Keep saying what? That we don't want to play Houston in Houston? Care to explain how that's controversial?
Playing with house money doesn't make me suddenly want to play an away game vs a 2 seed
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Bracketology
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Keep saying what? That we don't want to play Houston in Houston? Care to explain how that's controversial?
Playing with house money doesn't make me suddenly want to play an away game vs a 2 seed
One factor the committee usually considers is injuries- the fact that we lost one game in OT without Kylan and another in OT without Kylan and Andrej, both double digit scorers. The fact they are both back healthy for the tournament now is a consideration.
PU and MSU haven’t had starters miss games in losses that will be back for the tournament. Given the resumes are close with all three that has to be a consideration in our favor
PU and MSU haven’t had starters miss games in losses that will be back for the tournament. Given the resumes are close with all three that has to be a consideration in our favor
Yeah, it feels like they don't play a complete game, and when they're up, they ease off enough to let the other team back in it. You'd think in the conference tournament that they would play hard and hungry until they get the W, but no. At this point, I expect large leads to evaporate in time for the opponent to make a big comeback. I see posters try to explain it away, but it's happened too many times. Honestly, my prediction is one win in the tournament, based on having far superior talent. I don't see the confidence or consistency that holds off teams fighting for their lives. Hope they use the recent losses as fuel, but it's going to take a big turnaround in how they play through second halves. It's nothing but good and great teams from here on out.
Out of 123 brackets on bracketmatrix:
— 106 have Illinois as a 3seed
— 10 have Illinois as a 2seed
— 7 have Illinois as a 4seed.
If you can understand us being a 4 … would you also understand us being a 2? Because the latter might perhaps be a more likely outcome.
I understand some of the logistical issues the NCAA faces in choosing regional sites, but allowing Houston play in Houston due to some late switch in “host” teams seems to go against the spirit of the rule that says teams should not be allowed to play at a home site in the regionals. I get why that can’t apply to a Final Four.
good thing that record in the last 9 or whatever arbitrary metric you come up with is not something the committee looks at
Also theoretically could go to Buffalo if we’re below Iowa state and Purdue but above Michigan state. All the resumes are soooo close.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
FTR, I think we are ahead of Nebraska and therefore would be top 4 and shipped away from Chicago. Just saying that the Committee isn’t specifically protecting Michigan by letting them avoid a UC full of Illini fans, as we are also a protected seed that they’d reward with a home court advantage if they can. Kind of one of those “no perfect scenarios” (for Michigan) situation, as there will be SOME top 4 seed in Chicago who will bring a lot of fans no matter what.
My point was that this team seems to stay more focused in front of hostile crowds. If we get shipped somewhere else and it’s a hostile crowd maybe that’s good. As you said it’s the match ups that matter most and no matter location or seed that is a crap shoot.
Lunardi and Bracket Matrix have Illinois as the 10th overall seed. On Matrix Illinois has an average seed of 2.98. Gonzaga is next at 3.15, followed by Nebraska at 3.33.
Virginia is 13th overall with an average seed of 3.56 on Matrix.
Hoping to avoid Houston. In my opinion, they may be the worst possible matchup for us in the entire field.
Virginia is 13th overall with an average seed of 3.56 on Matrix.
Hoping to avoid Houston. In my opinion, they may be the worst possible matchup for us in the entire field.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
1) Assuming we are in St. Louis, this is as close to a dream bracket as we’d get, IMO.
2) This got me thinking how weird it is every morning of Selection Sunday that you literally have almost no clue what your path could look like, and it determines so much.
In 2021, I felt we were playing so well that I honestly didn’t care when people felt we got a tough draw … I was that confident in that group.
In 2022, I felt we got a REALLY tough draw, but I didn’t think we were likely to make a run anyway so it was sort of a, “Let’s see what happens, that’s why they play the games!!” thing for me.
In 2023, I was so down on that team that the draw seemed inconsequential. I went in with nothing but a passive hope we’d get hot (lucky) and somewhat salvage a bad season.
In 2024, my goal was just get to the Sweet Sixteen, and I felt we got a great draw for that … my attitude was that if we are playing Iowa State in the Sweet Sixteen (much less UConn in the Elite Eight), we were already where we wanted to be and the rest would just be icing on the cake.
In 2025, we objectively got the best draw imaginable, being a NON-protected seed getting to play a tired play-in team in a virtual home game, with a somewhat paper tiger #3 seed waiting and more virtual home games waiting in Indy if we won! We took (almost) no advantage of that.
Here’s to hoping the basketball gods give us a great draw, this team regains its swagger and we realize this season’s full potential with a special ending!!
I am more concerned with who we play not where we play. Running into a team that has a ball dominant guard that is good in the pick and roll would be more detrimental to this team then playing a “road” game.
And Houston would be both of those things, so no thanks
LouHenson
- Naples Florida
Yep I am with you, STL, Greenville, Buffalo and some chance of OKC seems possible now?
Flemings is very good.
This year, looking at the teams, it seems to me that either a 2 or 3 seed would be great for us.
It's always about matchups, and who wants it more.
It's always about matchups, and who wants it more.
Correct. Illinois has done nothing in the last 6 weeks to warrant any breaks from the committee. Projected two seeds all have guards capable of torching the defense. I would want to have to make a freshman do it. UCONN and Iowa St have veteran guards handling the ball. Pick your poison.
I think we as fans put more stock in the impact of the conference tournament on seeding. It seems to surprise everyone every year that there are huge jumps or slides for conference tournaments. We will see if that holds true this year
Rather think quality of players than just “who’s a freshman.”
Lipsey and Demaury are not as good as Flemings.
Milos Uzan is a senior
Houston in Houston is likely the absolute worst case for Illinois
Could happen if the last 3 seed went to Virginia instead of Nebraska and they could put us in OKC and Virginia in Greenville
What about Houston in the East bracket? Is it just Houston in Houston? Or are you worried about the actual team?
What two seed do you want to align with?
Anyone else see how much easier Purdue’s path was as the 7 seed? compared to Illinois, its night and day.
That’s what I’m hoping to avoid. Houston, in my opinion, is the worst possible matchup for Illinois in the entire field.
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