Not to be a downer but my gut feeling is we'll struggle this weekend. We're a young team still learning where we need to be on the court and where your teammates will be so I think turnovers, offensive droughts and some poor defensive positioning should be expected. That said, I think this weekend will give us some great teaching moments and help set us on the path for knowing where we need to get to as a team. I think if we can win either game, that'll be a big bonus, but no matter what happens in these games, they'll definitely help us long term. I am very interested to see how effective our press will be against high level talent though. My guess is very mixed results with a lot more easy buckets than we'd like but some limited success. Here's hoping we have a great showing though and take down a game or two! Also there's a possibility I may be there in person cheering it on.
Pregame: Illinois vs UCLA, Friday, November 18th, 8:30pm CT, ESPNU
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One feature and strength of this team that I have been waiting decades to see is that they are learning and trusting each other to play "inside out". In other words, the rebounder or receiver of the entry pass to the paint is not turning and looking to put up a contested shot immediately and early in the shot clock. Of course, Kofi was the ultimate black hole in this regard, but with 7 strong shooters waiting at the arc, shooting wide open threes is a strength of this team that we are seeing not only improving but exploited maybe for the first time ever. I love it! We see that from the top teams because almost all have at least 3 shooters on the floor at all times. The starting group has 5, none who are power scorers, but they are using the offensive skills they possess very well. Of course, none will get doubled in the paint, but 4 of them can score with finesse down low against most teams. As long as we don't see EIU type shooting from this team, they will be able to score against almost any team without long droughts as well as using defense to score. Been looking for a team like this since Govoner Vaughn (I'd say the Whiz kids but I am way too young for them). They have a long way to go before I can give them a level of admiration that the Flyin' Illini hold in my esteem, but it just may be worth their effort to get there!! My fondest hope is that these kids appreciate the opportunity and joy of playing with each other that they provide to Illini fans.
Friday night is NBA double header night, so you got Bucks/76ers at 6:30 pm CT and Knicks/Warriors at 9 pm CT. ESPN2 will be airing an AAC in-conference college football game between South Florida (1-9) and Tulsa (3-7).
While it's a bit sad Illinois/UCLA is a lower priority than a college football game between two garbage teams, that just tells how much football is king, especially compared to November out of conference basketball when most people aren't paying any attention yet. Like I wouldn't call ESPN a bastion of competence, but presumably they are using data to make that decision.
Fighter of the Nightman said:
I suppose. I guess it's more "annoying in general" that such a good early season matchup is on an also-ran channel that always gets horrible ratings no matter who's on it, but you are correct that ESPN has the rights. My annoyance should probably actually be targeted at Baylor/Virginia getting the 6:00 pm ESPN slot and Illinois/UCLA getting the 8:30 pm ESPNU slot. One can argue what is a better matchup, but I would argue at least that Illinois and UCLA might have a bigger combined fan base.
But of course, we'd get the later timeslot. The Baylor/Virginia timeslot is 4 pm local time for UCLA. That just wouldn't make sense to put the ET/CT game on after the CT/PT game.
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sacraig
- The desert
Torvik has us as a 2.2 point underdog.
T-Page for Illinois - Customizable College Basketball Tempo Free Stats - T-Rank
T-Rank College Basketball Ratings and Rankings. And fun.
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UCLA also has lost some important pieces. Illini 76 UCLA 71. I also think we have a very good shot at winning at least 2 of the next 4, and a decent shot at 3 wins. All three of our wins have been against lesser foes, but we covered the spread on two of them. JMHO, but this team looked much better against Monmouth. Even against weaker teams, you still have to hit shots, and the Illini did that. The flow seemed much better, the passing was borderline great, and we avoided the 5-10 minute lapses that dogged last year's team. I also could be totally wrong (I am a lot,) but I am hoping for this team to be truly special.
THE College Football game on ESPN2 might also be contract related with the conference. They may have it set to where their Friday Night games are required to be on ESPN/ESPN2
It does suck it's on ESPNU though, my dad doesn't get the channel so not sure what he will do
It does suck it's on ESPNU though, my dad doesn't get the channel so not sure what he will do
Honestly don’t know what y’all are watching. When Skyy is aggressive he is the quickest person on the court. But he is also incredibly controlled most of the time, maybe a little too controlled and not being as aggressive as he should. But he most definitely is not “slow”
Bigtex
- DFW
For me the only similarities to this year and last year is the name on the front of the jerseys.
