UConn 71, Illinois 62 Postgame
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One team has to win...and this game was decided by the hoops gods as two deserving teams played their tails off.
It has truly been a blessing to be able to watch this team as it grew in chemistry, skill, and brotherhood throughout the season. These are the things that I sincerely enjoy about watching my Illini play...and they did all in spades over a long and challenging season.
I stated to friends in early Dec. to keep an eye on the Illini as they were a FF caliber team and could win it all. But there were several with the talent and coaching to do that...and only four make it and only one will win.
On the bright side for me, as an Arizona Wildcat, I still have skin in the game, but not the passion. And yet, there is no team ever that I truly enjoy watching get beat than Cheatigan.
This Illini team has won my heart in the challenges they faced to become an elite team. ..which they did. That the bonds they formed in their journey lead them to roll it back for another crusade to win it all is my fondest hope. We will see...but it is something in my mind that if so, they will never regret. You only get a brief chance in life to do something special as an athlete, and that is the case with this group. But it is their choice.
Nevertheless, a deep bow of respect to the 2025-26 Illini basketball team along with a sincere thank you for the privilege of watching it all.
It has truly been a blessing to be able to watch this team as it grew in chemistry, skill, and brotherhood throughout the season. These are the things that I sincerely enjoy about watching my Illini play...and they did all in spades over a long and challenging season.
I stated to friends in early Dec. to keep an eye on the Illini as they were a FF caliber team and could win it all. But there were several with the talent and coaching to do that...and only four make it and only one will win.
On the bright side for me, as an Arizona Wildcat, I still have skin in the game, but not the passion. And yet, there is no team ever that I truly enjoy watching get beat than Cheatigan.
This Illini team has won my heart in the challenges they faced to become an elite team. ..which they did. That the bonds they formed in their journey lead them to roll it back for another crusade to win it all is my fondest hope. We will see...but it is something in my mind that if so, they will never regret. You only get a brief chance in life to do something special as an athlete, and that is the case with this group. But it is their choice.
Nevertheless, a deep bow of respect to the 2025-26 Illini basketball team along with a sincere thank you for the privilege of watching it all.
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UConn is well coached and did not do anything to beat themselves. Despite that if we could have just made a few of the dozen bunnies we missed we are likely playing for a NC on Monday. Just a maddening shooting game for us. And they had several shots that rattled around and went in along with a banked in 28 footer.
Sucks to lose like that. Great season overall though. I-L-L
Sucks to lose like that. Great season overall though. I-L-L
That was a portion of a broader stretch.
They had 4-5 possessions up 1 to push ahead. Even a Wagler air ball in there.
Saddened that Kylan suffered that hand injury earlier in the season. I think it clearly affected his shot from there on out. Nevertheless, hometown kid will be immortalized with the rest of the players. Kylan came back home, grew as a leader and delivered this program and the 217 a Final Four banner. Thank you, Bam.
orange100
time to hop on the wife
Yep.. the shots did not fall and missed FT. Otherwise we are playing Monday
Nothing to hang their heads about. Sometimes the rims just don’t go in your favor. They never quit and that’s such a hallmark of this team.
Yes we can be sad the result wasn’t what we wanted, but literally nothing to be upset about with this group. I’m overall just sad I’m never going to see this group play basketball again. Thanks for the great memories.
Yes we can be sad the result wasn’t what we wanted, but literally nothing to be upset about with this group. I’m overall just sad I’m never going to see this group play basketball again. Thanks for the great memories.
It was a tough game watching that ball just bounce around the rim and just...not... go... in. We do what we always do when we get behind- we bear down go inside play defense and we scratched our way back into it but just didn't have enough at the end.
We had so many great stories, characters, and personalities this year. I'm glad our coach has water fights in the locker room after a big win. Love the Euro connection, the finding the diamond in the rough with Wagler (he drove it like a beast inside this game), role players who understand what they have to do, like coming off the bench, to support the team.
Sitting here in my orange and blue socks looking forward to what happens next year
Go Illini
We had so many great stories, characters, and personalities this year. I'm glad our coach has water fights in the locker room after a big win. Love the Euro connection, the finding the diamond in the rough with Wagler (he drove it like a beast inside this game), role players who understand what they have to do, like coming off the bench, to support the team.
Sitting here in my orange and blue socks looking forward to what happens next year
Go Illini
I knew we would lose when Andrej shot just sat on the rim. It wasn't our day.
texasbestillini
- Austin
Great season. We have made the Elite 8 or better 2 of the last 3 seasons. If we keep going deep consistently, we will get our Natty. Let's not fall off a cliff like we did after our run in 2005. I feel like our program is in great shape now to be consistent, deep national contenders year in and year out!
