Illinois, New Mexico State to play at the United Center next season
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Illini1221
Peru,IL
Should be an electric crowd of 300 people. Still good to celebrate Lou though.
Would be better to play this game on Lou Henson Court. Which is at the State Farm Center....
I like that this will be a tribute to Lou but Cigar said, it would have been better at SFC with the UC game being against a high profile team.
Unless NMSU refused to play at Champaign...
300 with a new coach. 3 if Groce is still here.
Also possible that we couldn't get a high-profile opponent, since we aren't exactly high-profile ourselves at the moment. Sad thought to consider.
We most definitely aren't high-profile right now, but name a high-profile opponent that wouldn't want to come into Chicago and take it to us with all the locals watching.
I was going to say the same thing and I think that even getting blown out by a blue blood would do more to re-build the brand than beating (or worse not beating) NMSU in front of a half filled UC.
When Pele played his farewell game, the New York Cosmos invited his old Brazilian club team, Santos, to Giants Stadium. Pele played the first half for Santos and the second for the Cosmos.
Though I suppose if they wanted to do the same thing here, Lou would start and finish with NMSU with us in the middle.
GortTheRobot
- North Bethesda, Maryland
Well, the crowd might be better if we get a new coach people really want to see, coupled with an old coach people really want to show up and thank.
But, I do agree, chances are it's a small crowd.
But, I do agree, chances are it's a small crowd.
Deleted member 236589
D
Guest
Nobody pays to see the coach. If the team is 9-0 and ranked, there will be a big crowd. If it's 7-3 and struggling, not so much.
Now, can this coach get them to 9-0 and ranked? Wrong thread. Point is, it's the team that fans come to see and if they're any good, the coach if an afterthought. If they aren't any good, the coach is the center of attention.
Time will tell.
Like I care who is coaching our guys when they come to town. Come on, people...
GortTheRobot
- North Bethesda, Maryland
Well, the unsaid part of that was that the coach would have us playing well, but I realize I should have stated that. The Henson part though, I think alums might show up for Lou, if combined with good play.
Captain Bubbles
- Fairfield, IL
There are some Illinois ties at NMSU, and it's not just Lou. Some of you who follow Chicago basketball religiously remember Marlon Jones out of Orr High School in Chicago. The 6-9, 222 pound junior forward is on the squad.
illynifan34
That's a winner!!
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Oh good, a Chicago kid we didn't recruit comes to play us in front of his family. I bet I know who will be their best player that day.
What in the Sam Hell?
I'm sure the new coach and the team will be hungry to start strong...I expect we don't take anyone lightly next year.
kaptain80
- STL
NMSU won the WAC tournament: http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=400946277
So the next United Center game will have at least one NCAA tournament team, eh?
Illini1221
Peru,IL
New Mexico State is definitely a quality opponent (mid major wise) and will probably be a top 100 team. Its just weird to have it at the UC.
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