Illini Basketball 2023-2024

ILLINI76 said:

View attachment 26573
Looks like we open against Eastern again.

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IlliniFanTX said:

I remember being at a basketball camp and Sean Miller said the exact opposite. By the time they're into college, they're not really a reason to change form, just get up as many shots a day as you can.

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Fighter of the Nightman said:

Seriously, no insiders going to throw us a bone on THIS part of the quoted post about our schedule?!?!

"Rumor: The Fighting Illini are exploring options to line up another quality opponent on Saturday, December 16th."

I'm assuming this would be in Champaign or on the road, but it might be a perfect Saturday for the return of the United Center game. Students will not be on campus, after all, and a disproportionate amount will be in the Chicago Area!

Thinking of possible Power Five opponents that would generate interest, the following are examples that I could find that can be eliminated as possibilities:

- Arizona: They play Purdue on that date in Indianapolis.
- Kansas: They play at Indiana on that date.
- Syracuse: They play Oregon in Sioux Falls, SD the next day.
- Oregon: See Syracuse.

A guy can dream, and I would love it if we scheduled one of the following at the United Center!!

- UCLA: Rematch from last year; return game in LA next season.
- UConn: Return game at MSG next season.
- Texas: Rematch from last year; return game in Dallas/Houston next season.
- Virginia: Rematch from last year; return game in DC.

I will obviously always take a Saturday home game in Champaign, as well! I just think the UC game would be good for the program to start up again. I remember always thinking it was kind of a cool statement that we played a neutral court game in our two major markets - Chicago and St. Louis - every single season. Cool perk for recruits and shows outreach to our fan base.

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STATS GUY said:

I am sure Dick Baumgartner might disagree

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jjv0004 said:

For what it is worth ESPN doesn't think the Illini are a top 30 team to start the season. Purdue at 3 is laughable.

WTE Top 25: Duke or Kansas at No. 1 for the final edition?

With less than a month to go 'til the season begins, we're calling it: Kansas remains No. 1. The rest of the field sees some swapping around, but no new faces.

www.espn.com

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jjv0004 said:

For what it is worth ESPN doesn't think the Illini are a top 30 team to start the season. Purdue at 3 is laughable.

WTE Top 25: Duke or Kansas at No. 1 for the final edition?

With less than a month to go 'til the season begins, we're calling it: Kansas remains No. 1. The rest of the field sees some swapping around, but no new faces.

www.espn.com

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Joel Goodson said:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1671246849951375360

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Snyder005 said:

We have our PG?

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jjv0004 said:

For what it is worth ESPN doesn't think the Illini are a top 30 team to start the season. Purdue at 3 is laughable.

WTE Top 25: Duke or Kansas at No. 1 for the final edition?

With less than a month to go 'til the season begins, we're calling it: Kansas remains No. 1. The rest of the field sees some swapping around, but no new faces.

www.espn.com

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ChiTown said:

This might be our PG.

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2020 Final Four said:

I really like the makeup of this years team. We have multiple players at every position. Don't sleep on Quincy Gurrier, he scored 10 and 9 points the past two seasons at Power 5 Schools.

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Dan said:

"Whitman went out of his way to express confidence and support of men’s basketball..

Regarding the lack of NCAA Tournament success — Illinois has not advanced to the Sweet Sixteen since 2005 — Whitman said the NCAA Tournament is not built to crown the best team but to create excitement. But he thinks that the key for Illinois with the NCAA Tournament is to just keep getting bites at the March Madness apple.

“The best thing we can do is just keep showing up,” Whitman said."

Five takeaways from Illini AD Josh Whitman's annual media roundtable

Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman met with local reporters for his annual media roundtable on Wednesday at Demirjian Park. Here are five key takeaways from the sessions, which included a 70+ minute “State of the Illini” opening statement and a 50-minute question-and-answer session.

247sports.com

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