Pregame: Illinois vs Mississippi State, Monday, January 2nd, 11:00am CT, ESPN2

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#128      
My question is when does the trend of not playing spread to something like basketball? If you are a sure first rounder on a team unlikely to win the tournament ( think Ja Morant) why should you play.
 
#129      
The price for a 6 am flight there and a 10 pm flight home plus game ticket isn't outrageous. But personally this probably isn't the year to break the bank on such a luxury. I'll just have to support the team from home with the volume turned down.

Beat Mississippi State!
I thought the same thing. Probably around $600.
 
#130      
I hadn't seen this posted yet in the thread, but apologies if it was. Jake Butt is the poster child of what can go wrong, playing in a bowl game. Are the odds high that this would frequently happen? Certainly not. But when talking things over with family, agents and draft advisors, it's obvious and justified why players elect to sit out bowl games.

 
#131      

Illini2010-11

Sugar Grove
My question is when does the trend of not playing spread to something like basketball? If you are a sure first rounder on a team unlikely to win the tournament ( think Ja Morant) why should you play.
I just do not see them as that comparable. Most bowl games are quite meaningless, whereas, even with a slim to none chance of winning the big dance, the games really still mean something. When it comes to basketball, the tourney seems to be a sport where a player can make a huge statement in front of millions of people. One player in a basketball game can single handedly change the outcome of a game; whereas, in football one player does not always make or break a game. If there was an NBA prospect on a team in the NIT, of course they would likely sit out, but I simply can't envision scenarios where top prospects sit out the NCAA Tourney, especially with NIL now. The possible positive exposure severely outweighs the risks of playing.

There is a much higher risk of injury playing football compared to basketball, even though freak injuries still occur in basketball. The price for injury insurance is probably much cheaper for basketball vs football as well.

In short, I believe the risk/benefit analysis is much riskier to playing in postseason for football vs basketball. Therefore, I really doubt that we see the trend of not playing spread to basketball.
 
#132      
In short, I believe the risk/benefit analysis is much riskier to playing in postseason for football vs basketball. Therefore, I really doubt that we see the trend of not playing spread to basketball.
Only 4 teams make the playoff for football. 68 teams make the tournament. The bowl games mean nothing while ever team in the tournament could win the championship, in theory.
 
#133      

Punesguy

Ft. Collins, CO
Yet, unless you are a big donor you aren't guaranteed tickets if you go that way and you won't know for several days if you will get them:

Everyone who request tickets will be notified by Sunday,
December 11th at 5:00pm to confirm if their request has been fulfilled.
Submitting a ticket request does not guarantee an order.

Should demand exceed supply for any price level, the order will be fulfilled at the next available price.
The Division of Intercollegiate Athletics reserves the right to reduce or cancel any order.
I wrestled with this issue last night. I would love to go through the Illini system so that they can stick me with fees versus Stubhub but I didn't want to hope and pray that I would actually get the tickets I want. I went ahead and booked my entire trip last night. My son (who is 15 has never been to a game) and I will be heading in from Colorado and we can't wait! ILL!:shield:
 
#134      

SuperMetroid

Evanston
I have been having this debate with family members for years. I really don't like it when players skip their last bowl game. It bothers me from a team game attitude perspective. I bothers me from a the perspective of ending that journey prematurely. It bothers me from them not giving their last for the coaches, teammates, and the school that gave them so much in pursuit of their goal. It bothers me as a fan I feel cheated. This may be a stretch, but it makes me wonder about their character. I certainly understand the business, career, and security perspective. Maybe it is just the way I think about life. I don't really believe that I am an old dude that can't accept change. I know I am NOT like that and I am certain my kids would support that. Maybe if I had ever been in their shoes if would think differently, but I don't think so. My wife once said out loud at a neighborhood party, "Why do you think that way?". And 2 of my neighbor friends replied, "Because, he is a man of principles!".

One of my brothers-in-law said if the game doesn't mean playing for a NC, he accepts it. I understand it, but I don't agree. Just curious, how does everyone feel about players skipping bowl games?
I generally agree with this - personally I’d want to play - but I’ve also never risked losing millions of dollars in what is essentially a meaningless game. I mean, can you imagine telling people 20 years from now that you would have been a first round pick but you blew out your knee in the ReliaQuest Bowl?
 
#135      

WWWWRocU

Herndon, VA
Curious to see how many Miss St players drop out of this game.

I actually got my wish with this matchup. I watched that Ole Miss/Miss St. game a couple of weeks ago and it was very exciting.
Nice challenge for our number 1 rated defensive backs.
 
#136      
I also saw that game against Mississippi. I was impressed. This should be a great game. They have a good defense and there q.b. can sling it. A lot of people I know do not care for Leach. I am indifferent but the guy sure is a character.
 
#137      
Curious to see how many Miss St players drop out of this game.

I actually got my wish with this matchup. I watched that Ole Miss/Miss St. game a couple of weeks ago and it was very exciting.
Nice challenge for our number 1 rated defensive backs.
FWLIW, NFL Draft Buzz lists 11 players for 2023 draft prospects. By comparison, they list 3 Illini (2 Browns and Witherspoon).