Bigtex
- DFW
I have been impressed that neither Clark or Epps seem to get sped up which is impressive for freshman
Zero concern about foot speed or quickness
DeonThomas
- South Carolina
Deron was indeed our PG while he was in Champaign.....and then in the NBA for Utah. Dee played off-guard/shooter for the most part while Deron was here.
DeonThomas
- South Carolina
A 2.2 point underdog is ideal for this team. We should be competitive and show flashes of brilliance. But any victory we happen to get in Vegas is just gravy. As pointed out above, we're very young, learning and still developing chemistry.Torvik has us as a 2.2 point underdog.
T-Page for Illinois - Customizable College Basketball Tempo Free Stats - T-Rank
T-Rank College Basketball Ratings and Rankings. And fun.barttorvik.com
It's sorta like that Arizona game in Tucson a couple of years ago.......let's see where we are. Zero pressure.
Bigtex
- DFW
If someone is occasionally beat this team’s help defense is very strong.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
Looks like we have played UCLA 9 times (3-6 record) but not since 1998. The last time we beat the Bruins was in 1996-97 at the United Center. Kind of surprising that this will only be the second meeting all-time where both teams are ranked.
1997-98: #9 UCLA 74, Illinois 69 (at UCLA)
1996-97: Illinois 79, #24 UCLA 63 (Chicago, IL)
1972-73: #1 UCLA 71, Illinois 64 (New Orleans, LA)
1966-67: #1 UCLA 102, Illinois 82 (Chicago, IL)
1965-66: #1 UCLA 97, Illinois 79 (at UCLA)
1964-65: Illinois 110, #1 UCLA 83 (at ILL)
1963-64: #4 UCLA 83, Illinois 79 (Los Angeles, CA)
1951-52: #2 Illinois 73, #16 UCLA 67 (at ILL)
1949-50: UCLA 65, Illinois 63 (at ILL)
1997-98: #9 UCLA 74, Illinois 69 (at UCLA)
1996-97: Illinois 79, #24 UCLA 63 (Chicago, IL)
1972-73: #1 UCLA 71, Illinois 64 (New Orleans, LA)
1966-67: #1 UCLA 102, Illinois 82 (Chicago, IL)
1965-66: #1 UCLA 97, Illinois 79 (at UCLA)
1964-65: Illinois 110, #1 UCLA 83 (at ILL)
1963-64: #4 UCLA 83, Illinois 79 (Los Angeles, CA)
1951-52: #2 Illinois 73, #16 UCLA 67 (at ILL)
1949-50: UCLA 65, Illinois 63 (at ILL)
cuillini
- San Bernardino, Ca.
We'll be in section 10. but I think there will be plenty of Illini fans there with us.
I dunno if that’s possible. He dances to the beat of his own Deadhead cover band.beat those bruins
Lets go Illini!
Make this goofball (pictured below) be completely embarrassed
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
Given how apathetic UCLA fans can be and the relatively “restrictive” fan bases of Baylor and UVA (i.e., not a lot of mass appeal in their states), I actually expect there to be more Illini fans than any other school by a decent margin.
foby
- Bonnaroo Land
beat those bruins
Lets go Illini!
Make this goofball (pictured below) be completely embarrassed
'97-98 was an important game despite the loss. That was the game where Kevin Turner established himself as the go to scorer, which completely changed the season.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
Wish I could have remembered that team; my first real memory of a full season is 2001-02, with fuzzy memories of the 2001 NCAA Tournament. The 1998 team seems like a team I would have loved!
Loved this team growing up as a kid.
Kevin Turner really stepped up after Kiwane graduated.
Jerry Hester was always one of my favorites.
Freshman Sergio = Freshman Ty Rogers. Great memories.
The two games in Vegas should provide some entertaining and close contests. The Illinii have the personnel to compete with anyone and will if they defend and take reasonable care of the ball and get it to move before firing away. My expectations are that they win one of two, and I am not sure which one. They just might win 2...and could lose 2. What is for certain is that much will be learned as the motivation for every player will keep their attention.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
MSU got their big win, now it’s our turn!
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