Eric Loy, Sports Director at Neuhoff Media Danville, brings you news from the Fighting Illini Football & Basketball teams, along with news from other Fighting Illini Sports.
-Wow. Watched the Illini-Nebraska game with a friend in Indiana over the weekend and all I could muster was shock and sadness. Seeing the reaction of Meyers Leonard on the bench was heartbreaking. There were a few national columnidiots that decided to take a potshot or two at the young man, but they've probably never cared enough about something to have an emotion or two. No wait, maybe themselves.
-The Sun-Times back cover and column after the game went beyond tasteless and unfortunately reflects what some of the Chicago press think of downstate. There are plenty of good writers for the Chicago papers, and I'm sure they are embarrassed by such garbage as that being printed next to their material. But, if their management cared about such opinoins, they wouldn't have sunk so low as to publish such rot.
-I admit to some uncomfortable feelings when calling upon the basketball coaches for weekly interviews. What can I ask that won't be piling on...but will still seem interesting to listeners and out other Neuhoff stations? Sooner or later it comes down to what happens on the court. I had a chance to talk with assistant coach Gary Nottingham...
-The Illini do have a game with Ohio State tonight in Columbus. They DID beat them in the Assembly Hall this season. I cannot find enough optimism to pick an upset here though.
-The Illini womens' BKB team get 31 points from Amber Moore on Senior Night as they topped Northwestern. They are playing tough late in the season again, and they will be a terror to anyone in the conference tournament.
-The Illini mens' track head coach Mike Turk talked with me this morning as his squad gets ready for the Big Ten Indoor Championships...
-Keep an eye out for Brandon Wikoff, former Illini, who has been steadily improving his play in the minor leagues for Houston.
-The Fighting Illini men are, obviously, struggling, but haven't given up the ghost completely. Talked with assistant coach Jerrance Howard this week...
-There are some good pieces on this team, they have not been able to put the whole puzzle together yet. Getting more bench play will be a positive step, CONSISTENT bench play another....and the defense needs to step it up.
-The Illini women are heading the other way, winning 4 of their last six, including knocking off top ten Ohio State. Their last win was a great come-from-behind road victory over Indiana. Karisma Penn blocked two shots in the last couple of minutes and a put-back with less than one second left gave them the nod. Coach Law's teams always are tough in the Big Ten tourney and this year they may be even tougher.
-Illini softball and baseball seasons are getting started....the Illini men are picked to finish sixth by the press, but they weren't picked too high last season...and they won the conference tournament and a share of the regular season title.
-The softballers need to find the pitching they had two seasons ago, After a tough first couple of games, hopefully they are back on track.
-Kyle Hudson isn't the only former Illini invited to the Texas Rangers' spring training. Also invited (and signed to a minor league deal) is C Chris Robinson, who rose to AAA for the Cubs after they traded for him a couple of years ago. Robinson actually was traded for the much-maligned Neifi Perez.
-There has been some talk among Illini basketball fans that the Illini have been hit with some bad luck. Maybe in the long term. IN the short term they have been EXTREMELY lucky. Without a career night from Brandon Paul, they lose to Ohio State. If Davis from Michigan State doesn't implode mentally (technical foul) and then physically, Illinois loses THAT game. They probably should have lost to Minnesota at home as well.
-Got a chance to talk with Illini assistant coach Jay Price this week, we talked about the ugly win over MSU and some strategy for keeping Northwestern from getting the easy backdoor baskets...
-Illini BKB women have won two of their last three, and I hope that has got them on the winning edge. They have been very close and I know that has really got under coach Law's skin.
-Illini wrestlers finished the regular dual season on a positive note, crushing Wisconsin 38-3. Next up is national duals, and they should do well.
-Illini baseball will be starting in less than two weeks! On that note, I bought one pack of Topps 2012 baseball cards and found a Kyle Hudson rookie card! It has him swinging a bat for the Orioles, but reports are that he will be in the Rangers' camp pre-season.
-Losing the game at Minnesota has put the Illini men in a very tough position in the Big Ten, tough to remember that just a short while ago they were by themselves atop the Big Ten standings.
-Assistant coach Jerrance Howard has seen it all before...
-Pressure is building from fans, many of whom have long-standing grudges against Coach Weber for one reason or another. They see what the new AD Thomas did with Ron Zook and they are heartened that a change could be imminent for the basketball team. I do not have any inside info on that, but there needs to be a winning conference season THIS SEASON. Especially since the conference has weaknesses almost top to bottom...and still being in the lower division after knocking off Ohio State is NOT a resume builder for a new boss.
-Looking back at the Ohio State win, the Illini get waxed if Paul doesn't have a career night. If he just has a GOOD night at 20-25 points, they lose...if he gets THIRTY points they lose. The win has "FLUKE" scrawled all over it now, given what has happened since.
-The Illini women's team got a good win over Michigan State, but fell back in the turnover abyss right afterward. Coach Law was already getting criticism from people who dislike women's basketball as a sport in the first place, and she isn't getting any help with this season's results.
-Former Illini Kyle Hudson was let go by the Orioles as a procedural move, it seems. He was a "Rule 5 Exempt" player, and as such there was some sort of roster maneuvering that had to be done. He won't be teamless for long.
