Everyone seems to be in agreement that Wagler is smart with the ball, makes good decisions and turns it over very little if any. If he lets the game come to him, this could happen. I loved our team last year but we had way to many turnovers in the backcourt. Hopefully that will not be the case this coming season.
Illini Basketball 2025-2026
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I think Trotter (I could be wrong) has done some research into transfers in their second year and how they improve. I think that jump is pretty significant in most cases.
Even internally, TSJ’s second year here was a massive leap. Grandison had a good leap.
I think Ben is primed to have a good jump. Not trying to say he’s going to be a top 3/4 player but if he’s our 5th best player I don’t think that’d be a bad thing.
You are just excited about basketball.
We have got to play defense. If Boswell is only lock down, we will be similar to last year. No thanks, getting spanked by UK.
Fan Since '70
- OBS, Florida
I don't think anyone knows as yet who will be best at the 4 position? Could be Humrichous, or Mirkovic or Tomi (with Z at the 5). When Illini have small team in Wagler could be at the 4, have Boswell, Petrovic, Davis playing guards, and one of the Ivisics, Mirkovic or Humrichous at center. Stakstys will get more time this season. Illini have makings of a very good team, flexibility across positions and little drop-off when subs come in. Excited for season and seeing everyone play.
RabidDawgClassic
- Los Angeles, CA
I know it's standard practice to overanalyze & overemphasize starting lineups, but I can't buy that. Ain't no way the 22 year old pro is coming off the bench
Here ya go. Cool factoid that Mihailo played against Trent. "He's a crazy player"
"Every Day Guys" . . .
What a great tag line!
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
Not sure where else to put this, but I was looking at some of the Big Ten basketball schedules now that they're all finalized, and it reminded me of this. I know a lot of people questioned the value of giving up a home game to be played at the United Center, especially in the Groce years and early Underwood years. However, now that we have the program in a good spot again, I really think it was a no-brainer to bring it back. With that in mind, I wanted to put together a list of programs who have given up a home game to play in a "neutral market" that is important for their fan bases. This excludes tournaments or mutually agreed-upon locations ... it's strictly that program making an independent decision to move a home game off-campus to play in front of its fans in a different metro area and/or a neutral arena in a different area of their home metro (e.g., UCLA).
Illinois: vs. Alabama in Chicago, IL (United Center)
Indiana: vs. Louisville in Indianapolis, IN (Gainbridge Fieldhouse)
Iowa: vs. Bucknell in Des Moines, IA (Casey's Center)
Maryland: vs. Coppin State in Baltimore, MD (CFG Bank Arena)
Michigan: vs. Wake Forest in Detroit, MI (Little Caesars Arena)
Michigan State: vs. Oakland in Detroit, MI (Little Caesars Arena)
Minnesota: vs. San Francisco in Sioux Falls, SD (Sanford Pentagon)
Nebraska: vs. Oklahoma in Sioux Falls, SD (Sanford Pentagon)
Northwestern: vs. Oklahoma State in Chicago, IL (United Center)
Ohio State: vs. West Virginia in Cleveland, OH (Rocket Arena)
Oregon: vs. Gonzaga in Portland, OR (Moda Center)
Penn State #1: vs. La Salle in Philadelphia, PA (Xfinity Mobile Arena)
Penn State #2: vs. Illinois in Philadelphia, PA (The Palestra)
Purdue: vs. Auburn in Indianapolis, IN (Gainbridge Fieldhouse)
Rutgers: N/A
UCLA: vs. Arizona in Los Angeles, CA (Intuit Dome)
USC: vs. Illinois State in Los Angeles, CA (Intuit Dome)
Washington: N/A
Wisconsin: vs. Villanova in Milwaukee, WI (Fiserv Forum)
Other "true neutral" setups where both teams are routinely giving up a home game or agreed to a one-time event include...
- Illinois vs. Missouri in St. Louis, MO (Enterprise Center)
- Indiana vs. Marquette in Chicago, IL (United Center)
- Pitt vs. Penn State in Hershey, PA (Giant Center)
And other "away neutral" examples with presumed home games for the Big Ten team in future years include the following...
- Tennessee hosting Illinois in Nashville
- UConn hosting Illinois at Madison Square Garden.
- Butler hosting Northwestern at Gainbridge Fieldhouse (Indianapolis)
- Gonzaga hosting UCLA in Seattle
- Cal hosting UCLA in San Francisco
- BYU hosting Wisconsin in Salt Lake City
So I don't know if it is because playing at these places actually helps pick up more casual fans, if players are just attracted to the idea of playing in NBA arenas, if these games tend to get higher TV ratings, if it's easier to get recruits in the building, etc. However, it is clear that the vast majority of programs see value in doing this, and I think it vindicates our setup of playing once in both Chicago and St. Louis each year.
