Illini basketball have made a response to the dreadful attendance that we saw at last year’s United Center game versus UIC. The contest had an announced attendance of about 5,000 but the actual amount of fans attending was much lower than that. It’s fitting too given the severe decline of the Illini basketball program that has set in under John Groce, and the dismal state of the opposing program- UIC.
This year, Illinois will take on BYU at the House that Michael Built, as part of a double header with their rival Northwestern, who will face Dayton. The date has been set for December 17th.
This is definitely a step in the right direction, and should provide an immediate jolt in attendance. We’ve vocally been calling for an event of this variety for several years.
Game times and television information will be announced later this summer. Every single competition, in all sports, needs a marketing/branding name these days, with a corporate sponsor to boot. This is no different, as the double header has been deemed the “Chicago Legends.”
As for the corporate sponsor of the basketball games, we’ll mention that if and when they give us a kickback. There’s nothing wrong with doing sponsored content/native advertising, but what kind of capitalists would we be if we gave that product promotion away for free?
Northwestern head coach Chris Collins said, via a statement released by the school:
“Personally, being part of an event that honors the great basketball tradition of the city of Chicago hits close to home for me.”
“Having played high school basketball in the Chicagoland area and watching my father coach the Bulls, I know just how important the sport is to the city.”
In recognition of the players and coaches who have made Chicago a hot bed for hoops, a selection committee will annually recognize former standouts as Legends of Chicago Basketball. The newly named Legends will be honored on the court during the doubleheader.
Northwestern last played a regular-season game at United Center Feb. 22, 2003 when it faced the Illini basketball program.
“Chicago is a great sports town and has a special place in basketball history,” Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said via prepared statement. “We are excited to welcome a new college basketball doubleheader to town that will highlight Chicago’s rich history and provide fans with a great day of college hoops.
You can follow the Chicago Legends on Twitter @ChiLegends
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes regularly to the Chicago Tribune’s RedEye edition.
He also consistently appears on numerous talk shows all across the country. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram