Note of Gratitude Ahead of Madness

[March2TheArch]

Just a note of gratitude today, gentlemen and ladies.

We weathered the 38-33 loss to PSU in the waning BAM years. Endured Groce running the program into the Big 10 basement.

Underwood obviously needed a few years to get his feet set. But we’ve now had the era of Ayo/Kofi. We then had TSJ. Then KJ and Will Riley. That’s 4 first round draft picks in 4 drafts. Now we have the most efficient offense in the country playing a reallllly good strength of schedule with a lot of talent on the other side of the ball.

There was a time making the tourney felt like a successful season. Think those years with Demetri McCamey, Tisdale, Brandon Paul, DJ Richardson, etc.

I realize we’ve only made 1 second weekend since 2005 and ofc in truly Illini heartbreak fashion run into the UConn juggernaut. Michigan in 1989. UNC in 2005. UConn in 2024.

But I’m still grateful that we’ve established ourselves as a top quartile B1G team in the 2020s and consistently make the NCAAs. 2006-2020 was a brutal era. Our brand of basketball was also pretty ugly.

In this NIL era, $$ is eventually gonna be the downfall of college athletics. But I hope the Illini can make a Final 4 before it all comes crashing down. Provide another generation of CU kids with some memz.

 

[altgeld88]

Just a note of gratitude today, gentlemen and ladies.

We weathered the 38-33 loss to PSU in the waning BAM years. Endured Groce running the program into the Big 10 basement.

Underwood obviously needed a few years to get his feet set. But we’ve now had the era of Ayo/Kofi. We then had TSJ. Then KJ and Will Riley. That’s 4 first round draft picks in 4 drafts. Now we have the most efficient offense in the country playing a reallllly good strength of schedule with a lot of talent on the other side of the ball.

There was a time making the tourney felt like a successful season. Think those years with Demetri McCamey, Tisdale, Brandon Paul, DJ Richardson, etc.

I realize we’ve only made 1 second weekend since 2005 and ofc in truly Illini heartbreak fashion run into the UConn juggernaut. Michigan in 1989. UNC in 2005. UConn in 2024.

But I’m still grateful that we’ve established ourselves as a top quartile B1G team in the 2020s and consistently make the NCAAs. 2006-2020 was a brutal era. Our brand of basketball was also pretty ugly.

In this NIL era, $$ is eventually gonna be the downfall of college athletics. But I hope the Illini can make a Final 4 before it all comes crashing down. Provide another generation of CU kids with some memz.

Amen, brother.

The Penn State Horror, BTW, was 17 years ago yesterday.

 

[The Galloping Ghost]

Amen, brother.

The Penn State Horror, BTW, was 17 years ago yesterday.

I will always remember where I was for that game; it was so traumatic. And I'm pretty sure that game happened when Dan still had the chat window on the homepage for games. May no Illini fan ever have to suffer through such an abomination ever again.

 

[altgeld88]

I will always remember where I was for that game; it was so traumatic. And I'm pretty sure that game happened when Dan still had the chat window on the homepage for games. May no Illini fan ever have to suffer through such an abomination ever again.

I watched that game but remember largely my utter confusion at what had happened to our program within a mere three seasons.

It was 17-15 at half. The stats were eye-gougingly awful. Look at that shooting percentage, and TOs. And we didn't shoot a single free throw in 40 mins, which is simply incredible.

 

[EmeraldCityIllini]

Good thread to post - thank you!

I'd add, I will love all the players who come through here. But seeing the bench smiling and laughing last night, plus the general demeanor and approach of them all, just really hoping this season works out for this group of kids. All seem like great dudes who genuinely love one another.

Likable teams are an underrated element at all levels. And this team is likable in so many great ways.

Lets Rock,

 

[eas23]

Not so fun fact. We were ranked for the 38-33 game and it came during Weber's best post-Dee season. Unfortunately that was far from the low point.

 

[lstewart53x3]

In this NIL era, $$ is eventually gonna be the downfall of college athletics. But I hope the Illini can make a Final 4 before it all comes crashing down. Provide another generation of CU kids with some memz.

I don't know, man. College sports are currently more popular than ever.

College basketball viewership is up 69% on FOX and 21% on ESPN:

College Basketball Ratings Are Soaring

Both Fox and ESPN are reporting double-digit increases in college basketball viewership compared with the same time last year.

frontofficesports.com

And in terms of total watch time, Nielson had college football up 9% across all networks, which is a new all-time high:

College football rides wave to new audience records for the sport

College football had a record year of viewership, no doubt helped by full out-of-home and Big Data viewership changes.

www.sportsbusinessjournal.com

 

[March2TheArch]

There were definitely some almost bright spots along the way. We were within a possession vs. The U with the Sweet 16 on the line in Groce’s first year. McCamey almost willed us to an NCAA berth in the 2010 BTT against his high school bestie and future NBA hooper Evan Turner. We would wine up in the First Four Out.

