Pregame: Illinois at Michigan State, Saturday, February 7th, 7:00pm CT, FOX

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#276      
21ChampaignSt
This used to be the B1G game I was least confident in, Purdue @ Mackey and Michigan @ home included.

I posted earlier that we've never beaten a top 10 ranked MSU team at the Breslin. And I wasn't sure how we'd handle the physicality of the best defense in the country.

But we just beat Nebraska who has had a better defense lately than MSU. We've won at Mackey which was a tougher atmosphere than what Breslin will be. And we've seen teams try to be physical with Keaton and it doesn't work.

I don't think MSU has their back against the wall. I think they're in a free fall.

Come out firing and we can break them early.
 
#277      
Piotyr
If Illinois can continue to win the boards, I have a great feeling about this game. Currently, MSU is #6 in the country in offensive rebound rate, and #1 in the country in defensive rebound rate. Illinois is #4 in offensive rebound rate and #11 in defensive rebound rate.
 
#278      
skyIdub
illinibbcz said:
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..
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#283      
Rebounding Dog
Piotyr said:
It appears that MSU will not have any Divine intervention this weekend (PG Divine Ugochukwu out for the season with broken foot): https://www.freep.com/story/sports/...kwu-injury-update-michigan-state/88551602007/

Alternate quip: MSU doing their best imitation of Illinois, losing their PG to an injury.
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about 16 minutes of play loss for MSU...not a huge factor, but he shoots 44% from 3 and is a very good on ball defender. Certainly hurts with depth.....especially if when Fears rests or if foul trouble comes into play.
 
#284      
RabidDawgClassic
#285      
RabidDawgClassic
From the Athletic:

“Ugochukwu’s loss is significant beyond his 5.1 points and 16.1 minutes per game. The Miami (Fla.) transfer started 12 games this season at shooting guard and leads the team’s regulars in 3-point efficiency (19 for 42, 44.2 percent). He had 23 points to bail the Spartans out in a 76-72 escape at Penn State.

He has also served as Fears’ primary backup at times, though that job now falls to Denham Wojcik. Samford transfer Trey Fort (4.3 ppg) is the likely beneficiary of more minutes at shooting guard with Ugochukwu out.”

So I guess this means need to watch out for Denham Wojcik and/or Trey Fort to have a breakout game against us.
 
#286      
ptgrd23
Brads kryptonite has been Purdue, Maryland, Michigan State and @ NW.

2026
1. Beat very good Purdue @ Mackey
2. Beat very bad Maryland @ home
3. Beat NW @ NW

This is the year to win @ Breslin.
 
#288      
Huggies5
Chuck Nuggets said:
I'm just not feeling confident. Anyone else? Feels like a 5-10 point loss. MSU is a wounded animal backed into a corner. I think they are going to try to be extremely physical. I think they're going to be in our grills all game long. Night and day from Northwestern.

But I'll tell you what, if they pull this off, I will not feel this way the rest of the season. Mackey, Pinnacle, and Breslin?

Someone talk me into some confidence in our boys.
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Wounded animals often get eaten. We're winning!
 
#290      
Da88
This may come down to the officials. Will they call it tight because of Fears? If so, and either Tomi or Z gets in big foul trouble that hurts our ability to rebound and allows Sparty to get out in transition where they are dangerous.
The last few games Sparty offense has looked bad and they needed late transition driven rallies.
Limit the transition game and we can take them.
 
#292      
Hessel Blvd
that made me go back and watch the mcmahon hit. ha! you right, you right. i was 9 when that happened, turns out my memory from 41 years ago is spotty at best :]
 
#293      
Sheldon Ram
I guarantee if Underwood had a player do the things Fears has done in the past 2 games Brad would suspend or sit him a game. I used to like Izzo years ago but have really lost a lot of respect for him.

Anyway, we win this game and it’s Katie bar the door….. Love this team!!!
 
#298      
thefalcon5
Krombopulos_Michael said:
Feels like the people predicting a loss are going off of gut feeling as opposed to what has actually played out this season. We’re arguably one of the hottest 2-3 teams in the entire country, they’re on a losing streak and looked questionable vs Rutgers (albeit on the road). Predicting the win streak goes to 13.
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The alternative here is that our hot streak ends and their cold streak ends. I think that’s most people’s thought process.

That being said, trends are trends for a reason. IMO we play a highly sustainable game, albeit we’re playing out of our minds and I think teams are figuring out MSU. Like others have said defensively we should see a hefty dose of zone from us. Make them beat us on the 3 pt line.
 
#299      
EllderIlliniFan
Not sure if this has been posted. Izzo on Fears. Really. Who is to blame. Baiting him but it's his fault?

"I did not see what happened on the play," Izzo said. "I saw him get pushed and I saw his leg come up and I didn't think he hit anybody, but if he did, then he deserves it, I guess. But if he didn't, I questioned it. So are they baiting him? Well, of course. And it's his fault."
 
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