Pregame: Illinois at Purdue, Sunday, March 5th, 11:30am CT, FOX

[21ChampaignSt]

Just in looking at the box scores, there really isn't a single formula for beating Purdue. A few things that stand out:

Shutting Edey down isn't really possible, nor is it the key to winning. Edey scored his season average in 3/5 losses.

But, speeding him up and making him uncomfortable could help. In all 5 losses, Edey either shot less than 60% from the field, or he had more turnovers than his season average.

Selling out to double Edey probably isn't the answer. Need to stay home on their shooters. Purdue has only lost one game all year when allowed to shoot their season average from three.

Not expecting a win but won't be surprised by one either. Will be a fun one to close out the regular season.

 

[ptgrd23]

Hoping for big game from RJ and Ty. Frankenstein no guard lineup confuses Boilermakers

 

[Illinifan74]

Put Lieb in and just have him start throwing elbows at Edey - see if they get called.

 

[IllinialuminAZ]

Put Lieb in and just have him start throwing elbows at Edey - see if they get called.

 

[LvilleILL]

Literally nothing to lose from this game at all. Think if we can get an early lead we can get this one

 

[GetAWin]

I say keep the game plan from Michigan game - attack, attack, attack! This is so much more fun to watch. But what do I know, I'm low bbiq.

 

[cjw1901]

I say keep the game plan from Michigan game - attack, attack, attack! This is so much more fun to watch. But what do I know, I'm low bbiq.

That conclusion sounds wrong, since what you said first sounds exactly right. One fine point, AAA doesn't mean trying to dunk every time. Eventually, TSJ needs to add a few options to his drives, and meeting Edey in the lane will probably call for at least one option (like a pull-up off the board like Ayo often did). Harris's drunk-everything approach might need a tweak too. (Honestly, that calls for a lot of energy when you have an open layup and are playing a lot more mins. I'm not saying "never", just not every time.)

But there are a TON of good things about driving toward the basket: dunks/layups/short-shots, good chance getting fouled/FTs, rebounds, teammate tips/rebounds, defense not set up yet, wearing down 7 footers before the end of the game, etc., and a lot more room for open 3s including kickouts when it isn't there inside. So, this strategy is good for about any team including Illinois. Please keep it up Illini!

 

[oskeewowowinindiana]

Huge fan that has lived here in Lafayette for 15 years. Born and raised Illini fan from Decatur. We were driving around town today and t

Tracked down the bus at the hotel. We were determined to make it in to see the team. We went to the conference room and yelled ILL and coach signaled to come in here is a super happy Illini fan in Lafayette. Boiler down can't stand you punks. Oskeewowow

 

[oskeewowowinindiana]

My only insider info is that coach said Jayden is good

 

[PassingBy]

My only insider info is that coach said Jayden is good

Thought he was not supposed to make this trip

NEED the rest to step UP.

 

[oskeewowowinindiana]

Thought he was not supposed to make this trip

NEED the rest to step UP.

I just asked as a concerned fan. I believe coach not sure about his status, just asked the question

 

[BRucks]

This is a game where you take it right at Edey with quicker guards and get him in foul trouble. If they put him on his heels, our odds will be better

The problem is that Edey doesn't foul. At least they aren't called. He averages only 1.5 per game. Don't think he has fouled out all year.

 

[Dan]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1632206244860624897

 

[Second place is 1st loser]

Literally nothing to lose from this game at all. Think if we can get an early lead we can get this one

Yep. That's the way I look at it. It's a gravy game. Let it fly and see you either Thursday or Friday.

 

[BfosterL]

I don't see how we have an answer for Edey, so I guess just hope he has a bad day and our athleticism can lead to some opportunities in other areas.

Not many teams have an answer

 

[ginabackes00]

Defensive rotation, rebound, and follow the offensive game plan taking it to the basket. Tall order, but those are the three big keys For every game.

 

[illini0440]

Huge fan that has lived here in Lafayette for 15 years. Born and raised Illini fan from Decatur. We were driving around town today and tView attachment 23867View attachment 23868View attachment 23869Tracked down the bus at the hotel. We were determined to make it in to see the team. We went to the conference room and yelled ILL and coach signaled to come in here is a super happy Illini fan in Lafayette. Boiler down can't stand you punks. OskeewowowView attachment 23866

But Brads mean and yells and isn’t a nice person

 

[IlliniKat91]

The problem is that Edey doesn't foul. At least they aren't called. He averages only 1.5 per game. Don't think he has fouled out all year.

