Pregame: Illinois vs Ohio State, Saturday, January 5th, 1:15pm CT, BTN

[HeartofaChampion]

Originally Posted by jrichisamazing

Will the Hall be loud tomorrow? Honestly I just want to things tomorrow: a full, boisterous crowd and an energetic team to cheer. Although, winning either this one or Minnesota will be much needed.

I'll be there, so yes, it will be very loud, at least in my row.

[TCTORNADO]

Vegas opening line of OSU -3.5pts has basically stayed same throughout the week. With our weak showing @Purdue, I thought OSU would be a heavier favorite.

[danielb927]

Originally Posted by TCTORNADO

Vegas opening line of OSU -3.5pts has basically stayed same throughout the week. With our weak showing @Purdue, I thought OSU would be a heavier favorite.

BP43 (and his game at Gonzaga this year) must still be fresh in people's minds. That, and I'd imagine the home-court advantage is getting a lot of weight in the B1G this year.

[PointGuardU01]

Originally Posted by Illini34

I wouldn't quite say a lock, more like last 4 in
Quality wins so far: Butler, Gonzaga, maybe Georgia Tech

9-9 would be a 100% lock..8-9 seed range. Big ten is that good and our non-con was that good. Tough thing will be getting to 9 wins

[-josh-]

Originally Posted by danielb927

BP43 (and his game at Gonzaga this year) must still be fresh in people's minds. That, and I'd imagine the home-court advantage is getting a lot of weight in the B1G this year.

Well we know who Vegas WANTS people to throw money at dont we.

[PointGuardU01]

Originally Posted by danielb927

BP43 (and his game at Gonzaga this year) must still be fresh in people's minds. That, and I'd imagine the home-court advantage is getting a lot of weight in the B1G this year.

Every year...in every league. Home court in college hoops has biggest effect on lines of any sport. The fact that tOSU is favored by more than a possession in our gym is a good indicator that people dont hold us in very high regard. Means buckeyes would be 9-10 pt favorites at a neutral site.

[Illini34]

Originally Posted by PointGuardU01

9-9 would be a 100% lock..8-9 seed range. Big ten is that good and our non-con was that good. Tough thing will be getting to 9 wins

That would be awesome to be an 8-9 seed. I'm just saying i've seen alot crazy things come out of selection sunday and the selection committee. Anyone know what are strength of schedule is?

[danielb927]

Originally Posted by PointGuardU01

Every year...in every league. Home court in college hoops has biggest effect on lines of any sport. The fact that tOSU is favored by more than a possession in our gym is a good indicator that people dont hold us in very high regard. Means buckeyes would be 9-10 pt favorites at a neutral site.

I don't follow betting lines much but I'm not surprised that's the case. If I'm remembering correctly, some statistical analysis (Pomeroy probably) has shown that home-court advantage is worth about 3.5 points over a neutral site game.

[Dan]

Illini emphasizing rebounding vs. Ohio State

In Wednesday's game against Purdue, Illinois was outrebounded 45-35 overall and 17-13 offensively in another loss. The Boilermakers had 15 second-chance points in the 68-61 win.

"I think just continue to make it more of an emphasis and getting everybody involved," Groce said on Friday. "I think we're a team that has to gang-rebound it. We are. All five guys have to be involved in it.

"I think at times we've done a decent job of doing that, and other times as I've watched I don't think we've done a very good job at doing that. We got to be more consistent in that area."

Scott Powers

[WesterveltVictoryCigar]

Originally Posted by Illini34

Anyone know what are strength of schedule is?

Going by RPI, it's in the top 25. Using other rating systems like Sagarin, Pomeroy, it's more middle of the pack, 140-160 or so. But since we're playing in the #1 conference this season, it'll only improve from here. Won't be an issue.

Originally Posted by danielb927

I don't follow betting lines much but I'm not surprised that's the case. If I'm remembering correctly, some statistical analysis (Pomeroy probably) has shown that home-court advantage is worth about 3.5 points over a neutral site game.

Sagarin has it at 4.19 points this season.

