Sean Neumann

Music & sports writer - Champaign-Urbana, Ill.

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buzz Magazine | November 21, 2014

Episode Overview:

Heirship Records founder Isaac Arms joins the buzz music staff to talk about the Champaign-based label’s upcoming showcase at Cowboy Monkey on Friday night (Nov. 21).

Song of the Week (@ 36:14): “Quandary” – The Phantom Broadcast

Download buzz Magazine’s HIVE Sessions for free over on bandcamp at buzzmagazine.bandcamp.com

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Stream The Phantom Broadcast’s new album Until Next Time

by the buzz Music Staff | buzz Magazine | November 18, 2014 The Phantom Broadcast released its new album Until Next Time late Monday night.

The official release date for the Urbana band’s second full-length was originally set for Tuesday, November 18.

You can listen to a stream of the album below:

The 10-track album is heavily focused on an impressive display of musicianship from frontman Evan Opitz, while the songwriting takes a softer approach than previous Phantom Broadcast releases.

Until Next Time is the second full-length the band has recorded at Nook Studios in New Lenox, Ill.

“It is a concept album set in a futuristic, isolated, yet bustling city beneath a glass dome on Jupiter named Argonne,” Opitz, a jazz performance major at the University of Illinois, wrote on the project’s Bandcamp page. “We are dropped into the center of the story to find our conflicted and complex protagonist Charlie Wolf trying to break free from this congested city by cracking the glass.”

The buzz music staff shared their thoughts on select tracks from the experimental rock album below:

“Until Next Time” The opening track is by far one of the best songs on the album. With remnants of the earlier sound of Fall of Troy, The Phantom Broadcast brings their own take on experimental rock here. Opitz’s voice seamlessly fades into the background of the instruments and allows his bandmates to fully capture the silence of the title track’s longing. – Elizabeth Morales

“Taken” Another standout track on the album, “Taken” captures the essence of sorrow. Sean McQuinn’s piano skills overpower the song in the most endearing manner. Opitz’s vocals compliment the softness of the keys in the beginning of the song only to transform into a completely different sounding track towards the end. – Elizabeth Morales

“Drawing the Ocean” The seventh track on the album finds Opitz at a fitting pace for his songwriting. There’s a seeming comfort in the performance that translates to its recording, with a smooth trumpet solo from Bobby Lane (Church Booty) that climbs its way out of a steady, math-inspired jam and fades back into the mix as the track comes to a close. – Sean Neumann

“The Sunne in Splendour” It’s clear the album is fixated on Opitz’s performance throughout and rightfully so – the band originated as his own solo project before the help of a backing Urbana band added another layer to the mix – but “The Sunne in Splendour” stands as an example of the solo focus being too magnified. Without the cushioning of a deep landscape of instruments, Opitz’s vocals are left out in the open, often falling flat or just slightly off enough to be noticed when it’s just the frontman and his guitar. – Sean Neumann

“11:17/Despair” The ninth track is probably the best song on the album. “11:17/Despair” is a collection of several musical scenes of the past decade clashing together to form a sound that is unique to the album: heartbreaking, tender, rough and evolving. – Elizabeth Morales

“Camellia” While the album’s closing song is tender and contains a beautiful mix of instruments and vocals, it’s not one of the strongest tracks on the album. “Camellia” doesn’t fully mix with the rest of the album and becomes lost in comparison with the cohesive tracks leading up to it. – Elizabeth Morales

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Stream Motes’ new single “Freeway”

by Sean Neumann | buzz Magazine | November 18, 2014

You can now stream the first single off Motes’ debut full-length album Keep it in the Dark via buzz:

“Freeway” previews a more polished quality than previously heard in Motes recordings.

The album was recorded over the course of four days this past June and will be released in early 2015 via Champaign-based label Heirship Records.

Motes tracked the record at Earth Analog studio in Tolono, Ill., where two previous Heirship releases have also been recorded – Hot Cops’ Jubilee and Withershins’ Mt. Fuji in Blue.

Colin Althaus (Tara Terra) was Motes’ sound engineer during the recording process.

Heirship Records owner Isaac Arms said the band’s debut album sounds impressive, having been present at the studio and hearing the raw mixes post-tracking.