-Well, well, amazing what a week+ off will do. While the Illini practiced, everyone around them atop the standing were falling like the snowflakes outside. What a great performance by Brandon Paul in scoring, after throwing the ball away in the first part of the game so often. Talked with Illini mens' assistant Jay Price earlier this week...
-Really do not want to be a downer going into what should be an easy win for Illinois, even on the road, but remember two things: Indiana thought they'd handle Nebraska easily....and if the Illini need to have someone get 43 points to get a win, they are not in that great a shape. Hopefully they have ironed out a few things and gained some controlled confidence heading to Penn State tonight.
-I wish Jay Prosch all the luck in the world and prayers to his family. The Illini fullback is transferring to Auburn to be nearer his ailing mother.
-Congrats to Michael Buchanan, Akeem Spence and Terry Hawthorne, who apparently made the choice to stay one more year at Illinois. They all have pro potential, but need one year to shine before going into the draft.
-The Illini track teams have their classic Friday and Saturday at the UI Armory, a great facility. Here's UI Mens Track head coach Mike Turk:
-Illini women's BKB coach Jolette Law has to be screaming internally as she has seen her team lose four straight games on a last shot. Coach Law is a competitor, and it has to be tough watching the team fall just short again and again. Continued losing, and rancor among some about the public terms of her contract renewal, come together for a lack of public support for these ladies. I hope that turns around, especially in the fans' attitudes.
-Strange Illini footnote for this blog: both Ed and Scott Speizio (father and son) played college baseball at Illinois, then each played in World Series games for the St. Louis Cardinals. Both against the Detroit Tigers.
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5th Annual Community Soup Supper
Feb 10 2012 2:26PM
Posted 12 days 13 hrs 59 mins ago
The 5th Annual Community Soup Supper will be hosted by the Bismarck United Methodist Church on Saturday, Feb. 25th from 5-7pm. Dinner includes chili, vegetable soup, or chicken noodle soup, hot dog or BBQ, drink and dessert. Free will offering will be accepted and a game night will take place after dinner. For more information, please call 759-7575.
Lunch w/Georgetown Fair Queen
Feb 6 2012 8:14AM
Posted 16 days 20 hrs 11 mins ago
It's a Fairy Tale Come True! A lunch with the Georgetown Fair Queen Alexandria Hannan. Saturday, March 10th from 11a-1p at the Georgetown Fairgrounds. Tickets are $12 each and are on sale now at Floral N Flair in Catlin, Cottage Coiffures in Danville, or Knight Insurance & Rustic Charm in Georgetown. Each child attending will receive a canvas tote goodie bag which includes a crown, a crown cookie, Princess Fairy Dust, and a picture of Queen Alexandria. For more information, call (217) 377 3946, or 417-3573.
VFW AYCE Chicken or Beef and Noodles
Feb 1 2012 4:02PM
Posted 21 days 12 hrs 23 mins ago
The Veterans of Foreign Wars will be hosting an All You Can Eat Chicken or Beef and Noodles Dinner on Feb. 24th from 11:30am to 7pm. Meal includes noodles, mashed potatoes, vegetables, and desserts. Price is $6 and carry outs are available.
St. James Church Blood Drive
Feb 13 2012 12:00AM
Posted 10 days 4 hrs 25 mins ago
Saint James United Methodist Church is having a Blood Drive on Monday, February 27, 2012 from 3-7 pm at the church, 504 N Vermilion St, Danville, IL 61832. For information, call the church at 217-442-1504. Walk-ins are welcome. Be sure to eat a hearty meal before you come and bring a photo ID or your Blood Donor’s card. It's simple. It's safe. And you could save up to three lives.
The Boys & Girls Club of Danville invites you to their 3rd annual Pancake Day on Sunday, March 4th from 7am-3pm at 850 N. Griffin Street in Danville. Come enjoy all of the warm, fluffy pancakes and sausage you can handle. Tickets are $5 per person, or a book of 5 is just $20. Children 3 and under eat free with each paid adult. For more info call 446-4315.
VFW St. Patty's Day Dinner and Dance
Feb 1 2012 4:04PM
Posted 21 days 12 hrs 21 mins ago
The Veterans of Foreign Wars will be hosting a St. Patty's Day Dinner and Dance on March 16th from 5pm to 9:30pm. Dinner includes corned beef and cabbage. Dinner and Dance $9, Dance alone is $6. Carry outs are available and table reservations are accepted the week of the event.
VFW Karaoke and DJ Night
Feb 1 2012 4:07PM
Posted 21 days 12 hrs 18 mins ago
The Veterans of Foreign Wars will be hosting a Karaoke and DJ night on March 17th from 7-11pm, sponsored by the Danville Area Super Singles and Couples. Price is $5.
VFW AYCE Breakfast
Feb 1 2012 4:06PM
Posted 21 days 12 hrs 19 mins ago
The Veterans of Foreign Wars will be hosting an All You Can Eat Breakfast on March 17th from 7:30 to 10am. Food will include eggs, pancakes, biscuits and gravy, potatoes, and more. Price is $6 and carry outs are avaliable.
VFW AYCE Chicken or Beef and Noodle Dinner
Feb 1 2012 4:09PM
Posted 21 days 12 hrs 16 mins ago
The Veterans of Foreign Wars will be hosting an All You Can Eat Chicken or Beef and Noodles Dinner on March 23rd from 11:30am to 7pm. Meal includes noodles, mashed potatoes, vegetables, and desserts. Price is $6 and carry outs are available.
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