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Illini at Georgia Preview: Our long week without basketball is over

Joe Kutsunis — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 19:23:11 -0000

More photos » by Robin Scholz - AP

Well thankfully our week without any competitive men's basketball was filled in with coaching dismissals, coaching hires, and players declaring for the NFL. All of it very important and interesting but I will always prefer actual games to speculation about future seasons. That said, lets talk about tonight's basketball game shall we?

The Illini travel tonight to face the struggling Georgia Bulldogs on dreaded neutral court in Atlanta Duluth, Georgia. The Bulldogs are not very good this year, and come into this game riding a two game losing streak, and earlier this year lost to common opponent Wofford.

Of course the last time the Illini went to a neutral court against a presumably over matched opponent, we got the last second loss to Utah, and then to Bradley. So I suppose we are in no position to really take many opponents lightly. Its hard to ignore the blow out the Illini dealt the Bulldogs last season in Chicago though. In that game the Illini ran away with it in the second half, outscoring UGA 46-19. Even Bruce admitted that Georgia laid down in the second half and pretty much just accepted defeat. Better yet, the three players who played the best last year, are back in Davis Tis and DMAC.

With the new coach however, I don't expect Georgia to just roll over and accept it like they did last year. They have a quality big man in Trey Tompkins and I assume he will be the player that Bruce wishes to stop most in this game. For the season they have been shooting a respectable 43% from the field, but well behind the Illini, who are nearly making 50% of all shots they take.

Paul Klee said earlier this week that with the right kind of defense, and a shooting percentage that high, the Illini can really starting blowing out their opponents. Offense has not been what the Illini have been lacking so far this year, however, its consistent defense. Defense that, to be fair, has really picked up in the last two games. I for one think that the D is only going to keep getting better as the year goes on, and the freshmen only get more experienced.

I honestly don't think the Illini will have much of a problem with Georgia tonight, They have not played well this year, and I can't shake the memory of the Illini just shooting them out of the building last year. I think the Illini win comfortably.

Illinois finally hires Koenning as Defensive Coordinator

Joe Kutsunis — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 19:54:33 -0000

More photos » by Darrell Hoemann - AP

The Illini defense had it's share of problems last year, will a new DC fix them all?. (AP Photo/The News-Gazette, Darrell Hoemann)

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Well at least i supposedly have a meal now without being interrupted by coaching staff news right? Yes after a long night of uncertainty the University of Illinois finally made official its hiring of Vic Koenning as the new defensive coordinator. There was of course the late push by Georgia to steal away his services, but nothing came of it in the end.

I am a bit reserved about how excited I should be over this hiring. For one, Koenning will not be bringing in all of his own assistants apparently and I have no idea how much of a free hand he will have in running the defense. Zook was essentially the DC last year, with his two closest assistants basically carrying out his system. Those two assistants are still here, but will supposedly now be answering to Koenning, who in turn will be answering to Zook.

The other worry is about personnel, two of the players who would figure to have a large impact next year are coming back from major injuries (Martez Wilson and Miami Thomas) and we have yet to see how the transfers/player defections will finally shake out.

I have hope at the very least that Koenning can cut down on two things, players being out of position in the secondary and defensive penalties. This team supposedly has the athleticism to play with anyone, but these two problems have ruined way too many defensive stands.

There is a lot yet to learn here, and we wont even start to get real answers until spring ball. At the very least, this might be the last piece of major football news for the rest of the winter.

Big Ten Expansion: 11+1 Can't Equal 12

Bama Hawkeye — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 14:45:34 -0000

Here's the thing about this Big Ten expansion: it's going to be a big deal. Otherwise, it's not going to happen. If adding a twelfth team only add to the Big Ten coffers by 9.09% (or 1/11th of the current total), the deal is a wash. The Big Ten isn't going to add a school and expand for a wash. They will only expand if the expansion creates an increase in funding above and beyond what they would have received otherwise. If 11+1=12, expansion won't happen. 11+1 must equal more than 12.

Now before you and tell me that the Big Ten will make big money from a title game, recognize that your point is ceded. It will be a moneymaker for the league. However, if the expansion does not increase regular season fees by at least 9.09%, each school will receive less money from the league during the regular season. I will posit that if any part of this deal is a financial loss, it is not happening.

TRE is your one stop shop for all things Big Ten Expansion related...

Graham discusses pros and cons of adding a 12th team...and who it might be.

Lake Erie M argues for mega-expansion and a 14 team league

BHGP lists the 4 most important issues surrounding expansion.

Chadnudj details the benefits of the North/South split

That's why, you need to think big, or get out of the discussion. Big Ten expansion is not about "finding a rival for Penn State." Big Ten expansion is not about finding any local twelfth school so that the league can have a championship game. Big Ten expansion is about increasing the percentage of college sports dollars that go directly into the coffers of each institution. I am not saying this in a derogatory or cynical way. It's exactly what expansion should be about. If you're going to upset this apple cart by adding a new member, there better be some huge HUGE benefits. That was what the league got when Penn State joined. That's what the league should get now.

