Pregame: Illinois at Michigan State, Thursday, January 2nd, 7:00pm CT, FS1

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#26      
"The Spoon" This team could really use a go to player like Weatherspoon at the 4. It could be argued that this is the teams most serious limitation. I thought Tevian Jones might develop along those lines.
Malcom Hill the missing piece.
 
#30      

haasi

New York
Would love to see Trent get going. He averaged 2.5 3s made on 6.2 attempts last year. This year down to 1.7 on 4.6 attempts.
 
#31      
Idk if I'd rather have a sub optimal Winston on the court, or no Winston at all.

Spread too high for me regardless.
 
#32      
Hoping for a solid/good showing tonight by the Illini.
 
#35      
We tend to play up/down to teams, so I expect a close (win). This is probably going to be a career game for MSU's Rocket Watts regardless of Winston's status. Why? because he hasn't been very good but is now trending up, and Illinois has to allow a career night every game. This is the way.
 
#37      

illini80

Forgottonia
I think we play tough and stay with them til the end. It also may feel like we were never really going to win it.
 
#38      

Deleted member 29907

D
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We were successful last year because we pressured the crap out of Winston just over half court, and we denied him getting the ball back once he gave it up. When he's given a body length or so, he's dangerous cause he uses that off arm to go by defenders. Body up pressure, he's not so good. Kofi will help at the rim, but we have to rotate down to the dump pass he'll make. At least this year, we shouldn't get back door dunked on copious amounts of times.
 
#39      
We were successful last year because we pressured the crap out of Winston just over half court, and we denied him getting the ball back once he gave it up. When he's given a body length or so, he's dangerous cause he uses that off arm to go by defenders. Body up pressure, he's not so good. Kofi will help at the rim, but we have to rotate down to the dump pass he'll make. At least this year, we shouldn't get back door dunked on copious amounts of times.
No matter how well he does or, how great he plays, you always seem to dislike Winston.
 
#41      
Underwood has won two B1G conference games on the opponent's home floor in his time here.
17-18 @Rutgers
18-19 @Ohio State

Time for the Illini to step up!
 
#42      
I wonder if BU turns up that pressure D that so hindered Winston last year and was the major component of our upset. Obviously we haven't done it at all this year so it's unlikely...but maybe he breaks it out to catch them off guard. Of course if we do Izzo will make the halftime adjust and we won't...
 
#43      

Deleted member 29907

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No matter how well he does or, how great he plays, you always seem to dislike Winston.
You misread that fact I don't think he's the best PG in the league or nation for dislike. I have nothing against him at all. I just think he's overhyped. JMO of course and reasonable people can disagree - but if he were as great as hyped, he wouldn't be in this league anymore.

And nothing in my previous statement said anything about how good he is or isn't, rather just a way to take away their best player. When we denied him the ball last year at SFC - MSU struggled with what to do. As a matter of fact I pointed out that he is dangerous.
 
#45      
You misread that fact I don't think he's the best PG in the league or nation for dislike. I have nothing against him at all. I just think he's overhyped. JMO of course and reasonable people can disagree - but if he were as great as hyped, he wouldn't be in this league anymore.

And nothing in my previous statement said anything about how good he is or isn't, rather just a way to take away their best player. When we denied him the ball last year at SFC - MSU struggled with what to do. As a matter of fact I pointed out that he is dangerous.

A lot of great college athletes never make it to the pros. Winston put MSU on his back and carried them to the semi-finals last year.
 
#46      

Deleted member 29907

D
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Underwood has won two B1G conference games on the opponent's home floor in his time here.
17-18 @Rutgers
18-19 @Ohio State

Time for the Illini to step up!
And should have beaten MD this year.
 
#47      

Deleted member 29907

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A lot of great college athletes never make it to the pros. Winston put MSU on his back and carried them to the semi-finals last year.
Yet he didn't show up in any of the leading stats lines. Maybe you're thinking of that chucker Carsen Edwards? Never said he wasn't a great player, just not quite up to the hype he's made out to be all year. There are other guards in this league alone we've had more problems with staying in front of and harassing. Heck we force a good amount of turnovers over the last two years from him than probably anyone else (too lazy to look it up - but it seems in the 8ish per game as I recall). Yes, he's still going to get his points, but if he gives away that many TOs to us, that's giving back alot.

Again, my opinion, but I think he could have reached his ceiling last year with the team they had. Could i be wrong - certainly. But if the refs ever start calling his use of his free arm to get by people (much like they call the Giorgi chicken wing) they'd take away 1/4 of his game. His dribbling is ok, his ability to use what the refs allow him to get away with - is stellar.

What amazes me is that someone with an opinion who doesn't "fall in line with the crowd" is assumed to be a hater or have some alternative motive. Strange world we live in, but i guess its an easier response.
 
#48      
Well, hope we give em a good game --this one suits my schedule, and I'll be at the game. Always more enjoyable to see it live, with my friend who's at MSU.
 
#49      
Against Mich and Mizzo we made 3 out of 25 3's. Difficult to see us beating anyone on the road if that continues.
This has been one of the more troublesome and somewhat unexpected stats. I thought we'd be better than that. I'd love for us to be the team getting hot from outside (for once). We really need Trent, Ayo and Griffin to get good looks and convert. As much as we are shooting poorly I haven't been pleased with the overall shots we are getting. I think if we improve our passing even marginally we will get better shots down low AND from the perimeter.
 
#50      
Yet he didn't show up in any of the leading stats lines. Maybe you're thinking of that chucker Carsen Edwards? Never said he wasn't a great player, just not quite up to the hype he's made out to be all year. There are other guards in this league alone we've had more problems with staying in front of and harassing. Heck we force a good amount of turnovers over the last two years from him than probably anyone else (too lazy to look it up - but it seems in the 8ish per game as I recall). Yes, he's still going to get his points, but if he gives away that many TOs to us, that's giving back alot.

Again, my opinion, but I think he could have reached his ceiling last year with the team they had. Could i be wrong - certainly. But if the refs ever start calling his use of his free arm to get by people (much like they call the Giorgi chicken wing) they'd take away 1/4 of his game. His dribbling is ok, his ability to use what the refs allow him to get away with - is stellar.

What amazes me is that someone with an opinion who doesn't "fall in line with the crowd" is assumed to be a hater or have some alternative motive. Strange world we live in, but i guess its an easier response.
[/QUOTE

That went off the rail pretty quick. I responded with an O to your O. Never said anything about being a hater or needing to fall in line.

Talking about Winston as a whole (not his game performances against us last year, which mattered not a wit in any final outcome) his tournament games in the B1G & NCAA's last season were something to behold (and, the chucker, Edwards, wasn't far behind). Earned B1G POY by the same people who (deservedly) name Kofi POW, week after week.

FAIK, he may have reached his pinnacle last year but he's putting up similar numbers as last year and surrounded by less talent. I love his heart and what he does for his team. Very unselfish, makes his team better and comes through under the lights.

Should be a good game tonight and we'll see what everybody does.
 
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