“It’s deep, but still fun,” Arms said. “I think it will stand on its own as an amazing collection of songs.”

Arms said the band’s tight-knit relations (guitarist Matt Mitchell and bassist Elizabeth Majerus are married with two children) influence the band’s sound in a way that makes it full and alive.

“Motes’ music just makes me happy,” Arms said.

The band’s 2012 EP Feel the Summer Heat was recorded in the family’s basement.

“Keep it in the Dark is more fully realized and better reflects our current sound,” Majerus told buzz in late September. “We haven’t really tried to give Motes a particular sound, but all three of us love a lot of fuzzy, lo-fi music and are fans of shoegaze, and those influences inevitably bleed through.”

Catch Motes performing this Friday, November 21 at Cowboy Monkey as a part of the “buzz & Smile Politely Presents” showcase series with Heirship Records. The show starts at 10 p.m. and costs $5.

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Illinois beats Northwestern, reaches bowl eligibility

by Sean Neumann | The Daily Illini | November 29, 2014

EVANSTON, ILL. — It was nearly gift wrapped for Illinois.

The Illini football team became bowl eligible with a 47-33 win over Northwestern on Saturday at Ryan Field – the first time the team has been bowl eligible since 2011.

Northwestern entered the game missing a handful of starters — senior quarterback Trevor Siemian, top-receiver Kyle Prater, and defensive backs Traveon Henry, Godwin Igwebuike and Nick VanHoose.

The Wildcats were forced to go with junior Zack Oliver, who made his first career start at quarterback, while he was backed up by redshirt freshman Matt Alviti.

Illinois forced a season-high five turnovers in the win.

Head coach Tim Beckman, whose job was in question in the last half of the season, said Saturday’s win was his most gratifying with the Illini.

“These players have bought in,” Beckman said.

Illinois opened up the scoring late in the first quarter with a 10-yard pass from quarterback Reilly O’Toole to freshman Malik Turner. 

Just eight seconds later, Illini defensive back Earnest Thomas III intercepted a pass, and Illinois had the ball again. And just 45 seconds after the touchdown pass to Turner, running back Josh Ferguson’s 1-yard run made it 13-0.

The Wildcats went on to commit turnovers on four straight drives — a pair of interceptions and fumbles that led to three Illinois scores to make it 19-0.

Northwestern couldn’t capitalize on opportunities and momentum shifts throughout the game.

The Wildcats ran back an 89-yard kick return for a touchdown in the second quarter. Then, Northwestern allowed the Illini to extend their lead to 26-7 at the half on an 82-yard touchdown drive led by O’Toole.

The senior quarterback had 294 all-purpose yards, earning 147 yards both passing and rushing, while throwing for three touchdowns.

O’Toole credited the offensive blocking for career-high 147 rushing yards.

“It’s pretty evident that I’m not fast, so if you see me in the open field, it’s got to be because of blocking of some sort,” O’Toole said. “I was just running my slow self 10 yards down the field.”

The Wildcats picked off O’Toole on the first play of the second half, setting their offense up on the Illinois 42-yard line. But Northwestern had to settle for a field goal and let Illinois score another touchdown five minutes later for a 33-10 lead.

And when Northwestern running back Justin Johnson cut the Illini lead to just eight with back-to-back touchdowns, Ferguson answered with a 46-yarder of his own.

The Illini linebacker Mason Monheim took a 49-yard interception back for a touchdown to ice the game.

Monheim said this is the most confident the Illinois defense has played in years, while lineman Jihad Ward — who recovered a fumble in the second quarter — said it was the happiest he’s ever been.

“I believed I would go to a bowl game, so I knew we were going to win the game,” Ward said.

Beckman expressed his pride for the Illini seniors who extended their careers by one more game with Saturday’s win. Even more important, the Illini’s sixth win to reach bowl eligibility came against the team’s biggest rival. 

Sean can be reached at [email protected] and on Twitter @neumannthehuman.

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O'Toole leads Illini football to senior day victory

by Sean Neumann | The Daily Illini | November 22, 2014

Reilly O'Toole was so excited he tripped over himself and nearly fell back down the staircase.

The senior quarterback was running up the stairs of Memorial Stadium's Block I student section to hug his friends. They stayed on campus an extra day into Thanksgiving break to watch him play his final game in Champaign.