So stop thinking small. Join me after the jump and start thinking Big. After all, it's in our league's name for a good reason.

Let's add that 12th Team:

Remember, think BIG. Here are the teams that I think by themselves can satisfy this requirement:

Notre Dame

Yes, it's the league's white whale (and I appreciate it that the Irish again hired a coach who can personally live up to that moniker.). At the same time, it is still the most recognized name and brand in college athletics. It would be a coup for the league. It would be a perfect fit (and they'd find a way to get the Irish into the AAU; don't sweat that). If Notre Dame would say yes (and they won't), this search would be done.

Texas

Do you remember that Texas reached out to join the Big Ten in 1993/94? Shortly before the Horns and Aggies (along with the state's two successful piggybackers) joined the Big 8, Texas talked with the Big Ten about becoming the league's 12th member. The Big Ten was under a self-imposed expansion moratorium, though.

Today, I don't see Texas joining. They are the New York Yankees of the Big 12. They have every conceivable advantage and limited revenue sharing. Why would they leave that situation for long road trips (the shortest Big Ten trip would be longer than the longest Big 12 trip) and equitable payouts? Do you think the Yankees would leave baseball's system for football's - where they would share (most of) their dollars evenly with Green Bay? Texas is in a perfect situation.

Nebraska

Yes, the Big Ten wants to dominate the Omaha media market. No, this would be about adding a football giant. Tom Osborne, for one, would listen long and hard. He's preached against the Southern-dominance of the Big 12 since its inception. I don't know if the Huskers take the offer, but it's a much closer call than you might think at first blush. And don't give me the "Big 8/12 founding member tradition garbage." It doesn't pay the bills.

Maryland

This is all about DC. The ACC has the market surrounded. The Big East has roots in the market (during hoops). The Big Ten can move on the area by adding the Terps. It's a contiguous state, which could use the move to recruit in more fertile areas (Ohio and Pennsylvania). Yes, Maryland is thought of as a basketball school first. I don't think that stops the inquiry. I don't know that Maryland jumps, but I bet they look long and hard at it.

Missouri

Missouri has already said that they would entertain the offers. Good for you, Mizzou. Missouri feels like it has received a raw deal from the Big 12 in football each of the last three years. The Big Ten would control, instead of split, the St. Louis market, while making an entry into Kansas City. Of the adding one combinations, this has the greatest likelihood of actually happening.

Here's who is not on the list:

Pitt

Like I said at the outset, this isn't about finding a partner for Penn State. In 17 seasons, the Lions have developed a nice rivalry with Ohio State and a hatred for Iowa. They don't need to bring their little brother school into the family just to have someone to kick around. Also, Pitt adds nothing but a 12th team. If you believe me when I write that this expansion has to be about more than that, then you know why Pitt won't happen.

Rutgers

I'm late coming around on this, but Rutgers adds nothing but a 12th team. Rutgers doesn't "give the Big Ten the New York market" any more than adding Middle Tennessee State would give the league the Nashville market.

West Virginia, Cincinnati, Louisville, Syracuse

They don't add anything but a 12th team.

Iowa State

Now you're just being silly.

Let's Think Bigger

An interesting article in the Tribune yesterday tipped the Big Ten's hand. They're not limiting their thoughts to 12 teams. They are also looking at the possibility of 14 teams in the league. What? Seriously? Yes. Who would this be?

How about Missouri, Kansas, and Nebraska. Add those three to the league and you control the media markets of the upper Midwest and great plains states. That doesn't add much. But, you add one of the Top 10 football programs, one of the Top 10 basketball programs, and a legitimate contender in both. That I find interesting. How do these divisions strike you:

Big Ten North	Big Ten South	or....	Big Ten East	Big Ten West
Michigan	Ohio State		Penn State	Nebraska
Michigan State	Indiana		Ohio State	Kansas
Wisconsin	Purdue		Michigan	Missouri
Minnesota	Kansas		Michigan State	Iowa
Iowa	Missouri		Indiana	Wisconsin
Northwestern	Illinois		Purdue	Minnesota
Nebraska	Penn State		Northwestern	Illinois

I like them, too. I'm partial to the North/South alignment (playing each team in their division, their permanent rival across from them on the list, and one rotating school each year), but I wouldn't argue with the East/West breakdown either. It just doesn't lend itself as well to the split.

Would the three Big Twelve schools come together? Yes, Kansas leaves K-State behind, but i don't think that they'd worry too much about that. Coming together might make the move more palatable for the joiners. I don't know enough about the numbers to know if it would make the league more profitable for the members, but my suspicion is that it would.

