Pregame: Illinois vs Missouri, Saturday, December 21st, 12:00pm CT, SEC

[TheGMan]

I feel confident about this game. Mizzou relies on the three and defense. Pretty similar to Michigan, just not as good. As we saw, Illinois has the definite ability to shut down the three game. Mark Smith is the main guy that we need to shut down from three. If he gets hot, he can score a bunch in a hurry. But if he is missing shots, they basically have to rely on Tilmon.

In my opinion, it's gonna come down to Tilmon v. Kofi (and Giorgi to a lesser extent), and Mark Smith v. whoever we have guarding him (I'm guessing either Frazier or Williams).

 

[urbanite]

According to some stats someone posted on this board recently, Tyler leads the team in steals on a "per 40" basis... Get that boy some tick.

He led last year's team in steal percentage, but with only four total steals. He has no steals this year. Da'Monte and Trent are currently leading this year's team in steal percentage.

 

[DrewD007]

I live in Chicago and my 2 roommates as well as many in our friend group are Mizzou grads. They have zero interest in this game and I just don't understand. I think this is one of the most fun rivalry's in college sports but when I try to rile them up about the game they point blank tell me they don't care and only care about the rivalry with Kansas. This year when I tell them Kofi is going to man handle Tilmon they are more interested in talking about their new football coach. I expect this game to be mainly a sea of orange and an ILL beat down of the tigers. It feels as if this rivalry is on its deathbed IMO

If they're not from St. Louis it probably doesn't mean as much. I know a lot of Illini fans up in Chicago don't care all that much about Mizzou either.

 

[Fighter of the Nightman]

If they're not from St. Louis it probably doesn't mean as much. I know a lot of Illini fans up in Chicago don't care all that much about Mizzou either.

Also, if you have been beaten like a red-headed stepchild for four decades by the same opponent before Christmas, the best self-preservation move is to care less. Lol, I have seen Mizzou fans on their message boards claim that we have beaten them over the years because their players don't care enough about the rivalry, and our effort is always better ... it couldn't possibly be because we have been an immeasurably better program since this game's inception, even with our post-2009 drought. Then again, that wouldn't explain their pathetic obsession with Kansas, a program that has beaten them so often to the point of it being a joke and a fan base that wants nothing to do with playing them. Speaking of message boards...

http://www.tigerboard.com/boards/list.php?board=1

... I HAVE to be missing something here. I know someone asks this every year, but why is this message board's format literally the stuff of nightmares?! What kind of monster put this together, and why does he or she insist on keeping it this way? This is the most Missouri-lookin' thing I have ever seen.

 

[urbanite]

Mizzou relies on the three and defense. Pretty similar to Michigan, just not as good.

That's an understatement. Missouri's defensive efficiency is just below Michigan's, but their 3P% is way below. Michigan is at 38.5% (28th) while Missouri is at 26.6% (335th). Mark Smith is their only good 3P shooter at 41%. The rest of the team is shooting 21%. And for whatever reason, their 3P rate is relatively high; 42.6% (76th).

 

[tpbradley]

No just someone who doesn't pick on a kid because he is the coach's son.

I think you're being overly sensitive. I don't think anyone's picking on him, and it's apparent the team really likes him. The real issue, through no fault of Tyler, is that he wouldn't be playing for Illinois in probably any capacity, if his dad weren't the coach. So remarks about him, imo, are more about that than anything else.

 

[maverick]

Mizzou basketball is a myth...the best year they ever thought they had was undone by Tyus Edney.

 

[DrewD007]

Also, if you have been beaten like a red-headed stepchild for four decades by the same opponent before Christmas, the best self-preservation move is to care less. Lol, I have seen Mizzou fans on their message boards claim that we have beaten them over the years because their players don't care enough about the rivalry, and our effort is always better ... it couldn't possibly be because we have been an immeasurably better program since this game's inception, even with our post-2009 drought. Then again, that wouldn't explain their pathetic obsession with Kansas, a program that has beaten them so often to the point of it being a joke and a fan base that wants nothing to do with playing them. Speaking of message boards...

http://www.tigerboard.com/boards/list.php?board=1

... I HAVE to be missing something here. I know someone asks this every year, but why is this message board's format literally the stuff of nightmares?! What kind of monster put this together, and why does he or she insist on keeping it this way? This is the most Missouri-lookin' thing I have ever seen.

