Starting 2-2 in conference would be fantastic. Frankly, if we win 2 of the first 7 we should be in decent shape. My biggest concern is starting 2-0 and then losing 5 in a row. We'd still be in ok shape based on our schedule, but I don't know if this team has the mental fortitude to handle that sort of skid and come out the other side in one piece.
Pregame: Illinois at Maryland, Tuesday, December 27th, 4:00pm CT, ESPN2
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Agree 100%. The key to the Big this year is to survive the opening schedule. Hopefully they can pick up 3 maybe 4 wins, anything more is a bonus, in the first half of the schedule and then finish strong over the second half. The good thing is if they can stay together and finish strong they will appear to be a team peaking at the right time. I don't think how you finish is officially considered anymore but the committee members are human. They will be positively influenced by a strong finish.
Kramer116
- Chicago
A double header, sounds like, so the whole bench will be used and Malcolm will start both games.
Lucas still won't get any time
The trend the last few years has been to establish a losing streak in the middle of the league schedule. It would be nice to see that trend stopped this year. I would put our bigs up against anybody at this point of the season. For once we are well stocked in the middle. The guard position still concerns me.
I dont know the head to head but it seems like we get at least 1 OT game with Michigan every year. The one a couple years ago where the SFC attendence record was broken was one of the most fun games I've ever been to. Egwu causing Michigan to call a timeout on a inbounds then still causing them to turn it over. We won too
kcib8130
- Parts Unknown
I dont know the head to head but it seems like we get at least 1 OT game with Michigan every year. The one a couple years ago where the SFC attendence record was broken was one of the most fun games I've ever been to. Egwu causing Michigan to call a timeout on a inbounds then still causing them to turn it over. We won too
I was at that game as well, seemed like a totally different Illinois team in OT.
My Michigan friend i took with my pouted the whole OT and i screamed in his face every shot we hit.
Awesome.
Would like to see Lucas get 5-10 minutes a game whoever we play, but with Tate playing somewhat better and with fewer turnovers, he may have a longer wait to get his turn.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
"Tom, why did you put in a request for just one hour of PTO on the day we get back from the Christmas holiday?"
Because my priorities are my priorities!
Because my priorities are my priorities!
The trend has actually been to start very slow at the beginning of the league schedule. We started 2-7 in 2012-13, 2-8 in 2013-14, 2-4 in 2014-15, and 1-5 in 2015-16.
Groce's Illini teams have been notoriously bad out of the gate in the B1G, forced to play catch-up the rest of the schedule, including his first year when we made the tournament.
I like our bigs offensively- not so much defensively.
Using current kenpom rankings/predictions, there is a 3.5% chance that this occurs.
EDIT: I'm not a big math guy so I can't tell you the scenarios for other records, I'm sure someone else on this board could though.
I can tell you that over the same 7 games, we'd have about a .02% chance of going 7-0.
We lost three earlier this year. We have the leadership on this team to overcome a skid like that. I think we gotta hope for the best the first half of the conference schedule and then put it away the second half. Its gonna come down to how much these guys want it come Feb. and I'd guess our 6 seniors have something to say about wanting to make the tourney.
This is one of 7 winnable conference road match-up. It's gonna be a good game as both teams are fairly even. Their starters are probably a little better than ours, but our bench is better than theirs. Maryland has feasted on an easy schedule (three good wins vs. Kansas St. and Oklahoma St. - both by one point, and Georgetown) and got blown out by a good Pitt team at home (Maryland was down by 20 midway through the first half iirc.
If we can keep Melo in check and not let him dictate too much on offense, we might get to steal a crucial BIG road game.
If we can keep Melo in check and not let him dictate too much on offense, we might get to steal a crucial BIG road game.
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bredhartmann
- Centralia, IL
If our odds of winning every game was a measly 10% the chances we'd lose all 7 is below 50%. Not gonna happen.
It could happen but I think there's a better chance that we end up with one or two game where almost everyone clicks. When that happens, I think we can beat anyone in the conference. Beating Maryland while students are on break should be the easiest one out of the first 7.
We tend to have the team clicking for at least 10 minutes every game. This is such a jekyll and hyde team, even in game. I think it comes down to effort. Players seem to start standing around on O and expecting the play to come to them, then when we get a great play everyone comes alive again. Need to show consistency and effort the entire time. Maybe guys are getting tired, but i always felt like our rotations were too frequent. If Leron plays 25 minutes a game vs 15 is probably going to be a good indication if we are gonna win/lose a game. His energy is not replaceable. If we can get some good inside action against Maryland I dont see them winning. Having their students gone is also a plus.
mhuml32
- Cincinnati, OH
More people in this thread expecting an Illini win than I assumed there would be. I think beating Maryland would be a big statement for Illinois and would give me hope they are a .500 or above Big Ten team (and a likely tournament team). This is a great "measuring stick" game.
Time to use depth to wear down opponents! It is refreshing to have a team with true depth for the first time in about 4 years.
I think we'll spend some time in that 2-3 zone, have to mix it up on them. They like to shoot 3s and get to the FT line.
FeelYourPaign
- So Cal
I agree. We are a small underdog. Its a great measuring stick. And much of the spread is the home court advantage, which will probably feel more like "semi-home" given the break.
So, I would say we're about a 2 point dog. That's manageable, but it still has to be done.
Illini1221
Peru,IL
Maryland is a relatively young team, except for Trimble. As mentioned, if Illinois allows Trimble to get into the lane with ease, then we will be in a lot of trouble. Cowan is one of the better freshman in the big 10 as well, from what I've seen early on, so we cant afford to give him too many open looks. I was looking at the box from their Charlotte game, and they went like 8-10 deep. Also, I'm not sure if one of their bigs, Damonte Dodd will be playing. Hes missed some games with an MCL. I think our bigs will match up well with Cekovsky, but I am worried about our guards trying to keep up with Trimble and Cowan. Justin Jackson and Gill, who I'm guessing will be matched up with Leron, leads them in rebounding, so that could lead to some foul trouble if the refs call it close. I think Hill has a big game. He will likely be matched up with one of their freshman guards, Huerter. Nickens and Brantley can do some damage of the bench, so we cant let up on them. I think this is a true toss up. I think our zone could work in this game, because I dont think we can guard Trimble one on one. All in all, I think this is a true tossup. The though of this being our first road game would generally scare me, but with our experience, its not a factor. I think we make enough plays with our experience towards the end to take it.
Illinois-74
Maryland-72
Illinois-74
Maryland-72
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