It could be a fast game. They overplay on rebounding but we have Curbelo with rebounding and vision. Always play someone to release.
Pregame: Illinois vs Houston, Sunday, March 20th, 11:10am CT, CBS
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Idk. That is his non shooting arm. The first 90 degrees of ball gathering and then steadying for the other (shooting) arm to take over ... so painful. Feel for the guy. He has such a calming influence on our team, not to mention his passing/shooting/and spreading the floor.
Michigan State?
That's what EVERYBODY thought Kansas had to do in their finals matchup with Oklahoma in 1988. They surprised everyone by running with Oklahoma to start the game. It was 50-50 at the half. THEN they went deliberate and ground out the win, 83-79. Sometimes, you have to do the unexpected.
TheFameProtector
- Champaign
Don't feel good about this one, though granted there haven't been that many games this season that I have felt good about (either going in or coming out). Shooting poorly is one thing, but the lack of energy from our seniors when a loss means their college career is over is what's really concerning. If those guys don't want it with every ounce of their being, then we're toast and might as well put the frosh in and see if they want it.
Illini in Indiana
- Indiana
We are the underdog in this one. We need one of those mid season game when we hit shots. If not we go home.
Cook
- Richmond, VA
Really agree with this, although I think it runs counter to BU's nature (could be wrong, just my opinion). I'd love to see some planned surprises that we've prepared to use just a bit during the tourney.
It definitely runs counter to BU's nature. I don't see it happening. Some people have said we need to hand the keys over to Chester for this game. I don't agree with that, but I certainly would love his input, and as you mentioned, some surprises. Kofi is going to be sore and tired. Payne can run the floor. That's his strength.
I was very worried when Da'Monte couldn't get that 2nd bucket. Someone had posted days ago that we are undefeated when he scores 4 or more points. Would love for him to hit some open threes in some kind of rhythm. Those shots will be there all day.
SuperMetroid
- Evanston
Our three-point shooting engine is pretty much running on one cylinder right now. When we were rolling earlier this season we had four guys who could make you pay for doubling Kofi.
Now? Trent’s shot is way off (think he’s more banged up than we know about), DMW has been afraid to shoot since PSU, and Jake has one good arm. Plummer is the only one making anything.
Obviously this is not ideal when a big % of your points come from 3’s. I think this game comes down to can we find enough other ways to score? 3-17 isn’t going to work against Houston.
How the heck did Duke-Michigan State not get that spot?
DeonThomas
- South Carolina
Everyone needs to read the Mike Cagley article on the IL home page (on here). Excellent reading. It's superb on all counts!
TOMORROW IS A NEW DAY.
Ridiculous. Trent’s half blind right now and Jake is injured. What seniors are left? DMW and Plummer played reasonably well.
I don’t feel good about this game either, but that’s not due to a “lack of energy” from our seniors. The fact is we’re not healthy now and we’ve rarely been healthy all season. If Trent can’t see well, he’s not going to shoot well. And we have no real replacement for him - we’re sadly short on guards who can handle and score.
I hope we can somehow survive tomorrow and by next Thursday/Friday, our key players are healthy. But I’ve been waiting in vain for a healthy lineup all year.
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KrushCow31
Former Krush Cow
- Chicago, IL
How the tone has changed since I first said Houston would be a big challenge earlier this week.
It seems like we’ve been in a shooting slump for the past month. I hope our hot shooting early in the year wasn’t the outlier but I’m not sure anymore.
Cook
- Richmond, VA
Someone needs to stick Trent in a steam room today for as long as he can stand it.
They said the same of the Chat game
As Coach said: Survive: On a bad day find a way to win
I feel like it’s time to empty the bench in this coming game. Sit Williams, he hasn’t provided anything the last few weeks. Don’t be scared to take Trent or Plummer out for a few minutes if they’re not playing well. Give melendez or Goode or even Podz a chance to make an impact instead of just beating our head against the wall with the same guys
Obviously the tone has changed because we played terribly yesterday - not because we're realizing that Houston is a world beater. I'd say Houston played on par with their seed yesterday - not like the top 5 team that analytics portrays them to be. So if you predicted that we'd shoot 17% from 3 and barely beat Chatanooga then feel free to show the receipts and say 'I told you so'. But lets be real - those receipts don't exist
JFGsCoffeeMug
BU:1 Trash cans:0
- Chicago
Sitting seniors to play freshman in order to make us more consistent is an...interesting strategy.
I like the Illini when we play some full court pressure with Hawkins at point....mix the pressure up....trap, double team at times...token pressure at other times...just seems to me like we become more aggressive when we're doing this....I would like our chances if we can create 20 turnovers tomorrow
ginabackes00
CrazedUIFan
I’s like we have another game if we lose…
The Illini better be ready because this may be the inside on the Illini, kind of like the om Brady doesn't like to get hit and after a few good licks is not as effective. The Illin need to keep their head on a swivel during the Houston game because I'm sure it's not beneath Samson to do the same thing. I guess they should be used to it playing in the Big-10 with guys like Izzo having their players wear football gear in practice before playing the Illini. Not that Izzo is on the same level as Samson but he's above having his players be highly aggressive.
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