Pregame: Illinois vs Houston, Thursday, March 26th, 9:05pm CT, TBS

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#176      
hoang64
I wonder if our boys return to Champaign first or they just go straight to Houston for the sweet 16 games?
 
#178      
IlliniFaninHoosierLand
I wonder if our boys return to Champaign first or they just go straight to Houston for the sweet 16 games?
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They'd return to Champaign. Only way I could see them not coming back is if they were in the West regional and had already been placed in San Diego. No point in flying back when they'd have to be back in San Jose a couple days later.
 
#180      
Altuve27
It’s all about .5 second offense. Quick decisions. Quick, crisp ball movement. No hesitation. You can’t be indecisive against Houston. If you can make good decisions and really move the ball, you can catch Houston in rotation and get good shots.
 
#181      
AnnaMay
I understand the concerns, but you don't start Andrej against Houston. He is way to loose with the ball and Jake doesn't turn the ball over. You want to start the game with Jake and let Andrej see what's working from the bench. Houston also doesn't defend the 3 very well. Jake could feast early.
 
#182      
IlliniHardwood
RabidDawgClassic said:
Not to be a jerk, but I HATE that mindset and I hate that saying. The ultimate goal is to win the national championship, not finish in the Sweet Sixteen. Playing with house money indicates an acceptance with losing, which if the players had that attitude, this board would go ballistic.

Eye on the prize!
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Completely agree. We've already seen the potential in Dec/Jan and I think we are ascending to another peak. I will be totally disappointed with a loss in this game or any other game this tournament. Our Illini deserve to be in these games and are not outclassed by any of these teams.
 
#183      
IlliniHardwood
the juiceman cometh said:
Playing in Houston may be a blessing in disguise. This team gets up for away games. They'll adopt that away game mentality for this one. At the same time, this is the Tournament and there will be plenty of Illini fans there to provide some energy when needed. I could see it being a best of both worlds situation.
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Mirkovic game. He loves being the visitor and ruining their party.
 
#184      
HensonHall71
Kendall Gill’s Uncle said:
Stojakovic needs to start against Houston and their athleticism. Loved what he and Tomi brought tonight.

Yeah, I get that you don’t need to start to influence the game, but I don’t really care. He should’ve been starting this whole time and we need a quick start against Houston.
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I agree- unless we’re going to start in zone, Jake can’t guard any of their guys
 
#185      
From the cheap seats
The South Regional looks more like a Final Four if Florida wins today. Florida and Houston both were in the 1 seed discussion and the Illini are 1 seed material when healthy and bring their A game (and make their layups😂). Nebraska as the 4th team in this regional is pretty darn good, too. Should be really high-level basketball in Houston.
 
#186      
Mr. Tibbs
Not to be a jerk, but I HATE that mindset and I hate that saying. The ultimate goal is to win the national championship, not finish in the Sweet Sixteen. Playing with house money indicates an acceptance with losing, which if the players had that attitude, this board would go ballistic.

Eye on the prize!
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personally , I won’t consider the season to be anything special without making the Final Four

if not now , when ?
 
#188      
RockfordIllini
PizzaHutParkingLot said:
Mike LaTulip likes how we match up with UH because the Illini cook trapping defenses
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Yes, and this is why I think we match up well. Sending 2 to the ball is death against us. Keaton should be able to see over their guards and get it to Mirk in a 4 on 3 and then we are cooking. We will need to take care of the ball but with how we pass 1-5 I think we will be a half second ahead of their defense more times than not.

And after watching them they definitely take a lot of jump shots. Think we can make them shoot below their average with our length.

That said this will be an unbelievably tough game and we could very easily get sped up and flustered and the game could spiral. Our front court will need to be ready for war. But this is a game we can win.
 
#189      
altgeld88
mattcoldagelli said:
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.
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Yes.

I'm elated about this matchup. Don't care if it happens in the S16, E8 or FF. This is going to be tyfoon-stylz ball on Thursday night. I think back to that ridiculously intense OT BTT final in '21 v. OSU. It'll be that kind of 40-to-45-minute frenzy. I can't wait.
 
#191      
RML
SCottm said:
This game will be a Rugby match. Can't imagine how physical it is going to get. It will be interesting to see who the refs are.
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Not ideal to play an aggressive defensive team in front of a local crowd that will loudly boo every foul call. Can only hope that they call at least one of every five fouls. (On Houston. Ya know they'll call every one on us, to keep the total fouls calls even on each side.) 🤮
 
#192      
Chase321
One thing I absolutely am not looking forward to is hearing this for the next week: “Who’s house? Coogs house!” That’s their callout, much like we have I-L-L
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The slang meaning of Cougar has ruined their team name.
 
#193      
IlliDan
Simeonriceburner99 said:
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.
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Right,enough of the no chance,must play perfect garbage.Vegas thinks this game will be within a couple points,toss-up,we can win this game.ILL
 
#198      
I-L-L 1318
Think it will take a slightly above average shooting night to do it, but we are more than capable. Really glad I get to watch them for another game, really special group. Seems like they (mostly) play for each other.
 
#200      
nyc_illini
i have only ever attended 4 Illinois games in person so far in my life - We won each time

2010 when i was a student, against #5 Michigan State
2022 at MSG against #2 Texas
2023 at MSG against #11 Florida Atlantic
Yesterday in Greenville against VCU

Currently waiting for my flight back to NYC at the airport, I am looking at Google flights and Ticketmaster…seriously considering booking the trip to Houston.
 
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