Pregame: Illinois vs Iowa, Thursday, March 13th, 5:30pm CT, BTN
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Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
It will not be close. Illinois always has one of the largest followings at the BTT in Indy, and Iowa never travels that well. Root for Indiana to go down today, too, so we can swarm that place tomorrow if we win!
We've always traveled well to the BTT and in almost all games we've played there we historically have had the crowd make Indy seem like a semi-home game. Yes, if we don't take care of business and this is a 1 or 2 possession game late, the fans of other teams might start cheering for the upset, but for a fanbase that travels extremely well to the BTT, this should not be a concern. Historically, us, MSU, Wisconsin, and Purdue all travel well to the BTT. I expect no different this year.
Illini2010-11
- Sugar Grove
OrangeBlue98
Iowa is not in a great spot right now (LvilleILL1)
- Des Moines, IA
If we can get to the point where the primary entertainment value is to see Francon 1, I'll be happy since that very likely means we're winning big.
The sad part is Fran really has seemed to check out this season. Mellow Fran is not nearly as fun as Meltdown Fran.
Yep, we're on the same wavelength, though in my experience Indiana is not a team that I'd say travels particularly well to the BTT despite it being in their backyard most years. Their game against Oregon is going to be a really interesting one though. Far and away the most intriguing matchup on paper today if all teams play how they're capable of
Oh, you must have mistaken me for intelligent.
SampsonRelpenk
- Edwardsville, IL
Just don't lose! One and done in any tournament is such a bummer.
More exciting that way though
Josh Dix as a combo 2-3.
OrangeBlue98
Iowa is not in a great spot right now (LvilleILL1)
- Des Moines, IA
I'm watching some of the Iowa game. Carstensen was on the crew for that game, so I would imagine they wouldn't put him on back to back games with a team. So that should (at least I'm hoping) mean he won't be on the crew for tonight's game.
But of course, I'm really not sure who would be a lot better . . .
But of course, I'm really not sure who would be a lot better . . .
Gone are the days of Steve Welmer, Ted Hillary, Ed Hightower, Jody Silvester, Jim Burr and Tim Higgins. You may have hated them 20 years ago, but I bet you'd welcome all of them now. The quality of Big 10 officiating has taken a significant step backwards in the last 10 years.
OrangeBlue98
Iowa is not in a great spot right now (LvilleILL1)
- Des Moines, IA
Of that group, the only one I never liked was Higgins. Higgins and Mike Sanzere were always the two that when I saw them, I thought "Uh-oh, this might not be good". I didn't mind Burr nearly as much as some did, but I don't think my Iowa friends have the same opinion. Higgins screwed Illinois in the 2001 Arizona game and then incorrectly ruled against Illinois on a last-second basket in an Illinois-MSU game at Breslin in (I believe) 2003. That was still when most baskets only had the red light bulb behind the basket. Higgins never even asked for a second opinion from a fellow official when it was so clear he had made the wrong call. Not long after that was when more expansive LED technology with the lighting around the entire backboard (and sometimes under the scorer's table) started to be used.
Welmer was always one of my favorites. Had a great relationship with players on the floor (his college playing experience undoubtedly helped him there), was very consistent and fair calling action in the post, and always seemed to know how to deal with coaches without going full "God Complex" on them like some officials did. I don't think he ever got a Final Four assignment, which once again shows me that sometimes those assignments come down to other factors in addition to being a really good official on the floor.
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Yeah, that's off the charts. Poster child for why you need teams that don't give up and hang their head when things go badly. Amazing what persistence and believing can do.
JIm Burr is a no go for me.
Homecoming 2019
- Chicago
Welmer played on some very good Evansville College teams coached by Arad McCucheon. They were a DII power at the time.
Welmer never got a Final Four. I think Elite 8 was the farthest he ever went. From what little I can gather, he kind of did things his own way and not the way the national NCAA supervisors (who pick Final 4 officials) wanted. He as a consistent Sweet 16 official. Then John Adams was the national coordinator, and Welmer never got out of the first weekend (same with other mainstays like Hillary and Hightower). Shortly after that, he had leg injuries and he had to retire.
Welmer worked great with his partners and I thought did a very nice job. But if the bosses don't like you.......
Fran gettin T'd up would be a bit of a surprise. I've watched them quite a bit this season and he seems to have discovered the magic gummies. He's been oddly calm most of the time.
Hightower always got most of my ire. Always playing to the camera.
High Knees is doing IU/Oregon game right now
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