Pregame: Illinois at Michigan State, Saturday, February 7th, 7:00pm CT, FOX
- Status
Larry, DJ, and High Knees it is
That's good. Being road dogs gives us bite.
Is it just me or do we get this crew like every game..ugh
Retro62
- North Bethesda, Maryland
I will be making my first trip to the Breslin Center on Saturday. My previous first was to the Chrysler Center last year, and we saw how that turned out. Also, @altgeld88 has assured me that it will, like it was in Ann Arbor, be very cold, and, again as was the case in AA, that he will park well away from the arena and make me walk--sacrifices must be made.
altgeld88
- Arlington, Virginia
What my Illini brother neglects to mention is that I implement the principle of continuous improvement in all endeavors. Accordingly, unlike in AA where I forced him to walk uphill for 15 minutes into a stiff wind in 20 degrees to campustown for lunch and the MSU-Wisconsin game before we headed over to the arena, this time it's a largely flat campus.
So he's got that going for him. Which is nice.
Plus, the surprise I've got in store for him when I pick him up this afternoon is a brand new pair of windshield wipers and a full washer fluid reservoir for our trip up through PA and along the lake. Like Raymond in Rain Man, I'm an excellent driver.
I hate to say this, but I think our winning streak comes to an end in an ugly shooting performance by us. I also think Wagler gets at least one offensive foul called against him by backing down Fears. I think it will be a very questionable foul, but Izzo will have worked the officials into the call. Michigan St. plays out of their minds and gets a victory, MSU 75-71 in a rabid Breslin environment..
Sparty has won 3 in a row and I think each time we had meltdowns at the under 8 timeout.
Illinibbcz actually offered more insight and reasoning than Goodman here...I honestly can’t tell if it’s a schtick, but Goodman seems to run almost entirely on emotion. The way he acted stunned when Dauster picked Illinois says it all. He’s either playing to the crowd, trolling, or hasn’t watched either team in weeks. There’s nothing surprising whatsoever about picking Illinois in this matchup. That dude is clown.
LOL his reaction to Rob saying he thought Illinois would win: "WOW (long pause) WOWWWWWWWWWWWW"
Like we aren't good and it would be a huge upset if we won or something
altgeld88
- Arlington, Virginia
Jeff Goodman: "If you asked most Americans two weeks ago who was the better team, Michigan State or Illinois, most people were answering at that point 'Spartans.' So I think Sparty wins this one [because of] desperation.""
That, my friends, is some impeccable cause-and-effect logic.
I take for granted that road wins v. Top 10 teams in the BT will end badly for the visitors. That Izzo will make make his guys suffer in practice for their recent softness. And that Fears can't possibly (can he, really??) continue to Grayson Allen his way through games. However, the burden of evidence is on MSU to show they can right the ship.
And, yes, Goodman seems like a pandering clown.
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
This is our third straight weekend trip to a raucous road environment against a top 10 team bouncing back angry off of a midweek loss, carrying an 8, then 10, now 12 game winning streak.
On the one hand, no one's hot streak lasts forever. On the other hand, who could doubt this team at this point?
Just keep throwing punches and let's narratively regroup whenever someone finally manages to beat us.
Michigan State is the 89th ranked team overall with the 196th ranked defense on Torvik since Jan 25
Rutgers took them to OT, the game vs Michigan was not as close as the 12 point final gap indicates, and Minnesota basically played 5 guys and led the entire game
Star player under microscopic scrutiny for dirty play
Starting shooting guard (and best 3pt shooter) looking doubtful
Which leaves them with 3 starters who shoot 27% or less from three point range (and one guy who doesn't shoot them at all)
They will turn this into a rock fight and foul so much that the officials can't reasonably blow whistles at all of it
Hope we come out of it with nobody hurt
Rutgers took them to OT, the game vs Michigan was not as close as the 12 point final gap indicates, and Minnesota basically played 5 guys and led the entire game
Star player under microscopic scrutiny for dirty play
Starting shooting guard (and best 3pt shooter) looking doubtful
Which leaves them with 3 starters who shoot 27% or less from three point range (and one guy who doesn't shoot them at all)
They will turn this into a rock fight and foul so much that the officials can't reasonably blow whistles at all of it
Hope we come out of it with nobody hurt
GrayGhost77
- Centennial, CO
It seems that offensive rebounding will be the key. If Illinois crashes the offensive boards and does not get the rebounds, MSU will be able to score in transition. It will also lead to more fouls on Illinois attempting to stop them in transition. If the officiating is loose. MSU may be able to get away with more in stopping Illinois from rebounding.
I see a win and Z with a flagrant 1. We finally have some enforcers. You won’t punk this team.
I see this game coming down to rebounding and outside shooting. With rebounding being a draw and outside shooting being in our favor.
Being able to zone up and avoid the foul hunting will be a big benefit in this one. No need to chase Fears let him come to us. Force them to be a jump shooting team and see who’s better.
I see this game coming down to rebounding and outside shooting. With rebounding being a draw and outside shooting being in our favor.
Being able to zone up and avoid the foul hunting will be a big benefit in this one. No need to chase Fears let him come to us. Force them to be a jump shooting team and see who’s better.
altgeld88
- Arlington, Virginia
Every one of us here senses something different this season, since mid-December, no matter the environment when this team steps on the court. The confidence, the poise, the chemistry the team hasn't had consistently in several seasons. Probably since '21, and it seems deeper and more sustainable now.
Who is hurt for them?
- Status