Pregame: Illinois vs Maryland, Friday, February 7th, 7:00pm CT, FS1

Status
Not open for further replies.
#102      
Anyone else nervous about this game? Maryland is playing very well as of late, and a loss could cause us to go on a skid with our upcoming schedule. We need to win this to stay in Big Ten title contention IMO.
Their FG% v Rutgers was .340 and they were a whopping .296 from 3, so no, because we're every bit as good on D as Rutgers, but we're quite a bit better on O than they are, and the game's not in College Park!
 
#103      
The interstate will be well plowed, you should be fine. Talking 3-4" here in Peoria.

Thanks so much. I figured, but it is more for planning on timing if I can make it in time for the game. Apprecaite it again. Driving up from TN, 24 to 57 the whole way.
 
#105      
anyone have a ticket available? Just found out I'll be in Monticello on friday night. SO close. I could really help the team! I've been once this year, Purdue. I was good then. The first time Maryland showed up at Assembly, I was on the 3rd row, letting the 10th team in the country know how bad they sucked, and gave Hill an earful on how this was now his team(cause Rice just got hurt) and he responded with a career high and victory. So if anyone wants to help the team by giving up a ticket, I'll cheer louder and better than anyone else you'll find!
 
#106      
Does anyone have any advice on parking and how early we need to get there? If we get in town early enough can we park at the I Hotel, eat there, and just park there for the game?
DId this for the purdue game. I did have to pay to park at I Hotel, but it was same price I think($15). We got there well over an hour before gametime and got the last two seats at the bar. It filled up fast. Best part was the quick exit heading south after the game. Actually the best part was the thumping we put on Purdue!
I can't give Houlihans a good review though. I called that morning to ask about menu/game day policies and got lied to.
 
#107      
I Just hope they spend some extra time this week shooting in the SFC
The Illini can play D, rebound, and new this year play 40 minutes with passion. All of this can travel too. If we can hit 3's (30%+) and shots (40%+) then we can beat anyone in the B10. Win the next 2 and we will control the B10. My biggest worry is the B10 so so rough, we (all B10 teams) will struggle with fouls in the tourney.
 
#108      
The Illini can play D, rebound, and new this year play 40 minutes with passion. All of this can travel too. If we can hit 3's (30%+) and shots (40%+) then we can beat anyone in the B10. Win the next 2 and we will control the B10. My biggest worry is the B10 so so rough, we (all B10 teams) will struggle with fouls in the tourney.
Regarding could, did you watch how SEC team Mizzou played? How about Pac 12 Arizona, shrinking violets there? People talk about this all of the time and B1G teams do very well in the Dance. We haven't won it all, but lots of NC 2nd, Final Fours and Elite 8 teams.
 
#109      
I thought MD was a little soft this year...highly athletic, but under coached. I don't know if Turgeon can maintain but right now they've found their groove and are playing like a top 10 team.

Regardless, tied for first in the B1G and in complete control of our own destiny! Go ILLINI!

Here's my ranking of easiest schedules going forward for the current top 6 B10 programs.
(Current Top 6 are RU, MD, MSU, IA, PSU and IL).

#1. RUTGERS
GAMES REMAINING AGAINST TOP 6 B10 - 3
GAMES REMAINING AGAINST TOP 6 B10 ON THE ROAD - 1

REMAINING HOME - 4
REMAINING AWAY - 4

vs Northwestern
@ Ohio St.
vs Illinois*
vs Michigan
@ Wisconsin
@ Penn St.*
vs Maryland*
@ Purdue

#2. IOWA
GAMES REMAINING AGAINST TOP 6 B10 - 3
GAMES REMAINING AGAINST TOP 6 B10 ON THE ROAD - 2

REMAINING HOME - 4
REMAINING AWAY - 5

@ Purdue
vs Nebraska
@ Indiana
@ Minnesota
vs Ohio St.
@ Michigan St.*
vs Penn St.*
vs Purdue
@ Illinois*

#3. PENN STATE
GAMES REMAINING AGAINST TOP 6 B10 - 4
GAMES REMAINING AGAINST TOP 6 B10 ON THE ROAD - 1

REMAINING HOME - 5
REMAINING AWAY - 4

vs Minnesota
@ Purdue
vs Northwestern
vs Illinois*
@ Indiana
vs Rutgers*
@ Iowa*
vs Michigan St.*
@ Northwestern

