Pregame: Illinois vs Iowa, Thursday, March 13th, 5:30pm CT, BTN

[Gbop]

I am beginning to think that the Illini actually may be closer to a 5 seed than a 7 seed. Let's say a 6.2 seed. Just a feeling.

Technically, 6.2 is closer 7 than it is to 5. Just sayin.

 

[Tacomallini]

Are you mixing up Fran clips? I’m talking about the staredown with the ref, Iowa vs MSU

 

[PleaseMakeABowlGame]

Craziest thing about all that is Iowa won that game! Down 10 with 1:29 left in the 2nd half

The craziest big ten game I've quite possibly ever seen

 

[westcoastillini]

Technically, 6.2 is closer 7 than it is to 5. Just sayin.

This made me laugh!

 

[RabidDawgClassic]

 

[fatboyslim]

I don't like this match up. My fear is Iowa starts hot from 3 and we try matching them, going 1 for our first 17.

Oh stop with this nonsense. Iowa stinks.

 

[hodgesonfire]

Single elimination is a harsh mistress. Ask Austin Peay and Loyola. No such thing as a “sure” win.

 

[RML]

TANSTAAFL!

 

[OrangeBlue98]

I don't like this match up. My fear is Iowa starts hot from 3 and we try matching them, going 1 for our first 17.

Totally disagree. This is a great matchup for us as long as we follow the Minnesota game plan. Work inside out and attack the rim because Iowa has zero rim protection. We can stay on shooters because Iowa doesn’t have a serious inside threat.

If we don’t shoot ourselves in the foot with the game plan, we win comfortably.

 

[jrichisamazing]

I would hope we have a much larger number of Illini fans at the game tomorrow that Iowa fans. Given the distances of both schools, Iowas overall struggles, and how we beat them I would think there are far more Illini fans although others may root for Iowa.

We definitely will, but don't forget Purdue fans will be there too and most likely rooting for Iowa. Might make it feel like more Iowa fans.

 

[RML]

This made me laugh!

A little better than a six. That's a six point two.

Totally get it, and there, but for the grace of God, goes I!

 

[RockfordIllini]

Hug their shooters. Take care of the all. Rebound. Play our game. Move on.

 

[altgeld88]

Single elimination is a harsh mistress. Ask Austin Peay and Loyola. No such thing as a “sure” win.

Please don't use "single elimination" and "Austin Peay" or "Loyola" in a post here ever again.

 

[GatorMcKlusky]

Totally disagree. This is a great matchup for us as long as we follow the Minnesota game plan. Work inside out and attack the rim because Iowa has zero rim protection. We can stay on shooters because Iowa doesn’t have a serious inside threat.

If we don’t shoot ourselves in the foot with the game plan, we win comfortably.

You mean our coaching staff isn't "elite"?

 

[2qtslow]

Isn't 6.2 closer to 7 than 5?

6.2 to 6.1 to 5.4 is two steps up. 6.2 to 6.3 to 6.4 to 7.1 is three steps down. A five seed is closer.

 

[OrangeBlue98]

6.2 to 6.1 to 5.4 is two steps up. 6.2 to 6.3 to 6.4 to 7.1 is three steps down. A five seed is closer.

Coffee hasn't kicked in yet!

I would say that using a hyphen (i.e. 6-2 to 6-1) would probably provide better context than decimals (6.4 to 7.1). After this explanation, I understood it more, but the decimals get the finance people like me thinking "base 10" instead of "base 4" for these purposes.

 

[OrangeBlue98]

You mean our coaching staff isn't "elite"?

To be honest, when it comes to game planning I'm not sure. Sometimes, I think they do a great job of getting the game plan right. Other times, I scratch my head.

I think they fall in love too much with volume three-point shooting. I do think we've finally cracked the code regarding adjustments away from always using drop coverage on ball screens. This game screams for getting to the rim and making Iowa's less athletic defenders collapse to stop the ball. We then kick to open shooters in rhythm, which seems to be the situation where our shooters are most comfortable. Toss in some high-low with Ivisic at the top and Morez down low, and I think you have the recipe to do a number on Iowa.

I genuinely feel like we can break them early and make this a relatively easy win. But if they can get some confidence shooting early, it could be a challenging evening.

 

[Thaillini22]

6.2 to 6.1 to 5.4 is two steps up. 6.2 to 6.3 to 6.4 to 7.1 is three steps down. A five seed is closer.

Ohhhh, no see... I meant for norrrrmal people.

 

[Poe's Law]

We definitely will, but don't forget Purdue fans will be there too and most likely rooting for Iowa. Might make it feel like more Iowa fans.

Purdue fans will arrive late, and most of them are waiting to come until later in the tournament (could be sampling error based on the ones I talk to), but I’m not expecting a large Purdue crowd.


However, if it’s close late most people in the crowd will start pulling for the underdog.

 

[illiniwil]

Is the general consensus that Fran is getting fired after this season?

if so, who would we want from that team?

 

[illiniwil]

let the 3's come out of the offense that concentrates on getting to the rim early. 3 pt. percentage goes way up when the shooter is facing the rim.
that and Humrichous on the bench are the keys.

 

[rbse]

Hoping they are not bringing Johnson back too early, we need him more later than now. Illini are looking good!

 

[Illinialldayeveryday]

Iowa is the perfect matchup to come back in too

 

[Yes33]

As with several games earlier this year, touch foul officiating and foul trouble are my biggest fears. If you can’t be physical with their shooters, it definitely narrows the gap.

 

[Se Il Illini]

I have nothing to back this up other than my own perception. The team that played yesterday in my view has a leg up because they were on the floor in a game situation. Having said this Illinois should steamroll. Should does not mean will.