Still waiting for us to talk about the State Senator who had her housemate hired at CTA, who then didn’t do any work and was subject to an IG investigation.
Still waiting for legislators to respond to the Burke/Solis/Cochran scandal. Legislators love to respond to all sorts of stuff, but are strangely silent on this issue. Can’t imagine why that is.
- Robert the Bruce - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 9:17 am:
15 seed Bradley is the only Illinois school in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament.
@ Robert, and if Bradley’s coach can’t tolerate a little (warranted) criticism from one sportswriter, how would he do at a larger school and alumni base?
- Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 9:23 am:
Warmer weather is coming. It’s been a long, cold winter. Must.Have.Warmth.
Bradley is a spunky little team, they’ve got that one kid who looks as small as kevin Hart, I predict a quick and painless loss to MSU in the first round.
- Give Me A Break - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 9:33 am:
So, we have Bradley representing the State of Illinois in the big dance. Is this the best we can do?
Wonderboy Whitman’s coaching hires are overpaid and the joke of the B1G.
OK, I’m done, had to get that out of my system.
- Last Bull Moose - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 9:33 am:
Went to the Pheasants Forever Banquet last Saturday in Roberts. Good times.
I thought money would be tight because grain prices are down. I was wrong. Money flowed freely as items were auctioned.
As noted, Illinois has just one team in the tournament, but the number of Illinoisans playing in the tournament for schools outside of Illinois has to be over a dozen. It would be nice if an Illinois school could figure out how to keep our best talent in state.
It is hard to figure out why University of Illinois has not recently been able to put good men’s or women’s basketball teams on the court. There are great teams in the Chicagoland region (e.g. Marquette and Notre Dame), which recruit heavily in Illinois. As a consolation prize, Illinois can at least say it has the largest library in the Big 10 and even compared to every other team in the men’s or women’s 2019 brackets.
==As noted, Illinois has just one team in the tournament, but the number of Illinoisans playing in the tournament for schools outside of Illinois has to be over a dozen. It would be nice if an Illinois school could figure out how to keep our best talent in state.==
The Tribune did a nice story on this earlier today–there are 54 players who list an IL hometown on the rosters of tournament teams. I thought that was wild.
- Robert the Bruce - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 10:05 am:
Illinois’ leading scorer was a freshman 5-star recruit from Chicago. There’s a chance they’ll turn things around.
I had to stand in line to vote this morning. I don’t know if that’s ever happened at early voting before. I wonder if turnout will be higher for the runoff than it was for the election.
=It would be nice if an Illinois school could figure out how to keep our best talent in state.=
Winning helps. But then again, Bruce Weber went to the championship game and couldn’t even get the best Illinois recruits. I’m still happy to see him succeed at KS St.
And since we’re on the subject, who thinks Congressman Lipinski will have a primary race again?
Marie Newman has already begun her campaign. If, as one of you suggest, “the machine” that is the Lipinski support group runs shill candidates, it is business as usual.
I was at a private fundraiser at a date and actually had Bob Dold say he’s running for Senate. Where can I send this recording to?
- Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 10:56 am:
Chicago is starting to have marijuana supper clubs. That’s the way to go and expand marijuana business. Hopefully they will come up with other types of marijuana clubs as well, like coffee clubs. It would be real nice to do a marijuana cruise on Lake Michigan.
- Give Me A Break - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 11:08 am:
One Man: For a team that should have been the feel good story of selection weekend, Bradley somehow decided to pick a fight that totally knocked the making the Big Story story off the sports page.
Instead Bradley had a front page story of failing to understand how the media works and why they don’t control the press.
As a UI alum, it would not break my heart to do away with Big 10 athletics entirely at UI. Follow the example of U of Chicago and refocus on academics.
Peoria really needed a shot in the arm after the departure of Cat’s HQ, and Bradley’s tourney bid looked like a temporary booster. Then Wardle and the AD failed Media Relations 101. Peoria can’t catch a break lately.
And Willy, you would be wrong with your third sentence. How do I know? Because I follow recruiting and both sports are headed in the up direction. The quality of football players coming in the ‘19 class is definitely better and they received the top player in the state from ‘18 as a transfer. The 2020 class could be a blockbuster. The problem with both sports stems from the hiring of Mike Thomas as AD, who in turn hired Beckman and Groce. The quality of players Underwood is bringing far surpasses what they had.
Simple Simon - No, no, nono, no, no. Omg. My little heart can’t take it. I cannot imagine Illinois not competing in the Big 10, not having a basketball team, no Assembly Hall. I cried when they lost in 2005 to NC (and when I say cried, I mean balled like a baby). Cannot picture a world without the Fighting Illini.
