Pregame: Illinois at Hawaii, Friday, Novmber 16th, 11:30pm CT

[Dan]

Game 3: Illinois (2-0) at Hawaii

Friday, November 16th

Time: 11:30pm CT

TV: None

Free live video: https://secure.oceanic.com/Streaming/

[FeelYourPaign]

TV: None
That is probably good, because the chances of me making it to 1:30 are low, low, low

[IlliniFandom]

According to kenpom, they are ranked 229. Looking at their previous box scores, they seem to rely on three-four guys pretty heavily for the bulk of the minutes. They have size and are very forward heavy and have some good experience. This game seems tough even though they may not be ranked as high as St. Francis, but they could pose some match-up problems for our guards.

PG - Brandon Spearman 6'3 Jr
F/G - Hauns Brereton 6'6 Sr
SF - Chrstian Standhardinger 6'8 Jr
C - Vander Joaquim 6'10 Sr

Those seem like the guys that get the heaviest rotation. I think it will be interesting to see if the Illini can wear these guys out with our athleticism and out-rebound/guard their length as a team. Should make for a good game.

[AK Illini]

FWIW the last time we played @ Hawaii the live stream was great and was kept live without commercials. The 11:30 Friday night start time is fun too.

[WesterveltVictoryCigar]

So far Hawaii has played at a very fast pace, almost 75 possessions/game. Could be dangerous to try and keep up on their home court, but if Groce is committed to it could make for a fun game to watch.

[Illini70math]

Originally Posted by WesterveltVictoryCigar

So far Hawaii has played at a very fast pace, almost 75 possessions/game. Could be dangerous to try and keep up on their home court, but if Groce is committed to it could make for a fun game to watch.

I really don't think a fast pace is going to bother our team. If anything, we have a pretty solid 8-man rotation all of whom can run reasonably well, something most teams don't have. There aren't too many bigs like Nnanna out there, and Sam moves pretty well too. Even our deep bench (Devin, MLT, etc.) is going to be better than the deep bench for Hawaii more than likely. There are no guarantees on officiating, however!

Very few teams below the quality high major level are going to match our athletes, so a faster pace will generally favor us. Once we start playing the high quality teams that like a fast pace (at Gonzaga, for example), then it could definitely become an issue.

The biggest concern about Hawaii is that we are playing at their place and the jet lag issues. I think we have enough maturity on this team to counter that, but Hawaii will be a challenge as our first away game, and it is a true away game (far, far away!).

[WesterveltVictoryCigar]

Originally Posted by Illini70math

I really don't think a fast pace is going to bother our team.

It might if the 3 pointers aren't falling. We've shot them very, very well so far, despite BP and DJ only connecting at around 30%. I doubt we can keep that up, especially as you noted after a long trip and in a hostile arena. I'm very interested to see how this team responds given their struggle in recent seasons. At a faster pace, things can snowball rapidly.

[ssgg]

Yeah, when we played there in 2007 there was a great stream of the game. Forget who streamed it.

[brosox]

Originally Posted by AK Illini

FWIW the last time we played @ Hawaii the live stream was great and was kept live without commercials. The 11:30 Friday night start time is fun too.

What made it even more interesting was that Hawaii had a big football game that night against Boise State or Nevada which was being televised on the overhead scoreboard for the Hawaii fans. You would be watching the basketball game (which was pretty close throughout--we won by just a couple of points I believe) and all of a sudden hear the crowd cheering for something that had nothing to do with the basketball game.

[Illini70math]

Originally Posted by WesterveltVictoryCigar

It might if the 3 pointers aren't falling. We've shot them very, very well so far, despite BP and DJ only connecting at around 30%. I doubt we can keep that up, especially as you noted after a long trip and in a hostile arena. I'm very interested to see how this team responds given their struggle in recent seasons. At a faster pace, things can snowball rapidly.

I guess my answer is that if our threes aren't falling, I don't think any pace is going to help us. As long as we play good defense and rebound we have a chance, and I think our inside shots and free throws will start falling. We will get better and better at fast breaks if we keep running. Again, against teams with less physical talent and depth.

