What? The Illini just lost their quarterbacks coach?

"Head-scratcher" is right! I always wondered why the Illini ran (former quarterbacks coach) Zaunbrecher's offense with Mike Locksley leading the way as offensive coordinator. Very cumbersome organizational structure, don't you think?

I'm with Tupper: You don't want to lose assistant coaches to "lateral" positions - especially positions with conference foes. That just doesn't look good.

With Zook's "happy face" routine, I doubt we'll hear much more about this personnel development any time soon. I just hope that, going forward, we can find ways to keep assistants at Illinois longer than a year. We're becoming quite a "stepping stone" program - with a revolving door - where assistant coaches are concerned. That reputation will not serve Zook or Illinois well if it continues.

News that Ron Zook is losing his quarterbacks coach was a small scale stunner Thursday. Ed Zaunbrecher was at practice on Tuesday, standing in the rain while overseeing the work of five quarterbacks. Then on Thursday he was headed to Purdue to take a similar position on Joe Tiller’s staff.

First of all, the timing is lousy. Second of all, you don’t want to lose assistant coaches to “lateral” positions. Had he been named offensive coordinator, it’s easier to explain. But I use the word “lateral” loosely. Purdue’s offense, at least until last season, has been high octane and put the Boilermakers in a succession of bowl games. Illinois has struggled, although the struggles have been much more pronounced on defense.

Zaunbrecher departure a head-scratcher

Indy Star columnist questions IU's hiring of Sampson

Sounds like I'm not the only one who doesn't think too much of IU's new head basketball coach.

First, we find out that IU showed a great deal of unpublicized interest in Gonzaga's Mark Few and Memphis's John Calipari. However, these solid coaches didn't reciprocate that interest. Hmmmm...I thought Indiana Basketball was a Top Ten program on a national level - a program that could just choose its next head basketball coach when it needed a new one?

And we now understand that Sampson's graduation rates at Oklahoma were amongst the lowest in the country and that he will be leaving OU in a cloud of alleged recruiting infractions. Sounds to me as if Sampson is a motivated man on-the-move.

At least on the surface, this hire has a flavor of desperation in it. Not to mention that, as this news has just broken in the last 24 hours or so, Hoosier Nation is not exactly rolling out the crimson carpet for Sampson - not yet, anyway.

I wonder if Rick Greenspan consulted with Big Ten boss Jim Delaney before he reached out to Sampson? I know Illinois AD Ron Guenther always seeks input from Delaney when he is looking for a major head coach. It sure can't hurt to have Delaney's blessings before you put your good money down on the table.

Good luck with Sampson, Hoosiers. Somehow, I fearfully expected more from this hire.

This was supposed to be the big, sexy hire, the balloons-and-confetti hire that would once again unite the fractured Hoosier Nation. This was supposed to be the hire that confirmed IU's delusional self-image as a top-five, even top-10 program, the hire that sent shock waves through the upcoming Final Four here in Indianapolis.

Maybe Billy Donovan. Or John Calipari. Or Mark Few. Or someone with a Bob Knight pedigree, a Steve Alford or even Randy Wittman.

Kelvin Sampson?

Really?

...

This whole thing, the Davis resignation and the Rick Greenspan-led search, was supposed to be done with the idea of uniting Hoosier fans under one banner, energizing them after years of disillusionment and ennui.

Well, I don't claim to speak for the Hoosier Nation, but the early returns suggest it is united -- united in its amazement that Greenspan, the man on the hottest seat of all, could make a less dazzling and more distressing hire.

Not sexy.

Not a member of the family.

Neither.

Did you hear that noise?

Thud.

If goal was to unite fans, it failed

My new soft contact lenses

I had a follow-up visit with my eye doctor this afternoon. After one week with my new ACUVUE® OASYS™ contact lenses, everything is looking great! I've never been happier with contacts than I am with these new lenses!

WHO SHOULD WEAR ACUVUE® OASYS™

People who experience contact lens dryness in dry challenging environments

People who spend extended periods of time in front of a computer

People whose eyes get tired from long days at work

People who like to wear their lenses comfortably all day

Every answer, above, is, "me".

And after wearing this pair for three or four weeks, I can throw them away and start wearing a brand new pair! I think I'm gonna be very happy with these!
:-)

Illini spring football is underway

C'mon, guys! Let's at least compete next fall!!!

CHAMPAIGN - A 2-9 record last fall tells us something must change with the Illinois football team.

