Illinois releases 2012 non-conference schedule

[Dan]

http://www.fightingillini.com/sports...082912aaa.html

[Dan]

This season Illinois will play 14 non-conference games- 7 at home (4 in Hawaii). Last season UI had 13 noncons, 8 at home.

The Big Ten schedule (whenever it's released) will be 18 games. Each league school will play seven teams twice and four teams once (the "single plays"). I think it's a safe assumption that our "single plays" will reverse from last year, so in 2012:

Illinois' single plays-
Home: Indiana, Penn State
Away: Iowa, Michigan State


When Are Tickets Available?

Illini nation is showing strong support for the beginning of the John Groce era, with season tickets currently renewed at a 92-percent rate. A limited number of C-level season tickets are now on sale for new season ticket holders. Those tickets can be purchased online at FightingIllini.com, by phone (866-ILLINI-1 or 217-333-3470) or in person at the Assembly Hall South Box Office.

Student season tickets also are on sale now. Students can purchase their season tickets exclusively at FightingIllini.com and must order by Sept. 21 to receive priority seating.

Single-game tickets will go on sale on Oct. 23 at 9 a.m., online, by phone or in person.

[Illini2016]

A little disappointed in the few home games and the unexciting home opponents. Excited to host Indiana, though.

[HeartofaChampion]

Wish we had more home games, but this schedule isn't particularly daunting. MO will be down, the Maui field isn't as strong as usual, Hawaii is mediocre usually (big test is overcoming jet lag), we have several home games against weak competition, and Auburn and GA Tech are lackluster programs right now. At Gonzaga is the one tough game that I can't see us winning. Otherwise we're capable of winning 2 Maui games and the rest of the games. I'll predict we go 11-3 or 12-2.

[foby]

At worst: 9-5
My gut says: 11-3
And to dream...... :14-0

[IlliniByProxy]

Originally Posted by HeartofaChampion

Wish we had more home games, but this schedule isn't particularly daunting. MO will be down, the Maui field isn't as strong as usual, Hawaii is mediocre usually (big test is overcoming jet lag), we have several home games against weak competition, and Auburn and GA Tech are lackluster programs right now. At Gonzaga is the one tough game that I can't see us winning. Otherwise we're capable of winning 2 Maui games and the rest of the games. I'll predict we go 11-3 or 12-2.

Pretty much took the words out of my mouth. All things considered, I had Gonzaga, Mizzou, and one, possibly two Maui games as potential loses. I'll be disappointed if we are worse than 10-4. My prediction is that we go 12-2, dropping a game at Gonzaga and one in Maui.

[jhayton]

There are going to be a lot of possessions and transition basketball when we play Mizzou. That, I believe, will be where we see how good this team can actually be.

My prediction is we go 12-2 with losses at GU and Texas.

[DrewD007]

Expect the Big Ten men's basketball schedule to be released on Thursday.

@indystar_hutch

[zoggle101]

It's just my opinion but Missouri will be tough and should be a pre season too 15 team. Pressey and Dixon are as good as it gets for a backcourt. I get there is a huge concern over how healthy Bowers will be this season but with the impact transfers they have eligible than it will be another tough Tigers squad who will make a lot of noise next season.

Two other teams that are undervalued compared to where they have been talked about pre season to me would be Duke and Pitt especially getting Ziegler eligible immediately. Rasheed Sulaimon is a dynamic guard who will have fans forgetting about Austin Rivers and Amille Jefferson was a great four star get after Michael GbinIje left for Syracuse where he'll have just as much competition for playing time unless a couple Orangemen bolt after this season. Duke is a top 7 team IMO and Pitt should be in the top 25 with Top 10-15 potential.. Steven Adams is a beast and will adjust to college ball very easily and Panthers fans won't be asking what if Kreme Birch didn't leave for UNLV(eligible second semester). Don't get me wrong BC I think Birch would have made this panthers team that much better but if they don't get a guard like Ziegler I wouldn't be as impressed with them.

I love how duke doesn't fill every scholarship most years.

AUburn has been hurt by transfers in their last three recruiting classes but still have a roster who can win vs. Good teams. Sure they might not have Travis Leslie or Howard "tre" Thompkins like Georgia did when we lost to them but we shouldn't take them lightly because they are a lower ranked SEC program. A W against a SEC bottom feeder should help our RPI and SOS. A must win matchup but really they all are. GO ILLINI.

excited to see the schedule but it made me realize we have nearly two months before tipoff

[jackman404]

I really have no clue what to predict from this team until we see a game running Groce's system. Maybe the players will "get it" right from the start, maybe we stumble right out of the gate. After the exhibitions we should know a lot more of what to expect from this team.

[BrooksTaylorFan]

Originally Posted by jackman404

I really have no clue what to predict from this team until we see a game running Groce's system. Maybe the players will "get it" right from the start, maybe we stumble right out of the gate. After the exhibitions we should know a lot more of what to expect from this team.

Exactly! Especially when Klee said that Rice was the best player this summer and he's not eligible to play this season. Of course Paul was out due to injury.

[Dan]

The full 2012-13 schedule has been released-

http://www.illinoisloyalty.com/Forum...ad.php?t=18434