Pre-FAU thoughts having nothing to do with FAU:
The game at the RAC was the fourth time I've seen BU teams play in six seasons. Saw Ayo's frosh year victory over MD in the Garden in Jan '19, then two losses at MD in Jan and Dec 2022. Then Saturday's complete beatdown of Rutgers.
The team on Saturday was well-oiled. They clearly like each other, they're mature, the ball movement was rapid and mesmerizing, the D was tenacious, and they're simply a solid, big, dominant team. I recall that '19 game, sitting with a Maryland buddy among Terp fans in MSG who sneered at a 5-14 Illinois team pregame playing their #13 team. Then we beat them by nine. That was, IIRC, the first attention-getting victory of the BU era, and we took down #9 MSU 10 days later ("This will not end well.") Bronx native Adonis De La Rosa got in Bruno Fernandez' head early that day, which was huge, Tevian played well, Ayo began to do Ayo things, and I began to have hope again.
Saturday from the tip I simply enjoyed this group, how long our bench is, and sat back and savored it all. I know lots of people bash BU for this and that but he has rebuilt the program sustainably, landed excellent recruits, and used the portal to strong effect. Guerrier, Harmon, Domask, are substantial additions, and each of them is seasoned and mature. Last year he got saddled with three head cases, one of whom was way too old to be that immature and appeared to have demolished the team's chemistry. It's so refreshing to see this team in contrast. I'm also regularly amazed how different it is to watch a game in person v. on TV. I don't know what it is but I seem to see the game differently. In particular, I like watching BU, Tim, Geoff and Chester work with the players and react to the game.
Anyway, whatever happens Tuesday in MSG and Saturday in Knoxville, I really like this team, our coaches, and the program. I'm enjoying these guys and the season, and am anticipating many big wins over the next four months. Am also looking forward to seeing the boys play again @ Maryland in February. Spring will be here before we know it, but as far as I'm concerned it can take its sweet time getting here.
Finally, I was reminded on Saturday afternoon travelling with my Illini brother
@Retro62, seeing so many fellow Illini in the bar where we had lunch on the Rutgers campus (an "I-L-L/I-N-I" chant even got going in the bar filled with Rutgers pregamers!), at the RAC, and even at a rest stop on the NJ Turnpike heading home where an Illini elder approached me to talk about the game we'd both just enjoyed, how much I treasure my affiliation with UIUC. It's great to be us.