Official 2004-2005 Fighting Illini Basketball Thread
 

Since it seems we have a few Illini on these boards.

For those who don't know, a good place for Illinois discussion is at http://mb9.scout.com/fillinoisinsiderfrm1

For those who don't know, this is a huge year for Illinois. Like most schools a cut below the "elite" programs like Duke, Carolina, Kansas, UConn and Arizona, Illinois really only has a chance to contend for a national championship about once every 3-4 years. This is our first such year since we were a #1 seed in the 2000-2001 season.

So far we are off to a great start at 2-0, but will quickly find out how good we really are when we play Wake Forest in a little over a week from today. Feel free to post any and all comments about the team, season, etc here.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ief_magnet.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ois-trophy.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...own0122-lg.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ddy_weber2.jpg

Go Illini!

Re: Official 2004-2005 Fighting Illini Basketball Thread
 

The Buddy Christ is overboard...gotta photoshop it for Illini purposes [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]


All I've got to say is there is no possible way basketball will be worse than football, even if they completely tank it.

Re: Official 2004-2005 Fighting Illini Basketball Thread
 

If we didn't tank last year, there's no way we can tank this year. With all the injuries, player rebellion, new system, negative press, etc and they still managed to win the Big Ten outright.

In my view, an Elite 8 is a good but not great year. Anything further is great, anything less is a big disappointment.

It's important to have a strong regular season too since that would allow us to stay home in Chicago for the regional finals and then move on to St. Louis for the Final Four. Man, lots in our favor this year.

Re: Official 2004-2005 Fighting Illini Basketball Thread
 

One hopes they'll be better than the football team. [img]/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]

Re: Official 2004-2005 Fighting Illini Basketball Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
One hopes they'll be better than the football team. [img]/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

Here's what all non-Illini need to understand about our football team.

We won the Big Ten Championship with a 10-1 record and went to a BCS bowl in 2001-2002. That's enough to keep us Illinois fans happy for about 20 years. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Re: Official 2004-2005 Fighting Illini Basketball Thread
 

My nephew goes to the University of Illinois (he's on the road back to L.A. as we speak) and goes to every football game, so I get a blow-by-blow of the futility.

I like him, and I like you, so here's hoping your basketball dreams come true.

Re: Official 2004-2005 Fighting Illini Basketball Thread
 

You can see how excited people are about this. There have
been more views and responses to a John Cole war photography post. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Re: Official 2004-2005 Fighting Illini Basketball Thread
 

Hey Clark

I'd be interested to hear, if you'd be so kind, your honest assessment of Williams and Brown.

-McGee

Re: Official 2004-2005 Fighting Illini Basketball Thread
 

I'm a Big Ten fan but not a big Illini guy. Saw them play the Gophs last year. I really like Williams as a player but I think Brown will be their downfall. He has too many bad games and I think he'll kill them in the NCAA's. I also like that doofy big guy Smith. With Augestine, Smith and Head they have some good role players to go with Williams and Brown. More Williams, less Brown, better results. At least their coach shouldn't cost them the season.

BTW, I'm a big Hoosier fan so it's going to be a loooong, tough season for me. I just want a couple teams from the Big 10 to do well. It's my only hope, Obi Wan.

Re: Official 2004-2005 Fighting Illini Basketball Thread
 

Deron is a stud, Dee can be but is very inconsistent. I'm hoping someone fills in the center and that we get a time machine so Randle doesn't break his hand [img]/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img]

Re: Official 2004-2005 Fighting Illini Basketball Thread
 

He's had so much hype, especially before last season, when he supposedly played so well with USA Basketball over the summer. But even though his scoring average went up, he took a step back in the pretty much all other statistical categories.

I've only seen him in his national TV games, and when I have, he's always had a pretty cold shooting night. My impression has been that he clearly has the athleticism and scoring ability to be a terrific player, but his floor game needs a lot of improvement. However, I figured that Clark and other Illini/Big Ten fans have seen more of him than I have, so I'm willing to defer to them at this point.

-McGee

Re: Official 2004-2005 Fighting Illini Basketball Thread
 

Deron (pronounced similar to Darrin) Williams is one of the best players in college hoops. He can literally take over a game at will, D's up nasty, and can distribute the rock too. He's a lottery pick next year. Preaseason Big Ten player of the year.

Dee had the great freshman season and struggled most of last year. The reasons were several. First, he was injured most of the year and it wore him down. Second and related to the first point, he came into the season worn down after playing a ton in the offseason. Third, he really took a long time to adapt to the new system. Partly because he was young and it just takes time, partly because he was pouting about Self leaving town and he didn't *want* to learn. Once he grew up a little he started to catch on. He was on fire down the stretch last year and really carried us. I fully expect him to have the kind of year this year that was expected of him last year when he was the Big Ten preseason player of the year. That's Deron this year, but I look for Dee to really take it to another level. His biggest problem is that he doesn't drive to his left and teams play him that way, and despite his ability to get to the cup, he is so short that he gets an obscene amount of layups rejected. Its kind of wierd but for a guy so fast and electric, he's *not* a great finisher. He just creates so many chances that you forget about that.