I’m sure other schools feel this way also. But Illini basketball like its in-state professional cousins (Bears, Cubs) feel like perennial lovable losers. The 1985 Monsters of the Midway and 2016 3-1 Comeback Cubs earned redemption and gave the respective fanbases lifelong glory. Maybe 2026 can be such a year for the Illini. The field is super strong with 10 legit title contenders and another 10 dark horses. But why not us? Bring on the madness.

 

[March2TheArch]

I don't know, man. College sports are currently more popular than ever.

College basketball viewership is up 69% on FOX and 21% on ESPN:

College Basketball Ratings Are Soaring

Both Fox and ESPN are reporting double-digit increases in college basketball viewership compared with the same time last year.

frontofficesports.com

And in terms of total watch time, Nielson had college football up 9% across all networks, which is a new all-time high:

College football rides wave to new audience records for the sport

College football had a record year of viewership, no doubt helped by full out-of-home and Big Data viewership changes.

www.sportsbusinessjournal.com

Touché! I worry a small circle of NIL mega budget teams monopolize Final 4s.

 

[Grandpa]

Good thread to post - thank you!

I'd add, I will love all the players who come through here. But seeing the bench smiling and laughing last night, plus the general demeanor and approach of them all, just really hoping this season works out for this group of kids. All seem like great dudes who genuinely love one another.

Likable teams are an underrated element at all levels. And this team is likable in so many great ways.

Lets Rock,

I have to admit that there have been 2 or 3 during my lifetime that I don't care for. I won't air my grievances.

 

[IlliniTime]

Amen, brother.

The Penn State Horror, BTW, was 17 years ago yesterday.

Yep. That was the night I knew things were not going to be the same for a while.

 

[March2TheArch]

Yep. That was the night I knew things were not going to be the same for a while.

Only took another decade+

 

[illini55]

Just a note of gratitude today, gentlemen and ladies.

We weathered the 38-33 loss to PSU in the waning BAM years. Endured Groce running the program into the Big 10 basement.

Underwood obviously needed a few years to get his feet set. But we’ve now had the era of Ayo/Kofi. We then had TSJ. Then KJ and Will Riley. That’s 4 first round draft picks in 4 drafts. Now we have the most efficient offense in the country playing a reallllly good strength of schedule with a lot of talent on the other side of the ball.

There was a time making the tourney felt like a successful season. Think those years with Demetri McCamey, Tisdale, Brandon Paul, DJ Richardson, etc.

I realize we’ve only made 1 second weekend since 2005 and ofc in truly Illini heartbreak fashion run into the UConn juggernaut. Michigan in 1989. UNC in 2005. UConn in 2024.

But I’m still grateful that we’ve established ourselves as a top quartile B1G team in the 2020s and consistently make the NCAAs. 2006-2020 was a brutal era. Our brand of basketball was also pretty ugly.

In this NIL era, $$ is eventually gonna be the downfall of college athletics. But I hope the Illini can make a Final 4 before it all comes crashing down. Provide another generation of CU kids with some memz.

This year, the Illini are the behemoth no one wants to play. I literally do not care who stands in front of us—we can win it all. Can’t wait.

 

[alaskaillini]

Anyone who hasn't enjoyed this ride needs help of some kind.
My only concern is that NCAA tourney results are so matchup dependent and the variance is great. If this team does not make a Final Four, there will be a chorus of people saying BU can't win the big ones and wanting Brad on the hot seat.
At this point, I need one more win for this to be a great season. My standard is beat Missouri, Indiana, Iowa and Michigan, and everything else will take care of itself. Would also really like another shot at MSU in the BTT while we are at full strength so we can curb stomp them on a neutral court as icing on the cake.

 

[doowink]

Good thread to post - thank you!

I'd add, I will love all the players who come through here. But seeing the bench smiling and laughing last night, plus the general demeanor and approach of them all, just really hoping this season works out for this group of kids. All seem like great dudes who genuinely love one another.

Likable teams are an underrated element at all levels. And this team is likable in so many great ways.

Lets Rock,

I remember BU making the statement just a few years back, that we're going to recruit players of character....not characters....think this team is a direct result of that philosophy .....kudos to BU and staff

 

[phats22]

I watched that game but remember largely my utter confusion at what had happened to our program within a mere three seasons.

It was 17-15 at half. The stats were eye-gougingly awful. Look at that shooting percentage, and TOs. And we didn't shoot a single free throw in 40 mins, which is simply incredible.