If you believe that the league will go for a more balanced geographic approach, maybe it's Missouri, Pittsburgh and Maryland. Look what that could do:

Big Ten North	Big Ten South	or...	Big Ten East	Big Ten West
Michigan	Ohio State		Maryland	Missouri
Michigan State	Maryland		Penn State	Iowa
Pitt	Penn State		Pitt	Minnesota
Wisconsin	Purdue		Ohio State	Wisconsin
Minnesota	Indiana		Michigan	Illinois
Iowa	Missouri		Michigan State	Northwestern
Northwestern	Illinois		Indiana	Purdue

When you add three teams, you're adding a championship game, but you're also adding 12 extra regular season games. That's increasing regular season product by more than 25%, and likely adding a premium to the value. It's a good deal for all involved.

Let's Think Biggest

Reread the money quote from the Tribune. The league is also considering 16 team options. What? Sixteen? What would that look like? My friends, it would look like the start of a playoff system.

Big Ten East	Big Ten North	Big Ten West	Big Ten South
Penn State	Michigan	Iowa	Ohio State
Indiana	Northwestern	Minnesota	Illinois
Maryland	Michigan State	Wisconsin	Missouri
Pitt	Purdue	Nebraska	Kansas

How would you schedule this for football? Let's dream a bit. Each team plays the three teams in their division, and four teams from another division. The eighth game will be decided by standings and played on Thanksgiving weekend, with the first place teams facing off in the league championship semi-finals. You could rotate what divisions face each other for full slates and what divisions meet head to head on Thanksgiving weekend. Do you think that Big Ten semi-final weekend would get ratings? TV Money? Attention?

I know that this is a radical change from anything that college football has done. And, I realize that these divisions will move away from the traditional rival system (thus, likely making it a non-starter). But, this is the time to think in these terms. The stodgy Big Ten is allowing itself to dream right now. It should be encouraged to think as big as it can.

Remember: Think Big

Over the next 12-18 months, you'll read periodic articles focused on one small addition to the Big Ten roster. Remember that won't happen. If expansion occurs, it will be because the Big Ten was able to get Bigger.

h/t on the title to Frank the Tank.

Addendum:

We never said what we were going to name this Bigger Big Ten. Sure, we could stick with the easy moniker and keep the Big Ten. Or we could go to the Big 14 or Big 16. But we can do better than that. We need something that demonstrates our dominance in college football. Something that shows that we will not only compete with those Southern units, but that we will dominate them. Got it...

THE UNION

Gen. Sherman approves.

The Illini All Decade Team: Basketball

Joe Kutsunis — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:20:11 -0000

Let the decade long love fest continue as we now bring you the most spectacular players from these last 10 years that actually thought orange and blue look good together.

First Team:

Deron Williams: Lots of great memories of Deron. I specifically remember the game he came back after breaking his jaw during his sophomore season, and scored 30 points with his jaw still wired shut. That game was also notable because it was the infamous Wisconsin/Illinois game where the Illini wore orange and the Sconnies wore red, and no one on TV could tell who was who. Might have been why he scored 30. That game showed just how powerful and fast Deron could be. Plus, it marked the day that I learned how to correctly pronounce his name. –PS

Is it cliché to recall the Arizona game? When Deron turned it on in the second half and took them to the Final Four? Maybe it is, but I don’t care. I was a senior in High School that year and had to work that night. I snuck into the bathroom to call my friends for game updates, the answer was a consistent "it doesn’t look good." I finally got home to watch the second half and saw the whole thing unfold. He made the shot to tie the game. He made the 3s to put it away. DWill had 22 points, with five 3’s in the second half of that game. Given how poorly he played early on, its still a wonder how he and the team pulled that one out. –JK

My one and only man-crush was born that night. I was there, live, in the absolute last row of All State Arena for the "Rosemont Resurrection" (hey it was the night before Easter), the "Mannheim Miracle", the "Nail-biter to Nellyville" (Remember the Final Four was in St. Louis) –PMB

Dee Brown: Dee’s performance his senior year against Michigan State is unforgettable. Dee scored something like 1593 points in the first half, just raining threes down on the Spartans, including a shocking 30 foot three that beat the shot clock right at the end of the first half. Dee finished that half, seriously, with 23 points, ended the game with a career-high 34 points, and I had what can only be described as an unforgettable experience with my mom, who I went to the game with because my dad was out of town. –PS

The Big Ten Player of the year in 2005 is still the one most closely identified with the Fighting Illini. I don’t know if there is a specific memory I have about him that stands out, above the others, the plays against Wake Forest, the jersey pop at Purdue (yes, Illini fans will go to their graves claiming Dee invented it.) But man oh man, the speed of Dee was unbelievable, they didn’t call him the human fast break for nothing. He was the prototypical Bruce Weber player, amazing shooter, excellent passer and merciless defender. I think it was the sneakers. –JK

