Illini Basketball

#176      

Illinicpa14

I
Chicago
Illinicpa14
SescIllini said:
The teams that don't have large roster turnover haven't yet adjusted to the new world of NIL. Most top tier teams will have significant roster turnover from last year. I feel confident that the 5-6 players BU/Illinos has brought in are more skilled then the 5-6 that left.
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The 4 mega teams were playing all are in a similar situation to us. Different levels of reloading and talent coming in but all go into the year with a new best player and returning only a few key contributors.

No Sears, Griffen, Knecht, Aidoo, Vescovi, Filipkowski, Roach, Sean Est (and TSJ/Domask/Hawkins for us). We all will be figuring out how to play together.
 
#177      

IllinoisssssssVarsity

I
IllinoisssssssVarsity
ChiefGritty said:
Awesome to be back at the UC.

My one quibble is that with Birmingham being such a meaningless place to hold the game (that's just a Bama home game in a lesser facility and environment), we're better off just having the return game in Tuscaloosa because of how the NET system treats true road games versus neutral sites.


There really isn't anymore. The committee does not punish you for losing lots of tough games. Ugly records not only get in they get seeded in accordance with who they have beaten. Take as many shots at Quad 1's as you can get.
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It’s looking like Oats is gonna keep Alabama in top 5 territory consistently. When you’re talking about the top of the top does location really matter?
 
#178      

PepeSilvia

P
PepeSilvia
Illinicpa14 said:
The 4 mega teams were playing all are in a similar situation to us. Different levels of reloading and talent coming in but all go into the year with a new best player and returning only a few key contributors.

No Sears, Griffen, Knecht, Aidoo, Vescovi, Filipkowski, Roach, Sean Est (and TSJ/Domask/Hawkins for us). We all will be figuring out how to play together.
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Sears may very well be back.
 
#179      

OrangeBlue98

OrangeBlue98
Des Moines, IA
OrangeBlue98
The impact of the NET/Quad system should make it a lot easier to schedule series like what Illinois and Alabama are doing. Neutral site games, even when a “home neutral” game, increase the chances of having Quad 1 matchups.

Iowa State is a great example of this. Even though a game against Iowa State in Des Moines would be a very pro-Cyclone crowd since Ames is a half hour from Des Moines, it’s still a neutral site game for them. There’s an incentive to schedule a game like this.
 
#180      

Fighter of the Nightman

Fighter of the Nightman
Chicago, IL
Fighter of the Nightman
Following up on the United Center news, this is my personal/subjective wish list for similar series' like the Alabama one in the future. As some have pointed out, Birmingham is not necessarily the most lucrative city for us from a recruiting/exposure standpoint (absolutely no offense to Birmingham ... I am a native Peorian who loves that city and thinks all kinds of cities/towns are cool in their own rights!). So, I think these setups would be particularly beneficial to us:

1. KENTUCKY
Chicago, IL and Indianapolis, IN
I think this matchup is the ultimate homerun setup, specifically for us. Here are some of the reasons:
- The Orlando connection makes it more of a natural fit.
- The crowd advantage will work in our favor. While UK will definitely be more of the "home team" (at least IMO) in Indianapolis, I think there would be more Illini fans in Indy than Kentucky fans in Chicago. UK would bring a ton of fans to the UC, but it is still in our backyard; Indy is a "road trip" for both fan bases.
- Kentucky already recruits Chicago incredibly well, and we are unlikely to get a ton of Chicagoland recruits they want. However, we do NOT recruit Indianapolis very well, and exposure in that market vs. a high-profile opponent would be huge for us. In other words, as far as recruiting goes, we get a WAY bigger boost than they do.
- It is an absolutely HILARIOUS slap in the face to Indiana, haha. Hoosiers fans aspire to be big-time rivals with Kentucky once again, and UK fans look down on them so they settle for Purdue in the meantime. Meanwhile, many of them arrogantly claim to be ~above~ being rivals with Illinois, even as we have been a better program than them over the last 25+ years. Bypassing IU and showcasing two programs they hate in their most important media market is a hilarious way to work with UK to troll the Loosiers, lol.

