The Champaign Room - Favorite Illini Moment of 2017-18A Fighting Illini community since 2012https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48193/tcr-fave.png2018-05-21T11:05:02-05:00http://www.thechampaignroom.com/rss/stream/170826852018-05-21T11:05:02-05:002018-05-21T11:05:02-05:00Favorite Illini Moment of 2017-2018: Raul Rodriguez
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/cmUuz9RbGLOl4k29TSR_4FfGPWw=/0x57:1556x1094/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59796089/612537598.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>When you realize Lovie knows what he’s doing.</p> <p id="yrmVib">Isaiah Williams’ commitment to the Illini in March set off <a href="https://www.thechampaignroom.com/2018/3/23/17155592/twitter-reaction-to-isaiah-williams-commitment-to-illinois-fightign-illini-lovie-smith">a storm on college football Twitter</a>. </p>
<div id="7CfHf7">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">What does 5-star QB Isaiah Williams' commitment mean for Illinois football? <a href="https://t.co/94952giexi">https://t.co/94952giexi</a> via <a href="https://twitter.com/usatodayhss?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@usatodayhss</a></p>— Ray Locker (@rlocker12) <a href="https://twitter.com/rlocker12/status/978656830023979008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 27, 2018</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<div id="TWj90D">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Illinois lands 2019 commitment from 4-star recruit Isaiah Williams <a href="https://t.co/EdGspWDFPL">https://t.co/EdGspWDFPL</a> <a href="https://t.co/M02TZ1n6MN">pic.twitter.com/M02TZ1n6MN</a></p>— theScore NCAAF (@theScoreNCAAF) <a href="https://twitter.com/theScoreNCAAF/status/977253914113335296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 23, 2018</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<div id="nXeJlu">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Illinois gets commitment from five-star QB recruit Isaiah Williams <a href="https://t.co/yTGF1sOSbe">https://t.co/yTGF1sOSbe</a></p>— USC24x7.COM (@SteveUSC) <a href="https://twitter.com/SteveUSC/status/977223779922448386?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 23, 2018</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="M1oKtO">Up to this point, Lovie’s Illini had been largely ignored, but on this chilly Friday morning in March, they seemingly had everyone’s attention. </p>
<p id="gdhKPP"><a href="https://www.thechampaignroom.com/2018/5/4/17313462/the-best-illini-athletics-moment-of-2017-2018-fighting-illini-football-isaiah-williams-quarterback">We previously mentioned William’s commitment as a Favorite Illini Moment</a>. So my favorite moment is not the commitment itself but the confluence of events that led to Illinois being the toast of Twitter in late March and, more importantly, the realization that Lovie knows what he’s doing. </p>
<p id="v8nsCT">From August 2015 until March 2016, Illinois entered a period of massive instability: the University suddenly fired Tim Beckman prior to fall camp, named Bill Cubit as interim coach, and then doubled down on Cubit by naming him head coach only to fire him a few weeks before spring practice, long after coaching changes are ordinarily made. </p>
<p id="aSTNJ2">This made room for Lovie to come in as head coach, but due to the late start, Lovie was behind the eight ball from the beginning. The Illini paid the price for this instability on the field in 2016 and 2017. </p>
<p id="N11gXR">As soon as the 2017 season ended, Lovie started wheeling and dealing. This included bringing in grad transfer wide receivers <span>Shaedon Meadors</span> from Appalachian State. On the assistant coach front Lovie capitalized on <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2018/1/2/16843814/rich-rodriguez-fired-arizona-head-coach">Arizona’s misfortune</a> by hiring Rich Rodriguez’s right hand man on offense, Rod Smith, as the Illini’s new offensive coordinator to replace the much maligned Garrick McGee. </p>
<p id="h3eFJc">Smith then made a bold move luring in the well connected Corey Patterson to become the Illini’s tight ends coach. </p>
<p id="8ToDeV">With these moves, blue chip recruits started looking toward Champaign, and the nation finally took notice when Marquez Beason and Williams committed within a few weeks of each other. All of a sudden, it became apparent that Lovie knows what he was doing. </p>