To be honest, I don't mind the idea of different thread chains, however the fact that you have to click on each post to read it is just stupid. If they're going to do a board like that, then they should do something more like Reddit.

 

[illini80]

By all accounts we should win this game, but it does make me nervous. We will win inside, but if we happen to catch them on a hot shooting 3 point night it could be a tough night. They will be chucking them for sure. 3's are the great equalizer so you just never know when someone is going to go off.

 

[IlliniKat91]

Even after they won last year they didn't chirp me at all. They wouldn't have even watched the game if I didn't force them to go out with me and watch it. It seems they only get excited about Football. They did chirp me when the Illinois Mizzou Football home and home series was announced.

Is it possible they're just bigger football than basketball fans?

 

[TheGMan]

By all accounts we should win this game, but it does make me nervous. We will win inside, but if we happen to catch them on a hot shooting 3 point night it could be a tough night. They will be chucking them for sure. 3's are the great equalizer so you just never know when someone is going to go off.

Make someone other than Mark Smith and Tilmon beat you. While someone else can certainly get hot and beat us, I like our odds a lot more if we shutdown those two players.

 

[pruman91]

Make someone other than Mark Smith and Tilmon beat you. While someone else can certainly get hot and beat us, I like our odds a lot more if we shutdown those two players.

Pickett is the one who I'm worried about....Charmin will chuck'em from the cheap seats, but we need to run the daylights out of them, as we are deeper and better athletically.....Tilmon should get in foul trouble pretty quickly, if GB is passing down low to Kofi.

Our defense has improved dramatically as we have moved off of the opponents somewhat and can restrict their movements better, but I sure hope we are hitting our 3's....get out early and bury the bums and reign misery down on Misery !!!!!!!!!!!

Illini 78
misery 62

 

[Ga65]

By all accounts we should win this game, but it does make me nervous. We will win inside, but if we happen to catch them on a hot shooting 3 point night it could be a tough night. They will be chucking them for sure. 3's are the great equalizer so you just never know when someone is going to go off.

We do seem to have a defensive plan (since the Miami game) that adjusts to the opponents offense this year. Don’t know if that is a result of more experienced players, coaches, or personnel changes but it certainly is different than recent history. Like to see more than two in a row (Not counting ODU).

 

[BRucks]

Pickett is the one who I'm worried about....Charmin will chuck'em from the cheap seats, but we need to run the daylights out of them, as we are deeper and better athletically.....Tilmon should get in foul trouble pretty quickly, if GB is passing down low to Kofi.

Our defense has improved dramatically as we have moved off of the opponents somewhat and can restrict their movements better, but I sure hope we are hitting our 3's....get out early and bury the bums and reign misery down on Misery !!!!!!!!!!!

Illini 78
misery 62

Geist killed us last year but he is gone now. Tilmon had a good game at 16 and 12. Need to hold him in check.

 

[Illiniguy13]

Geist killed us last year but he is gone now. Tilmon had a good game at 16 and 12. Need to hold him in check.

If I'm BU, I'm feeding Kofi & Giorgi inside a lot to let them go to work and let Tilmon hack away.

 

[IlliniKat91]

That's my thought as well and why I believe this rivalry is on its deathbed without the football aspect of it.

I think one group of friends from Chicago is a poor sample.

As a Chicagoan, I never cared about Mizzou other than them being a win on our schedule. When I was at Illinois and made friends who were from downstate, I got into it for their sake alone. With the way things played out with Tilmon and Mark Smith, it started to feel more personal so I really got into it.

It could be less about the rivarly is dying and more that your friends are casual fans who like football more than basketball. Those of us who are on Loyalty are a poor measuring stick; we're on message boards because we're rabid fans. Most people aren't like us.

 

[Calvin]

In my opinion, it's gonna come down to Tilmon v. Kofi (and Giorgi to a lesser extent), and Mark Smith v. whoever we have guarding him (I'm guessing either Frazier or Williams).

Tilmon v Kofi is no contest.

Was looking at Mark Smith's stats since I have no idea how he's playing, and the things that stood out:
They've played a soft schedule through 10 games, but he's similar statistically in most areas.
His 3 pt shooting is down
His assist TOTAL for the season is.....drum roll....6. Whoa! Guy manages to pass the ball to a teammate nearly every other game he plays. Watch out

 

[The Dave]

http://www.tigerboard.com/boards/list.php?board=1

... I HAVE to be missing something here. I know someone asks this every year, but why is this message board's format literally the stuff of nightmares?! What kind of monster put this together, and why does he or she insist on keeping it this way? This is the most Missouri-lookin' thing I have ever seen.