The Illini begin spring drills today leading up to the spring game on April 22, and coach Ron Zook has decided to make changes in a depth chart left largely intact by graduation.

The offensive line, "which we all agree needs revamping,'' Zook said, will start with transfer Akim Millington and former defensive lineman Charles Myles at the tackle positions. Antonio Steele, a junior-college transfer, adds speed to a linebacker corps that figures to see change after an ineffective season.

"Our offensive line has to improve,'' Zook said. "Overall defensively we have to improve. We have to improve across the board.''

Change is in the air as Illini prepare for spring football game

Stunner! IU chooses Sampson

I'm asking three questions about this move:

1. Why would IU want Kelvin Sampson?
2. Why would Kelvin Sampson want to coach IU?
3. Didn't Sampson see how Mike Davis was treated at IU?

Boggle...

Oklahoma's Kelvin Sampson is leaving the school to become the next head coach at Indiana, multiple sources told ESPN.com.

Sampson already told OU athletic director Joe Castiglione of his plans and met with the Sooner team Tuesday afternoon.

A press conference announcing his hiring at Indiana could take place as early as Wednesday afternoon in Bloomington.

Sampson replaces Mike Davis, who took over for Hall of Fame coach Bob Knight in 2000.

"I was caught by surprise a little bit," said Taylor Griffin, a freshman forward for the Sooners. "He made the decision. I guess it's better for the program. I guess it's better for him."

Negotiations with Sampson heated up in the past week as the Hoosiers zeroed in on him after making overtures through a search committee to Gonzaga's Mark Few and Memphis' John Calipari.

The hiring of Sampson means the Hoosiers will break away completely from the Bob Knight era, instead of looking at former Hoosiers Steve Alford of Iowa or Orlando Magic assistant Randy Wittman.

Sampson replaces Davis at Indiana

Admission to U. of I. gets tougher

The University of Illinois received a record number of applications this year, making it harder than ever to gain admittance to some of its top colleges.

The Downstate school received more than 22,300 applications -- a 12 percent increase over last year -- for about 7,150 slots. Its top-ranked business school received 2,800 applications -- a 22 percent increase -- for just 600 seats.

School officials say the increase reflects several trends, including more high school graduates and more interest in the state's flagship school, which provides "excellence and value,'' said Chancellor Richard Herman. And, frankly, last year was subpar in terms of interest in U. of I.

Admission to U. of I. gets tougher

Here's another similar story from the News-Gazette: Students showing record interest in UI

Another celebrity Illini fan!

We all proudly watched as Bill Murray donned orange and sat a few rows behind the Illini bench last year at the NCAA Chicago Regional at Allstate Arena, cheering the Illini into the Final Four. Now we hear about another comedic celebrity who is an Illini fan: Vince Vaughn! Check the bottom of this interview for his comments about the Illini basketball team...

Entertainment Weekly - Interview: Catching up with Vince Vaughn

Even before I learned this about Vaughn, I liked the guy's acting and his movies. Wedding Crashers is a classic and I also enjoyed his part in Starsky & Hutch. "Vaughn is money!"

What a comeback! UCLA 73, Gonzaga 71

UCLA scores final 11 points in stunning comeback over Gonzaga

This one reminded me of the Illini game against Arizona last year at Allstate Arena in the Regional Final. Gonzaga led (and had large leads) for nearly the entire game - until right when it mattered most. What an improbable comeback by the Bruins! Here's a look at the play-by-play of the final 3:26 of this game...

