We might grab 60 rebounds today
Pregame: Illinois vs Iowa, Thursday, March 13th, 5:30pm CT, BTN
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If anything I hope we shoot better than that so we don't have to.
Really unbelievable. MSU was hitting FTs at a high clip too so wasn’t like they got let back in. If this happened in a game of significance like March Madness no one would ever forget it.
I want to see Morez with that Angel Reese statline
Hopefully with 15 less misses.
Yes big ego. He wanted to make the games about him just like high knees.
skyIdub
"I can't tell you. Secret."
By 50?? I wish. I'll take 49.. lol
ILLINI BY 50
Let's go peay.. lolPlease don't use "single elimination" and "Austin Peay" or "Loyola" in a post here ever again.
Has KJ's kennel cough dissipated?
The two games we lost in the tournament that irritated me the most was the Austin Peay game and the Western Kentucky game.
Western Ky. didn’t bother me that much because I thought that team overachieved and wasn’t going very far. Austin Peay, Loyola, and Chatanooga 97 were missed opportunities. I even think Notre Dame in 03 bothered me more.
It's been interesting for Illini fans in Moline the past couple of years since Owen Freeman and Brock Harding both played for Moline and led us to a state championship in 2023. I've had some success pulling for Owen and Brock at Iowa (though it is kind of weird) but still being an Illini fan to the bone. I hope Brock has a great game tonight and Illinois wins by 20.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
I have respect for those that put themselves through the ringer to be our referees, but at the same time ... it provides me endless amusement that a ref can have that big of an ego while prancing around in those skintight zebra outfits and blowing their cute little whistles.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
My dad always says I should be thankful I was not around to witness the Austin Peay disaster ... he said it was truly soul-crushing, and it felt like this instant and terrible stain was cast on how great Illini basketball had been in the 1980s. If not for the 1989 run, it would have left an even worse legacy!
As for me as a fan, I would rate these as my top 5 most devastating Illini losses in the NCAA Tournament:
1. 2021 vs. Loyola in Second Round ... was the very definition of sickening. That team had been playing as well as any Illini team I had ever seen (yes, including 2005!), and it was all just literally ruined in one day. I also had to take an online final right after it and we were still sort of in the midst of COVID, so it was just straight-up depressing.
2. 2001 vs. Arizona in Elite Eight ... this is one of the first Illini games I can ever remember watching with my dad, and even then I could understand that a win would have gotten us into the Final Four. I have watched highlights since then so it is difficult to distinguish what I actually just remembered watching myself, but it was obviously an infuriating game.
3. 2003 vs. Notre Dame in Second Round ... I remember listening to this on the radio as a fifth-grader with my family as we were driving, and it almost felt worse simply hearing how we were playing vs. seeing it.
After making a run to win a BTT Championship, it felt like such a bizarrely flat and disappointing end to the season and Brian Cook's career.4. 2005 vs. North Carolina in National Championship ... while not getting that title (especially for THAT team) was devastating, two things helped me get through it. For one, making it that far was an amazing accomplishment in the first place. And the other thing? I TRULY felt we'd be back in the near future. I had no idea how quickly the status of the program would deteriorate.
5. 2006 vs. Washington in Second Round ... this one doesn't stick out as much in hindsight, but you have to keep in mind we all still had our perspective based on the results of 2001 to 2005. Even with knowing it was a rebuilding year of sorts, 2006 just felt like SUCH an "almost" year. Second in the Big Ten, a #4 seed instead of a top 3 seed, top 15 rankings but not top 10 ... it was a sobering sequel to 2005 in every way. And then for Dee and James to go out like that in a frustrating and uninspiring failure to get back to the Sweet Sixteen (a feat I really didn't see as that elite back then!!) was just sad. It felt like the beginning of the end, and it turned out to be.
Honorable mention to the 2023 First Round loss vs. Arkansas since our effort truly was just completely sickening, but I was also sort of done with that team and all drama concerning team chemistry and whatnot ... plus, I had true hope we could be good the next year if we got TSJ back. Other losses like the 2004 Sweet Sixteen loss vs. Duke were genuinely filled with hope more than despair.
My dad always says I should be thankful I was not around to witness the Austin Peay disaster ... he said it was truly soul-crushing, and it felt like this instant and terrible stain was cast on how great Illini basketball had been in the 1980s. If not for the 1989 run, it would have left an even worse legacy!
