Pregame: Illinois vs Auburn, Saturday, December 29th, 1:15pm CT, BTN

IlliniSpine · Dec 27, 2012, 10:10 PM

We win on Saturday, we move up to #11. #8 Cincy lost at home tonight to unranked NM!

trevdv · Dec 27, 2012, 10:15 PM

Glad Cincy lost, otherwise we probably wouldn't have moved up any. Now we're at least #11 if we win Saturday, maybe even #10 if Louisville loses to Kentucky.

Dan · Dec 28, 2012, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Illini to make annual trip to the United Center

Despite his desire for more games in Champaign, Groce - like his boss, athletic director Mike Thomas who said during his introductory press conference that he wanted Illinois to be "king of Chicago" - understands the importance of the yearly trip to the Windy City.

"I like it. I love going up there," Groce said. "Obviously, it's our largest alumni base. We're excited to go to Chicago. It's a huge area, not only for alumni but from a recruiting standpoint. We're excited for the opportunity to play up there. Our guys are looking forward to it.

"We want to keep doing it for sure, a lot like the Missouri game. I think they're two games that really make a lot of sense for us."

Jeremy Werner

Illinikeith98 · Dec 28, 2012, 07:44 AM

His first live Illini basketball game. Any Illini gatherings before the game (6-year old friendly

) ?

DrewD007 · Dec 28, 2012, 07:45 AM

I think our non-con schedule would be fine with... United Center game, Braggin' Rights, return game for previous year's United Center game (however in years where we won't return, such as UIC, then do a tournament), then the rest home games (with the occasional away as part of the B1G/ACC challenge).

Dan · Dec 28, 2012, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Q&A: Coach John Groce

Tell us a little about Auburn, what can we expect?

JG: "Well the biggest thing that concerns me is their rebounding. They've got 40 percent or more back on the glass for five consecutive games. I think it's one of the things - maybe the best thing - that they've got. And you know, you can say well I can see where you'd be concerned because we got hammered on the backboard on Saturday night. We've got to compete better on the glass than what we did on Saturday. A large part of that is not as simple as just blocking out. I think a big reason why they got us on the glass on Saturday was because Phil Pressey was inside our defense creating rotations, and when you create rotations it's hard to block out, so obviously keeping the ball out of the paint helps in being able to rebound the basketball better. Their two guards, Denson and Sullivan are really good off the dribble. They're gonna challenge us as well in terms of getting into the paint. We gotta try to keep them out of the paint, but rebounding is really where that thing starts, and we gotta make a ton of strides in that area."

Fletcher Page

SteakSandwich · Dec 28, 2012, 08:33 AM

I like the Kentucky or Marquette idea to not have a return visit, also thought make the Kentucky visit in Indy to shove it up Indiana's behind. I personally would like to get a game with Butler every year in Indy. I know that won't happen but would love to get to get major games in the big cities surrounding the campus.

JoeyJackMo · Dec 28, 2012, 10:23 AM

For anyone looking for pregame festivities:

Joe's Bar on Weed St. (the official Chicago Illini bar) is doing an all-you-can-eat all-you-can-drink for $30 before the game. They will have a free shuttle too and from the United Center as well. Their is a group of Marching Illini Alums that will be playing from 11-12:30 before the game. It should be good time with good music. I'll be there playing and watching the game. Go Illini!

CUWPC · Dec 28, 2012, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeyJackMo

For anyone looking for pregame festivities:

Joe's Bar on Weed St. (the official Chicago Illini bar) is doing an all-you-can-eat all-you-can-drink for $30 before the game. They will have a free shuttle too and from the United Center as well. Their is a group of Marching Illini Alums that will be playing from 11-12:30 before the game. It should be good time with good music. I'll be there playing and watching the game. Go Illini!

It shows $60 for the pregame with a ride to the UC. Am I missing something?

Warriorhillillini · Dec 28, 2012, 11:14 AM

will be there also.............Section 118!!!!!!!!!!!!

JoeyJackMo · Dec 28, 2012, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CUWPC

It shows $60 for the pregame with a ride to the UC. Am I missing something?

Sorry, it use to be $30...but as of December 24th, it went up $60. Sorry for the confusion.

RichBradIllini · Dec 28, 2012, 11:23 AM

From the Fletcher Page article...

"UIC is expected back every three years, according to Illinois spokesman Derrick Burson, though Illinois delayed the Flames a year to make room for Gonzaga in Jan. 2010."

Uuuuuugh.

U of I 89-05-10 · Dec 28, 2012, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichBradIllini

From the Fletcher Page article...

"UIC is expected back every three years, according to Illinois spokesman Derrick Burson, though Illinois delayed the Flames a year to make room for Gonzaga in Jan. 2010."

Uuuuuugh.

Can't we play them at that stupid Sears Centre or whatever and then schedule a legitimate opponent for the UC??

ThreeInOne4Ever · Dec 28, 2012, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by U of I 89-05-10

Can't we play them at that stupid Sears Centre or whatever and then schedule a legitimate opponent for the UC??

IIRC, this whole UIC setup is mandated by the Board of Trustees (as they oversee both campuses), is it not?

IlliniRyan13 · Dec 28, 2012, 12:11 PM

Looking forward to my first UC game since the '07 loss to 'Zona, will be in section 111. While the seniors couldn't beat Mizzou they do break the UC streak tomorrow.

75
Auburn 63

FeelYourPaign · Dec 28, 2012, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IlliniRyan13

Looking forward to my first UC game since the '07 loss to 'Zona, will be in section 111.

Cheer for me, please !
I'll be doing the family Christmas thing, watching my phone on the side.

