Redbirdfan.com Sports Forum

http://www.journalstandard.com/sports/x ... -their-gym

Not really new news, although it looks like he's trying to work something out to play SIU, who's fans have been laying it on pretty thick lately about Weber not making good on his commitment to play SIU once all of Weber's SIU players graduated.

Of course Weber wants to do a 1 and done at home, but who knows if Lowery would agree to that. (I know we wouldn't). But what about getting a game with them in Chicago? I'd be OK with that, as I'm sure most of our fans would be too. But it seems like Weber dosen't really want neutral site games against in-state teams either. In a nutshell, it's in Champaign or not at all as far as he's concerned.

No reason SIU should go to champaign without a return game.

I would bet Weber is trying to agree to something with Lowery where they'll play a game in Champaign and maybe another game in St. Louis or Chicago or something. There's no way Weber is going to play in Carbondale. He will not set precedent like that. I'll bet they set something up for the next two years, when SIU is not nearly as strong as Illinois will be. It would be the perfect time for Weber to tick off this box.

To be honest at least this make a little sense -- we can't play every game on the road and we need the revenue -- you don't have to like it but it does answer the question.

Looks like it is time for Lowery to walk the walk after all that talk about scheduling at the MVC media day...and some people here actually jumped on Lowery's bandwagon about scheduling trying to indirectly bash the Jankmeister )
(Edit: Meaning Lowery should stop trying to dictate terms with UIUC to get a deal done! Oh wait, Lowery wants fair terms now, guess what, so does Jank/Zenger...)

I would not mind if the Redbirds did a 1for1 at UIUC and Chicago (Saturday night!).

Weber also said he didn't really think he wanted to play SIU in a neutral court in St. Louis because it might hurt the attendance for their Mizzou game. I call BS!!! He is afraid that St. Louis would be more of a "home court" advantage for SIU!! What a chickensh$t.

He also said the illini play enough games on the road. Really?? He is counting neutral sites as away games now?? Cause the only true away game they play is in the ACC challenge and a game at Georgia....two games...well I guess if you are a BCS school that is a lot! Wusses.

SIUe....I found it very refreshing to be a REDBIRD and to have the REDBIRDS visit SIUe the week after UofI hosted SIUe in the OrangeDome.

It is incredible that the visiting REDBIRDS sparked the 2nd largest crowd at the COUGARS basketball venue...and the LARGEST CROWD in their venue in 22 years.

KUDOS to the coaching staff and team for the tremendous respect they portrayed in going into hostile territory...no matter the size of the facility...and competed against another in-state Division 1 school.

Keeping these two acts front and center...UofI arrogance and verbal refusal...and the Redbirds sharing contractual agreements between two In State Division 1 schools makes MY REDBIRDS look FIFTY TIMES BETTER than Weber&Co.

That is EXACTLY what I thought when I read that. He knows how well SIU draws in STL, and he knows they'd bring an even bigger crowd if they were to play U of I there. His fear of hurting their attendance for the Mizzou game is a copout excuse.

If SIU/Illinois were to get a game in STL, or even better, in Chicago, I'd probaby go and be an SIU fan for a day. (Wearing my ISU gear of course )

I wouldn't go so far as to asy that I would be a n SIU fan for a day, or even rooting for them to win. But, I think that I would be rooting pretty hard for UIUC to loose.

I think Wever and most BCS caoches simply don't have to play on another teams court unless it is a BCS team. The whole thing is a joke if you ask me, and though I've never been a big proponent of NCAA mandate but I wish there was a set number of true road games that a team was required to play.

Weber will stop giving excuses when there is a legitimate incentive for playing mid-majors on the road. As of right now, there is NO reason why Weber should play at Redbird Arena or against Southern in Carbondale or STL. None.

Let's stop pretending that the Illini owe us something. They don't.

I don't think they owe us anything and I know they won't play us here, or SIU in C'Dale, etc. But why the reluctance to play at a neutral site? That's the BS thing that I and Greenlock were referring to. I'd be fine with it if U of I wanted a home & netural game. 1 at Assembly, 1 at United Center. That would be cool. But when he says he dosen't want to play in STL cuz it might affect his crowd for the Mizzou game? BS. I doubt that would affect his crowd 1 bit.

Illinois doesn't want anything to do with in-state Valley teams--and for good reason. Illinois State or Southern Illinois could win. Since the media, Illini fans, and the general public do not seem to be interested either, of course Bruce doesn't want these games.

I do agree with you, Phantom, that Weber's reasoning for not playing in STL is an excuse. No doubt. But, on the other hand, what's he supposed to say? "There's nothing in it for us to play you guys." I'm sure that would fly well with his former school. At any rate, if Bruce did in fact promise a home-and-home or a home-and-neutral with SIU, he needs to fulfill it regardless of risk.

You're right on both counts. Since he took over at U of I, he hasn't purposely scheduled any MVC team. He knows how good the league is and is afraid to lose to one of us. Since taking over at U of I he's played us, BU and WSU and nearly lost all 3. Now he might run into BU again this year. I think once, he did actually say that they have nothing to gain by playing us, but he's between a rock and a hard place with SIU cuz he has said he'd try to get a game with them but hasn't. Now he has to be careful what he says about it, which leads him to grasping at straws, which turns into the STL/attendance excuse.

I could seriously care less if we every played illinois again. At least in the regular season. And personally, I hope we never do. They do nothing for us that we can't get 100 other places. Other than a short drive road game.

As to this thread, the SIU fans are of the understanding that weber promised to come play there after his recruits had graduated. If he's welching on that promise, then he should be called to the mat.