Illinois: vs. Alabama in Chicago, IL (United Center)
Indiana: vs. Louisville in Indianapolis, IN (Gainbridge Fieldhouse)
Iowa: vs. Bucknell in Des Moines, IA (Casey's Center)
Maryland: vs. Coppin State in Baltimore, MD (CFG Bank Arena)
Michigan: vs. Wake Forest in Detroit, MI (Little Caesars Arena)
Michigan State: vs. Oakland in Detroit, MI (Little Caesars Arena)
Minnesota: vs. San Francisco in Sioux Falls, SD (Sanford Pentagon)
Nebraska: vs. Oklahoma in Sioux Falls, SD (Sanford Pentagon)
Northwestern: vs. Oklahoma State in Chicago, IL (United Center)
Ohio State: vs. West Virginia in Cleveland, OH (Rocket Arena)
Oregon: vs. Gonzaga in Portland, OR (Moda Center)
Penn State #1: vs. La Salle in Philadelphia, PA (Xfinity Mobile Arena)
Penn State #2: vs. Illinois in Philadelphia, PA (The Palestra)
Purdue: vs. Auburn in Indianapolis, IN (Gainbridge Fieldhouse)
Rutgers: N/A
UCLA: vs. Arizona in Los Angeles, CA (Intuit Dome)
USC: vs. Illinois State in Los Angeles, CA (Intuit Dome)
Washington: N/A
Wisconsin: vs. Villanova in Milwaukee, WI (Fiserv Forum)
Other "true neutral" setups where both teams are routinely giving up a home game or agreed to a one-time event include...
- Illinois vs. Missouri in St. Louis, MO (Enterprise Center)
- Indiana vs. Marquette in Chicago, IL (United Center)
- Pitt vs. Penn State in Hershey, PA (Giant Center)
And other "away neutral" examples with presumed home games for the Big Ten team in future years include the following...
- Tennessee hosting Illinois in Nashville
- UConn hosting Illinois at Madison Square Garden.
- Butler hosting Northwestern at Gainbridge Fieldhouse (Indianapolis)
- Gonzaga hosting UCLA in Seattle
- Cal hosting UCLA in San Francisco
- BYU hosting Wisconsin in Salt Lake City
So I don't know if it is because playing at these places actually helps pick up more casual fans, if players are just attracted to the idea of playing in NBA arenas, if these games tend to get higher TV ratings, if it's easier to get recruits in the building, etc. However, it is clear that the vast majority of programs see value in doing this, and I think it vindicates our setup of playing once in both Chicago and St. Louis each year.
Particularly in the early part of the season.
Augie?
Bored so I'll make the argument: Trent was the 2nd best player on the '21 team, even if Plummer got the all conference nod.
sacraig
- The desert
I think I heard the team was told to stop kissing each other on the mouth. That should help cut down on the spread of mono.
2nd best in a 2nd team All American year for Kofi?
skyIdub
"I can't tell you. Secret."
Agreed, but then what do I know? However, I point to the comment that BU made about MP being a jet (and Trotter called him the Energizer Bunny). And watching those clips in the above “Everyday Guys” segment shows just how fast he plays. I think BU likes that. But, on the other hand, I think KW will play significant minutes, probably spelling both MP and KB.
I think one of the insiders said KW would start the ISU game and probably the Nov. 3rd game, and I wonder if that may have to do with MP not being cleared yet. That is, KW gets some experience playing point during the ISU game, so he is ready for the first official game in case MP still hasn’t been cleared.
to me its pretty simple.
booing him in person at a basketball game is a very appropriate response to his decisions. rooting against him and his new team on the court is very appropriate.
anything beyond that including personal attacks, threats, harassment in person and all that crazy extra stuff is very inappropriate.
Ryllini
- Lombard
I guess we are going to find out some stylistic things in a couple of days, but I think this might be our best transition offense team Brad will put on the floor during his tenure. I've been watching some clips on breakthrough basketball on tiktok and they profile mainly the Pacers transition offense, and if it isn't this roster, I don't know what is.
We won't be the fastest bunch, but I just have an inkling this team will run to spots and will be very intelligent. I'm buying the hype.
We won't be the fastest bunch, but I just have an inkling this team will run to spots and will be very intelligent. I'm buying the hype.
Homecoming 2019
- Chicago
Well Tomi had his tonsils removed, so I think that counts. He had strep like every other week last year
I don't think anyone is arguing Kofi was #1... I think the argument is that Frazier>Plummer (making him the second best player on the team), a contention with which I enthusiastically agree.
I got my years mixed up. 21 (March was the 1 seed loss) 21 season would be the Kofi-centric year that ended with that loss to Houston
I meant marquis name player vice 1/2 top player. Don't know how else to describe it.
Beloved player who was never a top of the scouting report guy.
Will the Illinois-Florida scrimmage be televised?
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