Pregame: Illinois vs Maryland, Thursday, January 6th, 6:00pm CT, ESPN2

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#76      
Speaking of which ---- still appears we'll be favored to win our next 9 games. Guessing Purdue on the road (Feb 10th) will be our next game as an underdog.

Would be excellent to win 7, 8 or 9 of these!!

According to the ESPN matchup predictor, @Purdue is the ONLY Big Ten game we won’t be favored in.
 
#77      
Not meaning to be snarky at all, but I think the answer is coaching. BU. He has established a work ethic and a defensive mentality that even he alludes to it during pressers being the thing that will win games when the shots aren't falling. You see those other teams struggling and wonder about coaching and defensive intensity. Although I still think Painter is the "best" coach in the B1G (gun to my head).....I feel like BU has this team playing better than anyone in the B1G through a lot of adversity...on top of the Covid pauses...that those other teams aren't dealing with.

It says a whole lot about the culture and the buy in.
I agree about Painter but we are 3-0 against them the last two years while MSU has had our number. Painter has always had very big centers but we trumped that with Kofi.
 
#78      

alamocityillini

San Antonio
Odds Sharks prediction for the game:


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#82      

Chad Fleck

Eureka, IL
I identify the beginning of my believing this turnaround to coincide with the game Illinois lost at #3 MD when Trimble hit a 35 footer to put them ahead with less than 30 seconds left.

Now the programs are basically in opposite places from then. Time to start a winning streak.
 
#85      

Retro62

North Bethesda, Maryland
I selfishly want our squad to blow Maryland out. My A-hole brother in law is a maryland alum as well as his prick brothers. I'm done listening to their mouths.
You’re being redundant…just saying UM fan is enough.
 
#87      

blackdog

Champaign
I selfishly want our squad to blow Maryland out. My A-hole brother in law is a maryland alum as well as his prick brothers. I'm done listening to their mouths.

I very generously want our to squad to blow Maryland out because we would all enjoy that.
 
#90      
I selfishly want our squad to blow Maryland out. My A-hole brother in law is a maryland alum as well as his prick brothers. I'm done listening to their mouths.
I bet Thanksgivings are fun with your family. Just Kidding
 
#92      

altgeld88

Arlington, Virginia
I'm not greedy or anything but I want a thorough domination this evening followed by an even sweeter beat-down in College Park in two weeks.

Despite the losing streak, I'm still anchored on that sweet win over the Terps in Madison Square Garden in Jan. '19, when Adonis De La Rosa (speaking of length, God bless him for what he gave us on those two fragile knees) got in Bruno Fernando's head, and Ayo stepped up to take the reins for the first time in a major game. He and Tevian had around 20 each and Tevian was knocking down the treys. There weren't many Illini in the Garden but those of us there were loud and proud. :cool:

[EDIT: BTW, speaking of arrogant, insecure, entitled Maryland basketball fans, anytime I've ever gotten a sniffy 'tude from them around here about Illinois I quietly point out that we're ~ 11th in all time D-1 in wins while they're... ~ 35th. Knowledge is power.]
 
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#98      

GallopingGhost

Denver, CO
Not meaning to be snarky at all, but I think the answer is coaching. BU. He has established a work ethic and a defensive mentality that even he alludes to it during pressers being the thing that will win games when the shots aren't falling. You see those other teams struggling and wonder about coaching and defensive intensity. Although I still think Painter is the "best" coach in the B1G (gun to my head).....I feel like BU has this team playing better than anyone in the B1G through a lot of adversity...on top of the Covid pauses...that those other teams aren't dealing with.

It says a whole lot about the culture and the buy in.
I think people underestimate those two things. That’s created by coaches who recruit players to fit their mentality and it trickles down to the freshmen (who the coach also recruited thinking they’ll fit the mold). Granted these are easier to have when you’re winning, but complete teamwork and buy in will WIN you more games than lose them.

Credit Damonte, Trent, AYO, BU etc for creating all this buy in. Curbelo is the guy I think will carry the torch for the next couple years too
 
#99      

dish3

Seattle
When does Ayo's statue get revealed?
 
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