View attachment 47706

altgeld, i acknowledge tand appreciate this post. just can't bring myself to hit the "like" (bleh!!!)

 

[illiniguy24]

Just a note of gratitude today, gentlemen and ladies.

We weathered the 38-33 loss to PSU in the waning BAM years. Endured Groce running the program into the Big 10 basement.

Underwood obviously needed a few years to get his feet set. But we’ve now had the era of Ayo/Kofi. We then had TSJ. Then KJ and Will Riley. That’s 4 first round draft picks in 4 drafts. Now we have the most efficient offense in the country playing a reallllly good strength of schedule with a lot of talent on the other side of the ball.

There was a time making the tourney felt like a successful season. Think those years with Demetri McCamey, Tisdale, Brandon Paul, DJ Richardson, etc.

I realize we’ve only made 1 second weekend since 2005 and ofc in truly Illini heartbreak fashion run into the UConn juggernaut. Michigan in 1989. UNC in 2005. UConn in 2024.

But I’m still grateful that we’ve established ourselves as a top quartile B1G team in the 2020s and consistently make the NCAAs. 2006-2020 was a brutal era. Our brand of basketball was also pretty ugly.

In this NIL era, $$ is eventually gonna be the downfall of college athletics. But I hope the Illini can make a Final 4 before it all comes crashing down. Provide another generation of CU kids with some memz.

And to top it off, we are in a great position to be really really good again next year. It’s a great time to be an Illini fan.

As you said, let’s make that final four run to cement the memories for us all

 

[altgeld88]

altgeld, i acknowledge tand appreciate this post. just can't bring myself to hit the "like" (bleh!!!)

Totally understand, my brother. I put that there as a public service to anyone complaining about the current-day coaching regime. Just a friendly reminder of where we were compared with, say, what we enjoyed on Wednesday evening.

Frankly, I'm impressed that two of our tribe so far were brave enough to "like" it. It takes a strong stomach to look upon grisly reality, no matter how far in the past, and not flinch!

Seriously, though, props to @March2TheArch for starting this thread. We have much for which to be thankful.

 

[Illini in Italy]

Totally understand, my brother. I put that there as a public service to anyone complaining about the current-day coaching regime. Just a friendly reminder of where we were compared with, say, what we enjoyed on Wednesday evening.

Frankly, I'm impressed that two of our tribe so far were brave enough to "like" it. It takes a strong stomach to look upon grisly reality, no matter how far in the past, and not flinch!

Seriously, though, props to @March2TheArch for starting this thread. We have much for which to be thankful.

Everyone stops to ogle a wreck, and that was a train wreck of horribly epic proportions!

 

[phats22]

...Seriously, though, props to @March2TheArch for starting this thread. We have much for which to be thankful.

 

[OnlyOrange]

Love this post so much!!

I always worry a lot about what next year's team will look like these days (still worried as i write this), but having a team competing for B1G titles and really good NCAA seeds makes me think one of these times we're going to make a run in the tourney and get where we all want to be.

 

[Roundball Sage]

I always go back to the very beginning of the Underwood Era.

Back when he was being introduced as the new Illini head coach... he spoke from the heart about how much he respected the great Illini basketball legacy and tradition and that the Illini should always have a place among the very best. This was more than just simple expected coach-speak. He meant it.

Feeling that way is what most all of Illini Nation has always felt over the generations. And it was so very gratifying and refreshing to hear an incoming coach understanding that and making this a priority in how he was going to oversee his position. After legendary coach Lou had moved on... the Illini had gotten way from that North Star kind of dedication.

This Illini job was not going to be a stepping stone or quick rest stop along the way to a journey somewhere else. No, this Illini position WAS the destination... the place to be... the RIGHT place to be... working to build back a program that such a great fan base deserves.

I will always appreciate that about Coach Underwood... even if some day it is right for him to find another place to serve.

The Illini Program is bigger than all of us or any one man or group of men/women. Coach Underwood understands this... and did so from the beginning.

Thank you Coach and All for helping to built back a program that respects and thrills the Great Illini Nation Family around the World.

 

[spotter]

Amen, brother.

The Penn State Horror, BTW, was 17 years ago yesterday.

ABC Radio news the next morning did a news report on the 38-33 game and all of its tomfoolery. They played a montage of Brian Barnhart calling miss after miss after miss.

 

[ChiefGritty]

ABC Radio news the next morning did a news report on the 38-33 game and all of its tomfoolery. They played a montage of Brian Barnhart calling miss after miss after miss.

Talor Battle was the only player for either team who scored more than 7 points. There had to have been laces in the ball the last time that happened.

 

[Thaillini22]

Talor Battle was the only player for either team who scored more than 7 points. There had to have been laces in the ball the last time that happened.

We had a 9-pt. lead?!