Better chance of Dancing?

[45otseoj]

This upcoming season...

BRADLEY with:
Super Senior Sammy returning to Junior year form
Taylor returning to Sophomore year form
Coached by Geno

VS

ILLINOIS with:
Super Senior Sammy returning to Junior year form
Coached by Bruce

[Buesch N Chips]

Illinois.

[SFP]

This upcoming season...

BRADLEY with:
Super Senior Sammy returning to Junior year form
Taylor returning to Sophomore year form
Coached by Geno

VS

ILLINOIS with:
Super Senior Sammy returning to Junior year form
Coached by Bruce

Good question! I do not believe it is so cut and dry. The Illini lost a lot of leadership and scoring. Historically speaking those are traits that are hard to make up regardless of who is coming into replace them. They will have a tough time finishing in the top 1//2 of the Big 10 where BU with SM and TB would have been challenging for a top 2-3 spot in The MVC.

[Braves4Life]

.... BU with SM and TB would have been challenging for a top 2-3 spot in The MVC.

That's what everyone was saying all last year SFP. Now, add a coach like Geno with a proven record of consistent success (especially in conference) and I think our odds would have been even higher. It's too bad Maniscalco chose to bail...... This could have really been a special year.

[Beninator]

Really hate to say it... UIUC...

UIUC has more talent and Geno is an unknown factor.

[lefty]

Good question! I do not believe it is so cut and dry. The Illini lost a lot of leadership and scoring. Historically speaking those are traits that are hard to make up regardless of who is coming into replace them. They will have a tough time finishing in the top 1//2 of the Big 10 where BU with SM and TB would have been challenging for a top 2-3 spot in The MVC.

It seemed that lack of leadership waswhat hurt the Illini last year. SM could provide that this year. There are too many variables in it all to say who would have been more likely to dance.

I think you have to go with the Illini I guess but not because of changes to lineups but because they take 4-6 teams from the BT and maybe 2 from the MVC

[amckillip]

Really hate to say it... UIUC...

UIUC has more talent and Geno is an unknown factor.

I think I agree. I actually think both the odds are/would be pretty good, but UIUC has the big conference benefit, plus a coach who has made a national title run, vs. a down MVC with a coach who has never made it to the NCAA's.

Good debate question though!

[Beninator]

I think I agree. I actually think both the odds are/would be pretty good, but UIUC has the big conference benefit, plus a coach who has made a national title run, vs. a down MVC with a coach who has never made it to the NCAA's.

Good debate question though!

I also agree with Lefty's post. The Big Ten usually places 5-6 teams in the big dance.

[TheAsianSensation]

If the MVC had stopped crapping the bed the past few years, the argument would swing towards BU as MVC #2 would have at-large value.

[LittleBrave]

Better chance to dance? Illini

If it were BU & Sammy vs. U of I without Sammy, I'd choose BU.
I am not very high on U of I this season - NIT at best.
I think a healthy BU team makes NIT at best too.

I'm not a big BW fan since the great season they had when they lost to UNC in the Championship game. His coaching has been questionable IMO. No complaints about Coach Ford...then again, haven't seen him coach before!