeed the Illini's longest winning span against another team in their conference.

This is also qualified as 4th longest winning streak in the nation against a conference opponent. A little fun fact...Illinois is the only team in the Big Ten with four players in the leagues top 25 scorers!

The Fighting Illini face the Gophers tonight (Thursday)...there is hope for a 21st win against ranked #24 Minnesota.

Football in the "off season"

For the Fighting Illini Football Team, campus is never quite "quiet". Recently two of the Illini's players were honored to be on the Scout.com list of top 100 college football players returning for the 2009 season. The men that made the list were junior quarterback Juice Williams and receiver Arrelious Benn (quite a name). Williams was ranked No. 35 on Scout.com and Benn No. 38. These 2 players were also among the top 10 Big Ten players ranking fifth and sixth. I personally have attended Illinois Homecoming Football games for the past two years and although 2 players may not be able to carry a team, they are indeed impressive team members.

I think everyone expects great things from these specific players in the upcoming 2009 season.

Lady Illini News

With a switch from men's to women's basketball, we have another "postitive loss". 6'3'' junior Jenna Smith had a season high that night, finishing with 18 points and 18 rebounds (her career high is 19 rebounds). So, for she and also junior Lacey Simpson, the loss resulted in a smile while walking off the court. The Lady Illini basketball team lost against the Iowa Hawkeyes 72-62 at home last Thursday. 6'1'' junior Simpson also had a positive night, finishing with 12 points and a career high 15 rebounds. The team had a season high 46 rebounds total.

As I was browsing through the Fighting Illini website...guess what I found?? One of the members of the men's golf team blogs too! I know the men's golf coach Mike Small personally....he's an old friend of my dads, he's a pretty funny guy. Although the golf team does not involve any recent news, I think an interview with Mr. Small may be in the future of my blog! The golf team has an extremely nice and fairly new indoor facility, where they can stay on top of their game in the off season. The team is focusing on school work and weight lifting right now, but will be ready to get on the course when spring rolls around.

Terrific Turnaround

For Bruce Weber, the Fighting Illini Mens' Basketball head coach, the 2008-2009 season has been quite a turnaround from last season. The men of the 2007-2008 team had an almost depressing record....went 5-13 in conference and 16-19 overall. http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/conferences/standings?confId=7&year=2008

Their terrific turnaround this season has resulted in a 3-2 record in conference and 15-3 in conference thus far.

We recently had an "exciting loss" against the 5-0 in conference Michigan State. The final scored was 63-57. I'm not exactly sure anyone expected the opposing number 7 ranked team to have such a close win. http://www.bigtennetwork.com/news/article.asp?LIST_ID=2&STORY_ID=3185035

Although we aren't the same 2005 2nd place NCAA Championship team, the University Of Illinois Men's Basketball team has quite an improved team since last season.