Pregame: Illinois at Wake Forest, Tuesday, November 28th, 8:00pm CT, ESPNU
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#VIBES
Need a win here. For the B1G... 
If we win one of the next three I’ll be content, two of the next three and I’ll be surprised
Illiini
- In the land of the Nittany Lion
Need a win here. For the B1G...
And the ILL...
EfremWinters84
- S. Carolina
We're up to #64 in the Sagarin ratings. However, our strength of schedule is below 300. Our three pre-season scrimmage opponents are a combined 4-9 so far.
Boiling it down, we need to play against some Top 100 competition. I also see that ESPN is giving WF a 75% chance of winning on Tuesday.
Boiling it down, we need to play against some Top 100 competition. I also see that ESPN is giving WF a 75% chance of winning on Tuesday.
None of our next three opponents really scare me. But at the same time I'm not all that confident in our young team, especially on the road. Won't be surprised if we go 2-1 or 0-3. I think 3-0 can be done but I'm not expecting it.
measure of our grit
we have to take this one.
we have to take this one.
mattcoldagelli
- Script Illinois Enthusiast
Time to ask ourselves what every young team has to at some point: are we at the level of a Georgia Southern?
Leonardite
- Terre Haute, IN
I'm sure Wake will figure out all of their problems just in time for this game. We are Illinois, after all.
EfremWinters84
- S. Carolina
Wondering if we can really win any of the next three. Guessing we'll be underdogs in all of them. We've got 5 Freshmen who have never played a college game on the road. I'll stay positive for now. It appears the WF defense is not elite.
ILL 85
WF 83
I plan to be there in person so I'm hoping for a fun drive home!
ILL 85
WF 83
I plan to be there in person so I'm hoping for a fun drive home!
Wake Forest has been BAD this year. A young team, with a first year head coach, on the road, against their first power conference opponent of the season. This is a tough one to predict. I really don't think Wake is as bad as their play has suggested up to this point, but I expect us to win this one.
Georgia Southern started 5-0 but finally dropped their first game, to Towson, 70-67. They play Bradley today actually.
Hopefully the crowd is weak from the poor start and we handle business.
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Most likely Wake will play zone and extend to Jordan. If we shoot well we will compete and open holes in the zone. If our guards don't shoot well from the guard position we will have a long night. I'm afraid this will be typical until teams respect our shooting.
I think we'll go 2-1 over next three games....Wake being a road game, really the first for this young team, that will be our first loss....I think we get Maryland at home...and I feel better about the NW game since it's on a neutral floor....think there will be a good Illini crowd in attendance at that game...many curious alums in attendance to see the new coach and team...will be a very tough game but we wear them down and win it at the FT line near the end......8-1 not bad
There is really only one way to get opponents to respect your outside shot.
Some of our players are simply not ready. I am concerned/excited about Alstork. He has been terrible shooting. Terrible on offense as a whole. His spacing has been poor and his movement has been a bit lazy. However, he is doing all the little things like playing great D, great passing, rebounding, etc. If he can start to knock down some of these 3's all the sudden his is our best player and teams can not let us just shoot from 3 while they pack it in.
Deleted member 631370
D
Guest
Wake Forest wins by 6.
I mean, we've played a ridiculously bad schedule -- and every one of them at home.
Are we more talented? Better coached? A better team by March? Absolutely to all of those. No doubt about it. Illinois is in a much better place as a program going forward than Wake Forest.
But something tells me Wake really shows up for this game. I think BU will have the boys prepared as well, but young guys playing in a hostile environment for the first time? I don't see it.
I mean, we've played a ridiculously bad schedule -- and every one of them at home.
Are we more talented? Better coached? A better team by March? Absolutely to all of those. No doubt about it. Illinois is in a much better place as a program going forward than Wake Forest.
But something tells me Wake really shows up for this game. I think BU will have the boys prepared as well, but young guys playing in a hostile environment for the first time? I don't see it.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
I'm always the optimist (and I want so desperately for the Illini to be atop the Big Ten again that sometimes I "see what I want to see"), but...
1) Wake Forest looks horrible, yet it's the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. It just might be the perfect storm of a game that we should have no problem getting up for while at the same time vs. a very beatable opponent.
2) "At" Northwestern is the start of the Big Ten season vs. an instate team in front of what will be at least 50% Illini fans in Rosemont. If the guys can't get up for that one, we're in trouble! I am not saying a loss would be overly disappointing, but I think we will certainly be putting ourselves in a position to win that one.
3) Maryland just lost to to the Bonnies, right?? They are definitely beatable in Champaign with the students back.
I think 3-0 is absolutely possible and would get me PUMPED For the remainder of the season! After that, you have at UNLV (they just handily beat a good Utah team, that game will be tough in Vegas!) and the Braggin' Rights Game being the REAL roadblocks to an undefeated non-conference slate (plus two Big Ten wins!). We have a ways to go, but I am super optimistic about this team.
Does Wake play zone often? Makes sense to play zone against us, but if you do not normally play that defense, you might be hurting yourself playing to a weakness, rather than a strength.
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Ubermensch
BOOM! Feed my ego.
I have no clue what to expect here, so I'm going to pick UI.
UI - 81
WF - 77
UI - 81
WF - 77
I think the freshmen having a poor showing versus UNCC is probably a good thing going into this game. They are going to be focused in practice. Wake is scrambling and really need this game to keep their head above water. Should be a very close one.
It is probably sacrilegious and illogical, but after reading their board during the Ayo recruitment, if I had to choose, I would rather beat them and lose to Northwestern than the other way around.
It is probably sacrilegious and illogical, but after reading their board during the Ayo recruitment, if I had to choose, I would rather beat them and lose to Northwestern than the other way around.
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