Northern Illinois to visit Champaign - First Meeting Ever

*illini4everjp* · Jul 5, 2009, 09:03 AM

NOTE - Our fill schedule won't be out most likely until August and there is no set date of when it will be release. Just relax.

http://northernillinois.scout.com/2/876656.html

Quote:

Highlighting the 2009-10 non-conference schedule for the Huskies will be a trip to Champaign to take on the Fighting Illini for the first time in program history.

*DrewD007* · Jul 5, 2009, 10:32 AM

Sounds like fun!

*ilphotog* · Jul 5, 2009, 12:07 PM

Alright another high profile team coming to the Hall, at least they are in state.

*ilphotog* · Jul 5, 2009, 12:16 PM

Western Michigan Dec 13 at Assembly Hall
http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticl...ATCLID=3749406

*ilphotog* · Jul 5, 2009, 12:37 PM

Exhibition vs Quincy Nov. 8th

WesterveltVictoryCigar · Jul 5, 2009, 12:54 PM

Well we know just about all of the opponents now - 11 games are known, the other 2 non-conf games will probably be home vs cupcakes.

@Clemson
@Georgia (semi-neutral)
Gonzaga (semi-neutral in Chicago)
Vanderbilt
NIU
WMU
Mizzou (neutral in StL)
4 Vegas tourney games - 2 at home, 2 in Vegas

Philly Boy · Jul 5, 2009, 01:13 PM

Isn't this a lot harder non-conf schedule than last year?

If so, you'd think it reflects the coaches' feeling we'll be better??

Illini1956 · Jul 5, 2009, 04:29 PM

Our record may not be as good, but this team at the end of the year would mop the floor with last years team.

MTILLINOIS · Jul 5, 2009, 05:38 PM

I didn't realize Gates left Northern. I remember his comments when he pulled his name out of Websters open coaching position. It was something that Northern was building something special or getting the players they want. Well we know why he pulled his name out of consideration. To leave for Nevada shows he wasn't in it for the long haul and was just looking for his next job that was better.

Illini23 · Jul 5, 2009, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTILLINOIS

I didn't realize Gates left Northern. I remember his comments when he pulled his name out of Websters open coaching position. It was something that Northern was building something special or getting the players they want. Well we know why he pulled his name out of consideration. To leave for Nevada shows he wasn't in it for the long haul and was just looking for his next job that was better.

He didn't pull his name. Weber loved him, but wanted Jerrance more.

WOLFE · Jul 5, 2009, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philly Boy

Isn't this a lot harder non-conf schedule than last year?

If so, you'd think it reflects the coaches' feeling we'll be better??

The coaches are smart enough to know when to schedule "cupcake" preseason vs. "top notch" preseason.

Last year for example. We played good team but not top notch, good confidence builder for the young guys.

The prior year was what happens when you schedule "top notch" preseason when your roster is down. Lets just blame IDKWTI...

MTILLINOIS · Jul 5, 2009, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Illini23

He didn't pull his name. Weber loved him, but wanted Jerrance more.

He pulled his name out shortly after he interviewed with Weber. I believe it was to save face since he knew he wasn't going to be hired by Weber. Here is an article where Gates replies he has no interest. I believe the next day, Weber offered the job to Howard. Sorry to take this off the topic, guys.

http://blogs.suntimes.com/lockerroom...ance-ho-1.html

Illini23 · Jul 5, 2009, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTILLINOIS

He pulled his name out shortly after he interviewed with Weber. I believe it was to save face since he knew he wasn't going to be hired by Weber. Here is an article where Gates replies he has no interest. I believe the next day, Weber offered the job to Howard. Sorry to take this off the topic, guys.

http://blogs.suntimes.com/lockerroom...ance-ho-1.html

That's the public spin, so Dennis would look good, but it isn't the way it happened.

WesterveltVictoryCigar · Jul 6, 2009, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philly Boy

Isn't this a lot harder non-conf schedule than last year?

