Pregame: Illinois vs Auburn, Saturday, December 29th, 1:15pm CT, BTN

Dan · Dec 22, 2012, 07:13 PM

https://www.facebook.com/IlliniBasketball

Game 14: Illinois (12-1) vs Auburn (5-6)

Saturday, December 29th

United Center, Chicago

Time: 1:15pm CT

TV: BTN

Dan · Dec 22, 2012, 08:18 PM

Auburn just lost at home, to Winthrop.

Illini2016 · Dec 22, 2012, 08:23 PM

Expect a huge, rowdy crowd at the UC. Chicagoland alumni are sick of watching mediocre Illini teams come in and leaving with 2005 nostalgia. They will be loud and proud.

Chief Illiniwek 83
Auburn Tigers 67

trevdv · Dec 22, 2012, 08:27 PM

- 81
Auburn - 63

Warriors1994 · Dec 22, 2012, 08:29 PM

I should be there and I hope everyone who has the chance to go does. We need it to be loud in the UC!!!!

Illinois5 · Dec 22, 2012, 10:30 PM

I really don't like this game.

Can these kids lose and bounce back?

They never did all 4 years they've been here.

Hopefully Groce makes them bounce back.

Groundhogday · Dec 22, 2012, 10:35 PM

Not much of a test. Auburn is No. 164 per Sagarin. I don't have much doubt that we will win, but it would be nice to put away one of these patsies early for a change.

bootsy · Dec 22, 2012, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Illinois5

I really don't like this game.

Can these kids lose and bounce back?

They never did all 4 years they've been here.

Hopefully Groce makes them bounce back.

I love this game because when we do win people like you will stop asking these silly irrelevant questions all the time. We didn't do this last year? They haven't done this in 4 years? They had this record last year and what happened? Focus on NOW and the the future and not the past.

HeartofaChampion · Dec 22, 2012, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Groundhogday

Not much of a test. Auburn is No. 164 per Sagarin. I don't have much doubt that we will win, but it would be nice to put away one of these patsies early for a change.

+1. A win by less than 15 points would be a disappointment. Auburn is a bad team, and we should be fired up for a W at the UC. Need to start showing some killer instinct in these types of games. Hoping we do.

OrangeKrush · Dec 23, 2012, 01:02 AM

Was there last year for the ugly UNLV loss and I'll be there again Saturday. Can't imagine how ugly the UIC loss was 2 years ago to those in attendance.

illiniracers · Dec 23, 2012, 02:50 AM

My alma mater Murray State beat Auburn by 30 in the Charleston classic so I expect nothing less in this game. ILLINI

chucktownillini · Dec 23, 2012, 06:58 AM

Coach Groce needs just 3 wins to reach 100 for his career, so let's drub Auburn @ UC, beat down the Boilers @ Mackey & then get him #100 against Ohio St @ home! How cool would that be, to get your 100th vs Matta, your mentor. Go Illini!!!!!!!

WesterveltVictoryCigar · Dec 23, 2012, 07:10 AM

Auburn is not good on offense, they have 2 guys making ~50% on 3 pointers (but don't take many) and they do well on the offensive glass, that's about it. We should be able to force turnovers and get a lot of good looks on offense. Just need to execute.

Konnie · Dec 23, 2012, 07:54 AM

This is the first of many critical games. Do they bounce back or start to fade? I think that they will bounce back with a vengeance.

WinOrElse · Dec 23, 2012, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Illinois5

I really don't like this game.

Can these kids lose and bounce back?

They never did all 4 years they've been here.

Hopefully Groce makes them bounce back.

NEVER!!?? You mean they haven't won a game since their first taste of defeat as freshmen!!?? WOW!! I had no idea things were so bad. Can't imagine why I'm so pleased with what's happened so far this year. I must be a complete moron.

trevdv · Dec 23, 2012, 08:32 AM

Hope you guys like the Big Ten Network, because this is the start of 13 games broadcast on BTN in the next 15 games we play. Next time we'll see Illinois on an ESPN network is February.

illball · Dec 23, 2012, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chucktownillini

Coach Groce needs just 3 wins to reach 100 for his career, so let's drub Auburn @ UC, beat down the Boilers @ Mackey & then get him #100 against Ohio St @ home! How cool would that be, to get your 100th vs Matta, your mentor. Go Illini!!!!!!!

+1 that would be very cool if it turned out that way!!

illball · Dec 23, 2012, 09:47 AM

Is auburn returning all their starters from last season? What place did they end up in SEC and did they have any standout wins last season or this season yet? My prediction Ill come out of their shooting slump and Tracey plays more relaxed and doesn't press himself to do something spectacular every play, Ill 82 Aub 60

ILLSauce · Dec 23, 2012, 10:08 AM

Mike Thomas needs to bring Jim Shepherd back for this game annually at the UC.

WesterveltVictoryCigar · Dec 23, 2012, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by illball

Is auburn returning all their starters from last season? What place did they end up in SEC and did they have any standout wins last season or this season yet?

Auburn finished 11th in the SEC last year. Best win this year is over College of Charleston, I guess. They beat USF and Ole Miss last season. We should win, but nothing has been easy for us recently.

illiniwisdom · Dec 23, 2012, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bootsy

I love this game because when we do win people like you will stop asking these silly irrelevant questions all the time. We didn't do this last year? They haven't done this in 4 years? They had this record last year and what happened? Focus on NOW and the the future and not the past.

