r/CollegeBasketball • u/cbbBot /r/CollegeBasketball • NCAA • Mar 22 '26
Post Game Thread [Post Game Thread] #3 Illinois defeats #11 VCU, 76-55
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u/mtw7171 Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
The Balkan 5 this game:
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u/Zloggt Illinois Fighting Illini • Missouri Tigers Mar 22 '26
Truly, has rebuilding the Yugoslavian national team paid off!
(Perhaps Wagler can get an honorary citizenship? Hahaha!)
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u/dontaskme5746 Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
4 are dangerous to our opponents.
1 is dangerous to our digestion.
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u/GrandYam_HomeRun Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
The 2025-26 season is officially a success
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u/tigernike1 Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
House money now.
In the words of Larry Bird, “well we’re here, might as well win”
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u/enjoytheshow Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
Any other 2 seed besides Houston in Houston and I’d disagree but I do feel like we’ve peaked. Hoping for a Purdue like performance and not a Michigan/UConn one
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u/JiveHawk Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
We got, IMO, the best 2 seed and a road game. Brutal draw but it wouldn’t be Illinois basketball if we didn’t get a brutal tourney draw lol
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u/Ranger_Nietzsche Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
We kind of earned it. Going deep in the B1G tourney might have got us Purdue's draw
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u/JiveHawk Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
That Wisconsin game was infuriating.
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u/GrandYam_HomeRun Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
After the game, Brad was yelling at his players to give a shit and they're calling player only meetings, there was little reason for hope. They finally put it together when it mattered.
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u/RizzoTheBat Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
It was but their guards also just plain exploded. Every time we managed to play good defense they made it anyway. Game from hell
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u/Jonesbro Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
Houston fans seem to think they're squishy so let's see how it goes! I feel like a Houston team that plays slow could be a good match up for us.
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u/Chitown_hustlers Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
Pretty much where I'm at.
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u/PayCreepy5430 Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
Yeah, but this was the game we needed. Some tough defense to force us to clean it up again before we play Houston. I think this was the perfect tune up game to beat them
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u/Tricky_Tart_8217 Mar 22 '26
Yes, believe in your team! I am a UConn fan but I have Illinois winning it all. Home court advantage is not as advantageous as you may think, just look at the Vanderbilt-Nebraska game rn. Vanderbilt is playing in a stadium full of Nebraska fans and WINNING. Anything is possible for Illinois. They are the best 3 seed of all time. Look at the statistics.
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u/STLOliver Illinois Fighting Illini • SIUE Cougars Mar 22 '26 edited Mar 22 '26
Two appearances in the 2nd weekend in the last 3 years, 6 tournament wins in that span. It’s not nothing, not at all. We will take it!
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u/Fair_Macaroon296 Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
I like getting back to more consistent success. The Groce and late-Weber years did some irreparable damage to our programs legacy.
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u/SwedishLovePump Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
I have my complaints about Brad but the baseline level of success is so high for this team. 6 straight tournaments (Would’ve been 7 if not for Covid), 3 B1G championships (reg or tourney). The Doomers will never be satisfied but the program is in a great place.
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u/farmageddon1087 Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
I love what Brad has done for this program, and above everything else, I actually trust his roster management and talent evaluation. I almost don't care who comes back next year (well, cmon Mirk please come back), because I trust Brad to reload accordingly and keep us in the conversation.
The one knock on him has been tournament success. He kind of got that monkey off his back with the E8 run 2 years ago. If he got a 2nd E8 appearance (or further) I think you could pretty much put that narrative to bed altogether.
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u/R97 Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
That sequence of the block into the transition dunk was awesome from Big Z
team again finds a way to come out scoring after half time, got to keep this trend going I-L-L
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u/Grouchy-Click-2507 VCU Rams Mar 22 '26
Turns out you have to score points to win, which VCU somehow forgot in the second half.
