Pregame: Illinois at Penn State, Wednesday, December 23rd, 5:30pm CT, BTN

[ChocolateThunder]

The "road game" excuse this year is just that..There are no fans in the stands. Its not even close to being normal. Other than the travel itself, the rims and the distance behind them, there is no real home court advantage this year.

There is some credible research which shows that the travel itself can disrupt circadian rhythms (sleep patterns) and potentially influence the outcomes of athletic contests. It depends on which direction one is traveling
A study from Standford University's Sleep Disorders Clinic looked at the National Football League's (NFL's ) Monday Night Football results for possible advantages of West Coast versus East Coast teams by a circadian rhythm effect.
For the details see https://www.medicinenet.com/circadian_rhythms_and_athletics____nfl_odds/views.htm

 

[ChazzReinhold]

There is some credible research which shows that the travel itself can disrupt circadian rhythms (sleep patterns) and potentially influence the outcomes of athletic contests. It depends on which direction one is traveling
A study from Standford University's Sleep Disorders Clinic looked at the National Football League's (NFL's ) Monday Night Football results for possible advantages of West Coast versus East Coast teams by a circadian rhythm effect.
For the details see https://www.medicinenet.com/circadian_rhythms_and_athletics____nfl_odds/views.htm

And there is that pooping in a foreign toilet thing.

 

[Dan]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1341437566596345856

Underwood: Penn State "extremely talented, good, veteran" team. We knew Rutgers was very, very good. The three teams we've lost to all on the road are all 17-0 and top-15 teams in the country. Disappointed in lack of consistency on the defensive end.

Underwood: Mulcahy absolutely destroyed us. He made every single Andres Feliz play that there was.

Underwood said Kofi Cockburn is getting hammered. "I guess I got to keep flopping. I got to teach acting."

https://twitter.com/jwerner247

 

[Th3Univ3rs3]

It’s not going to happen and not sure if it would mess with Miller’s head, but I wouldn’t mind seeing Grandison start this game. Be interesting to see how he would play getting some consistent minutes early in each half. Could say the same thing about Hawkins, but I just get the feeling if Grandison got a chance to settle in at the start of each half, he might show more. Still would probably want Miller seeing more minutes overall, but would help with depth too.

Grandson looks lost on the floor. Often just takes a few dribbles the wrong direction, gets stopped and passes. When he catches the ball, you can see the nervousness on his face. Not a fan, but we will see. I’d rather Adam get the experience so we can be more competitive in the coming years. My opinion.

 

[CDRUSN]

Let's beat the Nittany Criers convincingly, and try to get back our self respect.

 

[Homecoming 2019]

Grandson looks lost on the floor. Often just takes a few dribbles the wrong direction, gets stopped and passes. When he catches the ball, you can see the nervousness on his face. Not a fan, but we will see. I’d rather Adam get the experience so we can be more competitive in the coming years. My opinion.

The game is certainly a bit fast for him right now, but he's only giving us a couple minutes a game and usually holds his own out there. He does what Brad is asking of him as far as I can tell, which is play some solid defense, hit any open shots given to you, and grab a few boards.

 

[Dbell1981]

Not what I saw. I saw him get lost in transition and his man burying a 3 pointer and him getting yanked. I also agree with others that he does not look confident at all with the ball in his hands. I believe if he was solid on D we would be seeing more of him.

 

[CentralILLini]

calling that a cheap shot is an insult to cheap shots. That was Damonte boxing with high arms and the other player realizing that, leaning slightly to force the contact and then flopping. Playing and simple, and everybody on both teams knew it. Pretty old trick actually, and he is gonna get popped for real if he builds that type of reputation. Laimbeer-esque behavior most of the game. That being said, if he was on your team you'd love him.

Like anything in life there are levels to it, but throwing an elbow to an opponents nose on purpose is definitely in the cheap shot category. I know where Damonte comes from...if he did that growing up, youre liable to get swung on almost instantaneously haha

Monte is a good kid, he’ll learn from this. Gonna need him to reach our full potential as a squad.

 

[Homecoming 2019]

Not what I saw. I saw him get lost in transition and his man burying a 3 pointer and him getting yanked. I also agree with others that he does not look confident at all with the ball in his hands. I believe if he was solid on D we would be seeing more of him.

Yeah maybe solid was saying a lot, more like somewhat competitive. Putting him on one of the best offensive players in college basketball is asking a lot.

 

[Dbell1981]

Yeah maybe solid was saying a lot, more like somewhat competitive. Putting him on one of the best offensive players in college basketball is asking a lot.

I'll agree he hasn't been given a lot of minutes to prove himself. If Millers offensive woes continue I think he will get more chances. Would help himself tremendously to put the ball in the basket a few times himself.

 

[thehass]

The game is certainly a bit fast for him right now, but he's only giving us a couple minutes a game and usually holds his own out there. He does what Brad is asking of him as far as I can tell, which is play some solid defense, hit any open shots given to you, and grab a few boards.

Have the same thoughts about Hawkins. He seems he is someone to pass the ball to so he can pass it to someone else. too tentative. I feel if you're on the court do your best to be productive at something. Make an offensive move, take a shot or crash the boards. Make the most of the time you get and let your presence be felt.

 

[JFGsCoffeeMug]

Have the same thoughts about Hawkins. He seems he is someone to pass the ball to so he can pass it to someone else. too tentative. I feel if you're on the court do your best to be productive at something. Make an offensive move, take a shot or crash the boards. Make the most of the time you get and let your presence be felt.

