This could be dumb but could the transfer portal have anything to do with it. Players come and go so quick the students never really get a chance to grow with the players. When you went to the U of I as a freshman with Cook you got to see him grow for 4 years, or even Dee and James. You felt a part of the team. Now you have so many guys coming and going maybe it's not as easy to feel so associated?
I know me personally I don't feel the same excitement as I use to seeing these guys and team develop 3 to 4 years. Now it comes off as such a 1 year thing