Pregame: Illinois at Michigan, Tuesday, March 2nd, 6:00pm CT, ESPN
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Deleted member 747903
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Given some previous comments its clear he's is going to participate in initial warmups. So we probably won't truly know until a couple hours before a la PSU
GallopingGhost
- Denver, CO
BU would like to keep that card up his sleeve for as long as possible so I don’t think we know till this afternoon.
If it's up to warm-ups, then doesn't that place it in the realm of Ayo to make the decision on if he feels up to playing in the game? If that is the case I could see him either:
A. Being such a tough guy who wants to help that even if he does have some discomfort then he plays.
B. Being such a honest and good teammate that he self-analyzes and thinks they might be better off with completely healthy guys playing rather than a limited Ayo.
A. Being such a tough guy who wants to help that even if he does have some discomfort then he plays.
B. Being such a honest and good teammate that he self-analyzes and thinks they might be better off with completely healthy guys playing rather than a limited Ayo.
JFGsCoffeeMug
BU:1 Trash cans:0
- Chicago
Nah. That's intentional. Gives Ayo the chance to reconsider until the very last moment and keeps our opponents guessing.
I think he'll play tonight. Too juicy of an opportunity to pass up (for both college legacy and draft stock purposes).
I agree. I think he gives it a try as well. If he has a setback at least he has 17 days until our first ncaa tourney game.
Cockburn is about to bully that young man! Period! End of story! I hope Kofi dunks everything!
I think they were just waiting on his mask! I recall them saying he was fitted for one somewhere.
Ayo is putting shots up at shoot around right now. As another poster said, that was expected. But still a good sign.
I think if we defend the 3 well this game that we'll win. If not, it could be a heart breaker!
Deleted member 747903
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I actually think Curbelo can break down Brown. He's super aggressive and overplays a lot. As long as Dre can have the ball on a string I see him getting by Brown and making plays.
Exactly. No reason to give Howard a few extra hours to definitively prep for a game with or without Ayo. As much as we’d all like to know, there’s no advantage in saying yes or no now vs 30 minutes before the game tips.
Yeah Ayo is obviously warming up today and the department is featuring him everywhere. Certainly seems like the decision has been made.
TheFameProtector
- Champaign
There's a lot of rational, realistic takes on here and I do not like it one bit!!
Deleted member 747903
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Marty Mush (same dude who broke initial news that he was hurt) confirmed that he's playing tonight.
I'm pretty sure we beat them last year when Kofi knocked the referee out celebrating!The Illini team that finally cuts down the nets at the end of the NCAAs will have a few past teams they're avenging, that's for sure. The Whiz Kids, the Flyin' Illini, the 2005 group ... each one "deserved" to be National Champions. If this team, battling through a COVID season and led by a Chicago 5-star that bucked the trend and chose to stay home, could do that ... that'd be quite a story.
Anyway, as for tomorrow ... I'm expecting that Ayo doesn't play and that we give them a fight until the final 6-8 minutes where Michigan explodes into a 10-15 point lead. We'll make a rally but won't have enough time or gas left to close the gap. Still, this one is PURELY icing on the cake. If Ayo isn't 110%, as others have said, I don't want him out there. We have locked up the BTT 2-seed, and losing our next three games (BTT included) doesn't even seem like it could drop us below the 3-seed line for the NCAAs. Having him healthy for the Tournament is all that matters.
But ... can you imagine if we won at #2 Michigan without Ayo?
I believe the score was 71-62! And I am pretty sure Minnesota beat them this year... So I definitely feel we can beat them. It's just a matter of who comes ready to play, whose the most aggressive, and who makes the shots. I believe the ILLINI will be Victorious! I-L-LDB11Headband
- Chicago Burbs
Marty Mush knows about as much as you and me combined
I think we swept Michigan last year!
Ayo will play tonight, I have no doubt about it now. Not sure how much, but he will play.
Team isn’t gonna post pictures of him getting shots up on Instagram for him to sit.
Team isn’t gonna post pictures of him getting shots up on Instagram for him to sit.
I know Michigan is better this year, but I really can't quite put my finger on why. Dickenson is an obvious upgrade over Teske. Is the transfer PG that much better than the little guy from last year (his name escapes me)?
illinihawk16
- Chicago
Honestly, way less. I've listened to the podcast he's on and he doesn't know anything.
Ayo comes in with a mask, and a cape I hope tonight.
I try so hard to like the podcast because I love college bball and enjoy barstool. But they make it hard. Specifically Marty and Rico
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