Illinois #9 in 3/9 AP Poll

[FloridaMan]

Sure! Having that memory as well, I agree with you.

As much as rant on lots of illini fans not knowing what else takes place nationally with other teams, I need to do a better job also understanding how other fanbases react nationally as well - all fanbases, no matter success, will complain about their coach - whether scheme, roster construction, the dreaded "in-game adjustments", it is not solely unique to us.

Yes, you are right. This forum also has a large number of the most passionate fans in Illini nation. Although we question everything and are hard on our guys and coaches sometimes, it comes from a place of deep desire for them to succeed and we defend them outside of this group just as passionately. I think I speak for most of us, but that is definitely where my critical comments come from. TIFWIW. Cheers!

 

[Illini in Italy]

Sure! Having that memory as well, I agree with you.

As much as rant on lots of illini fans not knowing what else takes place nationally with other teams, I need to do a better job also understanding how other fanbases react nationally as well - all fanbases, no matter success, will complain about their coach - whether scheme, roster construction, the dreaded "in-game adjustments", it is not solely unique to us.

One thing to remember is that only 37 of the 350 NCAA Div.1 teams have won a natty, and only 15 teams have won more than one. I would bet the Loyalty Beach House that every team's fan base that has not won a natty has virtually the same reactions, and in fact, the majority of the teams that have won will have their fan base react the same way in years where they haven't won!

 

[Oracle21]

I think the fact that we can even have this debate is a big part of why our home court has sucked this year. Too big a chunk of the fanbase doesn't get excited unless we are winning against a top 10 team. Anything else is expected and doesn't deserve recognition. And yes this post is 100% a straw man but there's definitely a connection.

But if you want an elite program, then elite results are what is going to get people excited. Not something less.

Plus we are in an era where college sports are basically professional sports with the amount of money being spent. Dodger fans, for example, aren’t getting excited about going to the playoffs 15 years in a row or winning 100 games. They want rings, given the investment.

So that is what you will get now as far as college basketball fan engagement

 

[NarrowJ]

But if you want an elite program, then elite results are what is going to get people excited. Not something less.

Plus we are in an era where college sports are basically professional sports with the amount of money being spent. Dodger fans, for example, aren’t getting excited about going to the playoffs 15 years in a row or winning 100 games. They want rings, given the investment.

So that is what you will get now as far as college basketball fan engagement

Comparing to Dodgers? I mean if only we had a $459 million payroll lol

 

[FloridaMan]

Comparing to Dodgers? I mean if only we had a $459 million payroll lol

We do have the largest alumni presence in the nation (at least we did at one time, let's just say it's on the larger side) and many, many wealthy alumni. Why do people want to always put limits on our programs? There is no reason we cannot compete with the best of the best. (Not specifically pointing just at you, but this is one thing that has always bothered me).

 

[NarrowJ]

We do have the largest alumni presence in the nation (at least we did at one time, let's just say it's on the larger side) and many, many wealthy alumni. Why do people want to always put limits on our programs? There is no reason we cannot compete with the best of the best. (Not specifically pointing just at you, but this is one thing that has always bothered me).

I agree, I just thought the "for example the Dodgers..." was a little hyperbole

We're supposedly top 20 NIL wise

 

[Bigtex]

Or beating Michigan, or beating Oregon by more points, or beating Maryland by 35

So basically we haven't played an A+ game in the last 4 (though Torvik disagrees and gave us a 99 game score vs Oregon)

No.
Beating bad teams by a lot doesn’t do it.
Losing to unRanked teams on the road don’t do it
Winning against rank teams at home does do it
Winning against rank teams on the road does do it

Down the stretch haven’t beaten ranked teams, lost on the road to unRanked team and won games against bad teams.

 

[wc_illini]

We do have the largest alumni presence in the nation (at least we did at one time, let's just say it's on the larger side) and many, many wealthy alumni. Why do people want to always put limits on our programs? There is no reason we cannot compete with the best of the best. (Not specifically pointing just at you, but this is one thing that has always bothered me).

Top hit on Google doesn't have us in the top 10, though I think we might be just outside that. IU is #1.

Not sure how much of those alumni didn't attend the main campus (either online or satellite locations), which may affect fan interest