Yes, due mostly to the calendar and the sagging interest in a 1 win football team, we now try and make that much needed transition into the basketball side of the college sports year. You may notice a marked change in the demeanor of this blog over the next couple weeks, the posts will seem a tad more optimistic, happier, even jovial. All the while the instances of  angry drunken ranting, chair throwing, and pathetic sobbing will probably be lessened somewhat.

Its basketball people, where all of our historic strengths and weaknesses are flipped. Bruce Weber is a coach that is universally celebrated as a man who can maximize talent, but has had trouble always getting those recruiting wins. But that's not the case this year so get happy. Lets have some links (only slightly tainted by football) to celebrate

• Zook: Illini will go with two-QB system - Sporting News
  You can call it desperation if you want, but frankly this team is 1-6, there is nothing left to do that could hurt this team really. One more loss will eliminate the team from bowl contention (though it is all but assured with Cincinnati still on the schedule) So why not give the guy who will most likely be the choice for starting QB next year get some more experience under his belt. Just as long as lets say Charest drives to the 2 yard line and then gets pulled so we can go 3 plays without scoring.

• With the Illini: Basketball team feels pressure to cheer up fans - John Supinie
  Hmm, pressure to cheer up fans? Yes I would say so. Winter is a long long long cold and depressing season in Illinois. It is frigid windy and miserable, and the only respite that many of us have is basketball and binge drinking. Take basketball away and you will have a lot of pickled livers by the time April 1st rolls around. So Bruce, for the health and safety of your fans, please keep winning.

• Nightcap: Legion heats up... Now must perform in games - IlliniHQ.com
  Here is some news that may very well inspire you from giving into the too much the aforementioned football related depression. Alex Legion who was last seen not being the transfer scoring threat everyone thought he would be last year, may have just turned a corner. Keep in mind everyone thought, myself included that Legion would be key to success last year, but the team won over 20 games again without him really ever taking control. Imagine if you will what they are capable of if indeed he can go off like we all predicted. Scary huh?