O'Toole's parents and siblings were also in the crowd, escorting him prior to the game in a senior day celebration at midfield.

“I tried to hold back tears before the game as much as I could,” O'Toole said. And after the game, he was still holding back tears as he embraced his friends.

What his friends didn't know was they would be watching one of O'Toole's best games, as the Illini defeated Penn State 16-14 on a late field goal drive. It may not have been his best game statistically, but it was by far the most clutch.

The backup quarterback entered the game late in the first half, leading Illinois to a touchdown on his first drive. It was the first moment the Illini looked alive against a Penn State defense that ranked fourth in the country heading into the game.

“Whenever Reilly comes in, he gives us a spark,” wide receiver Mike Dudek said. “You never really expect it out of the second-string quarterback, but Reilly prepares like he is the starter in case his number is called and his number was called today.”

O'Toole connected with Dudek four times for 45 yards, taking the Illini down to the Penn State one yard line – a situation he didn't expect to find himself in. But after starter Wes Lunt threw four just 58 yards early in the game, O'Toole got his chance.

He took the snap on third and goal. He knew it would be one of his last at Memorial Stadium. 

He faked a hand-off and turned to look for an open receiver in the end zone. He found tight end Matt LaCosse for the score.

“I've always had a place for Reilly, but I've gained so much respect for him this year,” LaCosse said. “He's been put in some tough spots ever since freshman year and he's overcome them every time.”

In a game-changing moment, the ball was in O'Toole's hands.

“You can't script that stuff. It's incredible,” O'Toole said. “Those moments celebrating with your best friends, you can't emulate them.”

LaCosse and O'Toole's family homes are six minutes apart from each other, and the two have played against one another in different sports since they were in third grade. But they weren't close until becoming roommates freshman year. The pair has roomed with one another since.

“There's no better feeling than catching a touchdown from him and seeing his big, goofy smile come running at me,” LaCosse said.

The touchdown breathed new life into the Illini sideline, and the momentum remained with Illinois late into the game when O'Toole again led his team to a game-winning field goal drive — highlighted by kicker David Reisner's go-ahead field goal with just eight seconds remaining.

When the clock hit zero, O'Toole had thrown for 157 yards on 18 completions, and Illinois' bowl hopes remained alive heading into its final game against Northwestern.

“I can't say enough for Reilly O'Toole,” Beckman said. “He won the Homecoming game for us and now he can honestly say he was the quarterback that won a (senior day) game that hadn't been won in seven years here for these seniors.”

The only game O'Toole could compare Saturday's emotional level to was the Illinois state championship in his junior year of high school. That game went to double overtime, and the quarterback led Wheaton Warrenville South to a Class 7A title.

In a way, the Illini can think of next week's matchup against Northwestern as an overtime of their own. With low expectations, Illinois fighting for a bowl bid in its final game is a situation that's shocked most.

It might not be a prestigious title, but Illinois' shot at a bowl game is an opportunity for seniors like O'Toole to extend their careers by one more game.

“Hopefully we can go out and win this next game so we have a few more weeks together before everybody goes off and graduates, starts training for the NFL, or starts trying to get jobs,” O'Toole said. “We just want to stay together and be Illini for as long as we can.”

Sean can be reached at [email protected] and on Twitter @neumannthehuman.

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Illini football looks to block out distractions vs. Penn State

by Sean Neumann | The Daily Illini | November 20, 2014

The off-the-field distractions are abundant. The on-the-field necessities are even more so.

With a 4-6 record, the Illini football team needs to win its final two games to reach bowl eligibility — something the program has failed to do since defeating UCLA in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl in 2011.

But with the looming suspicions of head coach Tim Beckman’s firing at the end of the season and another losing year becoming more and more possible, there are distractions all around the program heading into Saturday’s game against Penn State.

“Kids are more resilient nowadays than they’ve ever been,” offensive coordinator Bill Cubit said. “These kids have got a lot going on. The kids just move on, which in my mind is a good thing. Football’s an important part of everybody’s lives, but family’s the most important thing and your education’s pretty important too.”

Cubit said technological differences between his generation and the players’ is a major factor too, with players being able to jump on social media following a game or get distracted from a loss by going on their cellphones or watching any of a thousand television channels.

