Pregame: Illinois vs Alabama, Wednesday, November 19th, 8:00pm CT, FS1

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#176      
Retire this already. I get triggered and startled every time she pops up. Those teeth scare me to death.
 
#178      
Would be SHOCKED if Tomi plays, SHOCKED.
Casablanca - Shocked I say.jpg
 
#181      
He's been doing that for a few years now and people still have things to say. Since taking over the offense, we've been 3rd, 14th and currently 3rd in KP ORtg.

All this while being paid like 115k... guy might be the best bargain assistant in the nation.
The offense two years ago didn't take off until Jay Wright suggested making Domask the point guard.

I'm happy with our offense but if you want to see what an extremely well coached offense looks like you should watch UConn. Murray may be the best offensive coach in college basketball.
 
#183      
Not sure if there are any "Tyler haters "here, nor does "being a bit nervous" equate to "hate". But taking something to an extreme is what to do on a message board.

What I will say is :
1) I am very happy with our Offense and by all accounts (Brad included) that Tyler has a heavy hand in that outcome. So he is doing well in his role and we are benefiting from his efforts. So we have landed in a good place with Tyler, his role, and the team's performance.

2) How Tyler got the job in the first place is where some people have some level of issue. I get it, his Dad is in position of power and therefore can provide opportunities to his son above others (both in form of making a team / playing time, and getting a coveted coaching slot immediately after college). We have seen this very issue play out negatively at our Beloved with the fan favorite Miles Smith and in many other instances across sports & business.

3) Tyler has some level of association previously (before Crocker) with why Hamer was so heavily involved in running our Defense, which did not perform well the past seasons.

So it's not a cut & dried thing with Tyler. Bottom line is that he has to overperform in order to quiet the critics of how he got his role in the first place.
But does how he got the job even matter when he's been largely successful? Nobody likes nepotism, I get it, but that's mainly because typically that means they have to deal with the fallout of an incredibly poor hire who has no idea what they're doing. But if that newly hired family member does a fantastic job it's hard to complain.

Think about it, if hiring Katie or Ashley would result in us having an annual Top 5 defense, wouldn't you want Brad to immediately hire his daughters? At that point who cares, we'd have a Top 5 offense and defense, right?
 
#184      
But does how he got the job even matter when he's been largely successful? Nobody likes nepotism, I get it, but that's mainly because typically that means they have to deal with the fallout of an incredibly poor hire who has no idea what they're doing. But if that newly hired family member does a fantastic job it's hard to complain.

Think about it, if hiring Katie or Ashley would result in us having an annual Top 5 defense, wouldn't you want Brad to immediately hire his daughters? At that point who cares, we'd have a Top 5 offense and defense, right?
He also started out in a way lower level role for 2 years making like 60k. Now makes maybe 200k. Which is extremely low for a P4 assistant
 
#185      
Screen Shot 2025-11-18 at 7.07.21 PM.png


’Twas the night before Bama, and Illini fans slept well,
for Brad Underwood’s Balkans were cooking their spell.
Boswell was dreaming of clamps with delight,
ready to shadow Tide guards the moment of light.

Stojaković pictured jumpers that scorched through the air,
while Mirković rehearsed moves that simply weren’t fair.
Zvonimir Ivišić stretched skyward—gravity quit—
and Tomi declared, “Game-time or not, I still fit.”

Petrovic’s debut brewed like a storm set to burst,
a man who’d take his first shot before catching his first breath.
Meanwhile Bama rolled in boasting their usual might,
unaware UC rims don’t treat visitors right.

So Illini fans rested, calm, confident, snug—
knowing Brad’s Balkan brigade would arrive with a tug.
Tomorrow brings height, heat, and highlight-reel writs.
 
#187      
The offense two years ago didn't take off until Jay Wright suggested making Domask the point guard.

I'm happy with our offense but if you want to see what an extremely well coached offense looks like you should watch UConn. Murray may be the best offensive coach in college basketball.

Love how a guy made a suggestion and he gets the credit instead of THE PERSON WHO COACHED THE OFFENSE 😂😂😂

Did Jay Wright have his hands in things last year and this year too?

That’s cool about Murray, I don’t follow UConn and couldn’t really care lol (and our offense is rated higher than theirs this year and last year)
 
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#188      
Alright, gonna buy our tickets tonight and am keeping my options open as far as price and section, with one exception ... we really don't want to be by the 'Bama bench, lol. Can anyone in the know confirm one more time what section will be behind each team's bench??

Thanks. :cool:

EDIT: The two sections behind the benches look to be 102 and 121. I know we could just avoid anywhere too close to either, but I would love to get the best seat for our money, if possible!
 
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#189      
Anyone looking for parking help, we booked a spot on Spot Hero for 28 bucks. We are a 6 minute walk to the UC.
 
#190      
Alright, gonna buy our tickets tonight and am keeping my options open as far as price and section, with one exception ... we really don't want to be by the 'Bama bench, lol. Can anyone in the know confirm one more time what section will be behind each team's bench??

Thanks. :cool:

EDIT: The two sections behind the benches look to be 102 and 121. I know we could just avoid anywhere too close to either, but I would love to get the best seat for our money, if possible!
JUST GET LOUD EVERYBODY!!!
 
#194      
A couple of months ago I was afraid that Tomi and Big Z wouldn't be happy with their minutes. Now I wish that they were triplets.
 
#195      
How could anyone hate on Tyler? How how could anyone deny the greatness of our offense under Tyler’s tutelage.

He has prioritized layups, dunks, and three-pointers while discouraging contested mid-range jumpers.

He has modernized the Illini's offensive style to mirror successful NBA and European tactics, utilizing a five-out system that maximizes floor spacing.

He emphasizes a quick, attacking style designed to put pressure on defenses.

Illinois finished the 2023–24 season ranked third nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency, trailing only national champion UConn and Final Four participant Alabama. Can you imagine this year?

Well done Coach.
 
#197      
Love how a guy made a suggestion and he gets the credit instead of THE PERSON WHO COACHED THE OFFENSE 😂😂😂

Did Jay Wright have his hands in things last year and this year too?

That’s cool about Murray, I don’t follow UConn and couldn’t really care lol (and our offense is rated higher than theirs this year and last year)
Ive never watched an Illini game and been blown away by the offensive scheme. Yes they have had good offenses but they have had a ton of talent, they should have good offenses.

The 2023 offense was just let Shannon kill in transition, Domask play bootyball, and use he positional size and athleticism to win on the glass. Coleman and Guerrier were solid spot up shooters.

Last years offense I'd argue was worse than the sum of its parts when you factor in having two first round picks for the their offensive prowess, Tomi, and Boswell. The offense was just running Kasparis into a pick and roll or dribble hand off and then launching 3s around him.

This years team is honestly just an embarrassment of offensive talent. I don't think any other team in the country has as many guys that can create and score as the Illini do this year.
 
#198      
Show her whose boss. You can choose your own bedtime. :ROFLMAO:
I'm usually done for the day by 9 or 9:30.
I was gonna say, considering the pumping schedule she has me on, there is no doubt who's currently in charge in our household 😂

I did get her Illini for Life kit the other day. I'm looking forward to busting that blanket out for her tomorrow
 
#199      
Please Tomi, play a little bit. And the same for you MP. When the day comes that we have our best possible starting quintet, watch out! Petro is a "pure" point guard, Andrej is a "pure" three, and Mirk is a pure four. It sometimes seems to me that the Ivisic brothers are classic stretch fours on offense, but they have to be aggressive fives defensively. So I guess we call them centers.
 
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