Illini Basketball 2017-2018

Status
Not open for further replies.
#1      

Dan

Dan
Admin
Dan
The Schedule
http://www.fightingillini.com/schedule.aspx?path=mbball&

DePaul at Illinois - 2017 Gavitt Games (Fri., Nov. 17th)
Illinois at Wake Forest - B1G/ACC Challenge (Tue., Nov. 28th)
Illinois at UNLV (Sat., Dec. 9th)
Illinois vs New Mexico State - United Center (Sat., Dec 16th)
Illinois vs Missouri - St. Louis (Sat., Dec 23rd)

18 B1G games breakdown-
Home & Away: IU, MSU, NEB, RUT, WIS
Home Only: IA, MD, PSU, PUR
Away Only: MICH, MIN, NW, OSU

Reportedly the B1G will have a new early tipoff weekend Dec 1st-Dec 4th, each team will play 2 league games (home & away).
B1G Tournament: Feb. 28-March 4 in NYC (Madison Square Garden), followed by a full week off prior to Selection Sunday (March 11th).

The full schedule is typically released late August/early September.



Tickets - Braggin' Rights, etc.

Season Tickets On Sale Now: http://www.fightingillini.com/news/...ni-basketball-season-tickets-on-sale-now.aspx
UNLV Las Vegas (Dec 9th) tix: https://www.axs.com/events/339660/unlv-vs-illinois-tickets?skin=grandgarden

These are last season's general public tix availability dates for reference, the timing may or may not be similar this season. Current season ticket holders/donors get first priority on ticket sales.
Braggin' Rights single game tickets: Early November
Illini home single game tickets: Late October



The Roster
_3___Te'Jon Lucas________G___So.
24___Mark Alstork________G___Gr.___*Alstork will arrive on campus in August
_1___Trent Frazier_______G___Fr.
13___Mark Smith__________G___Fr.
20___Da'Monte Williams___G___Fr.
23___Aaron Jordan________G___Jr.
_2___Kipper Nichols______F___R-So.
12___Leron Black_________F___R-Jr.
43___Michael Finke_______F___R-Jr.
11___Greg Eboigbodin_____F___Fr.
_?___Matic Vesel_________F___Fr.___*Vesel will arrive on campus in August

To discuss the 2 open scholarships, please use the Recruiting Thread or Transfers Thread.



[youtube]1kwN8eNbCsE[/youtube]


"We learned a lot from the new staff — a lot — in the couple weeks we were with them," Nichols said. "If we keep developing and doing our job, listening to the coaching staff and doing what they tell us, I think the sky's the limit for us.

"I speak very highly of those guys up there (coaches). It's a great vibe every time you walk into the gym. There's great energy. That's No. 1 for me — the whole relationship deal."

http://www.news-gazette.com/sports/.../2017-06-13/follow-leader-kipper-nichols.html
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
#3      

foby

foby
Bonnaroo Land
foby
And there is a game with UNLV confirmed, right?
 
#6      

Dan

Dan
Admin
Dan
FC Illiniman said:
I thought I saw that they had discussed B1G games b4 Xmas..wondering if that would cut out a non-conference game or 2?:confused:
Click to expand...
Thanks, yes reportedly each team will play 2 B1G games (home & away) Dec 1-4. That will make possible having a full week off prior to March 11 Selection Sunday for the pushed-back B1G Tournament Feb 28-Mar 4.

It'll still be 13 non-conference games & 18 B1G games, just gotta play those 2 extra games in December.
 
#7      

EfremWinters84

E
S. Carolina
EfremWinters84
I like this new BU roster much better than the presumed roster we would have had under JG. I'm also an optimist when it comes to our ability to coach them up. Most importantly, I'm anxious/excited to see the team's offensive "pace" this season with all of our new guard talent.

Still, I think we're destined to finish somewhere between 7th and 10th in the Big 10. (Seems like we should probably finish ahead of RUT, NEB, IND and OSU.) As Loren Tate pointed out earlier this week, the top 7 should be locks for the big dance.
 
