Pregame: Illinois at Michigan, Sunday, February 24th, 12:00pm CT, ESPN

[Dan]

Beilein: Bielfeldt is injury, will be "questionable" for Sunday against Illinois.

http://twitter.com/detnewsRodBeard

[trevdv]

You guys are absolutely right; Michigan is not on a downward spiral. My point was simply that they're struggling right now, and facing a lot of adversity. The first time this year that it's happened to them. We, however, are on the opposite end of this spectrum, riding a 5-game winning streak. This game could go our way.

[Dan]

Dan Dakich alert.

Game 29 Notes & Links: Illinois at #7/7 Michigan

TV: Bob Wischusen, PBP & Dan Dakich, analyst

http://www.fightingillini.com/sports...022213aab.html

[Illini2016]

Originally Posted by Botb9

Love the confidence! Winning out would make Illinois into one of the hottest teams in the country by season's end (if they aren't already).

That's what I am hoping for! We seem to be on some sort of roll (despite the PSU game), so let's keep it going!

[Foo G]

If you have a DVR, record the race, watch the Illini game, and then fast forward through the race until you're up to real time.
Or maybe the race has a streamed broadcast that you could play.

While we're on this tangent, why would the Bassmasters Classic be scheduled for the same weekend as the Daytona 500?

[solbur2]

I didn't think we played poorly vs. Mich last time and we got beat pretty good. We are playing great and they are not, but with that being said, we will need to be outstanding to win this game. Make shots and keep playing the way we been playing on D. Hopefully there isn't a foul every possession or we won't have a chance.

[stevo99]

Originally Posted by solbur2

I didn't think we played poorly vs. Mich last time and we got beat pretty good. We are playing great and they are not, but with that being said, we will need to be outstanding to win this game. Make shots and keep playing the way we been playing on D. Hopefully there isn't a foul every possession or we won't have a chance.

We made boneheaded plays at crucial times in the first game.

Overall, we had already begun to play better by then. At least offensively.

[Decatur8r]

This is the first time this year i would bet on the Illini. I make it a practice to never bet on Illinois because I am a fan and I see things through a fans eyes. But this game.
Illinois is an 11 point dog no way. I see this game as a toss up, with neither team more than an 8 point loss. I think we can win it, (71/67) and neither team will lose by 11.

[IlliniBob89]

Something to keep track of, on the side:

Career Points, Total
1. 2,129 Deon Thomas, 1991-94
2. 1,948 Kiwane Garris, 1994-97
3. 1,812 Dee Brown, 2003-06
4. 1,748 Brian Cook, 2000-03
5. 1,735 Cory Bradford, 1999-2002
6. 1,718 Demetri McCamey, 2008-11
7. 1,692 Eddie Johnson, 1978-81
8. 1,653 Mark Smith, 1978-81
9. 1,533 Andy Kaufmann, 1989-93
10. 1,515 Brandon Paul, 2010-
11. 1,487 Efrem Winters, 1983-86
12. 1,481 Nick Weatherspoon, 1971-73
13. 1,459 Dave Scholz, 1967-69
14. 1,449 Don Freeman, 1964-66
15. 1,440 Frank Williams, 2000-02
16. 1,415 Jerry Hester, 1994-98
17. 1,409 Kendall Gill, 1987-90
18. 1,397 D.J. Richardson, 2010-
19. 1,393 Ken Norman, 1985-87
20. 1,383 James Augustine, 2003-06

From http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/...0130222aaa.pdf

[AHSIllini32]

I hope DJ can get to 1,500 points like Paul.

[DrewD007]

Originally Posted by AHSIllini32

I hope DJ can get to 1,500 points like Paul.

Not out of the realm of possibility. Mostly dependent on winning a couple games in either the BTT or NCAAs. 4 regular season games, at least one Big Ten tourney game and one postseason game... if he averages say 15 PPG he'd be 13 short. Brandon will probably only move up one more spot.

[Dan]

The Illini have arrived in Michigan!

Now arriving #illin jet to Ypsilanti should be boarding soon. http://pic.twitter.com/h7iqLxJXR1



Boarded and ready for departure to Ypsilanti. #Illini http://pic.twitter.com/eOpMyeVO5w



Arrived Ypsilanti #Illini

http://twitter.com/EdIllini

[Jkat00]

Wish I could get a charter flight like that. I have to drive 6 hours tonight to get there. Hopefully it's worth it tomorrow!

