Totally agree, was just watching that 2004 Wake Forest game on YouTube and the amount of energy that building had was euphoric. Was getting goosebumps watching it. People were camping outside the Assembly Hall for that game. I’m not saying people have to camp out, but the crowd needs to be on another level for this team tonight.
Pregame: Illinois vs Purdue, Tuesday, March 5th, 6:00pm CT, Peacock
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91-72 Illini win
Was in Krush for that game and will be back tonight doing my part again.
I think this team has hit the point where they know their best game is just "out scoring" the opponent. And I'm not trying to be funny by stating the obvious. If they just play the game with the same mentality I saw against IA and WI, that will be successful. They look to me like their attitude is go ahead and run your offense, we will just keep scoring whether we get a stop or not. They'll find the mismatches and I hope they are quick to inbound and run after every Edey bucket. For Purdue to score with Illinois they need Edey. The less time he plays, the better.
Marcus just grins at the doubters...
GrayGhost77
- Centennial, CO
This is the kind of really big game that used to happen regularly back when I was in school (the Frank Williams days). You could always feel the anticipation building the whole day up until tipoff. I know we had it a little bit a few seasons ago in Ayo's last year when we were ranked in the Top 5, but it's still a rare, old, yet strangely familiar feeling. I miss it. Now let's come out with all of the energy and rage of a team that hasn't beaten these dudes in way too long and destroy them, or at least die trying (okay, maybe let's not die).
GET LOUD BROTHER!
Let's break 100I’d be happy with an 95-40 Illinois victory.
Watched replays within a couple hours myself. Hoping for the same tonight as it’s my wife’s birthday and have to keep my priorities straight. Could be an 11pm replay for me once the night has calmed!
Illinois 82-76
The Krush isn't what they used to be. I don't think that's all their fault.
The renovation, cell phones, alcohol sales, the frequent stoppages of play, the corporate takeovers of the frequent stoppages of play, loss of the war chant, and an overall gameday atmosphere that is more welcoming and family friendly versus anything that might get the Krush amped up; all these things play a role, IMO.
However, we can't put it all on the Krush. The regular fans are as quiet this year as I've ever seen them. Last home game, it was a pretty close game most of the way and I was able to have a conversation with my buddy next to me at a normal volume. That never would've been possible in previous years. Whoever is in charge of the gameday experience needs to think about how to get non-students more engaged. I don't think having a Jimmy John's Freaky Fast Tic Tac Toe Shootout at every media timeout is going to do it.
Anyway, enough bickering. I expect tonight to be the exception. Senior night with the #3 team in town. Tourname implications that casual fans can understand and appreciate. I'll be there doing my part and am excited to honor this group of seniors.
The renovation, cell phones, alcohol sales, the frequent stoppages of play, the corporate takeovers of the frequent stoppages of play, loss of the war chant, and an overall gameday atmosphere that is more welcoming and family friendly versus anything that might get the Krush amped up; all these things play a role, IMO.
However, we can't put it all on the Krush. The regular fans are as quiet this year as I've ever seen them. Last home game, it was a pretty close game most of the way and I was able to have a conversation with my buddy next to me at a normal volume. That never would've been possible in previous years. Whoever is in charge of the gameday experience needs to think about how to get non-students more engaged. I don't think having a Jimmy John's Freaky Fast Tic Tac Toe Shootout at every media timeout is going to do it.
Anyway, enough bickering. I expect tonight to be the exception. Senior night with the #3 team in town. Tourname implications that casual fans can understand and appreciate. I'll be there doing my part and am excited to honor this group of seniors.
Was our coaching staff back in suits for last game due to a special tribute or did they decide - it’s March / business mode? Like it if it’s for this reason. Let’s get it tonight, boys. There is only one uniform for tonight in my mind - Orange Throwbacks.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
Yep! Anyone saying the Assembly Hall/State Farm Center can't get just as loud as any other venue or otherwise making an excuse for why our atmosphere shouldn't be just as good as Purdue, Kansas, Duke, etc. has COMPLETELY flushed the memories of what the atmosphere was like in that era. It CAN be done!
lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
Win today and we could move as high as 8th in KenPom.
I weighed the $6 pay per view charge (i.e., subscription for the day) versus the $12 I would pend watching it in a bar, and was will to pay the extra $6 to spite the powers that be. Then I realized it would be hassle to find a bar that's broadcasting it, and it wouldn't be as comfortable as my living room, so bit the bullet on the $6.
What if we beat them by 50? I think we could jump higher than 8th but maybe I’m just an optimist
So, there is slow…and there is patient. If Marcus actually were slow and unathletic he 1) would be getting abused on defense 2) would not be able to finish at the rim with either hand at a high rate of efficiency, and would not be able to hit that fall-away shot with regularity over taller defenders.
I’ll admit I was wrong. I thought he’d be the perfect glue guy for a good high-major team. He is more than that. This team is so much fun to watch!
Way to get loud brother!!
Generally agree. It's not all on the Krush. But seeing as how they (by virtue of being in the Krush in the first place) sort of have agreed to be the noisemakers and fan cheerleaders, I do expect more out of them.
Outside the Krush / students, I wonder if the crowd skews older (and therefore quieter) than it used to, due to the economics of ticket prices. My 2 tickets for the Madison game were over $300 before StubHub fees. In my 50s I can spend that for a special occasion, in my 20s or 30s I would not have. Conversely, in my 50s I also do not have the energy or voice I had in my 20s. And we all succumb to our phones now, regardless of age.
And then there's the 'lost generation' argument, that all those would-be-noisy fans today in their 20s and 30s were lost due to the late Weber and Groce years.
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Pretty sure that was for the Moore tribute, as coaches on both teams had commemorative neckties. Whether they carry it forward or not, I don't know.
$12??? For two hours at a bar??? I’ll bet the servers are thrilled to see you coming.
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