The coordinator’s offense saw uncharacteristic struggles last week in a 30-14 loss to Iowa. Starting quarterback Wes Lunt returned from a five-week absence and the expectations for the Illini passing game were high.

The quarterback was pulled from the game in the fourth quarter, throwing a season-low 102 yards for just one touchdown with a 56 percent completion rating. It was the worst he’s been all season.

Beckman said the offense didn’t play up to expectations.

“It’s been more on us at times offensively than it’s been on somebody doing something to us,” Beckman said. “We’ve just been hurting ourselves offensively.”

Lunt said the Illini will bring a greater level of intensity the rest of the season, knowing they need to win out. But Illinois needs enough intensity to roll past a Nittany Lions defense that ranks fourth in the country in points against (16.2).

When it comes to its rushing defense, Penn State’s the best in the nation (83.1 yards per game) and the team’s passing defense is 16th, allowing 182.5 yards per game.

The Nittany Lions’ secondary is the most threatening to Illinois’ offensive scheme, which focuses heavily on passing the ball when Lunt is taking snaps. Penn State is 10th in the country with 15 picks.

On the opposite sideline, Illinois’ defense ranks worst in the conference, allowing 493.5 yards per game.

“We’re just getting beat,” Beckman said. “We’ve got to become better up front.”

Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg will look to pick apart an Illini defense that has made a habit out of allowing big plays.

Coming off a freshman season where he broke school records for completions (231), passing yards (2,955) and touchdowns (20) as a freshman, Hackenberg has had more difficulty in his second year. The sophomore has thrown 14 interceptions with just seven touchdown passes.

“He’s still a great player,” defensive coordinator Tim Banks said. “I think his surrounding cast is just a little bit different than what he had last year.”

But while the Illini players look to focus on one game at a time, the team’s attention is being spread out by whatever the consequences might be if Illinois doesn’t win its next two contests.

“This program’s not about the media, it’s not about me — it’s not about anybody other than the guys that are out there playing,” Beckman said. “You can bash or you can do whatever you’ve got to do, but that ain’t helping the 18- to 21-year-old

person who’s trying. Are they trying? Heck yeah, they’re trying.”

And with 18 seniors walking into Memorial Stadium for their final home game, the effort is expected to be there, fighting to reach a bowl game for the first time in three years.

“We’ve got to continue to build this program,” Beckman said. “And this program needs to be continually built.”

The looming question is whether that process will continue with or without Tim Beckman.

Sean can be reached at [email protected] and on Twitter @neumannthehuman.

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Beckman's job security in question

by Sean Neumann | The Daily Illini | November 18, 2014

Illinois head coach Tim Beckman said Monday he has been given no assurances by athletic director Mike Thomas regarding his job security for next season.

“It’s about winning and I understand that,” Beckman said.

The Illini are 4-6 (1-5 Big Ten) this season and have been 10-24 (2-20) in the past three seasons under the head coach.

Beckman said he and Thomas meet in the coach’s office every Wednesday morning to discuss what they can do to improve the Illini football program.

“He’s a phenomenal athletic director,” Beckman said. “He’s always asking me, ‘What can we do to help build this program?’”

There’s been speculation on Beckman’s firing since an early October loss to Purdue at home. The team has lost six of its last eight games.

“I’ve been around winning my whole life,” Beckman said. “This isn’t something that I enjoy by any means.”

Facing the possibility of his third consecutive losing season at Illinois, Beckman has focused on the team’s improvements — increasing the number of wins each year and still fighting for bowl eligibility heading into the final two games this season.

“I want to win for these kids,” Beckman said. “I want nothing but for these kids to experience what it’s like to change something.”

Injuries on the offensive line

Illinois’ offense struggled to get anything going against Iowa on Saturday, gaining a season-low 235 yards of total offense.

Two starting offensive linemen — junior guard Ted Karras and senior tackle Simon Cvijanovic — were absent with injuries against the Hawkeyes, leaving jumbled protection for quarterback Wes Lunt. 

Karras will be out for the rest of the season after tearing his ACL and MCL in his knee in a 55-14 loss to Ohio State.

