Think RJ, Monte, Grandy will rotate on Mulcahey
Pregame: Illinois at Rutgers, Wednesday, February 16th, 6:00pm CT, BTN
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IlliniRunIn07
- Tampa, FL
I'm going to say something that may get me a ban on this board. I've enjoyed watching Mulcahy play this year. That being said, I hope we can make him cry on Wednesday.
There is no doubt that they are playing better as a team. I guess it is called jellying at the right time. We have to put together two good halves. You take the first half of the PU game along with the first half of the NW game we win. It is amazing how Plummer can shoot lights out in the first half and then shoot bricks in the second half. We have to have him put together two good halves. I think Trent is tired and hurting. I think we will need to see Luke get some time against Rutgers. The word is just beat them.
As far as starters against starters, Plummer will probably be assigned Mcconnell. Hope he can close out the three. Mulcahey runs their offense and actually likes to post up smaller guards, so I expect Da'Monte much of the time on him.
I cringe when I hear people state "we owned them last time" or something similar to that fact. Sure we may have, but this is a team that crushed Michigan state, beat wisconsin and ohio state in their last 3 games. This is a dangerous team that is clearly different than the team we played early on in the season. They are playing better, we are playing worse....So I'm not sure we make it out of this game TBH. If we play like we did against Wisconsin or 1H yesterday, sure, I'm picking us. But with Trent chucking 3's and airballing them (what's up what that btw?....in the 4 years prior, I don't remember seeing one airball from him...and now one the last 4 games?..injury?) and belo with his erratic play, and Hawkins not playing as well as he did early on...especially defensively...I'm not sure what to make of this team. Need to tighten things up these last games and get back into form. I assume it's us trying to figure out the pieces and finally playing a full roster...but let's figure this out quick
blackdog
- Champaign
It also leads eventually to a pick and roll action where all the defenders are already in motion and worried about following their man and not as able to help on the roll. If the defense isn't dialed in the weave is almost always going to lead to an open look. BU has talked about it numerous times that the more actions and the more the ball moves sides the more likely the defense will break down.
It just really confuses me that people complain about the weave because they get soooo many good looks out of it. I would love to see the numbers but I bet they're really high which is why they keep running it.
Agreed with Plummer on McConnell. He's a nice scorer but probably touches the ball the least with Baker, Harper and Mulcahy on the floor.
I agree. Was at that game also. The entire State Farm Center booed every time he touched the ball. Was awesome!
Who do you think Trent will be guarding
Agree, he is 6'6" or 6'7" and shoot over the top of him all day.
Which puts Grandy on Harper. And now we see the problems. Going to have to be a team D effort and a bunch of bench play.
Retro62
- North Bethesda, Maryland
Mulcahy has had a breakout part of the season, he didn't start out that way. He's confident and comfortable now. That is what we are all waiting for with Hawkins, who has way more natural talent. If it can happen to Mulcahy within a season, maybe it can happen with Hawkins before we hit tournament play. A lot to ask, I know, but as has been said ad nauseum, he has the tools.
JFGsCoffeeMug
BU:1 Trash cans:0
- Chicago
Probably see a lot of Hawkins on Harper
I think what we have been waiting for from Hawk, we are seeing from RJ. Playing composed, confident, in the moment, and not over-thinking. RJ also gives us a legitimate threat in transition, which has been sorely lacking all season.
In theory, yes. But it's the execution. Would really love to see more effective pick and roll, dribble drive penetration, and interior passing. I feel like we are worried about TO's with our more interior passing.
Monte will start on Harper. When Coleman comes in he will get him.
blackdog
- Champaign
But the execution on the weave has been good...
Illinois is a veteran team. Everybody will remember how we lost at Rutgers last year and it cost us the B10 championship.
Trent and DaMonte have played at Rutgers 4 years in a row. Kofi 2 years, Jacob and Andre last year.
It will be a dog fight but I think we pull it out. This is not January John time. Brad's teams improve throughout the season.
Remember we have an All American center King Kofi on our team. He only had 13 pts 15 rb while we beat them 86-51.
Trent and DaMonte have played at Rutgers 4 years in a row. Kofi 2 years, Jacob and Andre last year.
It will be a dog fight but I think we pull it out. This is not January John time. Brad's teams improve throughout the season.
Remember we have an All American center King Kofi on our team. He only had 13 pts 15 rb while we beat them 86-51.
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Wow. Like I said before, maybe I'm in the glass half empty camp on that one. I'll define good execution as leading to a score ... not just getting the defenders moving and creating potential problems for their D.
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Sounds like a call to switch to a zone defense!
The Sprouting Divot
Invisible and Bulletproof
- Miracle Mile
Same. I don't mind the booing, but I don't hate the guy like I hate Brad Davison, decades of Iowa players, Grayson Allen, etc., and have found Rutgers to be a fun team to casually root for and have enjoyed watching them have some success. I'll continue to root for them to win games as long as it's not at our expense.
I hope Rutgers takes IU's place in the NCAA tournament and makes some noise.
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