Bolts Take Center Stage, Help Me Forget Illini

The Illini got smacked in the mouth last night by the Georgia Bulldogs. I wrote yesterday that the game in Georgia would be a good test for the Illini's young guards in a hostile, road environment. Not so. The game was played at a neutral site north of Atlanta, not in Athens on the Georgia campus, and the Illini fans equaled or exceeded the Bulldog fans.

Despite that advantage, the Illini were pushed around by Georgia all night, and looked one-step behind a desperate Bulldog squad. Give Georgia credit, they hit big shots, scored inside at will, and withstood a late comeback from an Illini squad that nearly pulled off another comeback win on the road in the South, as they did a few weeks ago against Clemson.

In a few years, Georgia is going to be tough to beat. Mark Fox, the man who coached Nevada successfully over the past 6 years, has taken over the program and, based at least on last night's performance, has already asserted a solid work ethic with the players. Once he recruits some talent to match his scheme - and maybe even before then - he'll have a consistent winner on his hands.

But enough about the Illini. Today the Bolts take on the Bengals in a huge matchup for the second seed in the AFC West. A Bolts win would almost guarantee a bye and home playoff game during the Divisional Playoff weekend. A Bolts loss keeps all those other sharks - Denver, Cincy, New England - in the hunt for that all-important #2 seed.

Take care o' business, Phil. I know you will.

Let's Take The Bulldogs To The Woodshed

The Illini tip-off against Georgia in about 10 minutes. I don't know much about this Georgia squad, but I fully expect the Illini to roll. In particular, I expect freshman guards D.J. Richardson and Brandon Paul to have big games.

The game is at Georgia so, much like the Clemson game, the freshman guards will get some good experience playing a quality team in a hostile environment.

Illini basketball on the tube. I can't think of a better way to spend a Saturday evening.

Jereme Richmond Looks Sluggish In Loss to Ames

Spent the afternoon watching the Ames (IA)-Waukegan (IL) high school hoops game that aired last night on ESPN. The matchup pitted Harrison Barnes, a UNC recruit and the #1 high school senior in the country, against our boy Jereme Richmond, an Illini recruit and the #17 prep in the nation.

Barnes and his Ames squad dominated, winning 87-59 over Jereme's Waukegan squad.

Throughout the first quarter, Jereme's D looked good on Barnes, holding the UNC recruit to just one field goal. Jereme also had a choice dunk on an alley-oop pass that looked absolutely effortless.

The taller Ames squad wore down Waukegan, however, and as Ames pulled away, Barnes put on a show, ending the game with 26 points and double digit rebounds. Jereme, who was battling an injured finger, looked uncomfortable shooting all night, and finished with about 12 points. He also played the second half in traction, slowing down his play as Ames pulled away.

Let's hope he turns up the energy in the Big Ten.

I'm Almost Back

I've been gone a long while but I'm on my way back.

Keep a light on for me.