Illini Basketball

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#127      
As a fan from Chicago area, I completely agree. Given that the Illini play annually against Mizzou in St. Louis, I can't see why the Illini can't get something in the works for Chicago. I am just not sure that you will get the big name teams. I would personally love to see an annual tradition of getting Illinois and other "Chicago" based teams play at the UC. Similar to that of the State Farm Champions Classic. Have Northwestern and Illinois play a game vs another Chicago based school (DePaul, UIC, Loyola, etc.) on a rotation basis during Winter break (if scheduling will allow for it).

However, there is always an allure to travel to New York to play at MSG. I think (and hope) we will see MSG opportunities on a near annual basis against top competition like Duke. I went to opening night for the NY Rangers a few years back, and the venue is amazing to watch a game.
I wish we would just do home and homes with Mizzou tbh.
 
#129      
I wish we would just do home and homes with Mizzou tbh.
We should just tell ‘em we’re gonna play at our place from now on; or it’s off. No one wants to be in Misery.

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#130      
I wish we would just do home and homes with Mizzou tbh.
We were just in St. Louis for our anniversary. We went to a Cards game since my husband grew up a fan, and I was amazed by what a great sports city it is. I expected the Cards to be the only draw, but Cards fans were about equal to Battlehawks fans as we were walking to Busch.

I've always wanted to go to Braggin' Rights because the atmosphere looks electric. I can't imagine taking that away and making one of the greatest non-con basketball rivalries dull by risking poor turnout or a lackluster crowd (looking at you, Miznoz).
 
#131      
Heard rumor while back that Illinois may play in the Emerald Coast classic, any truth (Destin, Florida) to that? Beleive it is a Thanksgiving tourney
 
#133      
We were just in St. Louis for our anniversary. We went to a Cards game since my husband grew up a fan, and I was amazed by what a great sports city it is. I expected the Cards to be the only draw, but Cards fans were about equal to Battlehawks fans as we were walking to Busch.

I've always wanted to go to Braggin' Rights because the atmosphere looks electric. I can't imagine taking that away and making one of the greatest non-con basketball rivalries dull by risking poor turnout or a lackluster crowd (looking at you, Miznoz).
Mizzou has been in the dumps but used to be a pretty electric home court.
 
#136      
Just curious, Pepe - have you been to a Braggin Rights game in St Louis? I have been to over 25, and it is a truly special event.
No I haven't but in general I'm just partial to true home and road games.

Would love to play Duke in Cameron and bring them to Champaign. Would also love to the Illini play at Allen, Dean Smith, and Rupp. Those types of games against good programs tend turn good teams into great teams when they learn how win while facing adversity.

On a side note would also love to an Illinois home and home with Zone(Mchale), ISU(Hilton) and my dream all though far fetched is to see them play at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
 
#137      
Just curious, Pepe - have you been to a Braggin Rights game in St Louis? I have been to over 25, and it is a truly special event.
I’ve only been to two (2021 and 2023) blowouts, and it was STILL one of the coolest sporting events I’ve ever been to … I cannot even imagine how cool it is when both teams are great at the same time. I’m sorry, but EVER moving this (specific) rivalry from St. Louis would be a heart breakingly awful decision!!!!!
 
#138      
No I haven't but in general I'm just partial to true home and road games.

Would love to play Duke in Cameron and bring them to Champaign. Would also love to the Illini play at Allen, Dean Smith, and Rupp. Those types of games against good programs tend turn good teams into great teams when they learn how win while facing adversity.

On a side note would also love to an Illinois home and home with Zone(Mchale), ISU(Hilton) and my dream all though far fetched is to see them play at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
The Braggin' rights game has been an amazing rivalry game through the years. I moved to St. Louis right after college, and they started playing these games almost the same time. I went to at least 20 of them, some were better than others but most of them have been exciting games. I would expect that with the advent of NIL, the games will get competitive again. The best one I ever saw in person was the 88-89 team, when Kenny Battle took over the game and brought us back from a huge defiict at halftime. The worst one I remember was 2022-23, luckily I was only watching at home, and I gave up at halftime. Last year, we kind of had our revenge....And TJ and Marcus dominated that game. The other really memorable games involved freshman Kiwane Garris (great FT shooter who missed Free throws), Tracy Abrams made free throw with seconds left, and Rayvonte Rice's buzzer beater.
 
#146      
I hope Brad has these guys ready. There are going to be a ton of new faces with an unpredictable timeframe of how quickly they can mesh to be taking on this type of schedule this early. Honestly, we're not going to know what we truly have from an overall talent standpoint until a couple of weeks into the season and that'll be REALLY expedited with the heavyweights he's looking to get into the ring with. Should be interesting.
 
#150      
Here ya go, @Fighter of the Nightman! Finally! Thanks for your persistent and consistent advocacy in getting the Illini back to the United Center!!! :illinois:-L-L

Its Always Sunny In Philadelphia Thumbs Up GIF by HULU


And this is the exact type of setup I love! While Alabama is a big name opponent that will excite OUR fans, they won't bring many of their own. It will be a packed house of orange clad fans that will make it feel like Champaign!
 
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