Cvijanovic suffered a left shoulder injury against the Buckeyes. Beckman would not comment on the nature of the injury but said the senior is day-to-day and a decision will be made Thursday if he will play against Penn State.

Offensive coordinator Bill Cubit said redshirt freshman Christian DiLauro and junior Chris O’Connor were impressive while filling in Saturday.

“We have to figure out what we want to do with the center and the guard,” Cubit said. “With Joe (Spencer) and Alex (Hill), is Joe a better center? If Joe plays center, is Alex better there? Who knows with those guys there, so we’ll fool around with that.”

The Illini will need to be strong up front against Penn State with pass protection and opening lanes rushing the ball, going up against the third-ranked defense in the country of the Nittany Lions.

Offensive mistakes

 Illinois’ mental lapses on offense were costly in the loss to Iowa.

Lunt threw for a season-low 102 yards and completed a season-low 56 percent of his passes in his first game since early October.

“There’s going to be a higher intensity this week just knowing we have to win these last two,” Lunt said.

Illinois had eight penalties against Iowa, while the Hawkeyes had one. It was the biggest difference between Illinois and its opponent this season, and the mistakes proved costly, stalling drives, taking away first down conversions and setting the team back 59 yards in total.

And when talking about fixing those mistakes, Cubit echoed a sentiment about the Illini players that applies to the mood of the program all around.

“It’s not lack of effort,” Cubit said. “It’s just sometimes you’ve got to be almost perfect.”

Sean can be reached at [email protected] and on Twitter @neumannthehuman.

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Big Ten power rankings: Week 13

by Sean Neumann | The Daily Illini | November 18, 2014

1. Ohio State (Last week: 1)

The Buckeyes held off Minnesota to remain unbeaten in Big Ten play.

2. Wisconsin (3)

Running back Melvin Gordon rushed for an NCAA single-game record 408 yards in the Badgers win against No. 16 Nebraska.

3. Michigan State (2)

The Spartans had nearly 500 yards of total offense in a 37-15 win over Maryland last week.

4. Nebraska (4)

The Cornhuskers defense allowed Wisconsin 59 points on nearly 600 yards rushing Saturday.

5. Iowa (7)

The Hawkeyes shut down Illinois’ offense in a 30-14 win, holding the Illini to a season-low 235 yards.

6. Minnesota (6)

The Golden Gophers allowed 489 yards of offense in a close 31-24 loss to Ohio State.

7. Northwestern (9)

The Wildcats upset Notre Dame in overtime Saturday on four field goals and 547 yards of total offense.

8. Maryland (5)

The Terrapins had just six rushing yards in Saturday’s 37-15 loss to Michigan State. 

9. Michigan (8)

The Wolverines are second-to-last in the conference with just 20.7 points per game.

10. Penn State (10)

The Nittany Lions are rushing for a conference-worst 103.3 yards per game.

11. Rutgers (11)

The Scarlet Knights defeated Indiana 45-23 despite allowing Hoosier running back Tevin Coleman 307 yards.

12. Purdue (12)

The Boilermakers offense is miserable. They rank last in the Big Ten in first downs per game.

13. Illinois (13)

The Illini had eight penalties in Saturday’s loss to Iowa.

14. Indiana (14)

The Hoosiers lost to Rutgers 45-23 despite outgaining the Scarlet Knights on offense.

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Illini offense breaking records early in season

by Sean Neumann | The Daily Illini | November 21, 2014

Illinois' offense has already been record breaking.

The Illini have averaged 100.3 points per game through their first three contests, scoring more than 100 in their last two games — the first time Illinois has done so since 1993.

“They really shot the ball well,” Austin Peay coach Dave Loos said after Illinois' 107-66 win Friday at State Farm Center. “It's been a long time since I've seen a team shoot the basketball as well as they did tonight.”

Illinois made 29 3-pointers in its last two wins, the most for an Illini team since 2005's national runner-up squad.

“This is a fun team,” senior Nnanna Egwu said. “Sometimes I wish I could just sit back and watch us.”

Senior guard Rayvonte Rice leads Illinois with 54 points in the team's first three games.

Illini coach John Groce said Rice arrives early for every game and shoots for nearly an hour beforehand. Groce complemented the senior for his hard work.

