Crazy, but line has dropped to Illinois +8.5 and O/U 153.
Pregame: Illinois vs West Virginia, Thursday, November 24th, 1:30pm CT, ESPNU
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Crazy, but line has dropped to Illinois +8.5 and O/U 153.
Really?????
Maybe from people drinking the orange cool aide, but I think almost all "independent experts" had us 9th to 11th in the B1G. I think well respected Ken Prom had us at 70 in the country and 11th in the conference. So few outsiders thought we were a tourny team.
I, like everyone here, want us to prove them wrong and hope/think we can make it. A win vs wv would put us a step closer despite what happened Monday...so GO ILLINI
but I think it is clear that making the toruny this year would clearly be a beating of expectations of the more unbiased, outside world.
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Technical question-- if ESPNU is included in your cable package, can the game be streamed on the ESPN app?
Fire it up! Get it going
They see the potential. Once our chemistry clicks and thee rotation gets settled in, we will be just fine.
He asked what OUR predictions were for the season not independent experts. From what I recall some people had us going 24-7, some had us going 17-14.
Me too. Behind the bench, no less!
It's a winnable game. Really I think this comes down to how well we shoot free throws and if we limit TOs.
If there was ever a game I'd love to see DJ break out , it'd be this one. There are a lack of plus athletes on this squad but he ain't one of em. Not to mention he can handle well for his size
I will be waving at you from across :thumb:
Goodluck tomorrow guys. Should be a great game.
What are your 3 keys to the game tomorrow? What does Illinois HAVE to do to be able to win. For us id say we have to limit turnovers, make a few outside shots, and stick to the gameplan. You all should be able to hit a few threes against our press and If we get down early we cannot panic.
What are your 3 keys to the game tomorrow? What does Illinois HAVE to do to be able to win. For us id say we have to limit turnovers, make a few outside shots, and stick to the gameplan. You all should be able to hit a few threes against our press and If we get down early we cannot panic.
Illini1221
Peru,IL
Spot on. To me the biggest key is not turning the ball over and getting easy buckets. Also, Malcolm needs to show up for both halves or we wont have a chance. Also, there should be a lot of fouling, so we need to shoot at least 80 percent from the line.
Illini1221
Peru,IL
Im also just realizing you are a West Virginia fan lol
1) Limit turnovers against your ferocious defense
2) Protect the rim: our bigs have gotten thrown around early this season
3) Make our free throws
If we do 2/3 it can be a close game, if we do all 3 I think we can win. I think WVU will win by about the Vegas spread.
Yeah the fouls should pile up rather quickly. We haven't been the best foul shooting team in the past. If we can break 70% ill be happy. If it turns into a foul shooting contest id have to think that goes in your alls favor.
As long as you protect the ball and make a few shots you will be in the game and probably will win. See our SFA game last year for reference
As long as you protect the ball and make a few shots you will be in the game and probably will win. See our SFA game last year for reference
Based on your few posts, the WVU fanbase is just about is confident in their team as we are in ours. =PYeah the fouls should pile up rather quickly. We haven't been the best foul shooting team in the past. If we can break 70% ill be happy. If it turns into a foul shooting contest id have to think that goes in your alls favor.
As long as you protect the ball and make a few shots you will be in the game and probably will win. See our SFA game last year for reference
I said earlier I'd like us to tempo press, 2-2-1, on our scores to slow your guys attack down. Play some zone to make you guys prove you can shoot, and rebound to make sure you guys don't get second chance points and a clean setup on the press. I also wouldn't be adverse to us switching defense mid possession, like zone to man or man to zone, especially if we make you kill like 8 seconds getting the ball across if we were to 2-2-1.
This could get ugly for both teams. If the refs are trying to keep games clean, then West Virginia's defense could run into some issues that they probably won't run into during conference play. I have no idea what to predict if the refs allow both teams to play hard. I wouldn't feel so confident about our chances if that happens.
A loss wouldn't be the end of our season, but a win could be a game changer for our season and Groce's career. Hope our guys are hungrier than theirs.
A loss wouldn't be the end of our season, but a win could be a game changer for our season and Groce's career. Hope our guys are hungrier than theirs.
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