I think Underwood did a great job just getting us back into the tournament this year. This was expected to be a down year for the Illini after losing so many players last year. We can go into the tourney this year with low expectations and hopefully they will surprise us. An early exit this year will hurt a lot less than the past 2 seasons. During the presser, coach said he was building a consistent program. If Underwood can consistently get us the to tourney, eventually we will do some damage.
Bracketology
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I think Underwood did a great job just getting us back into the tournament this year. This was expected to be a down year for the Illini after losing so many players last year. We can go into the tourney this year with low expectations and hopefully they will surprise us. An early exit this year will hurt a lot less than the past 2 seasons. During the presser, coach said he was building a consistent program. If Underwood can consistently get us the to tourney, eventually we will do some damage.
Fair. It would be disappointing. I’m not gonna lie…and we’ve had a fair amount of that this year already.
Let’s just hope that doesn’t happen. Ya just never know. It ain’t over yet. I-L-L
Lunardi's bracket has us a 9 facing Arkansas in Des Moines. He also has four B1G teams in the Midwest Bracket (Indiana [5]!MSU [7], Illinois [9], [11]), but only 1 in the West (Iowa), 2 in both the East (Purdue [1], NW [7]), and South (Maryland [9] and PSU [10]).
Ransom Stoddard
Ordained Dudeist Priest
- Bloomington, IL
I don't mean this as a shot at you, but I haven't paid attention to Lunardi in years. Anybody can guess at a bracket, and some are closer to the actual result than others, but I just wait for the selection show before I start stressing out about who we drew.Lunardi's bracket has us a 9 facing Arkansas in Des Moines. He also has four B1G teams in the Midwest Bracket (Indiana [5]!MSU [7], Illinois [9], [11]), but only 1 in the West (Iowa), 2 in both the East (Purdue [1], NW [7]), and South (Maryland [9] and PSU [10]).
GrayGhost77
- Centennial, CO
Lunardi is laughably bad at his job. Not sure why ESPN even keeps him around. I imagine him trying to comprehend the NCAA tourney selection criteria like those Martian guys from Sesame Street trying to understand Earth objects.Lunardi's bracket has us a 9 facing Arkansas in Des Moines. He also has four B1G teams in the Midwest Bracket (Indiana [5]!MSU [7], Illinois [9], [11]), but only 1 in the West (Iowa), 2 in both the East (Purdue [1], NW [7]), and South (Maryland [9] and PSU [10]).
Bracket matrix has us pretty evenly split between a 9 and a 10. I'll go with a 10 just because I think the way the team finished will have a subconscious bias on the seeding even though technically they are supposed to go on the entire body of work. And unfortunately, I think the way this team limped into the tournament, my expectation is to do the same --come out flat, and fight in the second half. Might get past the first round, but my guess is no.
I admire the fans who are still optimistic, I really do. Just calling it like I see it. Hard to get excited the way they've been playing.
I admire the fans who are still optimistic, I really do. Just calling it like I see it. Hard to get excited the way they've been playing.
Illini in Indiana
- Indiana
We are 5W - 11L versus tourney teams this year, and we will be likely a 9-10 seed.
So, math says we are unlikely to do well. If we win 1 game, that'll be great(30-40% chance), 2 games-awesome (10-15% chance), 3 games - unbelievable (3-5% chance), final 4 -magical (1%ish), after that just play the lottery!
I'm going to sit back without expectations, and if we win any games I'll be happy.
So, math says we are unlikely to do well. If we win 1 game, that'll be great(30-40% chance), 2 games-awesome (10-15% chance), 3 games - unbelievable (3-5% chance), final 4 -magical (1%ish), after that just play the lottery!
I'm going to sit back without expectations, and if we win any games I'll be happy.
No offense taken . . . I'm just wondering what he was thinking putting 4 B1G teams in one region. Or maybe the point is, he doesn't think . . .
Thanks, I am too now. It's only been 17 since I got out of the Army. That feels like a lifetime ago.
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
All valid points .......we have experienced all of those aspects that you have brought up........
With that in mind , why then don't we just decline any invitation to the dance so we don't disappoint anyone else so they can go on with their life without being embarrassed by this woeful accumulation of underachieving no nothing lackey's ......
Wow , who pissed in your cheerios ???...............I feel I am the definition of an eternal optimist , but after reading that diatribe , i just want to go back to bed and curl up into a fetal position.......I commend you on your extreme presentation of why we have no reasoning to even think aboot proceeding to the NCAA tournament......
Thanks for pointing out ALL of the beloved's flaws , or do you have any more you want to bring up...?????......
How aboot BU and staff are inept coaches who have no control over the rowdy and immature Illini players .....
Listen , I am a firm believer in the fact that everyone is entitled to their opinion and I will fight for you and everyone else to voice that opinion , freely and without any censorship , but oskee-wow-wow............................
Your offer to help him reset and avoid disappointment was mission accomplished if............................if it is to be a full blooded negative glass half empty person........again , kudos for posting your opinion in the spirit of helping another member of Illini Nation.....
Now , I respectfully ask for you to NOT try to help me reset as I fully believe , regardless of all our warts that you so eloquently pointed out , we have just as much of a chance to win a game or even multiple games in the dance.......if you have evidence that we are ALREADY beaten out of the tourney then please enlighten me and all the other fans here,,,,,
I'm not trying to argue , pick a fight or do anything to inhibit your posting your opinion..........I just wonder if you think you are helping ANYONE or are you just venting a season worth of ranting disappointment that you , yourself has experienced ......
