Maui Championship Pregame: Illinois vs Butler, Wednesday, November 21th, 9:00pm CT, ESPN

Dan · Nov 20, 2012, 10:46 PM

Game 6: Illinois (5-0) vs Butler (3-1)

Wednesday, November 21st

Maui Invitational Championship Game

9:00pm CT

TV: ESPN

hailtothechief · Nov 20, 2012, 10:54 PM

Honestly have no idea who will win, but I think it will be a close game. I will be interested to see how this team (Illinois) faces adversity if they are down by 5-10 points against a very good team.

Illini - 67
Butler - 64

(Thank God football season is almost over)

mdonsbach · Nov 20, 2012, 11:01 PM

Butler will make it look as ugly as possible. I think whoever gets off to the hot start will end up taking it.

gordonbacon15 · Nov 20, 2012, 11:01 PM

We are going to have to limit the number of looks Clarke and Dunham get from 3. Those kids can flat shoot.

illinisc · Nov 20, 2012, 11:08 PM

I liked Groce's substitution patterns today. He gave our guards long stretches of rest and I think it was to save their legs for tomorrow. I think we have the fresher legs and pull away in the end.

Ill - 78
Butler - 73

troydove · Nov 20, 2012, 11:08 PM

Groce vs Stevens We will win and be ranked under Groce for the first time

AlmostFamous79 · Nov 20, 2012, 11:11 PM

1st post. LA Illini fan. Win or loose this team is fun and they are having fun.
I hope no Illinois fan boos Butler's coach when he is announced. For one reason...

We have John Groce. He is on a roll and so is Illinois. Night and day this year and last

jhayton · Nov 20, 2012, 11:12 PM

I am excited to see us play a team that will give us a better idea of how we will fare in conference.

Illinois 66
Butler 65

illinibballfan · Nov 20, 2012, 11:17 PM

We going to the 'ship.

illinibballfan · Nov 20, 2012, 11:17 PM

Illinois 82
Butler 71

MikeThomas4Prez · Nov 20, 2012, 11:24 PM

The games keep getting earlier and earlier. Thank the Lord

HeartofaChampion · Nov 20, 2012, 11:25 PM

UI 72
Butler 64

Butler expended more energy today than we did. Will be interesting to see if they come out a little flat after upsetting UNC. And none of our starters played big minutes today, so, though a little tired, we should have more energy than them.

OrangeKrush · Nov 20, 2012, 11:27 PM

Just win.

IlliniSpine · Nov 20, 2012, 11:27 PM

ILL 71
BUT 66

BP3 comes out with 20+

Illiniguru7 · Nov 20, 2012, 11:51 PM

The utmost perfect team for us to play if we were to make it to the championship game (which we did...holy crap!!!) Groce will use the pump up speech of playing against the coach who turned us down, the players will come out like bats out of hell, and The Fighting Illini will win the Maui Invitational.

cjcastan · Nov 20, 2012, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Illiniguru7

Groce will use the pump up speech of playing against the coach who turned us down,

that or 5 fingers....

true we have to watch Clarke and Dunham but do they have anyone that can check TA BP and JB. Paige looked like in the 2nd half he could get to the rack at will.

IL - 72
BU- 68

Our depth wears them down as we dictate the pace/

davidlee930 · Nov 21, 2012, 12:00 AM

The pain resulting from all the Brad Stevens rumors earlier this year have already subsided with Groce's hot start. Let's go!

illinois_hustle · Nov 21, 2012, 12:09 AM

I'm envisioning a frustrating game because Butler will force us into that. But I'm hoping we make enough big shots and play great defense and squeak one out.

Butler 70
Illinois 74

saltygrapes · Nov 21, 2012, 12:18 AM

People seem to forget that Brad Stevens's friendship with Groce and his words to our AD helped us end up with him as our HC.

I would have said I'd rather be playing Butler in this game than UNC, but after watching UNC's pathetic performance tonight I have to take that back. Butler looked great earlier. Hopefully they don't outrebound the hell out of Illinois and beat us up physically.

I hope our team doesn't settle for the threes tomorrow on their tired legs. I want to see them attack Butler from the start.

72 - 64 Illinois

Mr Nice · Nov 21, 2012, 12:21 AM

clarke is butlers whole team, and i dont think he has a very good game with TA in his face

illinisc · Nov 21, 2012, 12:25 AM

Regardless of what tomorrow's outcome is, we come out of Hawaii at least 3-1. Better than what most people expected. Can't wait for tomorrow's game.

2005ILLINIWHITESOX · Nov 21, 2012, 12:29 AM

get pumped for tomorrow gentlemen...would love to see us beat stevens!

jrichisamazing · Nov 21, 2012, 12:31 AM

I think the big stat in this game is rebounding, if we can control the boards we have a good shot at winning. We will definitely have to keep the pedal to the metal the whole game...we haven't had the need to do that the past two games.

drumanimal · Nov 21, 2012, 12:38 AM

going to be a close game for sure! Butler looks tough. Seems to me that what ever teams comes out more aggressive will win. Either way a great trip!!

IlliniRon · Nov 21, 2012, 01:32 AM

Feel good about our chances tomorrow against a tough Butler squad.

