College Basketball 2025-2026

[mul21]

14 hours ago, champaignchris said:

Wagler is an 18 year old (actually turned 19 today) 6’6” point guard who can shoot.
 

Just last year, Illinois had an 18 year old 6’5” point guard who ended up the 20th pick in the NBA Draft in Jakucionis. Even taking into account that Jakucionis was limited by an injured hand during the second half of the year, I think Wagler is a better player in almost every respect. 

Wagler doesn't turn the ball over nearly as much, is a better shooter, and a more willing defender.  He's an easy top 10 pick at this point barring something weird happening the rest of the year.

[Tryptamine]

#1) Good god Illinois beat the ever loving horsefeathers out of Northwestern 

#2) That is an absolutely awful loss by Michigan St.

[Tryptamine]

Also, Fears is a piece of horsefeathers, if the league doesn't suspend him he's going to severely hurt someone. 

[Tim]

1 hour ago, Tryptamine said:

#1) Good god Illinois beat the ever loving horsefeathers out of Northwestern 

 

What an incredible beatdown. It was a 40 point victory...but it wasn't really that close.

[gflore34]

8 hours ago, Tryptamine said:

Also, Fears is a piece of horsefeathers, if the league doesn't suspend him he's going to severely hurt someone. 

If Izzo really wanted to put a stop to this nonsense he'd suspend Fears himself.  It's my belief that coaches bare the responsibility for these shenanigans, they know their players, this isn't anything new from Fears.  Izzo not taking any action condones it, further encourages it, and we'll see it against the Illini on Saturday.  I strongly suspect they're going to go full Pistons' Bad Boy on the Illini specifically, Wagler.  Don't think it have much of an effect on the boys from the Balkans but, they're going to target Wagler.

[Rex Buckingham]

58 minutes ago, gflore34 said:

If Izzo really wanted to put a stop to this nonsense he'd suspend Fears himself.  It's my belief that coaches bare the responsibility for these shenanigans, they know their players, this isn't anything new from Fears.  Izzo not taking any action condones it, further encourages it, and we'll see it against the Illini on Saturday.  I strongly suspect they're going to go full Pistons' Bad Boy on the Illini specifically, Wagler.  Don't think it have much of an effect on the boys from the Balkans but, they're going to target Wagler.

My biggest worry is that Fears does something stupid and either Mirkovic or an Ivisic does something in response and gets tossed... but I think Underwood will have them prepared for his shenanigans

[bukie]

1 hour ago, gflore34 said:

If Izzo really wanted to put a stop to this nonsense he'd suspend Fears himself.  It's my belief that coaches bare the responsibility for these shenanigans, they know their players, this isn't anything new from Fears.  Izzo not taking any action condones it, further encourages it, and we'll see it against the Illini on Saturday.  I strongly suspect they're going to go full Pistons' Bad Boy on the Illini specifically, Wagler.  Don't think it have much of an effect on the boys from the Balkans but, they're going to target Wagler.

Based on Izzo's response after the game, he's more likely to re-sign Mady Sissoko and reinstate his eligibility for Saturday's game than suspend Fears.

In his post-game he was asked about Fears and responded that he only saw Fears get shoved on the play and if he wasn't targeted and baited, it would have amounted to nothing, and that it's somehow Michigan's fault that Fears has to be extra careful.

[mul21]

I only caught parts of the game and missed the Fears donkey kick.  Absolutely inexcusable.  Kinda glad they got their asses handed to them.

[Tryptamine]

1 hour ago, mul21 said:

I only caught parts of the game and missed the Fears donkey kick.  Absolutely inexcusable.  Kinda glad they got their asses handed to them.

In just the Minnesota game there was 3 attempted trips and a thrown elbow on top of the donkey kick if you didn't see those.

[mul21]

2 minutes ago, Tryptamine said:

In just the Minnesota game there was 3 attempted trips and a thrown elbow on top of the donkey kick if you didn't see those.

I have a feeling a real hard Mirkovic screen is probably coming his way very early this weekend.

[gflore34]

25 minutes ago, mul21 said:

I have a feeling a real hard Mirkovic screen is probably coming his way very early this weekend.