2. ARIZONA
Chicago, IL and Las Vegas, NV
People might initially think that Phoenix is the more natural return game here (we have literally already done this exact set up with Arizona), but many in the Wildcats fan base see Vegas as a sort of "second home away from home" where they regularly outnumbered all other fan bases when they play there. It's a natural fit as far as series history goes (a ton of drama and great games between our two schools in the last 25 years), and we get to play in a fun destination for fans that produces a ton of high school talent. As a bonus, we have proven we can take that place over already!

3. UCONN
Chicago, IL and New York, NY (MSG)
I don't know about you guys, but I would enjoy the opportunity to hopefully put on a better showing against UConn, lol ... I would be open to other options here (Duke??), of course, but the point is to get back to Madison Square Garden as much as possible. Playing in "The Mecca" on national TV vs. big-time programs is how you convince the next generations of casual fans - the ones who drive the TV ratings and merchandise sales - that Illinois is a "cool" program.
 
#181      

Konnie

K
Western Suburbs
Konnie
Fighter of the Nightman said:
Following up on the United Center news, this is my personal/subjective wish list for similar series' like the Alabama one in the future. As some have pointed out, Birmingham is not necessarily the most lucrative city for us from a recruiting/exposure standpoint (absolutely no offense to Birmingham ... I am a native Peorian who loves that city and thinks all kinds of cities/towns are cool in their own rights!). So, I think these setups would be particularly beneficial to us:

1. KENTUCKY
Chicago, IL and Indianapolis, IN
I think this matchup is the ultimate homerun setup, specifically for us. Here are some of the reasons:
- The Orlando connection makes it more of a natural fit.
- The crowd advantage will work in our favor. While UK will definitely be more of the "home team" (at least IMO) in Indianapolis, I think there would be more Illini fans in Indy than Kentucky fans in Chicago. UK would bring a ton of fans to the UC, but it is still in our backyard; Indy is a "road trip" for both fan bases.
- Kentucky already recruits Chicago incredibly well, and we are unlikely to get a ton of Chicagoland recruits they want. However, we do NOT recruit Indianapolis very well, and exposure in that market vs. a high-profile opponent would be huge for us. In other words, as far as recruiting goes, we get a WAY bigger boost than they do.
- It is an absolutely HILARIOUS slap in the face to Indiana, haha. Hoosiers fans aspire to be big-time rivals with Kentucky once again, and UK fans look down on them so they settle for Purdue in the meantime. Meanwhile, many of them arrogantly claim to be ~above~ being rivals with Illinois, even as we have been a better program than them over the last 25+ years. Bypassing IU and showcasing two programs they hate in their most important media market is a hilarious way to work with UK to troll the Loosiers, lol.

2. ARIZONA
Chicago, IL and Las Vegas, NV
People might initially think that Phoenix is the more natural return game here (we have literally already done this exact set up with Arizona), but many in the Wildcats fan base see Vegas as a sort of "second home away from home" where they regularly outnumbered all other fan bases when they play there. It's a natural fit as far as series history goes (a ton of drama and great games between our two schools in the last 25 years), and we get to play in a fun destination for fans that produces a ton of high school talent. As a bonus, we have proven we can take that place over already!

3. UCONN
Chicago, IL and New York, NY (MSG)
I don't know about you guys, but I would enjoy the opportunity to hopefully put on a better showing against UConn, lol ... I would be open to other options here (Duke??), of course, but the point is to get back to Madison Square Garden as much as possible. Playing in "The Mecca" on national TV vs. big-time programs is how you convince the next generations of casual fans - the ones who drive the TV ratings and merchandise sales - that Illinois is a "cool" program.
Click to expand...
I would add Kansas to your list.
 
