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
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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
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
Booty Ball: Illini Coach Brad Underwood Innovates Again
In the words of legendary American poet Bubba Sparxx: Booty, booty, booty, booty, rockin' everywhere. Booty, booty, booty, booty, rockin' everywhere.' Booty ball is a phrase coined by Illini basketball coach Brad Underwood, and hey, once again, the University of Illinois is at the forefront of innovation. After all, this is the university where the web browser was invented, … [Read more...] about Booty Ball: Illini Coach Brad Underwood Innovates Again
Illini Basketball Team Way More Likable than Last Year
The 2023-24 Illinois Fighting Illini basketball team has done a tremendous job of putting the 2022-23 Illini basketball season far far out of memories. Good riddance, as that campaign brought us the strange experience of strongly disliking our own favorite team. While it is common to sometimes be happy your favorite team's season is over, and to look forward to that ending … [Read more...] about Illini Basketball Team Way More Likable than Last Year