Underwood has work the officials, be on them pre-game, during the game, non-stop.

[Tryptamine]

Did Illinois break Purdue? They have not looked good since that game.

[scarey]

47 minutes ago, Tryptamine said:

Did Illinois break Purdue? They have not looked good since that game.

I already told you they did. Congratulations.

[gflore34]

What nonsense are we going to see tonight from Izzo and company?  Will they goon it up?  How many bogus foul calls will Izzo coax out of tonight's crew?  Just don't like the Illini' chances tonight, have a feeling it's going to be 8 on 5.

[gflore34]

On 2/5/2026 at 11:25 AM, Tryptamine said:

In just the Minnesota game there was 3 attempted trips and a thrown elbow on top of the donkey kick if you didn't see those.

I saw the elbow, glad it didn't connect. I think it more egregious than the donkey kick.  You could see the intent, he was trying to hurt the Minnesota player.  That alone should have got him a game suspension.

[gflore34]

Oh well, still not too worried about MSU, they'll lose next Friday in Madison.  Illini did not play well, missed a ton of open 3's and still had a chance.  I'd like to see the Illini get another crack at them in the tournament.

Edited February 8 by gflore34

[Irrelevant Dude]

Illinois is the better team and had plenty of chances.  They didn't make enough shots, gave up way to many offensive rebounds, and were still right there.  With that said, the phantom foul call on Fear was a huge turning point.  As expected, the refs definitely gave MSU some calls that they weren't giving Illinois on the other end.

[Tryptamine]

Fears once again being a cheap shotting little bitch. Three games in a row with this stuff and the NCAA will do nothing until someone gets significantly hurt and I hope they sue the hell out of the NCAA for failing to protect its players.

[gflore34]

13 hours ago, Irrelevant Dude said:

Illinois is the better team and had plenty of chances.  They didn't make enough shots, gave up way to many offensive rebounds, and were still right there.  With that said, the phantom foul call on Fear was a huge turning point.  As expected, the refs definitely gave MSU some calls that they weren't giving Illinois on the other end.

Same old horsefeathers from Izzo, don't mind the fouls calls on the Illini, most were legitimate calls.  Do mind the officials swallowing their whistles on the other end.  Fears tripping Mirkovic, later, grabbing him on a drive, Wagler repeatedly fouled on drives, MSU allowed to be more physical on rebounds, etc.  Izzo defending Fears in the post game, what an ass.

Edited February 8 by gflore34

[Tryptamine]

I've lost so much respect for Izzo  over the last 5+ years

[Derwood]

Fun fact: the Women's Basketball team at the school where I now teach is 0-23, and won just 3 games last year. Overall, this school is pretty dreadful at sports

[gflore34]

On 2/7/2026 at 3:15 PM, scarey said:

I already told you they did. Congratulations.

Still believe the Boliers are right there with the Illini, it's Michigan, Illinois/Purdue, small gap, Michigan State, Iowa/Nebraska, rest of the Big Ten.  Think Iowa is better than Nebraska, Stiritz is a pro-prospect, he's really good.  Glad he's one and done at Iowa. 

[gflore34]

Purdue-Nebraska tonight, I know many are saying something is off about the Boilers nevertheless, they'll have the best player on the floor in Braden Smith.  Which gives the Boilers a chance.  I like them tonight, Kaufman-Renn should have his way with an overrated Rink Mast, Smith will find him.  Also appears Loyer is out of his shooting slump, if not, I like what Omer Mayer brings to the floor - decent shooter, more athletic than Loyer.

And, of course, I'm worried about Wisconsin tonight in Champaign hopefully, we get a well played game from the Illini.

[Hot Sauce]

On 2/8/2026 at 3:25 PM, Derwood said:

Fun fact: the Women's Basketball team at the school where I now teach is 0-23, and won just 3 games last year. Overall, this school is pretty dreadful at sports

How were they before you arrived? There may be some correlation here. 

[Derwood]

4 minutes ago, Hot Sauce said:

How were they before you arrived? There may be some correlation here. 

3-25 last year. 21 wins the year before. It's like they got hit with recruiting violation penalties (but didn't)