#183      

hooraybeer

hooraybeer
Pittsburgh, PA
hooraybeer
Fighter of the Nightman said:
Following up on the United Center news, this is my personal/subjective wish list for similar series' like the Alabama one in the future. As some have pointed out, Birmingham is not necessarily the most lucrative city for us from a recruiting/exposure standpoint (absolutely no offense to Birmingham ... I am a native Peorian who loves that city and thinks all kinds of cities/towns are cool in their own rights!). So, I think these setups would be particularly beneficial to us:

1. KENTUCKY
Chicago, IL and Indianapolis, IN
I think this matchup is the ultimate homerun setup, specifically for us. Here are some of the reasons:
- The Orlando connection makes it more of a natural fit.
- The crowd advantage will work in our favor. While UK will definitely be more of the "home team" (at least IMO) in Indianapolis, I think there would be more Illini fans in Indy than Kentucky fans in Chicago. UK would bring a ton of fans to the UC, but it is still in our backyard; Indy is a "road trip" for both fan bases.
- Kentucky already recruits Chicago incredibly well, and we are unlikely to get a ton of Chicagoland recruits they want. However, we do NOT recruit Indianapolis very well, and exposure in that market vs. a high-profile opponent would be huge for us. In other words, as far as recruiting goes, we get a WAY bigger boost than they do.
- It is an absolutely HILARIOUS slap in the face to Indiana, haha. Hoosiers fans aspire to be big-time rivals with Kentucky once again, and UK fans look down on them so they settle for Purdue in the meantime. Meanwhile, many of them arrogantly claim to be ~above~ being rivals with Illinois, even as we have been a better program than them over the last 25+ years. Bypassing IU and showcasing two programs they hate in their most important media market is a hilarious way to work with UK to troll the Loosiers, lol.

2. ARIZONA
Chicago, IL and Las Vegas, NV
People might initially think that Phoenix is the more natural return game here (we have literally already done this exact set up with Arizona), but many in the Wildcats fan base see Vegas as a sort of "second home away from home" where they regularly outnumbered all other fan bases when they play there. It's a natural fit as far as series history goes (a ton of drama and great games between our two schools in the last 25 years), and we get to play in a fun destination for fans that produces a ton of high school talent. As a bonus, we have proven we can take that place over already!

3. UCONN
Chicago, IL and New York, NY (MSG)
I don't know about you guys, but I would enjoy the opportunity to hopefully put on a better showing against UConn, lol ... I would be open to other options here (Duke??), of course, but the point is to get back to Madison Square Garden as much as possible. Playing in "The Mecca" on national TV vs. big-time programs is how you convince the next generations of casual fans - the ones who drive the TV ratings and merchandise sales - that Illinois is a "cool" program.
Click to expand...
in addition to KU, Arkansas could make sense assuming Cal and OA left it on good terms. Arkansas will be a big matchup for at least the next 5 years
 
#184      

OrangeBlue98

OrangeBlue98
Des Moines, IA
OrangeBlue98
Illini2010-11 said:
I am not going to read too much into the timing of where the games are located and when. It is likely much easier logistically to line up Birmingham this year and then Chicago in a year from now, given the coming season is only months away. The UC is likely harder to book for the upcoming season compared to Birmingham. I expect great things from the Illini in both upcoming seasons.
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This is why you have to kind of play the long game with UC schedules. With the Bulls, Blackhawks, and concerts, it has to be really tough to book. You likely have to just book a date and then accept an early Saturday game if the Bulls play on the same date.

That’s why if you want to get a game like Kentucky at the UC and then at Indy, that’s probably a series you have to book at least two years into the future.
 
#185      

FairWeatherDieHard

F
FairWeatherDieHard
hooraybeer said:
in addition to KU, Arkansas could make sense assuming Cal and OA left it on good terms. Arkansas will be a big matchup for at least the next 5 years
Click to expand...
Also would like Texas in Dallas/SanAnt or Florida in Orlando. Good destinations for a long weekend trip to wear the Orange. The real Orange, not that crispy brown kind in Austin
 
#186      

OrangeBlue98

OrangeBlue98
Des Moines, IA
OrangeBlue98
I’d also explore the idea of teams playing at the UC that would be a higher Quad rating on a neutral site, even if we had to return a true road game.

The first two teams that spring to mind for me on this would be teams like Colorado or Oklahoma. Both of these teams are likely on a “Quad bubble” where playing them at a neutral location would be more beneficial. They are also teams that, while generally good, are definitely beatable on the road.

