I'd be ok with overall 1 seed stating their preference. However if k wants them in midwest due to chicago roots, seems like it'd hurt duke fan base possibly from showing up altho they'll likely show up in droves anywhere in the US for coach k's final tourney
2/28 Polls & Bracketology - Illinois #20 in AP Poll
- Status
I'd be ok with overall 1 seed stating their preference. However if k wants them in midwest due to chicago roots, seems like it'd hurt duke fan base possibly from showing up altho they'll likely show up in droves anywhere in the US for coach k's final tourney
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
Some good bracketology news today, as Rutgers' win at Indiana sneaks them back into the top 75! In other words, our win at home vs. RU goes from Quad 3 to Quad 2, and our loss in Jersey goes from Quad 2 to Quad 1. Here is how our resume stands as of this morning:
Record: 20-8
NET Ranking: #14
SOS Ranking: #6
Quad 1 Wins: 5 (at #17 IOWA, vs. #20 WISC, at #32 MICH, at #35 MSU, at #45 IND)
Quad 2 Wins: 7 (vs. #32 MICH, vs. #35 MSU, vs. #52 ND, vs. #64 KSU in KC, vs. #75 RUT, at #83 NU, at #107 MINN)
Quad 3 Losses: 0
Quad 4 Losses: 0
Road/Neutral Record: 9-5
Some Notes
- We are SO close to having two more Quad 1 wins vs. Michigan and MSU, they just need to sneak into the top 30. We need to be rooting for Michigan (vs. Iowa and at OSU) and MSU (at OSU and vs. UMD) this week, while hoping two losses like that wouldn't drop OSU out of the top 30, either (they're #22 now). If we could add those two Quad 1 wins, we would have a resume similar to Kentucky...
- I think our road/neutral record might really help us ... hopeful anyway.
- Really wish there were a way for NU to claw its way back into the top 75 ... another free Quad 1 and Quad 2 win, given we swept them. However, I don't see it happening.
- Last thing, it's important to remember we are in great shape even after the OSU loss if we can go 2-0 this week! We were a 3-seed when the Committee released its preview bracket, and (as another poster said) we have gone 2-1 in Quad 1 games since then. I think it's safe to say the Committee likes us more than the pollsters, and that's a good spot to be in. If we avoid disaster against PSU and pick up another Quad 1 win vs. Iowa, we will set ourselves up where the BTT is just gravy. Given the high NET rankings in the Big Ten, it's highly likely every game we play at the BTT (i.e., a neutral site) will be a Quad 1 matchup. If we can run the table in the BTT (and of course go 2-0 this week), there is simply no reason we can't fight our way into a 2-seed. At least IMO.
Record: 20-8
NET Ranking: #14
SOS Ranking: #6
Quad 1 Wins: 5 (at #17 IOWA, vs. #20 WISC, at #32 MICH, at #35 MSU, at #45 IND)
Quad 2 Wins: 7 (vs. #32 MICH, vs. #35 MSU, vs. #52 ND, vs. #64 KSU in KC, vs. #75 RUT, at #83 NU, at #107 MINN)
Quad 3 Losses: 0
Quad 4 Losses: 0
Road/Neutral Record: 9-5
Some Notes
- We are SO close to having two more Quad 1 wins vs. Michigan and MSU, they just need to sneak into the top 30. We need to be rooting for Michigan (vs. Iowa and at OSU) and MSU (at OSU and vs. UMD) this week, while hoping two losses like that wouldn't drop OSU out of the top 30, either (they're #22 now). If we could add those two Quad 1 wins, we would have a resume similar to Kentucky...
- I think our road/neutral record might really help us ... hopeful anyway.
- Really wish there were a way for NU to claw its way back into the top 75 ... another free Quad 1 and Quad 2 win, given we swept them. However, I don't see it happening.
- Last thing, it's important to remember we are in great shape even after the OSU loss if we can go 2-0 this week! We were a 3-seed when the Committee released its preview bracket, and (as another poster said) we have gone 2-1 in Quad 1 games since then. I think it's safe to say the Committee likes us more than the pollsters, and that's a good spot to be in. If we avoid disaster against PSU and pick up another Quad 1 win vs. Iowa, we will set ourselves up where the BTT is just gravy. Given the high NET rankings in the Big Ten, it's highly likely every game we play at the BTT (i.e., a neutral site) will be a Quad 1 matchup. If we can run the table in the BTT (and of course go 2-0 this week), there is simply no reason we can't fight our way into a 2-seed. At least IMO.
Homecoming 2019
- Chicago
Hoping for a win, but Cinci is probably going to lose to SMU on the road today and give us our first Q3 loss, I think that hurts us more than getting an extra Q1 or Q2 win.
