Do The Illini Appeal Enough To Their Fanbase?

Football season is in full form and basketball season is just around the corner. I think I can speak for many when I say I am excited.

Four our Fighting Illini, football season was....well, you know. Not great. Basketball looks to be a bit more intriguing.

But you aren't hearing too much about it, are you? Yeah, a few things about new head coach John Groce. But mainly, it involves recruiting for future years. Not too much about Groce and his new system and how he wants the players to perform. Spurts here and there, but not much.

You hear nothing about coming out to support basketball, or even football. This really brought up an issue in my mind. Do the University of Illinois appeal to their fans enough?

Other colleges such as Kentucky, Alabama, and others are always doing things to get people to support them. That is how they built themselves up to where they are now. That and very good recruiting.

Midnight Madness for basketball is one of the greatest things created, in my mind. Fans come out and enjoy late-night festivities. Festivities include dunk contests, coach participation, pep rallies, scrimmages, and many other things. It really appeals to recruits for the team, who are often invited to come and watch.

The Illini had the right idea when the Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball and women's basketball teams hosted scrimmages at Memorial Stadium after a game between the Illini and Minnesota Golden Gopher football team. I believe that was in 2008 and it was somewhat successful. But other than that, they haven't done much at all to encourage fans from outside the immediate area to come and support them.

It is tough to do a lot and stay within the restrictions of the rules, but other teams tend to do just fine.

This just kind of popped into my head.  Obviously there are issues with doing things like that, such as the Offseason Workout Rules.

But I really would like to know if you guys had any ideas and what you think.

What do you think? What can the Illini do to appeal more to their fans in-and-out of state? Comment below and tell me.