Blogs re: Orange & Blue Scrimmage and Derrick Rose

CHAMPAIGN – Reggie Rose said Friday night that Illinois is now involved in a three-horse race for the services of his brother, Chicago Simeon point guard Derrick Rose.

But the big brother of the senior star stopped short of handicapping a field that also includes Memphis and Indiana.

Illinois’ Orange & Blue scrimmage was played out on the Assembly Hall court Friday night, but the center of attention was clearly Derrick and Reggie Rose, who sat in the front row of the bleachers under a basket. They were constantly serenaded by the Orange Krush student cheering section, which wasted little time launching into a chorus of “We want Derrick!”

His appearance here came as a surprise this week, considering that his five “finalists” announced in August included Memphis, Indiana, Kansas, DePaul and UCLA.

Since then, however, Kansas, DePaul and UCLA have been eliminated and the Illini have emerged as a late consideration.

“I’m honest with my word and when we came out with the list, that was the list,” said Reggie Rose, who serves as his brother’s spokesman and recruiting advisor. “We took trips and everything and looked at our options. Then we said, “Let’s take another visit to Illinois, just to take a second look.’

“Sometimes you think the grass is greener on the other side, but when you take that look you say, ‘Oh, it ain’t like we think. So let’s go take another look.’”
So is Illinois officially back on the list?

“If Illinois wasn’t on the list, we wouldn’t even be down here,” said Reggie Rose, who indicated they planned to visit with Illini coach Bruce Weber later Friday night, then observe the team’s practice tomorrow morning.

And while Derrick Rose’s decision remains uncertain, Reggie Rose said an invitation-only press conference already has been scheduled to announce it.

“It will be Saturday, Nov. 4 at the Martinique Boutique at 82nd and Cicero in Burbank,” he said, setting the deadline.

The NCAA’s fall signing period begins on Nov. 8.

For what it’s worth, Derrick Rose wore an orange shirt and blue and orange patent leather shoes. Seated on either side of the Rose brothers were former Illini great Kenny Battle and another Simeon guard who played at Illinois, Bryant Notree.
When the Illini team came out to begin the intrasquad scrimmage, each player filed by and shook hands with Derrick Rose and, to a lesser degree, other recruits in attendance including Decatur Eisenhower’s Lewis Jackson and Jarod Oldham.

Reggie Rose was asked if Eric Gordon’s recent decision to switch his commitment from Illinois to Indiana in any way impacted the move to involve Illinois at this late time.

“It plays a role, then again it doesn’t,” Reggie Rose said. “When I grabbed Eric to play on my AAU team this summer, the way they played together was scary. It’s really up to them if they want to play together or not… But sometimes you have to be selfish, also.”

Mark Tupper: Rose visits, but mystery remains

Chicago Simeon High School senior Derrick Rose attended tonight's Orange and Blue Scrimmage at the Assembly Hall. Rose, ranked the No. 1 point guard in the nation by at least one recruiting service, sat courtside with a group of recruits and his brother, Reggie Rose.

Reggie, who has handled Derrick's recruitment, addressed the purpose of the unofficial visit after the scrimmage.

"The decision that he's going to make, it's not like you’re just going to a candy machine and just picking out some type of candy. It’s a life decision," Reggie Rose said. "Before we just make a decision, we just have to make sure it’s going to be the right decision. That was the main thing about coming back down and taking a look.

"And also, I respect the fact that Illinois is a great program and they've got tradition and everything," Reggie Rose continued. "You know, what can you say about going to take a second look at your state school?"

Derrick Rose politely declined an interview request. Initially, the plan was for the Rose camp to return home after the scrimmage. Reggie Rose said they will stay overnight, instead.

He also revealed that the Rose camp will make a public announcement on Derrick Rose's school of choice Nov. 4. Reggie Rose said the list includes three schools, and there will be no more visits.

"Right now (it’s) between Illinois, Indiana and Memphis," Reggie Rose said.

Paul Klee: Derrick Rose at Assembly Hall

Illini get last shot at Rose

"If he wasn't interested in Illinois, he wouldn't be coming down there,'' Simeon coach Robert Smith said. "He's got a lot of other places he could go.

"If he wasn't interested, he wouldn't be coming down there. He just wanted to make sure he's making the right decision. He wanted to come back to Champaign and take another look.''

...

According to recruiting sources, Illinois attempted to stay in touch with Rose and his family with periodic phone calls. Rose's older brother, Reggie, ran the recruiting process, and he surprisingly called Weber earlier this week to set up the unofficial visit, the source said.