Whatever your intent , it hasn't swayed me in my support of the Illini and i will be watching the selection show to see where we are assigned and then when we play I will be in front of my screen with my Illini garb on cheering and cussing as I always do .......
I REALLY REALLY WILL...............
This team needs to get past the first round.
There are going to be upsets and we need to be in the mix. There also have been a few injuries late in the season on other teams that will have good seeds that will make things interesting
Tennessee lost starting PG
Houston’s Sasser might be limited with a groin injury
UVA Vander Plas hand is broken
UCLA had some injuries
Allen for Texas has a hand injury
This is just to name a few
There are going to be upsets and we need to be in the mix. There also have been a few injuries late in the season on other teams that will have good seeds that will make things interesting
Tennessee lost starting PG
Houston’s Sasser might be limited with a groin injury
UVA Vander Plas hand is broken
UCLA had some injuries
Allen for Texas has a hand injury
This is just to name a few
PizzaHutParkingLot
- McPherson, KS
So you are saying we have a chance
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
we don't have a chance ??????.....................really ??..............................................OK, ...........................................
Now what do I do ??????
This is the end , da-da-dum, my friends ....this is the end......
looks like it's time to rescue carbon unit pruman91...................................
Don't do it pru........The illini will try harder.......please don't give up..........................Hello ?........................Hello pru ????????????????????
It’s all good. I’m really just reminding myself of our shortcomings to prepare myself for an early exit. Like you, i will be eagerly anticipating our drawing later today, and before our game i will hang my Illinois flag outside, put on my luckiest shirt, and hope like heck the guys come out with a chip on the shoulder, nobody’s giving us a chance to win attitude and they surprise all the experts with a win or two. But if they don’t i’m not going to experience the annual end of season letdown. I’ll look forward to next year because as I stated, i think better years are ahead.
All the best!
In sports there’s always a chance.
Chad Fleck
- Eureka, IL
I will almost certainly pick Illinois to lose in the first round in my bracket.
I also will definitely have hope beyond hope that they can make a run to the S16. That would make a successful season to me.
I also will definitely have hope beyond hope that they can make a run to the S16. That would make a successful season to me.
Illini2010-11
- Sugar Grove
If the Illini prepare and perform like they did at T-Mobile Arena in November and MSG in December, this team can get to the S16. If the team shows up like they did at Enterprise Center in December, they could get blown out in the first round. At this point, who knows what team to expect next week.
One thing is certain though; I am happy to get out of B1G play and look forward to watching the Illini play in the bracket. March is so much more fun when I have a distinct rooting interest vs rooting for my bracket.
Go Illini!!
One thing is certain though; I am happy to get out of B1G play and look forward to watching the Illini play in the bracket. March is so much more fun when I have a distinct rooting interest vs rooting for my bracket.
Go Illini!!
Imagine what UCLA and Texas fans are thinking right now. "How did we ever lose to Illinois?"
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
Fair enough bro..............I'm having a rough day with a lot of arthritic pain that my meds usually subdue to a reasonable level........Also having a little melancholy period related to my dad and memories of us planning on going one year down to Jupiter for cardinals spring training.....we just ran out of time .....
Sorry if I came on too strong and I agree with you aboot the shortcomings of this years Illini........I really thought we had the right ingredients for a FF and maybe a natty........I still have that hope but reality is not trending in that accomplishment level........
I'm watching bama-tam right now and wondering how many in the stands there and watching on TV are as confused as I am aboot Miller being allowed to play for bama.........I know he isn't charged with anything , but what if he wasn't a big time BB star ???????.....................The saying that " nobody is above the law " has taken on new meaning for me with Miller's actions and the overall stench coming from a person with # 45 attached to them........
I need to just clear my mind and settle in for a B$G BTT championship game later today , then the selection show......
party on everyone......................
yum yum..........
Illinicpa14
- Chicago
This is another reason why being a 10 or even 11 is better for a S16 run. If you’re an 8/9 besides one all time upset you’re playing the 1.
Both 2 and 3 seeds occasionally get upset in round 1 to open up a pod.
Totally agree. The way we shoot the ball, we cannot compete against top teams, but somehow Brad has this team only losing by 3 to PSU, who might actually beat Purdue today. Watching the tournament games yesterday made it obvious we don't have anyone on the team who can consistently bury the big shots. But our guys make it up on defense. That's pretty impressive. So I actually expect them to win at least one game in the tournament, but no more than that on account of our lack of offense.
I always kind of hope for a Friday/Sunday draw just to make the experience last longer.
Though it seems like Birmingham and Des Moines might be most likely, and those are both Thursday/Saturday. Just don't give us an 11:15 a.m. Thursday game.
Though it seems like Birmingham and Des Moines might be most likely, and those are both Thursday/Saturday. Just don't give us an 11:15 a.m. Thursday game.
Epsilon
M tipping over
- Pdx
Well we might have a chance at either one of them if they are 2 seeds and we are 10, right? Of course we’d have to win the first game lol.
Seth Davis just calling out Illinois as a team that should be nervous because 2-11 in Quad 1 games.
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