2019-2020 College Basketball Discussion and Pick 'em Thread

[RINO Tom]

I really wish they would have ceremoniously announced the field that made the Tournament.  I say that not only as an Illini fan that wanted to see our uncharacteristically long drought (since 2013) come to an end but also as a fan very sympathetic to a program like Rutgers and how much they deserved a bid/how meaningful it would be to hang that banner in their arena.

[RINO Tom]

WOW, I hope we can have some type of season ... Illinois will be knocking at the door of a preseason top 10 ranking if Kofi Cockburn announces he’s returning (along with Ayo) today...

[RINO Tom]

The Big 10 looks loaded this year.

Jon Rothstein's updated "Rothstein 45" (B1G teams only):

3. Iowa
5. Wisconsin
7. Illinois
11. Michigan State
21. Rutgers
24. Indiana

26. Ohio State
37. Michigan
42. Purdue

That would be NINE Big Ten teams clearly in the NCAA Tournament, and you know another Bubble team or two are squeaking in.  This Big Ten is going to be the toughest it's been since the glory days of the '80s, IMO.  As an Illini fan, that preseason ranking feels surreal ... it's the highest we have had since I was in seventh grade, haha (2004-05).  GOD, I hope there is a season!

[RINO Tom]

My guess right now is that there will be a season, but it won't start until January.

There really shouldn't be a season at all.

Especially at the college ranks, having a season would put student-athletes's lives at risk for profit.

I was opposed to having professional sports before a vaccine was developed and distributed to the general population, and I am very much opposed to college sports having any season of any kind before a vaccine is developed and distributed to the general public.

Pausing life until a vaccine is administered to more than 50% of the population is nothing short of naive.  IF and when there is a vaccine, there should be an immediate shelter-in-place order for anyone over a certain age (say, 70?) or with any pre-existing conditions ... everyone else should be told to wash their hands, be careful and return to daily life.  Period.  If someone who doesn't fit those descriptions is worried and would like to stay home, they are more than welcome to ... and they can kindly shut up about everyone else.  Otherwise, we will spend the next two years continuing to destroy our economy and conflate the non-physical-health side effects of this pandemic.