If so, you'd think it reflects the coaches' feeling we'll be better??

Difficult to say at this point, we don't know how good some of these teams will be. Mizzou and Gonzaga lost a lot of good players. UGA and Vandy should be better. I didn't list Utah/OK St/Bradley, but those would seem to be better than Kent St/Tulsa from last year's S Padre event.

I do think Price will increase the schedule difficulty as the talent increases, but I'm not sure you'll ever see them go to too tough of a schedule. One reason is that Illinois already has a number of games committed each year that tend to be pretty tough - the B10/ACC game, the Mizzou game and then usually a United Center game plus a return game for a previous UC opponent. Throw in a home/home game against another quality team and an exempt tournament and that's the bulk of the schedule right there.

*IntenselyOrange* · Jul 6, 2009, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philly Boy

Isn't this a lot harder non-conf schedule than last year?

If so, you'd think it reflects the coaches' feeling we'll be better??

Tougher, maybe...but still not a schedule that I'd classify as tough. There are some OK teams, but I don't see anyone that will be threatening to make the Final Four and probably not even the regional finals.

*zoggle101* · Jul 6, 2009, 07:48 PM

Clemson picked up one of the USC 09 ex commits in Noel Johnson a top 50 guy from South Carolina. This should make up for T. Ogelsby heading over seas. BTW has anyone figured out if their center(Raymond Sykes) is going to be a senior or has he graduated? They should be the toughest non conference foe.

WesterveltVictoryCigar · Jul 7, 2009, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WesterveltVictoryCigar

Well we know just about all of the opponents now - 11 games are known, the other 2 non-conf games will probably be home vs cupcakes.

@Clemson
@Georgia (semi-neutral)
Gonzaga (semi-neutral in Chicago)
Vanderbilt
NIU
WMU
Mizzou (neutral in StL)
4 Vegas tourney games - 2 at home, 2 in Vegas

Forgot about Boise St, so that means only one opponent unknown. The Las Vegas home games are against Presbyterian and Wofford.

IlliniKat · Jul 7, 2009, 12:27 PM

I hope the last one will be a real tough opponent, if only to test the team's mettle.

WesterveltVictoryCigar · Jul 7, 2009, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IlliniKat

I hope the last one will be a real tough opponent, if only to test the team's mettle.

It won't be, they have enough quality opponents already. Cupcakes do serve some purpose, you need a few games to be able to experiment with lineups, get the freshmen some minutes without worrying about the outcome, etc. It would have been nice to have another cupcake or two last season to get Legion more minutes for example, but it didn't work out that way.

*illynifan34* · Jul 7, 2009, 02:00 PM

I personally can't believe we haven't had someone from SIU come in this thread and talk about how we're scared to play them.

*illini4everjp* · Jul 7, 2009, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by illynifan34

I personally can't believe we haven't had someone from SIU come in this thread and talk about how we're scared to play them.

Why did you have to jinx us like that, now they're gonna be coming in here like freaking jackrabbits yapping all day long

*illynifan34* · Jul 7, 2009, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by illini4everjp

Why did you have to jinx us like that, now they're gonna be coming in here like freaking jackrabbits yapping all day long

Personally I think they sound like "Salukis" barking all day, but that's just me, and its so annoying.

Say, JP you seem like a guy on top of things, when will the basketball schedule come out?

*illini4everjp* · Jul 7, 2009, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by illynifan34

Personally I think they sound like "Salukis" barking all day, but that's just me, and its so annoying.

Say, JP you seem like a guy on top of things, when will the basketball schedule come out?

Left Coast Illini · Jul 7, 2009, 08:56 PM

I think I'll make my first ever trip to Assembly Hall to catch the game between the ILLINI and NIU. Would love to come during Big Ten play but I'll be driving and I don't want to risk the weather. Plus I was hoping to make it to the football game the Saturday before, so that looks like a good time to come to Champaign.

