Pregame: Illinois vs Arkansas, Thursday, March 16th, 3:30pm CT, TBS
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That would be "elite" 73% from 3.
I'm with you there. Might as well make it 4.
Which is why they play the games, which Arkansas hasn't done particularly well lately. Nick Smith Jr came back on 2/11 and they're 4-6 since then.
Vegas sets the odds according to how the betting is going. People see 2 lottery picks and think they must be a juggernaut. They're not.
SEC rated just below Big 10 but you're right-plenty of good teams.
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
Mock drafts have 2 lottery picks on Arkansas. That seems like a pretty solid case for respecting their talent level.
When you see a player with skills that are difficult to develop, they may not have as much overall skill or polish as another player, but over time they usually pass everyone else. High talent players often become difference makers on the big stage, against the best competition at the end of the season. The beauty of the tournament is how determination and good team play can often beat greater talent.
I'm as miffed as anyone as to why this team has stretches of great bball, and stretches where they get massively behind. I haven't seen them turn it on and off when needed, so I'm not expecting anything different in the tournament. Really hope they put together a good run anyway.
According to Arkansas fans, they’re expecting the Razorbacks to jump out to a big first half lead then cough it up in the second half, “like they always do.”
Seems to me they’ll be playing right into our style.
Seems to me they’ll be playing right into our style.
This is probably gonna be a good one for you to go out and watch at a restaurant, by 4:30 the dinner rush should be over.
You're right. On a given day, anything can happen. But if I'm betting I'd say Arkansas by at least 10. Hope I'm wrong.
I've never seen an underachieving Illini team put it together and go deeper than expected in the NCAA Tournament, nobody has. But it's theoretically possible since other teams do it, so here's to hoping it's our turn.
altgeld88
- Arlington, Virginia
They're rated way above us on both KenPom and Torvik, and have a much lower "luck" rating than we do, which is an achievement. A formidable team, it seems. The boys will have to play well and push the ball inside, the way they did at Indiana and at the beginning of the 2H v. PSU last week, and do it consistently. I'm hopeful.
Or people see Arkansas is ranked 20 by KenPom while Illinois is ranked 33. Also, Arkansas has been playing better lately than their record suggests. Over the past month, their Torvik efficiency margin per 100 possessions is 21.4; ours is 9.3. Of course either team could win and that's why they play the games, but it's no surprise people are picking Arkansas.
I’m with ya…on working ‘em inside>out.They're rated way above us on both KenPom and Torvik, and have a much lower "luck" rating than we do, which is an achievement. A formidable team, it seems. The boys will have to play well and push the ball inside, the way they did at Indiana and at the beginning of the 2H v. PSU last week, and do it consistently. I'm hopeful.
It would be nice to go right at ‘em and get ‘em in foul trouble early.
Let’s hope we don’t do alot of other stuff like we did against Indinia though…
Hearing Mike Latulip (who is an incredible listen) on the IlliniInquirer podcast make some great points about this game. The teams that have beaten Arkansas this season have done so shooting very few threes. A&M just got them by 6 shooting 1/10 from deep. Sounds like the name of the game is offensive rebounding and getting to the line by being aggressive. To me, Ty Rodgers needs to play 20+ minutes, and maybe see a bit less Epps / / Harris / Mayer (unless he’s more willing to drive the ball and get in there for O boards). We had a brief stretch where we found a lot of success running Ty in some ISO post-up action. Dain is a critical piece as well; need him getting shots at the rim. Don’t want to see Coleman shooting anything outside of 10-12 feet. If we come out and shoot 25 threes, I won’t know what to say (even if they are fine looks). The staff and the team need to know better. The writing has been on the wall all year long. Bulldoze these guys in the lane, play aggressive, send dudes to the offensive glass (Ty), collect fouls = see you in the Round of 32.
Sounds like we’ll spot them a 30 point lead and come all the way back then lolAccording to Arkansas fans, they’re expecting the Razorbacks to jump out to a big first half lead then cough it up in the second half, “like they always do.”
Seems to me they’ll be playing right into our style.
Yep, we gotta make it a rock fight. We play our best when we’re physical and aggressive. Agreed on Rodgers. He’s going to be extra important this game.
If you were a native you’d still be lost. Lol
(I guess I’d better shut up. Shauna is an Iowan and she’s perhaps the best thing to happen to the Women’s side in forever.)
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Mussel>BU
Hope I’m wrong but BU hasn’t proven much come tournament time.
Hope I’m wrong but BU hasn’t proven much come tournament time.
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