Although Smith said Rose's visit to Memphis went well, another recruiting source said Rose realized how long a trip it was to Memphis.

Illini get last shot at Rose

More On Derrick Rose And Others

There are few things we can be certain on when it comes to analyzing the current state of affairs as it pertains to Derrick Rose's recruitment. However, one thing that we can say with an incredibly high degree of confidence is that when Reggie Rose announced that both he and Derrick will visit the University of Illinois this weekend for the Illini's Orange and Blue scrimmage, it was NOT a publicity stunt and that the trip to Champaign will be a lot more than just a mere courtesy visit. That is why we get a kick out of others who are trying to say otherwise to the point where they are trying to put their own personal spin on the situation. Here is the bottom line--Rose's visit to Illinois HARDLY means that he is going to commit or sign with the Illini. However, at the present time, based on the information that has come out none other than Reggie's mouth himself, we have every reason to believe that Illinois is still very much in the running, along with Memphis and Indiana.

More On Derrick Rose And Others

Simeon's Rose giving Illinois a late look

Simeon senior Derrick Rose, the top-rated point guard in the country, has reconsidered and will take an unofficial visit to Illinois.

Rose and his older brother Reggie will be in Champaign on Friday and will attend the Blue and Orange game, a scrimmage by the Illinois basketball team.

''Sometimes you have to step back and re-evaluate the whole process,'' Reggie Rose said. ''We don't want to look back after it's all over and too late and realize we made the wrong decision.

''We have discussed it with some close confidants and believe Illinois is a great place. The school has a great [basketball] program and it is in our home state. And no decision would be valid without giving Illinois a serious look.''

Simeon's Rose giving Illinois a late look

Bears stun Cardinals with improbable rally

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Maybe the Bears are a team of destiny.

Trailing the Cardinals 23-3 late in the third quarter Monday night in Arizona, Chicago staged a miraculous comeback, scoring two touchdowns on defense and one on special teams to escape with a stunning 24-23 victory.

“It’s meant to be,” guard Ruben Brown shouted as he left the field. “It’s meant to be.”

“That’s a good team,” linebacker Lance Briggs said of the Cardinals. “But the bottom line is that it’s a 60-minute game. You don’t ever give up.”

With the improbable win, the Bears improved to 6-0 for the first time since 1986 and increased their lead atop the NFC North to two and a half games over the Minnesota Vikings (3-2).

The Bears overcame six turnovers by quarterback Rex Grossman, who threw a career-high four interceptions and lost two fumbles while registering a hideous 10.7 passer rating. In the first half, the Cardinals converted four Grossman turnovers into 13 points in building a 20-0 halftime lead.

“I’ve never played so bad and won a game like that,” Grossman said. “I’ve never seen anything like it. That was unbelievable. I don’t know how to put it into words, how good our defense is and how big of plays they made. They could have done it by themselves tonight. It was just meant to be. We were supposed to win that game. For some reason, everything went our way when it needed to.”

It was a game for the ages, folks!!! I've watched a LOT of football in my 43 years on this earth, but I've never seen anything like this! Six turnovers - 4 interceptions and 2 lost fumbles - all by quarterback Rex Grossman...no offensive touchdowns for the entire game...trailing 23-3 late in the third quarter in a loud, hostile stadium. How in the hell did Da Bears win?!?!?!
:-)

Bears stun Cardinals with improbable rally

Illini Hockey Wins 2 Over Central Oklahoma

The ACHA's No. 3-ranked Illini (6-0) squeaked by the unranked Bronchos (2-4) 4-2 on Friday night and proved they were the better team with a 7-2 win on Saturday at the University of Illinois Ice Arena.

"We have to come with more intensity and play more as a team," senior forward and assistant captain Marshall Chubirka said. "I think last weekend beating St. Louis as badly as we did kind of took some edge away from our team. Anytime you beat a team that badly and score 22 goals you kind of get a big head and now we have to fix that problem."

Illini Hockey Wins 2 Over Central Oklahoma

Gordon spurns Illini for Indiana

Eric Gordon is headed to Indiana -- and this time it's his final decision.

Gordon's father confirmed to the Tribune on Friday morning that his son told Illinois coach Bruce Weber late Thursday night that he would not be following through on a commitment he made last November to play for the Illini.

