The Braggin' Rights Game hasn't been moved to Dec. 30, has it?For those who are also getting super pumped for the real games to start, here is a list of Big Ten non-conference games of note before New Year's! I mostly limited it to games where one team was ranked, but I sprinkled in a few matchups between "name programs," as well as neutral site setups that I found interesting or just a game where two of our opponents play (e.g., Mizzou traveling to Minnesota). I also included our games in orange, just so we could see how many "objectively cool" non-conference matchups we have compared to our peers.
Friday 11/10
#15 Texas A&M at Ohio State - 6:00 pm on Peacock
#9 Tennessee at Wisconsin - 8:00 pm on Peacock
Tuesday 11/14
#2 Duke vs. #4 Michigan State (Chicago, IL) - 6:00 pm on ESPN
#5 Marquette at #25 Illinois - 7:00 pm on FS1
Iowa at #8 Creighton (Gavitt Tipoff Games) - 9:00 pm on FS1
Thursday 11/16
Missouri at Minnesota - 8:00 pm on BTN
Friday 11/17
Maryland at #22 Villanova (Gavitt Tipoff Games) - 7:30 pm on FS1
Sunday 11/19
Indiana vs. #6 UConn (New York, NY) - 12:00 pm on ESPN
--- THANKSGIVING WEEK ---
Monday 11/20
#11 Gonzaga vs. #3 Purdue (Maui Invitational in Honolulu, HI) - 5:00 pm on ESPN2
Thursday 11/23 (Thanksgiving)
#4 Michigan State vs. #12 Arizona (Palm Springs, CA) - 3:30 pm on FOX
Friday 11/24
#24 Alabama vs. Ohio State (Emerald Coast Classic in Niceville, FL) - 6:00 pm on CBSSN
Saturday 12/2
#5 Marquette at Wisconsin - 11:30 am on FOX
Sunday 12/3
#8 Creighton at Nebraska - 3:00 pm on FS1
Tuesday 12/5
#25 Illinois vs. #10 FAU (New York, NY) - 5:30 pm on ESPN
Saturday 12/9
#25 Illinois at #9 Tennessee - 11:00 am on CBS
#3 Purdue vs. #24 Alabama (Toronto, Canada) - 12:30 pm on FOX
Indiana at Auburn (Atlanta, GA) - 1:00 pm on ESPN2
Wisconsin at #12 Arizona - 2:15 pm on ESPN
Saturday 12/16
#1 Kansas at Indiana - 11:30 am on CBS
Ohio State vs. UCLA (Atlanta, GA) - 3:00 pm on CBS
#12 Arizona at #3 Purdue (Indianapolis, IN) - 3:30 pm on Peacock
#20 Baylor at #4 Michigan State (Detroit, MI) - 7:00 pm on FOX
Tuesday 12/19
Michigan vs. Florida (Charlotte, NC) - 6:00 pm on ESPN
Wednesday 12/20
Northwestern at Arizona State (Phoenix, AZ) - 7:30 pm on ESPN2
Friday 12/22
Maryland at UCLA - 8:00 pm on ESPN2
Saturday 12/30
West Virginia at Ohio State (Cleveland, OH) - 7:00 pm on FOX
#25 Illinois vs. Missouri (St. Louis, MO) - 8:00 pm on FS1
Illini Basketball 2023-2024
- Status
Uh oh. The dreaded post transfer breakout year. Podz, Scott Pierce
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
Nope, I added Illinois’ last and definitely just messed up!
Interesting. Not sure where he fit in their line up
“Head coach Greg Gard announced the temporary leave of absence for their promising freshman center, Gus Yalden, due to a personal family matter.”
Is this like a Skyy Clark “temporary leave for family matters” type of issue?
Brad Underwood may have been right about Illinois’ PG situation
The Illini showed some creativity on offense against Kansas.
www.thechampaignroom.com
I bet he knows someone who is "in the know"! I wonder who it is?Trilly sure does have some good info …
After listening to many analysts and commentators after the game I believe the secret sauce team ingredient is Quincy. His play at the four enables Hawk to play the five. He can match up to almost any four whereas Marcus/Luke would get bullied by many. They could play the position but would be a defensive weakness at that position rather than guarding the three. If there is a three they can’t handle due to their quickness TJ or Sencire can cover. Sencire or Justin can also cover a guard too quick for Ty. The fact that all five starters can handle the ball and are good passers reduces the need for a traditional PG. That allows for a lot of positional flexibility on the defensive assignments. Believe nine players will be normal rotation although the nine could change as the frosh get more experience. Despite the hype on Dra (and I really like him) it seems Nic has been the more effective sub in the small sample size.
I will be a real believer if they can beat PU because I don’t think they can stop Edey. To win they are going to have to stop him getting the ball. Other teams have done it but it is our coaches challenge.
I will be a real believer if they can beat PU because I don’t think they can stop Edey. To win they are going to have to stop him getting the ball. Other teams have done it but it is our coaches challenge.
The petty, Illini fan above-all else part of me is probably gonna be at least mildly miffed if that kid goes down to Dixie and just kills it this season. Lol. Brad stood by that kid through thick and thin. I dunno what it was…all nerves out there & a nasty slump that he was never able to climb out of.
It couldn’t have possibly been more different than the Pods saga. I have no reason to wish either of them ill will. But, personally I’ll be more frustrated if RJ goes down there and starts consistently kicking butt…way more than I was/am over Pods.
It helps that we’re shaping up to be a pretty dang good this season too.
