Pregame: Illinois vs Houston, Thursday, March 26th, 9:05pm CT, TBS
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I love the Orange & Blue machine, but I live in Houston and know how good the Coogs are. I just hope Illinois brings its A-game. They'll need to play all 40 minutes for this one!
I apologize for thinking you're crazy but I believe going against the defending National Champions who are a #1 seed and then going against potentially the overall #1 seed in this tourney is easier? That's quite an opinion, that being said, I hope you're right.
This years Houston actually has some height(provided by Cenac and Sahko - though he doesn't play a ton).
Tugler is listed at 6'7 but he is strong and very long. It would be huge for Illinois if they could get him in foul trouble.
But yes the old trio of Francis, Roberts, and Tugler that they had for years wasn't very tall. Feel like they were the king of 6'7-6'8 bigs but they had no issues because they were long and very physical.
They used to also have some teams with smaller guards(multiple 6'1-6'2 guys) but that's not really the case this year. Flemings and Sharp have been terrific and Uzan has been inconsistent but is capable of playing at a very high level.
I'm going to be honest I don't really see how Illinois matches up with those 3 guards defensively. Davis is going to get absolutely cooked if he's asked to guard one of them.
Stojakovic is going to need to start and play heavy minutes if the Illini are to stand a chance. Zvonimir has the potential to be a difference maker with his rim protection and getting some good minutes out of Ben might be key.
Good opposing guard play is the achilles heal for this Illini team and you could make the case that Houston has the most talented guards of any potential opponent.
Flemings, Sharp, and Uzan is a pretty fantastic trio. If the good version of Uzan shows up that is going to be a problem.
Florida has an awesome frontcourt but I think the are lacking with Fland and Lee.
How in the world does any selection committee allow any team to have home court advantage? Every game should be at a neutral site period.
Someone said Houston fouls the most in all college basketball but never gets called! The officiating continues in all games to be inconsistent touch someone it is a foul, bull doze them it is just a basketball play! VCU on one play literally threw Keaton back about 3 feet in front of the ref and NO CALL. He is getting mugged and the refs don't call anything!
If the Illini can bring the 2nd half of the first 2 games and stay poised, they can beat the muggers in their own home!
Someone said Houston fouls the most in all college basketball but never gets called! The officiating continues in all games to be inconsistent touch someone it is a foul, bull doze them it is just a basketball play! VCU on one play literally threw Keaton back about 3 feet in front of the ref and NO CALL. He is getting mugged and the refs don't call anything!
If the Illini can bring the 2nd half of the first 2 games and stay poised, they can beat the muggers in their own home!
If the Illini put up 70+ and Keaton gets the better of Flemings, I like our chances
Chad Fleck
- Eureka, IL
To me, this is feeling like a gravy game. I won't be all that disappointed with a hard fought loss.
But I absolutely think they can win this game.
Bring it on.
But I absolutely think they can win this game.
Bring it on.
Illwinsagain
- Cary, IL
It's my Birthday too, yea! Don't forget '89.The last time Illinois played a tournament game on my birthday
I fear this is the kind of games where the refs could really muck things up. If we get in early foul trouble trying to match the physicality of Houston, we're in trouble.
Seems like officiating in general has allowed very physical play so far in the tourney. We're gonna have to really dawg up.
Seems like officiating in general has allowed very physical play so far in the tourney. We're gonna have to really dawg up.
Chad Fleck
- Eureka, IL
The last time the Illini played a tournament game on my birthday was April 4th, 2005.The last time Illinois played a tournament game on my birthday
I won't post a link.
mattcoldagelli
- Script Illinois Enthusiast
The analysis for this one is pretty simple: we need to play our best game of the season.
I actually like that it's in Houston. We play great in hostile environments.
Illinicpa14
- Chicago
Maybe naive but the session is gonna feature 4 teams; not saying they won’t have a home advantage and just sleeping in their own bed; but I’d imagine it’s closer to 50-60% Houston fans?
