The time has come for college basketball/European football doppelgangers. And this isn't the first time that we've done the soccer/football/futbol synergies with college basketball, or with teams in other sports as well. Be sure to check out our 2014 World Cup Round of 16 nations-college basketball program doppelgangers. … [Read more...] about Tottenham Hotspur=Illini: College Hoops, Euro Football Doppelgängers
Illinois Fighting Illini
Ironclad, Rock Solid March Madness Bracket Picking Tips
The real ones wait until until Monday night, or maybe even Tuesday or Wednesday, to fill out their March Madness brackets. Feel free to use this info at your own risk. It's like when a stockbroker tells his client: "hey, these are my stock picks, but I can't be held liable if you lose your money." hahahaha! It's the biggest sports betting month of the year, so without any … [Read more...] about Ironclad, Rock Solid March Madness Bracket Picking Tips
Brad Underwood Needs to Finally Make a Sweet Sixteen
For both Illini basketball coach Brad Underwood, and the program that he leads, the goal is simple. They need to FINALLY reach the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament! Underwood has never reached the Sweet Sixteen, anywhere that he's been, and he owns a career March Madness record of 4-6. Technically, he's 3-4 as one of the two big upsets he sprung while at Stephen F. … [Read more...] about Brad Underwood Needs to Finally Make a Sweet Sixteen
Illini Basketball: ’23 Big Ten Tournament Preview
Your Illinois Fighting Illini basketball team will be the #7 seed in the Big Ten Tournament, which begins on Wednesday night. They'll take on the #10 seed Penn State Nittany Lions on Thursday night at 5:30pm. There are two ways to look at this. First, you can believe the old cliche "it's very hard to beat the same team thrice in the same season," and remind yourself that, on … [Read more...] about Illini Basketball: ’23 Big Ten Tournament Preview
Jim Boeheim, Basher of B1G March Madness Performance, Out of NCAA Tournament Contention
Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim is a curmudgeon, and it is well documented. He has a reputation for being an ornery joke, and to his credit, he has totally leaned into that. So kudos to him for embracing it. But he won't be doing it in the NCAA Tournament, as his team has just been eliminated from tourney contention. Boeheim's team, 17-14, 10-10 in the ACC this past regular … [Read more...] about Jim Boeheim, Basher of B1G March Madness Performance, Out of NCAA Tournament Contention
’22-’23 Illini Basketball: Not Polarizing, Just Kinda Okay, or Meh
You have no doubt seen a Twitter posting here and there from an Illini basketball fan/pundit/media member that goes something like this: This team could lose in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, or make it all the way to the Final Four. Maybe you have already even Tweeted that yourself? This is a statement that definitely feels true, but it's also on that invites … [Read more...] about ’22-’23 Illini Basketball: Not Polarizing, Just Kinda Okay, or Meh
Illini Football: Analyzing, Summarizing 2022
In year two of his regime, Illini football coach Bret Bielema truly earned the extension and raise that the University handed him last month. Bielema led the Illini to their first (traditionally) New Year's Bowl Game in a decade and a half. His team contended for a Big Ten West division title until the very last day. They finished at 8-5, a major improvement from 5-7 the … [Read more...] about Illini Football: Analyzing, Summarizing 2022
Illini Basketball Benefiting From Weakened Big Ten
Illini basketball coach Brad Underwood appears to have gotten his team back. A squad that looked completely lost after back to back embarrassments at the hands of Penn State and Mizzou, it very much appeared at the time that this season could be a lost one. Then came January 4th, with yet another disaster, this time at Northwestern. Off the heels of that loss, their worst in … [Read more...] about Illini Basketball Benefiting From Weakened Big Ten
Illini Football: Way Too Early Look at 2023 Season
Illini football far exceeded preseason expectations in 2022, as most prognosticators thought they would finish anywhere from fourth to sixth in the Big Ten West. The bookies certainly did not see Illinois winning eight games this past season. But next season, they are now on the board for national championship futures. Betting with a verde casino bonus, you can buy in to … [Read more...] about Illini Football: Way Too Early Look at 2023 Season
Reliaquest Bowl: Illinois vs #22 Mississippi St. Preview, Prediction
The Reliaquest Bowl seems to be a game that is befuddling the bookmakers. It's basically a pick-em, as we've seen the spread shift here and there a bit since the game was announced on December 4. According to the bookies, #22 Mississippi State Bulldogs are currently favored by one over the Illinois Fighting Illini, so this is truly anybody's ballgame. Not only should be it … [Read more...] about Reliaquest Bowl: Illinois vs #22 Mississippi St. Preview, Prediction