Pregame: Illinois vs Rutgers, Saturday, February 9th, 3:00pm CT, BTN

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#101      
It would be pretty cool to go on a hot streak to end the season and us fans rally around the team in the BTT, finally making the UC a raucous home court again. Would be the first time in what, 9+ years?
 
#102      
If memory serves, 14 losses is the record for an at-large berth. So you're suggesting we would have a winning streak so compelling that the committee would literally make history?

I’m pretty sure Vanderbilt and Michigan State have received at large berths with 15 losses in the last few years. I think Vanderbilt was a 9 seed in 2017 and Michigan State was a 8/9 I also think in 2017.
 
#103      

JFGsCoffeeMug

BU:1 Trash cans:0
Chicago
I’m pretty sure Vanderbilt and Michigan State have received at large berths with 15 losses in the last few years. I think Vanderbilt was a 9 seed in 2017 and Michigan State was a 8/9 I also think in 2017.

Good memory on Vanderbilt in 2017. I think they lost to Northwestern in the first round.

To mattcoldagelli's point though, we would need to make history to receive an at-large berth this season. A loss in the BTT would put us at 16 losses, and winning the BTT would earn us an auto-bid.
 
#104      
Win out in the regular season, then in for sure with 2 wins in BTT, and sweating with 1 (NIT if lose first game in BTT). Although it is a million to one shot to do this, just saying there are 2 scenarios to get in. And yes, because of SOS this scenario would absolutely get us in.....(Although again, million to one shot).
If you know where I can get million to one... I would love the opportunity to put a Hamilton or Jackson on it.
 
#105      
We are currently tied with RU in the league standings at 4 -8. Which team wants to crawl over the other more? Us or them? This will be the motivation for this game.
I think the motivation is just to win the game and win it big. Standings in th B1G aren’t that significant...
 
#110      
Interesting how the quantity of posts vary. After the 2nd Mn game the pregame for Neb had only 40 posts. Not sure if that was a record low for pregame in the heart of B10 season. People were losing interest, including myself. The proliferation of optimism now is amazing.

Even the NIT is likely a stretch, but we certainly appear to be heading in the right direction.

GO ILLINI!
 
#113      
People keep saying stuff like this as though beating Maryland at MSG means nothing. If you want a "true" road win, fine, but this team can win outside Champaign.
Earlier in the season we were unable to win on the road OR at home. We are playing much better basketball now and I believe we are quite capable of winning against good teams on the road.
 
#114      

mattcoldagelli

The Transfer Portal
fans rally around the team in the BTT, finally making the UC a raucous home court again.

If I'm being honest, this is my goal, even outside of any postseason berth. Get to Friday (or even Saturday!) of the BTT and have a ton of fans pile into the UC because they feel good about the program again. It'll be a springboard for next year, no matter what.
 
#115      
We still don't have a single true road win this season. MSG was a neutral site, even if it was packed with Terps.
 
#117      

WiscIllini

Madison, WI
I understand that, but as a practical matter it was the equivalent to a road game for the team
Except it wasn't. I'm sorry, but we were not playing on Maryland's home court with their typical fanbase in attendance. For me, that doesn't take away the win against a Top 15 team because we sorely needed it, but let's be real about the situation at least. Still a great win, but any selection committee won't see it your way if it comes to it (fingers crossed).
 
#118      

ChiefGritty

Chicago, IL
Prediction: it's gonna get grimy tomorrow. Rutgers is a physical team. We're an annoying team. Two dogs fighting for the same bone. Big Ten basketball, love it.
 
#119      

Dan

Admin
Underwood: On to the next... That's kinda been our attitude the last couple days.

Underwood: Thought it was our most consistent defensive effort with ball pressure & executing defensive assignments

Underwood: Hope to look back on Tuesday as a defining moment. With the fans, that building was as loud as I remember it.

Underwood on Rutgers: You're talking about one of the top rebounding teams in the Big Ten. Tough, balanced team. They have a physicality that mucks the game up a little bit.

Underwood on Feliz's value: Did you hear Cassius Winston's comments?

Underwood: I like to pin Andres on Trent & Ayo in practice because he makes them better.

Underwood: Our fans are our best asset. That building full is our best asset.

https://twitter.com/DPiper247


 
#121      

sacraig

The desert
Interesting how the quantity of posts vary. After the 2nd Mn game the pregame for Neb had only 40 posts. Not sure if that was a record low for pregame in the heart of B10 season. People were losing interest, including myself. The proliferation of optimism now is amazing.

Even the NIT is likely a stretch, but we certainly appear to be heading in the right direction.

GO ILLINI!

I don't think the NIT is as much of a stretch as you seem to think. Consider:
  • There is no requirement for a .500+ record anymore.
  • We are a large-market team from a major conference with a fanbase known to travel well and spend money.
  • We are a team that has been quite hot at the end of the year (so far).
That all adds up to a solid shot at the NIT even if we don't crack .500 by the end of the season.

Now, it does depress me that I am sitting here analyzing our chances at an NIT berth considering where we should be as a program, but any extra postseason games for this young team to continue to learn is a positive development considering where we were a month ago (or last year).
 
#123      
Speaking of BTT, Ticketmaster put a few all session tickets in the 300 level on sale this a.m at 10:00
 
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