Pregame: Illinois vs Kentucky, Sunday, March 23rd, 4:15pm CT, CBS

[altgeld88]

I find it so interesting to see how much the 3pt line has changed spacing and sets run.

Yep. It was a much different game before the line and the 45-sec shot clock appeared in the mid-'80s (in consecutive seasons, IIRC.) I watched portions of Villanova's huge upset of Georgetown in the '85 title game a few years ago and had forgotten about how different the game was back then.

Oh, the days of the four-corner offense. My varsity high-school team beat the #1 team in the state my sophomore year by employing a deliberate stall on each possession. I think the final score was 26-24. lol.

 

[WyattEarp]

How about Jon Scheyer is a kid from the Chicago suburbs (whose high school coach was Bruce Weber’s brother) who spurned his state school ILLINOIS to go to Duke? Is that a reason?

If I wasn’t already there…I feel like that could work for me…

 

[IlliniFaninHoosierLand]

And to think, just a few weeks ago people on here were complaining about Eastland holding the ball outside the arc in their sectional title game against Pecatonica.

 

[Chieeeeeef]

There are only two teams out of conference that I dislike more than Kentucky. One of them is Duke. The other is, you guessed it. UNC.

I have one word for you: SATAN!

 

[Rap47]

How about Jon Scheyer is a kid from the Chicago suburbs (whose high school coach was Bruce Weber’s brother) who spurned his state school ILLINOIS to go to Duke? Is that a reason?

If any high school player gets to choose from Duke or Illinois, which do you think you would choose in the last 25 years?

 

[Bigtex]

The kid is paid with Chicken Nuggets…when we make 2 in a row

He is going to eat well. Illinois made 18 in a row or 9 orders of nuggets

 

[altgeld88]

If any high school player gets to choose from Duke or Illinois, which do you think you would choose in the last 25 years?

(and not ride the pine while on the team.)

Truth bomb. Alas.

 

[SweetLuh]

Just making sure it doesn’t go unread:

Sections 107 and 210 for the Illini fans.

Good news is you won’t be alone though anywhere if it’s anything like last night. But, don’t take that for granted. 2 other very passionate fan bases will be there. I can assure you Iowa St. does not think too highly of the Illini as well.

I’ll be in 119 with 3 others. Again, hope to see a bunch of you tomorrow.

Go Illini

We just purchased 119 as well! Lets go! I L L

 

[amillini#2]

Will any component of the Krush be there? And if so … WHY NOT?? DIA should be making sure we have a student section presence this close to home!

Krush have a block of tickets in 210. I know at least one student who is using his ticket to cheer on the Illini. I find it disheartening however, that I was able to purchase my ticket in the secondhand market in the same row to be able to be there with him. This goes for the I-Fund lower bowl section as well re: reselling. If you can’t go, pass on the offer and let the next person on the list get a chance to go. It’s not meant to be a chance to make a couple hundred bucks. It’s a reward for loyalty so you can be at the game.
Rant over.

 

[Tophe]

My top 3 reasons for hating Duke

 

[…INI!]

I have a friend who went to Duke so I guess I don't feed into that idea that I have to hate Duke because they're Duke. UNC I have a reason to dislike, Missouri I have a reason to dislike. Kansas I have a reason to dislike. Big 10 foes like Indiana and Iowa I have a reason to dislike. But, Duke never did anything to Illinois other than give us our worst loss in program history. But, that's on our players and coaches. That's just me though

In the same boat with same dislikes.
I have 2 sons that graduated from Duke Divinity grad school.

 

[…INI!]

In the same boat with same dislikes.
I have 2 sons that graduated from Duke Divinity grad school.

Oh, and also Satan!

 

[WyattEarp]

My top 3 reasons for hating Duke

 

[illini510]

How about Jon Scheyer is a kid from the Chicago suburbs (whose high school coach was Bruce Weber’s brother) who spurned his state school ILLINOIS to go to Duke? Is that a reason?

That was Scheyer's decision and I don't blame the guy. It's not like he pulled an Eric Gordon or Cliff Alexander on us. Talen Horton Tucker if you want a more recent example. Not every in state kid is going to stay home

 

[PapaKvells]

There are only two teams out of conference that I dislike more than Kentucky. One of them is Duke. The other is, you guessed it. UNC.