===it would not break my heart to do away with Big 10 athletics entirely at UI. Follow the example of U of Chicago and refocus on academics.===
Yeah… about that…
The B1G Network, the bowl game splits, the NCAA tournament, NIT tournament splits… bringing in millions of revenue and getting the university’s name in the discussion of other popular universities.
Mizzou begged to be a B1G. First with Penn State, then Nebraska… Maryland left the ACC… for money… Rutgers was for the NYC Media market.
Mizzou is now part of the SEC, and reaping SEC dollars and coverage. Leaving athletics isn’t the game, the game is trying to join the Big 5 major conferences.
Illinois couldn’t leave the B1G even if they could…
Illinois went 4-8 in football. And those 12 wins in hoops came against the third toughest schedule in the country, including beating 3 NCAA teams including Michigan State and playing #1 seed Gonzaga within 6. They will win more than 12 next year for certain, then the win total narrative changes.
Speaking of Dan Lipinski, it would be nice if the GOP paid attention to the 3rd Congressional District so that last year’s disgraceful situation is not repeated.
I’m with ya Willy. I’ll take over 4 on football this year too. This was the wrong year with 8 new guys for Illinois hoops to be playing in Maui and they got crushed, but that is planned like 3 years in advance. Set a bad hole to start.
Bourbon Street - Yeah it would be nice, but it’s a hopeless cause. District is pulling left and there’s no path to win for a respected conservative. The district’s moderates already have Lipinski as their guy.
- Lake County Voter - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 2:55 pm:
Can the commenter who raised the possibility that two-time former Congressman Bob Dold is planning a senate run please clarify your post?
- Last Bull Moose - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 3:16 pm:
I believe that the internet will increase competition and drive down margins. A corollary is that advertising revenues will drop with margins. Slowly the surge of money flowing through sports will drop. Then we might see student athletes again.
Doubt I will live long enough to see it. But I can dream.
- A 400lb. Guy on a bed - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 6:11 pm:
=Illinois went 4-8 in football=
Lovie Smith got his $8 million.
- Pepsi Not Coke - Wednesday, Mar 20, 19 @ 7:53 am:
Really hope Do-nothing Dold does run for Senate. He’s a dud and will get trounced.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 9:13 am:
So the IG finds Randy Dunn violated multiple policies at SIU, he is now out of his “visiting professor” position too.
- Just Me 2 - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 9:15 am:
Still waiting for us to talk about the State Senator who had her housemate hired at CTA, who then didn’t do any work and was subject to an IG investigation.
Still waiting for legislators to respond to the Burke/Solis/Cochran scandal. Legislators love to respond to all sorts of stuff, but are strangely silent on this issue. Can’t imagine why that is.
- Robert the Bruce - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 9:17 am:
15 seed Bradley is the only Illinois school in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 9:19 am:
===who had her housemate hired===
No evidence or even allegations of that. You’ve posted a kabillion times about this non-issue. Move along.
- HorseShoe - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 9:21 am:
Besides Oberweis, has any other potential challenger to Congresswoman Underwood filed for a run?
And since we’re on the subject, who thinks Congressman Lipinski will have a primary race again?
- Bogey Golfer - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 9:21 am:
@ Robert, and if Bradley’s coach can’t tolerate a little (warranted) criticism from one sportswriter, how would he do at a larger school and alumni base?
- Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 9:23 am:
Warmer weather is coming. It’s been a long, cold winter. Must.Have.Warmth.
- Iggy - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 9:26 am:
Bradley is a spunky little team, they’ve got that one kid who looks as small as kevin Hart, I predict a quick and painless loss to MSU in the first round.
- very old soil - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 9:26 am:
Almost all the snow is melted.
- Regular democrat - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 9:27 am:
Went to an interesting forum last night in 40th ward. Times really are a changin in the city that for sure
- Ron Burgundy - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 9:29 am:
Can’t remember the name but I heard Oberweis will have opposition in the primary. It’s early.
Almost certain someone left of Lipinski will take another run at him since they almost got him last time.
- Anon221 - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 9:32 am:
Grandson of Man- Agree (banned punctuation). This site helps:) https://journeynorth.org/
- Give Me A Break - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 9:33 am:
So, we have Bradley representing the State of Illinois in the big dance. Is this the best we can do?
Wonderboy Whitman’s coaching hires are overpaid and the joke of the B1G.
OK, I’m done, had to get that out of my system.
- Last Bull Moose - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 9:33 am:
Went to the Pheasants Forever Banquet last Saturday in Roberts. Good times.
