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

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#626      
hoopsfan47
Don’t overlook a non-Freshman young man named Kylan Boswell – the ‘elder Statesman’ floor leader of these Illini and someone who chose to go home and represent the great Illini program. He is looking at possibly his last appearance in Orange & Blue and certainly he does NOT want that to be the case.

You always give it your best shot when you know that One Chance is all you may have left. And the Final Four is so close you can taste it.
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Certainly a personal story for me....when it finally gets in your head that this is your last chance, the fog and silly values of youth clear away quickly.
 
#627      
PepeSilvia
Kernal12 said:
Haven't seen any player matchup predictions, and they aren't crystal clear to me this game. My assumption is Kylan takes Flemings. But there's a case to be made that you put your best rearview contest defender on Flemings -- since he takes a lot of midrange pullups -- and that isn't Kylan. Could be Keaton, or Andrej if he's in the game, or maybe even Ben. Sharp is a good scorer but least quick of the three, so I think Jake starts there. The coaching staff has shown the willingness to be very creative with the cross matches so hard to predict, but most straightforward matchups would be:

Flemings -- Kylan
Uzan -- Keaton
Sharp -- Jake
Cenac -- Mirk
Tugler -- Tomi

On offense I think you can pick on Cenac. I assume Tugler will take Tomi, but possibly they put him on Mirk? Whoever Cenac is on I think you put him in ball screens and backdowns. Make Tugler stand on the weakside guarding his guy at three point line (out of the lane).
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Sharp will score 50 points if you put Jake on him for any significant amount of time.
 
#628      
pruman91
This image of houston being this insurmountable obstacle in our path should really pertain more to us in their path......we are taller on average and heavier on average and , imho , more skilled 1-8 player wise than them.........this is a pick'em game according to the last odds I saw ......is part of that b/c the game is in houston ??............

I really really think we will out tough them on the glass and we will shoot as good or better than our last 2 games......this bunch of Illini have the mental tenacity to weather whatever houston throws at us and we will give it back double to them...............

another feeble worthless prediction of mine is.............

Illini 82
houston 77

on to the Elite 8 ..................................

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#629      
1m4tr
anthony1213 said:
The bottom line for the game is how the game is called. If the referees allow Houston to hand check us to the point of impeding our movement, Houston wins. Sampson dares referees to call every foul.
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Yep I agree with this take. If they’re allowed to body us and prevent us from getting to our spots then we will settle for 35-40 threes and we’ll lose unless we just happen to have an amazing shooting day. I think we need to be at 25 or fewer threes which means we are not being as bothered by their physicality and refs are calling a fair game.
 
#630      
Rap47
100%. Florida losing completely changed the dynamics of this game from a fans perspective. If we beat Houston but lost to Florida, then I'd consider it another successful season.

Now if we beat Houston but lose to Iowa/Nebraska then it feels like a huge disappoint and choke job. The end result of an E8 is the same in both scenarios, but one feels completely different. A win here only means something if we also win the next one.

This might be controversial, but I would rather lose this game and tip my hat to a great Houston team, instead of winning this one and falling on our face in the E8.

All that being said, I think we'll be ready to go and be playing in Indy in 11 days. It's our time!
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That is a terrible way to look at it
 
#632      
CleverHandle1
Roundball Sage said:
Here’s one key: Wagler has got to play within himself.

Defenses have figured out they need to take him out of the game. Several of the recent games they have keyed on Wagler early and he had long slow stretches. He would get it going in the second half when the defense began to tire and sag off him a bit.

He cannot force himself or his shot when he’s the focus of the opposition attention. He’ll get his chances at some point but he cannot drive into traffic when there’s no room or do force-up shots when the pressure is too intense. You have nothing to prove young man. You are an extreme talent. Just let the game come to you and then have your way with it.

The Illini have plenty of fire power to cover things until Wagler can start to maneuver.
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I wholeheartedly agree.

During the VCU game, KW made an unnecessary pass that was intercepted which led to an easy layup.

Very next possession, KW made a very smooth move to the basket and hit an impressive short ranger. He looked so calm and confident. That was the end to VCU's very mini, mini run.

All we need is second half KW the last two games to show up. Obviously, this version of KW needs to show up for both halves.

I am beginning to think if we get this effort from KW and they rebound the damn ball, dare I say double-digit victory?

And I am the pessimistic one at times!
 