As for me as a fan, I would rate these as my top 5 most devastating Illini losses in the NCAA Tournament:
1. 2021 vs. Loyola in Second Round ... was the very definition of sickening. That team had been playing as well as any Illini team I had ever seen (yes, including 2005!), and it was all just literally ruined in one day. I also had to take an online final right after it and we were still sort of in the midst of COVID, so it was just straight-up depressing.
2. 2001 vs. Arizona in Elite Eight ... this is one of the first Illini games I can ever remember watching with my dad, and even then I could understand that a win would have gotten us into the Final Four. I have watched highlights since then so it is difficult to distinguish what I actually just remembered watching myself, but it was obviously an infuriating game.
3. 2003 vs. Notre Dame in Second Round ... I remember listening to this on the radio as a fifth-grader with my family as we were driving, and it almost felt worse simply hearing how we were playing vs. seeing it.
4. 2005 vs. North Carolina in National Championship ... while not getting that title (especially for THAT team) was devastating, two things helped me get through it. For one, making it that far was an amazing accomplishment in the first place. And the other thing? I TRULY felt we'd be back in the near future. I had no idea how quickly the status of the program would deteriorate.
5. 2006 vs. Washington in Second Round ... this one doesn't stick out as much in hindsight, but you have to keep in mind we all still had our perspective based on the results of 2001 to 2005. Even with knowing it was a rebuilding year of sorts, 2006 just felt like SUCH an "almost" year. Second in the Big Ten, a #4 seed instead of a top 3 seed, top 15 rankings but not top 10 ... it was a sobering sequel to 2005 in every way. And then for Dee and James to go out like that in a frustrating and uninspiring failure to get back to the Sweet Sixteen (a feat I really didn't see as that elite back then!!) was just sad. It felt like the beginning of the end, and it turned out to be.
Honorable mention to the 2023 First Round loss vs. Arkansas since our effort truly was just completely sickening, but I was also sort of done with that team and all drama concerning team chemistry and whatnot ... plus, I had true hope we could be good the next year if we got TSJ back. Other losses like the 2004 Sweet Sixteen loss vs. Duke were genuinely filled with hope more than despair.
For us older guys, add 1988 vs. Villanova (missed about a dozen FT down the stretch to give it away) and 1984 AT Kentucky (homered by a lower seed). Austin Peay was brutal, but I think those two hurt worse.
Oh gosh, I forgot about that one. I was in 8th grade and I remember watching that game and we were clearly the better team but as you said FTs doomed us and Nova stole that game. The one good thing if there is one is that team used that game as fueled for the FF run the next season.
GrayGhost77
- Centennial, CO
Agreed on this except I'd have to move #4 up to #2. We were the better team with Augie no question, but the damn refs took us out of it making him foul out so quickly. Made me sick as that was easily our best chance of winning an NC in my lifetime (and technically it should count for us with the whole NC academics cheating scandal and vacating their wins).My dad always says I should be thankful I was not around to witness the Austin Peay disaster ... he said it was truly soul-crushing, and it felt like this instant and terrible stain was cast on how great Illini basketball had been in the 1980s. If not for the 1989 run, it would have left an even worse legacy!
As for me as a fan, I would rate these as my top 5 most devastating Illini losses in the NCAA Tournament:
1. 2021 vs. Loyola in Second Round ... was the very definition of sickening. That team had been playing as well as any Illini team I had ever seen (yes, including 2005!), and it was all just literally ruined in one day. I also had to take an online final right after it and we were still sort of in the midst of COVID, so it was just straight-up depressing.
2. 2001 vs. Arizona in Elite Eight ... this is one of the first Illini games I can ever remember watching with my dad, and even then I could understand that a win would have gotten us into the Final Four. I have watched highlights since then so it is difficult to distinguish what I actually just remembered watching myself, but it was obviously an infuriating game.
3. 2003 vs. Notre Dame in Second Round ... I remember listening to this on the radio as a fifth-grader with my family as we were driving, and it almost felt worse simply hearing how we were playing vs. seeing it.
4. 2005 vs. North Carolina in National Championship ... while not getting that title (especially for THAT team) was devastating, two things helped me get through it. For one, making it that far was an amazing accomplishment in the first place. And the other thing? I TRULY felt we'd be back in the near future. I had no idea how quickly the status of the program would deteriorate.