His "poppin the collar" photo will encapsulate how all of history remembers him. Just like how a single Che Guevara photograph is the only one that ever comes up whenever anyone mentions Sr. Viva la Revolucion! –PMB

Frank Williams: It’s the Illini’s version of the Reggie Miller game in Madison Square Garden, but it came at our own little House of Horrors, the Barn, up in Minneapolis (side note – why, oh why, was the Metrodome and The Barn like kryptonite to the Illini? I’ll never understand). Down 66-62 with under 15 seconds left, Minnesota tried to inbound the ball, and Kevin Burleson couldn’t quite handle it, letting the ball squirt away to Cory Bradford, who drained a three. On the next inbounds play, the Illini again trapped Burleson, and forced a turnover with 6.9 seconds left. Enter Frank Williams. He received the inbounds pass and slashed his way to the hoop, hitting a game-winning layup with 2.9 seconds left, giving the Illini the win, a share of the Big Ten title, and one of the few Illinois moments this decade where I can remember shouting, "OHHHHHH!! I DON’T BELIEVE IT!!!" How do you know it was a Frank Williams type game? That basket was his first basket since the 2:20 mark of the first half. And if disappearing for 22 minutes of basketball doesn’t remind you of Frank Williams, then heck, you weren’t watching.

The Big Ten Player of the year in 2001, Frank Williams led the Illini to the Elite Eight and much like Deron Williams is a standout player that basically every point guard at Illinois will have to try and live up to (sorry Demetri.) In ’01, the Illini won the Big Ten and earned a #1 seed in a year where Frank scored over 500 points for the second year in a row. I still think we were robbed against Arizona that year, and having to hear Bill Walton call a game in which his son played still really irks me.

James Augustine: He played nine minutes in the championship game. I actually thought I was exaggerating that fact, but I wasn’t. (link: http://www.fightingillini.com/sports/m-baskbl/stats/2004-2005/game03.html) HE ACTUALLY PLAYED ONLY NINE MINUTES. There’s lots of reasons why we lost the title game, including the fact we chose that moment to shoot 40 three pointers, but the fact our starting center played NINE FREAKING MINUTES DIDN’T HELP. He must have found Sean May attractive, because every time he was on the court he couldn’t keep his hands off of him. I hope they’re really happy together. Congrats, James, you’re on the first team. –PS

The guys at TheSportsBank probably won’t forgive me for putting Augie on the first team because of his foul trouble in both the Arizona game and the National Championship game. Whatever man, its Augie, the all time effing rebounder in team history, by about 200. Not to mention of course his killer run in the Big Ten tournament in 2005. In the same game where Jack Ingram threw down those Big 3’s, Augie made two monster dunks to beat the Badgers in Wisconsin and break their home winning streak. –JK

I know quite well how impressive Augie’s body of work was from the time he left Lincoln-Way in New Lenox (SICA!) till he played his final game in Champaign, but….in two of his final three collegiate games he helped make Sean May look like Wilt Chamberlain and Channing Frye like David Robinson. And his cup of coffee that was his NBA career did nothing to erase my negative memories of him. –PMB

Brian Cook: I felt a little bad for Cook, because I knew his game really wouldn’t translate to the professional level. But he was the Big Ten Player of The Year in 2003, fourth all time in Illinois scoring history, and averaged over 20 points per game his senior year. I’ll never forget his 30-point effort against Michigan, when he scored 23 points in the second half, and I think all were in the last ten minutes of the game. He single-handedly brought a team full of freshmen that you might have heard of back from an 11-point second half deficit (here’s a hint, three of those freshmen are right on this first team). Quite simply, he was the most underrated player of the decade, and perhaps the decade MVP.

Dee and Deron were amazing, but I can tell you that no player was more dominant in the conference than Cook his senior year. He is the only player on this list to have played with every other player, first and second team All Decade, and he is better than all of them. As great as the three guards were, even they relied on Cook to sit under the basket and just humiliate whoever had the awful task of guarding him. He made the other teams look silly in that year’s Big Ten tournament, and I swear to you that if for some reason Brian Cook could have been around for the 2004-2005 season, there is no question they would have won the National Championship that year.

Second Team:

Luther Head: Outside of his personal problems early in his career, I’ll never forget his three in the National Championship game to tie it up with 20 seconds left that was dead on…but just long. Sorry Luther, it’s what I remember! I still love you though.

Cory Bradford: I can’t think of anything…oh wait, his insane three-point streak! That made his freshman and sophomore year teams a lot of fun to watch even though they weren’t all that special. And then there’s the time he was on fire like that old NBA Jam Session arcade game in the 1999 Big Ten tournament. He didn’t seem to miss from behind the arc during four straight games that came close to redeeming an otherwise awful season.

