Great Article, Loren! One of the best I have read by you in a long time.

Posted by ax474 on March 2, 2010 at 8:23 AM  |  Suggest Removal

While I love all Illinois sports, I am also happy I can keep things in perspective. Happily I know that win or lose, I still enjoy watching the team, and that it is only a game. The troubles or success of my favorite college basketball team matched against world events just doesnt seem that important in the grand scheme of things.

Posted by PeoriaIllini on March 2, 2010 at 8:53 AM  |  Suggest Removal

Very well said Loren. You always put things in the right perspective, or at least as I see it.

Posted by jeffh on March 2, 2010 at 8:57 AM  |  Suggest Removal

Right on the money Loren!

Posted by ebkkk on March 2, 2010 at 9:08 AM  |  Suggest Removal

Loren, I basically agree that there is a lunatic fringe that is loud and bold. People also criticized Lou Henson in much the same way, but there were no (or few) internet message boards then.

I do think it is reasonable for the staff to receive some criticism for the way the team has struggled offensively in three of the last 4. And if the team misses the tourney, I think the fan base at Illinois has a right to expect better than 0 NCAA wins for 4 years in a row. However, I have not given up on this year, and am rooting hard for the Illini to finish strong.

Posted by kzimmer001 on March 2, 2010 at 9:16 AM  |  Suggest Removal

Loren, buck up old boy. I read your article every day to get a perspective on Illinois athletics...a balanced perspective even if we both know we are Illini fans. I used to read the blog stuff but quickly realized these people are really just blowing off steam and to take it seriously is ludicrous. Think of all the Illinois fans you know who really care about Illinois. You can take a little time to see if they have a point somewhere but don't waste too much on it. You don't have an obligation to please them. They clearly don't make their living writing if this is their best shot. Anyone can criticize. If one has something constructive to say, say it with some class. If they don't, they should save it for the bar where they can go face to face with some other knucklehead, and let the better knucklehead win. Just save the rest of us from listening.

Posted by ui1969 on March 2, 2010 at 9:54 AM  |  Suggest Removal

Loren, there are days when I think you have taken the grouchy curmudgeon pills, but not today! Great job -- and very interesting that, at least to this point in time, none of the readily recognizable pill takers (not sure they are "stupid" pills so much as "misguided testosterone" pills have weighed in.

Posted by jjohnson on March 2, 2010 at 10:28 AM  |  Suggest Removal

Having following Illini sports since the early 1970's I don't think fans have changed. Expectations have changed, at least for basketball. And fan opinions are disseminated more widely via the internet. But there were deeply disgruntled basketball fans back in the 1980's, the only difference between then and now is that deeply disgruntled Loren Tate didn't have to share his microphone back then.

Posted by Groundhogday on March 2, 2010 at 10:07 AM  |  Suggest Removal

Loren, did a representative of the lunatic fringe actually see the pills you took this morning to confirm that they didn't say "stupid"? Clearly there is a group that goes over the top on everything - I'm curious for instance about the intense focus on the last timeout. However, you have to acknowledge that the performance of the team has been beyond frustrating. With so much on the line, a performance on your home floor like on saturday is very difficult to understand and accept. I don't know that anyone has said tha Minnesota has no right to win - you are twisting things there. What many have said is that they are tired of offensive droughts and seemingly uninspired/unintelligent play. Fans then vent. Keep in mind that the NG's own beatwriter has consistantly said that anything short of winning one tournament game makes the season a disappointment. The NG helps set expectations, and the fans pick it up. Further while I don't support harshness and name calling, criticism is part of the deal in big time, big salary, big cost athletics. You certainly must agree with that since in some eyes, you were leading the charge to have the football coach removed, and even got semi-personal with your "live in the community" arguement. You have the pen/mic, so you get the last word, but occasionally review your own views and acknowledge you can be cutting also.