#4. MARYLAND
GAMES REMAINING AGAINST TOP 6 B10 - 4
GAMES REMAINING AGAINST TOP 6 B10 ON THE ROAD - 2

REMAINING HOME - 4
REMAINING AWAY - 5

@ Illinois*
vs Nebraska
@ Michigan St.*
vs Northwestern
@ Ohio St.
@ Minnesota
vs Michigan St.*
@ Rutgers*
vs Michigan


#5. ILLINOIS
GAMES REMAINING AGAINST TOP 6 B10 - 5
GAMES REMAINING AGAINST TOP 6 B10 ON THE ROAD - 1

REMAINING HOME - 6
REMAINING AWAY - 3

vs Maryland*
vs Michigan St.*
vs Rutgers*
@ Penn St.*
vs Nebraska
@ Northwestern
vs Indiana
@ Ohio St.
vs Iowa*

#6. MICHIGAN STATE
GAMES REMAINING AGAINST TOP 6 B10 - 5
GAMES REMAINING AGAINST TOP 6 B10 ON THE ROAD - 3

REMAINING HOME - 3
REMAINING AWAY - 5

@ Michigan
@ Illinois*
vs Maryland*
@ Nebraska
vs Iowa*
@ Maryland*
@ Penn St.*
vs Ohio St.
 
#110      
I thought MD was a little soft this year...highly athletic, but under coached. I don't know if Turgeon can maintain but right now they've found their groove and are playing like a top 10 team.

Regardless, tied for first in the B1G and in complete control of our own destiny! Go ILLINI!

Here's my ranking of easiest schedules going forward for the current top 6 B10 programs.
(Current Top 6 are RU, MD, MSU, IA, PSU and IL).

#1. RUTGERS
GAMES REMAINING AGAINST TOP 6 B10 - 3
GAMES REMAINING AGAINST TOP 6 B10 ON THE ROAD - 1

REMAINING HOME - 4
REMAINING AWAY - 4

vs Northwestern
@ Ohio St.
vs Illinois*
vs Michigan
@ Wisconsin
@ Penn St.*
vs Maryland*
@ Purdue

#2. IOWA
GAMES REMAINING AGAINST TOP 6 B10 - 3
GAMES REMAINING AGAINST TOP 6 B10 ON THE ROAD - 2

REMAINING HOME - 4
REMAINING AWAY - 5

@ Purdue
vs Nebraska
@ Indiana
@ Minnesota
vs Ohio St.
@ Michigan St.*
vs Penn St.*
vs Purdue
@ Illinois*

#3. PENN STATE
GAMES REMAINING AGAINST TOP 6 B10 - 4
GAMES REMAINING AGAINST TOP 6 B10 ON THE ROAD - 1

REMAINING HOME - 5
REMAINING AWAY - 4

vs Minnesota
@ Purdue
vs Northwestern
vs Illinois*
@ Indiana
vs Rutgers*
@ Iowa*
vs Michigan St.*
@ Northwestern

#4. MARYLAND
GAMES REMAINING AGAINST TOP 6 B10 - 4
GAMES REMAINING AGAINST TOP 6 B10 ON THE ROAD - 2

REMAINING HOME - 4
REMAINING AWAY - 5

@ Illinois*
vs Nebraska
@ Michigan St.*
vs Northwestern
@ Ohio St.
@ Minnesota
vs Michigan St.*
@ Rutgers*
vs Michigan


#5. ILLINOIS
GAMES REMAINING AGAINST TOP 6 B10 - 5
GAMES REMAINING AGAINST TOP 6 B10 ON THE ROAD - 1

REMAINING HOME - 6
REMAINING AWAY - 3

vs Maryland*
vs Michigan St.*
vs Rutgers*
@ Penn St.*
vs Nebraska
@ Northwestern
vs Indiana
@ Ohio St.
vs Iowa*

#6. MICHIGAN STATE
GAMES REMAINING AGAINST TOP 6 B10 - 5
GAMES REMAINING AGAINST TOP 6 B10 ON THE ROAD - 3

REMAINING HOME - 3
REMAINING AWAY - 5

@ Michigan
@ Illinois*
vs Maryland*
@ Nebraska
vs Iowa*
@ Maryland*
@ Penn St.*
vs Ohio St.