I thought money would be tight because grain prices are down. I was wrong. Money flowed freely as items were auctioned.
- OneMan - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 9:33 am:
“who thinks Congressman Lipinski will have a primary race again?”
I do…
- Props - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 9:37 am:
Anyone who names their dog Oscar is a stand up guy in my book!
- Fav Human - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 9:38 am:
Of course Skillicorn is in.
Lip will have a primary, and will crush whoever it is.
- Wensicia - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 9:38 am:
Thanks to upcoming municipal elections, the potholes in my community are being filled months ahead of the usual time.
- Chunga - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 9:41 am:
Lipinski will most definitely have a Challenger. But he will make sure there’s more than one
- Montrose - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 9:43 am:
As noted, Illinois has just one team in the tournament, but the number of Illinoisans playing in the tournament for schools outside of Illinois has to be over a dozen. It would be nice if an Illinois school could figure out how to keep our best talent in state.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 9:48 am:
Oscar needs a Felix to romp around with.
- Al - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 9:48 am:
Wishing safe travels to those attending Spring training. Go Sox.
- Iggy - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 9:51 am:
skillicorn running is a G-d send. he will dilute the Oberweis vote, and hand the win in the 14th to Matt Quigley.
- Scamp640 - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 9:56 am:
It is hard to figure out why University of Illinois has not recently been able to put good men’s or women’s basketball teams on the court. There are great teams in the Chicagoland region (e.g. Marquette and Notre Dame), which recruit heavily in Illinois. As a consolation prize, Illinois can at least say it has the largest library in the Big 10 and even compared to every other team in the men’s or women’s 2019 brackets.
- Chris Widger - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 9:58 am:
==As noted, Illinois has just one team in the tournament, but the number of Illinoisans playing in the tournament for schools outside of Illinois has to be over a dozen. It would be nice if an Illinois school could figure out how to keep our best talent in state.==
The Tribune did a nice story on this earlier today–there are 54 players who list an IL hometown on the rosters of tournament teams. I thought that was wild.
- Robert the Bruce - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 10:05 am:
Illinois’ leading scorer was a freshman 5-star recruit from Chicago. There’s a chance they’ll turn things around.
- Ron Burgundy - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 10:19 am:
If said Freshman (Ayo) comes back, Illinois is in good position to finally return to the tournament next season.
- Cheryl44 - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 10:33 am:
I had to stand in line to vote this morning. I don’t know if that’s ever happened at early voting before. I wonder if turnout will be higher for the runoff than it was for the election.
- OneMan - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 10:38 am:
Would love to have been a fly on the wall as Bradley discused the blowback from the media access stuff.
- Steve Rogers - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 10:45 am:
=It would be nice if an Illinois school could figure out how to keep our best talent in state.=
Winning helps. But then again, Bruce Weber went to the championship game and couldn’t even get the best Illinois recruits. I’m still happy to see him succeed at KS St.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 10:45 am:
And since we’re on the subject, who thinks Congressman Lipinski will have a primary race again?
Marie Newman has already begun her campaign. If, as one of you suggest, “the machine” that is the Lipinski support group runs shill candidates, it is business as usual.
- George - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 10:53 am:
I was at a private fundraiser at a date and actually had Bob Dold say he’s running for Senate. Where can I send this recording to?
- Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 10:56 am:
Chicago is starting to have marijuana supper clubs. That’s the way to go and expand marijuana business. Hopefully they will come up with other types of marijuana clubs as well, like coffee clubs. It would be real nice to do a marijuana cruise on Lake Michigan.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 11:03 am:
===Bob Dold say he’s running for Senate===
Capitolfax@gmail.com
- Give Me A Break - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 11:08 am:
One Man: For a team that should have been the feel good story of selection weekend, Bradley somehow decided to pick a fight that totally knocked the making the Big Story story off the sports page.
Instead Bradley had a front page story of failing to understand how the media works and why they don’t control the press.
- Simple Simon - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 11:12 am:
As a UI alum, it would not break my heart to do away with Big 10 athletics entirely at UI. Follow the example of U of Chicago and refocus on academics.
- Independent - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 11:20 am:
Peoria really needed a shot in the arm after the departure of Cat’s HQ, and Bradley’s tourney bid looked like a temporary booster. Then Wardle and the AD failed Media Relations 101. Peoria can’t catch a break lately.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 11:34 am:
The fun would be Skillicorn and Oberweis running, but both lose the primary…
Bradley… yikes… learned nothing from Loyola, abd the small town petty always hurts.
