Pregame: Illinois vs Xavier, Friday, March 21st, 8:45pm CT, CBS
- Status
Living in Texas, I have to say I HATE to see Texas lose...
Orangetool
Give me back my Afta, heh heh
Well here we are
I was rooting for Xavier to win until the last 8 minutes or so. That was when you could really see the coaching difference and the general absence of any offensive game plan from Texas. Down the stretch it was just Johnson and Mark jacking up step back jumpers.
I wasn't impressed with either defense. Tre Johnson was frightening with his obvious shot making ability, but you could also see questionable decision making. The size and depth for Texas was also apparent.
I think we are definitely better overall than Texas and certainly bigger and more talented than Xavier. But as many have pointed out, we have to give our best effort otherwise Xavier will take it from us.
I also hope that playing in a completely different arena with limited rest and in a much less friendly environment will neutralize some of the advantage of Xavier having a game under their belt.
I wasn't impressed with either defense. Tre Johnson was frightening with his obvious shot making ability, but you could also see questionable decision making. The size and depth for Texas was also apparent.
I think we are definitely better overall than Texas and certainly bigger and more talented than Xavier. But as many have pointed out, we have to give our best effort otherwise Xavier will take it from us.
I also hope that playing in a completely different arena with limited rest and in a much less friendly environment will neutralize some of the advantage of Xavier having a game under their belt.
Dan
Admin
InDaAZ
- Eugene, Oregon
The kid at the Maryland game:
Can the Beloved turn things around Friday night and ease his Illini trauma?
We wouldn’t want to see him develop long-term damage to his amygdala, which we know in extreme cases can lead to such tragic conditions as bi-polar coach approval flip-flops (BPCAFF), game-thread turrets posting (GTTP), and obsessive-compulsive searching for just the right cottage cheese gif (OCSFJTRCCG)…
Last edited:
Except they can play alot better d then Iowa and can shoot the 3 way better then Maryland we definitely have play a a to a+ to win this game dont underestimate them like texas did fr
All I can say is welcome to the club
the national
- the Front Range
Last edited:
They got blown out by Michigan at a neutral site early. We blew out Michigan at their place in March. Come to play Illini, and win.
pruman91
- interviewing new NL's daily....I really really am
Xavier shot 48% from 3 against Texas. May the hoops gods bless us with some hard regression…fight over screens, kill them on the glass.
The Galloping Ghost
- Washington, DC
We don't need the best version of KJ to win this game, but damn, it'd be nice to see him get back to his earlier season form, go on a heater, and lead us on a run to remember. The stars come out in March. Inarguably, he's a star. I'm hoping he leaves his mark.
OrangeBlue98
Iowa is not in a great spot right now (LvilleILL1)
- Des Moines, IA
Attack the rim. Kick out for threes. Basically follow the Minnesota and Iowa regular season game plans on offense. Don’t help off their shooters and make them take contested 3s. Make them work on both ends of the floor and wear them down early. They will be tired, as last night was a draining win both physically and emotionally.
I feel good about tomorrow. The game rests on what Illinois does.
I feel good about tomorrow. The game rests on what Illinois does.
Funny enough Maryland just shot 48% from 3 against us in the last game. Then reverted back to a palatable 33% the next game against Michigan.
So I have to think
1.) 2 teams can't possibly shoot damn near 50% from 3 against us in back to back games.
2.) Xavier can't possibly shoot damn near 50% from 3 in back to back games.
I have nothing but respect for Sean Miller, and if he wasn't on the sidelines I would be feeling REALLY good about this game. Don't get me wrong, I still feel pretty good, but as other have said we have got to start from the opening tip. It'll be interesting to hear how much of a home court advantage we have, which will be a stark reversal for Xavier who had the home court edge last night.
I love this time of year, and I like our chances to make it out of the first round, but I still have a crazy pit in my stomach. Guess I'll have to drink and watch the games today to distract me!
My sports life is a movie part 1568:
I live a stones throw away from the Xavier campus. This has potential to torment me for years to come.
I live a stones throw away from the Xavier campus. This has potential to torment me for years to come.
Goillinikobd
- Southeastern US
Xavier 12/25 from 3 pt., 48%, 36 of 86 pts, outscored Texas by 14 in second half, survived first half foul trouble.
Can the Illini match this?
Can the Illini match this?
Dont want to be a Debbie downer, but michigan also beat Maryland...
Xavier is 6th in the nation in 3pt shooting percentage at 39.1%. You give them open threes and they'll burn the nets down as they have 2 starters and 3 subs who shoot over 40%. Gotta guard the arc and crash the boards. But to your point, Xavier is the type of team that definitely can follow up a 45% 3pt shooting performance with a 50% 3pt shooting performance at volume. Gotta guard shooter
I guess that's an important stat for this Q1A game.
PizzaHutParkingLot
- Vodice, Croatia
Hamer says hello
- Status