[bleedsorangenblue]

If we can play good defensive ball against MI we have a chance. Have to limit MI's scoring ability and disrupt their flow. Picking IL in a close one. Burke has a substandard game. MI turns it over more than average. Balanced scoring for IL with a modicum of threes. Recipe for getting it done

[Illini B-Ball Fan]

Originally Posted by IlliniBob89

Something to keep track of, on the side:

Career Points, Total
1. 2,129 Deon Thomas, 1991-94
2. 1,948 Kiwane Garris, 1994-97
3. 1,812 Dee Brown, 2003-06
4. 1,748 Brian Cook, 2000-03
5. 1,735 Cory Bradford, 1999-2002
6. 1,718 Demetri McCamey, 2008-11
7. 1,692 Eddie Johnson, 1978-81
8. 1,653 Mark Smith, 1978-81
9. 1,533 Andy Kaufmann, 1989-93
10. 1,515 Brandon Paul, 2010-
11. 1,487 Efrem Winters, 1983-86
12. 1,481 Nick Weatherspoon, 1971-73
13. 1,459 Dave Scholz, 1967-69
14. 1,449 Don Freeman, 1964-66
15. 1,440 Frank Williams, 2000-02
16. 1,415 Jerry Hester, 1994-98
17. 1,409 Kendall Gill, 1987-90
18. 1,397 D.J. Richardson, 2010-
19. 1,393 Ken Norman, 1985-87
20. 1,383 James Augustine, 2003-06

From http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/...0130222aaa.pdf

We probably won't see DT's record broken for many years - #25 was a great player.

[CARPET]

Illinois + 11 at Michigan

The last time these two teams played was at Illinois and Michigan delivered a 14 point beat down on the Illini.

Oh how things have changed since that last match up.Illinois finding some defense and Michigan trying to hold it together.

Winning at Michigan has been impossible so far this year as they serve home court well. But they are facing a very determined team with the Illini. The Illini have faced 10 RPI opponents this year-the most of any team this season in the nation. 5-5 and # 11 forthcoming.

I call things the way I see things and here is what I Think....

11 points is way to many points for Michigan to give up. John Q public is blindly driving the line on the name of Michigan alone. They are not factoring in Illinois is playing great defensive ball as of late the last 5 games and a team that seems to be getting it at the right time.

Michigan coming off a lay off (maybe rusty) Illinois battle ready well conditioned team

I think Illinois is going to give Michigan a great game and it would not surprise me to see Brandon Paul to get untracked and nail 30 against that weak outside defense Michigan has and win the game straight up

Illinois +++++all the points you will give me 11

[finalfour2011]

Originally Posted by Illini B-Ball Fan

We probably won't see DT's record broken for many years - #25 was a great player.

Not only was Deon a prolific scorer but he also led the team in rebounds all 4 years, shot around 60%, and played good D. When the ball went down low to DT, good things happened and as I recall, most of the offense was centered around doing just that...except when Andy Kaufmann was there firing up 3s and putting spin moves in the lane. I suppose DTs record will eventually be eclipsed by a good 3 pt shooter but probably not by a big man ( 2-pt shooters) because the best go out early now.

[illinicb]

Originally Posted by Illini B-Ball Fan

We probably won't see DT's record broken for many years - #25 was a great player.

You would need a really good player that played for four years that doesn't go to the NBA. An unlikely scenario going forward.

[Dan]

Gravy Game

This is our first Gravy Game in a long time. Maybe a really, really long time, depending on how you look at it. What's a Gravy Game? It's a combination of two things:

1) A game you're not supposed to win, because your opponent is really awesome.
2) A game you really don't have to win.

There's also two additional stipulations: you have to have the tourney bid locked up, and you have to have been eliminated from conference title contention. More or less, a Gravy Game boils down to a game against a really tough opponent on the road where a win, while nice, really isn't necessary. We're placing a bet, but it's all house money.

http://alioneye.com/2013/02/23/gravy-game/

[WinOrElse]

A quote from the article:

We’re finally there. We’ve found our last Gravy Game. Tomorrow’s game against Michigan is our first “if we win, AWESOME; if we lose, no big deal” game since February 27th, 2000 – a month after Bill Clinton left office.

I like the idea of a Gravy Game, but the history buff in me is obligated to point out that Bill Clinton didn't leave office until January of 2001.

[ILLINISTU]

The Penn St game was the opposite of a gravy game. We're supposed to win, PSU winless in conf, home game...
yeah, not a great deal of pressure on our side, however for scUM, home game they need for 'dance seeding'.

[lstewart53x3]

The game is on ESPN, so I like our chances.

[AzIlliniFan]

I hope this turns out to be a GOOD gravy game, smooth and enjoyable, not a BAD gravy game, lumpy and leaves a nasty taste in your mouth!

[IlliniSpine]

Originally Posted by AzIlliniFan

I hope this turns out to be a GOOD gravy game, smooth and enjoyable, not a BAD gravy game, lumpy and leaves a nasty taste in your mouth!

More grandma's home made spicy sausage gravy, not the powdered reconstituted stuff in the white envelope only labeled "gravy" or "meat topping".

[BlockI]

If we try to run with them I think we might lose by 20. If we can slow it down similar to PSU and limit their possessions we stand a chance at the end. Defense is the key but we also have to shoot it well.