5. 2006 vs. Washington in Second Round ... this one doesn't stick out as much in hindsight, but you have to keep in mind we all still had our perspective based on the results of 2001 to 2005. Even with knowing it was a rebuilding year of sorts, 2006 just felt like SUCH an "almost" year. Second in the Big Ten, a #4 seed instead of a top 3 seed, top 15 rankings but not top 10 ... it was a sobering sequel to 2005 in every way. And then for Dee and James to go out like that in a frustrating and uninspiring failure to get back to the Sweet Sixteen (a feat I really didn't see as that elite back then!!) was just sad. It felt like the beginning of the end, and it turned out to be.
Honorable mention to the 2023 First Round loss vs. Arkansas since our effort truly was just completely sickening, but I was also sort of done with that team and all drama concerning team chemistry and whatnot ... plus, I had true hope we could be good the next year if we got TSJ back. Other losses like the 2004 Sweet Sixteen loss vs. Duke were genuinely filled with hope more than despair.
I'm a bit older so for me I'd also have to replace #3 with the 1989 Final Four loss to scUM. Your #2 and #3 would then slide down to #4 and #5.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
This really does feel like the definition of a game where if we show up and play competently, we will win ... we are more talented, better-coached, bigger and deeper than Iowa. Period. If we lose, it is because the effort isn't there and we have done something like not appropriately defended the three and given Iowa confidence shooting it from deep. So, let's not do that!
#24 Illinois 91
Iowa 78
#24 Illinois 91
Iowa 78
I'll go:My dad always says I should be thankful I was not around to witness the Austin Peay disaster ... he said it was truly soul-crushing, and it felt like this instant and terrible stain was cast on how great Illini basketball had been in the 1980s. If not for the 1989 run, it would have left an even worse legacy!
As for me as a fan, I would rate these as my top 5 most devastating Illini losses in the NCAA Tournament:
1. 2021 vs. Loyola in Second Round ... was the very definition of sickening. That team had been playing as well as any Illini team I had ever seen (yes, including 2005!), and it was all just literally ruined in one day. I also had to take an online final right after it and we were still sort of in the midst of COVID, so it was just straight-up depressing.
2. 2001 vs. Arizona in Elite Eight ... this is one of the first Illini games I can ever remember watching with my dad, and even then I could understand that a win would have gotten us into the Final Four. I have watched highlights since then so it is difficult to distinguish what I actually just remembered watching myself, but it was obviously an infuriating game.
3. 2003 vs. Notre Dame in Second Round ... I remember listening to this on the radio as a fifth-grader with my family as we were driving, and it almost felt worse simply hearing how we were playing vs. seeing it.
4. 2005 vs. North Carolina in National Championship ... while not getting that title (especially for THAT team) was devastating, two things helped me get through it. For one, making it that far was an amazing accomplishment in the first place. And the other thing? I TRULY felt we'd be back in the near future. I had no idea how quickly the status of the program would deteriorate.
5. 2006 vs. Washington in Second Round ... this one doesn't stick out as much in hindsight, but you have to keep in mind we all still had our perspective based on the results of 2001 to 2005. Even with knowing it was a rebuilding year of sorts, 2006 just felt like SUCH an "almost" year. Second in the Big Ten, a #4 seed instead of a top 3 seed, top 15 rankings but not top 10 ... it was a sobering sequel to 2005 in every way. And then for Dee and James to go out like that in a frustrating and uninspiring failure to get back to the Sweet Sixteen (a feat I really didn't see as that elite back then!!) was just sad. It felt like the beginning of the end, and it turned out to be.
Honorable mention to the 2023 First Round loss vs. Arkansas since our effort truly was just completely sickening, but I was also sort of done with that team and all drama concerning team chemistry and whatnot ... plus, I had true hope we could be good the next year if we got TSJ back. Other losses like the 2004 Sweet Sixteen loss vs. Duke were genuinely filled with hope more than despair.
2021
2002
Only have it this high because I was at the game which amplified the devastation.
2005
2006
2010
This one is cheating. We didn't make the tournament this year which was soul crushing at the time. We took a highly ranked OSU team to 2 OTs in the second round of the BTT, which ended up being the game that burst our bubble. I still feel like we deserved to make it but it turned out to be the 2nd time in 3 years that we missed the tournament- something that was unfathomable to me just a few years earlier.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
Ugh, I remember 2010 well ... we were on our way to family vacation in the Caribbean, and we got stranded in Philadelphia for a night and watched some BTT games. I REALLY thought we punched our ticket by beating a ranked Wisconsin team the day before, and I thought the 2OT loss to OSU was enough to show the Committee we belonged. I was shocked and disappointed that our name wasn't called on Selection Sunday.
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