Pregame: Illinois vs Houston, 9:05pm CT, TBS

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#51      
wc_illini
Illiniforlife said:
How is the board feeling today about the game—on a scale from 1 to 10?

1 meaning we’re going to get beat by 30 and give up a 30–0 run

10 meaning we’re going to blow them out by 25+.

I’m probably at about a 3.5 to 4. I think their defensive aggressiveness could really cause us problems, especially if the officials let them play. Plus, how are we going to handle their quick guards? Do we keep playing drop coverage if Flemings is torching us in the mid‑range?

I just hope Brad isn’t too stubborn to make the necessary adjustments.
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I don't think I get all the love for Flemings' mid-range. He's shooting 44% on long 2s. That's inefficient unless Houston gets a lot of ORBs. I'm sure if you let him shoot those wide open he makes more, but if you overplay those you probably give up an even more efficient shot (or you foul, which is obviously way more efficient for them).
 
#57      
skyIdub
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How do I say “you’re out of your f’ing mind but I love it and absolutely no f’ing way” without sounding rude?
 
#63      
NASchamp
Illinidrew said:
Not to be overly simple about the game. But I really feel like our offense is awesome at generating good looks regardless of their defense. Why we are so scary is we really are a pick your poison style of offense and have answers for every style of defense. The real key is, do we HIT those open shots, and do we rebound enough to win the possession math battle.
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Exactly. Just because they give us a bunch of 3s doesn’t mean we have to take all of them…

Let’s play our game and get the looks we want.
 
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#64      
RichardKeenesCousin
We land at 7:40 pm in Chicago if all goes well. I’ll have the game up on my phone no matter what, but here’s to hoping all goes well and we can make it back home for most of it! Getting really pumped, and I’m not ready to say goodbye to this team yet!

Let’s go advance.
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Be careful! You are supposed to keep your phone in airplane mode until you at least get on the ground. It could mess with the controls in the cockpit.
 
#65      
pruman91
Mirko-Man & Wags hitting 3's and driving to the rim with dimes to the Twins for thunderdunks.........Andre driving to the paint like his hair is on fire.....Bam playing hard core D on Kingston.......Jake and Ben playing their roles to perfection hitting 3's after crisp passes beat the defenders.......

this team is SPECIAL........I have felt it in my soul all season long.......It's been a grind with injuries and illness (Tomi's tonsils, etc) but the grind has prepared us for what's ahead and what's at stake........2 games won so far but we are at a one game at a time mentality still grinding our EDG personalities to success.......

shots will fall....rebounds will be gathered.......defense will affect our opponent and we will survive to the next round.............

I BELIEVE...................I REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY DO !!!!!!!!!!
 
#67      
Coogfan1
Houston fan, here. I come in peace.

I’ve been browsing yalls forum for the past few days and it seems many of you feel the same way as us Houston fans. Both teams will need to bring their A+++++ game to advance to the elite 8. This is a final four level matchup. Y’all’s offensive efficiency and rebounding differential is quite terrifying. Houston usually forces highly efficient offensive teams into playing a slower game, but this Illinois team is one of the worst matchups I could imagine. The Illini already play at a slow pace, which means Houston will have to look elsewhere if we want to impose our will.

I personally believe this game will be won on the boards. Houston has had many elite rebounding teams, like our suffocating defense, it’s been part of our identity. However, I feel that we are not as strong in this category as we have been in the past.

I think experience will also go a long way in this matchup. I believe the final score will be somewhere around 68-66, but I can’t even pick a winner. I think this will be an enjoyable game for anyone who isn’t an Illini or Cougar fan. Get ready to get your cardio in watching this one! Good luck!
 
#68      
altgeld88
Coogfan1 said:
Houston fan, here. I come in peace.

I’ve been browsing yalls forum for the past few days and it seems many of you feel the same way as us Houston fans. Both teams will need to bring their A+++++ game to advance to the elite 8. This is a final four level matchup. Y’all’s offensive efficiency and rebounding differential is quite terrifying. Houston usually forces highly efficient offensive teams into playing a slower game, but this Illinois team is one of the worst matchups I could imagine. The Illini already play at a slow pace, which means Houston will have to look elsewhere if we want to impose our will.