3:26 Official TV Timeout. 69-62
3:26 Adam Morrison made Free Throw. 70-62
3:26 Adam Morrison made Free Throw. 71-62
3:13 Foul on Erroll Knight 71-62
3:13 71-63 Luc Richard Mbah a Moute made Free Throw.
3:13 71-64 Luc Richard Mbah a Moute made Free Throw.
2:50 71-64 Jordan Farmar missed Three Point Jumper.
2:50 71-64 Arron Afflalo Offensive Rebound.
2:46 Sean Mallon Steal. 71-64
2:22 Adam Morrison missed Two Point Jumper. 71-64
2:22 71-64 Luc Richard Mbah a Moute Defensive Rebound.
2:12 71-64 Jordan Farmar missed Two Point Layup.
2:12 71-64 Luc Richard Mbah a Moute Offensive Rebound.
2:09 71-66 Luc Richard Mbah a Moute made Two Point Layup.
1:48 Gonzaga Full Timeout. 71-66
1:39 Derek Raivio missed Three Point Jumper. 71-66
1:39 J.P. Batista Offensive Rebound. 71-66
1:35 J.P. Batista missed Two Point Layup. 71-66
1:35 71-66 Darren Collison Defensive Rebound.
1:29 Foul on Jeremy Pargo 71-66
1:28 71-66 Darren Collison missed Free Throw.
1:28 Jeremy Pargo Defensive Rebound. 71-66
1:01 Adam Morrison missed Two Point Jumper. 71-66
1:01 71-66 UCLA Defensive Rebound.
0:52 71-68 Jordan Farmar made Two Point Jumper.
0:41 Gonzaga Full Timeout. 71-68
0:23 Adam Morrison missed Two Point Jumper. 71-68
0:23 71-68 UCLA Defensive Rebound.
0:20 Foul on J.P. Batista 71-68
0:20 71-69 Ryan Hollins made Free Throw.
0:20 71-70 Ryan Hollins made Free Throw.
0:10 71-72 Luc Richard Mbah a Moute made Two Point Layup. Assisted by Jordan Farmar.
0:06 71-72 Luc Richard Mbah a Moute Steal.
0:04 Foul on Jeremy Pargo 71-72
0:02 71-72 Arron Afflalo missed Free Throw.
0:02 71-72 UCLA Defensive Rebound.
0:02 71-73 Arron Afflalo made Free Throw.
0:02 J.P. Batista missed Two Point Jumper. 71-73
0:02 71-73 UCLA Defensive Rebound.
0:00 End Game

I still think the Bruins can get to the Final Four.

Two noteworthy quotes from Jesse Livermore

"Beware of ignorance. The market must be studied and learned, not in a casual fashion but seriously and deeply. The stock market, with its allures of easy money and fast action, induces people into the foolish mishandling of their money like no other entity. The reverse of ignorance is knowledge, and knowledge is power." --Jesse Livermore

"There is nothing new on Wall Street or in stock speculation. What has happened in the past will happen again and again. This is because human nature does not change, and it is human emotion that always gets in the way of human intelligence." --Jesse Livermore

Quote of the day

"Time is the coin of life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful, lest you let other people spend it for you." --Carl Sandburg

The end of the Brown/Augustine era: Washington 67, Illinois 64

Roy, Huskies eliminate last year's national runner-up

"I can see clearly now, the PAIN is gone!"

For those who know me well, they know that I wear contact lenses (I'm nearsighted and I've had gas permeable contact lenses since I was 15 years old). And they also know that my lenses have been bothering me for quite a while - my eyes are often red and irritated.

Well, I went in to see my optometrist on Monday, hoping for some relief, and I came out of his office with all new soft contact lenses! I was more than a little apprehensive when he suggested that I try soft lenses, but WOW - I'm now very glad I did!

Here's what I previously didn't know: Between 25 and 27 million Americans wear contact lenses. The majority use these devices to correct vision as an alternative to glasses. Approximately 85% use soft lenses because of the superior comfort provided. 85%!!! I had no idea I was in the minority with my uncomfortable, dirty, rigid gas permeable lenses.

Hard lenses are difficult enough to clean, install, wear and remove - I wasn't sure how I would do with larger, much flimsier soft lenses. These lenses almost feel like Saran Wrap! But after a couple days of practicing with them, I'm getting them in and out much easier and I LOVE wearing them!!! I don't feel a thing in either eye - what a contrast that is to my hard contacts - and I can see so much better with them in!

I used to really feel those hard lenses... They would also slip up and down on my eye nearly every time I would blink. These new soft lenses feel like they're integral to each of my eyes. They're absolutely awesome and I highly recommend them to anyone with troublesome hard lenses!!!

Fun at the expense of UFI and Kansas

As much as I love the Fighting Illini, I also love to hate a select few teams. My hate is not irrational or malicious, but I definitely have my reasons for disliking these teams the way I do.

I enjoy watching the Iowa Hawkeyes, Missouri Tigers and Kansas Jayhawks lose - almost as much as I enjoy seeing the Illini win. So Friday was a great day for me, as two of my most hated rivals lost in huge, first round NCAA Tournament upsets on Friday.

The hate for "Freakin' Iowa" (a quote from Boy Wonder Steve Alford himself) started with Bruce Pearl about sixteen years ago. I don't think I need to say much more than that: My memory is very long and I know many other Illini fans feel exactly the same way.

