Game Thread: Illinois vs Penn

PNWIllini · 2026-11-05T20:50:52-0600

We’d run away with the Ivy League.

Ya think?

Oranges · 2026-11-05T20:51:06-0600

“Coleman harassing” yeah I think well here that a lot. Kid simply does not stop fighting defensively

aaeismacgychel · 2026-11-05T20:51:20-0600

We are just toying with them now.

We do need to clean up the free throws, though. Don't want to lose a game due to the FTs.

The way we’ve been playing we might have to miss 20 free throws to lose. And if we do that we probably deserve it.

Mr. Roberts · 2026-11-05T20:51:30-0600

This team ...

Illini4Christ · 2026-11-05T20:51:46-0600

RollChief said:
Dude this is going to be nuts when we have Mirk back

It’s not fair.

Ill... INI 27 · 2026-11-05T20:52:05-0600

illiniguy24 said:
Did not have Lincoln Williams starting a game before Stefan Vaaks on my pre season bingo card

Vaaks buy in 1000, as with Stoya last season...his size and skill is a multiplier...and attitude...winning...

BBlock24 · 2026-11-05T20:53:30-0600

I'm actually surprised they've only taken 16 3s so far.

Pweezy · 2026-11-05T20:54:43-0600

So I generally tune out during the off-season so I definitely missed it, but why is Vaaks coming off the bench? Would have thought he was going to be our starting PG when he signed on

Jon · 2026-11-05T20:55:29-0600

We doing full hockey subs

FloridaMan · 2026-11-05T20:56:21-0600

Coleman just so under control

Jon · 2026-11-05T20:58:07-0600

Pweezy said:
So I generally tune out during the off-season so I definitely missed it, but why is Vaaks coming off the bench? Would have thought he was going to be our starting PG when he signed on

Brad is on a mission to make him "more than a scorer". He's definitely bought into it and gets to play with with no fear off the bench. Also the two freshmen guards are just very very good.

Ill... INI 27 · 2026-11-05T20:59:00-0600

Penn is getting physical. Refs letting them play so far.

Coach has been known to mention to refs in early season, no need to call ticky tack against us...so I have heard...

Illini4Christ · 2026-11-05T20:59:16-0600

Jon said:
Brad is on a mission to make him "more than a scorer". He's definitely bought into it and gets to play with with no fear off the bench. Also the two freshmen guards are just very very good.

HereSoIDontGetFined · 2026-11-05T20:59:19-0600

Of our freshmen, I expected Morillo to be the biggest surprise. Turns out it was in the wrong direction. He's not been bad, but relative to the other newbies...

…INI! · 2026-11-05T20:59:25-0600

Coleman shifting gears

FloridaMan · 2026-11-05T20:59:35-0600

QC 13 points in 16 minutes so far. Man

eas23 · 2026-11-05T20:59:43-0600

Williams is playing very well, and you can still see obvious freshman moments that will get better. Ton of potential there.

DeeIL89 · 2026-11-05T20:59:44-0600

Coleman's so good driving to the paint.

Illinifan1995-- · 2026-11-05T20:59:53-0600

Williams reminds me of Ty Rodgers

aaeismacgychel · 2026-11-05T21:00:55-0600

Honestly, this Penn team is going to be a pretty decent team and what we are doing to them is extraordinarily impressive. This team is the real deal.

Second place is 1st loser · 2026-11-05T21:01:31-0600

I predict that we're going to have to tweak this offense a bit before conference season. I don't see how this is sustainable, especially on the road when possessions and execution are at a premium. The home crowd can't juice you up to keep the pace up.

The good news is that a lot of guys are getting playing time.

Pweezy · 2026-11-05T21:02:45-0600

Jon said:
Brad is on a mission to make him "more than a scorer". He's definitely bought into it and gets to play with with no fear off the bench. Also the two freshmen guards are just very very good.

Thanks. I know about Coleman, but how good are Brown and Williams? Did not expect anything out of them. Maybe Brown as a bench guy.

PNWIllini · 2026-11-05T21:03:02-0600

Jon said:
Terrence Vaaks Jr?

Terry who?

green_bay_energy · 2026-11-05T21:03:07-0600

You simply can't coach the kind of basketball instincts Coleman has. He plays with a sixth sense on the floor. Finding the open man, anticipating rebounds, and moving fluidly in a way that proves the game just comes naturally to him.

CDRUSN · 2026-11-05T21:03:22-0600

Our composite freshman class recruit ranking for 2026 was 12th in the nation. 12th. No way there are 11 hoops teams nationally with better first year players than ours. We may even have the best incoming class in the nation, regardless of how many star rankings others have. Brad and staff are absolutely elite at scouting, recruiting, and then coaching the players that fit our culture and style of play. Man they are fun to watch, and fit seemlessly for the most part with our veterans, with even more room for improvement.

Game Thread: Illinois vs Penn

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