Pregame: Illinois vs Missouri, Sunday, December 22nd, 12:00pm CT, ESPN

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#126      
OrangeBlue98
Fighter of the Nightman said:
Wow, as far as my sentiment as a FAN goes, it is really sinking in just how much better I would feel after a win in this one ... I mean, the narrative going forward, again at least in my head, is just so starkly different. For reference, Mizzou is a Quad 1 opponent on a neutral floor right now.

Win: 8-3 (1-1). 3-3 in Quad 1 games, with two of those losses being in OT on the road and on a buzzer-beater to the #1-ranked team in the nation. Just beat our rival to feel good going into Christmas and Big Ten play.

Lose: 7-4 (1-1). Lost 3 out of our last 4, including letting THREE Quad 1 opportunities slip away. Games on the road vs. Oregon and Washington coming up and a potential to build too big of a hole of losses to recover from if things go south.

I agree with others that this is not necessarily a "must-win" game (at least to those who ever entertain Braggin' Rights as ANYTHING but a must-win!), but it could do a LOT to affect our momentum.
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This is a good way to look at this game. I still feel like it's a must-win primarily because I think it's a "pivot point" game for this season. In the scheme of a single game, maybe it's not a must-win. But I can see this game as one where a good win can springboard this team. I felt like last year's beatdown put the team in a good spot for the rest of the season.
 
#127      
IlliniFan42
Fighter of the Nightman said:
Wow, as far as my sentiment as a FAN goes, it is really sinking in just how much better I would feel after a win in this one ... I mean, the narrative going forward, again at least in my head, is just so starkly different. For reference, Mizzou is a Quad 1 opponent on a neutral floor right now.

Win: 8-3 (1-1). 3-3 in Quad 1 games, with two of those losses being in OT on the road and on a buzzer-beater to the #1-ranked team in the nation. Just beat our rival to feel good going into Christmas and Big Ten play.

Lose: 7-4 (1-1). Lost 3 out of our last 4, including letting THREE Quad 1 opportunities slip away. Games on the road vs. Oregon and Washington coming up and a potential to build too big of a hole of losses to recover from if things go south.

I agree with others that this is not necessarily a "must-win" game (at least to those who ever entertain Braggin' Rights as ANYTHING but a must-win!), but it could do a LOT to affect our momentum.
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My opinion is this a must-win* with the * because we won't know until the season's over how important this win was. A big way to differentiate yourself in a conference like the Big Ten where just about every school is at least competent (other than winning a bunch of conference games) is winning valuable games outside the conference, and I'd hate to end up in the middle of the pack of the conference (say 10-10 or 11-9) where the selection committee has to decide where the cut-off is for March Madness and they go to OOC games to compare, and frankly "close loss" doesn't provide much value unless they're really splitting hairs.

I think around 9 teams will get in from the Big Ten, and based on the AP and Coaches' Polls, I'd say we're around 6th-10th in the conference.
 
#128      
RML
IlliniFan42 said:
My opinion is this a must-win* with the * because we won't know until the season's over how important this win was. A big way to differentiate yourself in a conference like the Big Ten where just about every school is at least competent (other than winning a bunch of conference games) is winning valuable games outside the conference, and I'd hate to end up in the middle of the pack of the conference (say 10-10 or 11-9) where the selection committee has to decide where the cut-off is for March Madness and they go to OOC games to compare, and frankly "close loss" doesn't provide much value unless they're really splitting hairs.

I think around 9 teams will get in from the Big Ten, and based on the AP and Coaches' Polls, I'd say we're around 6th-10th in the conference.
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God, I hate this talk about wins needed just to MAKE the tournament. I wanna instead talk about wins needed to get a protected seed.
 
#132      
illinifan1987
IlliniFaninHoosierLand said:
So basically we got an SEC Network team broadcasting the game.
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They won't be biased at all!
No Way Hot Ones GIF by First We Feast
 
#133      
Brosky
I'd really hate to lose this game. Mizzou's full court pressure SHOULD actually benefit KJ in terms of fast break points (assists and scoring). I guess we'll soon find out.
 
#134      
Brosky
I doubt if they'll be partial. Nationally televised game with a storied history and super-energized atmosphere. Two major conferences involved. I guess we'll soon find out.
 
#136      
myspace
Any particularly good places in Nashville (TN) to watch the game?
 
#137      
Mr. Roberts
Fighter of the Nightman said:
Wow, as far as my sentiment as a FAN goes, it is really sinking in just how much better I would feel after a win in this one ... I mean, the narrative going forward, again at least in my head, is just so starkly different. For reference, Mizzou is a Quad 1 opponent on a neutral floor right now.

Win: 8-3 (1-1). 3-3 in Quad 1 games, with two of those losses being in OT on the road and on a buzzer-beater to the #1-ranked team in the nation. Just beat our rival to feel good going into Christmas and Big Ten play.

Lose: 7-4 (1-1). Lost 3 out of our last 4, including letting THREE Quad 1 opportunities slip away. Games on the road vs. Oregon and Washington coming up and a potential to build too big of a hole of losses to recover from if things go south.

I agree with others that this is not necessarily a "must-win" game (at least to those who ever entertain Braggin' Rights as ANYTHING but a must-win!), but it could do a LOT to affect our momentum.
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We need to win, simply because stacking close losses becomes a habit, then an identity.
 
#138      
RollChief
myspace said:
Any particularly good places in Nashville (TN) to watch the game?
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Go to the Kid Rock bar (half kidding and half not, I think they've got a ton of TVs if I remember correctly).

It really depends on where you're at, there isn't really an Illinois bar (someone correct me if I'm wrong) but if you pop into any bar on Broadway you're bound to find at worst a ton of TVs and at best other Illinois fans.

Looks like there's also a Nashville Alumni Club, maybe try emailing them. nashville@illiniclub.org
 
#144      
IlliniCub 16
One thing Mike Latulip mentioned that I had not considered in terms of this being a potentially important win is that the SEC is such a gauntlet that Mizzou could completely crater due to the tough competition.

So right now it wouldn't look like a bad loss in the NET as Mizzou is ranked 38th, but this is a school that went 0-18 in the SEC last year. Mizzou seems to be much better this year, but the SEC also looks much better across the board.
 
#150      
chiefini
NarrowJ said:
I was at this one, spilled my beer all over a guy in front of me on accident when he hit the winning shot. Luckily he was also an Illini fan. PS, sorry if you're reading this and it was you lol.
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madillini4 said:
https://twitter.com/x/status/1870149045341053353
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I can see myself in this video! What a great victory this was to witness in person. I’d love to be able to be there to watch another, but this year I’ll just be happy watching the Illini get a ‘W’ on tv.
:illinois: :hailtotheorange: :illinois:
 
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