Instead Gordon, the No. 2 recruit nationally according to Rivals.com, will attend Midnight Madness festivities at Indiana tonight and intends to sign with the Hoosiers when the early signing period begins Nov. 8.

"Late last night E.J. did get a chance to talk to both coaches, and he did talk to coach Weber," the elder Gordon told the Tribune on Friday morning. "Coach Weber called him back and (Eric) did tell him he was not going to be going to University of Illinois.

"It was really like splitting hairs, ultimately. This just happened to be the best thing for EJ."

After all, it's "all about me" nowadays. Screw you, EJ! Screw you too, Coach Sanctions!!!

Gordon spurns Illini for Indiana

YouTube/PayPal Founders: We Knew Them When...

The Google announcement of its $1.65 billion purchase of popular video-sharing site YouTube is front-page news - everyone's talking about the profit being made by a handful of guys living over a pizza place. But do you know the background story? This cluster of Internet superstars - YouTube co-founders Jawed Karim (B.S. '04) and Steve Chen, another departmental alum, and the man who first brought them together at PayPal, Max Levchin (B.S. '97) - all come from the same constellation: they were all students in the Department of Computer Science at Illinois!

YouTube/PayPal Founders: We Knew Them When...

Midnight madness: Gordon to Indiana? Prized Illini recruit visits Hoosiers Friday

Prized Indianapolis high school guard Eric Gordon will attend Midnight Madness festivities Friday night at Indiana, a move that likely indicates the senior guard who committed orally to Illinois last year has come to a decision, his father said.

And it's one that likely will make coach Bruce Weber and the Illini faithful unhappy.

"This is pretty significant, because we had not planned any other visits," Eric Gordon Sr. told the Tribune on Thursday night.

Midnight madness: Gordon to Indiana?
Prized Illini recruit visits Hoosiers Friday

Well, #$%&^*^#@&*@#$&*@#*&(@#$*@#(*$&@#*&*(@(#$!!!!!!!!

If EJ Gordon can change his mind about his commitment to Coach Bruce Weber and the Fighting Illini, then I reserve the right to change my mind about EJ Gordon and his family. Don't let the door hit you on the ass as you leave, EJ! And good luck with IU and Coach Sanctions...

Mark Tupper Weblog: "Rose snub no surprise"

Derrick Rose’s “list” of five schools contained some surprises, but Illinois’ absence from that list was not one of those surprises.

Rose snub no surprise

IndyStar.com: "Gordon's dad: Statement forthcoming"

Here's the REAL story from a reporter who knows what's going on with EJ and his family...

:-)

Anderson/Rowe Capture NCAA Doubles Title

Illini duo enters record books with straight set triumph

May 29, 2006

PALO ALTO, Calif. - University of Illinois All-Americans Kevin Anderson and Ryan Rowe captured the 2006 NCAA men's doubles championship at Stanford's Taube Tennis Center on Monday afternoon. The fourth-ranked and third-seeded sophomore tandem improved to 23-1 and won their 10th consecutive match with a 6-2, 6-4 win against the No. 2 seeded duo of Andre Begemann and Scott Doerner of the 2006 national champion Pepperdine team.

"Ryan and I have had a great semester playing together," Anderson said. "It doesn't get any better than this - this has been a great experience. We had the opportunity to prove that we're the number one doubles team in the country and we took advantage of it."

"I feel great," Rowe said. "We had to battle early in the tournament and we started playing our best towards the end. Right now I'm just enjoying the moment and I look forward to improving my game this summer.

"Today was one of our best matches," Rowe continued. "It was probably our best match of the year. We hit our serves, used our size to our advantage and it all came together."

Anderson/Rowe Capture NCAA Doubles Title

UI's plan to go after more out-of-state students dropped

URBANA – The University of Illinois has backed off a controversial plan to increase its enrollment of out-of-state students.

The plan, which came out of the university's strategic planning process, has drawn some criticism in recent months, and two legislators last week called for a review of the proposed policy.

The most recent draft of the UI's strategic plan does not outline any specific goals for increasing enrollment of out-of-state-students, but administrators have discussed the idea's merit in public for several months.

UI President B. Joseph White, while speaking at a University YMCA lecture series in February, said he could see the ratio of in-state to out-of-state students increasing to 85 percent/15 percent from the current 90/10.

Just last week Chancellor Richard Herman defended the plan while meeting with Chicago-area high school counselors.

