College Basketball 2025-2026

[scarey]

1 hour ago, gflore34 said:

The only catch for Michigan is the 4/5 of starting lineup is probably one and done.  Of course, they'll probably go out and buy another talented team for 2027.

The NIL kicked in for the 21-22 season when Kansas won. They only had 1 rotation player that was a transfer, but I think we can agree that the transfer process was not in full swing for that season.  

Since then, the last three champions have had 3-4 transfers in their rotation including players that have carried their respective teams (Tristen Newton, Cam Spencer, Walter Clayton, Alijah Martin, and Will Richard).

It's hard to imagine a team winning a championship if they don't have significant dollars to spend in the transfer portal. I'm all for players getting paid, but pay-to-win is always a tough pill to swallow in sports.

[gflore34]

Not a bad night for the Illini smoke USC - 101 - 65, and, Caleb was in attendance.

[Old Style]

I know this is mostly Big Ten country but did anyone catch the Arkansas-Alabama game last night?

[mul21]

3 minutes ago, Old Style said:

I know this is mostly Big Ten country but did anyone catch the Arkansas-Alabama game last night?

Yeah, that was absolutely wild and the final sequence in double OT was an exclamation point on the whole thing.  A missed tip dunk as time expires that would have tied it again is just crazy.

[Old Style]

9 minutes ago, mul21 said:

Yeah, that was absolutely wild and the final sequence in double OT was an exclamation point on the whole thing.  A missed tip dunk as time expires that would have tied it again is just crazy.

Four players fouled out for Arkansas and their star freshman had 49 points. 

[gflore34]

40 minutes ago, mul21 said:

Yeah, that was absolutely wild and the final sequence in double OT was an exclamation point on the whole thing.  A missed tip dunk as time expires that would have tied it again is just crazy.

Same player missed a tip dunk that would have won in the first OT as well.

Edited February 19 by gflore34

[Tryptamine]

Darryn Peterson openly taking himself out of games at halftime to avoid injury and manage his workload is going to start a really bad trend. There's no way I'm using the 1st or 2nd overall pick on a guy like that.

[javy knows my name]

8 hours ago, Tryptamine said:

Darryn Peterson openly taking himself out of games at halftime to avoid injury and manage his workload is going to start a really bad trend. There's no way I'm using the 1st or 2nd overall pick on a guy like that.

Saw him nicknamed "DNP" lol

[gflore34]

What a ****** loss to UCLA, up by 23, crushing them and blow it.  Don't know why they let Dent get the ball, of course, the inconsistent officiating may have given them pause about being aggressive.

Edited February 22 by gflore34

[bukie]

Second time this year the opponent was basically allowed to beat the crap out of the Illinois starters on the road, and the officials felt the need to keep foul counts even.

[Irrelevant Dude]

6 minutes ago, bukie said:

Second time this year the opponent was basically allowed to beat the crap out of the Illinois starters on the road, and the officials felt the need to keep foul counts even.

I thought the game was called fairly well.  You just can't let a team go all the way down the court for a layup in 5 seconds. Inexcusable.

[gflore34]

On 2/21/2026 at 11:29 PM, Irrelevant Dude said:

I thought the game was called fairly well.  You just can't let a team go all the way down the court for a layup in 5 seconds. Inexcusable.

Did not make any attempt to get in his way, that's all they had to do.  But, I believe their aggressiveness was most definitely tempered by inconsistent officiating.  Given the number of phantom foul calls, not much doubt that, had they gotten close to Dent, a foul would have be called.

Of course, they could have tried to deny the ball to Dent maybe, double team him, everyone in the building knew it was going to Dent.  Except, apparently, Brad Underwood then again, I come back to the officiating - I really think Brad was spooked.  I don't blame him, I was too however, I would have said horsefeathers it, let's be aggressive anyway.

Edited February 23 by gflore34

[gflore34]

On 2/21/2026 at 11:21 PM, bukie said:

Second time this year the opponent was basically allowed to beat the crap out of the Illinois starters on the road, and the officials felt the need to keep foul counts even.

It's been that way since, what, the MSU game?  I knew the Big Ten was going to resort to being "physical" with Wagler, going as far as the officiating would let them.  Which, as it turns out, is quite far.  It's got be frustrating for Brad, hell, last game perfect example.  End of the first half, foul on Mirkovic for barely grazing Perry?  Fine.  What about the play which lead to that?  Dailey bumped and knocked Wagler off the ball, where's the call?

[scarey]

This Purdue team is so talented and SO FRUSTRATING! They were gifted with an unbelievably favorable schedule this year, and have failed EVERY major test they've faced at Mackey. 

Unless they win the Big Ten Tournament, I have ZERO faith for this team in the dance. I felt they needed to make a Final Four to have a successful season, and I don't see it happening.

[gflore34]

8 hours ago, scarey said:

This Purdue team is so talented and SO FRUSTRATING! They were gifted with an unbelievably favorable schedule this year, and have failed EVERY major test they've faced at Mackey. 