“Ray's getting what he deserves and what he's earned,” Groce said.

Rice said this year's Illini team has more shooters than last year's squad.

Illinois has had a player reach double-digit scoring 15 times already this season.

Five Illini players scored more than 10 points in Friday's win — Egwu, Rice, Malcolm Hill, Ahmad Starks, and Kendrick Nunn, while Leron Black and Mike LaTulip were both a bucket away from double figures Friday.

But that's not what impresses Groce the most about the offense.

“The thing that stands out the most to me was our unselfishness,” Groce said. “I just thought we really shared the ball.”

The Illini have 55 assists in their first three games, creating open shots with heavy ball movement.

Shooting 75 percent in the second half Friday, Illinois netted its second straight win of more than 40 points. The team also shot a season-high 56 percent from beyond the arc — increasing that percentage in every game so far this season.

“It was just one of those nights where the shots were falling,” Groce said.

And if Illini shots continue to fall this season, there may be more records to break on the horizon.

Sean can be reached at [email protected] and on Twitter @neumannthehuman.

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Illinois basketball quickly improves in first two games

by Sean Neumann | The Daily Illini | November 18, 2014

The same 15 players were on the court in Illinois’ first two games, but it seemed like a different team came to play in each.

The Illini struggled to pull away from Georgia Southern in Friday night’s 80-71 win, but quickly buried Coppin State 114-56.

Friday’s game had 14 lead changes, but Illinois only needed one on Sunday with a different energy on the court.

Illinois head coach John Groce was surprised by the lack of enthusiasm the team brought in the season opener Friday night.

“Usually in an opener guys are excited to play,” Groce said. “We had to adjust our approach.”

The team’s mental adjustments between Friday and Sunday led to improvements on the scoreboard.

Hot shooting from guard duo

Illinois proved the team’s ability to control games with shooting in Sunday night’s win.

Transfers Aaron Cosby and Ahmad Starks had nine 3-pointers of their own and combined for 35 points.

“We’ve got some guys who can make shots,” Groce said. “That’s part of who we are.”

The Illini made 15 three-pointers and had six players in double-digits.

“They’re really balanced,” Coppin State coach Michael Grant said. “I was very impressed with the way they shared the basketball.”

The team shot 55.4 percent Sunday night after shooting 41.1 percent two days before.

Rebounding still a concern

Groce voiced concern about Illinois’ big men having trouble rebounding and said the team “hasn’t been up to snuff” in that category.

The Illini were out-rebounded 41-34 Friday night by Georgia Southern.

“We got beat up pretty good on the glass,” Groce said. “At some point it will cost us. I gave them the Mark Twain quote: ‘Some people learn by listening, some people learn by seeing and some people learn by peeing on an electric fence.’”

The quote is really from the early 20th Century humorist Will Rogers, but Groce still got his point across.

Center Nnanna Egwu has struggled early with just three rebounds in the first two games.

The senior has just three rebounds in two games.

Malcolm Hill led the Illini with seven rebounds Friday, but Groce was looking for more out of the sophomore.

Hill improved his rebounding total to nine Sunday and said he played more physical.

Defensive consistency

Illinois allowed Georgia Southern to erase three 10-point leads and hang in the game late.

But the script was flipped Sunday.

The Illini had 28 points off turnovers against Coppin State after scoring just nine against Georgia Southern two days before.

Groce said Sunday’s game was the first time he felt the Illini had an edge to them defensively. And if the team’s first two games are any indication, Illinois needs that edge to succeed throughout the year.

Sean can be reached at [email protected] and on Twitter @Neumannthehuman.

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Hill epitomizes Illinois basketball’s improvement

by Sean Neumann | The Daily Illini | November 19, 2014

It’s no secret Illinois basketball’s biggest strength is its depth.

The Illini have already had players hit double-digit scoring 10 times in its first two wins — none more noticeable than sophomore forward Malcolm Hill, who did so in both games.

Sunday’s performance impressed Illinois coach John Groce after a 80-71 win over Georgia Southern Friday.

“If you have 24 assists on 41 field goals, you’re really being unselfish and moving and sharing the ball,” Groce said after Sunday’s 114-56 win. “Tonight’s story was the defense and the way the guys in our locker room responded to our film session.”

