By Chris Hine
CHAMPAIGN - Illinois coach Bruce Weber said he would like to put all of the Illinois state schools on his nonconference schedule, but when it comes to Southern Illinois, there are a few obstacles in the way.
If Southern Illinois simply wanted to play the Illini in Champaign, there would be no problem, Weber said.
In his teleconference today, Weber indicated that the Salukis would like to play Illinois in St. Louis, but the Illini do not want to compromise their annual game there against Missouri. There also was talk of playing SIU in Chicago, Weber said, but nothing has been scheduled.
Weber added that the main stumbling block to playing Southern Illinois anywhere but Champaign is that there is little flexibility in the Illini's schedule, given their commitments to preseason tournaments and the Big 10/ACC Challenge. The Illini do not want to sacrifice a home game -- and the revenue that would generate -- to make the trip to Carbondale.
"In this time, in this era with the economy and stuff, it's tough to do," Weber said.
CHAMPAIGN - Illinois coach Bruce Weber said he would like to put all of the Illinois state schools on his nonconference schedule, but when it comes to Southern Illinois, there are a few obstacles in the way.
If Southern Illinois simply wanted to play the Illini in Champaign, there would be no problem, Weber said.
In his teleconference today, Weber indicated that the Salukis would like to play Illinois in St. Louis, but the Illini do not want to compromise their annual game there against Missouri. There also was talk of playing SIU in Chicago, Weber said, but nothing has been scheduled.
Weber added that the main stumbling block to playing Southern Illinois anywhere but Champaign is that there is little flexibility in the Illini's schedule, given their commitments to preseason tournaments and the Big 10/ACC Challenge. The Illini do not want to sacrifice a home game -- and the revenue that would generate -- to make the trip to Carbondale.
"In this time, in this era with the economy and stuff, it's tough to do," Weber said.
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the only problem is Southern insnt the cupcake the Illini usually play every year in non conference. Hey bruce have you heard of "who you crapin" on the Score? thats a great one for that segment.
Ilinois against Northern Illinois Score:
Sean Kowal 6 foot 11 inches - 21 rebounds
Mike Tisdale 7 foot 1 inch 3 rebounds
Coach Weber seriously needs to sit Tisdale on the bench. Mike Davis needs help down low and Tisdale is invisible, rebounding as bad or worse than last year. Get Simpson ready to play Bruce and give Griffey and Semrau a chance to pair with Mike Davis on the front line. Tisdale is a HUGE liability as a rebounder and Mike Davis can't fight off two or three opposing "bigs" every game. Sit Tisdale and Illini will seriously be much BETTER!!!!! Even Bill Cole can give the Illini more offense than Tisdale and some DEFENSE.
Southern Illinois should just make the drive up to Champaign already . . enough excuses
The Illini would rather lose to a Gonzaga than a Southern Illinois or Illinois State (which they probably would to both)because they could not say they were somehow the best in the state.
Money clearly plays a role here, but Weber is also afraid of being bit by the hand the hand that once fed him. It's unfortunate that mid-majors such as the teams in the MVC are constantly struggling to schedule quality opponants. It's also a no win proposition for them. If a team such as SIU or ISU is unable to schedule a game at a neutral sight, or a home and home with a quality opponent, they are usually forced to fill their schedule with a lower-tier game. This "filler" game does nothing to help them come tournament selection time. Weber needs to fulfill the promise he made when he left SIU, that is, to schedule SIU. Stop making excuses and have the guts to schedule a home and home or play them at a neutral site!
The match-up would have happened if the Hiding Illini wouldn't have lost in the 1st round to Va. Tech. Don't worry though, the Salukis handily took care of the Hokies 2 days later.
they're called the hiding illini for the reason.
"I feel an Illinois tourney is in order. We have enough D1 teams to to an 8 team tourney at the UC.
UIUC
ISU
SIU
Bradley
Northwestern
Depaul
EIU
NIU"
If it was a seeded Tourney (with UI always being the #1 seed) and held at the Assembly Hall, then I could see it happening. Having it in Chicago might be a long shot.
Gary,
Illinois State has by far the best college basketball player in the state in Osiris Eldridge. Coming to Redbird Arena this season (or really any season in the next 5, based on spectacular recent recruiting classes by Tim Jankovich) would be an awful idea for UIUC. Not only am I saying they could lose, but I'm saying that they Illini WOULD lose.
Illinois State is going to be VERY good for the next half decade or so. 60+ wins in the last 3 years is no joke.
I feel an Illinois tourney is in order. We have enough D1 teams to to an 8 team tourney at the UC.
UIUC
ISU
SIU
Bradley
Northwestern
Depaul
EIU
NIU
I'd buy tickets to that. UIUC would get a chance to play 4 potential top 100 teams and thus improve the consistant bottom half SOS they have. ISU/SIU/Bradley would get a chance at UIUC, NW and Depaul.
Playing SIU at Carbondale or at a neutral site would be a terrible idea. Illini would have everything to lose and NOTHING to gain.
After losing to Illinois State (in Edwardsville, 2 days after losing to the Illini) SIU-E head coach Lennox Forrester said, "I know Illinois is long and athletic (inside), but I thought Illinois State’s big guys were just as physical or even more physical than Illinois
He also said they were the most physical team they played to date and that also included Notre Dame
I dont look so bad now, do I?
Oh yeah, I guess I do.
BRUCE should live up to what he said he would do, which is play SIU.
Bruce Weber is a liar! When he first got to UIUC (is that the new swine flu moniker), he said he would play SIU. I doubt that he meant the Cougars. He can fit in all the Little Sisters of the Poor, but not the Salukis. If he had held up his end of the bargain in Columbus in 2007, he knows he would have lost.
Weber won't play ISU or SIU because he has everything to lose and nothing to gain, especially on the road. If they win, to most people it looks like a game they should have won--no big deal. If they lose, regardless of how good ISU and SIU may be, to most people it'll look like a bad loss because the schools don't have the same name recogniton. In reality it wouldn't be all that bad. SIU is a generally well respected team and even received a couple votes in the preseason poll. Illinois State is an even better team right now that has a great shot at winning the MVC with preseason player of the year Osiris Eldridge. After losing to Illinois State (in Edwardsville, 2 days after losing to the Illini) SIU-E head coach Lennox Forrester said, "I know Illinois is long and athletic (inside), but I thought Illinois State’s big guys were just as physical or even more physical than Illinois" Quincy's head coach said practically the same thing after playing both schools in exhibitions. So yes, weber is scared. What BCS head coach wouldn't be?
Yep, that's it...Weber's afraid of SIU and ISU..gotta be it. That's why he schedules patsies like the ACC,SEC, Big East and Gonzaga...because he's soooo scared of ISU & SIU.
ISU & SIU...are those schools or a variant of the flu...like H1N1? Just curious. Call the Illinim when you all grow up!
If Bruce Weber is afraid its of Illinois State..they have defeated Southern the last 4 times they've played and finished runner up in the Valley the past 2 seasons. I believe it is safe to say that ISU is the best team in Illinois not in Champaign. Illinois chose not to renew their contract with ISU once their program became after a close win in 2004.
Weber knows his young team would get eaten alive in the dog pound..those Salukis are hostile at home.
HA HA. Weber is scared. Plain and simple.