I think U OF I basketball is on the rise especially if ayo and THT sign this year plus it's so many talented players in the state they really don't need chicago players like thatThey don't recruit the city of Chicago and surrounding areas well, that's always Illinois problem, same with basketball, Illinois should keep a team in the final 4
but to answer the question Illinois is one of the worst D1 footbal programs put nobody really gives a fukk this is a basketball state and Illinois basketball is the most popular college team basketball or football in the state same with indiana ND football might be a bigger brand but within the state of indiana the hoosier basketball team is #1I think U OF I basketball is on the rise especially if ayo and THT sign this year plus it's so many talented players in the state they really don't need chicago players like thatbut to answer the question Illinois is one of the worst D1 footbal programs put nobody really gives a fukk this is a basketball state and Illinois basketball is the most popular college team basketball or football in the state same with indiana ND football might be a bigger brand but within the state of indiana the hoosier basketball team is #1
The best player in the state was in Edwardsville and Illinois got himThe best talent in my home state, is in the city period, it's a few outliers here and there but, let's keep it a buck Chicago is a hotbed for basketball, and a few gems for football, but the damn state doesn't even bother
as a whole yes chicagoland area (I'm including the south east suburbs as well) is number one area I'm the state but Champaign,Peoria, Springfield and Belleville has a lot of talent as well its more than a few outliers bro the whole state is rich in talent

My nikkascUM.
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NeggedDont sleep on UNLV btw