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Illinois Basketball: Apparently the Big Ten hates the Illini, GOOD!

By Rees Woodcock

Mar 2, 2021; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Kofi Cockburn (21) dunks on Michigan Wolverines center Hunter Dickinson (1) in the second half at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2021; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Kofi Cockburn (21) dunks on Michigan Wolverines center Hunter Dickinson (1) in the second half at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Illinois basketball has once again started to experience success within the program.

It had been a while since the Illini were winning on a consistent basis. In my personal record book, Illinois has now made back-to-back NCAA tournaments. That feat hadn’t happened since the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons.

But with winning comes hate and borderline envy. That is what Illini Nation is experiencing right now after a quote from a Big Ten foe has gone viral.

Wolverine Corner, a contributor for the FanSided GBM Wolverine page, posted on their Twitter account a quote from Michigan Wolverines’ big man Hunter Dickinson. The quote reads, “You can quote me on this…..nobody in the Big Ten, and I mean nobody likes Illinois.”


Nobody in the Big Ten likes Illinois basketball? GOOD!

There are some people who read this quote and could get offended. Honestly, I love it. This quote is what I want to see because it means Illinois basketball is a threat again.

We want teams and players to hate us. When the Illini were down, no one was talking about the program, and you can bet that no one was hating on us like they are doing right now. We don’t want players in the Big Ten to like Illinois.

How much do you want to bet that this quote by Dickinson will be posted on the bulletin board – if that is still a thing – in the locker room every time Illinois plays Michigan this season? I imagine Brad Underwood, Chester Frazier and Co. have already seen this quote and will use it to their advantage.

I haven’t even gotten to the fact that Illinois has dominated Michigan as of late. The Illini have won the last three matchups, with the most recent being this past season in a 23-point victory for the Orange and Blue.

Dickinson finished that 76-53 drubbing with 6 points, 5 rebounds and 3 fouls while shooting 12.5-percent from the floor.

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The hate by Dickinson, Michigan, and what now what is apparently the Big Ten is a good thing. We want the hate. We should embrace the hate. Hate means we are doing something right. Bring. On. The. HATE.

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