Why I Oughta...

Earlier this year, I wrote this post calling early 2025 the "Salad Days" for my Fighting Illini 1 .  That was coming off the Citrus Bowl victory over the SEC (and betting favorite) South Carolina Gamecocks on New Year's Day while the men's hoops team was ranked #22 and beat #9 Oregon on the road the next day.   Those Salad Days are still here.  And, that's a new feeling for this Illini fan.   The football team is heading to the Music City Bowl to play the *other orange* team (a worse orange, to be sure) while the hoops team is in the AP Top 15 after beating the SAME TENNESSEE team and are set up to continue winning as they head into conference play. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Illinois Men's Basketball (@illinimbb) After a number of tough years, it feels different.   We've swapped spots with Wisconsin in football. And, being ranked #13 feels right.  Why?  Because when you look at the list of "Blue...

Can we take a moment to reflect on the current state of the University of Illinois Fighting Illini Athletic Programs - specifically...the big two:  Football and Hoops.  What a week.  We beat that baby tyrant Shane Beamer and his "shoulda been in the playoffs" South Carolina Gamecocks in a game where we ran the Barge formation multiple times (love that).  Followed by a late night (last night) road win for Men's hoops at #9 Oregon - where the Illini won by 32 points - the largest ever road victory against a Top-10 opponent. When they ask me about the Salad Days...I'll tell them about this week.  These are the Salad Days for my Illini.  

One year ago today, I posted this on the blog : What a year it has been for the Illini and Athletic Director Josh Whitman.  Has Lovie lived up to the billing?  As an Alum and former member of the football team I can say this without question:  He has! Did we win a ton of games last year?  Nope.  Will we win a bunch this year?  Probably not.  But that's ok.  #WeWillWin.  Why?  Because he's upgrading the talent on the field ( #40 recruiting class this year ) and in the coaching box . And in that year, things have changed in the football program, but also at the Athletic Department.  They announced the inaugural class for the University of Illinois Fighting Illini Hall of Fame with 28 members .  The golf program continues to hum along in amazing fashion.  He hired a new Volleyball coach .  And...They also announced the Memorial Stadium renovation (South Endzone and maybe a new facility by the indoor training c...