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Monday meanderings: The search for a basketball coach at Illinois to replace Bruce Weber is putting the emphasis on I-L-L. Which is how a lot of interested Illini fans are feeling with the likes of Shaka Smart and Brad Stevens declining to take the job. Of course, the process is less important than the result and who finally does become coach. But the process is not making athletic director Mike Thomas look good. The only thing that will is a trip to the NCAA tournament — as a participating team — regardless of who’s coaching.
A photo of model Irina Shayk or one of the Illinois coaching candidates? The staff around here figures it's no contest.
* Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah apologized Sunday to the officiating crew after he was tossed from Saturday night’s victory against the Toronto Raptors for tossing the ball in referee Derrick Collins’ direction. Noah is expected to avoid a suspension. “I just feel bad for what happened,” Noah said. “I just want to apologize to the ref for coming at him like that. It was wrong of me. I was just frustrated, and I just hope he reads this and accepts my apology.” Plus there were extenuating circumstances: His Florida Gators had lost an Elite Eight game to Louisville earlier Saturday.
* Speaking of apologies, Boston Red Sox reliever Bobby Jenks (the former Chicago White Sox closer) apologized to the team Sunday for his arrest Friday for DUI charges. “I am embarrassed by the situation and apologize to my teammates and to the Red Sox organization for any distractions I may have caused,” Jenks, 31, said in a statement released by the Red Sox. “I still need to let the legal process run its course and until it does, I will not be able to make any further comment.” Two words of advice for Jenks: designated driver.
* Speaking of driving (OK, so this will be the golfing variety), the ninth annual Otis Wilson Charity Golf Outing will be Aug. 2 at Indian Lakes Resort in Bloomingdale, Ill. Among those scheduled to attend are former Chicago Bears teammates Jim McMcahon, Richard Dent, Steve McMichael, Dan Hampton, Gary Fencik and Dennis McKinnon with more names to follow. Information is available by clicking here.
* Speaking of golf, Tiger Woods wins the Arnold Palmer Invitational. It was his first PGA victory in 30 months. At the rate Woods was going, the question was which would occur first: Woods winning a tournament or having a tournament named for him?
* Boxing writer/historian Bert Randolph Sugar died Sunday. He was 75. His trademark fedora may have been even older.
* Roller derby, anyone? The Windy City Rollers are preparing for their first bout season March 31 against the Naptown Roller Girls at the UIC Pavillion. The Second Wind take on Naptown’s Warning Belles at 6 p.m. with the WCR All-Stars scheduled to meet the Tornado Sirens at 7:30. Amanda Crockett will provide halftime entertainment with a gravity-defying performance. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster, the UIC Box Office and from your favorite skaters and officials! General admission is $20, VIP $35. Group of 25 or more can receive a 40 percent discount on the regular ticket price! Email ticketsales@windycityrollers.com before Wednesday (March 28) for more info. If nothing else, here is some video of the aforementioned Amanda:
OK, how about some random Sports Illustrated swimsuit video? Thought that’s what the editorial staff at elliottharris.com thought you’d say:
And something from 2011:
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