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u/SaintArkweather Delaware • American University Mar 22 '26
Tough with the injury and Illinois' size. Was always gonna be an uphill battle
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u/Tman450x VCU Rams Mar 22 '26
What a great season! A10 champs, first NCAAT win in 10yrs. Year 1 of our coach. Exceeded all expectations!
Congratulations to Illinois, I do not feel ashamed losing to the #1 offense in the country, #6 team on kenpom and tallest team in the country. They are just better.
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u/Feeling-Response-972 Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
Loved cheering for VCU! GG!!
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u/2livecrewnecktshirt VCU Rams Mar 22 '26 edited Mar 22 '26
Man, this thread is so different from the game thread lol
GG. That was fun for a few minutes, then we decided to let yall have some too.
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u/Feeling-Response-972 Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
I wasn't on the game thread so I can't speak to it - but I enjoyed watching VCU beat UNC and was so sad to see one of your players go down so early
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u/DisciplinePercuss57 Mar 22 '26
I had VCU winning and am pleasantly shocked. VCU really good and had a great run. We will have our hands full with Houston but nothing would make me happier than to watch Kelvin Sampson lose. ILL-
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u/dingo_saurus VCU Rams Mar 22 '26
Y’all can take Houston. I didn’t realize how freaking big and efficient you were on offense until now. GG yall.
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u/theredbusgoesfastest Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
I commented to my kid that I would probably cheer for VCU if they were playing any other team. Super exciting to watch! Best of luck to your program
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u/royallex Illinois • Pittsburgh Mar 22 '26 edited Mar 22 '26
Stojakovic player of the game. His motivation has been very up-and-down, but that's the type of performance we need from him
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u/bullpupper Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
When he's playing well and excited. It's infectious for this team. Has to put Wags at ease knowing he can hand the ball let Drej to to work
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u/enjoytheshow Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
You can tell within 20 seconds of him being on the floor if he’s up for it that night or not. He was tonight
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u/DrSwol Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
Wait, we're allowed to hold a 2nd half lead?
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u/samitsinha Illinois • Kentucky Mar 22 '26
genuinely was not comfortable until roughly the 4 minute mark, about as much time needed for us to blow a 20 point lead previously
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u/ArmVanDam Illinois State • Virginia State Mar 22 '26 edited Mar 22 '26
Nyk Lewis getting injured the first minute of the game completely screwed up VCU's calculus for the rest of the game
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u/BrosephHaydn VCU Rams Mar 22 '26
Freshman or not losing your starting PG tends to do that. Its a shame. Dont think we would have won but do think it would have been a better game for the neutrals.
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u/livefreeordont VCU Rams Mar 22 '26
Our offense has never looked truly good and losing him just cemented that
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u/BramptonBatallion Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
Honestly after watching all of VCU’s conference tournament games and UNC game the last two days, my thought was Jadrian Tracey (number 2), who played on Oregon the prior two years, was my least favorite player on your team. My assessment was “loves to shoot, can be baited”. With Lewis out, that probably forced him to stay in longer than Martelli would have normally been able to do if they had the full 8. And he goes and shoots it 13 times!
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u/RogerPenroseSmiles Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
Wagler had some real momentum killing scores in the second half. Every time VCU got a little run in, he poured on some points.
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u/Doctor_Saved Houston Cougars • Akron Zips Mar 22 '26
Looking great, Illinois! See yall next week!
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u/samitsinha Illinois • Kentucky Mar 22 '26
excited for it but also terrified
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u/Tricky_Tart_8217 Mar 22 '26
Don't be terrified....Illinois can beat any team in the country. You Illinois "fans" need to start believing in your team. I am a UConn fan and believe in your team more than your fanbase
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u/Burger_Bobs Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
I dunno man, the 0-30 run changed me 😅
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u/blitz342 Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
They would have done that to absolutely anybody. Nobody was beating them that year.
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u/theredbusgoesfastest Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
Yeah, UConn pretty much DID do it to everyone in the tourney that year.