"The modest increase that had been proposed was intended to improve the educational experience for Illinois residents, not to limit opportunity for them," said Herman in a statement released Monday afternoon. "However, since our constituents have made it clear that access is their highest priority, we feel it is important to listen and respond to their genuine concerns," he added.

UI's plan to go after more out-of-state students dropped

Some recent UI news

Building, renovation projects OK'd by UI board

UI hits milestone of 500,000 degrees

New alumni center on campus opens doors with activities

#7 Illini tennis team advances to the Sweet 16!

The Fighting Illini (24-6) swept its matches in the first two rounds of the men's NCAA tennis tournament in Louisville, Kentucky over the weekend. They took out Western Illinois (14-8) 4-0 in a first round match and then defeated host school Louisville (18-8) 4-0 in the second round. Next, it's on to Palo Alto, California and Stanford University and the NCAA Sweet 16 where they will face #10-seed UCLA (19-5).

First Round: Illinois 4, Western Illinois 0

Second Round: Illinois 4, Louisville 0

Sweet 16 @ Stanford University - May 20-29
#1 Georgia (26-0) vs. Notre Dame (19-8)
#2 Pepperdine (32-2) vs. Florida (17-7)
#3 Texas (24-3) vs. #14 Mississippi (22-5)
#4 Duke (22-6) vs. #13 Stanford (17-3)
#5 Baylor (22-6) vs. Washington (20-5)
#6 Ohio State (27-1) vs. #11 North Carolina (25-4)
#7 Illinois (24-6) vs. #10 UCLA (19-5)
#8 Virginia (23-8) vs. #9 Miami (FL) (20-4)

House aims to block NCAA ban

Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) and Champaign representative Timothy Johnson (R-Ill.) introduced legislation Thursday intending to prevent the NCAA from interfering with the autonomy of its member institutions, Johnson's office announced yesterday.

House Resolution 5289, called the Protection of University Governance Act of 2006, constrains the NCAA's ability to use a member institution's nickname, symbols or mascot as a reason for imposing sanctions against that school. It would allow affected colleges and universities to sue the NCAA, seeking both a court order to stop the decision and damages to cover attorneys' fees and damages lost from not hosting postseason competitions.

"Local economies across the country would be impacted if the NCAA's recent decisions are allowed to prevail unchecked," Johnson said in the press release. "As indicated by the sponsors who have signed on and who will continue to sign on, this is not a Republican grievance or a Democratic grievance. The NCAA's presumed authority is a grievance against us all.

...

"The NCAA was established as a sports management association," Johnson said. "The organization has since assumed the mantle of social arbiters. They need to go back to scheduling ballgames and leave the social engineering to others."

House aims to block NCAA ban

Cool Web site: TopSecretRecipes.com

Now THIS is a cool site!

TopSecretRecipes.com

They even have a FREE recipe for my all-time favorite ranch dressing from Outback Steakhouse!!!
:-)

Moussaoui Gets Life for Role in Sept. 11

Rot in hell, Moussaoui!!!

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - Al-Qaida conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui escaped the death penalty Wednesday as a jury decided he deserved life in prison instead for his role in the bloodiest terrorist attack in U.S. history. "America, you lost," Moussaoui taunted.

After seven days of deliberation, the nine men and three women rebuffed the government's appeal for death for the only person charged in this country in the four suicide jetliner hijackings that killed nearly 3,000 people on Sept. 11, 2001.

Three jurors said Moussaoui had only limited knowledge of the Sept. 11 plot, and three described his role in the attacks as minor, if he had any role at all.

Moussaoui, as he was led from the courtroom after the 15-minute hearing, said: "America, you lost. ... I won." He clapped his hands as he was escorted away.

Moussaoui Gets Life for Role in Sept. 11

SDSU's Holdren transferring to Illinois

This kid can flat-out play ball! What a nice surprise to have him in an Illini uniform next fall!!!

SDSU's Holdren transferring to Illinois

Gophers drop three of four games to Illini

The Illini are now at .500 in the Big Ten and sitting all alone in fourth place after taking back-to-back weekend series from Iowa and Minnesota.

The Dome just wasn’t homelike for Minnesota’s baseball team this weekend.

With three losses to Illinois this weekend, the Gophers are below .500 at the Metrodome this season and are sitting below the same number in conference play.

Minnesota’s (22-20, 9-11 Big Ten) 16-8 loss Sunday to the Illini (23-19, 10-10 Big Ten) pushes the Gophers into a four-way tie for fifth place in the Big Ten.

Gophers drop three of four games to Illini