Kilgore Trout
- Driftless Region
What a year its been. I hope we to get to watch several of them back next year. Watching this game I honestly believe the Illini win if that could have just shot an average %. Thanks to every one of them.
I'm extremely thankful to the staff and team for this season! Only the 3rd FF in my lifetime, and I think we are in great shape to make another one way sooner than the last time.
Truly feel we are the better all around team, but we were maybe just a tad too reliant on the three this year. The threes weren't falling for us tonight, and we missed some shots down low and failed to secure some timely rebounds. Those things were the difference in the game. Uconn was very beatable tonight, but those things were the difference.
Looking forward to retaining a good group from this team and stocking up with a couple difference making transfers and adding some new, young talent as well.
Thanks to the board for putting up with my sometimes - too - pessimistic takes this season. Just know, they come from a deep love of all things Illini and a burning desire for our program to finally reach the pinnacle and win it all!! The program and passionate fanbase deserve it!!!
Truly feel we are the better all around team, but we were maybe just a tad too reliant on the three this year. The threes weren't falling for us tonight, and we missed some shots down low and failed to secure some timely rebounds. Those things were the difference in the game. Uconn was very beatable tonight, but those things were the difference.
Looking forward to retaining a good group from this team and stocking up with a couple difference making transfers and adding some new, young talent as well.
Thanks to the board for putting up with my sometimes - too - pessimistic takes this season. Just know, they come from a deep love of all things Illini and a burning desire for our program to finally reach the pinnacle and win it all!! The program and passionate fanbase deserve it!!!
Yeah, winning in the F4 has sooooo much to do with the little things. Especially when you're having an atrocious shooting night. Even Reid made his throws f*ck!
I mean his son is on the UConn staff, lol
Curbelo Fanboy
BERTBALL IS LIFE
The key is to not go 16 and then 21 years before getting back to this stage.
I'm pretty sure Hurley only has a few more years before the crossroads demon sends the hell hounds to collect his soul.
Feels strange to feel disappointed after a final four run but it really feels like we just let that game slip away. UConn was incredibly beatable and we just did not play a very good or smart game.
Got some great draws with Penn, VCU, Iowa, and even UConn to give them a chance at a title where you only have to win one game even if either of Zona or Michigan is favored(shoot well, or have a couple of bounces go your way and a game can flip).
I just don't understand the game plan. On offense the ball stagnated way too much and was often just 3 guys standing around and watching Wagler try to run a pnr that wasn't working. They didn't start going inside to Tomi until there were like 10 minutes left in the game and I don't think Mirk was great but Mullins could not guard him in the post and he was switched on to him several times early and we just failed to get the ball inside to him(I think Mirk could have attacked anyone except Reibe or Reed in the post and had success).
On defense the game plan was better but they also gave up way too many open looks early which I think helped UConn get in rhythm shooting. Davis got cooked trying to chase Mullins around screens in the first half(Does Mullins shoot differently if Stojakovic starts and he doesn't get those early open looks?).
Good season and a fun run but there is work to be done if you're serious about being a national title contender. The offense looks great in certain matchups but I think Tyler needs to get in the film room and watch a ton of UConn and Nebraska and start instituting some of their off ball actions and movement instead of relying on solely on being bigger and more talented. Just way too much iso stuff instead of getting the ball moving and forcing defenses to rotate and closeout which creates open looks and easy baskets.
Got some great draws with Penn, VCU, Iowa, and even UConn to give them a chance at a title where you only have to win one game even if either of Zona or Michigan is favored(shoot well, or have a couple of bounces go your way and a game can flip).
I just don't understand the game plan. On offense the ball stagnated way too much and was often just 3 guys standing around and watching Wagler try to run a pnr that wasn't working. They didn't start going inside to Tomi until there were like 10 minutes left in the game and I don't think Mirk was great but Mullins could not guard him in the post and he was switched on to him several times early and we just failed to get the ball inside to him(I think Mirk could have attacked anyone except Reibe or Reed in the post and had success).
On defense the game plan was better but they also gave up way too many open looks early which I think helped UConn get in rhythm shooting. Davis got cooked trying to chase Mullins around screens in the first half(Does Mullins shoot differently if Stojakovic starts and he doesn't get those early open looks?).
Good season and a fun run but there is work to be done if you're serious about being a national title contender. The offense looks great in certain matchups but I think Tyler needs to get in the film room and watch a ton of UConn and Nebraska and start instituting some of their off ball actions and movement instead of relying on solely on being bigger and more talented. Just way too much iso stuff instead of getting the ball moving and forcing defenses to rotate and closeout which creates open looks and easy baskets.
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Crazy stat
Illini fan in Tennessee
- Eastern Tennessee
I'm so proud of this team. Things didn't turn out the way we hoped for tonight, but they gave it everything they had. We'll see you next year.
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