I think that team could go .500 in the B1G.
Illini Basketball 2024-2025
Dan
Admin
Still waiting on tipoff times for the following games-
Alabama (Wed, Nov 20th)
Maryland-Eastern Shore (Sat, Nov 23rd)
Missouri (Sun, Dec 22nd)
fightingillini.com
Alabama (Wed, Nov 20th)
Maryland-Eastern Shore (Sat, Nov 23rd)
Missouri (Sun, Dec 22nd)
Men's Basketball Times & TV Announced - University of Illinois Athletics
Start times and television designations have been assigned for the majority of games on the 2024-25 Illinois Men's Basketball Schedule
fightingillini.com
No one knows what any of these teams look like except for a handful. Almost every team ranked has had significant turnover.
Proof is in the pudding at this point, if you're a player that chooses to work hard and put in the effort and buy in to Brad's style, you will win and have a good chance at making a livelihood playing hoops.
If you can't do the above, I'm sure programs like Georgetown are willing to take a chance on you regardless. Kudos to BU for building our brand (and HIS brand) to get to this level.
If you can't do the above, I'm sure programs like Georgetown are willing to take a chance on you regardless. Kudos to BU for building our brand (and HIS brand) to get to this level.
Surly? You can’t be seriousNo doubt. I’m sure that’s very accurate.
I feel like you missed an opportunity for a nifty rhyme on that one. For your consideration:
“ If some of you think Brad is bad. You should know that Hurley is downright surly.”
Bigtex
- DFW
but IMO Illinois is truly a leader regarding significant turnover. Talented, relatively young and basically everyone new to the program.
RichardKeenesCousin
Richard Keene's Cousin
What is MM doing now? Playing overseas? Staying up late and playing video games?
blackdog
- Champaign
Looking at that list my first reaction was ehhhhhhh. I would not be confident at all. Some ok pieces but nobody that really moves the needle.
BUT..if all these guys stayed in our program…it doesn’t appear to be out of the question that they could be a top 5 team in the B1G.
If they were all still on the roster, it means they developed so as to not get “creaned”. If those guys all developed the way we assumed they would when we first got them, that team would be top notch.
Big time lacking on the wing, but the guards could score and Dainja, Hansberry, Hawkins was a solid frontcourt last year.
it would be what I’m accustomed to, to be honest. Holes everywhere and hoping that development has occurred.
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The Galloping Ghost
- Washington, DC
We are on Fox/CBS/FS1 so often that rival fans will be absolutely sick of us. It's a heck of a showcase for the program.Still waiting on tipoff times for the following games-
Alabama (Wed, Nov 20th)
Maryland-Eastern Shore (Sat, Nov 23rd)
Missouri (Sun, Dec 22nd)
Men's Basketball Times & TV Announced - University of Illinois Athletics
Start times and television designations have been assigned for the majority of games on the 2024-25 Illinois Men's Basketball Schedule
Not really. Of ESPN's top 25, only Kentucky and Arkansas return less minutes than we do. Most teams have more than 2x the amount of minutes returning that we do.
To be fair, Arkansas is returning a lot of Kentucky’s minutes.
Joel Goodson
- dawgville
pounding Monsters
I'm not sure that there is enough history to predict how teams will do with low returning minutes. The NIL era has only been around a few years, and has been very different each year. This team has many more returning high major minutes, just not Illini minutes. Team building is no longer limited to player improvement, good freshmen, and a rare transfer (who has set out a year.) I'm not saying this team will mesh right off the bat, but it seems like having guys like Tre, Hum, or even the Euro guys, KJ and Tomi should have an easier go of it than rebuilds of even 5 years ago. I disagree with SI on the floor for this team - I will be stunned if they don't make the tourney. JMHO
You may be right. But since 2021, no team has made it to the second weekend with as few returning minutes as we have. That's just a fact. 64 data points. If we make the Sweet 16 this year, we'll be making history in that regard.
Look, I'm not trying to rain on anyone's parade. I expect us to be a top 15 team by the end of the year. But one of the great myths of the portal era is that you don't need continuity anymore. There's absolutely no evidence yet to support that. Lack of experience playing together is a very real obstacle this team will have to overcome this year and it's a legitimate reason for a person to be skeptical of this team.
Besides Coleman I have no idea who would start on that team. 9 of those guys were on the 2022-23 team alone...at least at the start of the year. You add Miller, Curbelo and Hansberry for Ty, Terrence and Mayer.
There’s probably enough talent on that roster to be successful in past years when the old BIG was a little down. But it’s more likely there would about 2-3 mutinies by January. That’s clearly one dysfunctional backcourt.
Wings are lacking…and the front court is solid. I agree there.
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That is all true but at the same time not many teams have much continuity.
Arrogant, gruff, domineering and unpredictable all fit the bill right?
I mean what word would you prefer, psycho?