Friday, January 21, 2005
Mile High Praise
Colorado's college basketball teams are having a tough season. Thomas George, Sports Writer for the Denver Post, thinks that they would do well to emulate the Fighting Illini. In a column titled Illini show how to play ball, he writes:
Watch the craziness of the crowd at Assembly Hall, where Illinois is 72-3 over the past five-plus years. Watch this team's speed and quickness and hustle and humility. It exhibits a rare quality:
It excels equally on offense and defense and everything in between.
It has won 14 straight Big Ten games over the past two seasons.
It has led for 92 percent of all minutes played this season.
This team has a chance to become only the fifth in the past 62 years to stride through the Big Ten season unbeaten.
All Colorado NCAA Tournament hopefuls, pay attention - Illinois offers a view from college basketball's mountaintop. A slice of what winning basketball provides.
Bonus quote from Illinois forward Roger Powell: "God is doing something with this team that is blowing our minds. We're going to stay hungry and humble. Enjoy it, yet appreciate it."
Bonus observation: This column includes quotes from Coach Bruce Weber, meaning he actually did an interview with this guy. As Illini Wonk has said in the past, the Illini are #1 in media relations.
posted by Illiniwonk at 3:33 PM
Watch the craziness of the crowd at Assembly Hall, where Illinois is 72-3 over the past five-plus years. Watch this team's speed and quickness and hustle and humility. It exhibits a rare quality:
It excels equally on offense and defense and everything in between.
It has won 14 straight Big Ten games over the past two seasons.
It has led for 92 percent of all minutes played this season.
This team has a chance to become only the fifth in the past 62 years to stride through the Big Ten season unbeaten.
All Colorado NCAA Tournament hopefuls, pay attention - Illinois offers a view from college basketball's mountaintop. A slice of what winning basketball provides.
Bonus quote from Illinois forward Roger Powell: "God is doing something with this team that is blowing our minds. We're going to stay hungry and humble. Enjoy it, yet appreciate it."
Bonus observation: This column includes quotes from Coach Bruce Weber, meaning he actually did an interview with this guy. As Illini Wonk has said in the past, the Illini are #1 in media relations.
posted by Illiniwonk at 3:33 PM
