Illinois vs Auburn at the United Center, Saturday, December 29th

[Dan]

So it didn't work out with Alabama then.

The Illini are also busy finalizing their last major non-conference game. Illinois will play Auburn on Dec. 29 at the United Center in Chicago to fill the final significant game on the schedule.

Andy Katz

[CharlesLawrence]

I'm an Auburn grad and have been an Illinois fan my whole life.. This game was made for me.


Not to mention this is a W for the illini that is really needed in Chicago.

War Eagle!

[NV Illini 74]

Bo Jackson lives in Chicago now. Ought to comp him some tickets behind the Auburn bench so he gets in the TV picture.

If you ever get a chance to see the Biography show on Bo, WOW. What an amazing athlete.

[BrooksTaylorFan]

I can't imagine why we have such a hard time selling out the UC game. I know we need an easy win this season, but playing teams like UIC, UNLV, and Auburn doesn't exactly excite the Chicago fanbase or potential recruits.

[Dan]

Illinois' results at the UC (minus the BTT games)-

14-6 (0.700)

Dec. 04, 1994___Duke_______L___65-70
Dec. 23, 1995___Cal________W___83-69
Dec. 21, 1996___UCLA_______W___79-63
Dec. 13, 1997___Clemson____W___71-61
Dec. 05, 1998___Bradley____W___53-48
Nov. 30, 1999___Duke_______L___69-72
Dec. 18, 1999___Kansas_____W___84-70
Dec. 16, 2000___Arizona____W___81-73
Dec. 08, 2001___Arkansas___W___94-91
Dec. 14, 2002___Temple_____W___70-54
Dec. 06, 2003___Arkansas___W___84-61
Dec. 29, 2003___UIC________W___75-60
Dec. 11, 2004___Oregon_____W___83-66
Dec. 03, 2005___Xavier_____W___65-62
Dec. 09, 2006___UIC________W___71-66
Dec. 08, 2007___Arizona____L___72-78 OT
Dec. 06, 2008___Georgia____W___76-42
Jan. 02, 2010___Gonzaga____L___83-85 OT
Dec. 18, 2010___UIC________L___54-57
Dec. 17, 2011___UNLV_______L___64-48

[illinoisportsfan]

Illinois has had some brutal losses in Chicago the last several years -- not exactly the way to get the city to embrace the program.

[danielb927]

Gotta get at least one W in Chi town while I'm an undergrad! Last chance this year... maybe I'll actually go up for it this time.

[NV Illini 74]

Originally Posted by BrooksTaylorFan

I can't imagine why we have such a hard time selling out the UC game. I know we need an easy win this season, but playing teams like UIC, UNLV, and Auburn doesn't exactly excite the Chicago fanbase or potential recruits.

We better play better against Auburn than we did against UIC and UNLV or we might not be INVITED to play there, let alone have to worry about selling it out!

[BrooksTaylorFan]

Originally Posted by NV Illini 74

We better play better against Auburn than we did against UIC and UNLV or we might not be INVITED to play there, let alone have to worry about selling it out!

If Weber were still here, I would be worried. Now that we have an aggressive coach who doesn't play not to lose, we'll be fine. If Thomas truly wants to win back Chicago, they have to schedule better matchups that this one. Maybe Charles Barkley will show up to watch the game.

[256ILLINI]

Illinois is going to stomp the crap out of the barners.

PS - Devin Langford's cousin, Josh Langford, plays for Auburn.

[IlliniPunk]

Originally Posted by 256ILLINI

Illinois is going to stomp the crap out of the barners.

PS - Devin Langford's cousin, Josh Langford, plays for Auburn.

His cousin was kicked off the team, IIRC. A few weeks ago.

[FeelYourPaign]

Originally Posted by IlliniPunk

His cousin was kicked off the team, IIRC. A few weeks ago.

Oops !

[uinuke81]

Sitting here surrounded by Auburn grads. To be honest, they really don't give a rip about basketball other than Charles Barkely hero worship. Basketball season is just filler between New Year's Day and Spring Football. Nevertheless, it will be fun sitting at one of the B'HAM local Buffalo Wild Wings with my Illini gear on.

[Kramer116]

I will be there again. We need to win one finally for me being in attendance.

[256ILLINI]

Originally Posted by IlliniPunk

His cousin was kicked off the team, IIRC. A few weeks ago.

Not surprising. He was suspended for a big part of last season and I guess Tony Barbee finally had enough, and his limit is probably much higher than others since he comes from the Calipari tree.

[Foo G]

I'm surprised at the date. I don't remember (or care to research) the dates from previous years, but this seems later than usual to hold this game.

[KBLEE]

Originally Posted by Foo G

I'm surprised at the date. I don't remember (or care to research) the dates from previous years, but this seems later than usual to hold this game.

