Rollin' With My Homies

Last night Nik and I went Huff Hall for the Ultimate Basketball Challenge. The Fighting Illini men's and women's basketball teams took on the Illini men's and women's basketball teams in an exhibition game. The event raises funds for the wheelchair basketball teams, both of which recently won their national championship by the way, and for the "Coaches vs. Cancer" campaign... two very worthy causes.

It was a great time. I think everyone on the court was having a good time. It is amazing how fast the wheelchair athletes move... they leave the other basketball players in the dust. Typically the teams were a mix of men, women, able-bodied and wheelchair athletes, but you really got to see how fast the wheelchair athletes move when for a few minutes each it was only the able-bodied athletes on the court, and then right after that is was only the wheelchair athletes.


At half time they had a celebrity free-throw shooting contest (from a wheelchair of course) between Bruce Weber, Jolette Law, Ron Zook, Chancellor Herman and President White. The finals were Coach Law vs. President White,and Coach Law won. I think Ron Zook was kind of frustrated he didn't do better... so be it... I like that kind of competitive attitude in our football coach.


Alex Legion, who transferred from Kentucky (sorry Billy) at semester and will be eligible to play with the Illini beginning Spring 09 semester, totally stole the show. I think he was 0 for 10 at one point, but he certainly was having a good time. Hopefully he turns out to be a better basketball player when he can use his legs. He was just fun to watch... my new favorite for sure.

Brian Randle meets with the Illini press one last time.

You may be Michael Jordan's son, Jeff, but you still appear to be getting run over by your teammates.

What up with that hat, Chester?

Mike Tisdale's 7-foot frame doesn't really fit in a wheelchair.

Coach Zook, not only did you get beat, you got beat by a girl... you got beat by a girl wearing pink shoes!