One of the guys Groce was particularly hard on was Hill.

The sophomore turned the ball over three times Friday night, shooting 33.3 percent with four missed shots.

“I told him I felt like someone jumped in his body Friday night that wasn’t him,” Groce said. “I want him to compete.”

Sunday night was different. Hill shot 66.6 percent and racked up 13 points in Illinois’ 58-point win.

“I just love the way they responded,” Groce said. “We have a competitive group, and they have a lot of pride.”

So competitive that Hill called himself out during the press conference and said that he played too soft during the win over Georgia Southern.

“I was more physical and aggressive,” Hill said about his change in performance and attitude. “I really just focused on playing hard on the defense end and getting a lot of rebounds.”

And Hill got a lot of rebounds. He brought down nine rebounds to bring his team-leading total to 16. After two games, the sophomore nearly has 20 percent of the 85 total rebounds he had in 35 games last season.

While Hill is tied for seventh in the Big Ten in rebounds per game early on, the Illini have quickly dropped to 12th in the conference, allowing opponents 38 rebounds per game.

Hill said the team came into the season opener with a cocky attitude after a 29-point exhibition win over Quincy the weekend before. 

Illini players caught themselves walking around the court and not getting ready in set defensive positions.

“I think we had the ‘too-cool’ mindset,” Hill said. “We were feeling ourselves a little bit, and we have to get out of that funk. We can have that sometimes.”

Groce has tried to start breaking the Illini out of the “too-cool” mindset. His attempts even goes as far as not letting the players text on their phones when they go out to eat.

Hill said the Illini coach often tells them, “talking is cool” to get them to talk more. 

Groce has held up Nnanna Egwu as the most vocal player on the team. However, Egwu has been quiet on the stat sheet in the team’s first two games.

The senior has just three rebounds in 45 minutes this season, causing a need for players like Hill to step up until Egwu gets into the rhythm and begins producing like he’s expected to in his final year with Illinois.

When players aren’t performing at the level Groce expects them to be at, it’s easy to tell. Whether the coach is screaming,

kicking or slamming something down along the sidelines, his feelings are clear.

Hill said Groce’s tendency to yell at players in order to teach them lessons initially bothered him his freshman season.

“That was probably because I was a little more immature last year,” Hill said. “I’ve got a year under my belt this year, so I expect him to expect a lot out of me and help other guys.”

But Hill doesn’t want Groce’s voice out of his ears in his second season.

“I think it’s a good thing,” Hill said. “If I’m not getting yelled at, that probably means they don’t expect a lot out of me.”

Sean can be reached at [email protected] and on Twitter @neumannthehuman.

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by Sean Neumann | buzz Magazine | Round Table Review 11.14.14 Something about Hot Fuss strikes the deepest chords of nostalgia in my heart. The Killers’ debut album starts off strong, with four of the first five tracks turning into singles from the album. Then moving onto Sam’s Town and beyond, The Killers’ music isn’t anything extremely unique, but somehow it finds a way to be. Remove Flowers’ voice and it would be hard to point to a new track and say, “This sounds like The Killers.” But without intending to be anything special, the Las Vegas band became one of the biggest rock ‘n roll bands in the world. – Sean Neumann

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Episode Overview:

The buzz Music Staff talks about the magazine’s “Best of CU” issue and discusses the winners in each music category.

Song of the Week (@ 36:14): “Sister” – Los Assparados

Download buzz Magazine’s HIVE Sessions for free over on bandcamp at buzzmagazine.bandcamp.com

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Winner: Exile on Main St. (Best CU Record Store)

by Sean Neumann | buzz Magazine | November 14, 2014 In a college town, things are always changing.

Exile on Main Street has been a mark of consistency as a part of the local music scene for over a decade, most known for its location on Main Street in downtown Champaign.

But recently, the record store moved to a new location a few blocks away on Chestnut Street near downtown Champaign. The store sells everything from local music to national and international records. There’s also a hefty selection of used vinyl, tapes, CDs and video games. Exile has often hosted shows or in-store performances, most notably during the annual Pygmalion Music Festival where bands have performed outside of the store.

Local musician and former Exile employee Isaac Arms said the store’s central downtown location and the store’s decade-long existence is the reason the store is often regarded as the best in Champaign-Urbana.