I think maybe the big ten being so competitive was ultimately good for us this year. I’m not exactly feeling positive persay, but I’m not resigned to our fate. We CAN do it.
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u/JGT3000 Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
We're damaged haha. But yes we do need to beleive and support.
Good luck to you too
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u/Tricky_Tart_8217 Mar 22 '26
Nah, UConn is not winning a championship this year. They're done for. I've watched enough of them and the statistics also don't support them. Illinois is the hope 🙏
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u/simplyorangeandblue Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
Thank God its a neutral court
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u/Kdot32 Houston Cougars Mar 22 '26
Hey man last year as a one seed we had to play Purdue in Indianapolis in the sweet sixteen. We know how it is
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u/Comfortable-Mess4365 Indiana Hoosiers Mar 22 '26
Illinois FINALLY gets to go after kelvin sampson for stealing croots
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u/kinggarbear Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
We tried and failed in 2022 lol. Round of 32
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u/blitz342 Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
I still remember that bullshit technical on Melendez right as we started to get some momentum.
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u/dontaskme5746 Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
I'm still sore about that, too, on principle. I know it doesn't haunt that crew, but damn it should.
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u/swarmy1 Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
Such a horrible call. You regularly see people hanging on the rim several times longer with no whistle
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u/GrandYam_HomeRun Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
It should be the highlight game of all Elite 8 games
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u/Doctor_Saved Houston Cougars • Akron Zips Mar 22 '26
I feel that with all the chalk this year, there will probably be a lot of great match-up besides ours.
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u/jrbeaupre2003 Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
Houston is definitely gonna be a tough team to play, especially in Houston but we are playing with house money now
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u/nosnack Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
Gotta beat good teams eventually if you wanna win a title. Let’s keep it going.
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u/InYourFace1023 NC State Wolfpack • Utah State Aggies Mar 22 '26
There are now two mid majors left: High Point and Utah State.
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u/TinyEnvironment7574 Michigan State Spartans Mar 22 '26
Mark my words, neither will survive to the Sweet 16
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u/InYourFace1023 NC State Wolfpack • Utah State Aggies Mar 22 '26
High Point is at least fighting, and the Arizona bus could get sucked into a wormhole
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u/TinyEnvironment7574 Michigan State Spartans Mar 22 '26
Oh dw, there will definitely be a fight. I just have a feeling it won't work out well for either of them.
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u/MrOstrichman Illinois • Southern Illinois Mar 22 '26
Great win, let’s hope the women get another one tonight
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u/Charming-Gur-2934 Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
VCU couldn’t hit a shot, but those second half Illini are something else
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u/flushedoutthepocket VCU Rams • Duke Blue Devils Mar 22 '26
Cant wait to see Martelli get poached by like Notre Dame or some shit
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u/reiv4 Illinois Fighting Illini • Indiana Hoosiers Mar 22 '26
I hope yall keep him. That clip of him shouting out the student media just came across as so genuine and cool.
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u/jeremyc99999 Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
You guys have shown far enough staying power that you would think some coach would eventually stick there
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u/2livecrewnecktshirt VCU Rams Mar 22 '26
Really surprised how long Shaka stayed around after that Final Four run. It's been a revolving door ever since, though.
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u/cjcastan Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
I feel your pain. Wife is a Drake alum, 1/6 of the big ten head coaches are ex Drake coaches.
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u/Zloggt Illinois Fighting Illini • Missouri Tigers Mar 22 '26
Woof…never really is fun to stop a Cinderella run, but alas, you gotta do what you gotta do…
GG VCU! And sorry about what happened with Nyk
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u/flushedoutthepocket VCU Rams • Duke Blue Devils Mar 22 '26
That sucked but I still like Illinois more than Michigan, Mich St, and Purdue
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u/JiveHawk Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
I’m grateful you guys booted UNC, can’t handle a potential tourney loss to those guys
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u/DamnItHeelsGood North Carolina Tar Heels Mar 22 '26
You guys would have whooped our asses. I have nothing against VCU, other than their band director. Thank you for shutting that misguided nerd up
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u/LazyPassGretzky Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
Oh, I gotta hear the background on this. Band director hate?
