Illini Non-conference Schedule

[LittleBrave]

uh Idaho State

uh...Presbyterian too!

[Bravesfan]

I don't think so - they were not top 50 RPI -- and Illinois blew them out in Seattle last year (St. Mary's was the best team in their conference) ....call 'em what you want but they are a mid-major and if that's the BEST team Illinois hosts non-con then they obviously intentionally scheduled soft.
BTW -- even the articles out of Champaign say they INTENTIONALLY scheduled SOFT!

http://blogs.dailyherald.com/node/6037

http://www.illinihq.com/news/mens_basketball/2011/07/25/terps_zags_tigers_highlight_ui_schedule/

BTW -- one article says..
"There is also the possibility of an in-state - but out-of-country - matchup with Illinois State in the Cancun Challenge...
Bradley transfer Sam Maniscalco is privately hoping for another shot at the I-74 rival Redbirds.."

I'll give Gonzaga a little more credit than that as they make the Big Dance and win games in the tourney most years. However, we'll see how good they REALLY are now that they have to contend with BYU in their conference this year! No more automatic WCC championships for them. They are going to have to earn them now!