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One hundred years provides more than several lifetimes full of highlights, some lowlights, and many memories. Here’s a look at 100 years of the Western Golf Association and the Western Open. …
That is funny. Did he really say this stuff? I have always had respect for Weber, but this is the most phony lip-sevice intended to try to justify his attempts to avoid playing in-state opponents.-
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.
So Bruce Weber can't possibly make room on his schedule for the next several years into the future because he has no flexibility in his schedule anywhere for 1 road game? How in the world do other schools find a way to play road games?
And then he uses the age-old "it's the economy" line. Illinois can't afford to take a bus south, all the way to Carbondale for 3 1/2 hours, because they would rather play at home and make a bunch more money.
Illinois can't afford to take a bus south, all the way to Carbondale for 3 1/2 hours, because they would rather play at home and make a bunch more money.
I hate to play Devil's Advocate...but college basketball is a business (unfortunately). So it's kinda hard to argue against, as you stated, "staying home and making more money." I don't really think it's lip service...he's got bosses and those bosses only care about the bottom line for the University.
I'm not an Illini fan...just an observer. What would U of I gain by playing in Carbondale? The risk isn't worth the reward.
Why doesnt he just come out and say we are not going to play SIU? Yes the SIU fans will be livid but so what he doesnt coach there anymore and he really has no real reason to ever schedule SIU. So, stop with the BS Weber, just say your not going to play them and leave it there.
Why doesnt he just come out and say we are not going to play SIU? Yes the SIU fans will be livid but so what he doesnt coach there anymore and he really has no real reason to ever schedule SIU. So, stop with the BS Weber, just say your not going to play them and leave it there.
As a BU fan I love to see them play Illinois, as an Illini fan I am not so hot on the idea.
I'm pretty sure that the Illini have nothing to gain by scheduling these games except wins. Certainly most of these games were likely in Champaign. Why does everyone have the perception they are ducking people? They've earned the right to schedule the way that's best for them.
Its not perception that they are ducking them, the ARE ducking them. Otherwise they would play them. I have no problem with that, and root for Illinois vs anyone except BU. I do have a problem with lame excuses as to why Illinois can't play SIU, I mean, the guy even used the economy as an excuse, please. Just say u don't want to play them because there is too much to lose if you don't win the game and not much to gain if you win. Plain and Simple.
I hate to play Devil's Advocate...but college basketball is a business (unfortunately). So it's kinda hard to argue against, as you stated, "staying home and making more money." I don't really think it's lip service...he's got bosses and those bosses only care about the bottom line for the University.
I'm not an Illini fan...just an observer. What would U of I gain by playing in Carbondale? The risk isn't worth the reward.
We all know it's true. It sucks...but it's true.
Maybe this is a weak explanation for wanting to play mostly home games, but it doesn't explain Bruce's desire to avoid any games with the in-state schools.
And if this was true, then he wouldn't schedule any non-conference road games. But he does, only he doesn't schedule any against teams like BU, SIU, ISU, etc, because he is afraid he could lose them, and he doesn't want those schools to get some advantage in recruiting. He would even sell more tickets, and make more money by scheduling these better in-state teams. Note that their game tonight against NIU is not on TV anywhere, because there is no interest in televising that game against NIU. But there is no doubt a game with BU, ISU, or SIU would have tremendous TV demand. If economics was really the reason Bruce avoids the in-state school, think of how much more money he could make by playing them.
It's obvious, and everyone knows this. It is not simply because of economics. Why can't Bruce just be honest and say it?
Ask yourself this: What would Bradley gain by playing Eastern Illinois, Western Illinois and SIU-E. Nothing. Would we want to play them. No. Same thing for U of I and playing teams like ISU and BU except at a notch higher level. They can play who they want. I don't care.
They're 33-2 all-time against these schools, but yet they're afraid to play them because they could lose? You could lose any game.
Even if one of these schools beats Illinois it would never give that school a recruiting edge over the Illini - I repeat - never. So the reasoning that Illinois ducks these schools because they don't want to lose their in-state recruiting edge holds no water.
They're 33-2 all-time against these schools, but yet they're afraid to play them because they could lose? You could lose any game.
Even if one of these schools beats Illinois it would never give that school a recruiting edge over the Illini - I repeat - never. So the reasoning that Illinois ducks these schools because they don't want to lose their in-state recruiting edge holds no water.
I thought Bruce actually came out and said it after the close call with us a couple of years ago. I'm not going to look up a quote, but I thought he said after the game that he'd never intentionally schedule any game against Bradley because there's "too much risk."
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