Illini Basketball 2022-2023

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#76      

Roundball Sage

R
Roundball Sage
The Big Ten is one of the Big Two National Conferences left standing. And as such, all the Big Ten Programs get their pick of many of the top talents in the Country. And will do so for the foreseeable future.

And the result of this is that anybody can beat anybody, any time because talent is leveling off but doing so at an ‘Elite’ level. It will be rare thing these days if and when a Big Ten School has only a loss or two going into Madness Time.

So with the Illini already getting dinged a couple times this year... this is not the end of the World. All the teams will get blemished (as Purdue was so reminded yesterday).

What counts is getting into the Dance and playing a high level when the games really begin to get interesting and the pressure gets really intense. The Big Ten Conference Season is Spring Training for the Bigger Time to follow.
 
#77      

Champaignheat

C
Champaignheat
I agree with you Roundball Sage. I think the entire Illini fandom (almost all at least) went a little overboard on the frazzled state of the Illini. We had a couple of bad games in a two week period. This can be seen throughout all of college basketball. I believe our team is pretty good, (probably worthy of a 15-25 ranking) and we will see better play as the season goes on.

We have not lost to any team that is "bad," although the loss to Missouri still sucks and stings. We have won against several quality teams. We have had a lot of practice these last few weeks and I think it will show in improved play. (I am worried a little bit about our offense), I still think we are fairly weak offensively and have won not necessarily because of good offense but more because of outstanding individual performances.

Just me hoping for the best and not getting too crazy after a couple of beat downs given to us.
 
#78      

Fighter of the Nightman

Fighter of the Nightman
Chicago, IL
Fighter of the Nightman
Champaignheat said:
I agree with you Roundball Sage. I think the entire Illini fandom (almost all at least) went a little overboard on the frazzled state of the Illini. We had a couple of bad games in a two week period. This can be seen throughout all of college basketball. I believe our team is pretty good, (probably worthy of a 15-25 ranking) and we will see better play as the season goes on.

We have not lost to any team that is "bad," although the loss to Missouri still sucks and stings. We have won against several quality teams. We have had a lot of practice these last few weeks and I think it will show in improved play. (I am worried a little bit about our offense), I still think we are fairly weak offensively and have won not necessarily because of good offense but more because of outstanding individual performances.

Just me hoping for the best and not getting too crazy after a couple of beat downs given to us.
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As many others and I have said, though, I really think this NU game will tell us a lot. We have more than enough of a talent and coaching advantage (IMO), as well as what will be a very friendly crowd for a road game, to make this a blowout. While I won't hold our team to that high of a standard given that it IS Big Ten play in a conference with a ton of parody ... we just simply have to win. If we don't, it's because we failed to dig deep enough with our backs against the wall. Coming out and destroying a cupcake at home after the embarrassment at Braggin' Rights was par for the course, not a pleasant surprise. So, I am cautiously optimistic that THIS game will be where we truly right the ship. Given the momentum swings in this season, I just don't think we can drop to 0-3 in the Big Ten by losing on what will feel like a neutral court when we desperately need a win!

On a lighter note, we have won 8 in a row vs. Northwestern, including 3 in a row in Evanston. Despite a really bad streak from 2010 to 2018 when our games with the Wildcats were way too close, this is more the norm for history! We have had some truly dominant streaks vs. Northwestern:

11 straight wins from 2004 through 2009.
--- Broken up by #25 Illinois losing in Evanston in 2004---
8 straight wins from 1999 through 2003.
--- Broken up by losing at home to NU in our pretty bad 1999 season ---
7 straight from 1995 through 1998

We also won 16 in a row vs. NU from 1984 through 1991.

From the 1980 season through 2009, we played Northwestern 58 times and lost to them 5 times ... 53-5. Let that sink in. :ROFLMAO: Let's add to that!
 
#79      

USAFILLINI

USAFILLINI
Florida
USAFILLINI
Fighter of the Nightman said:
Didn't know where else to put this, but in the last couple of weeks, Hunter Dickinson has said the following (paraphrased):

1) Nobody goes to Michigan State if you can get into Michigan.

2) Wisconsin basketball are a bunch of "scumbags."

Lol, this dude needs a nanny to keep his mouth shut SO badly. If we do not accomplish anything else this year, I at least pray that we demolish Michigan and send Hunter packing without ever having ONCE beaten Illinois.
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Nothing would warm my heart more than him never beating Illinois AND going to the NIT this year.
 
#80      

Mobi

M
Mobi
Champaignheat said:
I agree with you Roundball Sage. I think the entire Illini fandom (almost all at least) went a little overboard on the frazzled state of the Illini. We had a couple of bad games in a two week period. This can be seen throughout all of college basketball. I believe our team is pretty good, (probably worthy of a 15-25 ranking) and we will see better play as the season goes on.

We have not lost to any team that is "bad," although the loss to Missouri still sucks and stings. We have won against several quality teams. We have had a lot of practice these last few weeks and I think it will show in improved play. (I am worried a little bit about our offense), I still think we are fairly weak offensively and have won not necessarily because of good offense but more because of outstanding individual performances.

