2024-25 NCAA Basketball Thread

[Uncle Rico]

That's the best thing about it for them.  They'll never know, but always claim it was "our year".  Chances are it wasn't since the best team doesn't always win. 

Real Uncle Rico vibes from a fan base with an overinflated ego about their place in college basketball.

That's the most hurtful thing I've ever had said about me

[Hards Alumni]

That's the most hurtful thing I've ever had said about me

[MuggsyB]

Nebraska up 40-31 on Illinois at the half.

[MuggsyB]

Terrible defense by Nebraska. 

[MuggsyB]

Illinois loses to Nebraska.  Wow. 

[JakeBarnes]

Illinois loses to Nebraska.  Wow. 

That's Nebrasketball.

[MU82]

Illinois loses to Nebraska.  Wow. 

It was stunning how very poorly Illinois played.

That they still almost won a road game says how bad Nebraska is.

[Shaka Shart]

They would have been a 1 seed and had a legit shot at Final Four or even championship. My son was a junior there at the time and the cancellation of the tourney will forever haunt him. In addition to being a really good team they had the most exciting player in the country in Obi Toppin. I don't feel sorry for Dayton much, but that was horrendous luck to have your best team ever that year.

He was an incredible 22 year old sophomore.

[Hards Alumni]

It was stunning how very poorly Illinois played.

That they still almost won a road game says how bad Nebraska is.

They're so talented and yet so incredibly inconsistent.  If they can put it together they're going to be terrifying in the tournament.

[1318WWells]

They're so talented and yet so incredibly inconsistent.  If they can put it together they're going to be terrifying in the tournament.

KJ missed a few games with wrist injury and they dropped a couple they shouldn't have.  Their 7'1" center has been out the last 3 with mono. If and when they get healthy they're a scary team.

[Billy Hoyle]

Nebraska up 40-31 on Illinois at the half.

Illinois loses to Nebraska.  Wow. 

10/42 from three (started 1/15) and 17 turnovers is usually a surefire way to lose to an inferior team. And yet, if not for two lucky putbacks (one off of an airball) on Nebraska's final few possessions Illinois could have won the game.

Nebraska did a great job at the end using their three fouls to give, leaving Illinois with under 4 seconds to get off their last shot too.

[GoldenEagles03]

Duke a 13.5 point favorite over UNC tomorrow.

That's something you don't often see.

[Billy Hoyle]

Duke a 13.5 point favorite over UNC tomorrow.

That's something you don't often see.

Hubert Davis' seat is getting warmer by the day.

[The Sultan]

Hubert Davis' seat is getting warmer by the day.

They won the ACC, were a #1 seed, and made the S16 last year. That will give him a couple more years.

[Hards Alumni]

They won the ACC, were a #1 seed, and made the S16 last year. That will give him a couple more years.

Wanna bet?  He has to turn it around or next year will be his last.

[The Sultan]

Wanna bet?  He has to turn it around or next year will be his last.

No that's fair.

[Billy Hoyle]

They won the ACC, were a #1 seed, and made the S16 last year. That will give him a couple more years.

and missed the tourney the year before after coming into the season ranked #1. If he misses this season (so far their best win is arguably Dayton) he's likely done. Expectations at UNC are much higher than 2 tourneys in four years.

[GoldenEagles03]

It's just crazy to think he started at UNC the same time Shaka started at MU and he's made a Final Four, 2 Sweet 16s, won the ACC, and is still on the verge of being canned.

[Hards Alumni]

It's just crazy to think he started at UNC the same time Shaka started at MU and he's made a Final Four, 2 Sweet 16s, won the ACC, and is still on the verge of being canned.

Not his players now, and the landscape has changed quickly.

[The Sultan]

I also don't think he is "on the verge of being canned." That's overstating it a bit.

[MU82]

KJ missed a few games with wrist injury and they dropped a couple they shouldn't have.  Their 7'1" center has been out the last 3 with mono. If and when they get healthy they're a scary team.

KJ is healthy now. He is an impressive athlete and player, but he also makes the kind of mistakes a college freshman tends to make.

Their center is OK. Losing him hurts their depth and interior defense, so it's a legit loss, but he's not Shaq or Jokic.

[CountryRoads]

KJ is healthy now. He is an impressive athlete and player, but he also makes the kind of mistakes a college freshman tends to make.

Their center is OK. Losing him hurts their depth and inferior defense, so it's a legit loss, but he's not Shaq or Jokic.

There's a curious sentiment surrounding Illinois this year. Despite numerous missteps, people seem eager to rationalize and dismiss them. In my view, Illinois is a solid upper-half Big Ten team, comfortably heading for the NCAA tournament. However, I don't see the Final Four hype, at least not more than with about 25 other teams.

[JustinLewisFanClubPres]

There's a curious sentiment surrounding Illinois this year. Despite numerous missteps, people seem eager to rationalize and dismiss them. In my view, Illinois is a solid upper-half Big Ten team, comfortably heading for the NCAA tournament. However, I don't see the Final Four hype, at least not more than with about 25 other teams.

They are a weird team. When the offense is humming, they can look like a top-5 team. If you caught one of those games and that was all you saw, I can see thinking they are a sleeper for a deep run. They don't seem to bring the commitment to D. There were back to back baseline in bounds plays by Nebraska last night where Nebraska ran the same play for 2 uncontested dunks.

I have a hard time seeing this Illini team winning 4 consecutive tournament games to get to a Final Four. The fact that they lose to a lot of mediocre teams suggests they will not. 

[The Thing]

On UNC, I was reading some posts saying they should make a run at Shaka after this season. Said he would take the job in a heartbeat. LOL.

[tower912]

How can he coach at UNC and UVA at the same time?