Illini Basketball 2024-2025
- Status
Circling back to the SFC atmosphere.. Is it just me or does it seem like the band has much less engagement during games than it used to? Feels like every dead ball situation is defaulted to some sort of PA music or STAND UP AND SHOUT noise being blown at us. I miss the War Chant.. Got the juices flowing more than any PA noise ever has. Unfortunately, just another example of making the games more about money/donors than the students.
skyIdub
"I can't tell you. Secret."
I genuinely wish I could join the Mafia and ensure this would happen.
Kostas
- Naperville, IL
I will personally knee cap any NBA executive that drafts him
Or international team...
Or college AD...
Or...
(Just kidding... Except maybe the college AD)
You will... It will just be in the NBA
He will be fun to follow in NBA. If he's a success and Illinois keeps together a string of competitive seasons, a guy like that with the combo of winning teams gives exposure.
BU did a tremendous job this year putting this team together. This team has less gaps than last year team. Last year's team lacked a true PG and Center, the bench also proved to be ineffective with the exception of Dain. Also imagine that BU/staff didn't concur with Jermiah Fears joining the team a year early. If they did possbily 3 potential first round selections on the squad. No one knows what might have happened, possibly KJ doesn't come or the combination of KJ, Fears, KB doesn't quite work as well. But he made some real good decisoins.
Would also take Tomi over Ballo, "NotSoGreat" Osobor, and several other centers "we didn't land". KJ also has turned out much better than landing Storr or any other of the transfers we didn't land including Demon. I think most of it is BU/staff evaluation and part luck.
Joel Goodson
- how was I to know, she was with the Russians too?
Bigtex
- DFW
Amazing with the great Illinois history - never a 1 and done…until KJ
*The Outfit
Ivisic popping up on ESPN's under-the-radar draft prospects. Link (behind paywall): https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/st...5-nba-draft-10-risers-radar-players-prospects
MDchicago
- Lake Norman NC
Good list to find your team on ...
Illini currently 20th on KenPom offense and 9th on defense. At this point last season, last year's Elite 8 Illini were 10th on KP offense (ended season 3rd) and 34th on defense (beginning of long slide to 80th on defense). Think this team has a higher ceiling and could beat anyone on a given night, but will we have consistency to do it for six straight against top level opponents? Not likely, but love that there is a plausible opportunity.
Duke and Iowa State are the only two teams in the KP top 10 on each (top 4 in Duke's case) at present. MSG game with Duke will be a great test heading into the final stretch.
Illini currently 20th on KenPom offense and 9th on defense. At this point last season, last year's Elite 8 Illini were 10th on KP offense (ended season 3rd) and 34th on defense (beginning of long slide to 80th on defense). Think this team has a higher ceiling and could beat anyone on a given night, but will we have consistency to do it for six straight against top level opponents? Not likely, but love that there is a plausible opportunity.
Duke and Iowa State are the only two teams in the KP top 10 on each (top 4 in Duke's case) at present. MSG game with Duke will be a great test heading into the final stretch.
More importantly/ impressively, 23 of the last 25 national champions have been top 20 in both. And right now, we're one of eight teams on that list.
And to your point, I think the only thing holding us back from being a legit favorite to win it all is our inconsistent 3 point shooting. That's really our most glaring weakness.
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texillwek
🔶🔹🔸🔷
foby
- Bonnaroo Land
That's awesome! Much like Podz, I'm happy he found the perfect team and situation yo get him to that point.
Whoa! Maryland snuck up on me there.
RabidDawgClassic
- Los Angeles, CA
Just as long as they don’t sneak up on us at home. Again!!
Everyone was crying about how loaded Indiana was. We've got receipts!
Never underestimate the Mike Woodson factor. Just hope he can go on enough of a run here to get at least one more year (looking pretty doubtful anything saves his job at this point though).
- Status