I think a lot of the scheduling depends on if you want to play a different team each year or if you want to set up a long-term arrangement with a program like Kentucky like they used to do with Indiana at Louisville and Indianapolis. All else equal, I’d prefer to rotate opponents and set things to increase the odds of more Quad 1 games to “play the system”.
 
#187      

Bacon Butkus Swanson

B
Bacon Butkus Swanson
Fighter of the Nightman said:
Following up on the United Center news, this is my personal/subjective wish list for similar series' like the Alabama one in the future. As some have pointed out, Birmingham is not necessarily the most lucrative city for us from a recruiting/exposure standpoint (absolutely no offense to Birmingham ... I am a native Peorian who loves that city and thinks all kinds of cities/towns are cool in their own rights!). So, I think these setups would be particularly beneficial to us:

1. KENTUCKY
Chicago, IL and Indianapolis, IN
I think this matchup is the ultimate homerun setup, specifically for us. Here are some of the reasons:
- The Orlando connection makes it more of a natural fit.
- The crowd advantage will work in our favor. While UK will definitely be more of the "home team" (at least IMO) in Indianapolis, I think there would be more Illini fans in Indy than Kentucky fans in Chicago. UK would bring a ton of fans to the UC, but it is still in our backyard; Indy is a "road trip" for both fan bases.
- Kentucky already recruits Chicago incredibly well, and we are unlikely to get a ton of Chicagoland recruits they want. However, we do NOT recruit Indianapolis very well, and exposure in that market vs. a high-profile opponent would be huge for us. In other words, as far as recruiting goes, we get a WAY bigger boost than they do.
- It is an absolutely HILARIOUS slap in the face to Indiana, haha. Hoosiers fans aspire to be big-time rivals with Kentucky once again, and UK fans look down on them so they settle for Purdue in the meantime. Meanwhile, many of them arrogantly claim to be ~above~ being rivals with Illinois, even as we have been a better program than them over the last 25+ years. Bypassing IU and showcasing two programs they hate in their most important media market is a hilarious way to work with UK to troll the Loosiers, lol.

2. ARIZONA
Chicago, IL and Las Vegas, NV
People might initially think that Phoenix is the more natural return game here (we have literally already done this exact set up with Arizona), but many in the Wildcats fan base see Vegas as a sort of "second home away from home" where they regularly outnumbered all other fan bases when they play there. It's a natural fit as far as series history goes (a ton of drama and great games between our two schools in the last 25 years), and we get to play in a fun destination for fans that produces a ton of high school talent. As a bonus, we have proven we can take that place over already!

3. UCONN
Chicago, IL and New York, NY (MSG)
I don't know about you guys, but I would enjoy the opportunity to hopefully put on a better showing against UConn, lol ... I would be open to other options here (Duke??), of course, but the point is to get back to Madison Square Garden as much as possible. Playing in "The Mecca" on national TV vs. big-time programs is how you convince the next generations of casual fans - the ones who drive the TV ratings and merchandise sales - that Illinois is a "cool" program.
Click to expand...
I lived in Phoenix for (15) years. Another reason Wildcat fans prefer Vegas over PHX is that between the scads of Illini grads and ASU fans waiting to root against them, it would likely have the feel of an away game......
Note: Can't stand U of A. Tucson is the Land of Lute...... (You old timers remember the Lute and Satan show)
 
#189      

Fighter of the Nightman

Fighter of the Nightman
Chicago, IL
Fighter of the Nightman
Konnie said:
I would add Kansas to your list.
Click to expand...
hooraybeer said:
in addition to KU, Arkansas could make sense assuming Cal and OA left it on good terms. Arkansas will be a big matchup for at least the next 5 years
Click to expand...
Yeah, the only reason I didn't put KU down is that playing in Kansas City isn't a huge sell for the Illini. We don't have a huge alumni base there, it is pretty far away and it isn't truly that much of a hotbed of talent for recruiting. I would love to play Kansas, but for that series specifically ... I would take Lawrence and Champaign (recent ridiculous legal happenings notwithstanding...).
 
#194      

SescIllini

SescIllini
SescIllini
1715299889104.png

This made my day, an Illjni for life. For all the NIL stuff, great to see our players leaving with degrees