Posted by jturner on March 2, 2010 at 10:09 AM  |  Suggest Removal

Loren should stop worrying about wildly upset fans and just provide analysis of the athletic programs. Unfortunately, Coach Weber took our 2nd place finish out for a spin after 2005 and took nearly four years to sign a top level recruiting class. While game to game coaching mistakes might happen, I believe in Coach Weber on game day. Recruiting played out in a small way during Saturday's final shot. McCamey, having just fouled out, was our only upperclassman capable of creating a shot in that spot. Solid recruiting classes would have given us two or three capable shooter under any circumstance. All other analysis of this team is secondary to our coaching staff continuing to recruit great players.

Posted by bluehavana on March 2, 2010 at 10:58 AM  |  Suggest Removal

I suppose then that there will be a collective sigh if we miss the NCAA or a collective clapping of hands if we do make the NCAA. Regardless, the hope is that we are all supporters of the team. The coaches on the other hand make quite a bit of money to be successful at their profession. They are and should be open for reasonable criticism if things are not going well. If we do miss the NCAA this season (again) does it not raise questions about Weber's ability to lead IL BB to the promised land? Well, hopefully we get in and don't lose the first game (again). Nice article Loren.

Posted by Illinigrad on March 2, 2010 at 11:11 AM  |  Suggest Removal

Loren, I don't think it unfair to expect a better performance than happened Sat. If this were a one time occurrence, I'd even write it off. Somebody at the top is making a mill and a half to deliver a product that looks and smells like that? How much should a fan have to take? At what point is criticism warranted? Something is broken, I just want it fixed.

Posted by illiniphil85 on March 2, 2010 at 11:38 AM  |  Suggest Removal

Great article. The nut cases are active (anonymously) as bloggers.

Posted by tlappin on March 2, 2010 at 12:40 PM  |  Suggest Removal

Loren even if you or Weber can't hear or read someone should. Because not all of those poster's are on the fringe. Next year is the contract year for my companies renewal of our tickets. Before my owner ok's the writing of that big check for our colonnade seats someone is going to make a sales pitch. Always in that sales pitch we are given assurances that changes are coming. That our customers will think that those tickets whether basketball or football will have value. I can tell you we have been caught with tickets to games in both sports that no one wanted. Do you hear me now Loren. I hope some one does.

Posted by tb on March 2, 2010 at 12:49 PM  |  Suggest Removal

Hey TB, since you are offering extra tickets, I will GLADLY take them. Where can I pick them up for the game on Saturday?

Posted by rtrott on March 2, 2010 at 12:57 PM  |  Suggest Removal

I've said it once and I'll say it again. It is not too much to be completely disappointed when it is clear the talent is there. This Illini team has much better basketball talent than Minnesota. The uncoordinated mess that is Ralph Sampson should have not been able to even compete in that game, but we made him look like a world beater. And Tubby Smith put on a coaching clinic changing from man to zone and back again out of timeouts as the Illini scrambbled to even complete passes. It is easily warranted to question a guy that makes almost 2 million dollars a year. Those are CEO numbers. And Loren you continue to under value the amount of ability that is on our current roster, yet you continue to put every opponent we play on a pedestal. I just don't get it I've respected your opinion for so many years, but I think you're way off here.

Posted by JohnnieA1978 on March 2, 2010 at 12:57 PM  |  Suggest Removal

YAWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Slow news day Loren. What a steaming pile. Funny thing is, you won't take your own advice, when it comes to your treatment of Zook.

Posted by IlliniHimey on March 2, 2010 at 1:12 PM  |  Suggest Removal

looking at kenpom, this is the worst Illini team in a decade. On top of that, they are boring to watch, which is Weber's style in general. When things are boring and going downhill, the coach should catch some heat. It would be ridiculous for him not to catch heat.

Posted by MyTurn2Raze on March 2, 2010 at 1:16 PM  |  Suggest Removal

The problem lies with the problem that you are identified with the university closest to where you live, not on their academics, but on their atheletic programs. the atheletes rpresent not only their university, but their state to a point. Rather care or not is a different story. I am a retiree that travels the south during the winter,have for thirty years, and when you say you are from Illinois, the normal response is: Oh you guys are the ones that have lousy sports programs. No wonder people I know from Illinois wear different University colors than ours. Oh well, I'll join the crowd, go Wisconsin.