<p id="VJEnf0">Now, Illini fans are realistic enough to understand that other programs will be coming after the March recruiting coups. The Illini have to show something on the field in 2018. <a href="https://www.thechampaignroom.com/2018/5/18/17367796/illinois-fighting-illini-football-recruiting-update-class-of-2019-isaiah-smith-shammond-cooper">Everyone understands the importance of showing progress in the fall.</a></p>
<p id="ORUYoL">Nonetheless, Lovie has pulled the right levers so far this offseason, allowing Illini fans to look at each other and sincerely say “Lovie knows what he’s doing...things are starting to come together”</p>
https://www.thechampaignroom.com/2018/5/21/17373528/favorite-illini-moment-of-2017-2018-raul-rodriguez-football-lovie-smith-rod-smith-corey-pattersonRaul Rodriguez2018-05-17T08:05:02-05:002018-05-17T08:05:02-05:00Favorite Illini Moment of 2017-18: Matt O’Neall
<figure>
<img alt="Illinois v Iowa" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ckNrxQp6TdD5_HpRcEmJ58THWCY=/0x0:3600x2400/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59748473/858749186.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>30 minutes of glory in Iowa City.</p> <p id="lecAk3">Man, this was hard. Let’s work through this together.</p>
<p id="GYXlHm">I’m not much of a fan of the non-revenue sports. I still pull for them and want to see them succeed, but this wouldn’t be genuine if I got on here and said a track and field performance or the tennis team’s resurgence was my favorite moment.</p>
<p id="MNjBVU">And as far as the revenue sports go, let’s just be honest with ourselves, this year was really bad. Historically bad. It’s going to get better. I’m optimistic and really believe in Lovie and Underwood. I think they are the right guys for the job, and I am encouraged by the roster makeovers within both programs. I can be positive and still look at the 2017-18 revenue sports season and admit it was absolutely terrible in just about every way.</p>
<p id="pmX2Q4">I’m a hoops guy first and foremost, but this year there wasn’t much to write home about it. I also naturally hold the basketball program to a higher standard. I’m excited about the future, I loved the Brad Underwood hire, Trent Frazier is our savior, and I’m pumped for Ayo Dosunmu and Tevian Jones, but nothing really got me up and out of my seat this year. The early disappointment and heartbreak — way too much heartbreak — killed my spirit fairly quickly and far earlier than usual.</p>
<p id="0Hg2rz">Football on the other hand went 2-10 and 0-8 in conference play. That’s also bad, but like I said, my expectations for this year’s team were pretty low. I figured we were staring down the barrel of our worst year in a long time. The youth and the (still) new coaching staff wasn’t a promising combination. </p>
<p id="qr119F">My favorite Illinois moment of the year was the first half of the Illinois-Iowa football game in Iowa City, a game that the Illini lost 45-16.</p>
<p id="lANdRd">Listen, I’m not happy or proud that this is my favorite moment either, but it is what it is.</p>
<p id="50qJRJ">Illinois wasn’t even leading at halftime of this game. They were down 17-13 after an Iowa touchdown with eight seconds left in the half. Illinois actually out-gained the Hawkeyes on offense 252-248. </p>
<p id="INt72o">It was one of three times Illinois would accomplish that during Big Ten play. The team was 2-2, <span>Mike Epstein</span> was playing well, and the rest of the country didn’t know we were the laughingstock of the Big Ten yet.</p>
<p id="qqdSKc">More importantly, it was the only time Illinois looked like it belonged on a Big Ten football field all year. Illinois was carving up the Iowa defense averaging 9.4 yards per carry, including a 58-yard Epstein scamper. <span>Louis Dorsey</span> had a 40-yard reception, and the Illini put together three scoring drives in a half, including one for a touchdown. They also would have had another touchdown if not for a few questionable “ineligible player downfield” calls whistled against the young offensive line.</p>
<p id="6cXMvJ">We were complaining about the refs! Most of the other games this year were so out of hand that there was no point to complain about the officiating. We got to be regular football fans!</p>
<p id="S9Jsmm">I remember actually audibly cheering during that half, and then also feeling real disappointment when the drive at the end of the half ended with a field goal. I was trash talking my personal Hawkeye friends and family and having a grand ole’ college football Saturday. It was one of the only fun halves as an Illini Football I can remember having over the past few years. </p>