We need a good BTT because I think a 3 seed is a huge advantage compared to a 4 seed. Current 6 Seeds according for bracketmatrix: LSU, OSU, SMC, USC. Current 5 Seeds: Bama, Ark, Texas, Houston. To me the projected 5 seeds look head and shoulders better than the projected 6 seeds currently.
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pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
Yeah, you are unfortunately probably correct. Seems all we can do there is hope that some other teams in the 90s lose so Cincinnati has a bit of a cushion for their fall and that they score an upset or two in the AAC Tournament.
Tacomallini
- Washington State
still waiting for this fabled Gonzaga - UI home and home series to materialize...wonder if that dream is permanently dead now that Gentry is back in Spokane
Didn't we do that already, but let them play our home game at the United Center?
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
We did all four:
2009-10: Gonzaga 85, Illinois 83 in OT (Chicago, IL)
2010-11: #20 Illinois 73, Gonzaga 61 (Seattle, WA)
2011-12: Illinois 82, #19 Gonzaga 75 (Champaign, IL)
2012-13: #13 Illinois 85, #10 Gonzaga 74 (Spokane, WA)
I would be SO in favor of more series' like this. Stagger them so you always have a United Center game, but keep each series to four locations over four years. There would be some great options out there:
Arizona: Champaign-Tucson-Chicago-Phoenix
Arkansas: Champaign-Fayetteville-Chicago-Little Rock
Florida: Champaign-Gainesville-Chicago-Orlando
LSU: Champaign-Baton Rouge-Chicago-New Orleans
Oklahoma: Champaign-Norman-Chicago-Oklahoma City
Oregon: Champaign-Eugene-Chicago-Portland
Syracuse: Champaign-Syracuse-Chicago-New York City
Tennessee: Champaign-Knoxville-Chicago-Nashville
Texas: Champaign-Austin-Chicago-Dallas
Texas A&M: Champaign-College Station-Chicago-Houston
Virginia: Champaign-Charlottesville-Chicago-Washington, DC
This leaves off obvious "dream series'" like Kentucky, Kansas, Duke, etc. A lot of people don't like neutral site games for some reason, but I really do. For one, it really does help build your brand in major recruiting hot beds and important markets. I don't believe for a second that our St. Louis recruiting/profile hasn't benefited from the Braggin' Rights Games or that our old games at the United Center that would constantly draw 16k or more were a nice recruiting pitch to Chicago recruits. Additionally, it gives fans a fun trip to some of the cooler/more touristy destinations on that list like, say, NYC or New Orleans.
Tacomallini
- Washington State
touché...I was out of the country for part of that time frame, and more rainy day fan than diehard at the time. There were some rumors when Gentry joined UI staff and with Powell on staff at Gonzaga that this was going to be a thing again...and I still have hopes. Also, Spokane is within driving distance and B1G campuses, not so much
I would very much be in favor of a home and home vs Arkansas.
I think we had a four game series: Chicago, Seattle, Spokane, Champaign. We were 3-1 with the only loss in OT in Chicago.
drsmitty74
- Rochester
You forget the game vs Gonzaga in Indy at the John Wooden Classic. I was there with my dad, and sat a row in front of John Wooden. He was gracious enough to sign my Illinois hat when I asked.
Illinois 89-72 Gonzaga (Nov 27, 2004) Game Recap - ESPN
Expert recap and game analysis of the Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Gonzaga Bulldogs NCAAM game from November 27, 2004 on ESPN.
These are some cool ideas. Love any reason to go to New Orleans so that would be a really fun series. Might consider Houston > Dallas for the Texas option as I believe Houston is a bigger market and a little closer to Austin. Syracuse would be awesome if they could schedule the NYC game for MSG. I think Charlotte could be a good neutral site location for a series with Duke or UNC. Georgia in Atlanta would also be a good option. Maybe Bama in Birmingham.
If you're doing it for TV revenue, which is usually the case, you want the teams to be reasonably far apart to gather another major city market. We already do the ACC/Big Ten challenge. We do the neutral Missouri site, which I guess brings in the St Louis market more than we already have. Some of these big name schools like Arizona and Gonzaga no doubt have plenty of offers and can choose at will.
I was there with my old man as well. We dismantled them on national TV before doing the same to Wake Forest a few days later.You forget the game vs Gonzaga in Indy at the John Wooden Classic. I was there with my dad, and sat a row in front of John Wooden. He was gracious enough to sign my Illinois hat when I asked.
Illinois 89-72 Gonzaga (Nov 27, 2004) Game Recap - ESPN
Expert recap and game analysis of the Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Gonzaga Bulldogs NCAAM game from November 27, 2004 on ESPN.www.espn.com
While we're at it, we also played them in the 2001 season opener back when they were a true mid major. That's the first Illinois game I ever remember sitting down and watching. Been hooked ever since.
