Illini Basketball 2024-2025

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#151      
JFGsCoffeeMug
Still have a lot of confidence in this team putting it all together by March. That said, I really want to see us raise our floor and demonstrate some consistency from game to game. We'll need to do both of those things in order to go on a deep run in March.
 
#153      
Fighter of the Nightman
Current Big Ten standings before tonight's games. For the sake of what I was trying to do, I broke tie-breakers with overall record, head-to-head results and when needed rank.

#1 Michigan State: 7-0
#2 Purdue: 7-1
#3 Michigan: 6-1
#4 Wisconsin: 5-2
#5 Illinois: 5-3
#6 Indiana: 5-3
#7 Oregon: 4-3
#8 Maryland: 4-4
#9 UCLA: 3-4
#10 USC: 3-4
#11 Iowa: 3-4
#12 Penn State: 3-5
#13 Rutgers: 3-5
#14 Nebraska: 2-5
#15 Northwestern: 2-5
#16 Ohio State: 2-5
#17 Washington: 1-6
#18 Minnesota: 1-6

I would argue that as of today, the contenders look like the top 5 on my list ... and here are the games they have remaining against each other (i.e., a chance to have a full game swing in the standings).

#1 Michigan State: at #5 ILL, vs. #2 PUR, at #3 MICH, vs. #4 WISC, vs. #3 MICH
#2 Purdue: vs. #3 MICH, at #3 MICH, vs. #4 WISC, at #1 MSU, at #5 ILL
#3 Michigan: at #2 PUR, vs. #2 PUR, vs. #1 MSU, vs. #5 ILL, at #1 MSU
#4 Wisconsin: at #2 PUR, vs. #5 ILL, at #1 MSU
#5 Illinois: vs. #1 MSU, at #4 WISC, at #3 MICH, vs. #2 PUR

So as you can see, MSU still has a tough road ahead. This doesn't take into account who gets to play the lower-ranked teams and where or anything, but it does show that the current top 3 theoretically have more chances for losses coming up. Even with our mishap vs. USC and heart-breakers at NU and MSU, I wouldn't count us out of a share of the title just yet. With that said, we both need to catch fire and for MSU's luck to start turning.
 
#155      
Bigtex
Updated Fighter information - Current Big Ten standings before tonight's games.

#1 Michigan State: 7-0
#2 Michigan: 6-1
#3 Purdue: 7-2
#4 Wisconsin: 5-3
#4 Illinois: 5-3
#4 Indiana: 5-3
#4 Oregon: 5-3
#8 Maryland: 4-4
#8 UCLA: 4-4
#10 USC: 3-4
#11 Iowa: 3-5
#11 Penn State: 3-5
#11 Rutgers: 3-5
#11 Ohio State: 3-5
#15 Nebraska: 2-5
#15 Northwestern: 2-5
#17 Minnesota: 2-6
#18 Washington: 1-7

here are the games they have remaining against each other (i.e., a chance to have a full game swing in the standings) and IMO the best 5 teams:

#1 Michigan State: at #5 ILL, vs. #2 PUR, at #3 MICH, vs. #4 WISC, vs. #3 MICH 5 games 2H and 3A
#2 Michigan: at #2 PUR, vs. #2 PUR, vs. #1 MSU, vs. #5 ILL, at #1 MSU 5 games 3H and 2A
#3 Purdue: vs. #3 MICH, at #3 MICH, vs. #4 WISC, at #1 MSU, at #5 ILL 5 games 2H and 3A
#4 Wisconsin: at #2 PUR, vs. #5 ILL, at #1 MSU 3 games 2H 1A
#4 Illinois: vs. #1 MSU, at #4 WISC, at #3 MICH, vs. #2 PUR 4 games 2H 2A
 
#156      
New Creation
Bigtex said:
Updated Fighter information - Current Big Ten standings before tonight's games.

#1 Michigan State: 7-0
#2 Michigan: 6-1
#3 Purdue: 7-2
#4 Wisconsin: 5-3
#4 Illinois: 5-3
#4 Indiana: 5-3
#4 Oregon: 5-3
#8 Maryland: 4-4
#8 UCLA: 4-4
#10 USC: 3-4
#11 Iowa: 3-5
#11 Penn State: 3-5
#11 Rutgers: 3-5
#11 Ohio State: 3-5
#15 Nebraska: 2-5
#15 Northwestern: 2-5
#17 Minnesota: 2-6
#18 Washington: 1-7

here are the games they have remaining against each other (i.e., a chance to have a full game swing in the standings) and IMO the best 5 teams:

#1 Michigan State: at #5 ILL, vs. #2 PUR, at #3 MICH, vs. #4 WISC, vs. #3 MICH 5 games 2H and 3A
#2 Michigan: at #2 PUR, vs. #2 PUR, vs. #1 MSU, vs. #5 ILL, at #1 MSU 5 games 3H and 2A
#3 Purdue: vs. #3 MICH, at #3 MICH, vs. #4 WISC, at #1 MSU, at #5 ILL 5 games 2H and 3A
#4 Wisconsin: at #2 PUR, vs. #5 ILL, at #1 MSU 3 games 2H 1A
#4 Illinois: vs. #1 MSU, at #4 WISC, at #3 MICH, vs. #2 PUR 4 games 2H 2A
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So....