<p id="hqrEAA">The cherry on top was getting to see the fans and players take part in the new tradition at Kinnick Stadium of waving to the children’s hospital that overlooks the stadium at the end of the first quarter.</p>
<div id="r0ffZy">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">You know it's a cool tradition when the opposing players partake, too. <a href="https://t.co/I4HhsAnHc2">pic.twitter.com/I4HhsAnHc2</a></p>— Brent Yarina (@BTNBrentYarina) <a href="https://twitter.com/BTNBrentYarina/status/916714864890073090?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 7, 2017</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="0wT0ht">(It’s important to watch how awesome the wave is again, by the way.) </p>
<div id="pSfdCh"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/w7UqYD_owgY?rel=0" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="f8vLS7">I proudly put on an orange and blue sweater and my roommates and I marched to a local bar in our neighborhood to watch the second half amongst the public.</p>
<p id="BZlOuU">Of course, Illinois would be outscored 28-3 in the second half, Mike Epstein would leave the game with an injury, and my roommates and I would drown our sorrows in the corner of the beer garden while trying to avoid the sneers from Hawkeye fans. </p>
<p id="wgwdwj">And nobody would remember the fun first half. </p>
<p id="cWTpSC">Well, nobody except for me, I suppose.</p>
https://www.thechampaignroom.com/2018/5/17/17359116/favorite-illini-moment-of-2017-18-matt-oneall-illinois-football-iowa-hawkeyes-ncaa-big-ten-iowaMatt ONeall2018-05-16T09:05:02-05:002018-05-16T09:05:02-05:00Favorite Illini Moment 2017-18: Michael Berns
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/K2tE71oPeNhHvyasPfXk4oAtPkI=/0x0:1200x800/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59748343/tevian_jones.0__1_.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>via Tevian Jones’ Twitter Acct</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>When California basketball 4-star forward Tevian Jones committed to Illinois, it solidified BU’s 2018 recruiting class.</p> <p id="rM7mOS">It’s not that often a high school kid from California decides to leave the Golden State for the Land of Lincoln to attend college. Bennett Williams, arguably the best player on the Illini football team last season, <a href="http://fightingillini.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7479">did it</a>. The writer of this article did it. And most recently, Tevian Jones, <a href="https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/2018/tevian-jones-96065">a 4-star small forward</a>, gave his pledge back on April 3 to play for Brad Underwood’s squad. </p>
<p id="FpaiZ9">Jones hails from Culver City, California — part of greater Los Angeles — and on that day he committed to Illinois, I immediately felt a connection with a player who has yet to even arrive for classes on campus.</p>
<div id="8IdCTa">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">With all thanks to the man above, I am very proud to announce my commitment to the University of Illinois!!! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ILL?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ILL</a> <a href="https://t.co/es0YGmf5nH">pic.twitter.com/es0YGmf5nH</a></p>— ✨T.Jones✨ (@TheReal_TJones) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheReal_TJones/status/981195951032291328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 3, 2018</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="dVZHub">For a long time, like many Southern California high school hoops stars who have dreams of playing in the NBA one day, Tevian Jones was a heavy lean to sign with the <a href="https://www.azdesertswarm.com/">Arizona Wildcats</a>. To some, UCLA is the dream school — the history and tradition. To others, USC is the ‘cool school’ with <a href="http://www.galencenter.org/">shiny new facilities</a> and <a href="https://www.si.com/college-basketball/one-and-one/2013/03/19/how-a-sprained-ankle-helped-land-andy-enfield-a-supermodel">a head coach with a supermodel wife</a>. </p>
<p id="1JsclI">The University of Arizona, just an hour’s flight away from Los Angeles, is a basketball factory and a school that churns out NBA prospects left and right each year. </p>
<p id="5SJC2n">Arizona often lands California’s Mr. Basketball. Some of the most recent of those names include Stanley Johnson, Aaron Gordon, <span>Chase Budinger</span> and, before him, Hassan Adams. The likely top pick in the upcoming <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba-draft">NBA Draft</a> is a <a href="http://www.nbadraft.net/">one-and-done who went to Arizona</a>. Arizona has a ton to offer recruits, and it appeared in all likelihood that’s where Tevian Jones was heading.</p>
