Pregame: Illinois vs Texas/Xavier
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I would think the Duke game screws that stat greatly for us
Illinois has been pretty lousy against the best teams it played all year, but cleaned up pretty well in the "next of" to get the 6 seed.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
The last time Illinois played at a First Weekend site that bordered our state and was less than a 2-hour drive for a large hub of our fans (Indianapolis in 2005), Illini Nation showed up big time.
I'm hoping we can outdraw Big Blue Nation!
I'm hoping we can outdraw Big Blue Nation!
I'll be honest, at first I was annoyed to not know for sure who we were playing. But I think not having the opponent set has been great for my nerves all week.
At this time last year I was breathing into a paper bag while looking at Riley Minnix highlights.
At this time last year I was breathing into a paper bag while looking at Riley Minnix highlights.
Ha pretty sure this is 14 year old me in my Dee Brown jersey that he would sign after the game.The last time Illinois played at a First Weekend site that bordered our state and was less than a 2-hour drive for a large hub of our fans (Indianapolis in 2005), Illini Nation showed up big time.
I'm hoping we can outdraw Big Blue Nation!
It’s true. We are 0-7 against the best teams we’ve played. In fairness those teams are all top 11 in KenPom so a lot of teams would be 0-7. But in that next tier we are 7-0. So what does that mean? Likely not a national title contender but no reason we can’t make the second weekend.
They are young adults and their frontal lobes are not fully developed so they still need guidance and decision making support. Also don't have much life experience.
Pretty much when you die.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
To be more forgiving to us, though, we HAVE had the following results vs. top 3 seeds, too (current NCAAT seed listed).
L 64-66 vs. #2 Tennessee (losing on a buzzer beater and shooting horribly)
L 78-80 at #2 Michigan State (playing most of the game without KJ)
W 86-80 vs. #3 Wisconsin
So, we at least know we are CAPABLE of playing with and even beating these teams. We would obviously need to "click" in those games for it to happen, but as an example - if we happened to strike gold and play like we did vs. Oregon, we are almost certainly taking down any team in front of us before the #1 seeds.
MainelyIllini
- uh, Maine
Lou v Tubby Smith. That was a bummer ending if I recall. Pooh Williamson with a 4 pt play in the last minute of the game.
This tracks....
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
I wasn't old enough to remember this and I have never really seen highlights, but it is pretty astonishing the amount of heartbreak the Illini have had over the years when it comes to March Madness, lol. Looking at just regular season success, we have closer to a top 10 (top 15 at worst) all-time resume as a program. When you add in March Madness? Underachieving more often than not has our postseason results closer to top 30.Lou v Tubby Smith. That was a bummer ending if I recall. Pooh Williamson with a 4 pt play in the last minute of the game.
Goillinikobd
- Southeastern US
An inquiring mind wonders how they get the mid court logo in place. Is it painted?
IlliniKat91
- Chicago, IL
I learned a little while ago that all of the March Madness floors are made by the same company, Connor Sports. They're up in the UP.
From this time lapse video of the 2013 Final Four court, it looks like they put them together on site, paint them to specifications, and then break them down for shipping again. Kinda neat.
Very true.
This really leans into the whole "we get bad draws" narrative but after going through all of our postseasons looking for game start times over the years on KenPom, you'd be shocked at how many early-round games we played against seemingly under-seeded teams, at least recently. Examples as follows:
2023: 10-point first-round loss to 8 Arkansas, ranked 22 in Kenpom
2022: 15-point second-round loss to 5 Houston, ranked 2 in Kenpom
2021: 13-point second-round loss to 8 Loyola Chicago, ranked 10 in Kenpom
The one that always shocks me is Loyola Chicago being ranked 10 in KP in 2021. What an absolute nightmare in the second round.
Not sure if this point has been made before, but the real buzzsaw for our program is the second round. Since '97, in the first round, we're 14-3, but in the second round, we're 5-9. Of those 9 losses, 6 are upsets and 6 are by double-digits.
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Hammer, meet nail.
Comment of the day without a doubt.
I think that we have to be careful about inferring attitude. A few weeks ago there were some inferring some type of attitude issue with White based on perceived body language while on the bench. There doesn't seem to be that perception now. Different guys have different personas. Maybe there is an issue. Maybe not.
The media is not giving us much respect but I get it, they see a few bad loses without looking under the surface. I feel we can get to the E8. KJ needs to get his game back to where it was and our bigs need to stay out of foul trouble.
DoctorOrange
- Chicago, IL
Anyone know what Sunday session we would be in if we won on Friday?
RabidDawgClassic
- Los Angeles, CA
We are Schrodinger’s Team. We both deserve and do not deserve anyone’s respect.
Let's face it. We haven't earned a lot of respect with our play as of late. Fortunately, this is an absolute gift of a draw given what we achieved during the regular season, and we have every chance of earning that respect if we come correct on Friday.
Illini in Italy
- Illini HQ, Florida Panhandle
I say this based on my military career (1975-1998): Just like 17 and 18 year old military recruits, when they put the uniform on they are no longer kids. They are adults who, while they may lack life experience, have been trained to do an extraordinarily difficult job with no excuses, and have high expectations placed upon them. They are going to make mistakes, that's part of growing as a professional (and these players are professionals), and they should be and will be held accountable for those mistakes.
Having said that, they sure don't deserve verbal $h1t given out on a message board forum . . . .
It's session 3, the only Sunday session. Iowa State vs. Carolina (or Ole Miss) in one game, us vs. Kentucky in the next. And if we aren't playing, then who really cares.
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