MSU has to go 0-5 during that stretch

UM has to go 2-3 with wins over MSU 2x

Purdue has to go 3 - 2 with losses to Illini and Bucky

Wisconsin has to go 2-1 with the loss to the Illini

Illini have to go 4-0


Is it doable?
 
#157      
Illinicpa14
New Creation said:
So....

MSU has to go 0-5 during that stretch

UM has to go 2-3 with wins over MSU 2x

Purdue has to go 3 - 2 with losses to Illini and Bucky

Wisconsin has to go 2-1 with the loss to the Illini

Illini have to go 4-0


Is it doable?
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No - going to need teams to drop other games, that’s where the tricky games will come into play.

At Iowa, At IU, At Nebraska - those are the types of games that we need those with better records to drop. We got one last night with OSU winning at Purdue.
 
#159      
skyIdub
Mobi said:
He was trying to say we didn't try to penetrate much to take advantage of the spacing.
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#162      
derrick6
Username said:
247sports.com

Notebook: Illini 'need to make sure' Jakucionis stays on the floor; Underwood's growing 'distaste for losing'

Jakucionis battled foul trouble in Sunday's loss at Michigan State.
247sports.com 247sports.com
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Great article. Love hearing the coach’s comments on the USC and MSU losses. You can infer a bunch based on his comments.

The loss to USC was disappointing because we’d been playing so well. But we were missing our best player and didn’t fully take advantage of Ivisic as a playmaker.

MSU should have been a win. Harder to control for the refs but we missed the opportunity to use Ivisic more down the stretch. But he had Strep.

My takeaway is BU learned a bunch in those two losses. I’m looking forward to seeing his response tomorrow.
 
#165      
Brosky
We're still #17 according to AP. A 2 point game is a virtual tie. We've got 2 of those--the buzzer beater against Tennessee and now MSU, both highly ranked when we played them. I think voters are smart enough to know this and submit their votes accordingly.
 
#166      
Fighter of the Nightman
Random question ... have they not announced any themes for home games (e.g., "Orange Out" or the "Stripe Out" game) this season? And if so, why are they waiting to give fans even less notice?!

We are buying our tickets today for the MSU game on February 15th, and I am beyond excited. I figured it was the obvious choice for the "Orange Out" game*, but I have not seen that confirmed anywhere. I need at least a couple of weeks to force my dad into something orange rather than navy, haha.

* DIA ... PLEASE just call it Paint the Hall Orange again! I get that the arena is not called Assembly Hall anymore, but (A) it's a nod to our history that can remain even with the name changed to SFC and (B) it sounds infinitely cooler and more unique than "Orange Out," lol.
 
#168      
Tre11
Fighter of the Nightman said:
Random question ... have they not announced any themes for home games (e.g., "Orange Out" or the "Stripe Out" game) this season? And if so, why are they waiting to give fans even less notice?!

We are buying our tickets today for the MSU game on February 15th, and I am beyond excited. I figured it was the obvious choice for the "Orange Out" game*, but I have not seen that confirmed anywhere. I need at least a couple of weeks to force my dad into something orange rather than navy, haha.

* DIA ... PLEASE just call it Paint the Hall Orange again! I get that the arena is not called Assembly Hall anymore, but (A) it's a nod to our history that can remain even with the name changed to SFC and (B) it sounds infinitely cooler and more unique than "Orange Out," lol.
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I think that the Tennessee game was a stripe out.
 
#169      
BillyBob1
#170      
Fighter of the Nightman
Tre11 said:
I think that the Tennessee game was a stripe out.
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Ah, thank you - you are right! Then I HAVE to figure a Saturday night primetime game vs. currently-first-place Michigan State would have to be the Orange Out game. I mean, these are our remaining home games:

vs. Maryland - Thursday 1/23 at 8:00 pm
vs. Northwestern - Sunday 1/26 at 2:00 pm
vs. Ohio State - Sunday 2/2 at 12:00 pm
vs. UCLA - Tuesday 2/11 at 7:00 pm
vs. #8 Michigan State - Saturday 2/15 at 7:00 pm
vs. Iowa - Tuesday 2/25 at 8:00 pm
vs. #11 Purdue - Friday 3/7 at 7:00 pm

Given the implications for the standings, the day/time of the games and the draw of the opponent, MSU and Purdue are easily our two biggest home games left, at least IMO. Yeah, Iowa is a rival and OSU is on a weekend, but ... it's MSU and Purdue for the headliners. Given Purdue isn't until the last game of the season and that TSJ will be honored for the MSU game, how do you not make that one the Orange Out?!
 