<p id="3jmGz3">Then this happened as the NCAA Hoops season was winding down:</p>
<div id="w7N7g4">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">FBI wiretap intercepted Sean Miller discussing $100K payment to make sure DeAndre Ayton went to Arizona, per <a href="https://twitter.com/Mark_Schlabach?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Mark_Schlabach</a> <a href="https://t.co/FOW1Ck4wmj">pic.twitter.com/FOW1Ck4wmj</a></p>— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) <a href="https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/967236625586520064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 24, 2018</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="Z22ZZJ">Perception is often reality when it comes to NCAA investigations. Even if Sean Miller did nothing wrong and there are holes in SI’s reporting and what the FBI did — the entire ordeal still reeks of a toxic situation in Tucson — Tevian Jones likely wanted no part in. We’ve seen the NCAA punish programs with postseason bans in the past, and while a lot is still up in the air, there’s little doubt there’s instability and insecurity in the hallways of Arizona’s basketball facility.</p>
<p id="ylaxIS">In comes Illinois. The school has a lot to offer a talented young man from Los Angeles: playing time and the chance to be in a major conference. There are <a href="https://www.thechampaignroom.com/2018/3/17/17132760/2017-18-illinois-fighting-illini-basketball-review-trent-frazier-brad-underwood">talented young guards to play with</a> who play in an uptempo, press-your-neck system. It’s an outstanding academic institution and a campus town atmosphere that parallels what student-athletes have at Arizona.</p>
<p id="hxaOew">Every parent wants their kid to have options in life, many options to explore passions and take risks and live life to its fullest. Here’s to you, Tevian Jones. </p>
<p id="Qhu9nS">From the West Coast to the Midwest, there’s ample opportunity for success in the cornfields. And when winter comes howling through the quad in between Lincoln Hall and Noyes Laboratory, just know that there’s always a warm fire burning inside that State Farm Center/Assembly Hall.</p>
<p id="QtNbp8">Illinois welcomes you, Tevian. Remember to bring a jacket. You’ll need it by October.</p>
<p id="uacIWB">I would know, I made the move once, too. </p>
<p id="lVyh6g"></p>
<p id="G4m6gk"></p>
https://www.thechampaignroom.com/2018/5/16/17318500/favorite-illini-moment-2017-18-michael-berns-tevian-jones-culver-city-champaign-roomMichael Berns2018-05-15T07:46:13-05:002018-05-15T07:46:13-05:00Favorite Illini Moment of 2017-18: Erich Fisher
<figure>
<img alt="NCAA Basketball: Illinois at Rutgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/jfvQrVJCuOiW-rj3e4ON37-v5wc=/0x404:2089x1797/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59737689/usa_today_10656713.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>While the basketball season wasn’t pretty, this play on the court was my favorite Illini moment.</p> <p id="mmYnAR">So I normally don’t share my thoughts with you folks, just because I usually just stick to reporting and that fun stuff, but I might as well share with you what my favorite Illini moment of 2017-18 year. </p>
<p id="febEZK">While the basketball team didn’t put up as many W’s as a lot of the fanbase was unrealistically hoping for, almost all of my favorite moments came on the court. </p>
<p id="R8tRO6">From Kipper Nichols going toe-to-toe with future first-round draft pick Miles Bridges and scoring 27 points, to all the times Trent Frazier got hot and rattled off three after three after three....</p>
<p id="mEkAcL">But my favorite Illini moment came in Illinois’ game against Maryland at home on Dec. 3, 2017. The Illini started that game with an “ideal” 10-0 deficit to the Terrapins that caused head coach Brad Underwood to make a hockey line change and sub out all five starters. </p>
<p id="lQZPWr">Not much was solved by that and Illinois was still trailing 45-26 going into halftime and the energy was essentially drained out of the State Farm Center. </p>
<p id="nQzacj">Underwood, however, must’ve sparked a fire out of his troops in the locker room during halftime or scared the bejesus out of them. His team came out in the second half and gave a heroic comeback to get themselves back into the game and even take the lead. </p>
