Don't forget the women's team, which is finally competitive in the league after a long drought. Josh Whitman's eye for coaching talent is the promised land for Illinois sports that I have longed for since I got here in 1991, watching good coaches go and then good coaches go bad and then bad coaches come and go. Every night when I figuratively get down on my figurative knees and pray at my figurative bedside I say, "Thank you God, for Josh Whitman, and thank you for sending him to us in our hour of need, from the University of Illinois, to the University of Illinois. He's a homegrown guy with a genius for what he does. This university is so proud to have him, finally, as the right man in the right job.
Shiiid Tre White DGL Mo Johnson jr, heII they all embody the spirit of the “Every Day Guys”. We got a bunch of guys who look like their pregame routines consist of working 9-5 construction 🦺 🚧
Brad Underwood has become a coaching chameleon. It was fascinating to hear him say, when complimented for building teams from scratch through the portal and recruitment, that when he coached junior college he had to reload an entire team of new players every year, so this was nothing new. He has adapted almost instantly to the portal in a way that has shown up in the team's record and in the tournament. In addition, he has reached out recruitment to Europe as well. He and his excellent staff have found pipelines where they can do the most good and are exploiting them. But he shows his true worth, I believe, as a demonstrated master at blending the players he has picked into a unit, and can coach to their strengths, even if it takes a complete change of tactics and strategy.
In 2005 my two favorite teams met in St Louis for the Championship...Tar Heels and the Illini...I must say I was sad the Illini lost...so, I could go for this being their year!!!
Basketball Gods - PLEASE let us have a re-match with UCONN in the madness. I want to see their coach lose his mind while getting dominated. GO ILLINI!!!!!
That would be cool with me. But there is one team in particular that I desperately want to see Illinois play for the national championship. If the Illini made it that far and they got to play Auburn in the final I think the whole state might explode.
Underwood has taken some good team to the ncaa tournament, and I think he is trying to build teams in the mold of the teams that have knocked him out in the past
I love Illinois. But for the past several years, they seem to have a habit of entering the final 10 minutes of a game, with 8-12 point leads, and mentally collapsing. The Washington game the other day was a prime example. NW a couple of weeks ago, MSU and Purdue last year are other examples.
@@Sigismund7 And they were very much in jeopardy of losing that game just the same. Why did Illinois lose to Northwestern? I don't have specific recollections of that one. Was it a lack of rebounding and second chance points? Turnovers?
Illinois is 19th in offense and 13th in defense at kenpom. Not even remotely the most complete team. Duke is 9th and 3rd respectively. Auburn is 1st and 14th, and their offense is 5 points higher than #2 which is insane.
You ever see them play lately? They’re extremely difficult to stop and they score at all levels, as well as get fouled a lot. They’re getting better too and climbing Kenpom every single week.
True, but at Oregon they won by 32. A much better team. They found a way to win at Washington only because they are not that great. They blew a 17 point lead and allowed a player who has never scored over 30 who is in his fifth year. Illinois typically throws up over 30 3’s a game. If they aren’t hitting atleast their average percentage they will have a tough time home or away. They pulled the last one out, but made it way too close. They will have games they just don’t shoot well from 3. Thankfully they rebound well, and are getting more movement in their offense towards the basket. That also allows them more trips to the line. I can see Illinois making a good run in the tournament but they have to take good open 3’s and keep driving to the basket. Take the 3 if it’s there, but if not, with Illinois’ height, keep getting to the basket.
Illinois lives and dies by the 3. Last game they were 5/29 19% and barely beat one of the bottom teams in the big ten. If they are making 3’s like they did at Oregon and stay up tempo they can get to a final four. But we will see…
Agreed. It’s infuriating to watch Brad’s teams continue to shoot three pointers when they are as cold as ice. For sure this year, they have the height and skill to drive the lane and feed it inside, regain shot confidence and slowly bring it back out. It makes no sense when he allows them to continue to jack up 3s. That’s Basketball 101. Coleman did that WAY too often last year.
Josh Whitman, the AD, is the key for Illinois. Football and Basketball. An Alum who has taken a mess and turned it into two top 15 programs.
Women's BB too. Shauna Green is a great hire and recruiting very well.
@@williamkash7162 100% correct. Objectively a top tier AD in the country.
Don't forget the women's team, which is finally competitive in the league after a long drought. Josh Whitman's eye for coaching talent is the promised land for Illinois sports that I have longed for since I got here in 1991, watching good coaches go and then good coaches go bad and then bad coaches come and go. Every night when I figuratively get down on my figurative knees and pray at my figurative bedside I say, "Thank you God, for Josh Whitman, and thank you for sending him to us in our hour of need, from the University of Illinois, to the University of Illinois. He's a homegrown guy with a genius for what he does. This university is so proud to have him, finally, as the right man in the right job.
As an Illinois fan I finally now understand what Nick Saban was saying when he was talking about “Rat Poison”.
I believe “Every Day Guys” means guys who show up and give 100% effort every day.
