Just turned 23. It was probably about 2007 before I started seriously following Illinois basketball
Illini Basketball 2020-2021
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Awesome. It's great you are experiencing this and hopefully something truly special in 3 weeks. I am twice your age and I became an Illinois fan in 1985. The great years are rare but when they come you have to embrace them. I feel like this team is really special and am very confident they beat anyone.
There is a generation starved of Illinois basketball success for most of their lives. I am apart of it as well. To finally see them win a trophy for anything other than a Braggin' Rights game is insane. I still can't believe it's real.
dont forget DMW
This is a great point. I grew up on 80s Illini football and especially basketball being really good year in and year out. My kids were born in the 2000s and they would see me just exasperated at some of the late Weber teams and Groce's five years. I'd get so excited to watch a game with them and Illinois would always lose. They would see Wisconsin and Michigan in Final Fours and Illinois in the NIT (or worse) and their friends at school would laugh at them when they wore Illini gear. So glad for these last two seasons to bring Illinois basketball back not just for me but for my kids and that generation. Am very hopeful this is a start of another 80s run of year in, year out high-level basketball, and we have a whole group of kids who grow up big Illini fans.
My 12 year old hasn't shown any interest in...any sports really. Which is fine with me. But he got into this game today, living and dying with the good and bad for the Illini. It was like I did in the late 90's and Kiwanne Garris.
This is what happened to me and basketball with the '88-89 team. Couldn't drag me away from a hoop after that.
For years under Henson, they were almost always a threat to win the league, and did seemingly about half the time. Same with Kruger and Self, but they could never win it all. Great program made up mostly of the best kids from the state. For awhile, Henson said you, you, and you....and they all came except for Isiah Thomas, and a couple of others. Sure was fun. Even Harv's teams were about 80% Illinois high schoolers and Combes hardly bothered if you were not. I did not see the "Whiz Kids", but my Dad, Mom, and Grandfather knew them all and saw them play.....and claimed they were the best ever. I started watching Illini hoops in the days of Manny Jackson, Govoner Vaughn, and Chesty Potato Chips. Lot of great teams and players, but the Big Ten was always the best and winning it all was far from easy for anyone. All time favorite? Toss up between Don Freeman and Nick Anderson......but Giori is closing fast based almost solely on admiration for his personality, character, and leadership....and he is no slouch on the hardwood most of the time.
AirNeezy
Orange Krush '13 -'14
My earliest Illini memory was that game in the 2000s where we wore out bright orange unis and Wisconsin wore their bright reds and it was almost impossible to tell them apart on TV.
Good times and glad this squad has brought us back.
Bill Burwell's autograph got my fandom started.
danielb927
Orange Krush Class of 2013
- Rochester, MN
I remember that game too. It didn't help that TV broadcasts were a far cry from HD back then, too!
Fans naturally all want Trent back but reality is he's all but gone. You don't announce something like that until after the season is over. OTOH Bielema has done a pretty good job with retaining the Super Seniors. I think he leads the NCAA with 21 returning.
Trents gonna have some nice options.
You might see him go back close to home. That way his family could see him more often. Whatever he decides I wish him good luck.
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
I'd be pretty darn surprised if Frazier decides to play another year of college ball, especially for a different school (and it takes a lot to surprise me these days, lol).
There would be absolutely zero reason for him to transfer. If he leaves (and I suspect he will), it will be to try his hand at playing professionally and getting paid to do so.
DICKnaggie
- Champaign
I have a hard time believing that after sticking through everything he has here to build what he was a cornerstone of building, would leave for one year at another school. If he leaves, it'll be to get paid.
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
My love for the Illin started in late 1950's, reading about them in the St.Louis Post Dispatch, listening to the radio broadcast, ( when the weather permitted) and sometimes watching on the ole black & white tv....
Illini won every game in my backyard with a wooden backboard and rim nailed to the tree b y the alley.....always winning the B1G , usually with me tossing in a game winner at the buzzer...Wasn't much fun sometimes playing with a flat BB but I had fun doing it...
was tough through the slush fund and Satan years, but I never wavered.....
Diehard Illini fanatic here and proud of it..........and enjoying the hells yeah out of this special season....
Illini won every game in my backyard with a wooden backboard and rim nailed to the tree b y the alley.....always winning the B1G , usually with me tossing in a game winner at the buzzer...Wasn't much fun sometimes playing with a flat BB but I had fun doing it...
was tough through the slush fund and Satan years, but I never wavered.....
Diehard Illini fanatic here and proud of it..........and enjoying the hells yeah out of this special season....
JFGsCoffeeMug
BU:1 Trash cans:0
- Chicago
Thanks - really appreciate it. I'm getting greedy at this point but hoping to find an Ayo. Thanks again! I L L
I started watching the Illini back in 1965 when I was 10 years old!! See the good and bad!! Never gave up on them!! We are both true loyal Illini fans!! Don’t criticize our team like the people do today!)
I agree we can’t for get DMW
BillyBob1
- Champaign
Did he learn the officials names and call them out?
Ha! I haven't even quite nailed that down yet. Never have been one to focus on the officiating too much.
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