The committee has already said they take into account how close a team is to a particular quadrant boundary.
If this is the case why should we care what quadrant our past opponents end up in? Seems like there's been a lot of discussion around this
I agree with you that this late in the season its probably a pointless exercise to look at the quadrant churn. The committee is likely not going to look at us differently if Northwestern moves up or down a quadrant because they won a meaningless game late in the season.
We should care more about firm Quad1 + Quad2 wins (ones that won't change)
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
I’m sure they’d take free exposure in Chicago.
So is Sparty on the bubble at this point, having lost 7 of their last 9?!
BillyBob1
- Champaign
Just like last year. If they get in, they will be playing on Tuesday and probably lose.
B1G potential seedings with 1 game left for each team:
Top 3 seeds are locked for Wisconsin, Illinois and Purdue
- Wisconsin - 1 seed if they win or IIL loses, 2 seed if they lose and IL wins
- Illinois - 1 seed if they win and WI loses, 2 seed if they win and WI wins or they lose and PU loses, 3 seed if they lose and PU wins
- Purdue - 3 seed if they lose or IL wins, 2 seed if they win and IL loses
4-6 seeds are locked for Iowa, Ohio State and Rutgers
- Iowa - 4 seed if they win or they lose, OSU loses and RU loses, 5 seed if they lose and one of RU/OSU loses, 6 seed if they lose and RU/OSU both win
- Ohio State - 4 seed if they win and IA loses, 5 seed if they win and IA wins or they lose and RU loses, 6 seed if they lose and RU/IA both win
- Rutgers - 6 seed if they lose or they win and IA/OSU win. 5 seed if they win and one of IA/OSU win, 4 seed if they win and both IA/OSU lose
7-8 seeds are locked for Michigan State and Michigan
- Michigan State - 7 seed if they win or they lose and MI loses, 8 seed if they lose and MI wins
- Michigan - 8 seed if they lose or MSU wins, 7 seed if they win and MSU loses
9 seed is Indiana, win or lose
10-11 seeds are locked for Maryland and Penn State
- Maryland - 10 seed if they win or PSU loses, 11 seed if they lose and PSU wins
- Penn State - 11 seed if they lose or MD wins, 11 seed if they win and MD loses
12 seed is Northwestern, win or lose
13-14 seeds are locked for Minnesota and Nebraska
- Minnesota - 13 seed if they win or NE loses, 14 seed if they lose and NE wins
- Nebraska - 14 seed if they lose or MN wins, 13 seed if they win and MN loses
Top 3 seeds are locked for Wisconsin, Illinois and Purdue
- Wisconsin - 1 seed if they win or IIL loses, 2 seed if they lose and IL wins
- Illinois - 1 seed if they win and WI loses, 2 seed if they win and WI wins or they lose and PU loses, 3 seed if they lose and PU wins
- Purdue - 3 seed if they lose or IL wins, 2 seed if they win and IL loses
4-6 seeds are locked for Iowa, Ohio State and Rutgers
- Iowa - 4 seed if they win or they lose, OSU loses and RU loses, 5 seed if they lose and one of RU/OSU loses, 6 seed if they lose and RU/OSU both win
- Ohio State - 4 seed if they win and IA loses, 5 seed if they win and IA wins or they lose and RU loses, 6 seed if they lose and RU/IA both win
- Rutgers - 6 seed if they lose or they win and IA/OSU win. 5 seed if they win and one of IA/OSU win, 4 seed if they win and both IA/OSU lose
7-8 seeds are locked for Michigan State and Michigan
- Michigan State - 7 seed if they win or they lose and MI loses, 8 seed if they lose and MI wins
- Michigan - 8 seed if they lose or MSU wins, 7 seed if they win and MSU loses
9 seed is Indiana, win or lose
10-11 seeds are locked for Maryland and Penn State
- Maryland - 10 seed if they win or PSU loses, 11 seed if they lose and PSU wins
- Penn State - 11 seed if they lose or MD wins, 11 seed if they win and MD loses
12 seed is Northwestern, win or lose
13-14 seeds are locked for Minnesota and Nebraska
- Minnesota - 13 seed if they win or NE loses, 14 seed if they lose and NE wins
- Nebraska - 14 seed if they lose or MN wins, 13 seed if they win and MN loses
Was at the game sitting not far from Larry Bird. The regular version, not the more athletic one.You forget the game vs Gonzaga in Indy at the John Wooden Classic. I was there with my dad, and sat a row in front of John Wooden. He was gracious enough to sign my Illinois hat when I asked.
Illinois 89-72 Gonzaga (Nov 27, 2004) Game Recap - ESPN
Expert recap and game analysis of the Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Gonzaga Bulldogs NCAAM game from November 27, 2004 on ESPN.
- Status