While I think we have every right to worry about rust, Minnesota hasn't played since 12/22 either, so it's not like it's a huge advantage for them. I guess something like that could make the game more chaotic which will normally favor the underdog, but college hoops have all pretty much been on pause since Christmas. Can't wait to end that tomorrow.
Pregame: Illinois at Minnesota, Tuesday, January 4th, 6:00pm CT, FS1
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altgeld88
- Arlington, Virginia
Back when the BT slate was 16 games it wasn't unusual for 12-4 to win the title (and 13-5 when the slate was 18 games.) And these days 14-6 probably does it (it did a couple years ago.) Finish in the top five and you've likely got 7-9 conference losses but a fairly decent March seed.
Winning on the road is difficult and has always been so, and losses are to be expected. It's a grueling Jan/Feb grind, players get sick, teams wax and wane. We got kneecapped the past week or so with players sequestered in rooms. Even if none of them were ever palpably sick, tomorrow evening would be a tough draw given the enforced layoff and deconditioning even if were were @ Nebraska.
I'll be delighted if they pull out a win and completely unsurprised if they don't. As someone said earlier, better to get this out of the way now than in late Feb.
Winning on the road is difficult and has always been so, and losses are to be expected. It's a grueling Jan/Feb grind, players get sick, teams wax and wane. We got kneecapped the past week or so with players sequestered in rooms. Even if none of them were ever palpably sick, tomorrow evening would be a tough draw given the enforced layoff and deconditioning even if were were @ Nebraska.
I'll be delighted if they pull out a win and completely unsurprised if they don't. As someone said earlier, better to get this out of the way now than in late Feb.
altgeld88
- Arlington, Virginia
For a little pregame Golden Gopher entertainment, check out this video from early 1975 (v. the Hoosiers) of the Harlem Globetrotter warmup routine that coach Bill Musselman (father of Eric) choreographed. Point guard Flip Saunders leads it. I queued the video to the point where the team runs onto the floor, preceded by the strains of Also sprach Zarathustra from 2001: A Space Odyssey.
For those unfamiliar with him, Musselman's temperament at times made Bobby Knight look like Roy Williams. He scooted out of town in '75 for the ABA with the NCAA on his heels. It nailed Minnesota for more than 100 rule violations during his five-season tenure, and imposed a three-year probation including a two-year postseason ban, a TV ban, and scholly reduction.
For those unfamiliar with him, Musselman's temperament at times made Bobby Knight look like Roy Williams. He scooted out of town in '75 for the ABA with the NCAA on his heels. It nailed Minnesota for more than 100 rule violations during his five-season tenure, and imposed a three-year probation including a two-year postseason ban, a TV ban, and scholly reduction.
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Silver lining: the fact that at least ten players have caught the virus, and presumably now have strong natural immunity, is good news for March. Right?
skyIdub
"I can't tell you. Secret."
Until ChiPiOmegatron. Transmissible via thought bubbles.
BillyBob1
- Champaign
Wonder if that was filmed on a Panasonic cell phone?
frozenrope9190
- Aurora, IL
I predict there will be quite a few early turnovers, coinciding with a meltdown of the Loyalty Board.
Then we'll win.
Then we'll win.
Listening to Trent, it sounds like he wasn’t one of the guys who had COVID
Had to be another time as I did not travel to Minneapolis until 2010.
frozenrope9190
- Aurora, IL
Delete.
Because I repeat. Yikes.
Because I repeat. Yikes.
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pruman91
- interviewing new NL's daily....I really really am
I think it will be a low scoring hard fought game.....The goofer games I've watched this year , they shoot a lot of 3's but late in the shot clock....
Since both teams haven't played in a while I agree with others that there will be a lot of TO's , but I believe we prevail.............
Illini 70
goofers 64
Illini should go to 3-0 in the B1G.......fingers crossed......
Since both teams haven't played in a while I agree with others that there will be a lot of TO's , but I believe we prevail.............
Illini 70
goofers 64
Illini should go to 3-0 in the B1G.......fingers crossed......
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
I’m (pretty sure) Trent, Lieb and Goode were 3 of the 5 that didn’t per 247 and Instagram, though not positive.
Noblesville Illini
- Nappanee, IN
Apparently, you didn't test positive either!
JFGsCoffeeMug
BU:1 Trash cans:0
- Chicago
I'm confused. As someone who is new to college basketball and only has the previous season as a reference, isn't this the point at which we cancel the next 3-4 games and call it "return-to-play planning" to reduce our chance of picking up conference losses?
DeonThomas
- South Carolina
Now that was fun!! .........and back in the day when Minny was actually good at basketball with Mychal Thompson (father of Klay & Trayce) and the #1 overall pick in the NBA draft, Kevin McHale, etc.
You are correct, Sir. Underwood has gone off script.
DeonThomas
- South Carolina
Too much disruption over the past 10 days..........I'm turning pessimistic:
- Big 10 road game
- Williams Arena
- A healthier Gopher squad
75 Minn
68 Illini
- Big 10 road game
- Williams Arena
- A healthier Gopher squad
75 Minn
68 Illini
Can't disagree. Hard to prepare when you can't practice. Should be interesting.
The mental prep, such as understanding personnel, favorite actions, and other elements of the scouting report should be fine. I’m sure they have been watching film of gopher personnel, showing what each individual player does well so they know how to guard everyone. They have probably also watched 8-10 sets, BLOBs, etc so they know how to guard those when they come. Yesterdays practice probably accomplished 3 things:
1) get our guys moving again
2) physically guard gopher actions and scout team players emulating gopher players
3) running through our basics to get some rhythm back.
I think we’ll see some rust and limited conditioning, but our level of prep should be fairly unaffected. It’s mostly mental anyway.
showing Boxing in Raleigh tonight on FS1
I don't think we'll have rust at all. I have a feeling, (don't doubt my feelings), we come out hot and Minny calls a time out in the first 5 minutes. YOU heard it here first.
Yeah, I saw the same thing in Chicago on Comcast. I hope it's a misprint and they actually show the game.
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