Top 4 seed for the BTT and a chance at a top 4 seed in the NCAA tourney.4 weeks from today we play Purdue in the final regular season game. What will be on the line?
I think we go into Purdue at 13-6, which at the start of the season, I thought that would have meant we were playing for a share of the championship.4 weeks from today we play Purdue in the final regular season game. What will be on the line?
Totally agree. These are young men working their tails off, representing the University incredibly well, and by and large playing at an extremely high level. As fans, it's ok to have high expectations. It's beyond reprehensible to abuse them personally over losing a @#_&$# game. I do not understand it at all.
Guys and Gals, this is not ok. I hope the families do share it.
Am I crazy, but does anyone else see a little Damian Lillard in Epps? They are essentially the same build and you can see already that Epps is a walking bucket. I think Epps is developing brilliantly by taking the ball to the basket and working on finishing around the hoop. He was like Dee and Ayo in that aspect as both of those players struggled to finish close to the basket early on, Epps seems to be getting that figured out. Once his outside shot develops further, this kid is gonna be a nightmare for opposing teams.
A 4 seed in March Madness. Think we go to Purdue with 12/13 wins in the big ten4 weeks from today we play Purdue in the final regular season game. What will be on the line?
Maybe, sure. But I'm sticking with Frank Mason. Epps is a far better penetrator than Dee was (Dee was more of a speed demon). And he's way ahead of freshman Ayo. He's already excellent. The hesitation and speed changes set him apart. When he gets his driving shot fully sorted, he's going to be great.
It might just be me…but kinda I like the Bruce Douglas comparison for Epps.Maybe, sure. But I'm sticking with Frank Mason. Epps is a far better penetrator than Dee was (Dee was more of a speed demon). And he's way ahead of freshman Ayo. He's already excellent. The hesitation and speed changes set him apart. When he gets his driving shot fully sorted, he's going to be great.
Bruce Douglas was an all-state guard who was strong, handled the ball exceptionally well, set records for assists and NEVER developed an outside shot. He was nothing like Epps as he majored on defense and assists. Epps is a SCORER--shooting and driving to the basket. Not a Douglas type...who I loved as a player but had no future because he couldn't shoot. That's NOT Epps.It might just be me…but kinda I like the Bruce Douglas comparison for Epps.
If you could make a perfect cross between
Douglas and Richardson off that ‘84 team
you might get pretty close to what Epps is
rapidly becoming.
Missed Traveling Call-You Say?
More like Richardson on the ‘84 team?Bruce Douglas was an all-state guard who was strong, handled the ball exceptionally well, set records for assists and NEVER developed an outside shot. He was nothing like Epps as he majored on defense and assists. Epps is a SCORER--shooting and driving to the basket. Not a Douglas type...who I loved as a player but had no future because he couldn't shoot. That's NOT Epps.
A better comparison, but a better player by far right away than Richardson... Epps has to be all-freshman in the Big Ten.More like Richardson on the ‘84 team?
It might just be me…but kinda I like the Bruce Douglas comparison for Epps.
If you could make a perfect cross between
Douglas and Richardson off that ‘84 team
you might get pretty close to what Epps is
rapidly becoming.
Missed Traveling Call-You Say?
Yeah probably is. Lol. That’s why I’m trying to cheat and make a hypothetical-Frankenstein player…because as you know it’s a pretty tall order to find anyone that matches Epps exactly. (It’s probably silly and completely subjective to compare players from completely different eras…but it sure is fun.)A better comparison, but a better player by far right away than Richardson... Epps has to be all-freshman in the Big Ten.
Don't sleep on Maryland either. There's a chance that 13-7 only gets us a 6 seed in the BTT. Is what it is. Just a weird year.In order for Illinois to have the double bye in the Big Ten 2023 Tournament, it will be necessary to have 13 wins. This means that Illinois must win all of their remaining games, including Rutgers at home and Penn State on the road (assuming losses at Indiana and Purdue). Only If this happens will the Illini join Purdue, Indiana, Rutgers and Iowa with at least 13 wins (assuming none of these teams has an upset in their remaining games). However our record against the other 4 teams would only be 1 win and 4 losses (the lone win vs Rutgers). The Iowa loss really "cooked the goose" as far as the tournament is concerned (barring wins at Indiana or Purdue).
You might be right; but I hope you are wrong.I love Epps, but there's NO WAY he'll ever get to be as good of a defender (and stealer) as Douglas was. Truly elite. The definition of elite, in my book.
Different kind of player for sure, but DMW played 1-5, took on the toughest defensive assignment often, and had a streak where he was deadly from outside.Coleman Hawkins: I’m trying to think of a past Illini who has been relied upon to do so many different things on the basketball court...
Drawing a blank so far.
The only other team projected to have 13 conference wins besides Purdue is Rutgers. I think 12 wins definitely gets top 4 and 11 wins probably not but possible. As of now it's about a 50/50 shot.In order for Illinois to have the double bye in the Big Ten 2023 Tournament, it will be necessary to have 13 wins. This means that Illinois must win all of their remaining games, including Rutgers at home and Penn State on the road (assuming losses at Indiana and Purdue). Only If this happens will the Illini join Purdue, Indiana, Rutgers and Iowa with at least 13 wins (assuming none of these teams has an upset in their remaining games). However our record against the other 4 teams would only be 1 win and 4 losses (the lone win vs Rutgers). The Iowa loss really "cooked the goose" as far as the tournament is concerned (barring wins at Indiana or Purdue).
I played around with the BTT generator for a bit, and came to the sad conclusion that we are likely the 6 seed in the BTT (I got a range of 5-7). Our most common second round matchup was Iowa. It was freaky. The tie breakers would cause us to align more ofen than not. Purdue/Rutgers/Indiana/Iowa get the byes.The only other team projected to have 13 conference wins besides Purdue is Rutgers. I think 12 wins definitely gets top 4 and 11 wins probably not but possible. As of now it's about a 50/50 shot.