Brian Randle: I can’t help but think what might have been with his career had he not been utterly insane, and punched a wall or a water cooler or whatever it was early in his career…breaking his hand and ending his 2004-5 season. Could the Illini have won a title with the sophomore Randle? We’ll never know…but I hate the speculation. And Am I the only one who thought he looked exactly like a young Gregory Hines? Yes, I stole that joke from my 45 year old brother-in-law Craig.

Roger Powell: Would you believe I have no memory of Roger Powell doing anything on the court? That in itself, however, operates as a memory. He was the consummate blue-collar, team player; a guy that didn’t give a crap about his stats, but would compliment his team and provide whatever they needed him to. On a team with at least 3 big-time stars and a fourth guy in Head that was a little bit of a gunner, they needed someone like Powell to succeed.

Robert Archibald: Other than his AWESOME accent, my #1 memory was him shooting like 50 free throws in the loss to Arizona during the 2000-01 season. He missed only one, and kept the Illini in a game that they had no business being close in. You know, because of the refs.

Third team

F Marcus Griffin

F Lucas Johnson

F Mike Davis

G Demetri McCamey

G Damir Krupalijia edges out Sean Harrington.

Dishonorable Mention: Shaun Pruitt- yes, he did a lot of things well, but the fact that he couldn’t shoot a simple free throw if his life depended on it cost us so many games over the course of his career that he just cannot be exonerated.

Eric "Basketball Judas" Gordon- yes, it was just one season, and most of Illination has forgiven him, but every time a player breaks his commitment to go sign with a hated a rival, it will be called "pulling an Eric Gordon" for eternity. Judas is starting to have himself a decent pro career in Clipperland

Illini All Decade team: 1st team defense

Joe Kutsunis — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 18:38:24 -0000

Ah part 2 of the on going saga of the All Decade Team, the first team defense. There have been some mighty colorful personalities to play ball for the Illini over the years, particularly at linebacker, also we have an NFL punter (fun!)

By Paul M. Banks & Paul Schmidt of The Sports Bank and Joe Kutsunis of Hail to the Orange, "Home of the Blogging Illini"

First team Defense

DL Will Davis – 7^th all time in sacks for the Illini with 15, this son of the deputy minister of Liberia (its true) was one of the most potent pass rushers of the decade and recorded 5 tackles for a total 22 yards loss in the Illini’s 2007 win over Indiana. A 2^nd team All Big Ten player in 2007, and would led the team in sacks and TFLs that year as well. Taken in the 6^th round of the NFL draft by the Arizona Cardinals.

DL Derrick Strong – Led or co-led team in sacks and TFLs in 2002 and 2003, part of the 2001 Sugar Bowl team.

DL Derek Walker- 10^th all time in sacks in school history, and the other half of a very potent pass rushing attack on 2007, he led the team in sacks in 2006 and 2008. Though undrafted, he is currently signed with the Seattle Seahawks.

LB J Leman – What can be said about J Leman, other than to this day this fan favorite is one of the most recognizable Illini players around, even though he has never taken an NFL snap. Don’t let that fool you though; he has the stats to back up his fame. Two time First Team All Big Ten, 2007 First Team All American led the Big Ten in tackles in 2006. He is the #6 all time tackler at Illinois. He tackled ball carriers, broke up passes and fought for the American way, and is still the best sound bite around. Also, the man made the mullet cool again, no small feat if you ask me.

LB Brit Miller - The other vocal leader of the linebackers from 2005 to 2008, he moved to the middle in ’08 and ended up leading the Big Ten in tackles that year, (eat it, Laurinaitis.) and was First Team All Big Ten. And a find comedian; everyone enjoyed his "mustache day" bit from Camp Rantoul featured on Big Ten Network’s reality series "The Journey."

LB Jerry Schumacher- Led team in tackles, tackles for loss and sacks in 2001 and 2002, is #10 all time tackler at the U of I. Earned 2^nd team All Big Ten in 2001 and 2002. Also has a fantastic player picture.

LB Matt Sinclair – Twice led the team in tackles and sacks. Yeah, that’s all we got. But seriously, he was really good, even though no one remembers anything about him.

DB Vontae Davis - 2008 Playboy All American (it counts) and first round draft pick by the Dolphins, making the jump after playing only 3 years in Champaign. Was First Team All Big Ten in 2007 and a factor in the passing game of every team he played. His hitting was so hard that on several occasions he knocked out either the opposing player, or himself. And his tremendous closing speed was like the hotness of Pam on "The Office." Even though it’s not really talked about, it’s there, it’s always been there and it’s superlative.

DB Kevin Mitchell- As unsung a hero of the 2007 Rose Bowl team as there could be, he led the team in interceptions with 5 and led the conference in defended passes. His 4^th quarter interception of Anthony Morelli sealed victory over a ranked Penn State team, the team’s first since 2002. Not as hyped or well known as Vontae Davis, but just as important to the Illini’s success.

