Illinois Fighting Illini Basketball Fanatics

The Fighting Illini lost both matchup at the Las Vegas Invitational.  Friday night, the Illini lost on a last second shot to Utah 70-68.  Tonight, the Illini lost to in-state rival Bradley 72-68.  The Illini finished 2-2 in the Las Vegas Invitational. A very disappointing last couple of game for the young Illini.  The Illini fall to a record of 4-2 and will most likely drop out of the Top 25 polls. The Illini will need to bounce back from these two losses quickly because they have a very good Clemson team on the road in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge on Wednesday night. 

Today is a game day for the Fighting Illini as they take on Presbyterian in the first of four games for the Las Vegas Invitational.  Tonight's game and Tuesday nights game versus Wofford will be played at Assembly Hall.  Friday and Saturday, the Illini will be in Las Vegas for the final two games of the Invitational.  The Illini will play Utah on Friday, Nov. 27th and the winner of the Oklahoma State/Bradley game.  The Illini have had some impressive games to start the season 2-0.  The play of Freshman Brandon Paul has been very impressive.  Players like Demetri McCamey, Mike Davis and Mike Tisdale, will need to step up their play.  Tonight's game will see the season debut of Jeff Jordan.  Jordan returned to the team after suggesting in the off season he would not play basketball for the Illini.  Jordan was a key contributor for the Illini the last couple of seasons.  The big test for the Illini will be the December 2nd match up against Clemson on the road for the Big Ten/ACC Challenge.  Other non-conference matchups include Boise State, Vanderbilt, Georgia, Missouri, Western Michigan, and Gonzaga at United Center.  Big Ten play starts on December 30th as the Illini battle in-state rival Northwestern. 

As the time nears for the Illin Basketball season to start, anticipation is building for a really good year.  Since the f-ball team has shown that it cannot prove that they can compete, longing eyes turn towards the program that has been so successfull these past years.  BW has proved that he can coach and can compete at any level.  With another years worth of experience under their belts, the heralded sophs along with the incoming frosh can and will make other teams sit up and take notice.  It is true that some other teams are stacked with highly ranked players, but BW always has players that contribute to defense and to the team.  This combination will finally begin to show how not having one marquee player, but many really good players, will lead the Illini to great success. 
ILL - INI  !!!!

The Illini should be looking good next season with McCamey, Davis, and Tisdale returning, and the addition of 4 new talented freshman. They could be as good if not better than last year's team. Let me know anyone else's thoughts on how u think they'll fair next season?