They could have put us against Missouri, Oklahoma, or UNC as well. We couldn't get Wisconsin so the only 8/9s we could get that wouldn't have had a "storyline" are LSU and the Bonnies. And we could get Georgia Tech. If they wanted a "storyline" they would have put Loyola against Missouri.
NCAA Tournament
They could have put us against Missouri, Oklahoma, or UNC as well. We couldn't get Wisconsin so the only 8/9s we could get that wouldn't have had a "storyline" are LSU and the Bonnies. And we could get Georgia Tech. If they wanted a "storyline" they would have put Loyola against Missouri.
A boxing match isn't necessarily an indication of strength on a basketball court.
Deleted member 747903
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Agreed. My point was that in terms of raw strength Pons is right up there with guys Kofi has seen in the B10 and he's got a bit more agility.
Guys with raw strength are always worrisome to me because in the tournament all it takes is the officials to swallow the whistle and it can take a guy like Kofi out of the game. However like I said previously, Tennessee can't score with us even if they stop Kofi.
Not quite. Morehead State repping the entire state of Kentucky this year!
Agree - there are so many "storylines" out there. Kansas could have been the 4. Purdue could have been our 5. As you mentioned, all those possible 8/9 seeds. And as another poster said, no guarantee the matchups actually happen.
I'm not saying it never happens, Michigan State/UCLA seems like an example, but I also think the NCAA Tournament is so good and there's so many rivalries and past great games and local matchups and coaching changes that create interest, etc....you are going to wind up with some great storylines no matter how it's bracketed
Exactly. We look at everything through Illini lenses. There are so many teams in this tournament with connections to other teams. The committee's job is already hard enough. To go through and adjust potential matchups for every team would be a massive undertaking.
texillwek
🔶🔹🔸🔷
My girlfriend was so blown away that there is a school called "Morehead" State. We had a nice laugh together, then ate tacos.
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
Illinois has the easiest path of any team to win a national championship.
Because Illinois doesn’t have to play ... Illinois.
Because Illinois doesn’t have to play ... Illinois.
Ransom Stoddard
Ordained Dudeist Priest
- Bloomington, IL
Is that code for something?
sacraig
- The desert
This could mean several things and they're all great.
Something I found interesting...
Per KenPom's efficiency ratings...
Illinois has the 5th best defense in the country.
Illinois has the 4th best defense in the NCAA tournament. (Memphis missed the tournament)
Illinois has the 3rd best defense in its pod of 8 teams. (Loyola and Tennessee are rated higher)
The Midwest region has 7 of the top 19 defenses in the tournament.
This is not to say I am afraid of any of these teams. Just that there is a high likelihood of great defensive battles and we may not "look" as good or as sexy as some of the other top teams after the first 2 or 3 rounds.
Per KenPom's efficiency ratings...
Illinois has the 5th best defense in the country.
Illinois has the 4th best defense in the NCAA tournament. (Memphis missed the tournament)
Illinois has the 3rd best defense in its pod of 8 teams. (Loyola and Tennessee are rated higher)
The Midwest region has 7 of the top 19 defenses in the tournament.
This is not to say I am afraid of any of these teams. Just that there is a high likelihood of great defensive battles and we may not "look" as good or as sexy as some of the other top teams after the first 2 or 3 rounds.
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
I took it literally and figuratively at the same time...........................ok.....okey-dokey
lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
Fast forward a couple of weeks & we’re in the final four ...
Would you rather play OSU for a fourth time or Baylor for a second?
Would you rather play OSU for a fourth time or Baylor for a second?
haasi
- New York
I’m curious about our prep. Several days to prepare. I’m guessing we have one assistant scouting Drexel, another scouting Loyola and a third scouting Ga Tech. If i recall correctly, this is how we did it for our multi team event at the beginning of the year. I would imagine that the team will prep for Drexel and won’t do any specific work to Loyola or GA tech until Saturday. Obviously the scout and our prep and game plan for that second round game will be very important.
texillwek
🔶🔹🔸🔷
Is that code for something?
In the past 20 years, the winner of the NCAA tournament has always had a top 20 ranking in both offensive and defensive efficiency. There are 4 teams that rank that highly this year: Michigan, Houston, Illinois, Gonzaga.
One upset pick I’m calling now. Abilene Christian over Texas. I’ve seen a lot of Texas living in Austin and saw ACU in person last Friday. They have a 7’0 center who works inside, another 6’8 big who can bang and hit the 3 and make the post entry pass to the other guy, and they got a TON of shooters.
Smaller at guard and on the wing than Texas, but good quickness and athleticism for a smaller school. I am not the only person I know who has seen both teams and feels the same way.
Smaller at guard and on the wing than Texas, but good quickness and athleticism for a smaller school. I am not the only person I know who has seen both teams and feels the same way.
Deleted member 747903
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pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
Great subliminal effects texillwek.........yum....yum !
So I’ve completed 4 brackets and everyone of them has the Illini winning it all. Coincidence? I think not.
dgcrow
- Kelso, WA
The Illini should make it to the Sweet 16. Oklahoma State should, too, and that match-up will be a tough one. Right now the Cowboys are hotter than a two dollar pistol.
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Deleted member 747903
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Anyone watch Georgia Tech? They apparently have ACC POY Moses Wright who seems like a slightly taller version of Liddell.
How do we match up with them?
How do we match up with them?