Illini Basketball 2024-2025
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Could this become the strongest non-conference slate we’ve ever assembled?
I can remember one that’s stronger.
Wasn't 2001 pre big ten brutal?
LadyLoyalty
- Indian Wells, CA
I still find it bizarre that our European recruits aren’t listed on any recruiting sites or team/transfer rankings. Are they all too lazy or just incapable of rating overseas players?
Many posters (including myself) have spoken about the importance of team chemistry and how it is going to be so important for our team to have the success that it should have (in terms of the significant talent load that we have).
We must have strong chemistry, such as last year‘s team but I will let this video explain:
We must have strong chemistry, such as last year‘s team but I will let this video explain:
That is an excellent point. BU has become a better coach over time. IMHO
Captain Bubbles
- Fairfield, IL
Been down to Paducah multiple times. A worthy trip. Home of The Station! One of the most unique eating establishments in the region.
I don’t think Oakland is going to add much to the “brutality” factor of the schedule. I believe they lost at least 4 of their top 6 scorers, including Townsend who I think went to Arizona.
Captain Bubbles
- Fairfield, IL
No Gohlke and no Townsend, but I respect the heck out of Coach Greg Kampe.
Realistically, with so much new on our roster and playing these teams early in the season, we'll be double digit underdogs to Alabama and Duke
Tennessee even though it's in Champaign we'll be a heavy underdog
I hope we can win the Missouri and Arkansas games - Arkansas has a ton of talent, but has just as much turnover as we do, they have the edge on paper, but I like our chances
I think 2-3 or 1-4 is what we should be prepared for, it seems Brad is scheduling for next year as much as this year with some of these games, plus the Big Ten is not great this year, so you need to get your Q1 games in the non-conference, so I can understand his thinking
Kramerica Industries
- Greenville, SC
We play Duke in February.
SampsonRelpenk
- Edwardsville, IL
I cannot recommend Freight House enough!
i also wonder if early on he had to adapt to the roster and now he can (increasingly) adapt the roster to him
And Realistically, Arkansas could be a top 10 team, too, right?
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
I think considering that both fan bases are pretty passionate and travel well, why not just pick a metro with better recruiting? Kansas City is obviously a major city that I think is really nice myself, but it is not a recruiting hot bed. I'm sure Arkansas would have objected to Chicago, but Indianapolis would have diluted our home court advantage, at least a bit. I think we all would have been fine playing them in Dallas or Houston (where the Hogs presumably have more of an advantage), too.
Not complaining too much, of course, as this is an awesome game to have on the schedule! I just found it a seemingly random choice, haha.
Chad Fleck
- Eureka, IL
That show is wild.
I think, like how our upcoming squad, people don't know how to rate them because there's too much roster change, with coaching change thrown on top of it. I could definitely see them being top 10 if it all works out.
Agreed. Also good to play a potential first round matchup. And seeing an atypical defense in the 1-3-1 they run. IMO Staff did well in the non-con scheduling last year (mix of tests and potential first round matchups) and looks to be that way again this year.
Is that Tomi that I see playing sand volleyball with the team on the Illini MBB Facebook page? He’s doing the too small gesture. Is he on campus now?
That’s Jakstys
Joel Goodson
- dawgville
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