All Outa' Juice

Hold on to your hats, the Illini are due for a dramatic turnaround. Ron Zook announced on that he was going with Eddie McGee instead of Juice Williams for the Illini against Michigan State on Saturday.
We have seen McGee play, it isn't great, and neither is this Illini team. This is like when a baseball team fires it's manager in the middle of the season because the team is playing terribly. It really isn't about how the manager, or in this scenario Juice, has preformed. It is about the team doing poorly and the need to shake things up in the hopes of re-energizing the team. As far as the Illini program goes, it really is not a good sign when your all-time career leader in yardage gets benched his senior year.

Former Illini in the NBA Update

Numerous former Illini are trying to maker there way in the NBA, I figured I’d provide a quick summation of how they have fared thus far in preseason action. I will try and give an update on former Illini in the NBA about once a week.

Return of the Neckbeard

Kyle Orton celebrated his re-bearding with a victory over the Cowboys on Sunday. Kyle has yet to throw an interception this season and his Broncos have improved to 4-0.

The bad news, his Prius doesn't get as good of gas mileage in the mountains of Denver as it did in the plains of Illinois.

Change you can Believe in!

As the Cubs’ season has now spiraled towards a point of mathematical irrelevance, I can’t help but think towards the future (as any respectable Cubs fan would do). Though the popular (and well justified) theme of choice for many fans is player changes, I personally believe that it is high time for an almost complete coaching overhaul... that means Lou and all the rest of them.

Now I know that Sweet Lou has another year on his contract, but for the love of Santo just buy it out and send him on his way to Boca-Raton with all the other old, overweight Italians. Seriously, trade Milton Bradley and use the money saved to pay off the debt incurred from purging this organization of Pinella.

As far as replacements go, there are a number of tantalizing choices to take the helm. It’s obvious that Bob Brenly is pinning for another coaching position as he actively pursued the opening in Milwaukee last year and continues to offer countless suggestions and criticisms throughout most broadcasts (the kind of stuff that got Stoney fired). On the other hand, Ryan Sandberg is slowly working his way up the organization latter and looks poised to have a Major League position soon. Finally, there is Joe Girardi who was ignorantly passed over two years ago in favor of a much more sloth-like Italian.

So without further ado I give you my personal dream Cubs Coaching Lineup:

Big 12 Update: BHS Wins, Danville Remains Undefeated

In this week's Big 12 showcase game, the Danville Vikings topped Decatur MacArthur 21-0. Tonight was certainly Danville's strongest game. MacArthur was also undefeated going into Danville, but the Generals did not put up much of a fight, scoring nothing at all. Danville still has to travel to Champaign Central and Normal Community in the next two weeks. However, they should go into Champaign with a lot of confidence after tonight's victory. Bloomington High School also rolled on to another easy win. The Champaign Centennial Chargers did not bring much of a game to the cold, wet Fred Carlton Field. Following the Raiders 33-13 victory, Centennial's special teams coach told me in frustration, "It is pretty sad when the coaches want it more than the kids. These kids don't get excited for anything." After teaching for a brief time at Centennial, I know the seniors don't get very excited for government class, but I would hope for football against a traditional Big 12 powerhouse. Apparently, the Chargers, who typically have winning seasons, have run dry. Bloomington still has a lot left in their battery, though. For the third straight week, most of the Raiders' starters sat out the final quarter. I do not expect that to happen again, though, next week at intercity rival Normal West. The Wildcats have beat BHS once before, and the young Raiders would be wise not to forget that detrimental Homecoming loss of 2006. The Normal Community Ironmen improved their record to 5-1 with a victory over Eisenhower. NCHS is the only other Big 12 school ranked in the top 10 in the state. Champaign Central's score is yet to come in, but the Marroons were hosting the Green Wave. Therefore, the Free Keon staff will assume Central earned it's fourth win tonight.