Illini Basketball 2026-2027

#1,477      
Y'know what'd be nice? If we could just get ONE stinkin' game against Duke in Champaign. Counting this upcoming game, we'll have obviously gone to Durham 3 times and they've NEVER come to Champaign. We've played them like, 8 or 9 times since the '80s and besides the 3 in Durham, all the other games have been neutral site games. Can we PLEASE get one in Champaign or do they always get home court advantage in games that aren't scheduled on a neutral court simply because they're Duke?
They have been elitists about this. Other than these conference preseason challenges, I don't know if they ever play away on campus OOC games, or home and homes. Last three years they've played one each, at MSU, Arizona and Arkansas. With NIL and the advantages of playing neutral site, is gonna be really difficult. They're doing the return with Florida this year. Arizona was part of a home & home.
 
#1,478      
I'm glad Illinois honors players and not jersey numbers.

Retiring numbers is just silly.
I really hope once QC is gone that Illinois reserves #11 for someone special. I love the “chip on your shoulder”/responsibility that a 11 jersey could bring. Passing the torch-esque
 
#1,479      
Didn't know about that. Good stuff! Although, admittedly, I'd rather the home and home be reversed, with the Champaign game being this year instead of next, as next year is probably gonna be a bit of a step back, considering Andrej, Tomi, and Jake are guaranteed to be gone through the draft/graduation and Mirk is virtually a lock to be in the draft after this year. But hey, at least we are finally getting a game against them in Champaign!
 
#1,480      
Believe Q starts game 1 for multiple reasons, most because of his ability but also optics for top tier recruits. Q gives us speed we dearly lack, he will be in starting line up.
 
#1,481      
Q. Coleman -- based upon our early "peeks" I think he's going to be quicker, faster and more athletic than Wagler. He will be in the starting lineup no later than game #5.
No later than game #1.
As a team, our overall guard play just might exceed what was on the floor this past season from an OFFENSIVE perspective (primarily Vaaks + Coleman). Not sure we're going to match Boswell's defensive contributions, however.
Last year’s backcourt scored 30.2 points per game.
 
#1,482      
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