Illini Basketball 2026-2027

#404      
RandyfromTuscola
Illini_Jack said:
Mirk's gonna end up in the rafters, isn't he?
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If we go to back-to-back final fours and even with a national title, is there a reason why Mirk, Tomi, Z, Stojakovic, and dare I say Jake Davis don't make it in the rafters? I can understand the first reaction to that, but considering all of those guys would be starters or significant contributers on 2 final four teams and led to a national title, we may see everyone up in those rafters.
 
#408      
hoopsfan47
Illiniguy13 said:
If...IF Vaaks would buy into a 6th-man role, I don't hate the idea of making the 2nd unit being the "Vaaks show" and letting him lean into his bread and butter as a volume scorer. He'd play plenty of minutes and could be the best 6th man in the country 🤷‍♂️
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I am not advocating either starter or off bench role for SV, but too any coaches, getting fewer every year, start their 5 best offensive guys. Then, when subs are made, they can't keep up the scoring and lose by 20. Of course, the best solution is to get those five to play defense by any means necessary. But if you can maintain scoring and defense by finding lineups that work or both ends...you have won some higher level of job security in today's game.

With Tyler and Cam working the cerebral parts of their jobs and feeding concepts and performance stats to Brad, the results we are seeing on the floor are getting better every year. This team has the players, coaches, schemes, culture, and motivation to win it all as much as any other in the mix. After 70 years, like all those faithful Cub fans say every season...."this may be the one". I sure hope so...not many left.
 
#415      
RabidDawgClassic
#416      
Fighter of the Nightman
RabidDawgClassic said:
Two thoughts from this photo:

1. We’ve had some REALLY ugly uniforms in the past. This one’s among the ugliest.

2. So quaint to think that Ahmad Starks’ immediate eligibility was not granted while Trey Kauffman-Renn gets a sixth year just for saying “‘cause I want it!!!”
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A third, from me!

3. It’s striking how much more orange Assembly Hall was in those days … it was bright and radiated to such an extent it seemed to give the whole atmosphere a tint! I get part of it is driven by current fashion trends and whatnot, but hopefully we see fewer fans showing up in navy, gray and white this year.
 
#418      
JFGsCoffeeMug
Dan said:
https://twitter.com/x/status/2113274647097626854
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Star Wars Mas GIF by slicedbread
 
#421      
hoopsfan47
This season may be the most intriguing and riveting of my 7+ decades as an Illini hoops fan. The reasons are many and I will list them.
1. Q - simply impacts the game with skills, energy and IQ like no other I have seen.
2. Mirk - can he return to health and be an even better version of the player we saw at the end of last season?
3. Vaaks - now many ways can he impact this team with his skills, height, and desire to win?
4. Can BU and crew keep these kids rowing together and utilize the skills of the frosh while getting them to maintain patience? Big puzzle in today's hoops climate. Brad and his staff have done an elite job of shaping the culture of his teams into his vision over several dramatic roster changes. No reason to expect anything different...and it appears this team is rounding into the mold also.
5. Can the Ivisic twins stay healthy and make a step up in the development of their tremendous skill potential?

I am not too concerned with Jake and Andrej as they play hard every minute, are motivated, and are dependable....and did I mention elite at what they do?

This could be the best Illini team ever...but what awaits in regard to injury, illness, or other unforeseens that we all know are going to jump in when least expected?
 
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#422      
Fighter of the Nightman
Killing time until a 12:30 pm CT meeting, and I was thinking how interesting it is how our schedule breaks down as far as games vs. teams that are ranked in the AP Poll or receiving votes.

November
Nov. 10 - at #19 Texas Tech
Nov. 17 - at #2 Duke

December
Dec. 4 - vs. #4 UConn (Chicago, IL)
Dec. 20 - vs. #26 Missouri (St. Louis, MO)

January
Jan. 5 - vs. #28 Purdue
Jan. 9 - vs. #29 Ohio State
Jan. 19 - vs. #27 Nebraska
Jan. 24 - at #36 Indiana
Jan. 27 - vs. #21 USC
Jan. 30 - vs. #30 North Carolina (Nashville, TN)

February
Feb. 2 - vs. #22 UCLA
Feb. 5 - vs. #6 Michigan State
Feb. 9 - at #16 Michigan
Feb. 12 - at #28 Purdue

March
March 6 - vs. #34 Iowa

We'll have three very tough tests before finals week in Texas Tech, Duke and UConn ... but then I really think the schedule sets up SO favorably for us. We could win all three of those and we'd obviously want to, but even if we take a lump or two early, I feel like we will be really humming along come Braggin' Rights.

Then January sets up really nicely, with a ton of games vs. "good" teams that are nonetheless (A) all teams we should beat and (B) 5 out of 6 of them are not true road games. It's a really nice tune-up month vs. good competition that leads nicely into February ... and I think that February stretch vs. the Michigan schools is where we can lock up our #1 seed!
 
#425      
Curbelo Fanboy
hoopsfan47 said:
This season may be the most intriguing and riveting of my 7+ decades as an Illini hoops fan. The reasons are many and I will list them.
1. Q - simply impacts the game with skills, energy and IQ like no other I have seen.
2. Mirk - can he return to health and be an even better version of the player we saw at the end of last season?
3. Vaaks - now many ways can he impact this team with his skills, height, and desire to win?
4. Can BU and crew keep these kids rowing together and utilize the skills of the frosh while getting them to maintain patience? Big puzzle in today's hoops climate. Brad and his staff have done an elite job of shaping the culture of his teams into his vision over several dramatic roster changes. No reason to expect anything different...and it appears this team is rounding into the mold also.
5. Can the Ivisic twins stay healthy and make a step up in the development of their tremendous skill potential?

I am not too concerned with Jake and Andrej as they play hard every minute, are motivated, and are dependable....and did I mention elite at what they do?

This could be the best Illini team ever...but what awaits in regard to injury, illness, or other unforeseens that we all know are going to jump in when least expected?
Click to expand...
I really like that we got close last year & most of those guys are back. They should be hungry as heck to get back there and finish the job this time. They talked about it even back in April that they would come back with one goal in mind. I also like that Brad is very direct about the goal. It has a title or bust feel to it from their point of view. Not that we as fans wouldn't be pleased with a season that ends in another near miss, but I want those guys in that locker room to expect to win the whole freaking thing. You won't win it if you are afraid to take it on. They aren't afraid of it.
 
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