Pregame: Illinois vs UConn, Saturday, April 4th, 5:09pm CT, TBS

[illini510]

Would love to go to see the Final Four live in person but god those tickets are so expensive(they've gone up more than when I saw them at before the game). I wonder what the game experience is like watching a game in the upper levels at a football stadium as compared to a regular basketball arena? I worry that it is not as good of a viewing experience as an NFL game would be because the size of a basketball court is way smaller than the size of an football field. Anyone have experience seeing a college bball game at an NFL stadium? Is it worth it or better to just find an Illini affiliated bar in the city or suburbs of Chicago?

 

[3nDGuy]

I recommend watching in Indianapolis

I’m talking Saturday, not Monday

 

[IlliniwekKDR]

I’m talking Saturday, not Monday

 

[Flyin' Illini]

Give me UConn, for no other reason than we owe them one.

 

[blackdog]

Tickets secured! I was going to say once in a lifetime opportunity but hopefully we get more of these.

 

[AchillesPaign]

Just sold my soul and purchased 4 tickets for Saturday and Monday night. Been a fan for 47 years and this is 3rd time we’re in final 4. Not missing this one! Let’s go!!!

 

[Illini60613]

My Dad went to the University of Illinois in the 70s. I've been rooting for them for over 50 years. My Dad took me to Bloomington in 1989 and I saw Nick Anderson silence Bloomington.

He died in October in Indiana. I went back to Indiana this winter to pick up all the pieces. Decided to go to the Purdue game and saw Wagler drop 46 points at Mackey.

I'll be there Saturday and, Lord willing, Monday night. I hope the Nick Anderson shot and the Wagler 46 piece are the third and fourth best memories I have of this team in person. Our Illini seem to play well when I see them in Indiana. Let's win 2 more and get me something to see that my Dad could never see.

I - L - L...

 

[CleverHandle1]

Illinois by 6. Don’t care against who.

You almost had another spot-on prediction! You're becoming a legend around these parts!

Let's do this!

 

[RowdyFromRow22]

Cheers, friends!

 

[IlliniFaninHoosierLand]

Don't they usually give the highest seed the first game?

I kinda assumed they would put us in the second game if it was Duke since that'd be considered more of a primetime game.

 

[Piotyr]

Regarding UConn, keep in mind this was before Keaton was really a part of the core rotation, so the result should effectively be looked at Illinois without Keaton against UConn.

 

[EmeraldCityIllini]

In my opinion Andrej has more than earned the starting spot back.

I know he’s playing starter minutes anyway and is closing games, but after being so huge for us in Houston this weekend, he deserves to start again.

Overall point, I agree.

That said, I think there’s something about this second unit where he can come in and right away focus on getting downhill, that isn’t quite the same starting.

 

[BrownTown]

We get to be in a no pressure spot as an underdog...

125 MILES from home.

What a sweet setup.....

Add in being the first team to punch their ticket?

PAINT INDY ORANGE AND BLUE!!

 

[eas23]

Regarding UConn, keep in mind this was before Keaton was really a part of the core rotation, so the result should effectively be looked at Illinois without Keaton against UConn.

Semantics, but it was more UConn took him out of the game. He had already played 35 minutes against Texas Tech and 36 minutes against Alabama before that.

Regardless, the point that he's a different player and we're a different team is accurate. He and Mirk played 32 minutes combined against UConn. Petrovic and Lee played 29.

 

[TampaToo]

In my opinion Andrej has more than earned the starting spot back.

I know he’s playing starter minutes anyway and is closing games, but after being so huge for us in Houston this weekend, he deserves to start again.

Andrej played 26 minutes and Jake 14. More importantly who’s playing at the end.

 

[Piotyr]

Semantics, but it was more UConn took him out of the game. He had already played 35 minutes against Texas Tech and 36 minutes against Alabama before that.

Regardless, the point that he's a different player and we're a different team is accurate. He and Mirk played 32 minutes combined against UConn. Petrovic and Lee played 29.

He played fewer minutes than Petrovic, as it was the first game for the team in a hostile environment. Underwood specifically limited the freshmen minutes in the game (even Mirkovic only played 18 minutes, he just got 8 points and 8 rebounds in those minutes).

 

[PlayDeeBrownNote]

I like watching Keaton Wagler play basketball.

 

[BillyBob1]

HOUSE MONEY NOW, GET THAT HARDWARE

They were saying that about Iowa today. Don’t use that! This team earned this trip and deserve to be here.

 

[mysterio2525]

Overall point, I agree.

That said, I think there’s something about this second unit where he can come in and right away focus on getting downhill, that isn’t quite the same starting.

zero reason to change things up. especially the starting line up. this isn't reflection time it's push forward time!

 

[Curbelo Fanboy]

We won’t be favored. And we may not be the best team. But you only gotta beat em once. And then beat one more team once.

 

[BBlock24]

Like other people have said. Give me UConn. Payback time.

 

[BWA]

Do we have a rooting preference tomorrow?

I actually dont hate how we match up with Duke

 

[IllinistuckinGopherland]

See you all on Saturday at Lucas Oil! FINAL FOUR, BABY! So glad we made one when I’m old enough to appreciate how special it is. (Was an adult last time, just not old enough to have learned that life is about moments)

 

[IllinistuckinGopherland]

Do we have a rooting preference tomorrow?

I actually dont hate how we match up with Duke

I want UConn. We weren’t even remotely the same team last time this season. And I want revenge for TSJ’s team

 

[redwingillini11]

FINAL FOUR! FINAL FOUR!!!!