Illini Basketball 2020-2021

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#226      
The one concern I have is the loss of Feliz in addition to no true space 4 that is ready yet. Feliz just grabbed tough rebounds, etc.... Do we have the toughness when things get tough. Ayo is tough minded, but we need more. I think Williams/Frazier with being battle tested, will bring some. I think Williams will be more confident. We have the talent at guard play and big guy in Kofi/backup in Giorgi B., but a lot will ride on those toughness battles. I think Ayo/Trent are there, but will others step up too.

We will be worse off in the Miller / Feliz swap the first 10 games of the year and better off in every game after
 
#227      
Toughness is great for every team, no doubt, but it’s more critical to winning for less talented and less skilled teams.

This team is so talented right now, and BU has done a great job in addressing the weaknesses with more talent.

I’m looking forward to a season we can roll the ball out and get to 20 wins, while toughness and grit helps us get 10 more.
 
#229      
We were actually 13-7 last year in conference.

I thought I was going crazy. I don't think Illinois has ever finished 12-6 in conference play (there were only a handful of 18-game years and we finished 6-12 the year we moved on from Weber, but never 12-6).
 
#232      
Pac-12 postpones men's hoops until January, so Arizona home game in December is out, and Oregon is out of the Emerald Coast Classic.
Not a disappointment for me to see the Arizona game cancelled. Actually, when watching a weak Arizona program try to beat anyone back in the late 60s, I never imagined they could compete with my beloved Illini. However, I pull for an Illini victory every time they play on the hardwood. As much cheating as Miller has done and bad light he has brought to the program, I do not wish him well. I also never thought the Illini would ever compete with my Wildcats on the links...but things change don't they. I still hate the Savoy courses.
 
#235      

Deleted member 4333

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Not a disappointment for me to see the Arizona game cancelled. Actually, when watching a weak Arizona program try to beat anyone back in the late 60s, I never imagined they could compete with my beloved Illini. However, I pull for an Illini victory every time they play on the hardwood. As much cheating as Miller has done and bad light he has brought to the program, I do not wish him well. I also never thought the Illini would ever compete with my Wildcats on the links...but things change don't they. I still hate the Savoy courses.

I could be wrong, but I don't think the Illini have played at Savoy for many years.
 
#237      
I thought I was going crazy. I don't think Illinois has ever finished 12-6 in conference play (there were only a handful of 18-game years and we finished 6-12 the year we moved on from Weber, but never 12-6).
Actually, every year from '74-'75 thru '96-'97 the Big Ten played an 18 game conference regular season (a double round robin tournament every year). The Illini finished 12-6 three times in that span ('87-'88, '84-'85, 7 '80-'81).
 
#239      
I thought I was going crazy. I don't think Illinois has ever finished 12-6 in conference play (there were only a handful of 18-game years and we finished 6-12 the year we moved on from Weber, but never 12-6).
I know in 84-85 we were 12-6 in conference That was the Kentucky loss (officiating blunders lol) year I believe. Memory is fading but I think they finished 12-6 in like 87 or 88 also?
 
#240      
Anyone know if PAC will allow teams to practice? COVID numbers improving and I could see PAC regretting this unnecessarily early decision.
 
#241      
Not looking good folks. I bet all sports are postponed until 2021 for the power 5. Excluding maybe the SEC

This year is really trying my natural positive vibes man! Give us a break!

I've been expecting Spring for some time, and I'm relieved, not disappointed. YMMV. I think it's safer, and allows for more stability in having a season. Related, I get there are issues to address, but I don't understand why the football powers are so resistant to adapting to the moment.
 
#243      

IlliniKat91

Chicago, IL
I've been expecting Spring for some time, and I'm relieved, not disappointed. YMMV. I think it's safer, and allows for more stability in having a season. Related, I get there are issues to address, but I don't understand why the football powers are so resistant to adapting to the moment.

I'm betting money. They're losing a huge cash infusion without football being on TV. Some of the most revenue from ticket sales and concessions might hurt, too, but those TV dollars can't be beat.
 
#244      
I could be wrong, but I don't think the Illini have played at Savoy for many years.
Correct. At least I am certain not since Stone Creek was opened. When I was in high school, the state tourney was played there annually.
 
#245      

Tophe

Middle TN
Actually, every year from '74-'75 thru '96-'97 the Big Ten played an 18 game conference regular season (a double round robin tournament every year). The Illini finished 12-6 three times in that span ('87-'88, '84-'85, 7 '80-'81).

I miss the home-and-away with everyone in the conference schedule of the past.
 
#246      

Soulberries

University of Illinois
As it turns out, it's pretty easy to pick a bracket when you are paid to do it (i.e. don't have a real job to take up your time) and when you can change your answer every 3 days.

i dont see a reason to bash the guy because he’s found a way carve out a niche for himself to make a living at what he loves to do. As far as his ranking of the Illini, I can understand the reluctance based on recent history. Honestly, I’m fine with it. It’s not about how we’re ranked now, but rather how we’ll be ranked at the end of the season. In some ways it’s better because our opponent may be less prepared for us. Hopefully by then, we’ll have proven ourselves to be worthy of being seen as among the best.
 
#247      
Any one familiar with articles which have looked at the accuracy of Lunardi’s pre-tournament predictions? Just wondering.

There have been a number of articles over the years but I think almost always about his final predictions, not any of the dozens he makes throughout the season. The most recent I was able to find is this:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/thespu...nardi-got-right-in-bracketology-this-year/amp

He's pretty good at predicting by the end of the season. I wouldn't put a lot of stock in his pre-season bracket though. He just doesn't have the relevant information yet. These brackets are worthless until later in the season.
 
#248      

sacraig

The desert
i dont see a reason to bash the guy because he’s found a way carve out a niche for himself to make a living at what he loves to do. As far as his ranking of the Illini, I can understand the reluctance based on recent history. Honestly, I’m fine with it. It’s not about how we’re ranked now, but rather how we’ll be ranked at the end of the season. In some ways it’s better because our opponent may be less prepared for us. Hopefully by then, we’ll have proven ourselves to be worthy of being seen as among the best.

First, I didn't fault him for picking us where he has. In fact, I defended that decision.

Second, I highly doubt other teams are basing their assessment of us on Lunardi's bracketology.

Third, I stand by my statement that bracketology is not a serious profession. Good for him for getting paid to do something fun and unserious, but it's still not serious or particularly challenging. You are expected to be wrong and can change your answer repeatedly while getting paid to watch more basketball to inform the changes. Cushy. I wish I had such a job.
 
#249      
I'm betting money. They're losing a huge cash infusion without football being on TV. Some of the most revenue from ticket sales and concessions might hurt, too, but those TV dollars can't be beat.

Those losses would be true if compared to a normal season, but IMHO it's pure fantasy to think that way. There is ZERO possibility of this being like any other season.
 
#250      
I thought I was going crazy. I don't think Illinois has ever finished 12-6 in conference play (there were only a handful of 18-game years and we finished 6-12 the year we moved on from Weber, but never 12-6).

They did in fact finish 12-6 in the Big Ten my senior year of 1981, when they went to the Sweet 16 with Eddie Johnson, Mark Smith, Derrick Harper, etc.
 
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