Illini Basketball 2025-2026
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Misspelling of Champaign aside, this seems to be a pretty positive write-up. Maybe you should just read it?
Wetzel: Why college basketball coaches can watch more football in 2025
The NCAA's stalled 5-in-5 rule has put a hold on much of college basketball recruiting until next spring.www.espn.com
I shouldn't have expected anything better from ESPN but I think everyone can figure out where I stopped reading...
Any time BU is presented as an important enough figure to be the example of the direction the entire sport is heading to is likely to qualify as a good thing, no? Mean's he's respected and relevant. Plus they quote him saying this:
"I'm tired of all the complaining by coaches," Underwood said. "I think ... [college] basketball is the best it's ever been. There is so much top-end talent in the game. I think the game is ready to explode."
Which I think is the type of stuff that endears him to prospects and their families. Overall he comes across great in this piece I thought. Yeah it sucks they misspelled Champaign, but whatever. They usually get it right, and even the NYT misspells words sometimes.
Agree that it's nice Underwood is starting to get the elder statesman (Izzo) treatment.
If they finish above 4th this has to be his year to win COY...right?
Can any of our insiders confirm who the player was?
I’m not an insider but I’d bet it’s Skyy Clark
#2 in offense and #124 in defense. it's hamer time!
jokes aside sitting at 11 is pretty good for Brad
RabidDawgClassic
- Los Angeles, CA
Cross country trip… I’d say you’re likely right.
I suppose it could be Alan Griffin. He did famously return and visit the team.
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Thought he implied in conference kid. So guess it could still be Skyy, but he usually refers to transfers as his guys still.
If it wasn't a former player then why would he have such gratitude?
Correct, never once did he imply it was a former player. He said it was a player that he complimented in the hand shake line after a game.
A certain blue blood who I won’t name offered him triple what he’s getting from Purdue this year …
And he’s making real good money this year …
4m at Purdue and someone offered 10+ m? maybe he's getting more than that at Purdue
blackdog
- Champaign
Again a little late watching but interesting at the end when asked who will surprise from the new guys and Kylan with 0 hesitation said Wagler. What does he bring "I dont know but that dudes cold". "I think he's going to be one of our main guys, step in and have a huge role for us."
I think we'll need patience this season. There is the question of Petrovic eligibility and the question of Stoyakovich's health. In addition, it's bounnd to take a few games playing together to get all the talent on the same page. In terms of game competition, these guys don't really know each other. After that, watch out!
I “suggested” that in the comments. Someone else did, too. Now I am not suggesting others do that …
Okay, color me dense. In regard to the BU interview with Parrish and the “letter” story, BU said, “It was his views of our program and how it helped him, made him better.” So, if he wasn’t an Illini or former Illini, how did the Illinois basketball program help him and make him a better player? I don’t get it. BU did say that apparently it was through playing against Illinois, but I still don’t see how that would have helped him that much just by playing against Illinois.
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Honest question, no trolling and I mean it. Who cares? He was obviously trying to promote the program, like he always does with his "elite" commentary with just about everything. He talks us up like we're Duke. He schedules like we're UCONN. If he was trying to boost the program (per usual)... don't dissect it. He's not in a debate class.
Nationally or in conference? If the former, that seems like some homerism to me.
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