Mike Cagley, Co-Host Sports Spectacular and Big Sports Radio

November 4, 2024

The Illini have lost two in a row and Bret Bielema must look at November with trepidation. Since coming to Illinois, his teams have struggled to close out seasons in a positive manner. His overall record at Illinois is 5-7 in November and fans remember the 2022 season which could’ve been much better than 8-4 with a better finish. Could this season finish the same way? The next few games are critical.

• 2021: 2-1
• 2022: 1-3
• 2023: 2-2
• 2024: 0-1

With the Fighting Illini basketball team season starting and the team being very inexperienced at playing together, this could be a stressful November for Illini fans.

Hail Mary #1 – Hot Takes

#1 - The Illini have struggled a bit in November under Bielema. My theory is that Illinois was behind in getting an NIL fundraising unit up and running when compared to other B1G football programs. Thus, we have a team with less talent at defensive line, linebacker, and even the offensive line hasn’t borne as much fruit (in the form of third year players ready to go) as one would expect from a Bret Bielema team. Recruiting must improve to increase the number of difference makers on the team. As it is now, in November the Illini tend to "slow down" as depth becomes an issue as injuries pile up. If this isn’t a reason to earmark some NIL funds for football, I don’t know what is. The talent gap drops between starters and backups is too big. Better recruiting will close that gap and help the Illini survive a long season and injuries that are inevitable.

#2 – The Law of Unintended Consequences strikes again! The transfer portal and NIL hasn’t helped many teams morph into an Ohio State or Georgia, but it’s made the B1G and SEC conference games really entertaining to watch – even when it’s not your team playing. In watching college football for a living (to do our radio shows and podcasts), I’ve noticed that in the B1G and SEC, the middle of the road teams are jumbled very closely together. Moreso than what we have seen in the past. It almost seems comparable to the NFL. We have so many games that are one score games in the 4^th quarter when literally one play can make the difference. Be careful when you gamble, but this excitement is the advantage of having an 18-team B1G.

#3 – In the Minnesota vs Illinois game, there were quite a few obvious penalties that one could see on camera that were blatant, but uncalled by the referees. The "no calls" cut both ways. During the game, we saw a controversial targeting call, Luke Altmyer absorb a hit after giving himself up that wasn’t called, and this was on the heels of seeing Pat Bryant take a blow to the head that wasn’t called last week. It is unpredictable at best and baffling at worst to see this inconsistency of the calls on a weekly basis. The B1G makes approximately $1 billion dollars a year for the rights to its sports programming, why not make basketball and football referees full time employees? They could train and condition year around. They could review films and work on the calls the same way. It seems like a no-brainer to pay for this relatively small cost to keep the games officiated at the highest level of quality & as consistently possible. If the athletes and coaches train 12 months a year, why not the officials. Set the official up to succeed, too.

Heat Check #2 – Illini Men’s Basketball Player Expectations

The Illini Men’s Basketball team fires up the season on Monday night. Here’s a list of expectations that I’d have for key players as the season starts:

• Kasparas Jakucionis – just let the game come to you. Use your skills to set yourself up for success but just as importantly, set up your teammates for success. The balancing act will be to value the possession but not allow that value to keep you from taking risks.
• Tre White – you’re the jack of all trades, the guy who be the Swiss Army knife for the Illini. Do what needs to be done to win.
• Morez Johnson – keep up your intensity and bring it every night. Be patient as you and Ivišić can be a fearsome 1-2 punch. You’ll each have games where you will make a huge difference.
• Ty Rodgers – you must be productive on the court. Take what the defense gives you and lock guys down on the other end of the court. Shoot the ball and make shots if given them.
• Tomislav Ivišić – use your height and skills to protect the rim and provide spacing on the offensive end.
• Will Riley – keep attacking but remember your teammates can help you and you can help them. You don’t have to beat anyone by yourself and at this level you can't win by yourself, either.
• Kylan Boswell – you need to be a leader. That means off and on the court. Example is the best way to lead.
• Ben Humrichous – find ways to get into positions where you have the advantage. Use your brain to get to the position on the court where you are able to dictate the action. Get there first and make teams adjust to you.
• Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn – be patient. Contribute when you’re on the court. Let productivity be your way to minutes on the court.

This has the makings for a fantastic year, but the beginning of the season could be a challenge. And I would tell each one of them – play defense!

Hail Mary #3 – B1G Team Tiers – Big Shake Up

After week 10, the top tiers are almost locked. An upset can change them, but the schedule doesn’t look to have many upset opportunities left. In the middle, it’s getting crazy. Buckle up because each week there are some great matchups.

Tier 1 – Oregon & Ohio State – Oregon is still #1 after traveling to Michigan and beating up on the Wolverines. Meanwhile, Ohio State got down early to Penn State on the back of a pick six. Despite spotting the Nittany Lions a 10-0 lead, the Buckeyes cruised to an easy victory, 20-13.

Tier 2 – Penn State & Indiana – Penn State has suffered through the same old fate at the hands of the Buckeyes. Indiana now faces Michigan and Ohio State in the next 2 weeks. After the Ohio State game, we will see if Indiana deserves to be in the CFP or if they are having an excellent year and nothing more. Certainly, the Hoosiers have been blowing teams out, but they are devoid of a signature win that the CFP will require.

Tier 3 – Iowa, Minnesota & Illinois – Iowa crushed Wisconsin and looks to be on pace for yet another 9-win season and a bowl bid. Minnesota has a 4-game winning streak and has the 3^rd longest winning streak in the league behind Oregon & Indiana. Illinois is on a 2-game losing streak and has three winnable games to open the door to a 9-win season as well.

Tier 4 – Washington, Michigan & Wisconsin – Washington had a dramatic victory over USC. But they have lost 3 of the last 5 games and head east to face the Nittany Lions. Michigan has lost 3 of their last 4 with a game coming up against red-hot Indiana on the road. Wisconsin has faced 3 ranked teams and Iowa and have lost each of those games. Fickell must be frustrated at this season’s progress (or lack of progress). Hosting Oregon can’t be a good way to follow up the Iowa loss.

Tier 5 – UCLA, Nebraska, Michigan State, Northwestern & USC – UCLA is on a two-game winning streak and will host Iowa on Friday night. Nebraska is on a 3-game losing skid and travels to USC, hosts Wisconsin & travels to Iowa to finish the season. The Huskers only need 1 win to be bowl eligible. Michigan State started out quickly to go up 10-0 and become the only team to lead the Hoosiers this season. The Spartans have lost 5 of 6 going into the bye week and are facing Illinois in a battle of 2-game losing streak teams next weekend. Northwestern beat Purdue only to face Ohio State, Michigan and Illinois after their bye week. USC might be the league’s biggest underperformer. With 4 wins but losing 4 of the last 5, the Trojans host Nebraska, visit UCLA and finish with Notre Dame. They must win 2 of the 3 to make it to a bowl game.

Tier 6 – Purdue, Rutgers & Maryland – Purdue lost to Northwestern, freeing the Wildcats and keeping Boilermakers in the bottom tier. Rutgers is on a 4-game skid and Maryland is one of the league’s biggest underperformers.

The B1G now has four of the top 10 teams in the country with the resurgence of the Hoosiers. Now the race is on to see who will be in the B1G Championship Game and to see how many teams the B1G can land in the CFP.