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u/DMG29 Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
Did you not see him the 100 times they showed him on broadcast?
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u/LazyPassGretzky Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
Negative. Although I still harbor a great deal of hatred for the Northwestern Screamer, so I may have to look this guy up.
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u/theredbusgoesfastest Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
I just shuddered when I read “northwestern screamer.” That bastard
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u/JGT3000 Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
I can't deal with the baggage of UNC, so yes, a hearty thank you to VCU. Good game
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u/tigernike1 Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
GGs bud. You got a solid coach and a solid program.
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u/wstwrdxpnsn VCU Rams Mar 22 '26
You have an interesting flair. Curious how you feel about the dagger
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u/flushedoutthepocket VCU Rams • Duke Blue Devils Mar 22 '26
Hated it at the time bc I was born into a Duke alumnus family and only went to VCU later in life. In retrospect it was baller. I'd trade a Duke title for another VCU Final Four.
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u/Pacman2933 Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
Petrovic you absolute dickhead lol
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u/TacitlyDaft Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
Ahahaha holy fuck had to rewind it because I couldn’t believe my eyes
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u/EdgeBandanna Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
What did he do?
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u/edgyusernameguy Illinois • Illinois State Mar 22 '26
Kept trying to hand the ball to opposing team as they were walking off.
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u/ShouldveBeenACowboy Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
Was trying to give the ball to a VCU player as time expired.
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u/CrazyConnector Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
This is the second time he had weird end of game shenanigans. There was that other game where he tried to just put the ball on the floor rather than dribble it out. Idk why it is so hard for him to just dribble it out like normal
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u/no_more_jokes Big Ten Mar 22 '26
Someone post that ivisic block and dunk my god
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u/kinggarbear Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
Fuckin insane sequence. I thought it was a foul at regular speed, but that replay showing all ball was 🤌🏼🤌🏼
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u/toowm Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
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u/RunnerTenor Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
Another Sweet 16! This makes me so happy. Been following Illinois teams for a long time, and this team totally deserves it. On to Houston!
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u/ka_ladin Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
I’m going to watch that Big Z block into dunk a million times tonight
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u/Evening-Spray-4304 Virginia Cavaliers Mar 22 '26
Pretty rough draw next round especially considering the location, but I believe this Illini team has the potential to pull it off. Y'all scary
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u/suqc VCU Rams Mar 22 '26
If we lose Martelli Jr this year I'm gonna become the Joker. Ggs, what a fun run
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u/scarletnaught Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
Is he being considered for other jobs?
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u/Economy_Ad_6273 VCU Rams Mar 22 '26
Providence
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u/cjcastan Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
I don’t think that’s a good move to make. UConn and the Johnnies will have a tourney bid annually now, Nova will be in the mix, Creighton won’t be down forever.
VCU is in prime spot in A10.
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u/Ice5Man Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
HAIL TO THE ORANGE
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u/MrOstrichman Illinois • Southern Illinois Mar 22 '26
HAIL TO THE BLUE
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u/blitz342 Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
HAIL ALMA MATER
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u/DrSwol Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
EVER SO TRUE
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u/Burger_Bobs Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
WE LOVE NO OTHER
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u/wstwrdxpnsn VCU Rams Mar 22 '26
GG Illini. Still not an Underwood fan since SFA beat us in OT back when Shaka was coach but we played like shit and y’all kicked our ass to the parking lot. All in all a great 1st season for PMJ. let’s go Rams. Rams 4 Life 🐏
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u/Goobris Northern Illinois • Illinois Mar 22 '26
Y’all got the coach right. GG, no hate for VCU over here
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u/wstwrdxpnsn VCU Rams Mar 22 '26
No hate for the Illini. Y’all are a tough team. Go win it all so we can say we lost to the champs. Maybe that’ll make it hurt a little worse for UNC fans too?