DB Eugene Wilson- led team in INTs in both 2000 and 2001, was 1^st team All Big Ten in ’01 and a Playboy All American in ’02. Current Illinois career leader in passes broken up with an astonishing 60.

DB Muhammad Abdullah- As a true freshman, took over the starting free safety job from Mike Gusich in ’98 and never looked back.

P Steve Weatherford – Weatherford is the best punter in school history, and perhaps surprisingly, one of the school’s best athletes as well. Not only does he boast the best career punting average in Illinois history and the top two season averages, he was a two-time Big Ten champion in the decathlon. Ron Turner thought that it was possible Weatherford was one of the fastest guys on the team. And again…we’re talking about the PUNTER!

The Illini All Decade Team: 1st Team Offense

Joe Kutsunis — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:21:50 -0000

More photos » by Seth Perlman - AP

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Behold the fruits of cooperation!

The following is a joint production of yours truly and friend of the site TheSportsBank.net. We have collaborated here to produce the definitive Illini All Decade Team for 2000 through 2009. We will have a 1st Team defense, a second team and the same for the basketball team (hooray!) For a team that went nearly 30 games under .500 for the decade, you would be surprised how much talent we managed to concentrate on one speculative team. Any way on with the show, the 1st Team offense for the 2000's

First team offense lloyd By Paul M. Banks & Paul Schmidt of The Sports Bank and Joe Kutsunis of Hail to the Orange, "Home of the Blogging Illini" First team Offense

QB Kurt Kittner - Though he only played two seasons this decade, Kittner deserves the nod here. He led the team to the Sugar Bowl and a Big Ten Championship in 2001, and did it without the benefit of a great running back corps (undersized Rocky Harvey and bulky Antoineo Harris the main contributors). With the passing game being the main focus of the offense, Kittner was still able to dissect opposing defenses. Still, it was a close finish between him, Juice Williams and surprisingly Jon Beutjer (whose career stats are surprisingly impressive – like second all-time in Illini history for passing efficiency). Kittner’s overall winning record as a starter pushes him over the top.

RB Rashard Mendenhall – Statistically, he doesn’t match up, finishing seventh all-time on the Illini rushing list, behind Antoineo Harris (2nd), Rocky Harvey (5th) and Pierre Thomas (6th), all prominent Illini runners this decade. In the end, only one number really matters: 1,681. That’s his rushing total from the Champaign Campaign season of 2007. The highest single-season in Illinois history by 350 yards. Another number from that season? 17 – the number of touchdowns that ‘Shard rushed for that season; also the best. Quite simply, it was the best season by a running back in Illinois history, and the Illini don’t make the Rose Bowl or win more than 5 games without him, the Silver Football winner (Big Ten MVP) from that year

FB Carey Davis – Fullbacks in the early part of the decade held a special place in the heart of many Illini fans, and perhaps more importantly, in the heart of Ron Turner. Carey Davis was easily one of the best fullbacks (statistically) in Illini history. Over 1,000 career rushing yards, 114 receptions and 750 receiving yards land him the first spot. Also, it should be mentioned that any time not spent catching trademarked Ron Turner swing passes was spent lead blocking for the number 2 rusher in Illinois history

WR Brandon Lloyd – The best receiver of the decade, and would have been the career leader in receiving yards in Illini history (over the GREAT David Williams) had he not suffered a freak injury prior to the 2000 campaign (when, in running and trying to catch up to some teammates, he got his foot stuck between a curb and a parking block and broke his leg in two places). He is one of only two wide receivers in Illinois history to have more than one 1,000 yard season (again, Williams), and has two of the top-six receiving seasons in Illini history. He was a game-breaker despite his size and was the perfect deep threat for the Kittner-era Illini.

WR Walter Young – Sixth all-time in receptions, and is the reason that people in Champaign think that Eddie McGee can be a wide receiver. Young was a heralded quarterback coming out of Rich East High School (SICA!!!), showing great athleticism and ability in his game. Turner and his coaching staff immediately converted Young to WR, and proceeded to use him in creative ways throughout his career; sometimes as a decoy, but later as a legitimate receiving threat, amassing over 1,700 of his 2,300 receiving yards in his last two seasons. At 6-5, 220 pounds, he was a complete mismatch for most defensive backs, never more evident than in his Sugar Bowl performance against LSU, when he made six catches for 178 yards and two scores.

WR Arrelious Benn – How good is Rejus Benn? Even with a miserable 2009 season where he only had 429 yards and one touchdown, Benn moved up to fifth-all-time in receptions in Illinois history, and still ranks as the second or third wide receiver on most major draft boards. Statistically, he is one of the top WRs in Illinois history: Fourth all-time in all-purpose yards, sixth in receiving yards and he absolutely OWNED Penn State when the Illini played them (almost 13% of his career all-purpose yards came in three games against the Nittany Lions). Where Benn ends up among all-time Illini (or in the rankings of Illini who were underachieving enigmas) will depend on whether or not he comes back for his senior season.

