If ever there was a year where the phrase ” Illini basketball season cannot get here fast enough ” this is it. Illini football tweets are making me lose followers in droves, mostly die hard Illini fans and page view numbers for material relating to Tim Beckman’s program have reached a new low. Well, Illini basketball season is already here. Thankfully!
Media/Photo Day was last week, John Groce has already begun practice and tomorrow is in fact Big Ten Media Day. Now, you may have found my intro paragraph to be a bit self-absorbed and egocentric. Well, this post is actually all about you. Not me, not them, but you. This year, Illinois is holding a Midnight Madness event which is…all about you!
Your typical Midnight Madness event this year will manifest itself in the first-ever #ILLINIALLIN event on Sunday, Oct. 26, from 1-3:30 p.m. at the Ubben Basketball Practice Facility. This showcase will allow a limited number of UI students and fans an exclusive look at the team.
In previous years the Illini basketball team would hold an Orange and Blue intrasquad scrimmage at Assembly Hall. With the building still undergoing renovation, head coach John Groce is holding this event instead.
#ILLINIALLIN will feature complimentary food and drinks, courtside or balcony viewing for the team scrimmage, interaction with players and coaches including an autograph session, plus an Illini-themed gift. Since demand will be high, Illinois Athletics is asking students and fans to share why they should be selected to be a part of this VIP experience.
There are two ways for fans to communicate their interest:
1. By completing a self-nomination ballot online at FightingIllini.com
2. By tweeting to @IlliniHoops using the hashtag #ILLINIALLIN
Fans are encouraged to be creative with their message, including the uploading of photos and videos showing why they are among the most passionate Illini fans around.
Illini basketball hold their first scrimmage Nov. 7 as the Illini host Quincy. Technically, the first game is Nov 14th versus Georgia Southern, but the season really opens versus Indiana State in the Las Vegas Invitational on November 27th
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and very often writes The Sports Bank.net ,which is partners with Fox Sports. Read his features stories in the Chicago Tribune RedEye edition. Listen to him on 1620 The Zone. Follow him on Twitter (@paulmbanks). His work has been featured in hundreds of media outlets including The Washington Post and ESPN 2