UW Milwaukee is the Cinderella team of the NCAA tournament, so it isn't too tough to cheer for them. A current Fox Sports poll has them leading as the most surprising Sweet 16 team with 61% of the vote. Well, there is more reason to cheer for them against Illinois. 15 years ago, UWM coach Bruce Pearl, then an assistant with Iowa, reported recruiting violations on the part of Illinois. This story is already getting plenty of media play, and expect national media to pick up on it. Because of that, Pearl and UWM may face a very hostile crowd at the AllState Arena on Thursday.
If Pearl and his UWM Panthers do receive a hostile reception on Thursday, I'll feel terribly for them, but I would expect nothing less of Illinois fans. It will make it all the sweeter when the Panthers send the Illini home for the school year and advance to the Elite 8, though.
Update
It's going to be a wild week of accusations (See also comment from Underscorebleach below).
2 comments:
Obviously you know nothing of the story's history. Pearl fabricated the story about Illinois' recruiting of Deon Thomas. The NCAA investigated Illinois and found zero evidence to back up Pearl's claims. Pearl was blackballed by the coaching community and relegated to D-II Southern Indiana.
He's the used car salesman of college basketball. If you want to cheer for UWM, that's fine, but don't cheer for their rat of a coach. more info here
Sorry Jib, but I agree with the FIB's. I will be cheering for UWM despite Pearl, not because of him. I have been looking all weekend for some redeeming story about Pearl, and it is almost impossible. The guy is an NCAA pariah and he set that kid up because Thomas snubbed his Iowa.
I hate to say it, but the flatlanders have a gripe.
Post a Comment