#3-seed UFI got beat at the buzzer by #14-seed Northwestern State, 64-63, in one of the most exciting games I've watched in several years. Much to my dismay, the Hawks led this contest by 17 points with just 8 1/2 minutes to play, and the game appeared to be over. But the Demons from rural northwest Louisiana fought back with tenacious defense and some very timely shooting. After senior Greg Brunner came up short on the second of two free throws, leaving Iowa just two points ahead, Jermaine Wallace buried his desperation three with just 0.5 seconds on the clock to the delight of many in The Palace at Auburn Hills as well as many Illini fans watching on their TVs or PCs. And then seeing Wallace's shot replayed over and over and over again on SportsCenter and College GameNight and the local news just brings a huge smile to my face. Way to go, Demons! Thanks for the memories!!!

Hating Kansas has everything to do with hating carpetbagger Bill Self, who bailed on the Illini just three years ago next month, right when the Illini were knocking on the door of bigger and better things in the college basketball world. Self claimed that he was at Illinois "for the long haul" and that together, he, his staff and the Illini players "had a lot of work to do." Well, we all know how the "long haul" turned out with Self. Some Illini fans are more forgiving of Self, arguing that we should just forgive and forget what he did on his way out. Sorry - I can't do that. What's telltale about this, to me, is Illinois athletic director Ron Guenther's reaction to Self's abrupt departure: Guenther was apparently angry with Self just before and after Self left Illinois: In a press conference held shortly after Self was introduced as KU's new head coach, Guenther talked about loyalty to and from his coaches at Illinois and he called out Self as someone who crossed the line in that regard. What's bad for Ron Guenther - the king of Fighting Illini athletics - is arguably bad for Fighting Illini athletics. Thus, I have a chip on my shoulder where Bill Self is concerned.

Kansas, winners of 15 of 16 games, including the Big XII Tournament Championship, and the #4 seed in the Oakland Regional, struggled mightily all evening with the underrated, extremely athletic Bradley Braves from the Missouri Valley Conference. Bradley held off the desperate Jayhawks, 77-73, in an instant classic. I've gotta give BU a ton of props: They played with a purpose, they played aggressively, they played with poise and they pulled off a fantastic win over an immensely talented team of Jayhawks. KU, which looked unprepared and tentative from the get-go, only led by as many as two points early in the game for just a short spell; Bradley played on the lead for nearly the entire game and truly deserved the W. And let me say this: Bradley not only pulled off an upset last night, they proved what a good team they are with that performance. The Braves could have beaten a bunch of higher-seeded teams last night. This was Bradley's first NCAA victory since a win over UTEP in 1986 - twenty years ago.

Nice game for senior forward Marcellus Sommerville (21 points and 7 rebounds), sophomore center Patrick O'Bryant (8 and 10), sophomore guard Dan Ruffin (11 points and 7 assists) and junior guard Will Franklin (14 points and 6 assists). Looks like this Bradley team is still rather young and this bodes well for the next few years.

And so, the Jayhawks are headed back to Naismith Drive a little earlier than they had planned - again. Kansas has now lost in the first round in back-to-back seasons for the first time in school history. I wonder how that will play amongst the anxious Phog Phaithful for the next several months.

Illinois 78, Air Force 69

Smith helps Illinois overpower Air Force

March Madness on Demand!

Live video and audio of all the games through the third round of the NCAA Tournament - FREE!

Here's the link to all the action:

NCAA March Madness on Demand

Live NCAA Tournament Scoreboards

Here are two links:

ESPN's Live NCAA Tournament Scoreboard
NCAA Sports.com Live NCAA Tournament Scoreboard

The best day...EVER!

It's my favorite day of the year! No, it's not my birthday today (I don't really care about my birthday anymore!). Today is the first day of games in the First Round of the men's NCAA Basketball Tournament!!! Sixteen games today, sixteen games tomorrow - it's all good, basketball fans!

My beloved Fighting Illini, the #4 seed in the Washington, DC bracket, are matched up against the #13-seeded Air Force Academy Falcons tonight in San Diego, California at 6:25 PM Central time. My fearless prediction: Illini 62, Air Force 48.

GO ILLINI!

Congrats to the Illini women's basketball team on their 58-37 preliminary round WNIT victory from Western Illinois at the UI Assembly Hall last night. Marquette is next, in Milwaukee... Keep it going, ladies!

Z-Blog is online!

First blog. First post. I must say - I'm pretty good with computers and the Web but I'm kinda lost here! But I'm not a quitter... I'll figure this blogging stuff out sometime soon.