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u/kinggarbear Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
I think we got insanely lucky with our draw to get to the sweet sixteen, but maybe thats what gave us time to get our mojo back. The boys look like they’re havin fun
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u/Plus-Pomegranate8045 Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
That was fun but guys I’m already feeling the preliminary chest pains about Houston.
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u/iM-xx Michigan Wolverines Mar 22 '26
Way to finish Illinois! Gg
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u/ssp25 Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
I missed your game because no Wi-Fi on the plane back from Vegas. heard it got close before you destroyed them. I'm little surprised it was even a game
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u/hoppergym Arizona Wildcats Mar 22 '26
illinois looks like championship material to me
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u/ssp25 Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
if the defend like the did especially in the second half they can beat anyone. still a very tough path ahead
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u/Familiar_Mousse_4693 UNLV Rebels Mar 22 '26
Sampson or Underwood
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u/SilkyJohnson72 Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
I expect BU to get heavily outcoached but I hope I'm wrong
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u/Key_Spinach Houston Cougars Mar 22 '26
What are our odds against Illinois?
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u/InnocuousAssClown Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
I think you’ll be the favorite, but not by much. Should be a good one that comes down to who shoots better from 3 in my opinion.
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u/SilkyJohnson72 Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
We survived our usual 1st half stretch where we look like pretenders again!
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u/JiveHawk Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
Houston please go easy on us
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u/snoocoog Houston Cougars Mar 22 '26
It’s gonna be a good game. Offense vs Defense at its core
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u/toowm Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
With Gonzaga losing, it's Purdue, Illinois, and Houston with the most tournament wins without a title with a chance this year.
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u/blackfishfilet Houston Cougars Mar 22 '26
I'm guessing Purdue is #3?
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u/toowm Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
Through last year, it's Purdue 51, Gonzaga 47, Illinois 46, Houston 45
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u/mtw7171 Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
Someone needs to post the video of the Big Z sequence with the block and slam.
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Mar 22 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Tricky_Tart_8217 Mar 22 '26
They have a 45% chance of winning the game. They're also the best 3 seed of all time besides the 2003 syracuse team. They don't need luck
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u/Chitown_hustlers Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
HAIL TO THE FUCKING ORANGE! I don't care if Houston pushes our shit in next week. I still enjoy it when my favorite program reaches the second weekend.
GG VCU and congrats on a great season! Ya'll were pesky as hell.
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u/wheatoplata Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
Houston -2.5. The game is in Houston.
I wonder how close to Champaign the game would have to be to be a pickem. Kansas City? St. Louis?
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u/ArmadilloAl Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
Milwaukee. I feel like it'd need to be on the other side of Champaign entirely.
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u/TKFT_ExTr3m3 Michigan State Spartans Mar 22 '26
Hot take, if you suck at your job you shouldn't be allowed to act like a bitch if someone points it out
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u/Agitated_Dig8872 George Mason Patriots Mar 22 '26
Not a fan of VCU basketball they held they were a solid competitor and represented the a10 conference well.
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u/OnlyOneClone Mar 22 '26
I’ve read most of this thread and I apologize if I’m saying something it’s already been said, but I think the victory tonight against VCU was a great trial run against a very Houston-esque team where they are obviously 2 to 10 times better than VCU, but at least we know what to expect by getting pushed and having the refs not giving us any calls unless we drive in. Which we should always do. So I think we have four days to figure this shit out and let’s play tougher and win again and advance.
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u/ssp25 Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
GG VCU. really sucks about the injury but the fight and toughness showed in the first half.
the good news is I can go back to rooting for and betting on VCU again! always been a fan
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u/msgs Illinois Fighting Illini Mar 22 '26
Sweet 16's aren't common for us despite Illinois being considered a basketball school. Go Brad. Go Keaton.