Up In Flames

Illinois usually schedules an early season non-conference game in the UC for a few reasons. Primarily, Bruce Weber likely finds it beneficial for his team to play in an NBA-style arena, like the United Center, in order to prepare them for the venues they might be traveling to in March (i.e. Big Ten tournament, NCAA tournament). Secondly, I'm sure Bruce also likes the opportunity to showcase his team to Chicagoland Fighting Illini alums. And lastly, Weber probably jumps at the chance to get out of central Illinois for a few days, and frankly, I don't really blame him. Ironically, Illinois has always played well in their annual Chicago trip. They beat Gonzaga at the Madhouse a year ago, and so far this season, Illinois looked to be cementing itself amongst the Big 10's elite. But Illinois found itself committing the cardinal sin in sports Saturday afternoon in the Second City--never, under any circumstances, underestimate your opponent.

Behind the stellar play of Robo Kreps, whose name sounds like either a knock-off brand of Turtle Wax or a slight deviation from pop sensation Bruno Mars, the Flames upset the Orange and Blue 57-54, marking Howard Moore's first signature win as the leader of the Flames. In Illinois' defense, the game was only being televised locally on WCIU,which is normally only good for reruns of Hanging With Mr. Cooper, and it was a Saturday matinee affair against a low-level division 1 opponent, so you can partially understand why the Illini weren't revved up like they just heard a superb rendition of William Wallace's Braveheart speech. But Illinois looked sluggish from the get-go. Their guards were getting ripped like voided checks, and UIC built an early lead and really 'never let go'. At least someone was listening to Jack Dawson's final words in Titanic. Surely losing to UIC on a neutral court will be judged as a bad loss for Weber's Wonderkin, but it might just be exactly what the Illini need to snap them back into reality.

Going into the annual Busch Braggin' Rights game in St. Louis Tuesday, Illinois wont have time to lick their wounds. Sharing the court with them Tuesday night will be the 10-1 Missouri Tigers, who is a team fresh off hanging 116 points on Scottie Pippen's alma mater. Mike Anderson's Mizzou squad is long and athletic, which is why they have become so successful playing the mid-90's Arkansas "40 Minutes of Hell" track meet-style of basketball. The Tigers are currently sitting in the 13 spot in the national polls, just one spot behind Champaign's finest. This 'Braggin' Rights' game has everything you could ask for in a good rivalry game--two wildly talented, evenly matched teams, a neutral site, and a sponsorship from a below-average beer. What is this Nascar? Regardless, Tuesday's game should be the first meaningful event to happen in Missouri since Mark Twain's departure from the 'Gateway to the West'. I just hope Illinois shows up.

As for Pick of the Day, the Pulse Man picked another winner Sunday as Matt Ryan's play propelled the Falcons over the Seahawks. For Monday night, the Pulse Man likes the under in the Bears/Vikes Monday night showdown which is set at 33.

Pick of the Day: Bears @ Vikings, total points-33-UNDER

Record:(41-27-0)

Now I'm done. Rack me

Frost