<p id="4VAjIT">As the Illini inched closer and closer to the Terrapins, you could hear the fans get a little bit more pep in their step and start to bring some energy into the building, but you could tell they were waiting for one big moment to just blow the roof off the place. </p>
<p id="qw7qQl">And that moment came with 9:41 left in the second half and Illinois trailing 63-54 to Maryland. </p>
<p id="vBlC61">Illinois had just gotten another defensive stop when Frazier started pushing the ball up the left side of the court. Not trailing too far behind him on the right side was Jordan, who raised up instantaneously and rattled home the long three ball after receiving the cross court pass from Frazier. </p>
<p id="A3HeFs">The shot caused an explosive reaction out of the fans as they leaped out of their seats and the State Farm Center became electric at the moment. It was the loudest I heard the place all year, and I’m pretty sure you could hear the cheers from across the street at Memorial Stadium. </p>
<p id="XWbAxS">And then turn to Jordan and you see all the swagger that is in this man. His celebration, his passion, his excitement, all caught in that moment. Then add on the celebration from his teammates as they head to the timeout huddle — and that just caps off the awesome moment. </p>
<p id="2eNBf3">The combination of the fans and Jordan’s reaction to the shot gave me goosebumps. I had never experienced a moment like that before. </p>
<p id="Olz1Wh">Even though Illinois ended up throwing away a potential win in regulation and suffered a heartbreaking 92-91 loss in overtime to the Terps, that Jordan three-pointer was the moment that stood out to me the most from this 2017-18 Illini sports season. </p>
<p id="B77uYH">It showed how much passion and excitement there really can be for this program. </p>
https://www.thechampaignroom.com/2018/5/15/17354748/favorite-illini-moment-of-2017-18-erich-fisher-illinois-fighting-ncaa-big-ten-state-farm-centerErich Fisher2018-05-12T08:05:01-05:002018-05-12T08:05:01-05:00Favorite Illini Moment of 2017-2018: Mark Schaer
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/xA4KxexxZIXiw1IFG4hcaLub0lQ=/100x0:1180x720/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59711563/Maryland.0.jpg" />
</figure>
<p>Sometimes you need to find the diamonds in the rough.</p> <p id="weYodP">The favorite moments of the year from other staff members have probably been some of your favorite moments as well: Isaiah Williams’ commitment, the volleyball team making it to the Sweet 16 (again), and actually having some semblance of offense on the basketball court for the first time in five years. My favorite moment, however, is a little different.</p>
<p id="zmwNQ5">It is the basketball team’s loss to Maryland on Dec. 3, 2017.</p>
<p id="Bw6gl8">This was the game where the Illini were down big in the first half to the Terrapins. No, it is not my favorite moment because it is yet another example of great optimism only to turn into another great letdown. It was my favorite moment because it gave just a small picture of what things could be like in the future under Brad Underwood. </p>
<p id="YrDV77">All four years I attended the University of Illinois, I was subjected to John Groce basketball. Don’t get me wrong, Groce was by all accounts the most likable human being on the planet. However, after the tournament appearance in the 2012-2013 season, it was impossible to watch. Hardly any ball movement, little to no execution, regressing defensive stats, and a team with no drive was essential all I was given. (I was not a student when they made the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/a/march-madness-2018-ncaa-tournament">NCAA tournament</a>. So, yes, I got the Heart of Dallas Bowl and three NITs.) </p>
<p id="8WfNGs">The opening moments of Underwood’s season were pretty exciting, albeit against lesser competition. Then there was the disappointment that was Northwestern to open B1G play, an overtime loss to a team we all knew was overrated to begin the season. On Dec. 3, more poor play ensued, and the Terrapins led 45-26 at halftime in Champaign. </p>
<p id="POZiME">Then Brad Underwood did that thing Josh Whitman hired him to do: coach.</p>
<p id="B8WstH">It was a beautiful thing. The Illini came roaring back after what was likely a very loud 20 minutes in the locker room, and outscored Maryland by 19 points in the second half. So many things went right in that second half. <span>Leron Black</span> (18 points), Mark Alstrok (17), <span>Aaron Jordan</span> (15) and <span>Trent Frazier</span> (11) all contributed to a well-balanced offense that found ways to make plays despite a huge deficit. </p>
