I think their biggest weakness is rape

It's very true. If they go up against a team that can play full or 3/4 court pressure they are going to be in some trouble.

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Flew too close to the sun on wings of pastrami

I took $175 off a certain poster--oh, his name might even be Drunk Squirrel--in the Illini-NU game a month ago, and said poster just re-upped, double or nothing.

Keep this up, lil' fella, and with them there outstanding recruiting classes headed to Champaign, Ol' Tommy might be owning a farm soon.

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Just stop Boo Buie from turning into MJ for a night and Illini will roll.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

I know a lot can change between now and when he steps on campus but this is encouraging news.....


Five-star junior Jeremiah Fears announced his commitment to Illinois on Monday, giving Brad Underwood the highest-ranked commitment in the 2025 class.

It's also Illinois' first five-star commitment since the ESPN recruiting database began in 2007.

Fears, the younger brother of Michigan State freshman guard Jeremy Fears Jr., chose the Fighting Illini over Providence, although Michigan, Kansas and Ole Miss were also on his final list.

"It's my hometown school. I want to win and be a hometown hero," Fears told ESPN. "They've been recruiting me the longest and the hardest, since the eighth grade. I have a great relationship with Brad Underwood and staff."

A 6-foot-2 guard from Joliet, Illinois, who attends AZ Compass Prep (Arizona), Fears is ranked No. 16 in the ESPN 60 for the 2025 class.

Fears played for the Bradley Beal Elite grassroots program on the Nike EYBL circuit last spring and summer, averaging 9.9 points and 3.1 assists. He has had a productive high school season as well, averaging 12.3 points and 4.0 rebounds in EYBL Scholastic games.

Fears is a confident scorer who is transitioning to the point guard position. He scores the ball with natural instincts, a burst of speed and an ability to get to the free throw line. He has a chance to be an excellent on-ball defender, too.

He is the only commitment for Illinois in the 2025 class, but he's also only the second five-star junior committed at this point in the cycle. Before Fears' pledge, No. 18 Aaron Rowe (Missouri) was the lone five-star commitment.

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Flew too close to the sun on wings of pastrami

Aren't there rumblings he may reclassify and be in Champaign next year?

Also, let's hope he does not get shot in the leg like his brother....

Looking forward to tonight’s game. Shannon is sure to get a VERY warm welcome

Boo Buie is not messing around in OT.

Terrible end of regulation game possession with a chance to win right then.

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Yeah, Hummel wanted them to put Domask in the post for that possession.

he is a bad man

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

Was lucky to catch this instant classic tonight. Go Purple!

Wasn't able to watch but reviewed the box score. Illini usually a stout defensive team, was it a case of NW just in a zone and making everything or were there a number of defensive lapses?

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Flew too close to the sun on wings of pastrami

couldn't agree more. They were more worried about killing off all the clock than getting a decent shot. That was brutal and I feared they would regret that.

Illinois destroyed them on the boards for most of the game but down the stretch Illinois was giving up so many easy baskets and just couldn't finish, even when they drove to the rim. I know I have said this previously in this thread but I'd really like to see Dainja in there more, I think he is great at cleaning up around the basket, has good hands and is a good finisher. Goode is a good shooter and hits some big three's but id like to see the big man in there along with Hawkins. He must really be in the doghouse for something, its like all of his playing time turned off all of a sudden.

Speaking of Hummel, he sounds so much like Jay Bilas I often think Bilas is calling the game.

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But they have a good labia handler.

Pathetic first ten minutes by the Illini. Ugly

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Flew too close to the sun on wings of pastrami

Seeing Goode on the floor all the time is making me irrationally angry

If they put the guy in then at least run a play for him so he can have an open 3. He’s probably one of the better guys to take that shot.

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Flew too close to the sun on wings of pastrami

Game still too close for my liking but I hope they can push this to ten early in this half.

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Flew too close to the sun on wings of pastrami

Goode is a turnstile. Sure I love the 3’s and as soon as I posted that he hit two in a row

I love the NUGGETS chant on the free throw line

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Flew too close to the sun on wings of pastrami

A win is a win!

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I don’t know shit about Ohio State but they have a decent record. Most games on the road are tough in the Big Ten. They have Nebraska next which has proven it can beat people. You don’t want to lose this one. Hope to see some more competent offense and maybe Shannon can get it going

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Flew too close to the sun on wings of pastrami

Good to see some young guys get some play.

One thing the Illini have is depth. They seem to have a pretty deep bench filled with guys who can contribute valuable minutes. Good convincing win tonight against a team they SHOULD win convincingly against. This team needs some low-stress victories.

Potential trap game tonight against Nebraska who has beaten Purdue and Wisconsin this season but also have lost to some much weaker competition. Liking the fact the game is in Champaign and the depth the Illini have shown of late. Would like to see a solid double digit win.

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Flew too close to the sun on wings of pastrami

Why doesn't Dainja play more?

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Don't take it personally.

Illinois self destructing down the stretch.

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