Go Time: Part Two

Philip,

Last week you played a heckuva game - that 12 yard run on 3rd and 13 was epic - and led the Bolts to victory over the Colts.

Well, guess what?

We need another epic performance today.

In Pittsburgh a few months ago you had a rough game, throwing a couple picks and taking a safety that were key to the Stillers 11-10 victory. But that was then and this is now. The team is playing better, you are playing better. I have confidence that the D is going to play tough, that Sproles and Bennett will break a few big runs, that Mikey Scifres will pin the Steelers deep in their own territory a few times, that the O-Line will keep those pesky Stiller linebackers off your back, that Vincent and Antonio and Chris will make some clutch catches.

All you need to do is bring it all together.

Let's do this.

Best,
Bevormo

Mission: Don't Let The Hoosiers Get On Track

That's Nick Anderson. He hit the most famous shot in the most famous game between the Illini and Indiana. You know, the buzzer beater to beat Bobby Knight and the rest of those Hoosiers in '89. That shot is one of the top moments in Illini history. It's on youtube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSRuVA6xU-Q - and never gets old.

Today's Illini-Indiana game probably won't have that same drama, nor will it have the same ferocity of last year's games when Indiana had Kelvin Sampson and Eric Gordon on the floor. But today's game is more important than either the Nick Anderson Game or either one of last year's games. And I'll tell you why.

In '89 the Illini were one of the top teams in the country and were going to the tourney as a high seed no matter what. They were a pack of pure beasts. Last season the Illini weren't that good and the season was mostly a lost cause. Winning against Indiana last season was more about a vendetta against Sampson and Gordon. This year though the Illini are a talented team that figures to be about fourth or fifth in the Big Ten and should garner an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament ... assuming they don't blow home games to the likes of the Indiana Hoosiers. What gives me slight pause about this game is that Tommy Crean's Hoosier squad has blown huge home leads to Michigan and Lipscomb. I wonder if the basketball gods may feel - rightly or wrongly - they owe them one.

Doubtful, but you never know. I'd be more worried about it if Bruce Weber wasn't manning the helm for the Illini. He'll have the troops fired up today.

Let's get it on.

Vincent, You're The Man

Vincent,

I was sorry to hear about your run in with the Diego PD earlier this week. Reports are they pulled you over early in the morning on suspicion of DUI. They also say you are currently on probation for a previous DUI charge back in '06. You've said you're innocent and so far the city has not filed charges.

So you know what I think, Vincent? I think it's time to set this business aside and play some football.

And from what I know about you, I don't doubt that you agree.

I expect you will hit the field Sunday in Pittsburgh and have a monster game. I expect this because I know you are a competitor with a ton of character, a ton of heart, and the will to make big plays.

This game needs someone to play the role of Beast. And I'm casting you for the part.

So get after it on Sunday, Vincent.

I know you will.

Best,
Bevormo

Time For A Big Game From Big Marcus

The Stillers have two of the best pass rushing OLBs in football. It's going to be paramount this Sunday that Marcus McNeil and my boy Jeromy Clary (not pictured) have monster games. Simply put, they'll have to block their butts off to keep those nasty OLBs out of Sproles' way and from putting Felipe Rios (Philip Rivers) on his back.

I for one think they can do the job.

Also, I highly encourage you to visit www.chargers.com and watch McNeil's Wednesday press conference. Just an outstanding interview with a funny guy. One of my favorite quotes: "The game's going to come down to which offense can handle the other team's defense the best." Also: "I'm gonna to try and keep my sleeves off this week. You know, you kinda get a little mo' jacked up when you play without sleeves and man through that weather."

Atta baby!

Zooker Hires LT's Old Coach

This happened a few days back but the Zooker has hired Mike Schultz, the TCU offensive coordinator, to replace Mike Locksley and take over the OC position with the Illini.

I like this hire. Schultz helped lead TCU to a great season in '08, including a choice Poinsettia Bowl victory over previously unbeaten Boise St. TCU's only losses this season were on the road against Oklahoma and Utah, two teams you might have read about in the sports pages this week.

Plus you gotta love the fact Schultz coached LT back in LT's Horned Frog days. I love it when my favorite teams have crossover appeal. It's like the Zooker hired Schultz with this humble blog in mind.

That's the Zooker for you, always thinking of ways to help a guy out.

Courting Hoffman

Reports in the media are that a certain NL Central team is courting everyone's favorite future HOF closer.

Yeah, that's right, this guy:

The thought of Trev in another uni makes me want to drop a deuce on Alderson's carpet. At the same time, Trev isn't the pitcher he once was and baseball is, after all, about winning. It's also a business and maybe the Padres just can't afford Hoffman. Whatever the reason, I guarantee Trevor gets stoked if he ever pitches against the Drinos.

I remember September 2003. I was in the Diego for a few days and my Dad and I went to Qualcomm for a game, I think one of the final 12 or so at the Q. Don't remember much about the game, I could look it up on baseball-reference.com if I was so inclined, but I do remember that the Drinos brought in Trevor for a non-save situation. He hadn't pitched all season after undergoing shoulder surgery (nice fill in work by Rod Beck). He looked good and I remember feeling good about the fact that the '04 Padres, sporting new digs at Petco Park, would have Brian Giles in RF and a healthy Trevor Hoffman closing out games. Those were good days.

Look, Trevor isn't officially gone. But now that day feels real close.

Illini Dabble But Then Lose In Ann Arbor

The Michigan team that beat the Illini 74-64 in Ann Arbor on Sunday was a good team. They were good because they were hitting their threes. If that team hits their threes - as Beilein teams tend to do - they could be a source of annoyance as the Illini grow into a very good team the next two or three years.

In related news, I think the Illini have three pros right now, all sophomores. The more I watch Demetri McCamey, Mike Tisdale and Mike Davis, I think they might all become pros someday. Tisdale has size and that great mid-range and turnaround jumper game that's popular with the European kids; McCamey can run point and hit threes from long distance and criminy, the kid scored 31 in a game as a freshman last season; and Mike Davis has a long, athletic body, can get to the basket, and can hit the open shot. He has an NBA game in the making. If you project all three out I think you get three pros.

Time will tell.

The Illini are off until next Saturday when they host Tom Crean and the Indy Hoosiers.