I will agree with you on your third point, but I highly doubt 71 could be the losing score. True, both teams are big scorers when the need to be, yet with Illinois' defense, we could see a lot lower scoring game than that. Also, Illinois did that at MSU.
In '89, Illinois had the best team that didn't win the championship in college basketball history. Illinois has disappointed us a few times, yes, I will admit, but you still have to be faithful, right?. I just hate seeing people leave college early or not even go to college and head for the pro's, because after college, very few play for the love of the game, which is the best part of college basketball. Like you, I wish both teams good luck and hope for a good, clean game.
GO ILLINI!!!