<div id="I6bB45"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GPI44GuVEcY?rel=0" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="RMNc9I">I was not able to make it down to the State Farm Center for the game, but it was clear that the place was absolutely nuts. I can only imagine it was similar to when Illinois played Iowa on Feb. 7, 2016, and nearly pulled off a similar upset. </p>
<p id="u9kL78">I don’t need to describle the manner in which Illinois lost to Maryland. I’m sure you remember.</p>
<p id="me4xZh">Although it was terrible to watch, looking back on the season, that second half was the most fun I had watching basketball. It was up-tempo, featured good defense, and the home crowd was into it. That’s everything I want if I ever go to a game at the State Farm Center. I’m hoping Underwood and his staff can do just that. </p>
https://www.thechampaignroom.com/2018/5/12/17323030/favorite-fighting-illini-moment-of-2017-2018-mark-schaer-brad-underwood-maryland-terrapinsMark Schaer2018-05-11T13:11:44-05:002018-05-11T13:11:44-05:00Favorite Illini Moment of 2017-18: Brandon Birkhead
<figure>
<img alt="Northwestern v Illinois" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/EWDeZon-uTaEgkkOe_GvwYY6jZY=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59707185/879188910.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>There’s nothing as beautiful in sports as a perfectly executed football play.</p> <p id="jDDIj1">Football hasn’t been a kind sport to me lately. Since 2000, there have been four seasons in which Illinois finished winless in Big Ten play, and only two (not counting bowl games) where the Illini finished with a record above .500. My former favorite NFL team was taken away from my hometown in search of riches in LA in a dishonest and cold-hearted process. I’ve only watched one full NFL game since.</p>
<p id="jCaQfE">The violence inherent to the game also troubles me. The concussion crisis should appall anyone, and it can be difficult watching knowing that the game may be causing the participants permanent brain damage.</p>
<p id="DQVUpU">The growth of insincere commercialization and profiteering in the game doesn’t help either.</p>
<p id="NbwsHP">There are many reasons for me to no longer watch football, yet I still love it. There is no sport in the world with as great of a mixture of combat-like tactics and athleticism. A perfect combination of physical skills and a chess match. </p>
<p id="JhEX00">It’s the latter that always brings me back, however. The back and forth battle between opposing tacticians, and the attempt to execute plays to perfection on the field.</p>
<p id="MjcS5N">It’s rare to see both a perfect play call and perfect execution on a single play. There’s nothing quite like seeing a mesh-concept pass called, watching it develop and seeing the QB throw the pass with <em>just</em> the right timing.</p>
<div id="poO9cz"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4w3EkFxQfAU?rel=0" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="qhXLON">A well-run option is also a sight to behold. The beauty of an option is the offense not knowing what will happen on the play until it well.....<em>happens</em>. There are multiple ways every option play can go, but sometimes if an option is run against the right defense, and the QB makes the correct read....there is nothing more scintillating to watch.</p>
<p id="JmvLuy">Illinois had one of the worst offenses in the country in 2017, <a href="https://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/ncaaoff">ranking 124 out of 130 teams in S&P+ Offense.</a> The offense was full of freshman — including three true freshman on the offensive line — and didn’t have the talent or the experience to compete at a high level in the MAC, let alone the Big Ten. Soon-to-be-fired offensive coordinator Garrick McGee had no solutions to offer.</p>
<p id="k1VXNj">Yet somewhere in the middle of all this ineptitude, the completely ineffective offensive machine that was Illinois ran one of those rare perfect option plays.</p>
<p id="a35zcI">Early in the final game of 2017, Illinois faced a 3rd and 2 from the Northwestern 23-yard line. With true freshman <span>Cam Thomas</span> in the game, this was obviously going to be a run. Illinois knew it. Northwestern knew it. </p>
<p id="ePMDvq">Illinois came out in 12 personnel (1 RB, 2 TEs), in a pistol formation with tight ends at both sides of the tackles.</p>
