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

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#851      
Mr. Tibbs
just got in Kalshi prediction pool . illini are 5-1 for the Natty
it was 20-1 before Houston game
 
#852      
PapaKvells
21ChampaignSt said:
Love that we're being treated like an after thought. The national pundits don't even realize that we've gotten to this pointing without playing our best ball.
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Oh… we’re lucky to be there. To be part of the UConn Show. I mean, we have been advancing with these double digit squeakers while UConn has had dominant one score games including an Elite 8 win where, if they played the last two minutes 1000 times, they would have won at least twice.
 
#856      
fatboyslim
They also won 18 in a row. Not an easy thing to do. They are a solid team that is well coached. We need to bring our A game….Go Illini
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They also lost to Creighton at home, at Marquette and by 20 to St. John’s. If you’re going to mention what they did prior to the tournament let’s go all the way.
 
#858      
CoalCity
Keaton’s on the thumbnail of a First Take segment.

Big props at 8:45 —

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What a click bait thumbnail. 8:20 of complete BS before Illinois even gets mentioned (in a 9:30 clip). Steven A doesnt even know how to pronounce Waglers name as he declares him special. ESPN is just so lame and a bad product.
 
#859      
ChiefRocky
ilnois said:
Someone posted about this earlier - does anyone know what the Official Illini Pregame Party (https://fightingillini.com/news/2026/4/1/mens-basketball-final-four-fan-events-announced.aspx) entails/what is included in the $125/person?

Taking my wife and 11 and 8 year old daughters - wondering if it is worth it.
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It'll definitely be free food and beer/wine/soda. Not sure exactly what other "entertainment" they will have. My reason for doing it is 1. Weather and 2. Worried there will be no open tables/spots at nearby restaurants or bars. Its going to be so busy everywhere.
 
#860      
Fighter of the Nightman
Fighter of the Nightman said:
It’s been kind of funny to see fans on both the Illini and UConn message boards try to play the disrespect card, haha. They both have valid arguments for different reasons, IMO, and they’re both CERTAINLY being collectively dismissed by nearly everyone when it comes to winning on Monday night.
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Elaborating on this further, this has been my perception.

UConn fans can claim "disrespect" because...
1) Even though they beat us handily already and are veterans of the Final Four, Illinois is somehow favored.
2) UConn was a trendy pick for an early upset given how many close games they'd had against bad teams, but they've continued to dispatch of elite teams in the Tournament, most recently the overall #1 seed Duke. In other words, if you're a UConn fan, you can absolutely fire yourself up with the "When will they ever learn?" approach to how people are once again assuming this is the game they go finally go home.

Illini fans can claim "disrespect" because...
1) While Vegas and the metrics favor us, I personally seem to have noticed it's a bit trendy for the "talking head experts" to pick UConn. At the very least, there is this lurking narrative that if we win, it's just because we got hot shooting and/or just have so much talent ... Brad is being given VERY little respect as a coaching adversary to Hurley.
2) While you can certainly argue Illinois "is favored" in the matchup on Saturday, almost 99% of the narrative about a team other than Arizona or Michigan disrupting the assumption that the winner will come from their side of the bracket is centered around UConn continuing the magic and winning it all. In other words, the folks who have Illinois beating UConn often have it as a foregone conclusion that we would then get smoked on Monday night, whereas at least SOME people have talked about UConn winning two more.

All in all, I think both of Saturday's games are set up to be fantastic matchups with evenly matched teams. And while I would immediately concede either Michigan or Arizona as a favorite out of the gate for Monday regardless of what team they might play ... I think that one will be a lot better game than people think, too!
 
#862      
band camp
ChiefRocky said:
It'll definitely be free food and beer/wine/soda. Not sure exactly what other "entertainment" they will have. My reason for doing it is 1. Weather and 2. Worried there will be no open tables/spots at nearby restaurants or bars. Its going to be so busy everywhere.
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I think your last sentence is the best reason for attending.
Guaranteed spot. No hunting for a table. Thats supplemental insurance.
 
#863      
CharliedonSurf
ChiefRocky said:
It'll definitely be free food and beer/wine/soda. Not sure exactly what other "entertainment" they will have. My reason for doing it is 1. Weather and 2. Worried there will be no open tables/spots at nearby restaurants or bars. Its going to be so busy everywhere.
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That was my thought too. I think illinois and Michigan's fan proximity may make things crowded. You can still attend the fan convention for free with tickets. Wendy's is giving away food at the tailgate. While supplies last. But that rain forecast stinks
 
#866      
From the cheap seats
Always watch Hoosiers again this time of year. I think AJ Redd comes off the bench with the Illini down 1 and then hits two FTs (underhanded, Granny style), to lift the Illini over UConn with 0.4 seconds on the clock. All 3 officials run over, apologize for calling the foul and console Hurley. Meanwhile, AJ blocks Mullins' 40-foot attempt while the refs are otherwise occupied. Everyone has a right to their own daydream.
My cardiologist and I would be just as happy with a 10-point win with no drama.
 
#869      
Mobi
From the cheap seats said:
Always watch Hoosiers again this time of year. I think AJ Redd comes off the bench with the Illini down 1 and then hits two FTs (underhanded, Granny style), to lift the Illini over UConn with 0.4 seconds on the clock. All 3 officials run over, apologize for calling the foul and console Hurley. Meanwhile, AJ blocks Mullins' 40-foot attempt while the refs are otherwise occupied. Everyone has a right to their own daydream.
My cardiologist and I would be just as happy with a 10-point win with no drama.
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I support AJ Redd, too! 🤣😂🤣
 
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