And the other 3 fan bases will be rooting for Illinois as they won’t want the road game for Saturday. It’s not like the first round games that half of them aren’t sold out.
And the other 3 fan bases will be rooting for Illinois as they won’t want the road game for Saturday. It’s not like the first round games that half of them aren’t sold out.
So our reward for making hte Sweet 16 is to potentially play the two teams from last year's National Championship game. Well, the good news, I guess, is that we are not playing last years Houston or Florida roster.
Why do you expect there to be more Illinois fans than Houston fans ?
I hope Houston thinks they have the game in the bag and sleep walk through the first ten minutes of the game.
I also agree with those who want Stoj starting. Nothing against Davis, he will be effective off the bench. A slightly different starting five means a different approach to the offense that Houston won't be expecting.
I also agree with those who want Stoj starting. Nothing against Davis, he will be effective off the bench. A slightly different starting five means a different approach to the offense that Houston won't be expecting.
We are playing with House money as we are the Dog going into Houston.
I would bet later on today we will find out the times. I bet we will be the late game again on Thursday.
Winning two games in the tourney by an average of 28 is very impressive. I dont care who you play. But the next game is a massive jump in competition. Houston is never a good match up for anyone. They are are big, aggressive, and skilled. It will take a hurceluean effort to pull off the upset. I believe.
OK Illini – You did it! You played some good INTERIOR DEFENSE and just plain good energetic ‘D’ in general. You figured out it’s not a good idea to just let your opponents waltz inside with ease like they have a bowl of popcorn in hand and are ready to sit down in your living room in your favorite chair and enjoy themselves. You kept them out and send a few of their shots right back down their throats. Felt good, didn’t it! They can clean up the popcorn themselves.
You came into the VCU game having lost 6 of your last 7 Second Round games. Not Acceptable! Not for a great roundball program and a fan base that deserves better.
OK Illini, good job. And you looked like you were having fun doing it. You did what was expected of you given the seeding of this year’s Tournament. You won two games you should have and got to the Sweet Zone. So your tournament grade so far is a C-Plus (‘Plus’ for the nice way you finished them off).
A big test awaits. A legit, powerful program. Now you’re looking to add some grade points. You knock off Houston and you are in solid ‘B’ territory. B-Plus if you do it with distinction.
The Final Eight is where you get into the ‘A’ Lands. That’s where you’ll reach your final grade for this memorable Season. Illini Nation is waiting and watching with grading pens in hand and tense hope in our hearts. You will be playing the Bad Guys in Their Hot and Humid Badlands. All the better to make victory all the sweeter.
The Promised Land awaits. Destiny yet to be fulfilled. Just keep hitting those Threes and driving to the Hole and keeping The Bad Guys out of YOUR Living Room.
And keep having fun doing it...
You came into the VCU game having lost 6 of your last 7 Second Round games. Not Acceptable! Not for a great roundball program and a fan base that deserves better.
OK Illini, good job. And you looked like you were having fun doing it. You did what was expected of you given the seeding of this year’s Tournament. You won two games you should have and got to the Sweet Zone. So your tournament grade so far is a C-Plus (‘Plus’ for the nice way you finished them off).
A big test awaits. A legit, powerful program. Now you’re looking to add some grade points. You knock off Houston and you are in solid ‘B’ territory. B-Plus if you do it with distinction.
The Final Eight is where you get into the ‘A’ Lands. That’s where you’ll reach your final grade for this memorable Season. Illini Nation is waiting and watching with grading pens in hand and tense hope in our hearts. You will be playing the Bad Guys in Their Hot and Humid Badlands. All the better to make victory all the sweeter.
The Promised Land awaits. Destiny yet to be fulfilled. Just keep hitting those Threes and driving to the Hole and keeping The Bad Guys out of YOUR Living Room.
And keep having fun doing it...
It looks like CBS has 6pm & 8:30pm, TBS has 6:30pm & 9pm.
With IL/UK setting a top 3 most watched match last year & the somewhat hostile home crowd for Houston, I'd expect CBS to play the numbers game for Thursday.
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