foby
- Bonnaroo Land
Not sure where that is directed, as I didn't mention experience? If you are saying we cannot make a one seed because of lack of experience, then there are a lot of historical cases to prove that wrong.
Illini Basketball 2024-2025
- Status
RabidDawgClassic
- Los Angeles, CA
Boswell Almighty?
...who were about 2 plays away from losing to Grambling State, a game which they trailed for the entirety of the first half, and most of the second half.
Now this is wrong. If we win both Bama and Arkansas (not happening but still for the sake of the discussion), we'll be in the top 10 at the very least.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
Will you stop posting your pessimistic educated guesses as fact? It’s incredibly annoying.
As a kid he was called Bam-Bam.
Joel Goodson
- how was I to know, she was with the Russians too?
A whole lot of stock being put into an exhibition game in a first road environment for many on this team. I have no doubt there will be struggles through the season but exhibition games can be very flukey so really just saw it as a great experience for the group. Will revisit how we look against better competition but saying we have no chance against the best teams in our noncon is foolish imo.
Purdue last year lost to a terrible Arkansas team in exhibition... that sure didn't hold up
Define "a lot". A #1 seed generally consist of one, MAYBE two non conference losses, a regular season conference championship and more than likely a conference tournament run.
You can point to multiple cases where a team lost 99% of everything from the year prior to be a #1 seed the next year?
Joel Goodson
- how was I to know, she was with the Russians too?
RabidDawgClassic
- Los Angeles, CA
Brad said before the exhibition game that the team and the coaching staff would not to a deep dive into scouting the Rebels. It certainly looked as if that’s the case. So if Brad and the staff weren’t all that interested in scouting their opponent, you can assume it was done that way as a learning experience.
Illinicpa14
- Chicago
This - not that Brad wanted us to lose but I’m sure he wanted to put guys in certain situations and see how they respond and coached a certain way in practice that week…much different then in February/March
Illini in Italy
- Illini HQ, Florida Panhandle
NBA Draft: International Freshmen Take the NCAA by Storm With Elite Playmaking
Basketball has obviously made massive leaps worldwide and has brought elite-level talent into college basketball this season. As key names in an impressive fres
www.si.com
foby
- Bonnaroo Land
You can always be counted on.
I'm serious though. If Brad has this team finishing in the top 4 of the conference and a top 4(protected) seed in the NCAA Tournament, he should be Big Ten Coach of the Year. Replacing pretty much 100% of your roster and keeping the train rolling would be absolutely remarkable.
Cynical me says we will likely be ranked in the top 25 going into the Alabama game. Better for ESPN marketing and there will be some loses in the next 10 days. Not a sure bet for a Wed. night slot on the SEC network, but the major networks seem to be able to move the ranking needle a bit when they decide to hype a particular matchup.
I sort of agree. Top 4 in conference a a top 4 seed in the tourney are lofty goals. That said, I don't know about Coach of the Year. There are 17 other head coaches he'd have to beat out.
I won’t pretend to know Underwood’s mindset, but as a coach, I’d want them to lose in that specific situation. They’re a young team filled with guys that have been the best player on their court predominately throughout their lives up to that point. I would totally want them to be humbled so that they can see that they can’t walk into any games thinking that their talent alone will win them games.
Illini fans, will we be competing in the finals of the national championship this year or next year or both?
RabidDawgClassic
- Los Angeles, CA
Brad was not unhappy after that game.
- Status