<p id="GCnJn0">The Wildcats countered with a 4-3 under formation. Knowing it was a run on third and short, they brought the run blitz hoping to force the field goal attempt.</p>
<p id="7NnA8s">The play the Illini ran was a rather basic read-option play, with a small wrinkle of having the weak-side TE come across the line as a lead blocker to protect for the possible QB keep. But, since Northwestern was selling out on the run blitz, it was the best play call you could ask for.</p>
<div id="WgdWYj"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/drAOeaJjSog?rel=0" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="b8K1O1"><span>Thomas</span> read that the defensive end mistakenly crashed towards the running back and kept the rock himself, and that was all she wrote. <span>Thomas</span> had only one man between him and the end zone and <span>Louis Dorsey</span> was easily able to block the safety to give Thomas the clear path. Thomas could have run forever.</p>
<p id="dgoOEb">Northwestern can rightfully claim that sometimes you have to take a risk on third and short. You gamble and lose; that’s the cost of playing aggressive defense.</p>
<p id="DqtxaX">The play also had little impact on the final outcome. Illinois would be outscored 42-0 from this point on its way to yet another blowout loss to finish off 2017.</p>
<p id="mJwuxL">Yet as the sun was relentlessly setting on this disastrous 2-10 season, just one simple play — one perfectly run option — reminded me why I love football so much. No matter how much the game tries to push me away, I’ll always come back.</p>
<p id="Ia6j7X">That’s why <span>Cam Thomas</span>’ 23 yard TD run against Northwestern was my favorite Illini moment of the year.</p>
https://www.thechampaignroom.com/2018/5/11/17345268/favorite-illinois-fighting-illini-moment-of-2017-18-cam-thomas-touchdown-northwesternBrandon Birkhead2018-05-10T08:54:44-05:002018-05-10T08:54:44-05:00Favorite Illini Moment of 2017-18: Tristen Kissack
<figure>
<img alt="NCAA Basketball: Big Ten Conference Tournament-Iowa vs Illinois" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/9Fw8d3Do1uRE1ISz_jgg7fzpCo0=/0x0:1562x1041/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59685433/usa_today_10661931.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Trent Frazier had one of the best freshman seasons in Illinois history. One of his buzzer beaters gets the nod from me. </p> <p id="5GGSZJ">Call me a “homer”, say we’re putting too much pressure on a kid, but you can’t deny the excellence that we saw from <span>Trent Frazier</span> in his first year. He wasn’t supposed to be “the guy” this year, but he hopped in the driver’s seat, took the keys, and showed a glimmer of hope for a program that’s gone through relatively dark times recently. </p>
<p id="RNUYT0">My favorite “screw it, Trent’s gonna do Trent things” moment was back on Jan. 11, a home game against the <a href="https://www.blackheartgoldpants.com/">Iowa Hawkeyes</a> that I was in attendance for. The game looked like it was going to be a blowout. Illinois led by 20 in the first half, knocked in nine first-half treys, scored its most points in a half all year AND maintained a 13-point lead coming out to start the second half. </p>
<p id="CwauSf">But just like Chris Paul said, “shit went bad real quick.” </p>
<p id="iV97pq">Iowa scored the first 10 points of the second half, and even took the lead, 83-82. The Hawkeyes would go on to win the game in overtime, marking their second-largest comeback in school history, but not before Frazier could hit one of the most impressive buzzer-beaters in recent memory. </p>
<div id="AVGn8f">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">TRENT FRAZIER, YOU ARE RIDICULOUS!!!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Illini?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Illini</a> and Iowa are headed to overtime! <a href="https://t.co/yvF5SdXrsV">pic.twitter.com/yvF5SdXrsV</a></p>— The Champaign Room (@Champaign_Room) <a href="https://twitter.com/Champaign_Room/status/951655124887273472?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 12, 2018</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="EN5IYM">One-legged runner from behind the arc to tie it?! That’s a bad man. The three capped off what was a career-high 27-point performance, which included 7-of-11 from deep.</p>
<p id="40D6iN">We got to see these types of moments sprinkled throughout Frazier’s rookie season. Mean crossovers, off-balance floaters through the lane that always seemed to fall in, violent step-back threes, or another favorite of mine, the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYAEDaCHlG0">2:00 mark of this clip</a>. </p>