- Pick a Name - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 11:48 am:
Illini will be back in the Big Dance in 2020
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 11:56 am:
The Illini’s last NCAA appearance was 2013.
Northwestern has been to the dance more recently.
Illinois needs to decide if they want to compete in revenue sports or not, both programs are further away from relavancy than heading towards it.
At least they’re not Bradley ruining the good vibes of a bid.
- Pick a Name - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 12:39 pm:
And Willy, you would be wrong with your third sentence. How do I know? Because I follow recruiting and both sports are headed in the up direction. The quality of football players coming in the ‘19 class is definitely better and they received the top player in the state from ‘18 as a transfer. The 2020 class could be a blockbuster. The problem with both sports stems from the hiring of Mike Thomas as AD, who in turn hired Beckman and Groce. The quality of players Underwood is bringing far surpasses what they had.
- Blue Dog Dem - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 12:44 pm:
Congrats Monroe County. Named states healthiest county in robert woods johnson foundation.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 12:50 pm:
Illinois football under Lovie?
9-27… a 3-9 record this year isn’t his worst of the 3 years. That’s not good, going in the wrong direction for a B1G school looking to compete.
The basketball program hasn’t had a winning B1G conference run since 2010…
The last 3 years, 20 wins, 14 wins, 12 wins.
Wrong direction.
- L.A. - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 1:34 pm:
Simple Simon - No, no, nono, no, no. Omg. My little heart can’t take it. I cannot imagine Illinois not competing in the Big 10, not having a basketball team, no Assembly Hall. I cried when they lost in 2005 to NC (and when I say cried, I mean balled like a baby). Cannot picture a world without the Fighting Illini.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 1:43 pm:
===it would not break my heart to do away with Big 10 athletics entirely at UI. Follow the example of U of Chicago and refocus on academics.===
Yeah… about that…
The B1G Network, the bowl game splits, the NCAA tournament, NIT tournament splits… bringing in millions of revenue and getting the university’s name in the discussion of other popular universities.
Mizzou begged to be a B1G. First with Penn State, then Nebraska… Maryland left the ACC… for money… Rutgers was for the NYC Media market.
Mizzou is now part of the SEC, and reaping SEC dollars and coverage. Leaving athletics isn’t the game, the game is trying to join the Big 5 major conferences.
Illinois couldn’t leave the B1G even if they could…
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 1:49 pm:
BT didn’t want Mizzou. The reason?
Academics
- Ron Burgundy - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 1:54 pm:
Illinois went 4-8 in football. And those 12 wins in hoops came against the third toughest schedule in the country, including beating 3 NCAA teams including Michigan State and playing #1 seed Gonzaga within 6. They will win more than 12 next year for certain, then the win total narrative changes.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 1:55 pm:
===…didn’t want Mizzou. The reason?
Academics===
… took Nebraska, over equal Mizzou. The Reason?
Athletics.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 2:01 pm:
- Ron Burgundy -
I hope so. It’s no fun with Illinois not in the mix for so long.
It wasn’t that long ago they were a Final 4 school.
What has disappointing in recent years …Bill Self coaching against Bruce Weber…
- Bourbon Street - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 2:02 pm:
Speaking of Dan Lipinski, it would be nice if the GOP paid attention to the 3rd Congressional District so that last year’s disgraceful situation is not repeated.
- Ron Burgundy - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 2:06 pm:
I’m with ya Willy. I’ll take over 4 on football this year too. This was the wrong year with 8 new guys for Illinois hoops to be playing in Maui and they got crushed, but that is planned like 3 years in advance. Set a bad hole to start.
- Ron Burgundy - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 2:11 pm:
Bourbon Street - Yeah it would be nice, but it’s a hopeless cause. District is pulling left and there’s no path to win for a respected conservative. The district’s moderates already have Lipinski as their guy.
- Lake County Voter - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 2:55 pm:
Can the commenter who raised the possibility that two-time former Congressman Bob Dold is planning a senate run please clarify your post?
- Last Bull Moose - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 3:16 pm:
I believe that the internet will increase competition and drive down margins. A corollary is that advertising revenues will drop with margins. Slowly the surge of money flowing through sports will drop. Then we might see student athletes again.
Doubt I will live long enough to see it. But I can dream.
- A 400lb. Guy on a bed - Tuesday, Mar 19, 19 @ 6:11 pm:
=Illinois went 4-8 in football=
Lovie Smith got his $8 million.
- Pepsi Not Coke - Wednesday, Mar 20, 19 @ 7:53 am:
Really hope Do-nothing Dold does run for Senate. He’s a dud and will get trounced.