As much as last year's USC game haunts me, I feel like we match up with them pretty well this year. They aren't a good three point shooting team. Not really a great shooting team at any level, but will attack the rim and draw fouls. Our size and ability to defend without fouling should neutralize that. They are a pretty poor defensive rebounding team, which plays into our strength. Though USC is a bubble team desperate for a win, I think if we come out with energy we should be able to handle them.
Pregame: Illinois at USC, Wednesday, February 18th, 9:00pm CT, BTN
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We beat #3 Indiana in Bloomington with out Kendal. 4 out of 12 ain't bad. Hard to say. You could argue some players got more tick when Kendal was out, which should help.
Time to start some payback!
DeonThomas
- South Carolina
Exactly my recollection. Nice recall!
Illini History -- Also of note:
Amazingly, the UCLA all-time lead is only 6-5.
I was really young at the time, but we sorta did the same thing back in 1972 when we played a John Wooden-coached UCLA team. Nick Connor and Nick Weatherspoon were our two big stars. Think I can recall Connor hitting a deep 2-pointer from the corner, and he was never really allowed to shoot such shots!
That year we played Wooden & Walton in a really tight battle, only to lose late. That was right in the middle of their 88-game winning streak.....and was one of their toughest games up to that point in the streak.
You don’t get me, I’m just asking what our record is, we have had so many injuries. I believe we have only lost one or two when completely healthy.
DICKnaggie
- Champaign
Z just changes the game on the defensive end when he is in. It's amazing watching great scorers like Wilkerson have second thoughts when confronted with Z in the lane. So formidable!
A big shout out and Fck you to, CBS for having Bruce Pearl on at half time. You know the history between that slime bucket POS and our Illini. And you think its a good business decision to have him on. I don't care what's on, I am no longer supporting CBS. Freak idiots!
RabidDawgClassic
- Los Angeles, CA
I’m planning to go to the game at the Galen Center, assuming I’m off work in time. Anyone know how easy or difficult it is to buy tickets outside of that arena. I know there are plenty available at the ticket office but I’d love to get a feel for what the on-site street sales are like.
FeelYourPaign
- So Cal
If you are going to USC game, be aware that they don't allow bags, other than clear plastic. I alerted my wife, who is now carrying almost nothing in. See description on Galen Center Web site for more details
Is USC usually half full?
Joel Goodson
- how was I to know, she was with the Russians too?
Andrej sighting
Not ultra relevant but this is the same policy SFC has.
It seems to me scalpers have gone by the wayside with the Mobile tickets. I used to see some outside the SFC all the time but not anymore. Didn’t know if this is what you were alluding to or not
If you block a shot out of bounds it should be the defense ball. Would be a lot more fun.
RabidDawgClassic
- Los Angeles, CA
Yeah…. That’s what I figured. Back in the day of paper tickets, I was quite adept at finding someone who just wanted to sell extra tickets for a reasonable price. But the new landscape is out of my wheelhouse.
FlyNavy
- Los Angeles
The ticket desk at the arena was quick last year for the women's game, I don't think there was even a line. And that game drew over 9000, which might be more than we will see Wednesday. You should have no problem buying tickets on-site.
The security line took a long time though, 15-20 minutes IIRC.
How did Illini get better when Gill was Hurt. They had all of their regular season while he was hurt. When he got hurt they had just got to mo. 1.
RabidDawgClassic
- Los Angeles, CA
I’m assuming there was a much bigger crowd for the women’s game then there are for men’s games… no?
ptgrd23
- orange county CA
We bought tickets for UCLA from their box office at list price - ~$250/each about about 12 rows from court about free throw line.
I guess they don't sell out even their good seats. I recommend you just buy online direct from Galen center.
Last season USC MBB avg 6,300 per game, USC WBB 4,421 per game. Gallen only holds 10,258
thru Jan 9 2026 UCLA MBB 5,212, WBB 5,596
I guess they don't sell out even their good seats. I recommend you just buy online direct from Galen center.
Last season USC MBB avg 6,300 per game, USC WBB 4,421 per game. Gallen only holds 10,258
thru Jan 9 2026 UCLA MBB 5,212, WBB 5,596
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RabidDawgClassic
- Los Angeles, CA
That’s Drej in the bottom right corner… right? If so, looks like he’s making the LA trip.
Almost certain it was deliberate to not crop out his head lol.
FlyNavy
- Los Angeles
Last's years women's team definitely drew crowds - top five team, JuJu Watkins was healthy. The Illini game was just above 9000 - still a low number by our standards but basketball is definitely not a thing at SC. UCLA was the only women's game to sell out Galen Center (just north of 10K), but they were also a top-five team.
In comparison, the biggest attendance for the men this year was Purdue at 8600. But that was also a weekend game and the weather was nicer. The Indiana game on a Tuesday was 6300. We should have more there than the IU game even with the rain.
?? The 89 team was undefeated during the regular season with Gill in the lineup. They were 8 - 4 while he was out.
That's correct and you're missing the point. The 4 games we lost in '89 weren't to teams as good as Wisconsin and MSU are this year. We lost to mediorce teams in games that weren't all that close. - the '89 became a better team all around when Gill was out. Because they had to. This team is more talented by position than that team. This team can rely on one of 5 players to carry them if they need to. The '89 team could not. The '89 team finished third in the Big Ten and were by far the most athletic team in Illinois history.
If you couldn't see the difference on defense yesterday vs the games when Bam was out, perhaps take another look. We were getting beat off the dribble using a staggered sceen Andrej the on ball defender. First kudos to Andre for trying to fill that spot. Second, we are very much a team to be reckoned that is continuing to improve with when all 8 players healthy. As long as we get a top 12 seed, we have a chance to run to the final 8 and with the correct match up we can get to the final game.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
I posted this in the Bracketology thread, but we are currently a #2 and USC is currently a #10 in the Bracket Matrix. This is a nice simulation of a potential game where we are playing to get to the Sweet Sixteen, and this road trip in general will be an interesting measuring stick for me for how we are gearing up for the home stretch!
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