I'm not sure if I ever remember it being after Christmas.

[HsvIllini]

Looks like a good way to spend New Year's weekend...

[dgcrow]

I'm gonna be pulling for the Orange & Blue! (Illini orange and blue, that is.)

[HeartofaChampion]

Boring opponent chosen. Good news is Auburn hasn't been good at b-ball for many years. Bad news is it won't help our RPI or tournament resume and may draw a light UC crowd.

[ILLINIDAWG]

Yes! After the Dawgs whup their butt the Illini will too!

[illinicb]

Originally Posted by Dan

Illinois' results at the UC (minus the BTT games)-

14-6 (0.700)

Dec. 04, 1994___Duke_______L___65-70
Dec. 23, 1995___Cal________W___83-69
Dec. 21, 1996___UCLA_______W___79-63
Dec. 13, 1997___Clemson____W___71-61
Dec. 05, 1998___Bradley____W___53-48
Nov. 30, 1999___Duke_______L___69-72
Dec. 18, 1999___Kansas_____W___84-70
Dec. 16, 2000___Arizona____W___81-73
Dec. 08, 2001___Arkansas___W___94-91
Dec. 14, 2002___Temple_____W___70-54
Dec. 06, 2003___Arkansas___W___84-61
Dec. 29, 2003___UIC________W___75-60
Dec. 11, 2004___Oregon_____W___83-66
Dec. 03, 2005___Xavier_____W___65-62
Dec. 09, 2006___UIC________W___71-66
Dec. 08, 2007___Arizona____L___72-78 OT
Dec. 06, 2008___Georgia____W___76-42
Jan. 02, 2010___Gonzaga____L___83-85 OT
Dec. 18, 2010___UIC________L___54-57
Dec. 17, 2011___UNLV_______L___64-48

The last two years I felt like Charlie Brown and the Illini were Lucy.

I'm not sure I'm going to try again this year.

[Ransom Stoddard]

Originally Posted by KBLEE

I'm not sure if I ever remember it being after Christmas.

The Gonzaga loss in the 09-10 season was in January and the UIC win was also on the 29th.

[Foo G]

Originally Posted by Dan

Illinois' results at the UC (minus the BTT games)-

14-6 (0.700)

Originally Posted by Dan

Dec. 04, 1994___Duke_______L___65-70
Dec. 23, 1995___Cal________W___83-69
Dec. 21, 1996___UCLA_______W___79-63
Dec. 13, 1997___Clemson____W___71-61
Dec. 05, 1998___Bradley____W___53-48
Nov. 30, 1999___Duke_______L___69-72
Dec. 18, 1999___Kansas_____W___84-70
Dec. 16, 2000___Arizona____W___81-73
Dec. 08, 2001___Arkansas___W___94-91
Dec. 14, 2002___Temple_____W___70-54
Dec. 06, 2003___Arkansas___W___84-61
Dec. 29, 2003___UIC________W___75-60
Dec. 11, 2004___Oregon_____W___83-66
Dec. 03, 2005___Xavier_____W___65-62
Dec. 09, 2006___UIC________W___71-66
Dec. 08, 2007___Arizona____L___72-78 OT
Dec. 06, 2008___Georgia____W___76-42
Jan. 02, 2010___Gonzaga____L___83-85 OT
Dec. 18, 2010___UIC________L___54-57
Dec. 17, 2011___UNLV_______L___64-48

I was talking with a buddy the other day about the UC game.
It's really lost a lot of it's luster and appeal.
With Groce wanting to schedule the non-con to be heavy at the hall, does this game go away?
Most quality opponents would also probably require a return game the following year, so it would essentially take 2 games out of the Assembly Hall.
Does it really do anything for recruiting?
I haven't looked at any attendance numbers, but the atmosphere (as perceived on TV) comes across as empty, detached, and a far cry from a major college basketball experience.
From the list above, I've Bolded the teams that I would consider to be quality opponents.
In order for this game to have any appeal to it, I think we need to be playing a top 20 team every year.
I know it may be hard to schedule a top ACC team on top of the B1G/ACC Challenge, but I think it could still be done, especially with the ACC expanding.
Does that committee consider team schedules when determining the matchups to avoid rematches?
If so, this game could take on a lot higher profile if we scheduled teams like Florida, Louisville, Marquette, UConn, Syracuse, UNC, NC State, Memphis, WVU, Texas, Oklahoma, etc. in addition to the power teams that have participated in previous years.
If we are going to continue to schedule teams like UIC and Bradley, what's the point in even keeping this game?

[mattcoldagelli]

I'm going to make the easily defensible argument that the UIC loss was, statistically, the worst loss in the history of our program.