Seems like kind of a trivial thing out of a Disney movie to me. If the mentality of the team is such that something like this means something so be it. I know who they are without the names.

Posted by jturner on September 18, 2008 at 9:27 AM

I don't like the idea.If you can't play team ball just send that player to the bench.Of course we won't know who it is because there won't be a name on back for the fans to see.

Posted by jlf2626 on September 18, 2008 at 11:53 AM

I like the idea of state parks closing while athletes get new unis every year.

Posted by Wenalway on September 18, 2008 at 5:06 PM

Wenalway, what article are you reading? Sounds like you and Blagojevich should be out campaigning for O'bama so we can raise enough money to put their names back on the jerseys. State park closures and uniforms? WTF?

Posted by 2dogbutts on September 18, 2008 at 6:32 PM

Now we can join Ohio State in having the ugliest uniforms in the league. I actually wouldn't want my name on the back of those jerseys. They look like they shrunk in the dryer. But, I assume our deal with Nike includes letting them dictate our "athletic fashion."

Posted by Shooter on September 19, 2008 at 8:37 AM

I say that any player who is to worried about playing for the name on the back instead the name on the front, can sit his sorry @$& on the bench. Illinois basketball is looking for a return to glory and whether player names are on the jerseys or not should have nothing to do with getting back to where Illinois Basketball used to be. Personally, I would prefer the names on the back, but nobody asks me what to do!

Posted by pankey8 on September 19, 2008 at 3:22 PM

Maybe instead of new uniforms we could afford a free throw coach

Posted by BBFAN on September 20, 2008 at 9:31 AM

I don't know about anyone else, but I HATE jerseys with no names on the back (both football and basketball). I hate having to remember the association between a number and a name. And when an opponent wears jerseys like that, it's especially frustrating.

Posted by bernies on September 20, 2008 at 10:26 AM

I just re-read the first line of the article: "After a season with too much "me" and not enough "we," the Illini hope to clean their dirty laundry."

Paul, I don't seem to remember a season with too much "me" last year??

Posted by bernies on September 20, 2008 at 10:28 AM

That team needed more me, as it had no one who could claim to be "me".

Just further indication that Bruce doesn't get it. Other coaches have tried this and it doesn't work.

Posted by Kducey on September 20, 2008 at 12:50 PM

Keep the numbers. Everyone likes their name on the uni. It up to you to live up to it. Also, may not be a recruiting plus if it becomes a mainstay.

Posted by ui1969 on September 25, 2008 at 5:32 PM

Hey, Klee

What's all this stuff about removing the last names from Illinois basketball jerseys?

Sounds like story for the West Coast. What's your take on the Great (and I say that with respect) Bruce Weber's action.

Tony Harvey

AP Sports Correspondent,

Sacramento, Calif.

Posted by CalifromChampaign on September 30, 2008 at 8:45 PM

I thought they added the names on the back of the jerseys for the fans, not the players. I am officially old, since the Ohio State style uniforms are just AWFUL!!

Posted by hpaulh on September 30, 2008 at 9:47 PM