Do Kansas and Mizzou complete the Mt Rushmore for you?

 

[CAIllini]

If you are looking for a way to pre-game tomorrow you can watch the ‘84 game on YouTube

That was great… Thanks

I especially enjoyed watching no three-point line, no shot clock, Sam Bowie sighting (infamously picked head of Jordan), half time stats magnet board, and the IBM PCjr add (at :49 left in the game) left in the VHS tape copy!

I don’t think I ever saw this game as I was 8…only started really paying attention with the flyin Illini in ‘89 around middle school.

BS they played this at Rupp, but good game. Beal definitely travelled! Douglas & Richardson were impressive…no real memories of watching them.

I’m fully ready now for redemption later today!

 

[pweo]

Krush have a block of tickets in 210. I know at least one student who is using his ticket to cheer on the Illini. I find it disheartening however, that I was able to purchase my ticket in the secondhand market in the same row to be able to be there with him. This goes for the I-Fund lower bowl section as well re: reselling. If you can’t go, pass on the offer and let the next person on the list get a chance to go. It’s not meant to be a chance to make a couple hundred bucks. It’s a reward for loyalty so you can be at the game.
Rant over.

I've got some empathy here. We chose not to get tickets as all three of us couldn't sit together in the IFund seating. We could have got two and tried to flip them into three together in a different section and I imagine others did the same math / made a different choice.

 

[Gbop]

I have one word for you: SATAN!

I will literally become ill if Satan wins it all.

 

[amillini#2]

I've got some empathy here. We chose not to get tickets as all three of us couldn't sit together in the IFund seating. We could have got two and tried to flip them into three together in a different section and I imagine others did the same math / made a different choice.

I hear you there. I am more ‘disheartened’ than ‘angry’ or ‘upset.’ Part of the issue is you can’t choose who you are selling the tickets to in the secondhand sites and it breaks up the block.

 

[Battle89]

How about Jon Scheyer is a kid from the Chicago suburbs (whose high school coach was Bruce Weber’s brother) who spurned his state school ILLINOIS to go to Duke? Is that a reason?

I have a friend who went to Duke too. I don’t conflate my friendship with him with affection for his school.

 

[nyc_illini]

I refuse to hate programs whose fans don’t even spend two brain cells thinking of us

 

[Battle89]

(and not ride the pine while on the team.)

Truth bomb. Alas.

And this is not further reason to dislike Duke?

The question on the table is not the rational decision making of high schoolers, it is the inbred advantages Duke has that make them unlikable.

 

[sacraig]

I have one word for you: SATAN!

Yeah, but I hate that coach, not that school. If he moved schools, I'd go back to not caring about Auburn.

 

[WyattEarp]

Yeah, but I hate that coach, not that school. If he moved schools, I'd go back to not caring about Auburn.

 

[hoopsfan47]

Arizona pays my paycheck, so... Bear Down... unless they are playing Illinois.

I feel your sentiment. As an Arizona alum, grad. asst. coach, and HOF member, I always root for the Cats...unless they play the Illini on the hardwood. I have no hesitancy or guilt as I have been an Illini basketball fan since 1955. Some may not understand it. The fact is I grew up an hour away from C-U. My grandfather gave me a small basketball and a hoop to put on my closet door (a crawl space made into a clothing/toy closet) for my first birthday. It was always a dream to play for the Illini, but I made a choice as a HS frosh to pursue collegiate golf. My decision was based on the fact that many could beat Arnold Palmer, but no one could guard Walt Frazier. No regrets, but I will always wonder what if.

There have been some painful times as an Illini hoops fan, but I have never wavered and they have always been my team. I try to never miss a game...albeit by TV. Being able to watch every game was like the Dick Tracy two-way wrist radio....who could imagine that would ever happen? But both are part of my life today, For those who may be teens or younger, there will be things that become part of your every day life that likely only a handful of people on earth think could ever become reality....but they will. And for those who have, like me, waited patiently for an Illini NCAA title....may your patience be rewarded...and I hope while am am alive to see it.