Illini Basketball 2022-2023

Did anyone else hear the announcer during the EIU game say that 2020-2022 is the winningest stretch in program history in Big Ten play? As fantastic as we have been, I was actually very shocked by this, considering we won the league 4 out of 5 years from 2001 to 2005, and we finished in second by ONE game in both 2003 and 2006. Good job by Brad and Co.!

On that note, I wanted to again congratulate our program on entering the season ranked for the third straight season - something that has only been done three other times in school history!

2022-23: #23
2021-22: #11
2020-21: #8

2005-06: #17
2004-05: #5
2003-04: #13

2001-02: #3
2000-01: #8
1999-00: #16

1986-87: #14
1985-86: #7
1984-85: #2

If we can finish the season ranked, it would also be the fourth time in school history we have finished in the AP top 25 for 4 straight seasons! Some impressive streaks here

2005-06: #13
2004-05: #1
2003-04: #13
2002-03: #11
2001-02: #13
2000-01: #4
1999-00: #21

1989-90: #18
1988-89: #3
1987-88: #16
1986-87: #11
1985-86: #19
1984-85: #12
1983-84: #6

1955-56: #10
1954-55: #18
1953-54: #19
1952-53: #11
1951-52: #2
1950-51: #5

And yes, the Fighting Illini's 29 times finishing the season ranked is the most in the Big Ten all-time.

Okay, back to work - just pumped for this season to get moving!

Trying not to over-react after 1 game, but some general impressions.

CoHawk has improved more than I expected. Some very encouraging signs. He'll have a lot of high caliber opponents to gauge his progress against later in the season. He looked all pro the way his 3s were falling, which can't possibly continue at 60%+
TSJ is easily as good as advertised.
The length, intensity, and versatility of these guys has me very impressed.
They have a long way to go as a group, but I can envision a strong identity.
Several 3s were taken a couple feet past the arc, and I LOVE when you have guys that don't need to hug the arc --just think it opens up the floor nicely.
I already miss Goode - think he would have been a nice piece.
Going to be fun to watch the freshmen, but they're freshmen. Skyy looked pretty composed, and if there's one freshman you need to play above his weight, it's him.
Could be a very strong group defensively.

Should be a fun season!

Fighter of the Nightman said:

Did anyone else hear the announcer during the EIU game say that 2020-2022 is the winningest stretch in program history in Big Ten play? As fantastic as we have been, I was actually very shocked by this, considering we won the league 4 out of 5 years from 2001 to 2005, and we finished in second by ONE game in both 2003 and 2006. Good job by Brad and Co.!

On that note, I wanted to again congratulate our program on entering the season ranked for the third straight season - something that has only been done three other times in school history!

2022-23: #23
2021-22: #11
2020-21: #8

2005-06: #17
2004-05: #5
2003-04: #13

2001-02: #3
2000-01: #8
1999-00: #16

1986-87: #14
1985-86: #7
1984-85: #2

If we can finish the season ranked, it would also be the fourth time in school history we have finished in the AP top 25 for 4 straight seasons! Some impressive streaks here

2005-06: #13
2004-05: #1
2003-04: #13
2002-03: #11
2001-02: #13
2000-01: #4
1999-00: #21

1989-90: #18
1988-89: #3
1987-88: #16
1986-87: #11
1985-86: #19
1984-85: #12
1983-84: #6

1955-56: #10
1954-55: #18
1953-54: #19
1952-53: #11
1951-52: #2
1950-51: #5

And yes, the Fighting Illini's 29 times finishing the season ranked is the most in the Big Ten all-time.

Okay, back to work - just pumped for this season to get moving!

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Well more games helps — 20 games versus 16 played in 2005-06 season.

EyeoftheIllini said:

Well more games helps — 20 games versus 16 played in 2005-06 season.

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Oh, I honestly assumed he was using winning percentage … pretty worthless stat otherwise!

Fighter of the Nightman said:

Oh, I honestly assumed he was using winning percentage … pretty worthless stat otherwise!

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Maybe someone from Michigan came up with it

Calvin said:

Trying not to over-react after 1 game, but some general impressions.