Not looking for a foul out. Just take it at him and make sure we don't lower our shoulder into him. Force them to call one or two and make him more tentative. That'll give us more space to score around the rim.

 

[skyIdub]

But Brads mean and yells and isn’t a nice person

"It was only 12 hours earlier when Underwood — sweat-soaked, hair slicked back, flailing in a blue-orange-white plaid blazer, looking like a winded televangelist — was in the eye of the Illini storm."

Crazy winded televangelist Brad is the best Brad.

 

[Jimbo]

Keys: 1) Attack the basket. Yes, Edey is gonna be there, get him in foul trouble (he hasn't experienced that yet this season). This team is also continentally better going down hill to the basket, than they are when we are jacking threes from 25+feet. That being said 2) The threes we shoot, we obviously gotta hit. Road wins, especially against highly ranked teams rely on making the big shots. TSJ/Mayer/RJ (NOT COLEMAN) gotta make several big 3's. 3) Double Edey on post touches. He's not mobile, he's not a "great" passer, unlike TJD, who is mobile and has some guard tendencies. 4) We are miles more athletic than this team, play to that. Once again, jacking up 3's from 25+feet is not how you do that. Get to the basket, it will be at will, finishing will be another issue with Edey down low.

I agree, driving to the lane is critical to our success. Unfortunately other coaches know that, especially with the Michigan game now on film, so they will be scheming to take the driving lanes away. I don’t know if that’s what a zone defense does, but whatever it takes, we’re going to have to find a way to drive to the hole if we’re going to have post season success.

 

[Jimbo]

I see a 15 pt loss.

Pre-season, we looked like we’d have a lot of depth. Now, we have almost no depth.

With Goode back, he can give us 10-15 minutes a game. But we’ve lost our top 2 PGs (Skyy & Epps). Dainja won’t be playable this game (Edey’s gonna score no matter what, so you keep Hawkins in to have a mismatch on offense).

So you’ve basically got 7 guys:

TSJ
Mayer
Hawkins
Rodgers
RJ
Goode
Harris

That’s not enough to beat Purdue on the road on senior night.

No, we’ll have to spread the minutes around or we’ll run out of gas. Expect to see a steady diet of Dain, maybe even a few minutes of Lieb.

 

[Jimbo]

Huge fan that has lived here in Lafayette for 15 years. Born and raised Illini fan from Decatur. We were driving around town today and tView attachment 23867View attachment 23868View attachment 23869Tracked down the bus at the hotel. We were determined to make it in to see the team. We went to the conference room and yelled ILL and coach signaled to come in here is a super happy Illini fan in Lafayette. Boiler down can't stand you punks. OskeewowowView attachment 23866

What a cool experience.

 

[amillini#2]

While watching the Purdue/Rutgers game I was more afraid of Rutgers than Purdue. Obviously different circumstances, but, we handled Rutgers, so . As others have said, Edey will get his. If we can keep them from getting hot from 3, this is doable.

 

[jumpingjack]

But Brads mean and yells and isn’t a nice person

He made a huge positive impression on my stepson in Iowa City, leaving the hotel. Stopping to talk to a 9 year old while you're trying to get out the door for a big road game... That's an easy thing to not make the time to do. And you would've never known it.
I think he's a great coach and a better person.

 

[cjw1901]

He made a huge positive impression on my stepson in Iowa City, leaving the hotel. Stopping to talk to a 9 year old while you're trying to get out the door for a big road game... That's an easy thing to not make the time to do. And you would've never known it.
I think he's a great coach and a better person.

I agree. Let's give credit to people who can take a little time for fans. I also think there is huge difference between yelling when you are unhappy (say, about losing), and yelling when your team needs to turn it around (like after the first half of the last NW game). I think Underwood tries to yell only for the right reasons and in the right way, to help his teams have the best chance to win.

One other thing, if you thought Illinois was in trouble after an 0-3 start to BT play (I sure did), then you have to credit Underwood for a 20-win season that will take them to the NCAA Tournament. Those things were in jeopardy at that point. Underwood righted the ship, so let's support him now in a very tough game against #5 in the county, when the team needs our loyalty.