I don't think we are going to collapse when we get our noses bloodied. The coaches are pretty good about making the point that it's going to happen at some point, and they are prepping the players for it mentally.

[WesterveltVictoryCigar]

Originally Posted by ssgg

Yeah, when we played there in 2007 there was a great stream of the game. Forget who streamed it.

Maybe the link Dan provided?

[Dan]

Next to @B1G_Samb0 this whole flight...needless to say there's not a lot of room..

HAWAII BOUND!!!! #illini

http://twitter.com/MLaTulip_5

Long flight but after yesterday I will be doing it with a smile ✈ #illinination #ILL

http://twitter.com/Dustin_Ford

This may be the team's flight-
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/UAL300

[HsvIllini]

Originally Posted by Dan

This may be the team's flight-
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/UAL300

What's really sad is I paid more to fly from Huntsville, AL to Chicago than the fare listed for that flight...

[IlliniTilDeath]

Originally Posted by HsvIllini

What's really sad is I paid more to fly from Huntsville, AL to Chicago than the fare listed for that flight...

You definitely got ripped off. Not sure how they found a United flight for that cheap....but finding flights through other carriers, outside of United & American for that price is pretty easy outside of Holidays.

[Railsplitter]

I wonder how many times the video will stop on my computer since i'm not really agenius at this stuff . Any advice ?

[Kramer116]

I am expecting a close win against Hawaii.

We are going to struggle to shoot in one of these games coming up.

I am going with a 68-61 score or something along those lines.

[IlliniTilDeath]

Originally Posted by Railsplitter

I wonder how many times the video will stop on my computer since i'm not really agenius at this stuff . Any advice ?

Probably your internet connection and/or your computer performance. Close programs, connect ethernet cable?

[Railsplitter]

I've got Hughes as my provider, its the mid price range pkg. but it may work faster at that time of night. Like I said , I'm NOT a computer geek in any way .

[Dan]

Originally Posted by HsvIllini

What's really sad is I paid more to fly from Huntsville, AL to Chicago than the fare listed for that flight...

I think that's the one-way fare average listed. Lowest roundtrip fares for that flight on United website are in the $620 range.

[Botb9]

Originally Posted by Railsplitter

I've got Hughes as my provider, its the mid price range pkg. but it may work faster at that time of night. Like I said , I'm NOT a computer geek in any way .

Satellite internet can get some pretty poor latency at times depending on the condition of the skies.

[bleedsorangenblue]

Also have Hughes and my experience is the same as yours....... sucks! I have begun to think that wireless might even be better Am moving to where I will get broadband at the end of the month and am soooooo looking forward to it.

[jackman404]

Are any of the other Maui teams arriving early to play a game before the tournament like this? I would think that having a few extra days to sleep off the jet lag is a big advantage for us. I think we're going to win this. No idea what the score will be, but we've got too much talent to drop a game like this.

[Dan]

Originally Posted by jackman404

Are any of the other Maui teams arriving early to play a game before the tournament like this? I would think that having a few extra days to sleep off the jet lag is a big advantage for us. I think we're going to win this. No idea what the score will be, but we've got too much talent to drop a game like this.

Illinois' the only Maui team playing Hawaii.

Yeah good point, early arrival could be an advantage for Illini Monday vs USC.

[ssgg]

Originally Posted by Dan

Illinois' the only Maui team playing Hawaii.

Yeah good point, early arrival could be an advantage for Illini Monday vs USC.

Our terrible team in 2007 destroyed a decent, James Harden led ASU team in 2007. The game was over after five minutes when we opened up a 20-0 lead IIRC.


I think it definitely helped.

[joekam]

Originally Posted by ssgg

Our terrible team in 2007 destroyed a decent, James Harden led ASU team in 2007.

Wow... interesting to hear the name now that he is a pretty big deal. I do remember the game, but didn't know Harden and our Illini had crossed paths.