CoHawk has improved more than I expected. Some very encouraging signs. He'll have a lot of high caliber opponents to gauge his progress against later in the season. He looked all pro the way his 3s were falling, which can't possibly continue at 60%+
TSJ is easily as good as advertised.
The length, intensity, and versatility of these guys has me very impressed.
They have a long way to go as a group, but I can envision a strong identity.
Several 3s were taken a couple feet past the arc, and I LOVE when you have guys that don't need to hug the arc --just think it opens up the floor nicely.
I already miss Goode - think he would have been a nice piece.
Going to be fun to watch the freshmen, but they're freshmen. Skyy looked pretty composed, and if there's one freshman you need to play above his weight, it's him.
Could be a very strong group defensively.

Should be a fun season!

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I remember reading or seeing a video about the rockets doing this by design a couple years ago under Dantoni. The extra space usually gives the shooter time to get a good shot off because it makes a longer closeout, or defenders just don’t expect you to pull from back there so their hesitation allows a good look. Then, if you hit those, of course the defense has to respond by guarding further out which improves spacing.

I want to stay the rockets actually shot a high percentage on deep 3s than regular 3s because of it. But I could be misremembering there.

Fighter of the Nightman said:

Did anyone else hear the announcer during the EIU game say that 2020-2022 is the winningest stretch in program history in Big Ten play?

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EyeoftheIllini said:

Well more games helps — 20 games versus 16 played in 2005-06 season.

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For B1G league games, it is the winningest stretch for the program ever (as it's a long 20-game schedule now), & winningest in the league over the last 3 seasons-
"Illinois is the winningest team in the Big Ten over the last three seasons, registering a 44-16 mark in league play" (fightingillini.com)

It does raise the question, how does this era compare to other stretches of IL dominance in league play?

Let's take a look at other 3+ season stretches of B1G dominance for the program to see how it compares via winning percentage. (This may not be perfect, I did my best with the numbers/calculations looking over the record book)-


Illini Basketball in Big Ten League Play


Source: Illinois Basketball Record Book (Page 73)

From the time I was in third grade until I was in seventh grade, we won 80% of our Big Ten games (and 95% of our B1G home games!), including 4 Big Ten Championships in 5 seasons, plus two BTT titles (including in the one season where we didn't win the regular season title) and one BTT runner-up. None of this is to even touch on the 2 #1-seeds, 4 Sweet Sixteens, 2 Elite Eights and National Championship Game appearance.

Wow. I was spoiled!

Also, sorry if this has been covered, but I couldn't find it ... did I see somewhere that we were doomed for SEC Network for the Braggin' Rights Game?? Neither Illinois' nor Mizzou's official schedules list that.

It looks like ESPN is out, as the "Gasparilla Bowl" is on Thursday 12/22 at 7:30 pm on ESPN.

Harvard at #5 Kansas is on ESPN2 at 6:00 pm, and the ESPN website has ... George Washington at Washington State on after that?! Who on EARTH was in charge of deciding that this game should be on ESPN2 while Braggin' Rights is on SEC Network?!...

Fighter of the Nightman said:

Also, sorry if this has been covered, but I couldn't find it ... did I see somewhere that we were doomed for SEC Network for the Braggin' Rights Game?? Neither Illinois' nor Mizzou's official schedules list that.

It looks like ESPN is out, as the "Gasparilla Bowl" is on Thursday 12/22 at 7:30 pm on ESPN.

Harvard at #5 Kansas is on ESPN2 at 6:00 pm, and the ESPN website has ... George Washington at Washington State on after that?! Who on EARTH was in charge of deciding that this game should be on ESPN2 while Braggin' Rights is on SEC Network?!...

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Braggin' Rights game is listed, at the link below, for SEC Network broadcast (you have to fill out the form for Dec. 22nd). Good point about the schedule on both schools' websites not listing anything yet, so who knows ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

^ What a colossally dumb decision by ESPN, unless they are desperately trying to use the opportunity to market SEC Network (sort of like how the Illinois/Northwestern game at Wrigley, which literally had College Gameday, was used as a marketing ploy for ESPNU). Forget for a second that we are a ranked team and Braggin' Rights is one of the most storied non-conference rivalries in college hoops or that both Illinois and Missouri have large and passionate fan bases in major TV markets ... Washington State might have one of the smallest fan bases in the Power Five, and George Washington's fan base would be a fraction of that.

Lol, you really don't have to be an Illini or Mizzou fan to be completely bewildered by this one!

