I am not going to say a definite 1 seed in '11 because so many things can still happen between now and then, but let's just say that we are definitely in the running.

The one thing Illinois has never done in the NCAA is snuck up and overachieved (seed-wise) -- in 2010, I would love to see us get in as 7-10 or 6-11, and ride a couple wins into the Sweet 16.

2011 will take care of itself.

That is one of the most confounding things. The ONLY upset we ever had was the 5/4 win over Cincinnati in 2004. 2007 was our big chance and we blew it. We also have had terrible luck with no easy paths being cleared out for us.

That's not entirely correct. In 1997, our path was cleared to at least the Elite Eight, we just couldn't take care of business against Tennessee-Chattanooga. I'm sure there's other examples people with better memories than me can recall, but that's the only one that springs to mind. Part of the problem is that we often end up in the 4/5 game. You just can't expect the 1 seed to loss prior to the Sweet Sixteen that often. Our lack of upsets is also partly explained by our consistently high seeds since the field expanded. More often than not, we've been a 4 seed or higher when we've made the tourney.

Ugh. I forgot about that:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1997_NCAA_Men...ball_Tournament

#2 Duke and #3 Georgia got cleared out. Another year that Providence rode our bracket like they did when we made Dick Vitale stand on his head and then Pitino and Donovan became household names.

Keep in mind that UNC, Kansas and Kentucky will probably have equal or better talent for most of the next several years. And there are alot of teams that will be right there with Illinois as far as talent level goes (e.g. OSU, MSU, Texas, Nova, Duke). There are no guarantees of a one seed, a final four or a national title. May need a lucky bounce or two along the way.

How about we see some of these "new" kids play a game before drinking the Kool Aid!

and exactly as people said 2 years and 1 day ago:

you're an idiot if you think you can predict what seed we'll get in the tournament after next season.

hell, this season's started and you're an idiot if you think you can predict what seed we'll get.


we'll definitely be talented. but a lot of things have to go your way to get a #1 seed. it's not out of the question by any means, but you've acted for 2 years now as if it's a certainty, and it's simply not.

Kansas will take a step back next year. They lose Collins and almost certainly Aldrich.

But it will still be a roster full of 5*s.