Bruce recently made some interesting quotes on "The Waddle & Silvy Show" on ESPN 1000, which raises some questions as to his ability to keep his players motivated and focused on basketball. Read the full story at espnchicago.com here. More of my thoughts after the jump.

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As per ESPN:

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=5888109

The Big Ten has concluded a year-long study on conference expansion, and seems to be content with adding Nebraska. They will continue to look at the landscape of college sports but will no longer be actively seeking expansion. 

Most of us have seen this coming. There was a bit of conference shuffling this year, but not the major shake-up that some people were predicting. It looks like the Big Ten does not want to be the leader (instigator?) in totally changing the face of college athletics. Obviously, if the other big conferences start to make moves, then the Big Ten will follow suit, but for now they seem to be content with a wait-and-see approach and not force the issue.

So it seems that Juice has finally realized what we've known for weeks (if not months) now: he will never make it in the NFL as a quarterback. It seems he had a rough first day at the Bears' rookie mini-camp (http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/ct-spt-0501-bits-bears-chicago--20100430,0,4188324.story), and may have changed his tune on playing QB in the NFL:

"Quarterback has always been my desire growing up, but if a position change comes around that's best for the team, I'm all for it,'' he said. "I'd play anything … receiver, running back, anything.''

I think he has potential as a 3rd-down option type QB, where he can use his speed and size to his advantage. The article mentions that he has a strong enough arm for the NFL, but I don't think any QB coach could get him to throw accurately (Maybe I just have had too many bad memories of him overthrowing Benn and Uh-Oh). But it's not like the Bears have a great deal of depth at QB. I would give Juice a shot at one of the backup positions over Caleb Hanie. If nothing else, he could probably be a solid special teams performer.

So I decided about a week ago that I was going to write something about the Illini who could possibly go in this year's NFL draft. But then real life got in the way, and it kept getting put off... until today. The day AFTER the first round. Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it), no Illini got drafted yesterday, so it appears that I'm off the hook. Here's a look at the Illini who could get drafted this year, and where they could end up.

Just a quick disclaimer, that I've based most of my research from cbssports.com, because it's free, and it's also pretty good analysis. On to the (possible) draftees...

Arrelious Benn – By far the Illini's best offering to the draft this year, despite having a rough 2009 season due to injuries and an incredibly disappointing showing by the Illini offense as a whole. Any team that picks him will look for him to return to his 2008 form. He is currently ranked as the 4th best receiver in the draft (2nd best of those that are left). He had a very mediocre combine, dropping a few passes a posting a (relatively) slow 40, which probably hurt his draft stock a little. He projects to go in the mid-to-late 2nd round to a team with a need at WR. New England could take him with one of their three picks in the 2nd round (#44, #47, and #53). Also look for Carolina at #48, who need a complement to Steve Smith. A very intriguing possibility is Pittsburgh at #52, who need a WR to offset the loss of Santonio Holmes, and there is the Mendenhall Rose Bowl connection there. (Wouldn't it be fun to see them on the field together again? Ah, memories...)

Jon Asamoah – Rated as the #2 OG in this year's draft, this Academic All-American and three-year starter is a solid choice for any team with a need at that position. With the #1-rated player at that position already picked (Mike Iupati from Idaho to San Francisco with the 17th pick), look for Asamoah to go early in the second round. Possible teams include Denver (#45), who will look to protect new quaterback Tim Tebow (lolerz!). Dallas (#59) also needs more protection for Romo, and Seattle (#60) has needs there, also. An intriguing option (at least in my incredibly biased opinion), is that he falls to the Bears (#75) in the third round, who have glaring O-line problems.

Uh-Oh! – No, I'm not going to type out his name, you know who I mean. After Rejus and Asamoah, there is a large drop for the Illini in the draft. Uh-Oh! ranks as the 13th best TE in the draft, so there is a strong possibility that he may not get drafted. Teams with a need at TE include St. Louis (but what don't they need?), New England, Baltimore to replace Todd Heap, and Cincinatti. 

Jeff Cumberland – He is listed as TE on cbssports.com, but many scouts feel he could be a large receiver in the NFL. He put up some impressive numbers and Illinois' Pro Day, which is probably the only reason why he's being mentioned for the draft, as he still needs to work a lot on catching the ball (kind of important for a WR, don't you think?). I look for him to be an undrafted free agent and be invited to training camp for a team that likes to take on project WR's (Chicago Bears anyone?).

Isiah “Juice” Williams – Juice, Juice, Juice, what are we going to do with you? Inconsistent QB play, but an athletic freak, Juice has been an enigma his entire college career. He doesn't seem to have much going for him among NFL teams as a QB, but there is some interest in moving him to HB or WR (kinda like Tebow, only not nearly as good). Look for him to be an undrafted free agent trying to find his way onto an NFL roster. Perhaps he'll find new life on a CFL or European team. He could be a friggin' star in those leagues.

So there's my analysis. What do you guys think? Where will Benn end up? Could he be a star? And will Juice have a future in the NFL?

I noticed a familiar name when watching the San Diego State vs. Tennessee matchup the other day: Brian Carlwell. Yes, the very same Brian Carlwell who was severely injured in the ill-fated car accident with teammate Jamar Smith in 2007. He is a strong bench player for the Aztecs, averaging about 5 points and 3 rebounds in 15 minutes per game. It was just gratifying to see a guy with a rocky past, injury, and all of the emotional baggage that came along with it overcome it and play on a tourney team. I think I speak for all Illini when I say best of luck to him.

So ESPN College Gameday will be in Champaign Feb. 6 for the game against Michigan State. Here's some general info and the FAQ.

A few notes:

They will be taping from Assembly Hall from 10-11am and 7-8 pm. No ticket is required for the morning show, and it's free to get in. Apparently they're trying to set a record for attendance (which is now 4700), and for every person that shows up, they'll donate $1 to the Orange Krush Foundation. So get your friends together and head out there and show some Illini spirit!