College Basketball 2026-2027

[bukie]

After a month of hyped up exhibitions, the real games start Sunday.

There's a new (to them!) conference called the Pac-12 that is mostly the MWC with Gonzaga.

Here's how power conference teams project to play out based on EvanMiya (who insists on only posting to Twitter but I refuse to give bandwidth to them so here is the chart, and go directly to EvanMiya.com for more info):

[bukie]

Oh, and here's the new batch of mid majors that should account for all the rest of the at large bid contenders, even in an expanded tournament field:

[mul21]

I'm fully expecting a very slow start for Illinois with all the injuries (again).  They should be rolling by mid January when it really starts to count though.

[Rcal10]

1 hour ago, mul21 said:

I'm fully expecting a very slow start for Illinois with all the injuries (again).  They should be rolling by mid January when it really starts to count though.

I also feel Underwood likes to mix and match guys to figure out what, exactly, he has. He isn’t worried about a few early season losses if it allows him to give some guys playing time and experience. 

[bukie]

Two years ago, Illinois finished in the top 20 of tempo and had the 3rd most efficient offense in basketball.

Last year, Illinois finished in the bottom 20 of tempo and had the most efficient offense in basketball.

I'm sure Underwood will retool the offense again to fit his players, and they'll have one of the most efficient offenses in basketball again, regardless of who plays. Based on their preseason games, they'll play faster again.

As for Mirkovic, he's a top 5 player (and will be back sooner than later), but Illinois is also a very deep and old team, returning 6 guys from last year's team and adding 5 freshmen, at least 4 of which are better than expected from the jump, so that should allow them to weather the early storm of the schedule while Mirk gets back to 100%.

[mul21]

This insanity with NIL has to change somehow.  Old friend Trey Kauffman-Renn is playing at Kansas after being drafted and playing in summer league games for the TWolves.  

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/49892351/ex-purdue-star-trey-kaufman-renn-enters-portal-sources-say

[gflore34]

Mirkovic with an emergency appendectomy last night.  Hope every thing is okay with him.

[bukie]

14 minutes ago, gflore34 said:

Mirkovic with an emergency appendectomy last night.  Hope every thing is okay with him.

Hey, that should get him to stay off that leg for a bit and let it heal.

[gflore34]

5 minutes ago, bukie said:

Hey, that should get him to stay off that leg for a bit and let it heal.

In this light could be a net positive.

[Irrelevant Dude]

19-2 Illinois after 5 minutes.  I think I can focus on the Bears tonight.

[scarey]

Purdue falls to Gonzaga finally. Few is now 1-5 against Matt painter head to head. 

 

It was pretty much a given that this Purdue team was going to struggle a bit this year, but I was honestly very impressed with how well they did..

[mul21]

Not too surprised Illinois took the L last night against a good team on their home floor missing 2 starters and giving 4 freshman 20 or more minutes.  Add in that nobody besides Coleman could hit a 3 to save their lives and I feel pretty decent about the overall performance.

[Rex Buckingham]

Sure helped Tech that they have 3 guys who have already played 4 years (and are only eligible because of court rulings) while Illinois had to rely on those freshmen. If Illinois hadn't collapsed with all those turnovers at the end of the 1H, I think it would have been a different game because they clearly came out in the 2H and outplayed TT, but ran out of gas at the end. 

Also, I think it is fair to say Tech was really hurt by DGL going out. He was playing awesome before he hurt his leg. 

[Rcal10]

If Illinois hits their free throws they win. Even with a terrible start, they win if they just hit an average amount of shots from the line. Not a big deal to lose here. Underwood giving the guys experience to be ready for the tournament. 

[gflore34]

Agree with all, the Illini got pushed around in the first half, came out more physical and out played them in the second half.  If they rebound, even with all the missed FT's, they win as well.  Ultimately, a lot of good will result from this game.