Augustine is simply not aggressive enough, similar to Brian Cook. Now he's got nowhere near the game that Cook does, so he can't get away with it. Plays best when he's angry. He really needs to step it up.

Nick is very skilled but very moody and streaky. He's sometimes not worth the hassle.

Powell is streaky as all hell. If he starts off hot, look out, otherwise he's the invisible man.

Luther is great because he can always create his own shot, and he is (pardon me Andy) super clutch, having sparked more rallies than I can count with big-time 3 pointers when the rest of the team looked lost. Super athletic and can play 3 positions.

Those are the key guys. Jack Ingram is a somewhat skilled banger, Rich McBride is a highly touted 3-pt specialist who is still a year away IMO. The rest of the team is comprised of lightly played freshman and sophs who would have to make giant steps in order to meaningfully contribute.

Re: Official 2004-2005 Fighting Illini Basketball Thread
 

From what I saw, but mostly heard, before he broke his hand Randle had that kind of improvement

Schedule
 

11/19 Delaware State W 87-67
11/21 Florida A&M W 91-60
11/24 Oakland
11/27 No. 25 Gonzaga
12/1 No. 1 Wake Forest
12/3 at Northwestern St.
12/4 at Arkansas
12/6 Chicago St
12/9 at Georgetown
12/11 Oregon
12/19 Valparaiso
12/22 at Missouri
12/27 Longwood
12/30 Northwestern St.
12/31 Cincinnati
01/5 Ohio State
01/8 at Purdue
01/12 Penn State
01/15 at Northwestern
01/20 Iowa
01/25 at No. 17 Wisconsin
01/29 Minnesota
02/1 at No. 9 Michigan State
02/6 Indiana
02/8 at Michigan
02/12 No. 17 Wisconsin
02/16 at Penn State
02/19 at Iowa
02/23 Northwestern
03/1 Purdue
03/5 at Ohio State

Re: Official 2004-2005 Fighting Illini Basketball Thread
 

Any word on whether he'll try for a medical redshirt? They wanted him to redshirt last year and he got stubborn. May work out to our advantage if he ends up getting an extra year of eligibility.

Re: Official 2004-2005 Fighting Illini Basketball Thread
 

they said 4-6 weeks, so if he's back early I really doubt it. If it takes a while though I would hope so. Chances are Warren Carter who is suppsoed to fill his spot will underwhelm and the team will need him for Big Ten/postseason play.

Re: Official 2004-2005 Fighting Illini Basketball Thread
 

Nice scouting report. Your characterization of Dee is similar to what I had in my head, but again, I'd only seen him a handful of times.

Illinois is clearly the class of the Big Ten, but I think the league is going to be pretty competitive this year. Iowa has already beaten Louisville and Texas, and Michigan is an up-and-coming team. I fully expect Indiana and Michigan State to have bounce back years, also. Should be fun.

-McGee

Re: Official 2004-2005 Fighting Illini Basketball Thread
 

85-54 Win over Oakland last night. Luther went off for 22 pts, 6 of 10 from 3pt range and 9 assists. That's one of the nice things about this team, there are 5 guys who could go for 20+ on a given night. Big Warren Carter looked decent too, but he's so untested that it's hard to get too excited about that.

http://fightingillini.collegesports....112404aaa.html

Re: Official 2004-2005 Fighting Illini Basketball Thread
 

yeeeehaw, go illini!!!

Ponks

Re: Official 2004-2005 Fighting Illini Basketball Thread
 

Our first real game of the year is in about half an hour against Gonzaga. on WGN for those who are interested. This will be a great game to get us ready for Wake Forest in a few days. Let's hope we can carry over our white-hot shooting from the first few games into this one.

Re: Schedule
 

[ QUOTE ]
12/11 Oregon


[/ QUOTE ]

[img]/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img]

Is Oregon any good? [I guess I better check up on my team, Erine Kent is a great coach so we should be at least a reasonable threat]

I'm starting to smell a friendly wager.

-Zeno

Re: Official 2004-2005 Fighting Illini Basketball Thread
 

Holy [censored]. I see that the Illini are ranked # 4 in one poll and are beating the bejesus out of Gonzaga a teamed ranked #25.

-Zeno

Re: Official 2004-2005 Fighting Illini Basketball Thread
 

Woodshed.

Re: Official 2004-2005 Fighting Illini Basketball Thread
 

How about that Adam Morrison though? True soph, he's going to be a player.

Re: Official 2004-2005 Fighting Illini Basketball Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
Our first real game of the year is in about half an hour against Gonzaga. on WGN for those who are interested. This will be a great game to get us ready for Wake Forest in a few days. Let's hope we can carry over our white-hot shooting from the first few games into this one.

[/ QUOTE ]

No offense, but Gonzaga is no real test for any team this year. Also, i hate to say it but I can't see the Illini even making it a game against Wake. The Deac's are a VERY strong team. Chris Paul is sick.

