Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
Can't hardly wait for the next episode of The Curbelo Show.
Pregame: Illinois vs Indiana, Saturday, December 26th, 3:00pm CT, FS1
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If Kofi out scores Jackson-Davis, Illini win by double figures. If not, will be closer than we’d like.
I don't think this is true. They are 265th in the country in 3pt attempts according to Kenpom. They are also 265th in tempo so they play pretty slow. Their entire gamelan goes through Trayce.
The big difference between the teams is we have other consistent scoring threats. Trayce could score 3x more points than Kofi and we could still win by 15.
I almost think the right move is to let Trayce go 1 on 1 against Kofi and Giorgi. Don't double him and if he scores 30 then so be it, just don't let anyone else get involved. Because the problem with doubling is it might let some other guys get some open looks and then your dealing with Trayce plus some confident guards.
skyIdub
Winged Warrior
Well of course no one wants to go back, we know how that ended. But that team got a 7 seed, they weren't nightmarish as far as I was concerned. I think a lot of us had a good deal of hope after that season that Groce would be able to turn things around. Also, Gardner Webb was not 270 that year, they were 190. Ohio is currently 120 ish and the season isn't over. My point was just that suggesting that barely beating Gardner Webb was because we were living some nightmare and that we couldn't possibly find ourselves in that situation anymore seems a bit dramatic.
Not advocating for nor do I think they’ll double Trayce. Does BU ever double? If so, not very often. Rather I think if Trayce out scores Kofi it likely means Kofi is in foul trouble and Trayce isn’t. And yes I know Illini have more consistent offensive options than IU. Just think that the dynamics of the game will be impacted enough if Trayce out scores Kofi that it ends up being closer than you think. Still like Illini’s chances — especially at home.
Regarding Blue Blood status. When I grew up there was consensus that the only Blues were Duke, Kentucky, NC, KU, IU and UCLA.
can Blue status in your opinion ever be lost?
because I’d argue UCLA and IU aren’t that much elite or a Blue Blood anymore.
As long as we hold a 20 + point lead the entire 2nd half I don’t care how many points they get!
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
T-R-E-N-D-S
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
As a slightly younger fan (I assume), I always considered Louisville in that group - in fact, ahead of Indiana.
If it’s to mean truly elite programs, it’s pretty obvious that the current group is Kentucky, UNC, Kansas and Duke ... not taking applications.
And we just smoked one on their floor.
Is this group above .500 this year? As a group?
Just barely thanks to Kentucky being in the throes of freshman hell. They have tons of talent but play brain dead on both ends of the court.
Indy always plays us tough. Throw out the records they will up for us after losing to the Kitties at home.
Msu is "blue" in place of IU
Kofi in foul trouble would be a wise strategy for IU. Kofi has done a great job of not reaching in the last couple games...hopefully he can stay out of foul trouble.
altenberger22
- South Carolina
Excellent post!
I happen to think Blue Blood status is earned/weighed/judged over an extremely long period of time (i.e. 75 years). I would, therefore, argue that your blue blood list is perfect. Those are indeed the correct SIX teams.
- Kentucky and Kansas and UNC = no brainers
- UCLA earned their stripes in the 1960's/70's under Wooden
- Indiana made their status in the 1970's and 80's under Coach Knight
- Duke is the latest addition based upon what they've accomplished under Coach K
We can't remove any team because of a poor 10-year or 20-year streak. And yes, Indiana/UCLA are currently a little "wobbly" and not enjoying the same recruiting edge as the other 4.
altenberger22
- South Carolina
Definitely #7 on the list in my book, and on the verge. But just two titles -- 1979 (Magic/Heathcote) and 2000 (Izzo). To your point, MSU is currently enjoying a huge recruiting advantage because of all the recent Final 4 appearances under Izzo. Spartans need another title to qualify.
Interestingly, UConn has four titles in the last 20 years and is NOT a blue blood. They really came out of nowhere under Calhoun, and then disappeared again pretty quickly!
Jackson-Davis seems like a tough match-up for Kofi to me. He's quick for a big man and I'm not sure that Kofi can move his feet well enough to stay in front of him without fouling. I was encouraged by a play Kofi made in the PSU game where he moved his feet with a guard driving to the baseline and the guard threw it away, though. He's not terrible with moving his feet by any means. Jackson-Davis is just excellent at it.
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
Happy Holidays Illini Nation....wow....fixing an expresso and talkin hoops with one of my homey's....What a life...wow
We both think that Ayo is going to do the triple double sometime this year....how bout against the Loosiers we asked ....
I'd put my money on it...
Illini 84
loosiers 70
ILLINI IN NE
- Omaha,Ne.
Reality of today is that there is 4 blue bloid programs with Kentucky and Duke being ultra blue, folliwed by UNC and Kansas.
UCLA and Indiana are no longer even blue blood in their conference. MSU and Arizona have been the leaders in the PAC and BIG. UCLA and Indy are 2nd tier in their conferences.
Other leading programs are Villanova, Gonzaga. Two programs with success last 10 years and solid recruiting.
Illini in OC
In. The. Alley.
At one point, a long time ago, Illinois was a football blue blood. So yes, it can go away.
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