Agreed. Just based on the eyeball test, it looks like we have three players who are currently scared to make a mistake: Miller, Grandison, and Hawkins. And that tentativeness is turning each of them into non-factors when they get playing time. It's easier to play it safe. And if you put yourself out there, you are definitely going to make mistakes, but you're also going to create opportunities to help us win games. Curbelo is the perfect example of fearlessness in the face of adversity. And we are embracing the good with the bad because we appreciate his desire to rise to the challenge and we know he'll get better with experience and time. It's asking a lot, but we need Miller, Grandison, and Hawkins to do the same.

 

[Deleted member 29907]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1341437566596345856

Looking at you Mulcahy....

 

[skyIdub]

Pooping? We talkin' bout' pooping?!?

 

[Dan]

 

[PapaKvells]

Can we increase defensive intensity while fouling less?? Sounds like a recipe for fouling more. Maybe by playing smarter defense or maybe throwing a zone for a few minutes might help.

These stats scream home cooking to me. That’s B1G Ten basketball though. The officiating is always going to favor the home team to an obnoxious extent. We get to play at home sometimes too though. It will feel much better and we don’t have to feel dirty because of it. Just remember what happened to us on the road.

 

[ILLjuice]

Agreed. Just based on the eyeball test, it looks like we have three players who are currently scared to make a mistake: Miller, Grandison, and Hawkins. And that tentativeness is turning each of them into non-factors when they get playing time. It's easier to play it safe. And if you put yourself out there, you are definitely going to make mistakes, but you're also going to create opportunities to help us win games. Curbelo is the perfect example of fearlessness in the face of adversity. And we are embracing the good with the bad because we appreciate his desire to rise to the challenge and we know he'll get better with experience and time. It's asking a lot, but we need Miller, Grandison, and Hawkins to do the same.

Gonna disagree on Miller being afraid to make a mistake. Dude jacked a 3 that effectively ended our chances of winning the game @ Rutgers(not that they were too high before that shot). That doesn't scream 'scared to make a mistake' to me. I think he needs to learn how to make more of an impact and what his role can really be. IMO he isn't scared to make a mistake, he just needs more time to learn how to stop making mistakes if that makes any sense.

Grandison on the other hand looks like he's shaking in his boots every time he catches the ball lol

 

[IllinoisFan1967]

Paul Mulcahy correction:

Class - NONE
Ears - Very Peculiar

 

[LostinNebraska]

Paul Mulcahy correction:

Class - NONE
Ears - Very Peculiar

 

[Cairo]

Looking at you Mulcahy....

BU also mentioned that Malachy made all the "Andre Feliz plays." He gave the kid some praise. Well deserved, he was everywhere and got in the teams head.
I still don't like him.

 

[JFGsCoffeeMug]

Gonna disagree on Miller being afraid to make a mistake. Dude jacked a 3 that effectively ended our chances of winning the game @ Rutgers(not that they were too high before that shot). That doesn't scream 'scared to make a mistake' to me. I think he needs to learn how to make more of an impact and what his role can really be. IMO he isn't scared to make a mistake, he just needs more time to learn how to stop making mistakes if that makes any sense.

Fair point. You're right, he wasn't afraid to jack up that 3. But I also thought he did that simply because he panicked. So I guess my overall opinion was that he played scared for the majority of the game and then panicked right at the end. Again, I think he will overcome much of this over the course of the season. I'm certainly looking forward to the moment when everything starts to click for him.

 

[doowink]

These stats scream home cooking to me. That’s B1G Ten basketball though. The officiating is always going to favor the home team to an obnoxious extent. We get to play at home sometimes too though. It will feel much better and we don’t have to feel dirty because of it. Just remember what happened to us on the road.

I sometimes wonder if the home school, after the game, doesn't have booze and women in the officials dressing room????

 

[LouHenson]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1341437566596345856

Dan,

Thanks for posting this. I believe this is 100% on the money. College basketball referees have got to stop changing the game. Remember listing to Bills during our game with Duke? He has been on this for awhile. The officiating (not just against Illinois) in college basketball is very bad. Offensive players are penalized for guys just falling down. I don’t care if it is home or away. Watch an NBA game, you don’t notice the officials at all, but in college you know for sure the refs are there.

Underwood will get penalized for his comments but he is correct. The game is suffering because of their desire to be too much “of the game”.

 

[TCTORNADO]

Vegas consensus is currently at Illinois -3

 

[hoopsfan47]

These stats scream home cooking to me. That’s B1G Ten basketball though. The officiating is always going to favor the home team to an obnoxious extent. We get to play at home sometimes too though. It will feel much better and we don’t have to feel dirty because of it. Just remember what happened to us on the road.

This has been the case, much to my rage, since I started watching B1G hoops in the mid-50s. It should be truly embarrassing to anyone associated with officiating in the conference, right up to the commissioner. There is no good reason for it, just excuses.

Once in awhile, you will get a game where the foul disparity favors the visiting team...if the home team is smaller and/or uses the home team's poor shooting from the line as a tactic. But overall, it is easily provable that the foul calls favor the home team...and the GAME as it unfolds is ignored. This is not a sour grape opinion, just disappointment of a fact of college hoops that is ugly and needs to be eliminated.