Illinois #5 in 2/2 AP Poll
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One of the things I really like about this team is that so many of the guys can get a clutch bucket.
Wagler is so under control and can score at all 3 levels (maybe 4 levels considering some of his deep 3s).
Jake in the corner even with the shot clock running down.
Tomi has done it so many times even in games where he had been cold. Mirk, who doesn’t even acknowledge how big a moment might be.
That doesn’t even count Kylan, who can will a team to victory, or Andrej, who can get to the rim and finish when he finds an opening.
It’s good to have a variety of weapons.
Wagler is so under control and can score at all 3 levels (maybe 4 levels considering some of his deep 3s).
Jake in the corner even with the shot clock running down.
Tomi has done it so many times even in games where he had been cold. Mirk, who doesn’t even acknowledge how big a moment might be.
That doesn’t even count Kylan, who can will a team to victory, or Andrej, who can get to the rim and finish when he finds an opening.
It’s good to have a variety of weapons.
IlliniwekKDR
- Colorado Springs, CO
Username checks out
Would love for BU to give Hurley a metaphorical wedgie. And honestly? Maybe a literal one too…
Chad Fleck
- Eureka, IL
I used to get in so much trouble for smiling on the court as a player. It definitely would get under the skin of the opposing team because they were so serious. My coach would get on my case because I wasn't taking it seriously enough.
But:
1. It's a game. It should be fun. Why not smile?
2. It makes the other team uncomfortable.
I love Mirk. He's a riot.
Why do I think you would have posted this no matter where you really believe we should be ranked?
I can't wait to hear about your next conversation with that ISU fan.Thank GOD!! I was in an argument with a moronic Iowa State fan on Instagram this morning, who said that Iowa State is a better team and that they should be ranked higher than Illinois even the polls came out. He argued that they were better just because Iowa State beat Purdue by 23 at Mackey, while we "only" beat them by 6 at Mackey. And also that they've beaten pretty much every team by double digits. I countered by informing him that he should look at Iowa State's schedule and who they've beaten and then look at Illinois' schedule and who we've beaten. When you do that, there IS no comparison. We've played and beaten MUCH tougher opponents than Iowa State has. Iowa State is still a great team, but their resume is nowhere near as impressive and Illinois' resume so far.
ISU has an absolutely BRUTAL stretch coming up in a couple weeks. 5 of their 6 games, starting on Valentine's Day, are at home vs Kansas, at home vs Houston, on the road vs BYU, at home vs Texas Tech, and on the road vs Arizona. So far, Illinois has handled their own tough stretch of games - WITHOUT their senior leader - extremely well and have won every game. We'll see if ISU can have a similar stretch of impressive performances. As it stands right now, though, Illinois has had a MUCH more impressive resume.
Glad the pollsters got it right this week! GO ILLINI!!!
DeonThomas
- South Carolina
I tend to agree with Piper. I'd still take 2021, and 2005, and 1989 (at least until the trophy is sitting in State Farm Center early this coming April!)
We are indeed way overdue!!
Boricua Illini
- Puerto Rico
I agree with this. This team, as a whole, is way more talented.
It remains to be seen if they are more accomplished at the end of the day (season). I truly believe they will.
skyIdub
"I can't tell you. Secret."
I agree with you - those teams were better. That said, you never know what will happen in a single-elimination tournament.
I hope this makes everyone happy, at least for the next few days.
Well we know how those teams ended. Always the optimist that this is our year and this is the best team ever to win it all, go illini
I’ve thought about this, and I’m honestly not all that certain:
2021 team KPom net rating: 29.06
2026 team KPom net rating: 32.12
2021 team obviously had a stronger defense, but in terms of talent and offensive firepower this team could go toe to toe.
I know coaches have learned to juice the books (that’s almost a certainty when you look at 30+ net rating Kenpom teams per year) — but we do need to take into account this Illinois team has the best offense in the history of Kenpom.
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Trent and Chester together couldn’t disrupt Wagler. He’s on another level.
PizzaHutParkingLot
- Vodice, Croatia
Brad himself believed the 2020–21 team was the second-best in the country behind Baylor, though he described its ceiling as “low.”
I’m inclined to agree with his view that the 2025–26 team is more versatile, but it’s still too early to draw firm conclusions.
Mirkovic'es Uncle Pieter?
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
2005 vs 2026 is an easy pick: whichever team gets to play with their era's rule set.
35 second shot clocks, no charge circle and freedom to hand check? Dee would have Wagler in his pocket.
Playing today's rules? The game would end midway through the second half when 2005 ran out of players who hadn't fouled out.
skyIdub
"I can't tell you. Secret."
Perhaps? But there's no one on that '05 team that could guard Wagler straight up. He's lighting up Dee or Deron from 3....and Luther would foul out trying to stop him.
Dee might have everyone but Bam in his pocket...but he's not getting many shots up at the rim with the Twins.
Again...this is all fools errand honestly.
The '89 team with early 90's UNLV team is the most athletic CBB team that's ever walked on a CBB floor. Bardo and Gill both have the size and athleticism to guard Wagler.
I encourage all of the young Millennials and Z's, just go watch some highlights. They hit some bumps that season, and a down game vs. an almost equally athletic scUM team, but A game vs. A game in a bubble? They're winning 6 out of 7 vs '05 and this squad.
More shooters, better rebounding, and Yes Free throw shooting. Most nights. Free throw shooting, Hugee! Everyone on this team rebounds like someone ran over their dog.
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ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
There weren't 160 lb 18 year olds running teams back then because you could just bump and scrape and push them wherever you wanted them to go.
And then Wagler somehow breaks loose and slices to the basket for a layup, only its a foul the other way because The Rev has slid in after he left the ground and collapsed in a heap directly under the basket.
The way the game was played in the Big Ten in 2005 barely deserved the name "basketball", but my lord were we good at it.
If you add Ty in the mix...
Ayo is still above Wagler right now, IMO. If he leads us to the Final Four/beyond, I'll remove the "Freshman" part of the
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