For an interview where Benn discusses his chances of returning, click here

OFFENSIVE LINE Duke Preston, Jon Asamoah, Marques Sullivan, Tony Pashos and David Diehl The offensive line was ridiculously hard to select. However, it seemed as though there would be one easy way to choose who belonged on the first team, and who belonged on the second team – Experience in the NFL. All of the players listed above were drafted and started on various NFL squads except for Asamoah – and that is only because he won’t be drafted until NEXT decade; Asamoah still projects out as the top guard in the draft headed into the combines, and was a second-team All-American.

For an exclusive interview profile of Asamoah click here

As for the rest of the linemen, Preston has played 59 games in the NFL, and started 20; Sullivan (already retired) was a four-year starter, a first-team Playboy All-American, a third-team FWAA All-American, and two-year starter for the Buffalo Bills in '02-'03. He is also a member of this site's Facebook group, and reads this site regularly, so that's yet another reason he had to be choosen. Pashos was First Team All-Big Ten '01 & '02, and has started 54 games in the NFL at RT, appearing in 69 (currently on injured reserve with the 49ers). Diehl has had the most successful career of any lineman, winning a Super Bowl with the Giants in 2008, starting almost every game since his rookie year in 2003. Diehl also recently signed a 6 year, 31 million dollar contract extension, just in case anyone is looking to borrow some money from someone. Hey, he did give the University that sweet new weight room.

PK Jason Reda – One of the strongest and most accurate legs coming out of college, but somehow never parlayed that into a professional career. Still, Reda's the easy choice – He is, after all, the all-time leading scorer in Illinois history. Let’s say that again one more time for you: No player in Illinois history has ever scored more points than Reda. Throw in two of the most accurate kicking seasons in Illinois history (the second and sixth), and the fact he was the most accurate kicker with at least 50 attempts, and Reda on the first team was like complaining and whining in an Avril Lavigne song; an absolute certainty.

The Linking Illini will take the money and run.

Joe Kutsunis — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 17:37:55 -0000

I haven't done one of these for a while, but as you no doubt can see there has been a lot of news and speculation lately about lots of things, new coaches, players leaving, Big Ten expansion, too much for me to keep up with all the time. So here are some pertinent links for you to read over your lunch hour that will hopefully keep you appraised of all the exciting happenings etc etc.

Big Ten Expansion? The Chadnudj Plan - The Rivalry, Esq.
One of the readers over at the Rivalry ESQ has come up with a plan for Big Ten expansion, once again with Missouri as the 12th team, but unlike other plans suggests a North/South division split rather than East/West, and features a protected cross division rivalry game. In this case the protected game for the Illini would be Northwestern (hooray...) Its a good suggestion at the very least.
Big Ten Expansion Warning System Returns to DEFCON 3 Black Heart Gold Pants
BHGP says hold your damn horses, this conference turns like an effing aircraft carrier. When looking at the projected time line, sure after an assessment the new team would get here before 2013, but have you taken into account that the world will be ending in 2012 anyway? No, I didn't think so,
We Hardly Knew Ye: Arrelious Benn's potential is taking the next step - Dr. Saturday
The good Doctor has been one of the few consistent believers in the Illini these past few seasons, along with Phil Steele and myself he predicted a fine year for the young men here in Champaign. And like Phil Steele and myself he has become bitter and angry at this football team, for making us all look so wrong. Also he reflects on the criminally underused talent of Arrelious Benn, who should have been an All-American this year, but instead was an honorable mention for All Big Ten....GAH. Regardless, he is on his way to make some serious cash now, God Speed, you Roman philosopher-king.
Leman on Vikings' active roster - IlliniHQ.com
That's right,J Leman, the greatest player to have ever played football in Champaign (with a sweet mullet) has finally been rewarded for his hard work by making an NFL roster. Please help me congratulate J, for all of the greatness that it sure to come his way.

Arrelioius Benn expected to enter draft today

Mocking Dan — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 17:23:01 -0000

The speculation is that Illinois junior wide receiver Arrelious Benn will announce at a news conference today that he is leaving for the NFL.

Instead of ruminating on this issue myself, check out what Dr. Saturday Matt Hinton has to say. I think it sums up Benn pretty well:

Rare is the talent that can ultimately produce so little -- just seven receiving touchdowns in three years, four of them in losses -- and still go on dripping with such tantalizing potential.

Yes, Juice Williams did have his issues as a quarterback. And Benn was injured parts of this season. But the lack of production is reminiscent of Darrius Heyward-Bey. Which, financially speaking, could be a good thing for Benn.

Paul Petrino leaves Arkansas for Illinois, what it may mean.

