Illini Basketball 2024-2025
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I was just thinking that Orange Crush could have t-shirts that say ‘Let the cio begin’ with the symbol over the c
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We're currently 5th in Torvik.
Since the Alabama game (9 game sample size) Torvik has us as the 3rd best team in the country behind Auburn and Houston. And before the results of yesterday's games were factored in, we were 2nd. Even if you wanted to throw out the Oregon game as an outlier, we would still be 4th in country over that period.
We are WAY ahead of where I expected us to be on January 5.
Since the Alabama game (9 game sample size) Torvik has us as the 3rd best team in the country behind Auburn and Houston. And before the results of yesterday's games were factored in, we were 2nd. Even if you wanted to throw out the Oregon game as an outlier, we would still be 4th in country over that period.
We are WAY ahead of where I expected us to be on January 5.
If you're not a good defensive team or good rebounding team then you're probably not going to be very good at being an up tempo team
I'm of the same mindset re: my expectations vs. what we've been seeing. I had predicted at beginning of the season that we would have a lot of bumps but I had hoped that we'd really put it together by end of this month or first of next and had always circled the MSG game vs. Duke as our chance to really show some people. After the OR win, I don't think there will be too many people underestimating us going into that game anymore.
He wrote this Dec. 18th. That seems too soon since Illinois and the other teams need time for the new players to gel. Which seems to be what has happened to the Illini. Hopefully, he continues to update as you say. It will be interesting to see what it looks like in another month or so.Evan is going to be tracking roster turnover results throughout year. Apologies if this has been posted/shared already.
Teams With Roster Turnover Are Struggling In 2024-25
Revisiting modern roster construction strategies to see which approaches are succeeding this seasonblog.evanmiya.com
Illini in Indiana
- Indiana
Got to love Tre White, in a strange he may determine how good we are.
Tre can "ball"
Tre can "ball"
Ryllini
- Lombard
I like his game, but I think Ben’s offense is the key to really unlock this team. He has been doing fine on defense and I’m happy to see him be more willing to rebound. He has to be able to hit some 3’s.
We are a final four contender even we just play like who we are now. If Ben and Ivisic or Will shoot near 40% 3pt, we are like a national championship contender.
Stephen Bardo in June 2024:
“Tre White can be a dog for the Illini this season. I watched him practice and man can he play!”
Illini fans in June 2024: “Huh?”
Illini fans in January 2025: “Wow, man can Tre White play!”
Not Bardo’s first rodeo. He was right on.
Go Illini!
“Tre White can be a dog for the Illini this season. I watched him practice and man can he play!”
Illini fans in June 2024: “Huh?”
Illini fans in January 2025: “Wow, man can Tre White play!”
Not Bardo’s first rodeo. He was right on.
Go Illini!
When the season started, Tre White seemed like the guy we thought he was. Lots of potential, not a lot of actual stats. He has been amazing and totally bought in. He's the guy who drives when we need a basket. Between him, KB, and KJ, we have so many options that can just get downhill and beat you or can pull up for a 3 in your face. It's so deadly.
I never realize he has like 18 points and 5 rebounds, it's always just quiet work. He's been just as important a piece as anyone else on this team. Seems like one of those kids that just needs the right environment to be his best self. 100% glad we got him and definitely the best assist that Skyy Clark ever gave us.
I never realize he has like 18 points and 5 rebounds, it's always just quiet work. He's been just as important a piece as anyone else on this team. Seems like one of those kids that just needs the right environment to be his best self. 100% glad we got him and definitely the best assist that Skyy Clark ever gave us.
Skyy Clark is still gagging over his huge mistake of leaving Illinois. That in itself should teach a lesson to all of the players for next year. We are the best place for players to be at and no other program is close.
Here's a trend to keep an eye on:
Against our 8 high major opponents, we've outscored them by 64 points total in the first 30 minutes. In fact, the only team to win the first 30 minutes against us has been Alabama.
Conversely, against those same opponents, we've been outscored by 25 points total in the final 10 minutes and the only team who hasn't outscored us in the final quarter is Oregon.
And I'll just get out ahead of some of the comments now.
Yes, I'm extremely happy with how this team is playing.
No, I'm not just looking for things to complain about. Always looking for areas where we can be even better.
Yes, I know there's nothing I can do about it either way. I'm just obsessive and sick.
Fun fact: We've held 4 of our 8 high major opponents to exactly 77 points including the last 3.
Against our 8 high major opponents, we've outscored them by 64 points total in the first 30 minutes. In fact, the only team to win the first 30 minutes against us has been Alabama.
Conversely, against those same opponents, we've been outscored by 25 points total in the final 10 minutes and the only team who hasn't outscored us in the final quarter is Oregon.
And I'll just get out ahead of some of the comments now.
Yes, I'm extremely happy with how this team is playing.
No, I'm not just looking for things to complain about. Always looking for areas where we can be even better.
Yes, I know there's nothing I can do about it either way. I'm just obsessive and sick.
Fun fact: We've held 4 of our 8 high major opponents to exactly 77 points including the last 3.
Bigtex
- DFW
interesting but not a huge surprise.
1-3 in first 4 Q1 games
3-0 in next 3 Q1 games
Illinois trending in the right direction as the team grows and matures together.
Coaches love players that consistently produce. Seems like we have more than our fair share of those with KJ, Boswell, White, Tomi and now DGL. You can win a lot of games just with that. When guys like Ben, Morez and Davis have good games, we are very hard to beat. When Riley starts to tap into his potential, we are a top 5 team. There were two or three times yesterday when I thought he had good catch-and-shoot opportunities, but he instead put the ball on the floor. Right now, he seems like a hitter who is a bit late on fastballs and a little early on off-speed pitches. He'll adapt, and when he does, look out!
He just needs to simplify the game right now. Everyone will just go "oh, he's so skinny", and that is an aspect of weakness, but the guy's just missing wide open shots. Shots he hasn't missed in his life. Probably the biggest shooting slump in his lifetime.
Yeah, Will is a bit of a liability right now if we are being objective. Booth is probably wondering: "I can shoot and miss. Why does he get so much playing time?" /s
Really though, Underwood is likely taking the Ben Humrichous approach with Will, hoping that he'll come out of his "slump" soon. Needless to say, while the NBA drafts on potential, he isn't helping his draft stock right now. My guess is he will test the NBA waters but come back, put on 10 more pounds of muscle and dominate next year.
robertgoulet
IL Board Resident Crooner
- Austin, TX
Said it before the season, this is going to be a team no one wants to see on their side of the bracket come March.
John Hollinger (NBA guy for The Athletic) was at the UW game and said UI looks like a FF team.
Podz might disagree
promise I'm only trying to get a rise, but seriously some guys are so individually talented, it is best for them to just go somewhere they can show that. MOST (99%+?) need development and we seem to be getting the most out of guys that need that.
Pretty sure most of that getting outscored starts every game around 8 minutes remaining. Oregon even had a bit of a run at that some point which we were quick to balloon back up to a laugher.
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