Illini Basketball 2023-2024

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#227      

Ryllini

Lombard
My newest acquisition from my dad. Will fit nice in my bar area or The Louvre.
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#232      

Ryllini

Lombard
Great Pic....do you know if this would still be available somewhere...would definitely purchase and add to the man cave
Thank You! I'm sure they do. My dad has had since 1990 or so and I would always admire it as a kid. He finally gave it to me as more people will enjoy in my house than his at this point.
 
#233      
Semi-OT, but on the topic of a potential United Center game return someday, Northwestern just scheduled a series with ASU where one game will be in Phoenix and the return game at the UC in Chicago. I know I’m biased and maybe in the minority, but I kind of hate to see them (or anyone) playing at our home away from home when we aren’t.
 
#234      
Semi-OT, but on the topic of a potential United Center game return someday, Northwestern just scheduled a series with ASU where one game will be in Phoenix and the return game at the UC in Chicago. I know I’m biased and maybe in the minority, but I kind of hate to see them (or anyone) playing at our home away from home when we aren’t.

It's been years since the Illini have played a regular non-BTT game up there. Calling it the home away from home may be a bit of an embellishment at this point.
 
#235      
It's been years since the Illini have played a regular non-BTT game up there. Calling it the home away from home may be a bit of an embellishment at this point.
I mean, that’s how our own university still advertises it on our website. We have only had two non-COVID seasons without a UC game, and even if it were 10, that’s not an argument not to correct that mistake. 😎
 
#236      
I mean, that’s how our own university still advertises it on our website. We have only had two non-COVID seasons without a UC game, and even if it were 10, that’s not an argument not to correct that mistake. 😎

Unless they're going to get a marquee matchup there year after year, I don't know that having a game at the UC is a real necessity for the program at this point.
 
#237      
Unless they're going to get a marquee matchup there year after year, I don't know that having a game at the UC is a real necessity for the program at this point.
I mean I’d OBVIOUSLY want a marquee matchup and wouldn’t support someone like UIC, and we can argue about just what constitutes a “necessity” (it’s not like our program won’t be “fine” without it) … but agree to disagree, I guess. I think it’s an absolute no-brainer.

It’s one of the best recruiting footprints in the US that happens to house over a quarter of a million of U of I living alumni. Given the population makeup of our state, us being a big time athletic program one day (i.e., huge revenues in football and thus a huge fan base of non-alum fans) is directly tied to visibility and popularity in Chicago. We HAVE the evidence that good Illini teams cause the casual Chicago fans with no connection to Champaign to jump on the bandwagon, and I think we need to reinforce that we are their “home team.” Not Northwestern, not Notre Dame, the state flagship Illini.

When Illinois was an NCAA caliber team and/or when we’ve had a good opponent, we’ve literally never not outdrawn the capacity of SFC/Assembly Hall for a game at the UC, and it is always while students are on break. Again, given the game will always be in December when classes aren’t in session, I see no downside. It’s a nice symbolic gesture to play in our two most important markets - Chicago and St. Louis - every holiday season, too.
 
#239      
In the what’s your ideal schedule thread, I said we should play Kentucky every year because they’re the only border state team we don’t play. Kentucky at the UC every year seems like a win-win in my book.
Ideally I’d prefer we get a return game in another market so we aren’t advertising Kentucky as an equal in the Chicago market. (I’ve always thought we are getting the way better end of the deal with Braggin’ Rights, as that’s clearly more Mizzou’s turf than ours, but that event gives us annual publicity marketed as a “St. Louis area team.”)

Personally, give me a return game in Indianapolis vs. UK every other year! It’s close for both fan bases, it’s a great recruiting footprint and it’d drive Indiana absolutely insane with rage. 😂😂
 
#240      
It's been years since the Illini have played a regular non-BTT game up there. Calling it the home away from home may be a bit of an embellishment at this point.
after all, isn't Northwestern Chicago's Big 10 team /S
Sarcastic Uh Huh GIF by GIPHY Studios 2021
 
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#241      

Tevo

Wilmette, IL
There are two kinds of college basketball fans, casual and serious. Casual fans only pay attention to March Madness, especially the Final Four. Serious fans care about important stuff, like winning the recruiting rankings.
Or how many rules changes came about because of one of your games... Illinois has two I can think of: '84 vs. Kentucky at Rupp, which prompted the NCAA to ensure teams can't play on their home floor in the tournament, and then '13 vs. Miami, which prompted the "last 2-minute video review to determine posession". Who has more? Well, aside from Kentucky, which has inspired about a dozen rule changes in the games, practice schedules, recruiting, television coverage...
 
#242      

Tevo

Wilmette, IL
Seems like a big part of the UC game would be the assessment of whether it's okay to potentially lose a game at UC. You want marquis opponents, to draw in the fans, but you also don't want Arizona or Kentucky or Duke coming in and beating us on "our turf". So the appearance/recruiting angle is one factor.

There's also the "neutral court against a tourney team" benefit, getting our guys ready to compete in those games (like Texas at MSG was supposed to do... hmm).

And then there's the "We play at the UC every year, so all your friends and family can come watch you play there" recruiting angle, which has to mean something.

All in all, I thinks it's a good idea, and one we should revisit. A home-home-neutral series with Kentucky would be awesome, Champaign, Lexington and Indy? Yessir!
 
#243      
Seems like a big part of the UC game would be the assessment of whether it's okay to potentially lose a game at UC. You want marquis opponents, to draw in the fans, but you also don't want Arizona or Kentucky or Duke coming in and beating us on "our turf". So the appearance/recruiting angle is one factor.

There's also the "neutral court against a tourney team" benefit, getting our guys ready to compete in those games (like Texas at MSG was supposed to do... hmm).

And then there's the "We play at the UC every year, so all your friends and family can come watch you play there" recruiting angle, which has to mean something.

All in all, I thinks it's a good idea, and one we should revisit. A home-home-neutral series with Kentucky would be awesome, Champaign, Lexington and Indy? Yessir!
Idk if local recruiting advantages count anymore. Kentucky is probably gonna take the best kid out of Chicago or anywhere if they want to.

NIL matters way more than anything now tho.
 
#246      
just to be clear, I think that was posted by a whippersnapper, 'cause if he saw the Flying Illini in action, it would be a different story
Watched both… great debate!

There’s one reason I’d disagree ad take ‘04-‘05’ over the Flying Illini. When things got hot…the ball in Deron’s hands decides it.

Even looking back, when things were in doubt (E8 vs AZ and NT vs UNC) it was Deron’s performance that brought them back to life. Best Illini of all time if you ask me.

Go Illini
 
#247      
Watched both… great debate!

There’s one reason I’d disagree ad take ‘04-‘05’ over the Flying Illini. When things got hot…the ball in Deron’s hands decides it.

Even looking back, when things were in doubt (E8 vs AZ and NT vs UNC) it was Deron’s performance that brought them back to life. Best Illini of all time if you ask me.

Go Illini
Maybe but along with Nick Anderson and three of your choice tough for anyone to beat.
 
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