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Illinois Basketball: Days 1-3 of an Illini fan without sports

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - DECEMBER 11: Members of the Illinois Fighting Illini huddle as Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini watches before the game against the Michigan Wolverines at State Farm Center on December 11, 2019 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - DECEMBER 11: Members of the Illinois Fighting Illini huddle as Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini watches before the game against the Michigan Wolverines at State Farm Center on December 11, 2019 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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This is the third day that the sports world has shut down and it is rough for an Illinois basketball fan.

Honestly, I feel like I am in rehab right now, or at least this is what I would imagine rehab to feel like. Of course, rehab is a serious thing for serious issues. If this is the biggest issue I have in my life, then I have it pretty good. But, man, that doesn’t make the pain of not having sports any better.

Day one was back on Thursday. This was supposed to be the second round of the Big Ten Tournament where Illinois fans would see if Minnesota could take down Iowa in an upset of a No. 12 over No. 5. We didn’t get to see who was going to take on the Illini, though. Everything was canceled.

Day two was even worse if you are an Illinois fan. This was Friday and we were supposed to play in the third round of the Big Ten Tournament. The big win at the end of the season against No. 19 Iowa earned the Illini the double-bye. We were supposed to tip-off against either Iowa or Minnesota at 1:30 PM CT. That time would have, of course, been incorrect as the first game of the day would have gone over in time. Illinois would have started 30 minutes after game one concluded.

Now we all sit here on Saturday, which should have been the Final Four of the Big Ten Tournament. We would have taken down Iowa and would have played against either Wisconsin or Michigan at 12:00 PM CT. I had the Illini taking on the Wolverines because, in true Michigan fashion, they always make a run in the conference tournament.

Instead of all of this happening, I am sitting here typing, watching The Property Brothers because I am sick of doing little stuff around the house. It is too cold to do much outside. Golf courses are pretty much still shut down. And no sports are on the TV.

Thank you to the departing Illini players. dark. Next

If hell does really exist, I would imagine it would be similar to what is going on right now in the Midwest. The only thing missing is Dan Dakich, but I am sure he will find his way onto my TV screen at some point today. Give it time.

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