HeartofaChampion · Jul 7, 2009, 11:21 PM

We'll go 12-1 or 11-2 non-conf next year. Only losses I'm seeing are at Clemson and maybe one of the tournament or neutral-site games. If we're healthy, 12-1 is definitely realistic. All 13 opponents will be beatable. Doubt any will be ranked higher than 20.

Jul 5, 2009, 10:32 AM	#2
DrewD007 Location: Swansea, IL Posts: 1,204	Sounds like fun! __________________ Follow me! http://www.twitter.com/drewdierkes

Jul 7, 2009, 02:00 PM	#20
illynifan34 No More Rose Bowl Victories Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 5,165	I personally can't believe we haven't had someone from SIU come in this thread and talk about how we're scared to play them. __________________ www.afsp.org

Jul 5, 2009, 12:07 PM	#3
ilphotog The camera never lies Location: Champaign Posts: 4,265	Alright another high profile team coming to the Hall, at least they are in state.

Jul 5, 2009, 12:16 PM	#4
ilphotog The camera never lies Location: Champaign Posts: 4,265	Western Michigan Dec 13 at Assembly Hall http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticl...ATCLID=3749406

Jul 5, 2009, 12:37 PM	#5
ilphotog The camera never lies Location: Champaign Posts: 4,265	Exhibition vs Quincy Nov. 8th

Jul 5, 2009, 12:54 PM	#6
WesterveltVictoryCigar Location: People's Republic of Massachusetts Posts: 1,580	Well we know just about all of the opponents now - 11 games are known, the other 2 non-conf games will probably be home vs cupcakes. @Clemson @Georgia (semi-neutral) Gonzaga (semi-neutral in Chicago) Vanderbilt NIU WMU Mizzou (neutral in StL) 4 Vegas tourney games - 2 at home, 2 in Vegas

Jul 5, 2009, 01:13 PM	#7
Philly Boy Location: Deerfield IL Posts: 893	Isn't this a lot harder non-conf schedule than last year? If so, you'd think it reflects the coaches' feeling we'll be better??

Jul 5, 2009, 04:29 PM	#8
Illini1956 Location: Ohio Posts: 5,442	Our record may not be as good, but this team at the end of the year would mop the floor with last years team.

Jul 5, 2009, 05:38 PM	#9
MTILLINOIS Location: Chicago Posts: 1,516	I didn't realize Gates left Northern. I remember his comments when he pulled his name out of Websters open coaching position. It was something that Northern was building something special or getting the players they want. Well we know why he pulled his name out of consideration. To leave for Nevada shows he wasn't in it for the long haul and was just looking for his next job that was better.

Jul 6, 2009, 07:48 PM	#16
zoggle101 Location: Spfld, IL Posts: 2,712	Clemson picked up one of the USC 09 ex commits in Noel Johnson a top 50 guy from South Carolina. This should make up for T. Ogelsby heading over seas. BTW has anyone figured out if their center(Raymond Sykes) is going to be a senior or has he graduated? They should be the toughest non conference foe.

Jul 7, 2009, 12:27 PM	#18
IlliniKat Location: Champaign Posts: 621	I hope the last one will be a real tough opponent, if only to test the team's mettle.

Jul 7, 2009, 08:56 PM	#24
Left Coast Illini Location: Southern California Posts: 11	I think I'll make my first ever trip to Assembly Hall to catch the game between the ILLINI and NIU. Would love to come during Big Ten play but I'll be driving and I don't want to risk the weather. Plus I was hoping to make it to the football game the Saturday before, so that looks like a good time to come to Champaign.

Jul 7, 2009, 11:21 PM	#25
HeartofaChampion Posts: 5,135	We'll go 12-1 or 11-2 non-conf next year. Only losses I'm seeing are at Clemson and maybe one of the tournament or neutral-site games. If we're healthy, 12-1 is definitely realistic. All 13 opponents will be beatable. Doubt any will be ranked higher than 20.