At Bloomington (O'Neil Park)
Olympia
000 409 3 - 16-13-4
Central Catholic 421 010 0 - 8-9-1
Dusty Hayes, Derek Dudgeon (2), name unavailable (W, 5) and Rush
Olson; Paul Kabbes, Dan Lootens (6, L, 1-1), Nick Pate (6), Andrew
King (7) and Eric Bill.
Olympia (7-7) - Two hits - Hayes, Ross Thompson, Olson, Derek
Foley, Dudgeon, Kale Williams. 2B - Thompson, Olson, Foley. 3B -
Thompson. RBI - Hays 2, Thompson 2, Olson 2, Foley 4, Dudgeon 3.
Pitching - Hays 1 1/3 IP, 6 R, 5 ER, 2 H, 0K, 5 W), Dudgeon (2 2/3
IP, 2 R, 1 ER, 5 H, 2 K, 0 W).
![](../images/ads/neal_tire/Neal-2.gif) |
At Hartsburg
Illini Central
000 004 4 - 8-7-2
Hartsburg-Emden 000 320 1 - 6-7-1
Matt Birch (W), Chris Norton (5) and Travis Scott; Blaen Fletcher,
Ryan Anderson (6, L) and Matt Gleason.
Home runs - Ollini Central - Travis Scott (1 on in sixth), Bryce
Cunningham (1 on in seventh); Hartsburg-Emden - Kyle Hoerbert (1 on
in fourth), Drew Olson (1 on in fifth).
Records - Illini Central - 9-3 overall, 2-1 in Tomahawk Conference;
Hartsburg-Emden 5-3. 1-2.
At Mount Pulaski
Lutheran
000 00 - 0-2-6
Mount Pulaski 701 11 - 10-6-0
Called because of 10-run rule
Haramia (L), Meyer (4); Josh Blaum (W), Zach Moore (5).
Hitting star - Mount Pulaski - Justin Anderson (3 hits).
Pitching star - Mount Pulaski - Blaum (4 strikeouts, 1 hit).
Records - Lutheran 3-6, Mount Pulaski 8-4. |
At Stanford
Delevan 001 000 0 - 1-2-1
Olympia 002 520 x - 9-8-2
Jenna Waters (L) and Jessica Dunlap; Megan Rich (W) and Katie
Tucker.
Hitting stars - Olympia - Megan Rich (double, 2 RBIs), Tiff Prager (2
hits, double, RBI).
Pitching star - Rich (7 IP, 2 hits, 5 walks, 11 strikeouts).
Records - Olympia 12-1. |
At Emden
Illini Central
000 00 - 0-1-0
Hartsburg-Emden 314 (10)x - 18-17-1
Called because of 10-run rule
Claire Bitner (L), Kellie Klassen; Nikki Chapman (W, 5-3) and Alyssa
Moehring.
Home runs - Hartem - Nicole Buse 2, (1 on in fourth, Grand Slam in
fourth).
Hitting stars - Harem - Chapman (2 hits, 2 RBIs), Ashley Luken (2
hits, 2 RBIs), Erin Dial (2 hits), Molly Klokkenga (2 RBIs).
Records - Hartem 6-4 overall, 2-1 in Tomahawk Conference. |
Boys
At Clinton
Warrensburg-Latham 96, Clinton 91, Heyworth 63, Delavan 58, Riverton
57.
100 METERS - Robertson (W), 12.2.
3,200 - Reed (W), 9:23.7.
110 HURDLES - Keenan (W), 17.4.
300 HURDLES - Platt (W), 44.2.
HIGH JUMP - Kronshagen (W), 5-10.
LONG JUMP - Platt (W), 17-4 1/4.
TRIPLE JUMP - Swango (W), 38-10 1/2.
400 RELAY - Warrensburg-Latham, 47.8. |
Girls
At Clinton
Heyworth 99, Warrensburg-Latham 81, Clinton 74, Delavan 69, Riverton
45.
100 HURDLES - Fozard (W), 18.4.
300 HURDLES - Fozard (W), 54.9
HIGH JUMP - Loerzel (W), 5-6.
800 MEDLEY RELAY - Warrensburg-Latham, 2:09.1. |
1. Why did Self
leave?
I have heard many so-called experts
share several reasons why Self would leave a program on the rise
like Illinois for Kansas. Many fans are feeling what Guenther is
feeling: sadness, hurt and even anger. But, understand this: Self
left for three primary reasons, and I really believe money was not
one of these reasons (Self's new salary is $1.1 million per year,
compared with the $1.025 million average he would have earned at
Illinois). Let's look at the reasons, in order:
First, Kansas is one of the top five
coaching jobs. I know many are saying -- isn't Illinois a great job?