[WARDFORTHREE]

I think we actually match up pretty well with OSU. I have watched them a few times this year and like others have said, stop Thomas, stop OSU. I look for Henry to get more minutes today and have a big game. I'm saying Ill-78 OSU-64

[finalfour2011]

OSU is very well-rounded and has been impressive in putting away lesser teams...however they have lost to Duke and Kansas the only ranked teams they played. We have discussed being out-rebounded, a primary concern but I also am concerned about Aaron Craft, sophomore big ten defensive player of the year and his potential for steals etc. He reminds me of Byrd from Purdue. I am also waiting to see how we guard Deshaun Thomas. We don't have a forward that matches up with him. I wondering if putting JB on him for about half the game might be effective as JB is only giving up 1 inch and has enough hops to compete for rebounds. I expect we will also switch to zone at times. The other question is will superman re-appear after having a bad game at PU. Here's hopin. Illini 3s are falling and win a close one.

[shootingsteve]

They have a penetrating Guard who can pass......we haven't stopped one of those all year......score doesn't matter it's all about wins and losses......and that means this is a LOSS!!!

[Chiefforever]

Hopefully we get our shots to fall today. Been cold the last few games and its beginning to worry me and other illinois fans. I'm kinda surprised that the lineup hasn't been changed due to our lack of scoring and hustle lately. I'd like to see Abrahams, Paul, Bertrand, Langford, and mclaurin or nnana both bits have played decent lately. But I think with Langford and JB starting there are a lot more boards for the Illini both are athletic and can jump. Dj is also becoming cold like the last two seasons. Wouldn't wanna see a senior slump by him....

ILL- 68
OSU- 75

[Dan]

Groce vs. Matta: 'Sibling' rivalry

In January 2006, Ohio State coach Thad Matta did the right thing and gave assistant John Groce an option: accompany the Buckeyes to Iowa for a Big Ten matchup against the Hawkeyes or stay in Columbus with wife Allison, who was due to give birth to the couple's first child on the day of the game.

"John said, 'No, no, no, I'm making the trip,' " Allison Groce recalled. "Thad was kind of like 'Thank God.' He was hoping John would say that."

The situation worked out for all involved. Allison was induced a few days early and gave birth to Conner while John watched film of Iowa on his laptop in the delivery room.

"He always gets out of the hard stuff," Allison said.

Marcus Jackson

[Symmooth]

"He always gets out of the hard stuff," Allison said.

That's a lot different than what my wife would have said. :laugh:

Come on guys, beat these OSU jokers, just like last year.

[onebrainmob]

Im glad the team dosen't have the attitude you guy's have WOW. Home court we win bottomline. I-L-L

[Symmooth]

Originally Posted by shootingsteve

They have a penetrating Guard who can pass......we haven't stopped one of those all year......score doesn't matter it's all about wins and losses......and that means this is a LOSS!!!

So you're saying that 13 of the teams we played did not have a penetrating Guard (sic) who can pass?

Love the dots, though. :laugh:

[Dan]

#Illini Tyler Griffey just hit 11 straight 3's in pregame warmups - and didn't even graze the rim on 9 of those

#Illini Myke Henry the first one on the court pregame vs. #OSU http://pic.twitter.com/tQAaWZWw



Less than 2 hours to tipoff between the #Illini and #OSU. This game is sold out, so these seats will be full by 1:15pm http://pic.twitter.com/d0aSoYjw


https://twitter.com/AaronB_WCIA

[IlliniSteve]

Griffey will need that stroke. And it'd sure be sweet if Henry exploded for a double double today.

[Illinoiss]

So does that mean Henry will get more pt?

[IlliniSpine]

If this is a sign, I hope it means TG hits his 3's in game and that MH comes ready to play more than 5 minutes! We will need them!

[alexander58]

Originally Posted by jrichisamazing

McLaurin has been one of the best in the country in offensive rebounding thus far. I agree he might be one of the least athletic guys on the court but he also might be the hardest worker. However, I wouldn't mind if he doesn't take a shot all game unless its from point blank range. I have know confidence in his shooting at all.

These guys are what they are. I expect both Egwu and McLaurin to take open mid range jumpers when available to them. The only things I find disappointing are lack of effort plays. If people think that suddenly Egwu will become Jared Sullinger or Tyler Griffey will become Draymond Green, they will have a miserable basketball viewing experience.

[Dan]

Illinettes with @BP3 before the game! #illini http://pic.twitter.com/EKyVgdmb



http://twitter.com/UofI_Illinettes

[Dan]

GAME THREAD!-

http://www.illinoisloyalty.com/Forum...ad.php?t=19221