Pregame: Illinois at Tennessee, Saturday, December 9th, 11:00am CT, CBS
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Chad Fleck
- Eureka, IL
Kind of feels like a house money game.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
Who’s getting greedy??
Let’s win this.
Let’s win this.
IlliniwekKDR
- Colorado Springs, CO
The Galloping Ghost
- Washington, DC
This is the game where we really get to see the difference between this year's squad and last year's. Last year, we won a big game in the Garden against a ranked opponent and followed it up with a truly hideous performance on Saturday morning. Let's not repeat what we did last year. We're older. The vibes seem way better. Let's show it by coming out firing from the jump and collecting another huge win.
I’ll tell you what… if we win this game it’ll likely mean a few things:
1. 1-0 in big ten play, already at +1 for a road win at the RAC. In dominate fashion.
2. A neutral site win over a top 10ish Final Four team where we hang 98.
3. A road win against a top 20 team, who is tough, strong, physical.
Can we win 3 straight games away from home, all in different ways? We might only need to score 65 in this game to win it.
4. Were a big ten contender, final four contender, and in the national title conversation.
Let’s go.
1. 1-0 in big ten play, already at +1 for a road win at the RAC. In dominate fashion.
2. A neutral site win over a top 10ish Final Four team where we hang 98.
3. A road win against a top 20 team, who is tough, strong, physical.
Can we win 3 straight games away from home, all in different ways? We might only need to score 65 in this game to win it.
4. Were a big ten contender, final four contender, and in the national title conversation.
Let’s go.
DICKnaggie
- Champaign
After the last two games, I am a believer. Will we have a set back? Yes. I have confidence this team recovers even if we do and that is a breath of fresh air.
Also, how sweet would it be to get a primetime win on ESPN & then follow it up with roadkill on CBS? If we don't have peoples attention after this... by Saturday, we will. A Saturday morning game on CBS without football.... Whole country will be tuned in. TJ will be a household name... Go illini.
The Vols can score with the best of them as well. Dalton Knecht has the killer instinct in him. I think if we keep him around 10-14 points and we make our free throws we are looking at the top 10 next week.
Can we overcome the dreaded 11 AM start time curse to pick up a statement road win?
Limit knecht and you most likely win this game
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
Yep. This is why I really wanted to beat FAU and DESPERATELY wanted to beat Rutgers. We look like an Elite Eight team right now, and there’s very little pressure heading into Knoxville … win-win situation!
If the optics are right 100%. Hope to see the guys come out loose and with some swagger. The past two games I’m getting the vibe that players are buying in to their roles. I’m personally buying in to Underwood’s coaching this season. That’s the making for a complete team
Why the hell not go 3-0 in this stretch. Big time seeding wins to boot. LFG
This game reminds me of what Ozzie Guillen did during his tenure: Sox would win the first two games of the weekend series, and then Ozzie would bench some of their key players for the Sunday game. In other words, the Sox settled for just winning the series. I don't want to just win the series. Go for the damn sweep!
And I know that's what BU and these players will try and do.
And I know that's what BU and these players will try and do.
+1. Get the damn sweep!
Had the same thought
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
Not to get ahead of ourselves, but if we win Saturday I’ll legitimately become more excited for our Illini than I have been since we smoked #2 Michigan on the road in 2021 with Ayo out hurt. 2022 was a great season in its totality - Big Ten banner! - but it never had a crazy high. Even after beating #2 Texas last year, I think I was still adjusting to so many new faces.
Winning at Tennessee and avoiding a comedown speaks not just to this team’s ceiling … which is VERY clearly high (i.e., beating Final Four caliber teams). It speaks to our FLOOR being low. I’m starting to get REALLY excited about this group. In the words of my Dad’s text to me tonight, who is always ready for the next shoe to drop:
“Ok, even I think these guys could make some real noise this year.”
Winning at Tennessee and avoiding a comedown speaks not just to this team’s ceiling … which is VERY clearly high (i.e., beating Final Four caliber teams). It speaks to our FLOOR being low. I’m starting to get REALLY excited about this group. In the words of my Dad’s text to me tonight, who is always ready for the next shoe to drop:
“Ok, even I think these guys could make some real noise this year.”
If we're competitive I'll be okay with a Meatloaf. That said let's win the thing
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
This reference killed me, bravo. 
Two outta three ain’t bad, but three out of three has me dreamin’ of Glendale!
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