Pregame: Illinois vs Penn, Thursday, March 19th, 8:25pm CT, TNT

[Dan]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2033316047332253960

 

[jmm]

They do have to get through VCU first. VCU is playing pretty good!

 

[Chase321]

Duke fans in session 3 going to be wearing orange…that’ll be a 50/50 split.

How do they do the sessions? Two sessions Thursday?

 

[skyIdub]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2033316047332253960

Maybe think about rebounding and defense Tomi. Thanks.

 

[mattcoldagelli]

I'm so excited to see FRANCON return

In our hearts, FRANCON never really left

 

[whatahack]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2033316047332253960

Yeah...that's what he should be focused on...SMH

 

[jmm]

It's the Big Dance, no game is an easy game. Get locked in mentally, make shots, play your a$$ off on D and own the boards. LFG!!!!

Can we please get back to playing The twins together with Mirk Keaton and Kylan??

 

[TampaToo]

Illinois struggles with athletic teams that are physical. Not sure what Penn and/or NC bring to the court, but if either, or both are physical teams they will have to shoot lights out and keep turnovers waaaaay down, IMO.

 

[The Galloping Ghost]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2033315505944330680

 

[Altuve27]

We could not have asked for a better draw for the opening weekend. If we are not playing next week people should be pissed.

 

[edvillini]

Maybe think about rebounding and defense Tomi. Thanks.

My thought exactly! I think he needs to put up about a 1,000 shots/day starting now!

 

[jmm]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2033316047332253960

How about not thinking about cosmetics and instead playing incredible defense and playing bully ball under the basket. The team needs this more than a mustache.

 

[TheFlyingIllini1317]

Other good news, we will avoid the Lisa Byington crew with Duke and UNC also in Greenville. Assuming we get Eagle, but I'd love to get Nessler.

 

[kyillini]

Got to make shots, free throws, and play def and we can make it. I want to see the real Tomi. Keaton gets his shot back will be helpful. Kylan as a senior needs to show his leadership. Go Illini. Thursday let's go.

 

[EmeraldCityIllini]

Yeah...that's what he should be focused on...SMH

look good. play good.

 

[jmm]

Maybe think about rebounding and defense Tomi. Thanks.

JFC thank you!!! If this is the mindset we’re cooked.

 

[HailtotheChief]

I hope we get to sweet 16 but houston in houston is crap. Must not be in the arena where they play because i thought that was a no no ever since we played Kentucky at Rupp.in the elite 8 with E. Winters.

 

[FloridaMan]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2033315505944330680

We are right there with Fl and Hou in metrics. Brad said we gave Fl all they could handle in the scrimmage. Time to put our money where our mouth is. Excuse time is over.

 

[PizzaHutParkingLot]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2033315505944330680

The optimist in me seeing UF, Houston, and the Beloved clustered together...

 

[EmeraldCityIllini]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2033315505944330680

lmao Miami of Ohio.

Fun graph. good find

 

[SeiyaSlurpzuki]

UNC is a 2 point favorite over VCU, y'all are getting ahead of yourselves worrying about UNC.

 

[UDillini]

half this penn team is from chicago/burbs

 

[jmm]

Yeah...that's what he should be focused on...SMH

Right?

 

[illiniguy24]

Penn 2 really good scorers at 6’5” and 6’9” TJ Power who averaged 16/7.5. Not a super athletic team, no dynamic guard play. Multiple Illinois high school kids.

I like the matchup.

I watched the final vs Yale today and Power was unreal. He is going to hit some really tough shots and crash the boards hard

 

[altgeld88]

In our hearts, FRANCON never really left

We'll always have Kofi stepping over a prostrate Luka Garza after the final horn, bestriding him as the Big Ten Champion he had become a moment earlier.

Four years gone by and yet I remember the elation as if it were this evening.