I personally believe this game will be won on the boards. Houston has had many elite rebounding teams, like our suffocating defense, it’s been part of our identity. However, I feel that we are not as strong in this category as we have been in the past.

I think experience will also go a long way in this matchup. I believe the final score will be somewhere around 68-66, but I can’t even pick a winner. I think this will be an enjoyable game for anyone who isn’t an Illini or Cougar fan. Get ready to get your cardio in watching this one! Good luck!
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Welcome, and thanks for your insight. We're jacked about this matchup. This is a FF-quality game in the S16. Two great programs toe to toe for 40. Can't wait for the tip. The two-hour adrenaline rush from watching the game will take hours to subside after the final horn.
 
#69      
Rebounding Dog
Coogfan1 said:
Houston fan, here. I come in peace.

I’ve been browsing yalls forum for the past few days and it seems many of you feel the same way as us Houston fans. Both teams will need to bring their A+++++ game to advance to the elite 8. This is a final four level matchup. Y’all’s offensive efficiency and rebounding differential is quite terrifying. Houston usually forces highly efficient offensive teams into playing a slower game, but this Illinois team is one of the worst matchups I could imagine. The Illini already play at a slow pace, which means Houston will have to look elsewhere if we want to impose our will.

I personally believe this game will be won on the boards. Houston has had many elite rebounding teams, like our suffocating defense, it’s been part of our identity. However, I feel that we are not as strong in this category as we have been in the past.

I think experience will also go a long way in this matchup. I believe the final score will be somewhere around 68-66, but I can’t even pick a winner. I think this will be an enjoyable game for anyone who isn’t an Illini or Cougar fan. Get ready to get your cardio in watching this one! Good luck!
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Welcome and thanks for your input. Both fan base sides are nervious....that should mean a very good game!
 
#71      
Ryllini
Illinois has to win on the glass, have to be efficient from the ft line, and strong with the ball. Houston will try and move our guys off their spots, don't let them take your lunch money. I worry about AS the most here. Hopefully we can put him in spots to get downhill and he better be a willing passer. Do not pass up on open shots. Someone said something about Ben a while back, him and Jake need to be huge. They have to hit shots.
 
#72      
Illini2010-11
Coogfan1 said:
Houston fan, here. I come in peace.

I’ve been browsing yalls forum for the past few days and it seems many of you feel the same way as us Houston fans. Both teams will need to bring their A+++++ game to advance to the elite 8. This is a final four level matchup. Y’all’s offensive efficiency and rebounding differential is quite terrifying. Houston usually forces highly efficient offensive teams into playing a slower game, but this Illinois team is one of the worst matchups I could imagine. The Illini already play at a slow pace, which means Houston will have to look elsewhere if we want to impose our will.

I personally believe this game will be won on the boards. Houston has had many elite rebounding teams, like our suffocating defense, it’s been part of our identity. However, I feel that we are not as strong in this category as we have been in the past.

I think experience will also go a long way in this matchup. I believe the final score will be somewhere around 68-66, but I can’t even pick a winner. I think this will be an enjoyable game for anyone who isn’t an Illini or Cougar fan. Get ready to get your cardio in watching this one! Good luck!
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Really good analysis here. The bold is why I feel confident the Illini can win. It is not often that the most efficient offensive team plays a very slow pace.

Houston is a very physical team. The Illini have a lot of length, but they are not the most physically dominating team at all. A lot will be determined with how tight the refs call the game. If the refs allow a lot of physicality with limited whistles, I think that will favor Houston's style.

It really is a coin flip type of game. I think free throw shooting down the stretch will determine the winner of the game.

I think whoever wins this game tonight goes to the Final 4.
 
#73      
Coogfan1
altgeld88 said:
Welcome, and thanks for your insight. We're jacked about this matchup. This is a FF-quality game in the S16. Two great programs toe to toe for 40. Can't wait for the tip. The two-hour adrenaline rush from watching the game will take hours to subside after the final horn.
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No kidding. I doubt I’ll be able to sleep after this one! Today has been dragging waiting for the tip.
 
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