#634      
WyattEarp
RockfordIllini said:
Watched the highlights of the big 12 championship. I think we can replicate alot of the actions Arizona seemed to have success with:

1. Peat really hurt Houston in a short roll. David isn’t the athlete Peat is but he’s good at using his body to create space and is a better passer.
2. Bradley had success in ball screens. Keaton isn’t as quick but he’s a lot longer and we’ve seen him score over smaller guards/wings time and time again.
3. They were able to create isolation opportunities for Karchenkov to drive and score. From what I can see Andrej is a better athlete/driver than Karchenkov.
4. They were able to get open 3s off of ball screen action/dribble penetration. Arizona only shot 13 but made 6. We should be able to generate open looks for our shooters.

Overall I’m encouraged. I think there are opportunities if we scheme correctly and come out in attack mode. We just can’t get back on our heels.

Analytically and really schematically we are much closer to Arizona who they lost to twice than the Texas Techs and Arkansas who are their best wins. And from what I saw KU had talent but was a bit of a hot mess especially towards the end of the year. Think we’ve got a shot if we’re aggressive.
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#636      
FloridaMan
jrichisamazing said:
100%. Florida losing completely changed the dynamics of this game from a fans perspective. If we beat Houston but lost to Florida, then I'd consider it another successful season.

Now if we beat Houston but lose to Iowa/Nebraska then it feels like a huge disappoint and choke job. The end result of an E8 is the same in both scenarios, but one feels completely different. A win here only means something if we also win the next one.

This might be controversial, but I would rather lose this game and tip my hat to a great Houston team, instead of winning this one and falling on our face in the E8.

All that being said, I think we'll be ready to go and be playing in Indy in 11 days. It's our time!
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I sorta get that. However, what if Houston were to win and then Iowa or Nebraska beat them to get to the final 4? THAT would not be acceptable. Let's just go to Houston and win two games!!!
 
#639      
RIP_Chief_2003
Kernal12 said:
I have been advocating for Andrej to start for this reason …

Unfortunately all three of their perimeter guys are scorers. Jake ain’t taking Flemings so it’s Uzan or Sharp. I suspect we see an early Andrej or Ben sub.
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If only Ben or Stoj had solid post moves. We have significant height advantage at the 3. Uzan is 6’4” 195 soaken wet…
 
#642      
RabidDawgClassic
PleaseMakeABowlGame said:
Everyone talking about the ISU game. Yes we played well, but if we miss that many free throws on Thursday (16-31), there’s absolutely no way we win.
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Shannon going 5/10 and Coleman 2/4 were the unexpected culprits in that game. The rest of the misses were by the usual suspects (Ty, Dainja, Guerrier) at the line.

I suppose that would be like Keaton and Boswell going 7/14 combined from the line. The good news is, we don’t have and Ty-Dain-Quincy caliber free throw shooters on the current roster.


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#644      
Fly Illini Fly!
RabidDawgClassic said:
Shannon going 5/10 and Coleman 2/4 were the unexpected culprits in that game. The rest of the misses were by the usual suspects (Ty, Dainja, Guerrier) at the line.

I suppose that would be like Keaton and Boswell going 7/14 combined from the line. The good news is, we don’t have and Ty-Dain-Quincy caliber free throw shooters on the current roster.


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We were up 10 at halftime (36-26), and it felt as though it should’ve been like 17. ISU couldn’t buy a shot — our defense was very assignment sound.
 
#647      
OrangeKrush1981
Wave after wave of sound washing from high Florida Avenue Residence Halls across the way to Pennsylvania Avenue Residue Halls. Windows open at the top of the '!!!!. Women's floor below getting better grades and still showing up clad in Orange at Assembly Hall for every game no matter what. One of those women married me. :)

 
#649      
PepeSilvia
Fly Illini Fly! said:
50 points?!
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I think Jake is legitimately unplayable in this game unless you play a zone. He was a liability on defense against Penn.

He is not going to be able to guard any of Uzan, Flemings, or Sharp and probably not Miller either. McCarty operates as more of a corner shooter and doesn't put the ball on the floor much so maybe he could hold up there but McCarty is a very good athlete as well.
 
#650      
Todd99
FloridaMan said:
I sorta get that. However, what if Houston were to win and then Iowa or Nebraska beat them to get to the final 4? THAT would not be acceptable. Let's just go to Houston and win two games!!!
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If we lose and Iowa/Nebraska beats Houston to make the final four, can you imagine the fire Brad crowd? Might have to board up the windows at SFC!
 
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