Big Ten Basketball 2024-2025

21ChampaignSt said:

They'll make Northwestern our protected "rivalry". *sigh*

If we only get one protected rival, I'd prefer IU. Although that wouldn't happen because of their rivalry with Purdue.

If we get two, I'd like IU and Iowa.

The basketball rivalries aren't quite as important in basketball as they are in football since you're still getting to play each team at least once regardless. But associating ourselves so closely with Northwestern and to a lesser extent, Iowa, waters down our brand.

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Mr. Tibbs said:

they should just rotate the teams you play twice - forget rivalries - I’m fine with it being based on records :
last years #1 plays #2 , #4 & #6 twice
last years #2 plays #1, #3 & #5
last years 3 plays #2, #4 #6

something like that

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Butters said:

I get that adding a 6th day or a second venue is difficult. Not unsolvable, but difficult. But why in the world are they not playing 4 games on Wednesday so that we have 16 teams instead of 15? What is the motivation behind leaving one more team out?

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socalini said:

Totally agree. Why do we punish ourselves by having to play multiple hard fought games in a very short period, right before the tournament that REALLY matters. Add a couple of conference games and finish up early like almost everyone else.

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Tacomallini said:

Y'all are in agreement with me that Illinois should have Oregon and Washington as protected rivals, home and home game every year, right?

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SactownIllini said:

Trade you UW for an LA school.

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