 
#138      
My question is when does the trend of not playing spread to something like basketball? If you are a sure first rounder on a team unlikely to win the tournament ( think Ja Morant) why should you play.
A performance in March madness can directly impact draft stock. Seen a lot of players go from borderline to lottery/1st round Normally it is small schools. Seth Curry for Davidson iirc helped his stock

For football if I knew I was a for sure draft pick why play any bowl or playoff game? You get no extra money for winning and only are playing for pride. Your draft stock will likely be determined by the combine. For some star players they could play three games their last year and still be a high draft pick like Nick Bosa (I know he had surgery)

It has to be a personal decision based on what drives you and are you willing to chance an injury. I think playing makes you better but there is always a chance of injury
 
#139      
i understand why kids sit out of bowl games, but it just kinda stinks to have all this hope as a fan to get to a bowl game and then for some to sit out. Again, I understand it, but kind of a bummer as a fan.

I have no info at all, just complaining on a Monday morning.
I agree. I am conflicted on this trend. It would be like me calling in sick on my last day of work before i retire because i don’t want to risk dying in a car accident on my commute and ruining my retirement. That wouldn’t fly.
 
#140      
I wrestled with this issue last night. I would love to go through the Illini system so that they can stick me with fees versus Stubhub but I didn't want to hope and pray that I would actually get the tickets I want. I went ahead and booked my entire trip last night. My son (who is 15 has never been to a game) and I will be heading in from Colorado and we can't wait! ILL!:shield:
Booked through StubHub for the same reason, although I understand the other perspective.
 
#141      
I find it a bit tiring to hear all the talk about the bowl games being meaningless. They aren't "exhibitions". They are recorded on our record and for posterity it's just flat out the case that 9-4 sounds and looks better than 8-5 regardless of the circumstances.

Additionally, there's a chance we end up ranked with a strong showing, and that would be huge.

I understand the player's position on their future and their career. However, I also think that's a slippery slope. If Witherspoon decided to sit out the Northwestern game many of you have already made the ethical case for him to do so.

It's been a great year regardless of bowl outcome and I appreciate all these players, regardless of whether they suit up for the bowl game.

Just my two cents.
 
#142      
I agree. I am conflicted on this trend. It would be like me calling in sick on my last day of work before i retire because i don’t want to risk dying in a car accident on my commute and ruining my retirement. That wouldn’t fly.

In this analogy, you’re an employee. So if players ever get to the point where they are paid directly by the schools (as many people advocate for) then playing in the bowl game could be a stipulation.

Heck, maybe it could even be a stipulation of a current NIL contract?
 
#143      

Dan

Admin
The full Marching Illini will be in attendance at the ReliaQuest Bowl.

"Each player will receive a ReliaQuest Bowl watch, a ring with their name and school imprinted on it, a hat and a $150 Amazon gift card courtesy of the bowl itself..

There are 8,500 tickets for sale through the UI’s ticket office. Officials are confident those will sell, as Tampa is a common holiday destination, easily accessed through several airports."

 
#145      
When does the perception of a program begin to change? Is it just being bowl-eligible, winning those bowls, or making it to the playoffs?

Like everyone on here, I’d love to Illinois have a better reputation than what we’ve had for the last 15+ years.
 
#147      
A performance in March madness can directly impact draft stock. Seen a lot of players go from borderline to lottery/1st round Normally it is small schools. Seth Curry for Davidson iirc helped his stock

For football if I knew I was a for sure draft pick why play any bowl or playoff game? You get no extra money for winning and only are playing for pride. Your draft stock will likely be determined by the combine. For some star players they could play three games their last year and still be a high draft pick like Nick Bosa (I know he had surgery)

It has to be a personal decision based on what drives you and are you willing to chance an injury. I think playing makes you better but there is always a chance of injury
The point I made about sitting out March Madness was for sure first rounders only as I mentioned in the post. I know a lot of players move up based on their tournament, but what I was wondering about were the sure things and if they will sit.
 
#148      

Illini2010-11

Sugar Grove
The point I made about sitting out March Madness was for sure first rounders only as I mentioned in the post. I know a lot of players move up based on their tournament, but what I was wondering about were the sure things and if they will sit.
Again, I don't think they will for many reasons I mentioned earlier. The risks are just drastically different. If you think about it, these kids are playing pick up games quite frequently in basketball, whereas you do not see football players playing tackle football in spare time.

The other big difference is there are substantially fewer coveted draft positions in basketball that pay the most. Only 2 rounds of NBA draft, with talent that gets pulled from International pool and those coming from D/G-league as well. With NIL deals in place, I just don't see any sure 1st rounders ever opting out of NCAA tourney (NIT is a different story). The benefits of playing most certainly outweigh the risks. The same can't be said for football.

Really apples to oranges, IMO.
 
#149      
Mississippi State starting WR Rara Thomas has entered the transfer portal. Already, several SEC teams are making a bid for him.

I assume this means he won’t play in our game?
 
#150      
You laid out your position thoughtfully, but I'm of the opposite mind. Bowl games are fundamentally exhibitions, celebrating the end of a good season. As much as I'd love to see Devon Witherspoon out there terrorizing an entire half of the field in orange and blue one more time, I don't feel these players owe me or anyone else anything at this point.
Totally agree.

I will add that if I were coaching I'd play every last guy on the roster at least a few snaps. Unless it's a CFP or NY6 type of bowl game, the result is meaningless. Take full advantage of the practice time, reward kids who have busted their tails all year and have fun.
 
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