“I think we need to become better branded nationally, and that starts within the state. I think we need to be the king of the state; I think we need to be the king of Chicago. I think we need to be branded that way, and if we’re doing things the right way – if [...]

I’m so incredibly depressed.  And we don’t even know who the new Illini basketball head coach will be.  I’m not depressed because the hire is underwhelming – we haven’t hired anyone yet.  I’m depressed because of who the hire won’t be. “I am very grateful for the support and belief in the coaching staff and [...]

I’m the worst blogger in the world.  Seriously – the worst.  Here I am, with no editor, no credential that could be pulled, the freedom to say whatever I want to whoever I want with zero consequence anywhere – the very focus of all the internet hate towards websites that don’t have to care about [...]

After 48 hours of mourning, I’m ready to think about all of this again.  Yesterday, when a friend sent me a “I still say John Groce” text, I shooed him away with my depression.  It’s over, I said.  With one announcement, Shaka Smart dropped us from “somewhere around the 12th to 15th best job” to [...]

I lost a little bit of weight in January.  No big deal, just one of those January I-want-to-meet-my-great-grandkids deals.  Kept it going pretty well through February, too.  But I’ve eaten like Jack Cornell on Beards Eat Free Night the last few weeks, and I haven’t worked out once.  I’m frightened to look in the mirror. [...]