Pregame: Illinois at Ohio State, Thursday, March 5th, 6:00pm CT, ESPN

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#181      
The problem is Kofi has to guard somebody while he is out there. It's a real matchup problem...that is why, even though OSU is a good 3 point shooting team, I think Brad will have to create some kind of hybrid defense. Based on stats...Young, Liddell, and Walker are not three point threats. Kofi can guard Liddell when he is in there.. can't chase the other two. I think Wesson will have a field day if Giorgi guards him.
In the first game Giorgi fouled out in 19 mins. In the second game Wesson fouled out in 29 mins and Giorgi outscored and out rebounded him. Giorgi can guard him!
 
#182      
All I know is if you told me on January 3 (the day after they lost to MSU by 20) that in March the Illini would be in contention for a share of the conference title I'd be asking "What kinda s**t have you been smoking and where can I get some?"
 
#183      
Alright, game day ... this would be a really nice time of year for Trent and AG to really heat up from three. It's amazing how good we are when our shots are falling, and our bigs have less pressure. I think we are on a mission, and we pull out a tough one like last year:

Illinois 69
Ohio State 65

Ayo hurls another ice dagger into the hearts of the Buckeyes. :)
 
#184      
Wesson, doesn't run around as someone suggested he takes a lot of his 3's out past the top of the key. So, Cockburn won't be running around trying to guard him. He's shooting 43% from 3, so you can hope he misses which didn't work out well for, Michigan. ( 4 of 5 ) Ohio State will start 4 "guards", so he won't be guarding one of those guys. Someone said have Giorgi guard him, well that works if Liddell is also in the game.
The same scenario will happen , Sunday, Garza will have to be guarded when he's on the perimeter ( 4 of 9 from 3 last game)
 
#185      
Wesson, doesn't run around as someone suggested he takes a lot of his 3's out past the top of the key. So, Cockburn won't be running around trying to guard him. He's shooting 43% from 3, so you can hope he misses which didn't work out well for, Michigan. ( 4 of 5 ) Ohio State will start 4 "guards", so he won't be guarding one of those guys. Someone said have Giorgi guard him, well that works if Liddell is also in the game.
The same scenario will happen , Sunday, Garza will have to be guarded when he's on the perimeter ( 4 of 9 from 3 last game)
I'd like to see Williams and Kipper on Wesson/Garza... Guard 'em tough on the perimeter and let Kofi block anything that gets past them. Kofi needs to be on a non-shooter like Liddell. When they are posting up, have Williams/Kip front the big man and keep Kofi nearby to steal the pass/block the shot if they get it inside. Giorgi gets his shot 1 on 1 when Kofi is out
 
#186      
Alright, game day ... this would be a really nice time of year for Trent and AG to really heat up from three. It's amazing how good we are when our shots are falling, and our bigs have less pressure. I think we are on a mission, and we pull out a tough one like last year:

Illinois 69
Ohio State 65

Ayo hurls another ice dagger into the hearts of the Buckeyes. :)

I think it's the other way around actually. Work the ball inside to start the game which opens up our guards to shoot. Then that subsequently opens up the inside assuming they hit their shots from the perimeter. The reason I say this is because our outside shooting has not been great. It's better odds to establish inside, where we are more dominant, then work the outside open. Not to say we can't start hot from the outside, which would be great!
 
#187      

Retro62

North Bethesda, Maryland
Refs don't call half the fouls Kofi gets. It's like Shaq...he was so big and strong that refs just let things go against him that smaller guys would get calls on. Kofi is too strong for OSU, I just hope the refs see the hits he absorbs...it would be a big difference maker in any game we play.
 
#188      
I think it's the other way around actually. Work the ball inside to start the game which opens up our guards to shoot. Then that subsequently opens up the inside assuming they hit their shots from the perimeter. The reason I say this is because our outside shooting has not been great. It's better odds to establish inside, where we are more dominant, then work the outside open. Not to say we can't start hot from the outside, which would be great!

No, I definitely agree. What I was trying to say was kind of awkward, because it's kind of a loop, haha. We should START by driving and feeding the paint, but teams likely know that is our strength and will swarm Kofi. When this happens, it is SUCH a blessing to be able to hit those open threes and take that pressure off of our bigs. The essence of what I was saying is that we have the athletes, the defenders, the toughness and the abilities to be a very good team ... when we combine that with our shooters knocking down shots from deep and if we get in a groove shooting this month, we are one of the most dangerous teams in the bracket. :cool:
 
#189      
I think it's the other way around actually. Work the ball inside to start the game which opens up our guards to shoot. Then that subsequently opens up the inside assuming they hit their shots from the perimeter. The reason I say this is because our outside shooting has not been great. It's better odds to establish inside, where we are more dominant, then work the outside open. Not to say we can't start hot from the outside, which would be great!
It may also put Wesson in foul trouble. Also expect OSU to have a defensive scheme for this. Probably let us shoot outside and jam the middle. Maybe even a zone.
 
#190      

illini80

Forgottonia
Let him shoot and see if they are going in. Kofi guarding him on the 3 will allow Wesson to drive and draw fouls. Got to keep Kofi on the floor.
Oof. Sorry but the last thing I’d do is let him get comfortable by letting him shoot a couple 3’s. IMO if he hits more than 2 we lose.
 
#191      
Refs don't call half the fouls Kofi gets. It's like Shaq...he was so big and strong that refs just let things go against him that smaller guys would get calls on. Kofi is too strong for OSU, I just hope the refs see the hits he absorbs...it would be a big difference maker in any game we play.
Watching a few Maryland games Jalen Smith gets away with soo many fouls on the wrist. He'll start with his hands up, but then poke/tap at the shooter's wrist when its released. I don't think I saw him called once for it against Rutgers. I wish I knew how the refs decide to let some guys get away with things consistently.
 
#194      

kiwanegarris22

South Carolina
Well, this is the game with zero pressure. Hope we go after it with all we've got. Consensus on this site seems to be a closely fought W the Orange and Blue.

If we lose this one, on the other hand, the pressure will build significantly in advance of Sunday night when we'll then HAVE TO WIN in order to secure the final double bye. That might actually make tonight's game a little easier for us. Road kill!!
 
#197      
Let him shoot and see if they are going in. Kofi guarding him on the 3 will allow Wesson to drive and draw fouls. Got to keep Kofi on the floor.
Caleb Wesson is good from 3 and good inside, but his handles aren't that good. Make him drive through our D to beat us, I don't think he can.
 
#199      
Well, this is the game with zero pressure. Hope we go after it with all we've got. Consensus on this site seems to be a closely fought W the Orange and Blue.

If we lose this one, on the other hand, the pressure will build significantly in advance of Sunday night when we'll then HAVE TO WIN in order to secure the final double bye. That might actually make tonight's game a little easier for us. Road kill!!

Consensus on the Vegas Strip is that we are 5.5pt underdogs.
 
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