Posted by Rocket on March 2, 2010 at 1:18 PM  |  Suggest Removal

Sorry, I just can't let this one got either. Nobody is going to question Bill Carmody Loren. He is going to set a record for school wins this year. They had tremendouse home attendance and he is an incredibly well respected coach because of the way he handles himself. And most importantly they beat Illinois this year and almost beat them twice. WITHOUT their best player! You really have lost it with this one Loren. Maybe it is from spending too much time with the "loonies," but you removed all doubt that you are one of them. Unbelievable!

Posted by JohnnieA1978 on March 2, 2010 at 1:34 PM  |  Suggest Removal

Oh, by the way, I used to work for the U. of I., and was always an Illini fanatic. But, is this what we pay a coach 2 million dollars a year for?

Posted by Rocket on March 2, 2010 at 1:37 PM  |  Suggest Removal

I have no idea what Tate is trying to say here. All I do know is that we haven't won an NCAA game since 2005, when we went to the championship game with players that Bill Self recruited. Weber needs to recruit better players, and he deserves some heat for the collection of really average talent he has on the current roster. And, they weren't ready to play against Minnesota! Isn't that a coaching responsibility worth noting?

Posted by vreato on March 2, 2010 at 1:42 PM  |  Suggest Removal

Good to see the sportswriters' sockpuppets are active here again.

Posted by Wenalway on March 2, 2010 at 2:25 PM  |  Suggest Removal

The only loonies are the ones still supporting Weber.

By the way, did Tate imply that Republicans opposing the Obama health plan and union bailouts (public employees and autoworkers) are loonies? Perhaps at his age, Tate should consider how expendable he is under a single payer health rationing scheme.

I guess a knucklehead sportswriter who ignorantly spouts off on politics and alienates half his audience is the epitome of looniness. The Weber support is just further confirmation.

Posted by hopefulmike on March 2, 2010 at 3:03 PM  |  Suggest Removal

The only loonies are the ones who think health-care reform = rationing.

The rest of that was pretty entertaining, though.

Posted by Wenalway on March 2, 2010 at 3:19 PM  |  Suggest Removal

Loren you know how to get people's emotions fired up. I read your artcles first every day. This calibrates my thinking. Keep reporting on the Illini for years to come.A plus!!!!

Posted by z on March 2, 2010 at 3:52 PM  |  Suggest Removal

Players play, players perform, players decommit, players party & drink. Ignoring all this & focusing on blaming the coaching staff (& media reporters) for poor game performance & execution is like AIR BALLING the game winning shot. Players must be smart enough to master the coaching, game conditions, and refereeing in every game to win enough for league and national championships.

What - players and coaches are only human and can make mistakes? Sounds reasonable to me. Common sense is the least common sense. Anyone can be judgmental & criticize.

Maturity includes treating others as you would like to be treated (golden rule). You attract to yourself whatever you collectively put out there in your life - this includes your thoughts.

I recommend raising your game to this higher level. WE ARE STRONGER UNITED than divided and arguing (managing crisis is the power mantra in the world today versus actually solving crisis).

Loren - great work. Keep taking those smart pills for it always shows.

Posted by JimOATSfan on March 2, 2010 at 4:59 PM  |  Suggest Removal

A well-written response...

http://alioneye.com/2010/03/03/in-response-to-loren-tate/

Posted by Illiniwekuiuc on March 3, 2010 at 9:38 AM  |  Suggest Removal

Worst 4 year stretch in 30 years coming off the most momentum in the school's history and you think it's going to get better? Weber has not proven he can right the ship that he broke. The blog from alioneye said it best.

Posted by Kducey on March 3, 2010 at 12:06 PM  |  Suggest Removal

Agree that alioneye's response is on the money. Read it, unless you are happy with the status quo and sitting quietly in section A.

Posted by TotalIlliniFan on March 4, 2010 at 6:34 AM  |  Suggest Removal