Things!

Got out for a nice ride today with Cayle. It was really warm. Low 70's! This is a road up behind school. It's a great climb about 6 miles long and fairly steep. Super tough climbing with Cayle!!
Toward the end of our ride, we stopped to see some horses. Cayle even asked to get out and pet them! He loved it until one of them pooped... then he wanted me to pick it up... I think the size of it scared him a bit. Time to go buddy! :-)
Cayle figured out how to use the doggie door today to get in and out of the house! Pretty cute!
In other news: Bruce Weber gets the job at Kansas State. Wish him good luck there! And ILL gets John Groce this week from Ohio University as the new head coach. I think he seems like a good choice, and am excited for next season. Now to see who declares for the NBA...

Disappointing

That is the one word to describe watching Illinois basketball the last couple of months. It's just disappointing. Just when you think they may have turned a corner... they lack intensity. I don't think it is just the coaches fault, the players have a lot of the responsibility, but it is frustrating that Bruce Weber refuses to bench people, or change anything about his coaching style to fit specific situations. Not sure why I get my hopes up anymore... One more game in the regular season, then the Big10 tourney and then unless they win the Big10 tourney, the NIT. Try to get some kind of momentum heading into next season, and see what the off season brings.
Man... I feel like a cubs fan saying that... "Wait till next year..."

IL Basketball

I got so frustrated watching last year's basketball team. There was loads of talent, but they were consistently lacking on the effort end. I would much rather watch a team play with lots of effort and not have the talent. Of course it's always nice when they do have the talent to match the effort. That's when you get the teams like Kentucky, N.C, Duke, and Kansas. Talent and effort.

The good thing is that this year's IL team has the talent and play with the effort. The only thing that may be holding them back is some immaturity/lack of confidence which will result in some bad choices. That being said, I would much rather see a team play aggressive and make some mistakes, than a lazy team. Excited about the season after tonight's win vs. Maryland in the Big Ten/ACC challenge!

Cayle went to spend the afternoon with some friends, as his regular sitter was unavailable. They had a little basketball hoop set up. Apparently Cayle shot baskets all afternoon.... :-) It makes me laugh!

Finally

Took Cayle with me to Silverthorne for an oil change this afternoon. While we were there, we got out for a nice 45 minute run along the Blue River. Beautiful! Got a couple caramel apples from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.... YUM!!! Then got to watch the Fighting Illini put a BEAT DOWN on UNLV tonight. FINALLY they played good defense and good offense in the same game! They looked good, now to keep it going against Bill Self and Kansas.....

ILL- INI

Lots of good college bball on the tube tonight. Saw a bunch of good games, a few blowouts, one HUGE upset in Mich. State, and also got to watch the ILLINI game. They played Yale, so the competition wasn't that great but they looked good! The look like they are finally starting to play together as a team a bit better, and may be buying into the motion offense. Unfortunately Cayle didn't get to watch it with me, as he was sleeping in preparation for Thanksgiving celebrations....