Yes, without a doubt, but at this point it is not on the level of a
Kentucky, Duke, North Carolina or Kansas. Self realized this was a
once-in-a-lifetime chance to coach what he called "the premier head
coaching seat in all of America." He might be right.
Second, the University of Kansas is
just 3˝ hours from home for both Bill and Cindy Self. Natives of
Oklahoma, they are returning to Big 8-Big 12 land and will be able
to get home much more frequently. Self realizes he is a Big 12 guy,
and Kansas is the best job, without a doubt, in the conference that
was the best in the country last season and could be the best in the
country next year as well.
![](../images/ads/CCAonline/ccaonline_ad_2_01.gif)
Finally, timing. Self had confided in
friends he would leave Illinois only for three jobs: Kansas,
Kentucky and North Carolina. He realized that with Tubby Smith
signing an eight-year extension and Roy Williams going to UNC to
retire, and with Kansas talking to coaches like 37-year-old Tom
Crean from Marquette, he might never have a chance for one of these
three jobs again. Timing was great for Illini players and fans, but
timing was a factor for the Self family.
To summarize -- Am I glad Self is gone?
Not at all -- I will really miss him and in many ways Illinois will
never have another coach like Self, no matter who is hired. But,
Illinois basketball will be OK. The man at Illinois that cannot be
replaced is not Self or Ron Turner, but instead, Guenther. In '96, I
wanted Coach K from Duke, but Kruger (an unknown in Illinois) came
and hit a home run in many ways. In '00, I wanted Rick Majerus or
Kelvin Sampson, but Guenther hit a grand slam with Self. My guess is
'03 will be just like '96 and '00.
2. What is the
state of Illinois basketball?
In a word -- excellent. In 1996, when
head coach Lou Henson finally called it quits, Illinois was at best
an average job in the Big Ten. Big time recruits didn't even mention
Illinois, and the days of signing the Nick Andersons, the Marcus
Libertys and the Deon Thomases were long gone. Juwan Howard went to
hated Michigan, Michael Finley and Rashard Griffeth went to
Wisconson, and even two central Illinois studs, A.J. Guyton and
Brian Cardinal, escaped to the Hoosier state and played for Indiana
and Purdue respectively. Illinois basketball was as low as it had
been since the late 1970s.
All that has happened in the last seven
seasons is this:
![](../images/ads/Key%20Printing/key.gif)
Simply put, Illinois basketball is in
good shape. I really believe it is the best job in the Big Ten right
now, although Michigan State and Indiana could probably make a case
as well, and is a top 15 job in America. The returning and new
player base for the 2003-2004 season will be the most athletic and
talented group in Champaign since the 1989 Final Four season. The
ceiling on this group and this program is really unlimited at this
point. Looking back to 1996, it is borderline miraculous how far the
Illinois program has gone in these seven short years.
3. Who could be the
next Illini coach?
Several different directions Guenther
could go with the search. Let's look at four possible "categories"
of coaches the A.D. might turn to:
1. The
young, up-and-coming coach
This is where Self was in 2000 when
Guenther called. He may look this direction again.
1. Tom Crean -- Marquette -- The
top of every list, he took the Eagles to the Final Four this year.
However, this 37-year-old Tom Izzo disciple may want to wait until
Izzo leaves Michigan State and succeed him in East Lansing. Would be
a great choice if he is gettable.
[to top of second column in this
article] |
![](../images/ads/neal_tire/Neal-Tire-350.gif)
2. Thad Matta -- Xavier -- Grew up
in nearby Hoopston, is only 35 and coached one of the best players
in America in David West. Sounds good and would be a player favorite
but may not have the Self intensity and likability.
3. Jeff Lebo -- Chattanooga -- Won
big at Tennessee Tech, where no one had won before, and took over a
terrible Chattanooga team and did great. This former Carolina player
looks like the real deal but might not consider Illinois a
"destination" job, but instead a "steppingstone."
4. Bruce Weber -- Southern
Illinois -- Ditto the Lebo comments, but again, most think he will
follow Keady at Purdue.
2. The
proven coach ready for a new challenge
This would be the Lon Kruger category,
and Guenther found success here in 1996. Listed are five options:
1. Mike Montgomery -- Stanford -- took the Cardinal to the Final Four in 1998 and has elevated the
Stanford program to new levels. I really like him and think he may
be the favorite to succeed Self.
2. Ben Braun -- California -- Chicago suburban native has recruited Chicago area well and would be
a solid selection.
3. Steve Alford -- Iowa -- I really
like him, even though he is an Indiana boy, but his star is on the
decline in Iowa and might consider a jump down Interstate 74. Can
recruit, but has struggled with player unity and character issues in
the program. A long shot, but a new to consider.
