Not trying to divide any fans, simply amazed by this ... isn't it mind blowing that there were fans (regardless of whether their intentions were good or suspect) arguing that we shouldn't really expect more than we were getting in years like 2010 or 2014 or 2016 when some were calling for a new direction in the program?? No Illini fan should EVER forget that this should be our ceiling. Now, I am not expecting top 5 rankings each year and competing for a Big Ten Championship annually, but a good coach/recruiter can win
anywhere, and it's even less difficult when you have (in order of importance, IMO)...
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Plenty of money as an athletic department ... B1G revenue sharing, BTN money, large donor base/endowment
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Great recruiting footprint ... Instate recruits among the best in the nation, St. Louis/Indianapolis/Milwaukee/etc. nearby
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Good media exposure ... BTN, regular Chicago/St. Louis coverage/exposure
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Top-notch facilities ... Recently renovated arena
and players' facilities that stack up against anyone in the nation
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Great fan support ... Regularly draw 12,000+ when we're
terrible and pack the house again as soon as we're good
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A winning tradition ... Top 15 all-time in damn nearly every category historically and even better before 2007-2018
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A great academic reputation without too much restriction ... World-class university but not as rigid as a Northwestern
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A great college atmosphere ... Champaign now regularly ranked as a top college town in the US and one that is dynamic and changing
I'm so proud of what we have put together in Underwood's tenure and the amazing work these guys have put in. It seems like yesterday that Iowa was running us off the court at the United Center on our own turf, and the next season that was supposed to be so much better resulting in disappointing and infuriating losses to BAD Miami (FL) and Mizzou teams in the non-conference. It's a good lesson to not give up hope too early and ALSO a great lesson to Illini fans not to sell the potential of our football program too short simply because we haven't put it together in a long time! GO ILLINI!