Self is horrible as an early round heavy-favorite.

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You know me like that.

Do work boys. Thanks.

Well, I have to take this season as an overall success. Last nights game was a tough one to swallow but going
into it I knew in my heart of hearts that they could have lost by double digits and been run out of the gym. I
thought they played some really tough D even though overmatched with size and experience. Once they
started moving and driving to the hoop things opened up for them. I have never seen a team stand around
and do nothing on offense as much as the Illini have at times. Paul had a pretty good game despite his usual
shot selection from outside. He made some great moves to the hoop which is what he can do well. A fringe
NBA bench guy, should be interesting to see where he goes from here. A bit of a disappointing career and if
things would have somehow panned out with Richmond this could have been a different team. As for the blown
call last night, I was angry about it when it happened but upon some deeper thought I just let it be. The Illini
made some other mistakes but the process of reviewing something like that should be considered. Last 2 minutes
of each half or something. I hope something controversial happens in the Final Four. I look forward to seeing what
Groce does moving forward. For him to cobble this group together, I thought he did ok with guys he didn't
recruit or necessarily want. Definitely need a team deeper than 7 or 8 guys.

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Flew too close to the sun on wings of pastrami

Grove better than I thought, program going in right direction.

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Pretty hard to say the program is going in the right direction until the guy is able to get a couple recruiting classes under his belt. I agree he did a real nice job this year with Weber's guys.

_________________
"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

I guess I meant I expected this Guy to be like the football coach they hired n suck, pleasant. Surprise.

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Upon review of the roster, next year may be a really tough year for the beloved Illini. It appears they
lose McLarin ( good for fouls ), Richardson, Paul and Griffey. OUCH. Abrams and Egwu are juniors
next year so those are some decent guys back. Egwu needs to try to put some more meat on that
frame but I will say he played pretty well in the tournament. Other than that I know little to nothing
about the rest of the guys on the bench as I saw them get very little time on the floor and know even
less about new guys coming in. Hopefully some of the JC transfers can step in. Gotta give Groce
time to bring in his own guys and implement his system. Next year just looks pretty bleak in my eyes.

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Flew too close to the sun on wings of pastrami

Egwu needs to learn how to play basketball with his back to the basket. He can knock down that 15-17 foot jumper, but he doesn't really do anything else offensively.

Oh I agree with you but judging from what I saw early in the season to this past weekend he really has blossomed
into a guy not afraid to take that mid range jumper. He needs to beef up and develop a few moves in the post.
He can't guard any bigs as he is constantly pushed around down low. When he does get the ball down low
he holds it low and weakly, often getting it stripped by a smaller man. A short jump hook would benefit him
greatly. Otherwise I like his athleticism and getting up and down the court for a big guy. You can't teach size.

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Flew too close to the sun on wings of pastrami

I feel the same way Finfer does about this year's team. I thought they did what they could. Of course it would have been nice to win yesterday, especially when they had the lead with three minutes to go. But they played their asses off. That loss was a disappointment for me, but not too much.

Next year might be a little rough. Going forward, it's imperative that they land Alexander or Okafor. They have to establish that at least some of the best players in their state are going to stay and go to the state school.

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Don't take it personally.

I don't think they have any chance to get Okafor.

Alexander could happen though.

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You know me like that.

Yeah, they probably can't get Okafor. I think we're in the hunt for Alexander though.

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Don't take it personally.

Where is Okafor probably going?

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

I think Ohio State.

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You know me like that.

Hasn't signed anywhere yet but according to one intraweb site the following have the best chances...
I hate Duke.....


Duke
Kentucky
Louisville
Michigan State
North Carolina
Ohio State

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Flew too close to the sun on wings of pastrami

Now, he's cleaning house. Djimde, Shaw, and Langford sent packing.

I think Langford has potential. He's long and athletic. Wish he'd stayed.

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You know me like that.

Holy shit. The bench is going to be all freshmen next year.

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Back off, Warchild. Seriously.

Some of them might be starting.

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Don't take it personally.

No worries guys, I am sure there are some transfers from Coastal Carolina coming in...

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

I hope so. McLaurin was a great pickup.

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You know me like that.

Jon Ekey from ISU.

I have no opinion on Jon Ekey from ISU other than, at 6-7, he's a little smaller than I'd hoped for what they need next year.

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You know me like that.

Illinois is going to have a rough time this year. If they don't, Groce is a genius.

Next year should be solid though.

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You know me like that.

Yes it will be a struggle this year but like you mentioned Doc, maybe Groce can pull something out of his hat.
Definitely a chance to get some underclassmen some seasoning and experience and then start bringing in some
nice recruiting classes. Saw Ekey make a nice buzzer beater before the half last night on SportsCenter this morning

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Flew too close to the sun on wings of pastrami

When Cliff Alexander commits to Illinois on ESPN tomorrow, you can pretty much book your final four tickets for 2015.

That would be nice but do you really think the Illini have a chance?

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Flew too close to the sun on wings of pastrami

The conventional wisdom seems to be that he's headed to Champaign. Who really knows, though?

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Don't take it personally.

Oh, it's gonna happen.

If the check clears.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

I'm not holding my breath when Memphis and Kansas are also in the mix. Would be a really nice addition
to the Illini program though if they can get him.

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Flew too close to the sun on wings of pastrami