The key is getting him as far away from Fears as possible on the defensive end.
Pregame: Illinois at Michigan State, Saturday, February 7th, 7:00pm CT, FOX
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All in all, really wouldn't be upset about taking an L here. Just come out of it healthy.
Split the road swing, and take care of WISC/IND and we should be good.
Split the road swing, and take care of WISC/IND and we should be good.
We've been so good at keeping teams from getting easy shots in the paint- MSU is not a great shooting team- I think our defense will work well against them. I'm also not sure any team can truly shut us down defensively. The only concern I have is MSU's rebounding and not sure we will get as many second chance points if we can't offensive rebound like we usually do.
I was still incredibly annoyed. He says "if Fears hit somebody, then he deserved [the flagrant]..........I guess." Then went on to whine about how other teams are baiting Fears, essentially making him out to be the victim.
Later on he says, "that's not what I coach." Ha. Somehow his teams often have players who play this same way.
He's an angry, little elf. Can't wait for him to retire.
Later on he says, "that's not what I coach." Ha. Somehow his teams often have players who play this same way.
He's an angry, little elf. Can't wait for him to retire.
Riding a 2 game losing streak, no way Izzo reigns in Fears’ dirty plays. He will be in the officials’ ear from the tip trying to put fouls on us and he will do whatever he can to protect his guy, like he did last night when he threw an absolute fit because the refs had the temerity to even want to look at the video to see if Fears kicked a guy in the nards (spoiler: he did).
I just want to get out of this game with Keaton’s face intact and no suspensions. Even with Kylan I would have gladly taken 1 out of these 3 road games, and we’ve already got 2 in the bag.
Annoying and it stinks and it ain’t basketball but it is what it is. Just get out of this game healthy and intact.
I just want to get out of this game with Keaton’s face intact and no suspensions. Even with Kylan I would have gladly taken 1 out of these 3 road games, and we’ve already got 2 in the bag.
Annoying and it stinks and it ain’t basketball but it is what it is. Just get out of this game healthy and intact.
I feel confident that Illinois is more than ready to face the almost certain physicality that Izzo uses, I've called it "dirty" with good reason. Izzo plays the officials more than almost anyone and being at home it's almost criminal what transpires. That said, Michigan looks like it is coming apart, disjointed with a lack of unity. We've all watched great teams, loaded with talent unable to become committed and unselfish. Fears might be digging a hole he can't climb out of, the responsibility of the officials are to ensure the game is played fairly and most importantly that no one gets hurt. This will be the most watched game yet this season. Buckle up
DICKnaggie
- Champaign
Ya, there are compilation videos out there showing the groin kick, multiple trips and an elbow to the throat, all from last night. He shouldn't be playing this game. Dirty dude.
KBLEE
- Montgomery, IL
This is my thought as well. Let him play, as all eyes will be on him. The typical Izzo thuggery will have to be muted or come from a different player.
Joel Goodson
- how was I to know, she was with the Russians too?
one thing's for sure, the BIG should be sending an A team reffing crew to this game
altgeld88
- Arlington, Virginia
I give him absolutely no credit. Even Izzo can't wave his Merlin wand at fawning refs and make this ugliness disappear. Everyone has seen it now after May spoke out, and then what went down at MN last night. Fears, via his prodigious assist rate and scoring, accounts for a large percentage of the team's points (well over half?) If Izzo loses him, via flagrants or suspension, or even close ref scrutiny that cramps his playing style, the team is completely hosed.
We'll be in Breslin on Saturday night for the game. I can't wait. I'll be surprised if Izzo is unable to light a fire under his guys today and tomorrow. They made a huge run at the end of the first half v. Michigan but then collapsed on their own floor in the second. Am hoping for a repeat of our trip to Crisler last March when the Illini just obliterated Michigan in the 2H, but won't be surprised if the less-talented Spartans show up and try to turn this into a rock fight. Someone on the board mentioned yesterday how bad Sparty's half-court offense is. I hope we see lots of it over 40 mins on Saturday. And that Mirk gets in Fears' head early.
The worry I have (of course we all have, 'cause it's an obvious danger) is for Keaton's safety playing against these thugs on their court.
blackdog
- Champaign
I think Izzo has to recognize its gotten to a point where the antics are actually hurting the team now. Thats probably why he pulled Fears for a bit last night to get him to settle it down because they were on a big run before his flagrant put them back in the hole again. I dont think he's bothered by the fact that its happening though just that its going to keep bringing consequences.
On that note, can we get the U of I materials lab to fashion masks for the whole team this game? Maybe an ultralight cup as well? Hell, make it a bodysuit.
Joel Goodson
- how was I to know, she was with the Russians too?
agree on all points. if we play well, this should be a beatdown (not by Fears, lol). I don't see MSU being able to hold us down for forty minutes. too many weapons. is it Saturday yet?
I hate to be too optimistic but I wouldn't be shocked if this one is like Illinois -5 or more in the sports books. Divine Ugochukwu is hurt and may miss the game on Saturday, and it sounds like Izzo is bringing the hammer down on Fears (at surface level). May use this game as an example for Fears? Let him ride the bench while his team gets throttled at home.
Even if they have Fears and Ugochukwu, I think this MSU team matches up poorly against us. 84-68 Illini, we beat them worse than Michigan did.
Even if they have Fears and Ugochukwu, I think this MSU team matches up poorly against us. 84-68 Illini, we beat them worse than Michigan did.
Chad Fleck
- Eureka, IL
I think MSU is playing very poorly.
I feel weird feeling so confident, but I'll be disappointed if Illinois loses this game.
I feel weird feeling so confident, but I'll be disappointed if Illinois loses this game.
I hope JW calls the B1G offices to point out the history of thuggery that MSU has committed against us recently.
I hope the B1G does something to Fears, like a suspension. We can beat them with Fears, but after what happened to Ayo up there, I really don't want to see anyone get seriously hurt again.
altgeld88
- Arlington, Virginia
If you want some entertainment and instruction in the delusional mindset, check out this gem of a thread concerning Fears on MSU's Red Cedar Message Board:
My personal fave is the post fulminating at "the University of Michigan controlled media."
In case you don't have time, I'll bottom-line-big-picture it for you: he's just as God made him, the greatest guard in CB in the past 20 years at the very least, and Dusty May is either a whining simp or Machiavellian genius.
Oh, and everyone does it. You know: "it." Fears just gets picked on.
My personal fave is the post fulminating at "the University of Michigan controlled media."
In case you don't have time, I'll bottom-line-big-picture it for you: he's just as God made him, the greatest guard in CB in the past 20 years at the very least, and Dusty May is either a whining simp or Machiavellian genius.
Oh, and everyone does it. You know: "it." Fears just gets picked on.
Izzo isn't going to bench Fears. He is just paying lip service to the media. Come Saturday he will announce "Jeremy and I had a heart to heart talk. He understands how he is hurting his team (Nothing about the other players.) and has reassured me that he won't do it again."
Fears will continue his ways with the knowledge that refs don't call everything.
Fears will continue his ways with the knowledge that refs don't call everything.
If Ugochukwu's out, I could definitely see this.
Izzo may want to pre-empt the conf. from suspending Fears from more winnable games for MSU like Wisconsin, UCLA, or Ohio State.
Then he can whine to the selection committee that the Illini loss was without two of his best players.
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