Re: Official 2004-2005 Fighting Illini Basketball Thread
 

Chris Paul....gotta root for a guy w/ two first names. In college I used to jam a hot cheerleader named Lindsey Paul. Well not really, but I wanted to do, and that's pretty much the same thing.

Re: Official 2004-2005 Fighting Illini Basketball Thread
 

Wait, so thre stud interior guys over 6' 8" is not a tough test for anyone??? [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

I think you're crazy, and Wake is going to have a real hard time with the Illini when they only beat UIC by a point.

Re: Official 2004-2005 Fighting Illini Basketball Thread
 

"Also, i hate to say it but I can't see the Illini even making it a game against Wake. The Deac's are a VERY strong team."

Right, and Illinois isn't? You are vastly underestimating how good this team is. They really started to click at the midpoint of last year's Big Ten season and have been rampaging ever since. The only thing that stopped us was our best player (Deron Williams) being on the bench for most of the Duke game with foul trouble. Wake meanwhile, including last year's NCAA's has been winning squeaker after squeaker. Now, that's great, and it shows they are battle tested and know how to win a close game, but it also should lead one to believe that they will absolutely have their hands full on the road a team as good as the Illini. They may win, but I'll be astounded if it's a Wake blowout.

OTOH I wouldn't be shocked to see Illinois do the blowing out. Assembly Hall is a very underrated home court advantage and it will be absolutely raucus for a #4 vs #1 matchup on national TV. Ask Michigan State how easy it is to win there. They've lost by like 30 there each of the last two years.

And, oh yeah, Chris Paul or no, you are really underestimating the Illini guards if you think Wake has an advantage in the backcourt. Dee, Deron and Lutha are sick.

Re: Official 2004-2005 Fighting Illini Basketball Thread
 

Thanks for starting this thread clark. I cant wait for the WF game... should be a good one.

Are there any Illini fans in the DC area that might be interested in going to the December 9th game vs the Hoyas at the MCI center? I know its a longshot but i thought id ask....

cubs
class of 2000

Official \"Thank God Illini football is over\" thread
 

http://media.scout.com/Media/Image/18/184807.jpg

Re: Official \"Thank God Illini football is over\" thread
 

Hey, we won the Big Ten and went to a BCS game 3 years ago. When was the last time State did that? [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/...-Orange-lg.jpg

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Re: Official 2004-2005 Fighting Illini Basketball Thread
 

Another point to be made is that Wake Forest doesn't defend. They just don't guard anybody.

Should be a good one. Wake is good enough to outscore anyone in the country. But I'm with Clark (and I'm not an Illini fan): If anyone does the blowing out (outblowing?), it'll be Illinois.

-McGee

Re: Schedule
 

[ QUOTE ]
Is Oregon any good?

[/ QUOTE ]

They've got a decent big man (Ian Crosswhite), and some young guys (two freshman and a sophomore) who are averaging double figures through the first three games, all victories.

Crosswhite is a decent player but I like him a lot more as #2 or #3 offensive option, not a #1.

They'll be up and down like all young teams. Competitive one night, get blown out the next. But the future is bright. I'm not sure it's Freddie Jones/Luke Ridnour/Luke Jackson bright, but bright.

-McGee

Re: Official \"Thank God Illini football is over\" thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
Hey, we won the Big Ten and went to a BCS game 3 years ago. When was the last time State did that?

[/ QUOTE ]

Not since 1965. I know, I know, its been awhile...oh wait, did you say won the Big Ten or won the national championship?

And yes I feel its appropriate for me to use a title won long before I was born that I didnt even know about to defend myself.

[img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

Re: Official 2004-2005 Fighting Illini Basketball Thread
 

Absolutely sick performance against Gonzaga.

I'm sure everyone caught the broadcast commentary that the Bulldogs were leading in rebounds while getting blown out because the Illini were not missing!

I hope they can keep it going against Wake.

CMP

Re: Official 2004-2005 Fighting Illini Basketball Thread
 

Big game tonight on ESPN. Illini favored by 4.5 points.

Re: Official 2004-2005 Fighting Illini Basketball Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
Big game tonight on ESPN. Illini favored by 4.5 points.

[/ QUOTE ]

You are going down!

DEMON DEACS 4EVA!

-AA

Re: Official 2004-2005 Fighting Illini Basketball Thread
 

[ QUOTE ]
Big game tonight on ESPN. Illini favored by 4.5 points.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeeehaw, go illini!!! I'll be at the game cheering our boys on. Just about time to start drinking. Hopefully I can win the December open challenge against Alobar so I can keep my beautiful avatar.

Ponks

Re: Official 2004-2005 Fighting Illini Basketball Thread
 

This game is all ive been thinking about all day. Just got home from work, put my orange on, ordered myself a pizza and poured myself a cold one. GO ILLINI!!!!

cubs

Re: Official 2004-2005 Fighting Illini Basketball Thread
 

should have made chili and wings instead of pizza, imo.

sadly tix are a little expensive tonight, but my buddy tented overnight for his courtside shot.

ILL - INI