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

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#451      
altgeld88
Chuck Nuggets said:
Really great quotes from Sampson about Illinois: "There's certain teams that you scout them for the first time, I haven't seen Illinois play much this year at all, but scouting 'em and just watching 'em for the first time I found myself being a fan. Just enjoyed watching them."

https://twitter.com/x/status/2036134319480037820
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He's one of the finest coaches of the past 20 years, I admire what he's done at Houston top to bottom turning that program around, and look forward to watching his teams each season largely because they're such absolute dogs on D and compete like he!!.

IDWKTI, and the stain he left at Indiana? Ferocious coaching competitors are always on the margin of propriety and it was 20 years ago. Not even in the same sport, let alone league or ballpark, as Satan, IMO.
 
#452      
alaskaillini
One advantage Loyola had when we lost to them was that they did not have to prepare to play Nichols in the round of 32 while we had to spend the time and effort preparing to gameplan for either Loyola or Oregon State (IIRC). AS a result, I don't think we were very prepared for the problem that Loyola presented.

In this Houston game, they are going to have to have some of their people spend some time this week putting together at least the information to create gameplans for both Nebraska and Iowa. We only have to prepare for Houston - we know Iowa and Nebraska. This is not a huge thing but I think it helps us focus 100% on beating Houston, as they are going to be a tough nut to crack.

I like our odds.
 
#453      
TheFlyingIllini1317
altgeld88 said:
He's one of the finest coaches of the past 20 years, I admire what he's done at Houston top to bottom turning that program around, and look forward to watching his teams each season largely because they're such absolute dogs on D and compete like he!!.

IDWKTI, and the stain he left at Indiana? Ferocious coaching competitors are always on the margin of propriety and it was 20 years ago. Not even in the same sport, let alone league or ballpark, as Satan, IMO.
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Agree, 100%
 
#454      
SkyysNotFalling
Chuck Nuggets said:
Really great quotes from Sampson about Illinois: "There's certain teams that you scout them for the first time, I haven't seen Illinois play much this year at all, but scouting 'em and just watching 'em for the first time I found myself being a fan. Just enjoyed watching them."

https://twitter.com/x/status/2036134319480037820
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Yep. Everyone scared of Houston but they should be scared of us, too.
 
#456      
skyIdub
altgeld88 said:
11:05 in Rio de Janeiro. Where I'll be when we make it to the Final Four in a couple weekends.
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samuel-l-jackson-shocked.gif
 
#457      
RML
Houston is a great defensive team, but has been beat by teams with lower offensive efficiency than us. I wouldn't count on us being as stellar as usual on that side, but am hopeful that our reinvigorated defense will be enough to keep Houston's offensive output below ours.

We need to avoid becoming frustrated by what they do on defense.
 
#458      
Kernal12
aaeismacgychel said:
Of the 48 refs still eligible to ref the Sweet 16 games that neither us or Houston have had ref them in the 1st or 2nd round, a few names stand out:

Courtney Green
Jeff Anderson
DJ Carstensen
Larry Scirotto
Paul Szelc

Time to start drinking early...
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Out of this group I would definitely take Szelc ... he will control the game and doesn't mind sticking it to the home crowd. Also I think Brad gets along with him. DJ and Scirotto are not the best refs at all but might be ok given B10 familiarity. High Knees Anderson, despite the familiarity, is a hard no for me. And I still harbor intense dislike for Courtney Green even though he's been in the SEC for a few years.
 
#459      
Chase321
EmeraldCityIllini said:
Turnovers so key... Houston sits at 327 in pace. We can send to the glass without fear (atleast initially) of getting toasted in transition.
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Unless they change their strategy. Not saying they will but I always wonder what a coach may change to surprise the team and turn an advantage into a problem.
 
#460      
skyIdub
ChiefGritty said:
Check This Out Cookie Monster GIF by Sesame Street



On any given time running a play with the ball, Houston is likelier to get a bucket than we are. But our team is designed to get more opportunities to score points than our opponents, and that is going to have to win the day.
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😂Nominated for Best Use of Cookie Monster .gif at the end of season Illinois Loyalty Posters Associaton Awards.
 