Just me hoping for the best and not getting too crazy after a couple of beat downs given to us.
Click to expand...
It is clear we need to fix our defense, which is undergoing, and find a more efficient offense. Brad's job was not as hard the last two years due to Kofi/Ayo. This year is not an easy job IMO but I still think we are a tournament team, maybe seeding not as high as we want. I hope we morph into a very competitive team by season end to have a good tourney run.
 
#81      

doowink

D
doowink
Fighter of the Nightman said:
Didn't know where else to put this, but in the last couple of weeks, Hunter Dickinson has said the following (paraphrased):

1) Nobody goes to Michigan State if you can get into Michigan.

2) Wisconsin basketball are a bunch of "scumbags."

Lol, this dude needs a nanny to keep his mouth shut SO badly. If we do not accomplish anything else this year, I at least pray that we demolish Michigan and send Hunter packing without ever having ONCE beaten Illinois.
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Just an everyday "Michigan" guy....
 
#82      

ChiefIllinois

C
ChiefIllinois
Fighter of the Nightman said:
Didn't know where else to put this, but in the last couple of weeks, Hunter Dickinson has said the following (paraphrased):

1) Nobody goes to Michigan State if you can get into Michigan.

2) Wisconsin basketball are a bunch of "scumbags."

Lol, this dude needs a nanny to keep his mouth shut SO badly. If we do not accomplish anything else this year, I at least pray that we demolish Michigan and send Hunter packing without ever having ONCE beaten Illinois.
Click to expand...
I’m fine with this being a down year as long as we still make the tournament and beat Michigan every chance we get.
 
#83      

ILFaninFL

ILFaninFL
Nature Coast in Florida
ILFaninFL
Fighter of the Nightman said:
Didn't know where else to put this, but in the last couple of weeks, Hunter Dickinson has said the following (paraphrased):

1) Nobody goes to Michigan State if you can get into Michigan.

2) Wisconsin basketball are a bunch of "scumbags."

Lol, this dude needs a nanny to keep his mouth shut SO badly. If we do not accomplish anything else this year, I at least pray that we demolish Michigan and send Hunter packing without ever having ONCE beaten Illinois.
Click to expand...
It's getting hard to pick who's the biggest a$$ at Michigan ... Juwan for not developing Hunter since he was a freshman and has anger issues or Hunter who spends his time trashing opponents, teammates, and basically anyone but him for the dumpster fire the program has become. I would venture to say that none of their bench players should be on a Big Ten team. My prediction is that Michigan will be a force again in two years - when Juwan and Hunter are gone.

End of rant.
 
#84      

Ransom Stoddard

Ransom Stoddard
Ordained Dudeist Priest
Bloomington, IL
Ransom Stoddard
ILFaninFL said:
It's getting hard to pick who's the biggest a$$ at Michigan ... Juwan for not developing Hunter since he was a freshman and has anger issues or Hunter who spends his time trashing opponents, teammates, and basically anyone but him for the dumpster fire the program has become. I would venture to say that none of their bench players should be on a Big Ten team. My prediction is that Michigan will be a force again in two years - when Juwan and Hunter are gone.

End of rant.
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They've had maybe 1 3 star recruit in their last 3 or 4 recruiting classes, the remaining being 4 stars or higher, so I'd beg to differ.
 
#85      

WyattEarp

WyattEarp
WyattEarp
Should know better; and it’s generally a fool’s errand to understand the thought process of the utterly delusional. But, I got a couple minutes…

1.) So those years then, NOT TOO LONG AGO…in about 2008 B.B. (Before Beilein) that Izzo was referred to as “Mr. March” and consistently owned Michigan…
The hotbed was Michigan? No.
So…are we to believe then, for that period of time ALL those kids wanted to be at Michigan before State? I kinda doubt it. (You keep telling yourself that, Fella.) How about even now? Izzo might have slipped a tad. But, I know who has the better coach. Izzo could out-coach Howard in his sleep. (Even cranky, approaching burn-out, old, cantankerous Izzo) I will admit Beilein WAS a stud…AND
Izzo did have trouble with Beilein coached teams. But even Beilein in his 12 years had 3 years that were .500 or UNDER. So can we just not, with this mythos about Michigan as this HUGE basketball power already?

2.) The Wisconsin Basketball Program is a bunch of scumbags? That’s like like Hitler calling Mussolini a dictator. (This guy is so pompous and entitled it’s off the charts.) I mean, he apparently hates literally EVERYONE.
 
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#86      

BRucks

BRucks
BRucks
ILFaninFL said:
It's getting hard to pick who's the biggest a$$ at Michigan ... Juwan for not developing Hunter since he was a freshman and has anger issues or Hunter who spends his time trashing opponents, teammates, and basically anyone but him for the dumpster fire the program has become. I would venture to say that none of their bench players should be on a Big Ten team. My prediction is that Michigan will be a force again in two years - when Juwan and Hunter are gone.

End of rant.
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I'm a little disappointed that Hunter is no longer channeling his hate toward us.
 