Unless they win the Big Ten Tournament, I have ZERO faith for this team in the dance. I felt they needed to make a Final Four to have a successful season, and I don't see it happening.

Honestly thought they'd beat MSU, Smith, for as good as is, he made a quite a few head scratching plays.  Several times going up with the ball and having no idea where to go next plus some other bizarre turnovers.

[gflore34]

Tough task for the Illini tonight, too much has to go right for them to come away with a win:

1. Supreme effort on defense

2. Rebound, rebound, rebound

3. Hit a good portion of the open 3's they generate - they missed 29 vs. UCLA, many of them, good looks

4. Officiating - at least even, if Michigan is going to be allowed to bump and grind Wagler then, the Illini should be likewise be allowed, if Michigan is allowed physicality on the boards then, the Illini should be allowed such  physicality

I could see 3 of 4 going right but, the officiating screwing them over.  Man, it sucks that the state of Big Ten basketball officiating is terrible enough to be included in the game plan.  Teams have to actively plan for inconsistent officiating which should never be the case.  On top of all the above Michigan is really good maybe, the best team May has, thus far, had in his coaching career.  I'm glad that 4/5 of their starting lineup is probably one and done.

[scarey]

Michigan is good, but not unbeatable. The second half of the Purdue game showed me that. It'll take a great game from the Illini, but I think they're capable of winning tonight.

[gflore34]

Well, Michigan is very good this year, only saving grace is this their only chance with this team.  I think the Illini will finish 15-5 and solidly a number two seed in the tournament.  Which really isn't too bad.

[sneakypower]

my hot take is there's no early departures for Michigan actually

i could certainly see Rez's stock soar with a big tourney, but draft boards haven't really given him or Mara much love yet

[gflore34]

10 hours ago, sneakypower said:

my hot take is there's no early departures for Michigan actually

i could certainly see Rez's stock soar with a big tourney, but draft boards haven't really given him or Mara much love yet

Lendeborg and Burnett are done, out of eligibility, and there's not another Lendeborg type out there for Michigan.  Without Lendeborg this team is just good, not generational.  I've seen several mocks with Mara going in the first round, some with Johnson going in the first, if not, within the top 50.  I think it's pretty safe to assume Mara is one and done. 

It's taken May two years to put together a once in a lifetime type team, Brad hasn't come close to doing such in nine years.  Guess there could be the possibility for Brad next season if can retain Wagler and others. 

[Irrelevant Dude]

4 hours ago, gflore34 said:

Guess there could be the possibility for Brad next season if can retain Wagler and others. 

That isn't happening.  We all know how this plays out.  The roster will be completely different again next season, with maybe 2 or 3 (non-Wagler) guys from the current team coming back.

[UMFan83]

On 2/27/2026 at 1:21 PM, scarey said:

Michigan is good, but not unbeatable. The second half of the Purdue game showed me that. It'll take a great game from the Illini, but I think they're capable of winning tonight.

The second half of the Purdue game made me more impressed with them. Purdue kept hitting big shots and making mini runs and Michigan kept answering to keep the game out of range.  In a hostile road environment they basically kept them at arms length despite Purdue playing really well. 

[UMFan83]

6 hours ago, gflore34 said:

Lendeborg and Burnett are done, out of eligibility, and there's not another Lendeborg type out there for Michigan.  Without Lendeborg this team is just good, not generational.  I've seen several mocks with Mara going in the first round, some with Johnson going in the first, if not, within the top 50.  I think it's pretty safe to assume Mara is one and done. 

It's taken May two years to put together a once in a lifetime type team, Brad hasn't come close to doing such in nine years.  Guess there could be the possibility for Brad next season if can retain Wagler and others. 

Definitely not another Yax out there most likely. It will be interesting to see who goes to the draft but Trey McKenney is a top 30 prospect who is playing very well as a true freshman in a backup role, Cason is another reserve that has stepped up in key moments. Gayle has been in a role that’s probably beneath his ability (though he has flaws). It would be hard to say they’ll be as good as this year but their depth will help them and in this new reality of college sports Yax leaves but that’s $3m in NIL they can use in the portal. 

Edited February 28 by UMFan83

[gflore34]

1 hour ago, UMFan83 said:

Definitely not another Yax out there most likely. It will be interesting to see who goes to the draft but Trey McKenney is a top 30 prospect who is playing very well as a true freshman in a backup role, Cason is another reserve that has stepped up in key moments. Gayle has been in a role that’s probably beneath his ability (though he has flaws). It would be hard to say they’ll be as good as this year but their depth will help them and in this new reality of college sports Yax leaves but that’s $3m in NIL they can use in the portal. 

Think Gayle' done, he's a SR.

[gflore34]

3 hours ago, Irrelevant Dude said:

That isn't happening.  We all know how this plays out.  The roster will be completely different again next season, with maybe 2 or 3 (non-Wagler) guys from the current team coming back.

You're probably right, with the same result, another good not great team.  Will finish in the top four of the Big Ten, make the tournament, win a game or two, rinse, repeat.  I think we're seeing the ceiling of Underwood' program, they'll never be a true final four type team under his leadership.