#461      
Chase321
We'll be represented, but there are only so many seats.

We saw that this weekend, with Duke and UNC as part of the allotment in the Carolinas, the ability for an Illini takeover was limited.
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I assume Houston has a big advantage because as the host many bet on Houston being there so bought tickets long ago. I don’t know when tickets for these went on sale so I don’t know if they fear holds water or not.
 
#462      
rjeffreys
aaeismacgychel said:
Of the 48 refs still eligible to ref the Sweet 16 games that neither us or Houston have had ref them in the 1st or 2nd round, a few names stand out:

Courtney Green
Jeff Anderson
DJ Carstensen
Larry Scirotto
Paul Szelc

Time to start drinking early...
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They wouldn't use either conference's refs would they? I sure hope not.
 
#463      
aaeismacgychel
rjeffreys said:
They wouldn't use either conference's refs would they? I sure hope not.
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They do allow it and it's already been happeningthis year. For example, High Knees reffed MSU in the 1st Rd and Michigan in the 2nd. Pfeifer got Wisconsin before being booted. We had Dorsey vs. VCU. We won't get a full B10 or B12 crew, but the NCAA would allow a B10 or B12 ref for this one.
 
#465      
aaeismacgychel
Kernal12 said:
Out of this group I would definitely take Szelc ... he will control the game and doesn't mind sticking it to the home crowd. Also I think Brad gets along with him. DJ and Scirotto are not the best refs at all but might be ok given B10 familiarity. High Knees Anderson, despite the familiarity, is a hard no for me. And I still harbor intense dislike for Courtney Green even though he's been in the SEC for a few years.
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I'm pretty much in agreement though I'd put DJ in the lower absolutely not tier. Courtney Green and High Knees both have a history of keeping foul counts even between teams which would be awful for us. And yeah, I have Courtney Green PTSD as well.
 
#467      
BWBW
I hope we get a crew of refs that don't like the Izzo/Sampscum thug ball and call it from the start of game.
 
#468      
EmeraldCityIllini
Chase321 said:
Unless they change their strategy. Not saying they will but I always wonder what a coach may change to surprise the team and turn an advantage into a problem.
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For sure. If they have the personnel for it.

Flemings can do it. But i'm not sure i've seen Sharpe and Uzan really look that comforable out in transition.
 
#469      
Kernal12
They do allow it and it's already been happeningthis year. For example, High Knees reffed MSU in the 1st Rd and Michigan in the 2nd. Pfeifer got Wisconsin before being booted. We had Dorsey vs. VCU. We won't get a full B10 or B12 crew, but the NCAA would allow a B10 or B12 ref for this one.
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I had the sense that Dorsey knew in retrospect he had screwed us v Wisconsin -- e.g. I believe he was the one that called the "all air" foul on Andrej -- and it might have helped get a decent whistle out of him in the VCU game. These refs are human ... a lot of past history and baggage gets carried into these games that very few appreciate. Even though Brad will occasionally berate an official I think he does a pretty good job of generally keeping on their good (or at least not bad) side.
 
#471      
WeatherfordForMVP
Dumb questions from someone who has never tried to go to an NCAA tournament game:

Can I get tickets to only Illinois/Houston, or must I get tickets to both Iowa/Nebraska and Illinois/Houston? I could have sworn I saw options last night for just Illinois/Houston, but now am not seeing them.

Regardless, any brilliant suggestions for getting tickets? Right now I'm not seeing how to get in the doors for less than about $450/seat, which I may pay, but figured I'd ask the brain trust first.
 
#473      
Roundball Sage
FeelYourPaign said:
Just came on to note that there are 345 posts in the pre-game thread FOUR DAYS before the game. You guys are crazy. And I love you for it! Go ILLINI!
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If anyone anywhere did not know or had any doubts... WE ARE a (The?) Basketball State.

If They ever decide to retire the ‘Prairie State’ nameplate – I think we have a ready-to go alternative here. And it’s also environmentally friendly too!
 
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