As we joked in both edition one and edition two of Illinois Fighting Illini Basketball Transfer Talk, covering NCAA basketball in the offseason has a very European feel these days. By that we mean transfer portal developments occur in a story arc that is similar to the British tabloids covering European soccer players. But now more of the players themselves are Euro, as the … [Read more...] about Illini Basketball Transfer Talk: Mihailo Petrovic, Andrej Stojakovic
College Basketball
Illini Basketball Transfer Talk: Dame Sarr, Jamir Watkins, Ian Jackson
We are now in an era where the college basketball offseason news cycle mirrors the summer transfer window in European football/soccer (we do actually need to cover FC Barcelona in this edition). Even when there is no actual news, there is still plenty of transfer rumors/talk/speculation and conjecture. It's a natural consequence given the rise of NIL budgets, and a NCAA … [Read more...] about Illini Basketball Transfer Talk: Dame Sarr, Jamir Watkins, Ian Jackson
Cooper Flagg Will Be the 2025 NBA Draft #1 Pick, but Where Will He Go?
Image courtesy of YouTube Cooper Flagg being the number one pick of the 2025 NBA Draft is the worst-kept secret in basketball. The Duke Blue Devils youngster is such a hot favorite to be picked first that several NBA online betting sites have stopped taking bets on it happening. Those that are accepting wagers price Flagg's name being first out of the hat at between -6600 … [Read more...] about Cooper Flagg Will Be the 2025 NBA Draft #1 Pick, but Where Will He Go?
Revisiting the Most Cutthroat, Ruthless One Shining Moment Clip Ever
(Editor's note: in honor of the national championship game last night, we are re-running this piece which originally ran in 2013.) At first I thought this portion of "One Shining Moment" was only an oversight. Then I hit rewind on DVR again to make sure I saw what I thought I did. Then I thought "well, it's just an oversight, but I definitely understand, if you were rushed … [Read more...] about Revisiting the Most Cutthroat, Ruthless One Shining Moment Clip Ever
Exclusive with Ian Jackson, Ex-Tar Heel, #1 SG in NCAA Transfer Portal
When Ian Jackson enrolled at the University of North Carolina last year, he was the rated the #8 overall prospect in his freshman class. After a decent, but not dominant freshman season with the Tar Heels (11.9 ppg, 2.7 rebounds per game, 45.6% FG, 39.5% 3-PT in 36 games), Jackson is once again a free agent. Given the strength of his NBA Draft stock, it is not surprising … [Read more...] about Exclusive with Ian Jackson, Ex-Tar Heel, #1 SG in NCAA Transfer Portal
Exclusive: How Jim Nantz and Pat Sullivan Saved One Shining Moment
(Editor's note: in honor of national title game night, we are now re-publishing this exclusive that originally ran in 2014.) When you watch the iconic "One Shining Moment" video montage a week from tonight, after the 2023 national title game, take a minute or two to think about how it nearly disappeared. If it weren't for the combined efforts of broadcaster Jim Nantz and … [Read more...] about Exclusive: How Jim Nantz and Pat Sullivan Saved One Shining Moment
Tom Izzo Could Soon Tire of Brave New College Basketball World
Michigan State's Tom Izzo is the last man standing of the college basketball coaching old guard. Duke's Mike Krzyzewski and North Carolina's Roy Williams both announced their retirement within three months of each other in 2021. Less than a year later, Villanova's Jay Wright did the same. Obviously, all three decided it was time, having felt that they have already achieved … [Read more...] about Tom Izzo Could Soon Tire of Brave New College Basketball World
Michigan State Spartans vs Ole Miss Rebels: Sweet 16 Game Preview
This year's Michigan State Spartans team are a throwback of sorts to the types of teams that Tom Izzo had in the mid-to-late 2000s to early 2010s. There's not as much talent in East Lansing as we're used to usually seeing. Instead we have a starting five that, although they lack McDonald's All-Americans and Jordan Brand Classic guys, possess athleticism, toughness and an … [Read more...] about Michigan State Spartans vs Ole Miss Rebels: Sweet 16 Game Preview
Do Michigan State B1G Tourney Results Predict Their March Madness Runs?
Looking for clues on whether or not you should pick Michigan State in your bracket pool? Well, you can consider their Big Ten tournament final result as a factor in your equation. #1 seeded Michigan State opens their BTT against #9 seed Oregon in the tournament quarterfinals this morning in Indianapolis. Jase Richardson, the team's second leading scorer, discussed this … [Read more...] about Do Michigan State B1G Tourney Results Predict Their March Madness Runs?
Will Riley Believes Basketball Could Replace Hockey as Top Canadian Sport
When you think of Canada, you often think hockey next. And conversely, when you first hear the word hockey, you might think of Canada next, when it comes to word association. Things could be changing though, at least according to Kitchener, Ontario native Will Riley. The #1 ranked basketball recruit from Canada, Riley has really developed as the season has gone along. … [Read more...] about Will Riley Believes Basketball Could Replace Hockey as Top Canadian Sport