“The new location is amazing,” Arms said. “I’m very excited to see it bloom.”

With the new location–which features a gigantic art replica of the Rolling Stones’ 1972 album of the same name–the record store’s decade-plus run continues in Champaign and remains the top place to buy music in the minds of many in CU.

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Winner: '90s Daughter (Best CU Cover Band)

by Sean Neumann | buzz Magazine | November 14, 2014

Another year, another win for ‘90s Daughter as Champaign-Urbana’s best cover band. ‘90s Daughter is a four-piece cover band that mainly plays songs from the ‘90s in its set but also dips into hits from modern artists like Katy Perry and Lady Gaga.

Having just celebrated their fifth anniversary, the band feels it’s in full stride. Whether they’re tossing beads into the crowd or directing those in the audience to take shots, the band said they aim to bring energy to the stage every night. Frontman Tom Grassman said the band is also tireless in its efforts to promote itself.

“You’ve got to bang the drum loud and often,” Grassman said. “You could be the best band on your block, but if no one knows, it doesn’t matter.”

The efforts have paid off, allowing the band to tour all around the country. But Grassman said the band hasn’t found a better scene to play in than the one in CU. “It has been a privilege to be a part of the CU music scene,” Grassman said. “I’ve toured around the country on a labeled act and as a hired gun, and have made the assessment that CU is one of the best scenes around. I love it here.”

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Winner: Canopy Club (Best CU Venue)

by Sean Neumann | buzz Magazine | November 14, 2014

When searching for each month’s shows in Champaign-Urbana, The Canopy Club is always one of the first places to check.

The Urbana venue has become historic since opening its doors in 1998, running three show spaces in one venue (the Void Room, the Small Hall, the Theater).

The Canopy Club has hosted a wide variety of acts, from Snoop Dogg to Eric Church to Neutral Milk Hotel to Skrillex.

“Over the years, we have never shied away from any particular genre or style of music—or non-music events for that matter,” said Michael Armintrout, talent buyer and director of marketing for the Canopy Club.

The Canopy Club is also an integral part of the local music scene, allowing local bands a venue to play at with a bigger feel to it, hosting events like Monday Night House Party which features local bills along with mixed local events like the annual Pygmalion Music Festival.

“We try our best to keep up with national and regional music trends and keep the talent we’re promoting at the Canopy relevant to the campus and community audience,” Armintrout said. “For a market the size of Urbana-Champaign, I feel that we—the whole Urbana-Champaign music community—have historically been ahead of national trends and on par with larger markets like Chicago. The ever-evolving and progressive-thinking campus audience definitely helps the market maintain that place.”

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Winner: Elsinore (Best CU Band)

by Sean Neumann | buzz Magazine | November 14, 2014 It’s no surprise Elsinore was chosen as the best band in Champaign-Urbana yet again this year.

The indie-pop band has held a stronghold over the title in a constantly changing, constantly productive CU music scene. Elsinore is growing stronger as time goes on too, having released two full-length albums and two EPs within the last four years. The Champaign band lives and breathes CU, signed to Parasol Records (Urbana) and still playing house shows in the area, despite earning the right to step out of the basement scene through select commercial success.

Elsinore’s focus on remaining local while branching out in a marketing sense has gained attention from other artists in the area as well.

“I think the key to keeping that ‘local sweetheart’ status for so long is making sure that you are being involved in the community as much as possible,” said Vivian McConnell, singer and guitarist of Grandkids. “From what I’ve seen over the last five years, Elsinore has been super active all over town playing benefit concerts, Ryan (Groff) playing solo, encouraging a very supportive music scene, etc. Their dedication really pays off.”

A lot can be said about Elsinore and a lot has already been said over the years, but according to McConnell, it just takes one show to understand the effect the band has on its audience.

“At the last show I saw them play at Cowboy Monkey, there was a kid on the top step of the stairs that lead onto the stage,” McConnell said. “He was practically drooling on (keyboardist Mark) Woolwine and all bent up watching Ryan sing. He was punching the air and holding his hands over his heart and feeling every word to every song. At first, I found myself laughing at this kid but then I realized how cool it was to see someone having such a physical, emotional reaction to Elsinore’s music.”