Preseason Polls - Illinois #11 in AP Poll

#26      
11 is pretty much exactly where I expected to see us. I feel we're currently a 10-15 team with potential to move up if we earn it. Granted our noncon looks pretty weak right now unless a couple of our P7 opponents heat up before we play them.
If Cube now has an average (or better let me dream) three point shot (not saying he does, we'll see) we're top 5 IMO
 
#27      

GrayGhost77

Centennial, CO
I'm fine with being #11, but Undue Perversity and Meat Chicken ahead of us?

Youre The Worst Cary Elwes GIF by Disney+
 
#28      
Bored, here is our Non-Con schedule with ranks

School AP/Kenpom Rank
Jackson StateNA/295
Arkansas StateNA/184
MarquetteNA/87
CincinnatiNA/117
Arkansas/Kansas St16/15 / NA/82
UT Rio Grande ValleyNA/304
Notre Dame46/27 (Received 3 votes in AP poll)
Arizona29/47 (Received 26 votes in AP poll)
Saint Francis (Pa.)NA/244
Missouri (St. Louis)NA/96
Florida A&MNA/285

Very weak non-conference especially if Arkansas manages to lose to Kansas St. But that's ok, the B1G is once again loaded top to the bottom (Minnesota is below bottom).
The previous six national champs began the season in the KenPom Top 5: 2021: Baylor — No. 3 2019: Virginia — No. 2 2018: Villanova — No. 1 2017: North Carolina — No. 5 2016: Villanova — No. 5 2015: Duke — No. 1 The 2022 preseason Top 5: Gonzaga Michigan Kansas Baylor and ILLINOIS!!!

 
#29      
Bored, here is our Non-Con schedule with ranks

School AP/Kenpom Rank
Jackson StateNA/295
Arkansas StateNA/184
MarquetteNA/87
CincinnatiNA/117
Arkansas/Kansas St16/15 / NA/82
UT Rio Grande ValleyNA/304
Notre Dame46/27 (Received 3 votes in AP poll)
Arizona29/47 (Received 26 votes in AP poll)
Saint Francis (Pa.)NA/244
Missouri (St. Louis)NA/96
Florida A&MNA/285

Very weak non-conference especially if Arkansas manages to lose to Kansas St. But that's ok, the B1G is once again loaded top to the bottom (Minnesota is below bottom).
I understand starting against a weak team to ease into things. Arkansas St seems like a fine second game. I'd hope to not see a team with a Kenpom of 200+ after the first game. Why schedule UT Rio, St Francis PA, or Florida A&M? I'd much rather see us play teams ranked in the 100-150 Kenpom range.
 
#33      
#36      
The previous six national champs began the season in the KenPom Top 5: 2021: Baylor — No. 3 2019: Virginia — No. 2 2018: Villanova — No. 1 2017: North Carolina — No. 5 2016: Villanova — No. 5 2015: Duke — No. 1 The 2022 preseason Top 5: Gonzaga Michigan Kansas Baylor and ILLINOIS!!!
Glad we don't have to worry about 6-10...must suck to be Purdue, UCLA, Ohio St, Villanova or Duke!
Curb Your Enthusiasm Ok GIF
 
#38      
Illinois #11 in preseason AP Poll

1 Gonzaga
2 UCLA
3 Kansas
4 Villanova
5 Texas
6 Michigan
7 Purdue
8 Baylor
9 Duke
10 Kentucky
11 Illinois

It's starting to feel like we're back
 
#43      

IlliniSaluki

IL metro east burbs of St. Louis
I'm kind of surprised Baylor is below us. Did Baylor lose quite a few players from last year?
 
#45      
Yes will be interesting how all of the transfers fit. UK too. Still not sold TyTy will really move the needle for them.
UK never has Chemistry until January or February.

Last year they didn't ever find shooters even later in season,....sealing their fate out of tourney.

Hope to watch similar this year, but I doubt it.
 
#46      
I am guessing the Big Ten performance last March did not affect things much. I think Purdue will be interesting but I think we match up well against them

I am interested to see how teams handle crowd noise in packed arenas. I hope the crowd energize
 
#49      
I'm kind of surprised Baylor is below us. Did Baylor lose quite a few players from last year?
They lost their 4 best players, but their bench was incredibly talented and they brought in a good mix of recruits and high impact transfers. Should still be a Top 10ish team
 
#50      

MDchicago

Lake Norman NC
The previous six national champs began the season in the KenPom Top 5: 2021: Baylor — No. 3 2019: Virginia — No. 2 2018: Villanova — No. 1 2017: North Carolina — No. 5 2016: Villanova — No. 5 2015: Duke — No. 1 The 2022 preseason Top 5: Gonzaga Michigan Kansas Baylor and ILLINOIS!!!


The analytics site by a Baylor Phd candidate in statistics (who got quite a bit of media attention last spring) has updated its team (Illini #3) and player (Kofi, Andre and Trent at #1, #16 and #54, respectively) rankings for the upcoming season. evanmiya.com