Was just listening to this. If you want a dose of optimism, listen. Some really encouraging things about the roster and trust that these guys will sustain the good ball movement and shot selection.
No problem if he does well. Where was he going to play here? Domask is going to take that spot even if his stats aren’t as good because he makes other players better. Hope he benefits from the change as he seems like a good kid.The petty, Illini fan above-all else part of me is probably gonna be at least mildly miffed if that kid goes down to Dixie and just kills it this season. Lol. Brad stood by that kid through thick and thin. I dunno what it was…all nerves out there & a nasty slump that he was never able to climb out of.
It couldn’t have possibly been more different than the Pods saga. I have no reason to wish either of them ill will. But, personally I’ll be more frustrated if RJ goes down there and starts consistently kicking butt…way more than I was/am over Pods.
It helps that we’re shaping up to be a pretty dang good this season too.
Agreed. Podz wasn’t given the opportunity to showcase his ability here, so his success was unexpected. RJ, on the other hand, absolutely whiffed on his opportunity - and Brad kept giving him minutes even with his lackluster results - so him having success at Georgia will be frustrating because he was given every chance to do it here.The petty, Illini fan above-all else part of me is probably gonna be at least mildly miffed if that kid goes down to Dixie and just kills it this season. Lol. Brad stood by that kid through thick and thin. I dunno what it was…all nerves out there & a nasty slump that he was never able to climb out of.
It couldn’t have possibly been more different than the Pods saga. I have no reason to wish either of them ill will. But, personally I’ll be more frustrated if RJ goes down there and starts consistently kicking butt…way more than I was/am over Pods.
It helps that we’re shaping up to be a pretty dang good this season too.
I do think Domask is an upgrade from even a “meeting his potential” RJ, so it might be a case where everyone is in a better position because of how it worked out.
True, I suppose. BUT…we’re just one (awesome) fake game in. We might not know as much as we think we do. The season is long…injuries…slumps…misc. drama…pretty soon you’re down a man or three.
Haven’t we seen seasons like that before?
I guess, I’m greedy. It’s always nice to have another depth piece. RJ playing well with that athletic ability could be everything most of the fandom and the staff thought he could be. It’s aways nice to have an additional depth piece. (Yes, I know that isn’t the nature of college hoops in 2023.)
Ransom Stoddard
Ordained Dudeist Priest
- Bloomington, IL
That's going to be harder and harder to have in the age of the portal. Players are going to go where they either get playing time they wouldn't, or get opportunities to win that they wouldn't, and those 2 things are often mutually exclusive and totally dependent on the player's motivation.
I agree.
InDaAZ
- Eugene, Oregon
LaTulip is my vote for the most insightful game breakdowns.
Interesting comment (*paraphrasing) from him: By playing to win the Kansas scrimmage game, the Illini staff showed their hand on who is the real PG for this team - it’s Marcus Domask.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
Using the current AP Poll, we will play three top 10 opponents before the New Year! Going back to at least 1980, that would be tied for the most ever for our Illini ... pretty cool non-conference schedule!
For a comparison, here are the past couple of years with Underwood, as well as any years from history where we played at least two:
UNDERWOOD ERA
2023-24
vs. #5 Marquette
vs. #10 FAU (New York, NY)
at #9 Tennessee
2022-23
W 79-70 vs. #8 UCLA (Las Vegas, NV)
W 85-78 (OT) vs. #2 Texas (New York, NY)
2021-22: None (Arizona was #11)
2020-21
L 82-69 vs. #2 Baylor (Indianapolis, IN)
W 83-68 at #10 Duke
2019-20
W 71-62 vs. #5 Michigan
HISTORY
2001-02
L 76-63 at #5 Maryland
L 87-82 at #7 Arizona (Phoenix, AZ)
W 72-61 vs. #8 Missouri (St. Louis, MO)
2000-01
L 79-76 vs. #1 Arizona (Maui)
L 78-77 at. #1 Duke (Greensboro, NC)
W 81-73 vs. #7 Arizona (Chicago, IL)
1994-95
L 70-65 vs. #6 Duke (Chicago, IL)
L 71-56 at #8 UConn
For a comparison, here are the past couple of years with Underwood, as well as any years from history where we played at least two:
UNDERWOOD ERA
2023-24
vs. #5 Marquette
vs. #10 FAU (New York, NY)
at #9 Tennessee
2022-23
W 79-70 vs. #8 UCLA (Las Vegas, NV)
W 85-78 (OT) vs. #2 Texas (New York, NY)
2021-22: None (Arizona was #11)
2020-21
L 82-69 vs. #2 Baylor (Indianapolis, IN)
W 83-68 at #10 Duke
2019-20
W 71-62 vs. #5 Michigan
HISTORY
2001-02
L 76-63 at #5 Maryland
L 87-82 at #7 Arizona (Phoenix, AZ)
W 72-61 vs. #8 Missouri (St. Louis, MO)
2000-01
L 79-76 vs. #1 Arizona (Maui)
L 78-77 at. #1 Duke (Greensboro, NC)
W 81-73 vs. #7 Arizona (Chicago, IL)
1994-95
L 70-65 vs. #6 Duke (Chicago, IL)
L 71-56 at #8 UConn
Let’s win all three this year, shall we?
OrangeBlazer
- Atlanta
Can Coach Underwood have an "analyst" like Coach Bielema has with Jim Leonhard? If so, Mike LaTulip's that man.
Add the 2004 demolition of #1 Wake Forrest to the list! I don't care if it was the only top-10 of that year's non-conference schedule!
- Status