#171      
21ChampaignSt
Fighter of the Nightman said:
Ah, thank you - you are right! Then I HAVE to figure a Saturday night primetime game vs. currently-first-place Michigan State would have to be the Orange Out game. I mean, these are our remaining home games:

vs. Maryland - Thursday 1/23 at 8:00 pm
vs. Northwestern - Sunday 1/26 at 2:00 pm
vs. Ohio State - Sunday 2/2 at 12:00 pm
vs. UCLA - Tuesday 2/11 at 7:00 pm
vs. #8 Michigan State - Saturday 2/15 at 7:00 pm
vs. Iowa - Tuesday 2/25 at 8:00 pm
vs. #11 Purdue - Friday 3/7 at 7:00 pm

Given the implications for the standings, the day/time of the games and the draw of the opponent, MSU and Purdue are easily our two biggest home games left, at least IMO. Yeah, Iowa is a rival and OSU is on a weekend, but ... it's MSU and Purdue for the headliners. Given Purdue isn't until the last game of the season and that TSJ will be honored for the MSU game, how do you not make that one the Orange Out?!
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Iowa is the Orange Out. It would have been cool for it to be the MSU game, but TSJ's return should already be enough to stir up a little electricity. My recommendation - lie to your old man and tell him it's the Orange Out.
 
#172      
Fighter of the Nightman
21ChampaignSt said:
Iowa is the Orange Out. It would have been cool for it to be the MSU game, but TSJ's return should already be enough to stir up a little electricity. My recommendation - lie to your old man and tell him it's the Orange Out.
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Ah shoot, okay. I always wondered why the DIA marketing team doesn't promote wearing orange like we used to ... I mean, I figure it is because Nike has so much navy/gray/white apparel it needs to move off the shelves, but there has definitely been a decline in that "Orange Wall" vibe we had going back in the day, which is unfortunate. Don't get me wrong, still plenty of orange in SFC ... but this is a pretty stark contrast, even with different lighting/angles:

2007 vs. Wisconsin
SP_CBB_043_LG.jpg


2020 vs. Maryland
ATH1920_Facilities_0007s_0006_statefarmcenter.jpg


For some reason, an arena just looks SO damn intimidating when you stare up at what seems like this unified WALL of one color bearing down on you, haha.
 
#173      
Calvin
ILLINI IN NE said:
I was not the biggest DGL fan after his first season, I thought he was a bit of a chucker, and I wasn't impressed with his defense either. I am a big fan now and not just because of his improved scoring and defense, the fire he brings when he plays is what changed my opinion. He shows more emotion on the court than anyone else and I love to see it.
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100% Definitely improved. Plays within himself much, much better. I think he adjusted pretty quickly all things considered. The shots he doesn't take this year that he would have taken last year are noticeable. Uses his athleticism well both on offense and defense. Values his minutes. Really good finisher --looked up some of his stats
over 70% on 2 pointers.
9 steals and 14 turnovers
 
#174      
21ChampaignSt
Fighter of the Nightman said:
Ah shoot, okay. I always wondered why the DIA marketing team doesn't promote wearing orange like we used to ... I mean, I figure it is because Nike has so much navy/gray/white apparel it needs to move off the shelves, but there has definitely been a decline in that "Orange Wall" vibe we had going back in the day, which is unfortunate. Don't get me wrong, still plenty of orange in SFC ... but this is a pretty stark contrast, even with different lighting/angles:

2007 vs. Wisconsin
SP_CBB_043_LG.jpg


2020 vs. Maryland
ATH1920_Facilities_0007s_0006_statefarmcenter.jpg


For some reason, an arena just looks SO damn intimidating when you stare up at what seems like this unified WALL of one color bearing down on you, haha.
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I miss that too. It was more...fanatical back then. I don't know that we'll ever get quite the same unified wall vibe because the seating is a little more broken up now. But I do think there's an opportunity to reestablish wearing orange as proper game day etiquette.
 
#175      
Toews
Well DGL not only seems to have improved a ton on the court, he also seems to be one of the leaders of the team. It's his voice leading the post game "family" and he's the sole captain who they send out to meet the refs. You heard him in that one post-game video as well reiterating what Brad was saying. He's seemed to have majorly stepped up in Ty's absence as a leader and it's been great to see.
 
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