I've heard/seen it said many times, in various ways and by various people, that defense is largely about effort, focus, intensity, etc. In that regard, I think it's more possible to "turn it up" on D than it is on offense. In other words, I don't think that it's as possible to "effort" your way to a great offensive game as much as it is to "effort" your way to a great defensive game.
That being the case, I just have a feeling that the Illini are capable of better than they've shown, on average, when it comes to defense. We've seen glimpses of it, of late.
I feel more confident in this team and its level of composure and maturity than any team since '05. I am expecting them to come out absolutely locked in and ready to give that 110% effort that is needed to play a transcendent level of basketball...the kind that wins huge games like this, on the biggest of stages. I think this team, at long last, has the hunger and the drive and the connectedness to meet a moment this big.
Less than 24 hours now and I CANNOT wait!
I-friggin'-L-friggin'-L!