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Illinois hoops: 60,000 fans for a practice?

Posted on October 7th, 2008 – 2:56 PM
By Michael Rand

After the Gophers football team plays Illinois on Saturday, fans of the Illini can stick around to watch a little hoops. From USA Today:

Illinois’ men’s team hopes to draw more than 60,000 fans for its season-opening practice Saturday. It will take place on a portable court in the football stadium after its football team plays Minnesota.

The event could raise thousands of dollars for the Coaches vs. Cancer charity, Illinois coach Bruce Weber said. He received permission from the NCAA to hold the practice ahead of the official Oct. 17 start.

In past years, some sort of joke about the Gophers defense would appear right here.

10 Responses to "Illinois hoops: 60,000 fans for a practice?"

Jon says:

October 7th, 2008 at 3:02 pm

Come on, pouring rain…

/potential schadenfreude

Joker says:

October 7th, 2008 at 3:05 pm

“In past years, some sort of joke about the Gophers defense would appear right here.”

Maybe Michael Jordan will be there to watch his kid ride the bench. He might not be allowed since MJ Sr plays football now?

StraightCashHomey says:

October 7th, 2008 at 3:15 pm

“It will take place on a portable court in the football stadium…”

So, it’s like Twins’ games?

Clarence Swamptown says:

October 7th, 2008 at 3:20 pm

“The event could raise thousands of dollars for the Coaches vs. Cancer charity”

I would attend a “Childress vs. Cancer” charity game, just to see who has better clock management. After last night’s game, Childress’ favorable rating surpassed Cancer for the first time this season.

jama says:

October 7th, 2008 at 3:24 pm

So Illinois can get 60,000 to a basketball practice and the state of minnesota can’t get that many to any game?

lattewarrior says:

October 7th, 2008 at 3:25 pm

“Practice? We’re talkin’ about practice? Practice?!”

– Allen Iverson

StraightCashHomey says:

October 7th, 2008 at 3:27 pm

It’s because no Minnesota teams have anyone named “Juice.” And because Champaign is boring.

roughkat says:

October 7th, 2008 at 3:32 pm

Not a game…Practice.

/Iverson

Merx says:

October 7th, 2008 at 3:49 pm

Juice + Champaign = Mimosa

UofM2010 says:

October 7th, 2008 at 4:12 pm

Free mimosas for everyone that survived cancer. Coaches vs. Cancer vs. Crazy-good Chilled Concoctions