U of I 89-05-10 · Dec 28, 2012, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThreeInOne4Ever

IIRC, this whole UIC setup is mandated by the Board of Trustees (as they oversee both campuses), is it not?

That's correct, but I don't believe they say where... Do they? If they don't, why not just play them somewhere smaller and use our UC game more to our advantage?

Dan · Dec 28, 2012, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Da Bulls #illini http://pic.twitter.com/GdOKph5N

http://twitter.com/momash09

Holdemall · Dec 28, 2012, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IlliniSpine

We win on Saturday, we move up to #11. #8 Cincy lost at home tonight to unranked NM!

"Unranked UNM" had been ranked 16th prior to their first loss of the season to a decent South Dakota St. squad last week.

trevdv · Dec 28, 2012, 12:57 PM

Quote:

The #Illini huddle up prior to practice at the @unitedcenter. No. 12 Illinois vs. Auburn Sat. at 1:15 pm at the UC. http://pic.twitter.com/qGdLDwFC

http://twitter.com/IlliniHoops

Warriors1994 · Dec 28, 2012, 01:17 PM

Any new number on tickets sold last i saw was 13000? Hope they have sold more the past week or so.

Dan · Dec 28, 2012, 01:25 PM

Quote:

#12 Illinois takes on Auburn at the United Center tomorrow! Need it packed with (Illini) Orange. #illini #beatAuburn http://pic.twitter.com/wm7GSV8j

http://twitter.com/IlliniDesign

trevdv · Dec 28, 2012, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Warriors1994

Any new number on tickets sold last i saw was 13000? Hope they have sold more the past week or so.

There are only a limited number of tickets left for two more sections as of now on ticketmaster.com, which means that only two more sections haven't sold that many tickets. In other words, anything below the 300 section is now "limited availability," which means everything other than the tippy-top of the UC is nearly sold-out.

Warriors1994 · Dec 28, 2012, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trevdv

There are only a limited number of tickets left for two more sections as of now on ticketmaster.com, which means that only two more sections haven't sold that many tickets. In other words, anything below the 300 section is now "limited availability," which means everything other than the tippy-top of the UC is nearly sold-out.

Thats great to hear. Last year i had a 100 section that only my family was in it was a corner one but we moved down 15 rows without going by anyone.

i was looking on ticketmaster and best place for 2 tix was 313

WesterveltVictoryCigar · Dec 28, 2012, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Warriors1994

Any new number on tickets sold last i saw was 13000? Hope they have sold more the past week or so.

Quote:

Jason Heggemeyer
@J_Hegg
Plotting out tickets with @BrianAmentt at United Center for tomorrow's #Illini game vs Auburn. Expecting over 15,000. #BusinessTrip

Dec 28, 2012, 07:44 AM	#79
Illinikeith98 Posts: 91	Bringing my son to the game..... His first live Illini basketball game. Any Illini gatherings before the game (6-year old friendly ) ?

Dec 28, 2012, 07:45 AM	#80
DrewD007 Location: Swansea, IL Posts: 3,529	I think our non-con schedule would be fine with... United Center game, Braggin' Rights, return game for previous year's United Center game (however in years where we won't return, such as UIC, then do a tournament), then the rest home games (with the occasional away as part of the B1G/ACC challenge). __________________ Follow me! http://www.twitter.com/illinidrew11

Dec 27, 2012, 10:10 PM	#76
IlliniSpine Location: Seattle Area, WA Posts: 1,102	We win on Saturday, we move up to #11. #8 Cincy lost at home tonight to unranked NM!

Dec 27, 2012, 10:15 PM	#77
trevdv Location: Champaign Posts: 2,571	Glad Cincy lost, otherwise we probably wouldn't have moved up any. Now we're at least #11 if we win Saturday, maybe even #10 if Louisville loses to Kentucky.

Dec 28, 2012, 08:33 AM	#82
SteakSandwich Location: Danville, IL Posts: 110	I like the Kentucky or Marquette idea to not have a return visit, also thought make the Kentucky visit in Indy to shove it up Indiana's behind. I personally would like to get a game with Butler every year in Indy. I know that won't happen but would love to get to get major games in the big cities surrounding the campus.

Dec 28, 2012, 10:23 AM	#83
JoeyJackMo Location: Champaign, IL Posts: 9	For anyone looking for pregame festivities: Joe's Bar on Weed St. (the official Chicago Illini bar) is doing an all-you-can-eat all-you-can-drink for $30 before the game. They will have a free shuttle too and from the United Center as well. Their is a group of Marching Illini Alums that will be playing from 11-12:30 before the game. It should be good time with good music. I'll be there playing and watching the game. Go Illini!

Dec 28, 2012, 11:14 AM	#85
Warriorhillillini Location: Virginia, IL Posts: 14	will be there also.............Section 118!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dec 28, 2012, 11:23 AM	#87
RichBradIllini Posts: 90	From the Fletcher Page article... "UIC is expected back every three years, according to Illinois spokesman Derrick Burson, though Illinois delayed the Flames a year to make room for Gonzaga in Jan. 2010." Uuuuuugh.

Dec 28, 2012, 12:11 PM	#90
IlliniRyan13 Posts: 244	Looking forward to my first UC game since the '07 loss to 'Zona, will be in section 111. While the seniors couldn't beat Mizzou they do break the UC streak tomorrow. 75 Auburn 63

Dec 28, 2012, 01:17 PM	#96
Warriors1994 Posts: 615	Any new number on tickets sold last i saw was 13000? Hope they have sold more the past week or so.