Illinois loses at Wisconsin- Jereme Richmond not with team

[Da Coach]

Ilinois 66
Wisconsin 76

http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2011/01/illini-game-day-big-game-at-the-kohl-center.html

Jereme Richmond was not with the team. The official explanation according to Bruce Weber (per Paul Klee) is "He had some personal issues, went home, missed practice. It was tough to play him today."
Weber added that he expects Richmond to return to practice Sunday, and be available to play Tuesday at Michigan State.

[fan]

It looked like him on the bench, but you guys seldom wrong.

[Buesch N Chips]

He was there.

[MacabreMob]

It looked like him on the bench, but you guys seldom wrong.

Whatever you do fan, don't read the article that was linked by Da Coach.

But in that article, it says: "Illinois freshman Jereme Richmond, who missed Friday's practice and did not travel with the team to Wisconsin, was on the bench for Saturday's game, but did not play."

[Buesch N Chips]

It looked like him on the bench, but you guys seldom wrong.

Unnecessary.

[Da Coach]

Sorry if I missed Richmond on the bench, I didn't see much of the game. I assumed if he did not travel with the team, that meant he stayed home.

[MacabreMob]

Sorry if I missed Richmond on the bench, I didn't see much of the game. I assumed if he did not travel with the team, that meant he stayed home.

I'm only guessing DC, but isn't Richmond from Waukegan, which is sorta on the way to playing in Madison... so he mighta thought he could go home from school on Friday, see family and friends and then get to the game on his own via family/friends (likely a short drive for them). And so only guessing, BAM makes a statement and teaches a lesson that they do things as a team no matter who you are and no matter where they play. Tough lesson for a kid having a chance to play in front of friends and family close to home... then gets benched. But he will likely get 3 more chances to play in Madison.

[Da Coach]

Jereme Richmond statement-

http://illinihq.com/blogs/basketblog/2011/01/17/statement_from_jereme_richmond

[tornado]

Whoa...Bruce Weber puts conditions on Jereme Richmond's return next year...
"If he makes the progress he's supposed to, he'll be here.''

[Future Walk-On]

when i saw this on the ILL board I cried with joy...........b/c I can't see him not following the directions now

[tornado]

yet more articles on Jereme Richmond and whether he's going to be with the team next year..


BTW -- does anyone recall this??

When Richmond was in high school he had suspensions and was kicked off the team for numerous behavioral issues...

http://bradleyfans.com/vb/showpost.php?p=49401&postcount=1

http://bradleyfans.com/vb/showpost.php?p=65491&postcount=1

At one time he even predicted he'd only be at University of Illinois for one year...
he might be a prophet!!
Here's his comments from more than 3 years ago!

http://bradleyfans.com/vb/showpost.php?p=64770&postcount=2

[tornado]

there is a new rumor circulating this morning that JR has left the team...and in a really bizarre move...one source says he's transferring to SIU ...
This is not confirmed, could change completely at any time, and sounds so bizarre in the face of the turmoil Kevin Dillard caused at SIU -- but then right after Dillard left they took in Taylor when he was booted at Wisky for arrest..

btw -- if anything comes out of all this Bruce Weber to Oklahoma stuff -- it's that in a radio interview last night -- BW apparently talked at length about how he reads and sees the incredibly negative and hateful comments people make on message boards, and that it does affect him and his staff, and it IS a factor in how he feels about staying at Illinois.
...whoa.....

[Buesch N Chips]

there is a new rumor circulating this morning that JR has left the team...and in a really bizarre move...one source says he's transferring to SIU ...
This is not confirmed, could change completely at any time, and sounds so bizarre in the face of the turmoil Kevin Dillard caused at SIU -- but then right after Dillard left they took in Taylor when he was booted at Wisky for arrest..

btw -- if anything comes out of all this Bruce Weber to Oklahoma stuff -- it's that in a radio interview last night -- BW apparently talked at length about how he reads and sees the incredibly negative and hateful comments people make on message boards, and that it does affect him and his staff, and it IS a factor in how he feels about staying at Illinois.
...whoa.....

Coaches and players really need to stay away from the anonymous internet assassins. People that will smile and shake your hand and pat you on the shoulder face to face but go home on the computer and post for all the world to see that based on their vast anonymous basketball knowledge, you are clueless. Nothing good will come of them watching these boards.

[tornado]

...rumor circulating this morning that JR has left the team..........

two thoughts....

-first -- why if we heard that Richmond had left the team a week ago -- and so had a whole lot of other people at Illinois....
then why did Bruce Weber deny it last week -- he even stated that he expects Jereme to be on the team next year?
Word leaking out that JR has had fights with teammates and failed drug tests.

-but also if Weber was saying as late as just a week ago that he
"expects Jereme Richmond back"...http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/nc...e=NCBHeadlines

...then why hasn't the watchdog press taken BW into account for this as it was obviously a lie....

[runninfiend]

This should come as no surprise to anyone who saw his attitude in high school. I sat behind the Waukegan bench during the state tournament, and he was literally telling the coach to be quiet while he ran the team. It was laughable. Great talent, obviously no respectable upbringing whatsoever. I thought at the time, this kid won't make it with Weber. He'll mostly likely end up in the D-League. Bye bye.