Believe we play @Rutgers, no?
 
#111      
This game, on T-Rank, has tightened:

1580939859647.png


Gone from -3.2 to -2.9

MSU has moed, ever so slightly, in our favor
RU moved from +4.5 to +4.4
PSU from +4.5 to +5.3
 
#113      
Too close to call. Both schools are fairly close in O and D (home vs. away)

Our D should carry the day. We keep them below 60.
 
#114      

haasi

New York
Torvik currently projects us in a four way tie for first with Maryland MSU and Penn State at 13-7

team rankings has fractional games and has us 3rd a tiny bit behind MSU and Maryland at 12.7 expected wins. Huge game.
 

Attachments

  • 43D7B8BE-1D87-4E13-9DA9-B35FCA80972B.jpeg
    43D7B8BE-1D87-4E13-9DA9-B35FCA80972B.jpeg
    605.6 KB · Views: 191
  • 8C720BBC-3E74-4BAC-8F04-2C702E52AC50.jpeg
    8C720BBC-3E74-4BAC-8F04-2C702E52AC50.jpeg
    162.3 KB · Views: 163
#116      
Maryland's 3rd in the B1G with 25 threes attempted per game. We are 13 th in the B!G with 17 per contest. Big difference
I think 3 point shooting is going to be a key factor down the stretch. We will have to play exemplary defense to compensate fo this weakness.
 
#118      
We better have the best atmosphere we’ve had in Champaign since Dee left town ... because this is bigger than any game since then!!

This is why our home offense has been so frustrating this year. The crowd gets flat when it doesn't have anything to cheer for. Too many bricks.

Hopefully our shots are falling early and often. Don't get me wrong, I'll take a win any way we can get it. But a nice comfortable win would be a good change of pace instead of these grind it out games...especially for my health.:)
 
#119      

philcon

Plano, TX
IL 67 MD 61 The last two games I've guessed the correct point differential (just not the correct score) :) Whichever team shoots decent from three will win and at home...that WILL be us (should have won the last time that we played them). Kofi MUST stay out of foul trouble or they will abuse us inside and then the three won't matter.
 
#120      
I know better than to make a prediction for the next two games. These next two could contribute to a long losing streak or solidify the Illini as a team with which one must reckon come tourney time...we just do not know. but we do know what we want. Kofi needs to show up as well as all pistons contributing and few blunders by anyone. Georgi is due to step up his play. All we can do is hope, pray, and yell like hell....and be grateful that we have that opportunity and interest...and a team full of solid players that just might deliver a golden performance when needed.
 
#122      
The main reason we lost to Iowa was Turnovers and giving the extra possessions. TOs have been a cause for any of our losses. We had been rebounding, limiting TOs and playing great D. If we do those things we win Friday and really any game. That is our key to most of our game imo.
 
#123      
Easiest remaining schedules according to Torvik's stats:
01: Minnesota
02: Wisconsin
03: Illinois
04: Michigan
05: Maryland
06: Penn St.
07: Iowa
08: Ohio St.
09: Rutgers
10: Northwestern
11: Michigan St.
12: Nebraska
13: Purdue
14: Indiana

Of course, the difference between 1st and 14th is only ~7% in opponent expected win percentage.
 
#125      

Dan

Admin

Underwood on BBV: He had an MRI yesterday. Waiting to see the results of that... He'll continue to stay in the boot to maximize the speed of his healing.

Underwood: Coming off a game we didn't play real well in.. (Iowa) out-fought us, they out-hustled us, we didn't win many 50/50 balls in that game.. They made the plays when they had to.

Underwood: You get another great opponent in Maryland. Arguably have the most talented player in the country in Smith.

Underwood: This is a team that is really well balanced and has a lot of really talented pieces.

Underwood: Maryland is quite a bit different than they were 2 months ago. This is a 5-out team now. Jalen Smith is shooting the lights out in Big Ten play. Running actions to get him those shots.

Underwood on approach tomorrow night: "I want 'em to play for first."

Underwood: We'll see zone (defense) tomorrow. We've spent a good amount of time workin' on that.

https://twitter.com/DPiper247

 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.