At first, it got me too. I thought Brad was saying we weren’t talented.
Shiiid Tre White DGL Mo Johnson jr, heII they all embody the spirit of the “Every Day Guys”. We got a bunch of guys who look like their pregame routines consist of working 9-5 construction 🦺 🚧
Yes. Every day, not everyday. It's... not the best slogan. It's not really for us, though. Go Brad!
Brad Underwood has become a coaching chameleon. It was fascinating to hear him say, when complimented for building teams from scratch through the portal and recruitment, that when he coached junior college he had to reload an entire team of new players every year, so this was nothing new. He has adapted almost instantly to the portal in a way that has shown up in the team's record and in the tournament. In addition, he has reached out recruitment to Europe as well. He and his excellent staff have found pipelines where they can do the most good and are exploiting them. But he shows his true worth, I believe, as a demonstrated master at blending the players he has picked into a unit, and can coach to their strengths, even if it takes a complete change of tactics and strategy.
In 2005 my two favorite teams met in St Louis for the Championship...Tar Heels and the Illini...I must say I was sad the Illini lost...so, I could go for this being their year!!!
Basketball Gods - PLEASE let us have a re-match with UCONN in the madness. I want to see their coach lose his mind while getting dominated. GO ILLINI!!!!!
That would be cool with me. But there is one team in particular that I desperately want to see Illinois play for the national championship. If the Illini made it that far and they got to play Auburn in the final I think the whole state might explode.
Underwood IS set in his ways defensively, which backfires on occasion.
Underwood has taken some good team to the ncaa tournament, and I think he is trying to build teams in the mold of the teams that have knocked him out in the past
If Coleman Hawkins stayed they would be insane
thats my biggest "what if" for this year too
I loved Hawkins, but not sure how he fits with this team. Minutes are already thin and he wasn't worth $2 mil to illinois
@@D3y-s1g Coleman's not worth $2 mil to anyone. Neither is Great Osobor.
Everyday guys means they come to work everyday and do what they have to do.. doesn’t mean 4 year guys it mean day by day
I love Illinois. But for the past several years, they seem to have a habit of entering the final 10 minutes of a game, with 8-12 point leads, and mentally collapsing. The Washington game the other day was a prime example. NW a couple of weeks ago, MSU and Purdue last year are other examples.
Out rebounded them by 20+ and doubled them in second chance points against Washington. Da Fuck?
@@Sigismund7 And they were very much in jeopardy of losing that game just the same. Why did Illinois lose to Northwestern? I don't have specific recollections of that one. Was it a lack of rebounding and second chance points? Turnovers?
They need to practice inbounding the ball very badly!
The illini defense is better than the offense. What games are these clowns watching?
just the oregon game
Don't sleep on purdue or Nebraska in the big 10
I’m asleep
Illinois is 19th in offense and 13th in defense at kenpom. Not even remotely the most complete team. Duke is 9th and 3rd respectively. Auburn is 1st and 14th, and their offense is 5 points higher than #2 which is insane.
You ever see them play lately? They’re extremely difficult to stop and they score at all levels, as well as get fouled a lot. They’re getting better too and climbing Kenpom every single week.
They play Duke at MSG in just over a month. We'll see!
@@champsnikenon-conference game of the rest of the season
Michigan and Michigan state are over rated...
Complete team and complete offense are two different things
True, but at Oregon they won by 32. A much better team. They found a way to win at Washington only because they are not that great. They blew a 17 point lead and allowed a player who has never scored over 30 who is in his fifth year. Illinois typically throws up over 30 3’s a game. If they aren’t hitting atleast their average percentage they will have a tough time home or away. They pulled the last one out, but made it way too close. They will have games they just don’t shoot well from 3. Thankfully they rebound well, and are getting more movement in their offense towards the basket. That also allows them more trips to the line. I can see Illinois making a good run in the tournament but they have to take good open 3’s and keep driving to the basket. Take the 3 if it’s there, but if not, with Illinois’ height, keep getting to the basket.
That caption is the funniest thing ever heard
Illinois HS is JOKE
Right 19th on kenpom and doesn’t pass the eye test remotely.
I don’t think anyone is beating Auburn on a neutral floor
I don’t think they wanna see Duke again on anyone’s floor.
Illinois lives and dies by the 3. Last game they were 5/29 19% and barely beat one of the bottom teams in the big ten. If they are making 3’s like they did at Oregon and stay up tempo they can get to a final four.
But we will see…
It's really, really hard to win on the road in the B1G. Maryland lost at Washington. Other top half teams will too.
Agreed. It’s infuriating to watch Brad’s teams continue to shoot three pointers when they are as cold as ice. For sure this year, they have the height and skill to drive the lane and feed it inside, regain shot confidence and slowly bring it back out. It makes no sense when he allows them to continue to jack up 3s. That’s Basketball 101. Coleman did that WAY too often last year.
Well, a bit of a counterpoint. They shot so poorly from 3, yet won while scoring 81 points.
Joke of the day
Yep they miht win Big 10
But NATTY lol