Illinois 66, Northwestern 50 POSTGAME
It HAS TO be a win out AND BTT saturday to even be in the conversation. Can we win 7 straight?
I disagree, they would have a lot going for them. A top 15 SOS. And coming in hot which they look at. Say they win out and win 1 in BTT, they would have won 6 out of last 8. I think it would be possible.
I believe they would need to make it to Sunday of the conference tournament.
This team is a different animal when it comes to defense the last couple games. Held NU to under 19% shooting in the second half. Why oh why does it take Groce's teams until Feb. to get their act together?
If they made it to Sunday they would probably be a lock.
illinoisfan11
- Peoria, IL
If they win out and make it to Sunday they're definitely in. I'd give that about a 1% chance of happening though.
This is still a head-scratcher to me.
Hey Orange Crush, bring white boards to MSU game
http://www.nationalreview.com/article/445110/msu-ban-whiteboards-dorm-doors-reduce-bullying
Write menacing taunts like "GO ILLINI" or "Illinois is #1" :thumb:
http://www.nationalreview.com/article/445110/msu-ban-whiteboards-dorm-doors-reduce-bullying
Write menacing taunts like "GO ILLINI" or "Illinois is #1" :thumb:
- I absolutely agree with this. Iowa and this game were the first time I didn't notice subs I thought were weird and cut the flow. Also, two of the best second halves we have seen under Groce in quite some time.
- Players finally understanding that they havent won anything when they are up 7 with 6 minutes to go, not taking possessions off. Keep the energy up. Maybe energy feeds off itself, and Tejon and Kipper bring some
- Really glad to see Malcolm bounce back from an abysmal first half to play smart basketball including some assists and tough shots.
- Strong rebounding.
- Love Finke's confidence but a couple of flashy, inaccurate passes to noone in the first half.
- Happy for Tracy
- Anyone have any insight as to Collins demeanor? He seems way calmer and classier than his old coach.
That seems a shame.
Ransom Stoddard
Ordained Dudeist Priest
- Bloomington, IL
Okay NW....go ahead and go on to your first NCAA Tourney.....but not through our yard.
:thumb::thumb: Each of you get an A.
All of this, yes. Sweeping Chrissie is at least something JG can hang his hat on this season. If we manage to beat them a 3rd time....???? This season just got interesting.
Damn Kpom likes us a lot more after that win. We jumped up 7 spots from 73rd to 66th!
If we can continue playing like we did in the second half, I think this team makes the tournament. It still seems unlikely at this point, but I have some hope again.
If we can continue playing like we did in the second half, I think this team makes the tournament. It still seems unlikely at this point, but I have some hope again.
They absolutely do, they use the "eye test." They watch games, look at boxscores. They are going to be looking at boxscores from the last 5 games say illinois makes it to Saturday. They arent going to focus on games from December. 2 years ago live, the committe was saying how playing well lately helped boost them. So they absolutely look at that
Ransom Stoddard
Ordained Dudeist Priest
- Bloomington, IL
I'm trying to find the link, but there was an announced change in the last few years that basically said every game held the same weight, regardless of what point it was played in the season.
Meanwhile, there's all this.
http://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball...-bracket-how-68-teams-are-selected-division-i
http://www.ncaa.org/about/resources/media-center/mens-basketball-selections-101-selections
They really don't.
FeelYourPaign
- So Cal
I've gone from a pretty big JFG fan to a pretty big "he must go" guy.
But I'll give him credit for keeping TJL in the game with two fouls early in the 1st half.
That was a big decision and it paid off big time.
The team needs TJL to win and earlier in the year, he would have splinters in his butt.
Today, he stayed on the floor and we won.
But I'll give him credit for keeping TJL in the game with two fouls early in the 1st half.
That was a big decision and it paid off big time.
The team needs TJL to win and earlier in the year, he would have splinters in his butt.
Today, he stayed on the floor and we won.
So say there are two teams in the big ten with identical records at 23-12, no big non conference wins, both have the exact same wins in conference. One team made it to Sunday of the BTT and the other was knocked off in their first round game. Both have the same exact chance? Thats crazy talk, the committee would absolutely take the one that made it further in btt. Recent play is in effect, the people in charge play closer attention down the stretch. Especially if youre playing on saturday or sunday, you have extra eyes on you and a last look over others.
frozenrope9190
- Aurora, IL
Survive and advance.
TheFameProtector
- Champaign
I know this is loony talk on this board (and in the wrong thread), but if there is one positive to Groce's "practice makes players" mentality, it's that you mold players into the type you want them to be (albeit slowly) by forcing them to learn the essentials in order to play. Yes, TJL should've been playing starter minutes wayyy earlier in the season. But would he be such a stopper without having a coach demand such before getting major tick? I don't know, could be debated both ways (i.e. maybe a good coach would just get them to do it off the bat).
I'm rooting for a new coach as much as anybody on this forum, but man, I just wonder how different Groce's tenure here might've been if he'd managed to snag one of all those elite guys along the way [I know that's not saying much, but hopefully y'all feel the sentiment}.