It is true, NW will trap, but that is the luxury of having such a loaded and potent roster, utilizing the trap in scrimmage getting us ready for the game.
Pregame: Illinois at Northwestern, Friday, December 6th, 8:00pm CT, BTN
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ginabackes00
CrazedUIFan
I would also think our length makes it difficult to trap. Having a big who is a very good passer is a bonus.
MDchicago
- Lake Norman NC
I haven’t seen NW play this year, so don’t know how effect their trap has been, but in general it is very difficult to replicate a trapping or pressing D in practice. You can go over what to do and practice that, but it is practicing against a D that likely isn’t as good as what they’ll see.
I like this matchup for our first B1G game. First conference road game against a team we should beat. Get to go up against a D that has a little different wrinkle. And the team could find out what the B1G is like if you don’t take care of business early. Expect Illini to win, but I won’t be upset if game is a little closer than we hope. Good learning experience.
OrangeBlue98
Iowa is not in a great spot right now (LvilleILL1)
- Des Moines, IA
We should be able to see over the NW traps. Our size will be a big asset in this game. And when you have two people guarding one, someone else is open…….
we also faced a lot of full court pressure/trapping from Arkansas and generally handled it without drama
Battle89
- Cary-Grove, the better Trojan team
pruman91
- interviewing new NL's daily....I really really am
lol....................I was not an instigator but I did shut up those that dared to try to bully me , including older dudes......I really really did.......................Betting Pruman was king of the trash talkers on the schoolyard at recess...
DICKnaggie
- Champaign
Having Ty on the practice team has to be a huge bonus. We could have used him on Spiro (sp?) for the Arkansas game.
Anyone going must wear Orange.
Chad Fleck
- Eureka, IL
I'd say should win. Must win language in Nov/Dec is talk for mid-major teams.
Can’t let them get hot from 3.
Yeah, “must win” is a term that is way over used. Must win for what? If we lose, the season will go poorly? It’s a must win for us to go undefeated in conference. That’s about it. I’ll be disappointed if we don’t win because it is a game we should win, but not a must win. Well, might be a must win for me to have a good Friday evening.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
It is indeed somewhat annoying when we have like 60% of the crowd in Evanston, but about half of that group is in navy and thus relatively indistinguishable from the purple/black of the NU fans. Anyone old enough to remember the height of orange wearing among Illini fans from about 2004 to 2007 also remembers what a GLORIOUS site it was to have bright orange speckled around other Big Ten arenas!
As for the road environment, it will still be tough. While the crowd itself is always at least 50% Illini fans and we thus enjoy an unusual advantage for a road game, the loudest section every time is still the NU student section ... and I have to give them props, they have brought serious energy the last couple times (even if also acting totally classless). It will be important to get off to a good start like we did vs. Arkansas to not only take their crowd out of it somewhat but also to energize our own!
uofi7477
- Silver & Gold Vandals
Emphasize 'totally classless' re TSJ.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
On this note, from our very own Illinois Loyalty archives ... here is an example from 2007 at Purdue:
That same showing in West Lafayette today would not look nearly as impressive, as (for whatever reason) our fans just wear so much less orange than they did back then. I am not sure if it is just that the apparel offered has changed in a more navy/gray/white direction, but it certainly makes for worse visuals, especially for our home games. Let this photo also be a reminder that no fan base/home gameday environment is immune to tough times. There was indeed a time when the same Mackey Arena everyone drools over now was routinely filled with orange.
Back in the day we didn't wear Orange very much if at all. It just wasn't a thing. One thing I notice coming back is how much students/others wear Illinois gear.On this note, from our very own Illinois Loyalty archives ... here is an example from 2007 at Purdue:
That same showing in West Lafayette today would not look nearly as impressive, as (for whatever reason) our fans just wear so much less orange than they did back then. I am not sure if it is just that the apparel offered has changed in a more navy/gray/white direction, but it certainly makes for worse visuals, especially for our home games. Let this photo also be a reminder that no fan base/home gameday environment is immune to tough times. There was indeed a time when the same Mackey Arena everyone drools over now was routinely filled with orange.
Henson made orange the dominant color.
Illinicpa14
- Chicago
May not hold up but this is where you get a cheap Q1 victory to boost the resume in not the most hostile environment.
well, saying something is a "must win" really depends on the what the goal is. If it's a conference championship, it's just about a must win. If it's make the tourney, of course it isn't. If it's finish top 25, well, probably isn't.
If you're a midmajor then the goal is generally getting to the tourney so this game is inconsequential because you're going to have to win your tournament. But if you think you have a chance at an at-large bid, well, losing to a nontourney NW probably does serious damage to your resume.
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