100%. If the Bowl and/or the NCAA really wanted the players to play in the bowl games, this should be standard practice.This should be baked into the equation and should be paid for by some combination of the bowl, the NCAA, and the school.
100%. If the Bowl and/or the NCAA really wanted the players to play in the bowl games, this should be standard practice.This should be baked into the equation and should be paid for by some combination of the bowl, the NCAA, and the school.
Lloyds will write a policy for almost anything, give them a call.100%. If the Bowl and/or the NCAA really wanted the players to play in the bowl games, this should be standard practice.
I thought the same thing. Probably around $600.The price for a 6 am flight there and a 10 pm flight home plus game ticket isn't outrageous. But personally this probably isn't the year to break the bank on such a luxury. I'll just have to support the team from home with the volume turned down.
Beat Mississippi State!
I just do not see them as that comparable. Most bowl games are quite meaningless, whereas, even with a slim to none chance of winning the big dance, the games really still mean something. When it comes to basketball, the tourney seems to be a sport where a player can make a huge statement in front of millions of people. One player in a basketball game can single handedly change the outcome of a game; whereas, in football one player does not always make or break a game. If there was an NBA prospect on a team in the NIT, of course they would likely sit out, but I simply can't envision scenarios where top prospects sit out the NCAA Tourney, especially with NIL now. The possible positive exposure severely outweighs the risks of playing.My question is when does the trend of not playing spread to something like basketball? If you are a sure first rounder on a team unlikely to win the tournament ( think Ja Morant) why should you play.
Only 4 teams make the playoff for football. 68 teams make the tournament. The bowl games mean nothing while ever team in the tournament could win the championship, in theory.In short, I believe the risk/benefit analysis is much riskier to playing in postseason for football vs basketball. Therefore, I really doubt that we see the trend of not playing spread to basketball.
I wrestled with this issue last night. I would love to go through the Illini system so that they can stick me with fees versus Stubhub but I didn't want to hope and pray that I would actually get the tickets I want. I went ahead and booked my entire trip last night. My son (who is 15 has never been to a game) and I will be heading in from Colorado and we can't wait! ILL!Yet, unless you are a big donor you aren't guaranteed tickets if you go that way and you won't know for several days if you will get them:
Everyone who request tickets will be notified by Sunday,
December 11th at 5:00pm to confirm if their request has been fulfilled.
Submitting a ticket request does not guarantee an order.
Should demand exceed supply for any price level, the order will be fulfilled at the next available price.
The Division of Intercollegiate Athletics reserves the right to reduce or cancel any order.
I generally agree with this - personally I’d want to play - but I’ve also never risked losing millions of dollars in what is essentially a meaningless game. I mean, can you imagine telling people 20 years from now that you would have been a first round pick but you blew out your knee in the ReliaQuest Bowl?I have been having this debate with family members for years. I really don't like it when players skip their last bowl game. It bothers me from a team game attitude perspective. I bothers me from a the perspective of ending that journey prematurely. It bothers me from them not giving their last for the coaches, teammates, and the school that gave them so much in pursuit of their goal. It bothers me as a fan I feel cheated. This may be a stretch, but it makes me wonder about their character. I certainly understand the business, career, and security perspective. Maybe it is just the way I think about life. I don't really believe that I am an old dude that can't accept change. I know I am NOT like that and I am certain my kids would support that. Maybe if I had ever been in their shoes if would think differently, but I don't think so. My wife once said out loud at a neighborhood party, "Why do you think that way?". And 2 of my neighbor friends replied, "Because, he is a man of principles!".
One of my brothers-in-law said if the game doesn't mean playing for a NC, he accepts it. I understand it, but I don't agree. Just curious, how does everyone feel about players skipping bowl games?
FWLIW, NFL Draft Buzz lists 11 players for 2023 draft prospects. By comparison, they list 3 Illini (2 Browns and Witherspoon).Curious to see how many Miss St players drop out of this game.
I actually got my wish with this matchup. I watched that Ole Miss/Miss St. game a couple of weeks ago and it was very exciting.
Nice challenge for our number 1 rated defensive backs.
A performance in March madness can directly impact draft stock. Seen a lot of players go from borderline to lottery/1st round Normally it is small schools. Seth Curry for Davidson iirc helped his stockMy question is when does the trend of not playing spread to something like basketball? If you are a sure first rounder on a team unlikely to win the tournament ( think Ja Morant) why should you play.
I agree. I am conflicted on this trend. It would be like me calling in sick on my last day of work before i retire because i don’t want to risk dying in a car accident on my commute and ruining my retirement. That wouldn’t fly.i understand why kids sit out of bowl games, but it just kinda stinks to have all this hope as a fan to get to a bowl game and then for some to sit out. Again, I understand it, but kind of a bummer as a fan.
I have no info at all, just complaining on a Monday morning.
Booked through StubHub for the same reason, although I understand the other perspective.I wrestled with this issue last night. I would love to go through the Illini system so that they can stick me with fees versus Stubhub but I didn't want to hope and pray that I would actually get the tickets I want. I went ahead and booked my entire trip last night. My son (who is 15 has never been to a game) and I will be heading in from Colorado and we can't wait! ILL!
I agree. I am conflicted on this trend. It would be like me calling in sick on my last day of work before i retire because i don’t want to risk dying in a car accident on my commute and ruining my retirement. That wouldn’t fly.
For us it will be win we stick around the top 25, winning 8-9 games a year.When does the perception of a program begin to change? Is it just being bowl-eligible, winning those bowls, or making it to the playoffs?
Like everyone on here, I’d love to Illinois have a better reputation than what we’ve had for the last 15+ years.
The point I made about sitting out March Madness was for sure first rounders only as I mentioned in the post. I know a lot of players move up based on their tournament, but what I was wondering about were the sure things and if they will sit.A performance in March madness can directly impact draft stock. Seen a lot of players go from borderline to lottery/1st round Normally it is small schools. Seth Curry for Davidson iirc helped his stock
For football if I knew I was a for sure draft pick why play any bowl or playoff game? You get no extra money for winning and only are playing for pride. Your draft stock will likely be determined by the combine. For some star players they could play three games their last year and still be a high draft pick like Nick Bosa (I know he had surgery)
It has to be a personal decision based on what drives you and are you willing to chance an injury. I think playing makes you better but there is always a chance of injury
Again, I don't think they will for many reasons I mentioned earlier. The risks are just drastically different. If you think about it, these kids are playing pick up games quite frequently in basketball, whereas you do not see football players playing tackle football in spare time.The point I made about sitting out March Madness was for sure first rounders only as I mentioned in the post. I know a lot of players move up based on their tournament, but what I was wondering about were the sure things and if they will sit.
Totally agree.You laid out your position thoughtfully, but I'm of the opposite mind. Bowl games are fundamentally exhibitions, celebrating the end of a good season. As much as I'd love to see Devon Witherspoon out there terrorizing an entire half of the field in orange and blue one more time, I don't feel these players owe me or anyone else anything at this point.