#8      

ballislife17

ballislife17
ballislife17
EfremWinters84 said:
I like this new BU roster much better than the presumed roster we would have had under JG. I'm also an optimist when it comes to our ability to coach them up. Most importantly, I'm anxious/excited to see the team's offensive "pace" this season with all of our new guard talent.

Still, I think we're destined to finish somewhere between 7th and 10th in the Big 10. (Seems like we should probably finish ahead of RUT, NEB, IND and OSU.) As Loren Tate pointed out earlier this week, the top 7 should be locks for the big dance.
Click to expand...

I would really hope that BU can help us finish ahead of teams like PSU and IOWA as well. I expect both to be improved, but there's a reason we gave BU a 2 million dollar raise. 1 Million to finish ahead of PSU and 1 Million to finish ahead of Iowa.
 
#9      

Illwinsagain

Illwinsagain
Cary, IL
Illwinsagain
I'm going out on a limb here, I think with everyone having to earn their playing time under a new regime AND a huge influx of new players AND BU tactics to force pace, both in game and practice, UI will finish 4th in conference. It will be the beginning of a Bo like run of top 4 finishes, whether it looks that way on paper or not. Undefeated at home, 11-2 in non-con, 11-7 conf, 6 seed. (takes another B1G swig of Orange Kool-Aid)
 
#10      

Calvin

C
Calvin
EfremWinters84 said:
I like this new BU roster much better than the presumed roster we would have had under JG. I'm also an optimist when it comes to our ability to coach them up. Most importantly, I'm anxious/excited to see the team's offensive "pace" this season with all of our new guard talent.

Still, I think we're destined to finish somewhere between 7th and 10th in the Big 10. (Seems like we should probably finish ahead of RUT, NEB, IND and OSU.) As Loren Tate pointed out earlier this week, the top 7 should be locks for the big dance.
Click to expand...

There are some concerns with this roster, but I like our chances to be at least .500 and get our ticket punched. I expect MSU to be elite this season, with 4-5 teams chasing them. I have a hard time imagining a BU team not putting up a good fight, and I think the turnover is going to really help change the culture quickly.
 
#11      

ChiefIllini

C
ChiefIllini
ballislife17 said:
I would really hope that BU can help us finish ahead of teams like PSU and IOWA as well. I expect both to be improved, but there's a reason we gave BU a 2 million dollar raise. 1 Million to finish ahead of PSU and 1 Million to finish ahead of Iowa.
Click to expand...

I actually think this might be the perfect preseason goal. Iowa and PSU can take huge steps next year, might be the biggest risers. If we are above them I think that means we finish somewhere in the 5th to 8th range.
 
#12      

Illini B-Ball Fan

Illini B-Ball Fan
Illini B-Ball Fan
Hope we draw any of the projected B1G leaders for the 2017-2018 season for the 2 games scheduled Dec 1-4. You can be sure BU will not shy away from the challenge and would like to establish the team asap with the top dogs. :thumb:
 
#13      

foby

foby
Bonnaroo Land
foby
Illwinsagain said:
I'm going out on a limb here, I think with everyone having to earn their playing time under a new regime AND a huge influx of new players AND BU tactics to force pace, both in game and practice, UI will finish 4th in conference. It will be the beginning of a Bo like run of top 4 finishes, whether it looks that way on paper or not. Undefeated at home, 11-2 in non-con, 11-7 conf, 6 seed. (takes another B1G swig of Orange Kool-Aid)
Click to expand...

Pass me that Kool-Aid, it's my favorite flavor.
 
