* Quincy coach Steve Hawkins was the head coach at Western Michigan for a long time. This is his second stint at QU. He and Brad Underwood have known each other for years, so that's how this game materialized. Quincy is DII and are kind of starting over with Hawkins coming back, but they will guard both in the half court and in transition.

* I don't like the plan to play a lot of 5 out if that means Terrence Shannon Jr. becomes the primary ball-handler. He's the Illini's best scorer. He can bring the ball up on occasion. That's fine. But they need a primary ball handler in the lineup.

* It's generally believed that if they play a point guard it will be Skyy Clark or Jayden Epps, but I would add Ty Rodgers to that discussion. He's probably the best passer on the team. I'd worry a little about him turning it over, though. He mostly goes to his right, and he's a bit high when handling the ball. Clark is the best scorer of the 3. Epps is strongest with the ball.

* 3-point shooting is a big key for Coleman Hawkins. I like him in attack mode and crashing the glass like in the second-half of last season, and that would be fine this year. But if he is to take a leap forward like some are projecting, his perimeter shooting needs to be better. He rushed things and the shot was flat last year. I'd like to see him improve like Jacob Grandison did.

* Matthew Mayer is going to be a problem for Quincy. 6-foot-10, excellent motor, and he should get a bunch of rebounds. Bad matchup for the Hawks.

* Expect to see some sloppy play. Illinois has the skill sets to attack off the bounce, but they haven't done it all that much. The narrative after this game will be 1. we aren't ready for the season yet, and 2. we need to recalibrate the rotation.

* On most nights, the small-ball lineup will be fine. It will have issues with bigger teams in the Big Ten like Purdue and Michigan.

* The first part of the season people will be talking about 1. subpar 3-point shooting, 2. the need for a veteran PG that wasn't achieved through the Portal, 3. Turnovers. 4. Excessive fouling.

Remember, Underwood teams tend to start slow and that' s amplified when it's a rebuilt roster and new style of play. They will be better in February as usual. This team has a chance to be good, but there will be hiccups early.

* I'm looking forward to seeing Dain Dainja. Finally. He's the mystery man. I've seen every player play live except Dainja and Sencire Harris.

Questions?

https://www.mlive.com/sports/2022/10/michigan-michigan-state-players-fight-in-postgame-tunnel.html
Will any of the MSU players face suspensions from the post game altercation?

They have only given up 71 points all year!!!!!

Christian McCaffery????

I'm one of the few reporters who actually thinks PFF does a decent job.

This week is jacked up. I can't really put together a worthy story with these numbers.

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Expecting Illinois in the 12-14 range.

Illinois reminds of the Steelers under Bret Bielema. Thoughts?

I like this kid. Strong, athletic, excellent scorer off the bounce.

He doesn't have a committable offer from Illinois yet, but he's one to watch this season.

Riddle is a cautionary tale for kids looking to transfer to top prep schools. He didn't get to play much at AZ Compass, and his recruitment stalled.

About an hour to kickoff

Ohio State 16 Penn State 14. End of 3Q

Michigan State @ Michigan 6:30

Northwestern @ Iowa 2:30

Rutgers @ Minnesota just underway

Notre Dame 24 Syracuse 17 end of 3Q

Oklahoma St @ Kansas State 2:30

Florida @ #1 Georgia 2:30

Kentucky @ Tennessee 6:00

About an hour to tipoff

Since the only TV is B1G+, I’ll post regular updates.

I think it's balanced:

First off, I think the Illini lose to MIchigan and one other game for a 9-3 record. Being a long time Illini fan, I can't help but feel a stumble along the way. Is 6-3 good enough for West Division Champs, I don't know.
So I don't think this will relevant, just fun to think about.
But what if...
The Illini win out and beat OSU in the Conference Champion game. Would 12-1 and Big 10 Champs be invited to the Playoffs? I think Chase Brown Syndrome of name recognition would keep them out, with 2-SEC, and one each PAC 12 and ACC teams getting in.

A 13-0 Illini team would have to get in. Does this mean the TD catch called incomplete at IU would be the difference? I would think so.

Who else is ready to put a whoppin on those CornHuskers ? I-L-L 36-21 is my guess.

Did i hear BB mention that he is doing well?? Reason i ask is the prior to getting on the field last year, BB mentioned how well McCray was playing in practice.

Anyone know if AL travelled to corn country??

Nothing new to see two bands, in this case Iowa and tOSU, put together a joint halftime show but I've never seen two bands collaborate to pull off something sophisticated like this. Last weekend's tribute to Elton John.
Best viewed in full screen mode.

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ILLINOIS COMMITS IN THE IHSA PLAYOFFS​

The pairings for the IHSA football playoffs were released on Saturday and several Illinois commits will be in action.

Duclan Duley, punter, El Paso-Gridley.Class 2A. #9 El Paso (Gridley) (7-2) at #8 Farmington (7-2), Saturday (10/29) at 3:00 p.m.

Kaden Feagin, athlete. Arthur- Lovington-Atwood-Hammond. Class 2A. #10 Arthur (Lovington-Atwood-Hammond) (7-2) at #7 Vandalia (7-2),. Saturday (10/29) at 2:00 p.m.

TJ McMillen, offensive lineman, Wheaton St. Francis. Class 4A. #14 Marengo (5-4) at #3 Wheaton (St. Francis) (8-1). Saturday (10/29) at 1:00 pm.

Antwon Hayden, linebacker, East. St. Louis.
Class 6A #11 Oak Lawn (Richards) (6-3) at #6 East St. Louis (Sr.) (7-2). Friday (10/28) at 7:00 p.m.

Patrick Farrell, defensive end, St. Rita. Class 7A #21 Geneva (6-3) at #12 Chicago (St. Rita), Friday (10/28) at 7:00 p.m.

David Olano, PK, Naperville North. Class 8A. #18 Chicago (Marist) (6-3) at #15 Naperville (North) (7-2). Friday, (10/28) at 7:00 p.m.

I was just reading he has 1409 yards rushing this season. He is also listed as a quarterback and defensive back. His team plays Vandalia in the first round of playoffs. It is going to be interesting to see what he does in college. I like the idea of bigger backs to pound the football.

Our former hoops writer Jeff Karzen has a book coming out on Peoria high school basketball.

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Before Goode got hurt it was going to be Goode, Melendez, Shannon, Mayer, and Hawkins.

Either Clark or Rodgers will probably start now. I’ll ask Underwood about it this morning. Media availability in a few minutes.

Illini commit Zach Perrin is in for his official visit.


2024 wing Chris Riddle on campus for an unofficial. That's an interesting visit. There hasn't been a ton of Illinois buzz IRT Riddle. Good player, power wing who can shoot it.