4. Mike Jarvis -- St. John's -- Unlikely to leave NYC but would bring national recruiting to
Illinois and a toughness beyond the Self teams.
5. John Calipari -- Memphis -- I
love him, but he would be another who would only stay three to five
years. Players would eat him up, and the banners would continue to
fly.
3. A
loyal coach (Lou Henson type)
Many fans are calling for a coach who
will never be tempted to leave and would be so loyal to Illinois
this would be a career-ending job. Three names come to mind in this
area:
1. Rob Judson -- Former Illini player
and assistant coach, head coach at Northern Illinois. We like Rob a
bunch and think someday he will be the head coach at Illinois, but
not this time. He has been a college head coach for only two years,
and the UNC-Matt Doherty soap opera is a case in point why this
might not be a good idea. Doherty had only one year of head coaching
experience and wasn't ready to lead his alma mater. Same could be
said for Judson.
2. Jimmy Collins -- Sorry, not
going to happen. Jimmy burned too many bridges when he didn't get the
job in '96 and hasn't been all that successful at UIC.
3. Lou Henson returns? -- Not a
chance, I hope and pray.
![](../images/ads/fricke/Fricke2.gif)
4. A
great coach at a school where basketball will never be the big dog
This area is most intriguing in my
opinion. I love the idea of getting an awesome coach from a great
program where football is the big sport on campus. Four names come
to mind:
1. Billy Donavan -- Florida -- Illinois did well the last time they looked to Florida for a coach
(Kruger), and Donavan might consider a jump. His teams are really
exciting, and he is one of the best three national recruiters, with
Tubby and Coach K. I'd love him, but he would cost Illinois much
more than Self was making.
2. Kelvin Sampson -- Oklahoma -- Sampson was Guenther's first choice in 2000 but couldn't leave his
program at that time. He would bring an interesting twist to the
Chief debate, as he is one-quarter Native American. He is a winner!
3. Mike Brey -- Notre Dame -- He is
good, and ND kicked Illinois out of the NCAAs this year. But I don't
see the passion and intensity in Brey that I see in Self or Donavan
or Sampson. A good fallback candidate, however.
4. Rick Barnes -- Texas -- He took
Texas to the Final Four this year and would give Guenther revenge on
Texas for stealing football coach Mackovic in 1991. Not a top five
name on my list.
5. Tommy Amaker -- Michigan -- Makes sense because Michigan is facing potentially dark days from
the Weber, Fisher and Ed Martin scandal. But he isn't one of the top
two Coach K disciples, and Illinois can do better.
Bottom line? We as Illini fans need to
move on! Within 14 days, probably sooner, we will have a new coach,
and I cannot wait! My top five choices are:
-
Sampson
-
Donavan
-
Montgomery
-
Lebo
-
Judson
However,
only time will tell who takes the reigns from Self. Only one thing
left to say: GO ILLINOIS!
![](../images/ads/Wood's%20Basement/LargeAd1.gif)
![](../images/ads/LDN/Sports%20news%20coverage.jpg)
[Greg
Taylor] |
I'm not going to comment on the Self to
Kansas story… I'm too emotionally involved. My only thought is to
wish him and his family well. They made a very positive impact while
they were here…
What is up with Easter Sundays and
Busch Stadium? There's more action there than there is at a WWE or
WWF (or whatever the right letters are) match!
Cards still find themselves in second
place but seem to be riding the roller coaster. Can't seem to get
much sustained over several days. The Cubs, on the other hand,
continue to march on. Many have suggested that this is the same old
Cubs formula. Start hot and then fade… but, most of those people
have never seen Dusty Baker work his magic. They will be there for
the long haul.
I had the White Sox at the top when
many were skeptical… I just NEVER figured on them having to chase
the Royals for even a day. Boy, have they been playing some hot
baseball?! However, when the weather starts to warm, I look for the
Sox to really heat up.
![](../images/ads/logan_cty_health_dpt/smokefreemain2.gif)
[to top of second column in this
article] |
![](../images/ads/Library/LPL-Large-Ad1~!~100.gif)
I told you that I was really worried
about the Blues?
Any guessers on if anyone has what it
takes to dethrone the Lakers?
As spring football grabs the attention
of all gridder fans, the NFL draft looms on the horizon. Are you
ready for some football?
Local sports: Sorry, I was gone all
weekend, so I don't know how any of our teams did. If you do, give
us a call.
Join us on "FANdamonium"
tonight at 6 here on the LDN
live link, or on CITV Lincoln Channel 5 or on FIX 96.3 on your
FM radio dial. I have no idea what we're going to be talking about,
so we'll REALLY need your help tonight!
[Jeff
Mayfield]
|