#15      

Illwinsagain

Illwinsagain
Cary, IL
Illwinsagain
foby said:
Pass me that Kool-Aid, it's my favorite flavor.
Click to expand...


images
 
#18      

TriCityBurbs

T
TriCityBurbs
1. MSU
2. Minnesota
3. Maryland
4. Purdue
5. Northwestern
6. Illinois
7. Michigan
8. Iowa
9. Wisconsin
10. Pen st
11. Indiana
12. Nebraska
13. Rutgers
14. OSU

Ok...so I think the clear top 2 is Minnesota and MSU, both legit top 10 teams in my opinion
After that it's basically Purdue/NW/Maryland who all return a lot

Then it gets interesting...Michigan loses Wilson, Walton and Irvin. I think they'll take a step down-especially since they were mediocre at best for 2/3 of the season last year

Iowa is still young-- and we beat them twice last season and everyone knows Fran McCaffery has the Lebron Gene down the stretch and in the clutch!

Wisconsin loses a ton and will be carried by Happ but I think they take a major step down...

Penn St will be about the same, can't shoot, great defensively but lose at least one of their top scorers from last year

IU stinks!

Nebraska/OSU/Rutgers will be in the bottom...

So where does that leave the Beloved? I think with the increased pace of play, better coaching and substituting, size on the wing and guard spots, talented freshman and hunger to win...I don't see why we can't be the 6th best team in the conference and a 6-8 seed in the dance.
 
#19      

Calvin

C
Calvin
Dan said:
reportedly each team will play 2 B1G games (home & away) Dec 1-4. That will make possible having a full week off prior to March 11 Selection Sunday
Click to expand...

That seems a bit cruel. Doesn't that lead right into finals? You know, the academic thing Universities do?
 
#20      

ChiefIllini

C
ChiefIllini
Very curious how Michigan and Wisconsin handle loosing all the talent they did. Haven't followed either closely but I dont think either really have that many proven players waiting in the wings.

While IU lost a lot of talent, I still think they finish top 6. Personally, I think the Miller hire was the best one all year.

I bet UI/Mich end up as the 7/8 seeds again in the BTT, playing for a berth. Lets hope Underwood knows how to beat them this time.
 
#22      

Illwinsagain

Illwinsagain
Cary, IL
Illwinsagain
TriCityBurbs said:
1. MSU
2. Minnesota
3. Maryland
4. Purdue
5. Northwestern
6. Illinois
7. Michigan
8. Iowa
9. Wisconsin
10. Pen st
11. Indiana
12. Nebraska
13. Rutgers
14. OSU

Ok...so I think the clear top 2 is Minnesota and MSU, both legit top 10 teams in my opinion
After that it's basically Purdue/NW/Maryland who all return a lot

Then it gets interesting...Michigan loses Wilson, Walton and Irvin. I think they'll take a step down-especially since they were mediocre at best for 2/3 of the season last year

Iowa is still young-- and we beat them twice last season and everyone knows Fran McCaffery has the Lebron Gene down the stretch and in the clutch!

Wisconsin loses a ton and will be carried by Happ but I think they take a major step down...

Penn St will be about the same, can't shoot, great defensively but lose at least one of their top scorers from last year

IU stinks!

Nebraska/OSU/Rutgers will be in the bottom...

So where does that leave the Beloved? I think with the increased pace of play, better coaching and substituting, size on the wing and guard spots, talented freshman and hunger to win...I don't see why we can't be the 6th best team in the conference and a 6-8 seed in the dance.
Click to expand...

I know that I am old school, but I cannot believe the kitties will be that high. I am expecting a step back, I think their schedule will be tougher. But then again, I don't know anything. :thumb:
 
#23      

ballislife17

ballislife17
ballislife17
FC Illiniman said:
I`m very high on the team , that said, it`s not impossible to rank anywhere from 5-10 in B1G standings at end of year by any means. MSU is the team to beat ..but the rest are not impossible to beat, win all at home, maybe 2 or 3 on road and you have a respectable team going into tourney. Get the first to wins in December, would be awesome, but that`s whatever is schedule brings.

Have to win vs MIZZNOZ!!!:chief:
Click to expand...



Okay why does everyone always say win all your home games in their blue print for the season like it's just a formality? Even last year it was win all your home games and a few road games...When has a team ever won all their home games in the big ten as a middle of the road team?

I'll happily take 60-70%.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Status
Not open for further replies.