Remember, the University of Missouri just got the internet on campus 2 years ago. They're just catching up.

 

[The Dave]

I think one group of friends from Chicago is a poor sample.

As a Chicagoan, I never cared about Mizzou other than them being a win on our schedule. When I was at Illinois and made friends who were from downstate, I got into it for their sake alone. With the way things played out with Tilmon and Mark Smith, it started to feel more personal so I really got into it.

It could be less about the rivarly is dying and more that your friends are casual fans who like football more than basketball. Those of us who are on Loyalty are a poor measuring stick; we're on message boards because we're rabid fans. Most people aren't like us.

It seems like every Illinois fan has a different "most hated rival" based on where they grew up, when they went to the school, what sport they prefer, and when they became Illini fans. For example, being from the Quad Cities and being in Champaign when Bruce F***ing Pearl was at Illinois messing with Deon, I hate those Idiots Out Wandering Around more than anyone else.

Others will tell you Miznoz is our biggest rival. Others will say NW or Purdue or Indiana... Would be nice if we could just all settle on hating Iowa more than anyone else.

 

[MBE33]

AFTER READING THIS MESSAGE BOARD, IT REMINDED ME OF THE PRE MIAMI GAME AND WE ALL KNOW HOW THAT TURNED OUT! ANY TEAM IS CAPABLE OF BEATING ANOTHER AT THIS LEVEL AND STRANGE THINGS HAPPEN AT THE BORDER BATTLES GAMES. I FEEL THAT THIS ILLINI TEAM CAN BE GREAT BY THE END OF THE SEASON IF IT PLAYS HARD EVERY GAME. PLAY HARD AND WIN FOR IT CAN BECOME CONTAGIOUS. GO ILLINI

 

[oldschool51]

By all accounts we should win this game, but it does make me nervous. We will win inside, but if we happen to catch them on a hot shooting 3 point night it could be a tough night. They will be chucking them for sure. 3's are the great equalizer so you just never know when someone is going to go off.

Iets force them to drive the rock

 

[CHEEF]

AFTER READING THIS MESSAGE BOARD, IT REMINDED ME OF THE PRE MIAMI GAME AND WE ALL KNOW HOW THAT TURNED OUT! ANY TEAM IS CAPABLE OF BEATING ANOTHER AT THIS LEVEL AND STRANGE THINGS HAPPEN AT THE BORDER BATTLES GAMES. I FEEL THAT THIS ILLINI TEAM CAN BE GREAT BY THE END OF THE SEASON IF IT PLAYS HARD EVERY GAME. PLAY HARD AND WIN FOR IT CAN BECOME CONTAGIOUS. GO ILLINI

Calm down! Use your indoor voice!

 

[illinitiger]

By all accounts we should win this game, but it does make me nervous. We will win inside, but if we happen to catch them on a hot shooting 3 point night it could be a tough night. They will be chucking them for sure. 3's are the great equalizer so you just never know when someone is going to go off.

Why does it seem like teams "go off" on 3p streaks against us....I guess its Illini Paranoia I have...

 

[83nation]

The SEC network is on Comcast 537 in Urbana. Just checked it!

But does it work? It's listed for me as well, but it doesn't work. Says I need to upgrade, but I already have the sports package.

 

[IlliniGuy108]

AFTER READING THIS MESSAGE BOARD, IT REMINDED ME OF THE PRE MIAMI GAME AND WE ALL KNOW HOW THAT TURNED OUT! ANY TEAM IS CAPABLE OF BEATING ANOTHER AT THIS LEVEL AND STRANGE THINGS HAPPEN AT THE BORDER BATTLES GAMES. I FEEL THAT THIS ILLINI TEAM CAN BE GREAT BY THE END OF THE SEASON IF IT PLAYS HARD EVERY GAME. PLAY HARD AND WIN FOR IT CAN BECOME CONTAGIOUS. GO ILLINI

Well since the horrible start of that game, we beat Miami by 20ish in the second half, and then led wire-to-wire against two top 5 teams, should have beaten them both, and did beat the most recent one. So maybe we turned the corner?