Pregame: Illinois at Wisconsin, Friday, January 19th, 8:00pm CT, FS1

[jrichisamazing]

This team is just going to go off on someone at some point this year. For some reason, I think it's going to be this game. Like Mizzou first half...but for the whole game.

In reality, we are playing in Madison so we will have at least 4 or 5 guys in foul trouble. It will be another close one, but foul trouble is too much to overcome and Wisconsin pulls away in the final couple minutes. I really hope my first scenario is right though.

 

[jrichisamazing]

A win at Wisconsin more importantly, moves Whitman's 3 hires (Lovie, WBB, & MBB) conference record from 2-28 to 3-28.

I find it funny that WBB is added to MBB and football. It is not even in the same galaxy of relevance and is only added for dramatic effect.

 

[YankeeIllini]

I find it funny that WBB is added to MBB and football. It is not even in the same galaxy of relevance and is only added for dramatic effect.

We're always on the lookout for dramatic effect - in fact, the end of regulation for the last two games caused looks like this!

 

[JIllini]

A win at Wisconsin more importantly, moves Whitman's 3 hires (Lovie, WBB, & MBB) conference record from 2-28 to 3-28.

If you're gonna include WBB, might as well include volleyball (which also has a first-year coach hired by Whitman). That would bring them from 2-28 to 14-36. But, I guess that takes away the dramatic effect.

 

[IlliniinIowa]

A win at Wisconsin more importantly, moves Whitman's 3 hires (Lovie, WBB, & MBB) conference record from 2-28 to 3-28.

TC, I honestly wonder sometimes if you're really an Illini fan. So many sarcastic comments....

 

[Illinoise]

I am obviously in the minority but I think this team has played better than I expected this season. The record doesn’t reflect it but they have been in almost every game. The Iowa game is one that they should have won. No other way to say it.

I predicted 5 or 6 Big 10 wins before the season and I still think they will get there. I was assuming that Alstork would have given this team much more on the offensive end. I thought be would be a big reason they got to 5 or 6 wins. I am thrilled with the way Frazier is playing and Williams and Smith are doing what normal freshmen do. Underwood is not a savior. He is a great coach though. There simply needs to be an influx of talent and maturity from our young players. Black and Frazier have become the only two guys that you can really count on game in and game out. Hopefully Finke can provide more of what we saw last time out and join that group. Outside of that you are looking at players that either aren’t ever going to be or aren’t ready yet for Big 10 minutes. I think what Underwood has done with this roster is impressive. I know the wins aren’t there but they easily could be. I’m still enjoying watching the young guys get better. There was never any rational reason to think this team was going to the tournament this year.

 

[TheGMan]

If you're gonna include WBB, might as well include volleyball (which also has a first-year coach hired by Whitman). That would bring them from 2-28 to 14-36. But, I guess that takes away the dramatic effect.

+1

 

[Gunner23]

A win at Wisconsin more importantly, moves Whitman's 3 hires (Lovie, WBB, & MBB) conference record from 2-28 to 3-28.

Coach Tamas had a decent year this past season. Sweet 16 with a team that wasn't ranked in the Top 25 all year long, should count as something.

 

[Gunner23]

Okay, so I guess I will have to give an actual prediction of this game now.

After careful analysis I think we will.....OH MY GOD A TREE!

Looks like a purple tree. The Kitties aren't playing, so I'm going to guess that Homer (Wisconsin) runs into a "Black" tree. :thumb:

 

[BWilson25]

An albatross if he does. Mr. Stricker is Illiini golf, but Wisconsin in all other sports. I think he's a gentleman, so I give him a pass. Illinois is so close in games, got to get it together one of these days. Upset special. Wishful thinking. Ayo ain't a Golden Arches?
I switched to BK months ago: 2 cheeseburg meal BK: $3.48; Arches: $5.50.

He may be a famous, nice guy; but he's still a traitor and gets no pass from me.

 

[sbillini]

Looks like a purple tree. The Kitties aren't playing, so I'm going to guess that Homer (Wisconsin) runs into a "Black" tree. :thumb:

To be specific, it's a chestnut tree. Yes, I remember the words to the song...yes, I'm old.

 

[Illinir1]

Came in here to post this.

Even if the rest of the season is a disaster, I would love a win over Wisconsin. Been way to long since we've beaten them at basketball, or football for that matter.

Couldn't think of a better team (or place) for our Illini to get their first B1G victory against. The Badgers have owned us. The Illini have lost the last 11 straight between the two teams. Our last win was 69 - 61 in Campaign, January 2nd, 2011.

And on the football side, Bucky has won 8 straight, our last victory in Champaign on October 6th, 2007, 31 - 26 (against #5 ranked Badgers).

