CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Sunday afternoon is typically spent by most fans watching their favorite NFL team, which may still happen. However, college basketball is here, and the Fighting Illini host the nation's number one team in college basketball, according to the Associated Press.
But this is not just your typical top-25 clash between the Jayhawks and the Illini, who checked in at number 25 in the first ranking of the season. The storylines behind the scenes are enough to make anyone not interested in either program watch at 5 p.m. CT on the Big Ten Network.
Let us start with the two gentlemen in charge of both programs: Illinois head coach Brad Underwood, was born in McPherson, Kansas, played his college basketball for the Kansas State Wildcats, and was an assistant coach there from 2006-12.
Then there is Kansas head coach Bill Self, a hall-of-fame coach in his own right, who was the head coach for the Fighting Illini from 2000-03. He compiled a record of 78-24 overall and 35-13 in Big Ten play.
During his press conference, Self downplayed the possibility of being booed and the reception of his star center (which we are getting to) to keep the focus on the game itself and why it is being played.
"We're expected to raise about $2 million for the Maui Relief to support the summer wildfires in Lahaina, Hawaii," Self said. "That's the important goal here."
For the new generation, this storyline may be fresh in your memory: Kansas center Hunter Dickinson, who played for the Michigan Wolverines the past three seasons, will suit up for the Jayhawks today. Dickinson has his own podcast, where he has made it well known how much he despises the Illinois student section, the OrangeKrush, who consistently reminds Dickinson that he has never beaten Illinois; he is 0-4.
Self said with a smile, "I'll make sure Hunter walks in at the same time, then I'll say to Hunter, ‘they really don't like you’."
Dickinson told the Kansas City Star on Wednesday, "I mean I think it’s a love/hate relationship between me and the(Illinois) fans. I might have said some things I regret, some things that I might not regret in some Tweets and some quotes. They are a fiery fan base. They really love their Illinois hoops there."
Underwood knows of the past between the two programs, but he is very good friends with Self, and they talk regularly. He is in charge of the Illinois program now, but always focuses on the task at hand, making his team better and playing great competition.
There is one more bit of news around this game, which is that Illinois All-American wing Terrence Shannon Jr. and KU guard Kevin McCullar Jr., both listed at 6-foot-7, played together for Texas Tech in Lubbock for three years. Both players, of course, are downplaying the game, but each would like to show their fan base why they left the Big 12 powerhouse program.
Oh, there is one that has not set well with the entire Illinois athletic department: that is a loss for the football program. Kansas beat Illinois on Sept. 8, 34-23, at David Booth Stadium. Illinois fans would love to show the Jayhawks they can play basketball and even the scoreboard to 1-1.
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