Dan said:

Braggin' Rights game is listed, at the link below, for SEC Network broadcast (you have to fill out the form for Dec. 22nd). Good point about the schedule on both schools' websites not listing anything yet, so who knows ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

ESPN Schedules

espnpressroom.com

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Honest question....do the schools receive more $$$ if the Braggin Rights game is televised on SEC or B10 as opposed to being on any of the ESPN networks??? Or would it be the other way around....just curious if that would enter into who gets to carry the game.

doowink said:

Honest question....do the schools receive more $$$ if the Braggin Rights game is televised on SEC or B10 as opposed to being on any of the ESPN networks??? Or would it be the other way around....just curious if that would enter into who gets to carry the game.

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I don't know about the $$, all I know is for Braggin' Rights it alternates who gets the broadcast rights- this year it's Mizzou's turn so that means TV options are most likely ESPN or ESPN2 or ESPNU or SEC Network. From a broader view, it's just another college basketball game. Braggin' Rights is important to us, however with every team playing 30+ games, with thousands of games per year, they don't really sweat the details too much for most individual games. Go Illini

Fighter of the Nightman said:

From the time I was in third grade until I was in seventh grade, we won 80% of our Big Ten games (and 95% of our B1G home games!), including 4 Big Ten Championships in 5 seasons, plus two BTT titles (including in the one season where we didn't win the regular season title) and one BTT runner-up. None of this is to even touch on the 2 #1-seeds, 4 Sweet Sixteens, 2 Elite Eights and National Championship Game appearance.

Wow. I was spoiled!

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Yes, you were…but then one day all that ended…and you were sent to a cruel orphanage/military school in Siberia where
you were forced to eat sawdust-bread and bugs and rainwater for over a decade or so…until finally being rescued from that purgatory. Lol

(You know…metaphorically speaking that is.)

FinallyMadeAnAccount said:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1589271585638449152

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Auburn? Interesting. I would have thought they were typical SEC. Meaning, other than kentucky, football first.

sacraig said:

Objectively, he's a pretty good coach but a pretty terrible dude.

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agreed - said guy not coach - want a coach who is both

splitter said:

agreed - said guy not coach - want a coach who is both

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lets sell this game out tonight!!! Also, more people need to buy Syracuse tix!

Dan said:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1591103867407978496

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Dan said:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1591103867407978496

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Smashing the "like" button for more Fletch, in honor of Gallagher. RIP

skyIdub said:

Smashing the "like" button for more Fletch, in honor of Gallagher. RIP

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I'm guessing that the best thing Groce did for the program was hire Fletcher.

Dan said:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1591103867407978496

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Not wanting to change the subject, but I will post this anyway. Goode will be missed...how much we will never know. He is a hammer type who does the little things and is willing to bang with anyone. Likely, he was on track to be a big scorer from time to time. What he can do when he returns is a mystery. If he is ready, he can be a shot of adrenaline. If lingering effects and rust keep him on the bench, we will never know.

Podz loss is looking to be blow now too but if he were playing, who would sit? Likely, this team will not miss Curbelo in the long run but I hope he has a great career at St. John's...his skill set just did not work well in the B1G.

Bottom line, the transfer of Podz and AC was likely good for both parties, and overall a wash. Yet I think we all wish them well.
The Goode injury is yet another curse for the Illini to overcome. If we can get RJ and MM playing at their potential and Goode comes back strong, the Skyy is the limit (see what I did there?) So much hanging in the balance on that statement.

Really like and respect the four talented freshmen and their play on the floor. Solid and mature play from them all....but they are freshmen and will blunder from time to time.

We know the talent RJ brings and can see what Mayer can add if he can hit shots and play some defense. Not sure if his injuries are going to linger and inhibit, but pain can get in your head and really keep a player down which appears to be happening.

Overall, injuries are already affecting what this team can be. The season has already been intriguing and will be mesmerizing to behold as it unfolds. I still have questions (not criticism) about the piecing together of all the parts of the puzzle....it is a tough job of which I have no input but I am fascinated. It is likely that this is the type of team that BU has always wanted. He goes to battle without Goode and Perrin (and I think another big like Perrin would be a plus and he could have played some when needed for injuries and foul trouble like BBV) which are two blows to the gut.

So hold onto your hats Illini fans, we are in for a roller coaster ride that we all hope will turn out to be worth the money. We should have some answers by 7 pm on Nov. 20. Go Illini!!