That makes us 0 - 19 against Bucky in basketball and football. Time to turn the tables!

 

[madcrazeeballa]

I don't know why, but I'm feeling a W. This isn't the same type of Wisconsin team that has completely owned us over the years. They're 100% reliant on Happ and then they just hope to God somebody else gets hot from beyond the arc. As long as Davison doesn't flop 7 times and get 7 charges called against our guards I like our chances.

 

[79illinois]

Underwood just said Lucas is back with the team and available for Wisconsin game. Good to hear.

 

[JFGsCoffeeMug]

Underwood just said Lucas is back with the team and available for Wisconsin game. Good to hear.

That's great. We need leadership, and Lucas is one of the guys who has sought to provide it in the past.

 

[Dan]

Underwood: I don't know if we've had that chapter of the book yet in Lincoln. I guess we can add to it. I'm about ready to put a conclusion to it.

Underwood: We did some really good things. Against our halfcourt defense, they only scored 16 baskets. We were really focused in on the glass. It kept us in the game.

Underwood: We've got to figure out how to continue to work to make layups. We missed 13. And the game was decided literally by our live-ball turnovers. They had 6 breakaway dunks. Becomes really frustrating.

Underwood: Another great night from Trent Frazier. Ecstatic to see Michael get going & hit a meaningful shot. Even more meaningful was his effort on the glass.

Underwood: I watched that last play 100 times. I think we played it right. They spent 6 seconds in the backcourt. Kid double pumps, Trent was right there.. But off to Wisconsin.

Underwood: We've got to continue to build on locker room things... I think we can get on a run at any time.

Underwood: Biggest thing with Mark Smith is we're getting him back healthy from the flu. I thought he played his best floor game in Lincoln. Improvement on the defensive end. Asking Mark to do something that he hasn't done a lot of.

Underwood: Mark made good decisions. Made the right passes. Guy that spends a lot of time in the gym. Being sick hurt that. He's getting back at it. He's in great spirits. Great attitude. Guy I don't worry about.

Underwood: All Trent knows is the moment. He doesn't fear the moment. If he misses one, he wants the ball again. I love it.

Underwood: Te'Jon is back with the team. Available if needed

Underwood: I liked the zone defense look against Nebraska. Gave us a different look. Allowed us to be aggressive but lengthen possessions and stay out of foul trouble. A lot of that was based on opponent. And it worked.

Underwood: Can we turn this around? Absolutely. What we had at Oklahoma State were guys who were all about winning. We're fighting for that culture right now.

https://twitter.com/DPiper247

 

[ChiefIllini]

Is it just me or just Underwood seem to talk about his past success almost everytime he speaks? Whether it be last year or SFA and Walkup. Just seems to be more than Groce or Weber ever did.

 

[Dan]

[YOUTUBE]cr9ENM-am6Y[/YOUTUBE]

 

[Actionjackson]

Underwood: Te'Jon is back with the team. Available if needed

I think it's safe to say that Trent has replaced Tejon in the lineup.

 

[Kathy]

Is it just me or just Underwood seem to talk about his past success almost everytime he speaks? Whether it be last year or SFA and Walkup. Just seems to be more than Groce or Weber ever did.

Maybe because he was successful with his past teams...

 

[TCTORNADO]

Looks like Trice has not been cleared to play from his foot surgery in early Dec. He was their 3rd leading scorer at the time. Also Kobe King, highly touted Freshman, is done for the season.

 

[Peoria Illini]

Underwood: Te'Jon is back with the team. Available if needed

I think it's safe to say that Trent has replaced Tejon in the lineup.

I caught that as well. If needed. If we are playing man defense, he'll be called on to spell Alstork on the ball, I'm guessing. Or if Trent needs a blow.

 

[ChiefIllini]

Maybe because he was successful with his past teams...

Not disagreeing just getting to the point that it makes him sound a little narcissistic (probably too harsh a word). I dont really care and he alludes to good examples, I was mainly curious if anyone else thought he talked a lot about his previous tenures.

 

[JFGsCoffeeMug]

Not disagreeing just getting to the point that it makes him sound a little narcissistic (probably too harsh a word). I dont really care and he alludes to good examples, I was mainly curious if anyone else thought he talked a lot about his previous tenures.

I think that's a little harsh. BU strikes me as someone who is drawing upon his experience in trying to solve a current set of problems. He may also be reassuring the fans and the media that he is not out of his depth.

 

[TheGMan]

Not disagreeing just getting to the point that it makes him sound a little narcissistic (probably too harsh a word). I dont really care and he alludes to good examples, I was mainly curious if anyone else thought he talked a lot about his previous tenures.

I love it! He's had a ton of prior success. Flaunt it! I love my coaches to be big personalities.