Illini 81
Butler 77

Nov 20, 2012, 11:01 PM	#3
mdonsbach Location: Bethalto, IL Posts: 1,257	Butler will make it look as ugly as possible. I think whoever gets off to the hot start will end up taking it. __________________ Twitter

Nov 21, 2012, 12:00 AM	#17
davidlee930 Location: New York, NY Posts: 4,550	The pain resulting from all the Brad Stevens rumors earlier this year have already subsided with Groce's hot start. Let's go! __________________

Nov 21, 2012, 12:18 AM	#19
saltygrapes Posts: 652	People seem to forget that Brad Stevens's friendship with Groce and his words to our AD helped us end up with him as our HC. I would have said I'd rather be playing Butler in this game than UNC, but after watching UNC's pathetic performance tonight I have to take that back. Butler looked great earlier. Hopefully they don't outrebound the hell out of Illinois and beat us up physically. I hope our team doesn't settle for the threes tomorrow on their tired legs. I want to see them attack Butler from the start. 72 - 64 Illinois __________________ If you die in an elevator, be sure to push the Up button.

Nov 21, 2012, 01:32 AM	#25
IlliniRon Illini Basketball Fan Forever Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 1,271	Feel good about our chances tomorrow against a tough Butler squad. Illini 81 Butler 77 __________________ Maybe this is our Year

Nov 20, 2012, 10:46 PM	#1
Dan Admin Location: Champaign, IL Posts: 25,886	Game 6: Illinois (5-0) vs Butler (3-1) Wednesday, November 21st Maui Invitational Championship Game 9:00pm CT TV: ESPN

Nov 20, 2012, 10:54 PM	#2
hailtothechief Posts: 18	Honestly have no idea who will win, but I think it will be a close game. I will be interested to see how this team (Illinois) faces adversity if they are down by 5-10 points against a very good team. Illini - 67 Butler - 64 (Thank God football season is almost over)

Nov 20, 2012, 11:01 PM	#4
gordonbacon15 Location: Iowa City Posts: 42	We are going to have to limit the number of looks Clarke and Dunham get from 3. Those kids can flat shoot.

Nov 20, 2012, 11:08 PM	#5
illinisc Posts: 630	I liked Groce's substitution patterns today. He gave our guards long stretches of rest and I think it was to save their legs for tomorrow. I think we have the fresher legs and pull away in the end. Ill - 78 Butler - 73

Nov 20, 2012, 11:08 PM	#6
troydove Posts: 358	Groce vs Stevens We will win and be ranked under Groce for the first time

Nov 20, 2012, 11:11 PM	#7
AlmostFamous79 Posts: 176	1st post. LA Illini fan. Win or loose this team is fun and they are having fun. I hope no Illinois fan boos Butler's coach when he is announced. For one reason... We have John Groce. He is on a roll and so is Illinois. Night and day this year and last

Nov 20, 2012, 11:12 PM	#8
jhayton Location: Osceola, WI Posts: 638	I am excited to see us play a team that will give us a better idea of how we will fare in conference. Illinois 66 Butler 65

Nov 20, 2012, 11:17 PM	#9
illinibballfan Posts: 28	We going to the 'ship.

Nov 20, 2012, 11:24 PM	#11
MikeThomas4Prez Location: Central Illinois Posts: 719	The games keep getting earlier and earlier. Thank the Lord

Nov 20, 2012, 11:25 PM	#12
HeartofaChampion Posts: 10,336	UI 72 Butler 64 Butler expended more energy today than we did. Will be interesting to see if they come out a little flat after upsetting UNC. And none of our starters played big minutes today, so, though a little tired, we should have more energy than them.

Nov 20, 2012, 11:27 PM	#13
OrangeKrush Banned Location: Carbondale, IL Posts: 300	Just win.

Nov 20, 2012, 11:27 PM	#14
IlliniSpine Location: Seattle Area, WA Posts: 1,101	ILL 71 BUT 66 BP3 comes out with 20+

Nov 20, 2012, 11:51 PM	#15
Illiniguru7 Posts: 4	The utmost perfect team for us to play if we were to make it to the championship game (which we did...holy crap!!!) Groce will use the pump up speech of playing against the coach who turned us down, the players will come out like bats out of hell, and The Fighting Illini will win the Maui Invitational.

Nov 21, 2012, 12:09 AM	#18
illinois_hustle My Kool-Aid needs vodka Location: San Diego Posts: 3,001	I'm envisioning a frustrating game because Butler will force us into that. But I'm hoping we make enough big shots and play great defense and squeak one out. Butler 70 Illinois 74

Nov 21, 2012, 12:21 AM	#20
Mr Nice "The Insider" Posts: 18	clarke is butlers whole team, and i dont think he has a very good game with TA in his face

Nov 21, 2012, 12:25 AM	#21
illinisc Posts: 630	Regardless of what tomorrow's outcome is, we come out of Hawaii at least 3-1. Better than what most people expected. Can't wait for tomorrow's game.

Nov 21, 2012, 12:29 AM	#22
2005ILLINIWHITESOX Posts: 199	get pumped for tomorrow gentlemen...would love to see us beat stevens!

Nov 21, 2012, 12:31 AM	#23
jrichisamazing Posts: 297	I think the big stat in this game is rebounding, if we can control the boards we have a good shot at winning. We will definitely have to keep the pedal to the metal the whole game...we haven't had the need to do that the past two games.

Nov 21, 2012, 12:38 AM	#24
drumanimal Location: Urbana, IL Posts: 430	going to be a close game for sure! Butler looks tough. Seems to me that what ever teams comes out more aggressive will win. Either way a great trip!!