Joe Kutsunis — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 21:06:50 -0000

More photos » by Jay LaPrete - AP

The hiring of a pass intensive, prostyle coach might persuade Benn to give up millions of dollars for one more year of college. Might . (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)

Browse more photos »

So I was caught a bit off guard yesterday, doing the basketball post game press conference, when I glance at my twitter to see that the football team was apparently hiring a new OC already, and even more to my surprise, it was a recognizable name, Paul Petrino. How did they do it? Exactly the way Loren Tate and Bob Asmussen said they would, a multi-year contract with big money. $475,000 apparently.

What it means for next year's offense? I guess we will have to wait until after the recruiting season to find out completely. We know that Petrino's offenses at Louisville and this year at Arkansas have based around a QB that can chuck the ball all over the field, its a pro-style single back offense that according to his news conference today, throws the ball to the Tight End quite a bit. His receivers also obviously tend to have big numbers.

I can tell you one thing for sure, the end-read is leaving with Juice Williams, for better or for worse, that is for sure now.The offense, if it looks anything like where Petrino has been else where, is going to rely heavily on the passing skills of his quarterback, and the route running skills of his receivers.

The quarterback question obviously wont be known until the end of camp, but all of the early money has to be on Charest right now. McGee is almost certainly going to be a starting receiver next year, and that leaves Charest, RSFr Nathan Scheelhaase and TrueFr Chandler Whitmer (knock on wood he doesn't decommit.) We know that for all intents and purposes, this team has to succeed and win games (probably at least 6) in order for the coaches to stick around, so unless Nathan or Chandler come out and absolutely wow in camp, the known factor of Charest wins by default.

Then there is the question of receiver. The players we know we have lost are A.J. Jenkins and Hubie Graham, and word is Cordale Scott is gone is well, that is alot of speed to lose all at once. The aforementioned McGee will step in to WR once again, as he has already proved to be one of the most reliable players to be in position and come down with the ball. Fayson will be back, and he still at least in theory could have some big games in him, Fred Sykes will be back and could improve on his late season play. Then of course the two "wild cards" if you will. Benn and Hawthorne. Petrino has already made his pitch to Arrelious Benn, saying he could lead the nation in catches if he comes back for a senior season, and see his draft stock rise substantially. Unless Rejus had his heart set on a Biletnikoff coming out of HS, I have my doubts that he will pass on the money he could make by going pro this year. I could be wrong, but I am not getting my hopes up. Then of course the quandary of the other Army All American HS receiver, Terry Hawthorne. The same Hawthorne that has already proven himself to be possibly the best player in a secondary that was burned all too often at the end of the year. Miami Thomas will make his return hopefully in 2010, so that might give you enough breathing room to justify the move. I haven't decided how I feel about this yet, but it may come down to the Benn decision. If he stays in Champaign, leave Hawthorne on defense, where he is already making a difference. If Benn jumps, you might as well maximize your firepower at receiver while you can, and just hope to out score every opponent.

I've got a feeling there will be plenty more to talk about for the next couple weeks.

The NFL Draft says, "ACC > Big 10!"

BirdGT — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 17:00:17 -0000

A lot of the Big 10 talking heads have flooded our humble abode since the Orange Bowl announcement. They have denounced, degraded, and mocked the ACC's defensive state of affairs. One thing they fail to bring is facts. I like facts. I like facts that are numbers. Here are two numbers for Big 10 fans: 19 and 3. The ACC has had 19 defensive players taken in the first round of the NFL Draft since full expansion in the 2005 season. The Big 10 has had 11. The ACC has had 3 Pro Bowlers emerge from those 19 1st rounders (Beason, Mario, and Cromartie). The Big 10 has had 0. Those are some interesting facts for Big 10 fans to mull over. Here are 5 more interesting facts about ACC/Big 10 defensive players taken in the 2006-2009 NFL Drafts:

5. Georgia Tech has had 6 defensive draft picks since 2006. That's more than Illinois, Indiana, Michigan State, Minnesota, Northwestern, and Wisconsin.

4. Duke hasn't had a player taken in the NFL Draft since 2005.

3. The Big 10's highest Draft Pick since 2006 was A.J. Hawk, the fifth overall pick. He was four picks after Mario Williams.

2. All four Drafts saw more ACC defensive players taken than Big 10 players.

1. The ACC has had 81 defensive players drafted since the 2006 NFL Draft, which is 6.75 players drafted per team. The Big 10 has only had 62, which is 5.63.

Really when you factor Ohio State and Penn State out of the Big 10, there's not much talent going to the NFL. It's the definition of a blue collar conference. Good defensive coaching is what keeps them afloat in major out of conference match ups. I kinda believe they play the isolationism game and simply avoid major OOC games until bowl season. The ACC and Big 10 have met only 9 times since full expansion. The ACC holds a 6-3 edge over the Big 10 in that time span.

What do you think about the Big 10 talent level? Do you think the Big 10 hides behind their conference schedule? Let me know your thoughts.