<p id="8KTc6p">A 14-18 record is hardly ideal, but a season or two of growing pains are to be expected. The best thing about freshmen is that they become sophomores, or they transfer away and get replaced by six new guys. Either way is cool with me, but we should all be excited to see how Frazier and Nichols lead this team in the 2018-19 season. </p>
<p id="MSYJmL">It’s another highly anticipated recruiting class for head coach Brad Underwood. It’s his second year with the program, the second year for guys to get acclimated to his system, and the leaders on the team now have some experience under their belt. It won’t be another pretty season, and I wouldn’t guarantee an NCAA Tourney appearance, but there’s reason to believe next year should be a step up. </p>
<p id="cgYZNt">One thing is for sure though: We have yet to see the last of the ridiculous Trent Frazier baskets. </p>
https://www.thechampaignroom.com/2018/5/10/17337418/favorite-illini-moment-of-2017-18-tristen-kissack-trent-frazier-buzzer-beater-illinois-basketballTristen Kissack2018-05-09T09:20:02-05:002018-05-09T09:20:02-05:00Favorite Illini Moment of 2017-18: Ian Gold
<figure>
<img alt="Ball State v Illinois" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/O-YXmZLjdZQcnjbsHOG8t0yEkLc=/0x0:2302x1535/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59671809/841952072.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>That Sounds Like Mike Dudek’s Music.</p> <p id="d9uJzm">Favorite Illini Moment of 2017-2018? Man, I wish this were a harder exercise. I have what, like, eight or so happy moments to pick from? When you consider all the football, basketball and recruiting that actually takes place in a calendar year, this should be a long bar argument over some beers and an impossible amount of reminiscing. </p>
<p id="34eVLb">But, such is recent life as an Illini fan, and my favorite Illini moment is a metaphor for the sports fandom of all my Ni brethren. In the very first quarter of the very first football game, <span>Mike Dudek</span> returned after back-to-back missed seasons due to ACL tears and did a very Dudekian thing by shaking his man with ease, and then making an awesome adjustment to a poorly thrown ball to haul in Illinois’ first touchdown of the season, and his first touchdown in years. </p>
<div id="bWKeZp">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">A catch 981 days in the making. <br><br>Welcome back, <a href="https://twitter.com/MDFlash_7?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MDFlash_7</a>! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Illini?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Illini</a> <a href="https://t.co/lXCSQdJjjW">pic.twitter.com/lXCSQdJjjW</a></p>— Illini Football (@IlliniFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/IlliniFootball/status/904447787873468417?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 3, 2017</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="Onxaym">Of course the play itself was awesome, and being that it was made in the first game of the year, when all things are still shiny and bright, it would stand out as an exciting moment regardless. But what makes it generationally monumental is what <span>Mike Dudek</span> has been through in his Illinois career, and what he’s meant to the program and fans in this dark period. </p>
<p id="bRebnE">Dudek flashed on the scene as an unheralded recruit that dominated as a freshman All-<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/american">American</a>, and then some no-good rotten luck put the talented receiver under the knife twice. While us fans selfishly think of the impact on the team, Dudek spent every day of 2-plus years preparing to play again, and when he finally got his chance, everything worked out as planned. That rarely happens, but if anyone deserves it, it’s Dudek (and us Illinois fans, who need to find a story to enjoy).</p>
<p id="RRXos9">Dudek would only finish the game with two receptions for 47 yards and that touchdown, mainly due to Illinois’ offensive incompetence, but they would go on to win the game and sing the Alma Mater in the end zone with the student section. My favorite moment is my vision for whatever Mike Dudek was feeling in that moment. </p>
https://www.thechampaignroom.com/2018/5/9/17333534/favorite-illini-moment-of-2017-2018-ian-gold-fighting-illinois-ncaa-big-ten-mike-dudekIan Gold