Amen, bro! This is far better team than Bruce's last team and since this is Bruce's last team it must be that the coach is better. The kids left it all on the floor against vastly superior Mizzou talent. This will be fun for a change at the UC and I will be there.

Kramer116 · Dec 23, 2012, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OrangeKrush

Was there last year for the ugly UNLV loss and I'll be there again Saturday. Can't imagine how ugly the UIC loss was 2 years ago to those in attendance.

Be very thankful you did not have to experience that monstrosity in person...

It may have been the most embarrassed I have been as an Illini fan. I did meet Howard Moore after the game, he was a really nice guy and he was pretty huge. I think that will be a good hire for UIC.

Redbirds33333 · Dec 23, 2012, 11:48 AM

ILL - 83
Aub - 68

Kramer116 · Dec 23, 2012, 11:54 AM

Who is all going to the game?

I will be in section 312.

mdonsbach · Dec 23, 2012, 12:00 PM

Dominate and 15 threes

Dec 22, 2012, 08:23 PM	#3
Illini2016 Location: Chicago/Champaign Posts: 371	Expect a huge, rowdy crowd at the UC. Chicagoland alumni are sick of watching mediocre Illini teams come in and leaving with 2005 nostalgia. They will be loud and proud. Chief Illiniwek 83 Auburn Tigers 67 __________________ ILLINI BEARS CUBS BULLS BLACKHAWKS Class of 2016

Dec 22, 2012, 10:35 PM	#7
Groundhogday Posts: 18,085	Not much of a test. Auburn is No. 164 per Sagarin. I don't have much doubt that we will win, but it would be nice to put away one of these patsies early for a change. __________________ ONLY ORANGE!

Dec 23, 2012, 11:54 AM	#24
Kramer116 Location: Chicago Posts: 9,614	Who is all going to the game? I will be in section 312. __________________ @TomCrean: I am doing great. I have been thinking about you alot since last weekend. A whole lot. How are you doing?

Dec 23, 2012, 12:00 PM	#25
mdonsbach Location: Bethalto, IL Posts: 1,260	Dominate and 15 threes __________________ Twitter

Dec 22, 2012, 07:13 PM	#1
Dan Admin Location: Champaign, IL Posts: 25,908	https://www.facebook.com/IlliniBasketball Game 14: Illinois (12-1) vs Auburn (5-6) Saturday, December 29th United Center, Chicago Time: 1:15pm CT TV: BTN Last edited by Dan; Dec 27, 2012 at 05:11 PM.

Dec 22, 2012, 08:18 PM	#2
Dan Admin Location: Champaign, IL Posts: 25,908	Auburn just lost at home, to Winthrop.

Dec 22, 2012, 08:27 PM	#4
trevdv Location: Champaign Posts: 2,574	- 81 Auburn - 63

Dec 22, 2012, 08:29 PM	#5
Warriors1994 Posts: 617	I should be there and I hope everyone who has the chance to go does. We need it to be loud in the UC!!!!

Dec 22, 2012, 10:30 PM	#6
Illinois5 Location: Illinois Posts: 193	I really don't like this game. Can these kids lose and bounce back? They never did all 4 years they've been here. Hopefully Groce makes them bounce back.

Dec 23, 2012, 01:02 AM	#10
OrangeKrush Banned Location: Carbondale, IL Posts: 300	Was there last year for the ugly UNLV loss and I'll be there again Saturday. Can't imagine how ugly the UIC loss was 2 years ago to those in attendance.

Dec 23, 2012, 02:50 AM	#11
illiniracers Location: West Wendover, NV Posts: 214	My alma mater Murray State beat Auburn by 30 in the Charleston classic so I expect nothing less in this game. ILLINI

Dec 23, 2012, 06:58 AM	#12
chucktownillini Posts: 204	Coach Groce needs just 3 wins to reach 100 for his career, so let's drub Auburn @ UC, beat down the Boilers @ Mackey & then get him #100 against Ohio St @ home! How cool would that be, to get your 100th vs Matta, your mentor. Go Illini!!!!!!!

Dec 23, 2012, 07:10 AM	#13
WesterveltVictoryCigar Location: People's Republic of Massachusetts Posts: 5,859	Auburn is not good on offense, they have 2 guys making ~50% on 3 pointers (but don't take many) and they do well on the offensive glass, that's about it. We should be able to force turnovers and get a lot of good looks on offense. Just need to execute.

Dec 23, 2012, 07:54 AM	#14
Konnie Location: Chicago Posts: 55	This is the first of many critical games. Do they bounce back or start to fade? I think that they will bounce back with a vengeance.

Dec 23, 2012, 08:32 AM	#16
trevdv Location: Champaign Posts: 2,574	Hope you guys like the Big Ten Network, because this is the start of 13 games broadcast on BTN in the next 15 games we play. Next time we'll see Illinois on an ESPN network is February.

Dec 23, 2012, 09:47 AM	#18
illball Posts: 42	Is auburn returning all their starters from last season? What place did they end up in SEC and did they have any standout wins last season or this season yet? My prediction Ill come out of their shooting slump and Tracey plays more relaxed and doesn't press himself to do something spectacular every play, Ill 82 Aub 60

Dec 23, 2012, 10:08 AM	#19
ILLSauce Director of the Ekey Fan Club Posts: 375	Mike Thomas needs to bring Jim Shepherd back for this game annually at the UC.

Dec 23, 2012, 11:48 AM	#23
Redbirds33333 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 113	ILL - 83 Aub - 68