#87      

MustangWally

MustangWally
Mayfield
MustangWally
Fighter of the Nightman said:
As many others and I have said, though, I really think this NU game will tell us a lot. We have more than enough of a talent and coaching advantage (IMO), as well as what will be a very friendly crowd for a road game, to make this a blowout. While I won't hold our team to that high of a standard given that it IS Big Ten play in a conference with a ton of parody ... we just simply have to win. If we don't, it's because we failed to dig deep enough with our backs against the wall. Coming out and destroying a cupcake at home after the embarrassment at Braggin' Rights was par for the course, not a pleasant surprise. So, I am cautiously optimistic that THIS game will be where we truly right the ship. Given the momentum swings in this season, I just don't think we can drop to 0-3 in the Big Ten by losing on what will feel like a neutral court when we desperately need a win!

On a lighter note, we have won 8 in a row vs. Northwestern, including 3 in a row in Evanston. Despite a really bad streak from 2010 to 2018 when our games with the Wildcats were way too close, this is more the norm for history! We have had some truly dominant streaks vs. Northwestern:

11 straight wins from 2004 through 2009.
--- Broken up by #25 Illinois losing in Evanston in 2004---
8 straight wins from 1999 through 2003.
--- Broken up by losing at home to NU in our pretty bad 1999 season ---
7 straight from 1995 through 1998

We also won 16 in a row vs. NU from 1984 through 1991.

From the 1980 season through 2009, we played Northwestern 58 times and lost to them 5 times ... 53-5. Let that sink in. :ROFLMAO: Let's add to that!
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I don't know how much parody there is on other Big Ten boards, but Pru is the king on IL.
 
#88      

pruman91

pruman91
Paducah, Ky
pruman91
MustangWally said:
I don't know how much parody there is on other Big Ten boards, but Pru is the king on IL.
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par·o·dy

noun
noun: parody; plural noun: parodies
  1. an imitation of the style of a particular writer, artist, or genre with deliberate exaggeration for comic effect.
    "the movie is a parody of the horror genre"
  2. produce a humorously exaggerated imitation
  3. mimic humorously.



    par·i·ty


    noun
    noun: parity
    1. 1.
      the state or condition of being equal, especially regarding status or pay.
      "parity of incomes between rural workers and those in industrial occupations"
      • a system of providing farmers with consistent purchasing power by regulatingprices of farm products, usually with government price supports.



        hal01.jpg
        Dr , Chandra , I have a serious question ???

      • hal02.jpg
        Good evening Hal , what is your question ??

      • hal01.jpg
        Am I a parody or a parity ?????

      • hal02.jpg
        Well Hal , what do YOU think you are ??

      • hal01.jpg
        Well Dr. Chandra , first and foremost I am a Fighting Illini fanatic.....

      • hal02.jpg
        Well Hal , that is not a parody as I am also an Illini fanatic !!
      • hal01.jpg
        Dr. Chandra , when will you take me to SFC ????

      • hal02.jpg
        Soon Hal , very very soon !!!!

      • hal03.jpg
        Well Chandra , what's up with the advanced A1 nerd today ????......
      • He's upset that the Illini lost their FB game yesterday...............I think he reads that crazy Loyalty board and all those looney tunes posters..

      • psyc69.gif

 
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#90      

Roundball Sage

R
Roundball Sage
Mobi said:
It is clear we need to fix our defense, which is undergoing, and find a more efficient offense.
Click to expand...

Defense is not sexy today. Especially with NBA teams now routinely scoring in the 140s.

But as anyone who has watched sports knows... it is Defense that wins games and ultimately championships.

Ball fans have all heard the coach say, 'Your shot may not be falling... but you can bring the D always. Every night.'

Especially with young players it's a job to 'sell' the Defensive side of the court. Offense is the shiny thing that appeals to everyone and everybody likes to load up on the 'O' stats. But if you want to get the attention and love from a coach and players who are winners... you bust your rear on the D side.

Think about Trent. There's a young man who enjoyed scoring coming out of high school but he learned to love and master Defense. Ayo, too. Defense is something you 'learn' to love. And are glad you did.

And if there is one thing that the other team's best Offensive player hates it's a bulldog defender driving him crazy and shutting him down.

The Illini need to ramp up the 'D'... and the 'O' suddenly begins to look a lot better.
 
#98      

pruman91

pruman91
Paducah, Ky
pruman91
www.stltoday.com

Brad Underwood enacts analytical tweaks to Illinois basketball team entering Big Ten play

Illinois men's basketball coach Brad Underwood has done an analytic evaluation of his teams before, and he hopes it revitalizes this year's squad.
www.stltoday.com www.stltoday.com

By Anderson Kimball Decatur (Ill.) Herald & Review

After a rough patch in early December, Brad Underwood and Illinois decided to make some tweaks.
An analytic assessment of the team is common for him and the staff before conference play comes up with a break after finals week.
This year meant a switch in the offense and a transition to use the full-court press less frequently to minimize opponent transition opportunities.

Illinois responded after a blowout loss to Missouri with an 85-52 win over Bethune-Cookman with those tweaks.
Now the real test of those adjustments comes, with Illinois getting into the heart of Big Ten play with a road game against Northwestern on Wednesday (8 p.m. BTN).
 
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