It has been a rough start to the offseason for Illinois basketball, but you know what they say- when defections occur, replacements are inevitable. When you have notable exits, it preludes meaningful additions. The Morez Johnson departure shocked us all. The Tre White exit, not so much. However, reinforcements are coming for Brad Underwood, with Josh Dix having taken his … [Read more...] about Brad Underwood Maintains National Title Ambitions for Illinois Basketball
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Last Illini vs Kentucky Tournament Matchup Inspired a New NCAA Rule
Tomorrow will mark the fifth time that the Illinois Fighting Illini face the Kentucky Wildcats in the NCAA Tournament. UK has won all four of the previous meetings: 1942 Elite Eight: 46-44,1949 Final Four 76-47, 1951 Final Four 76-74 and 1984 Elite Eight 54-51. That last one has a special historical significance, as it was played at Rupp Arena and thereby gave UK an unfair … [Read more...] about Last Illini vs Kentucky Tournament Matchup Inspired a New NCAA Rule
Illinois Basketball: NCAA Tournament 1st Weekend News and Notes
The 2024-25 Illinois basketball team will begin their NCAA Tournament in Milwaukee on Friday night against the winner of Wednesday night's Texas vs. Xavier First Four play-in game. Illinois basketball coach Brad Underwood will no doubt have his team believing: "We're gonna make our dreams come true...Doin' it our way...Nothin's gonna turn us back now. Straight ahead and on … [Read more...] about Illinois Basketball: NCAA Tournament 1st Weekend News and Notes
Complete Illini NCAA Tournament History for Millenials
Friday night sees the Illinois Fighting Illini making their 35th overall NCAA Tournament appearance, and fifth in a row following an 8-year drought. It would have been six in a row, had the covid-19 pandemic not cancelled the 2020 tournament. The Illini own an all-time NCAA Tournament record of 45-35. Their March Madness destination is Milwaukee, the Fiserv Forum, and their … [Read more...] about Complete Illini NCAA Tournament History for Millenials
Illinois Basketball: Offensive Rebounding the Biggest Difference Maker
Much has been made about how all-or-nothing Illinois basketball can be this season. As conveyed by RG, this is a team whose fortunes often rise and fall with their shooting percentages. However, as you saw tonight in the 106-94 throttling of the Iowa Hawkeyes, in the Big Ten Tournament's second round, offensive rebounding is maybe the true indicator to their success. … [Read more...] about Illinois Basketball: Offensive Rebounding the Biggest Difference Maker
Illinois Basketball vs #18 Purdue Boilermakers Stats, Metrics, Trends, Prediction
Illinois basketball hosts #18 Purdue for a senior night affair that's crucial for NCAA Tournament seeding. There are no Big Ten title implications for this contest, but both sides need to a win to hold the line- the March Madness seeding line. This Illinois basketball team is back on the #7 line, but could still work their way up to the #6. Purdue is currently one of those … [Read more...] about Illinois Basketball vs #18 Purdue Boilermakers Stats, Metrics, Trends, Prediction
Illinois Basketball Season Declining Due to Overreliance on Three Point Shooting
This 2024-25 Illinois basketball season is getting rapidly redefined downward, unfortunately, and it's largely due to the team's overreliance on three point shooting. They are embodying the cliche of "live and die by the three" to the utmost. Tonight at home versus #11 Michigan State, they came out of the gates guns blazing, knocking down several three point attempts. Early … [Read more...] about Illinois Basketball Season Declining Due to Overreliance on Three Point Shooting
Illinois Basketball: Current NCAA Tournament Resume, Projections
Illinois basketball coach Brad Underwood has been great for the program, on a big picture level. He inherited a dumpster fire from John Groce, and within three-to-four years he had the Illini nationally relevant again. And overall, Illinois basketball is in a great place. Credit Athletic Director Josh Whitman on this hire. However, every season of the Underwood era, or so it … [Read more...] about Illinois Basketball: Current NCAA Tournament Resume, Projections
Illini Basketball Wins Big Ten Media Day With Bingo Card
Ah Media Day, the art of talking without actually really saying anything. Everyone is "excited to be here," "can't wait to get started" because "we have the potential to be the best (insert position group here) in the Big Ten, if not the nation." And amidst this backdrop, the Illini basketball program won 2024 Big Ten Media Days with their Bingo card. So many buzz-phrases … [Read more...] about Illini Basketball Wins Big Ten Media Day With Bingo Card
Will Riley: Illini Basketball Inks Their Highest Rated Recruit Ever
In Will Riley, Illinois may have their men's basketball version of Chase Brown. By that we mean a Canadian import who totally changes the game for them in a revenue sport. Will Riley is the Illini basketball program's highest ranked recruit of all-time. If that sounds like hyperbole, you have to remember that recruiting services have only been around a few decades or so. … [Read more...] about Will Riley: Illini Basketball Inks Their Highest Rated Recruit Ever