Pregame: Illinois vs UConn, Saturday, April 4th, 5:09pm CT, TBS

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#302      
CentralILLini
MidwesternCowboy said:
It's not a certainty that we win this game at all. Far from it. But let's say that we do. Let's say that we pull it off and beat UConn.

Would you rather face Michigan or Arizona for the title?

Personally, I'd take Arizona in a heartbeat. Michigan is the only team all year that made us look like we didn't even belong. Straight-up domination. Have to admit that that game made me terrified of having to face them, again. I know Arizona would hardly be any easier, but I'd take the unknown over what we already saw.
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Arizona no doubt. The thought of losing to Morez n’ co. in the natty would be soul crushing and leave a bit of a sour taste in my mouth after such a successful run.

Also, I’m not necessarily bullish on our game against Uconn yet either. Gotta’ get through the Huskies first.
 
#303      
Second place is 1st loser
MidwesternCowboy said:
It's not a certainty that we win this game at all. Far from it. But let's say that we do. Let's say that we pull it off and beat UConn.

Would you rather face Michigan or Arizona for the title?

Personally, I'd take Arizona in a heartbeat. Michigan is the only team all year that made us look like we didn't even belong. Straight-up domination. Have to admit that that game made me terrified of having to face them, again. I know Arizona would hardly be any easier, but I'd take the unknown over what we already saw.
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I'd rather play Michigan because we've seen them before. We know what to expect. Familiarity is a good thing.

Both teams are insanely good and their game on Saturday is basically the National Championship game. Those are the two best teams. If I had to choose one, it's play the guys we know.
 
#304      
Second place is 1st loser
Arizona no doubt. The thought of losing to Morez n’ co. in the natty would be soul crushing and leave a bit of a sour taste in my mouth after such a successful run.

Also, I’m not necessarily bullish on our game against Uconn yet either. Gotta’ get through the Huskies first.
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If you have ANY bad taste in your mouth after this run.....I don't care who we lose to, you need to reevaluate things. Totally serious.
 
#308      
fatboyslim
Second place is 1st loser said:
I'd rather play Michigan because we've seen them before. We know what to expect. Familiarity is a good thing.

Both teams are insanely good and their game on Saturday is basically the National Championship game. Those are the two best teams. If I had to choose one, it's play the guys we know.
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No Way Smh GIF by MOODMAN
 
#309      
CHK71185
Second place is 1st loser said:
I'd rather play Michigan because we've seen them before. We know what to expect. Familiarity is a good thing.

Both teams are insanely good and their game on Saturday is basically the National Championship game. Those are the two best teams. If I had to choose one, it's play the
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This! We’ve made it this far btw…regardless of whom we’re playing, let’s not start getting worried now!
 
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#311      
hoopsfan47
MidwesternCowboy said:
It's not a certainty that we win this game at all. Far from it. But let's say that we do. Let's say that we pull it off and beat UConn.

Would you rather face Michigan or Arizona for the title?

Personally, I'd take Arizona in a heartbeat. Michigan is the only team all year that made us look like we didn't even belong. Straight-up domination. Have to admit that that game made me terrified of having to face them, again. I know Arizona would hardly be any easier, but I'd take the unknown over what we already saw.
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As an Arizona Alum who has been a passionate Illini hoops fan for 70 years, I hope I do not need to tell you who I would like to see play for the title....with the Illini winning their first.

And I will NEVER pull for Cheatigan to win anything....but in spite of that I would not be at all surprised to see them win two more. Go Illini and Bear Down Cats!!
 
#314      
number1IlliniFan
Look at this game summary regarding minutes from our game at MSG in November. We are a completely different team from that time. Not sure how different UConn might be vs then.
 

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#315      
TheodoreRex
Something I've really thought about- I owe an apology to Andrej- is inconsistency this season has really hurt us at times. It felt like it was good Andrej about every 1/3 games.
His consistency in the tournament has been outstanding- including against Wisconsin. And the area he's improve the most, IMO, is actually defensively. It's almost night and day- especially his ball screen defense.
At this point- I really do want this version of Andrej back.
 
#316      
RML
MidwesternCowboy said:
It's not a certainty that we win this game at all. Far from it. But let's say that we do. Let's say that we pull it off and beat UConn.

Would you rather face Michigan or Arizona for the title?

Personally, I'd take Arizona in a heartbeat. Michigan is the only team all year that made us look like we didn't even belong. Straight-up domination. Have to admit that that game made me terrified of having to face them, again. I know Arizona would hardly be any easier, but I'd take the unknown over what we already saw.
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Michigan beating US for a natty would be awful.
 
#318      
Fly Illini Fly!
MidwesternCowboy said:
Would you rather face Michigan or Arizona for the title?

Personally, I'd take Arizona in a heartbeat. Michigan is the only team all year that made us look like we didn't even belong. Straight-up domination. Have to admit that that game made me terrified of having to face them, again. I know Arizona would hardly be any easier, but I'd take the unknown over what we already saw.
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My philosophy has always been to root for the worse team.

UNC vs VCU = VCU

IOWA vs FLA = Iowa

IOWA vs NEB = Iowa

DUKE vs UCONN = UCONN

So, my answer is whoever’s the worse team and/or gives us the better chance of winning (even if by the slightest of extents).
 
#319      
PleaseMakeABowlGame
Fly Illini Fly! said:
My philosophy has always been to root for the worse team.

UNC vs VCU = VCU

IOWA vs FLA = Iowa

IOWA vs NEB = Iowa

DUKE vs UCONN = UCONN

So, my answer is whoever’s the worse team and/or gives us the better chance of winning (even if by the slightest of extents).
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Michigan gives us the better chance of winning. We’ve already faced them and know the challenges they present.

Plus they have a key injury in Carson.
 
#321      
Captain 14
Demonstrating our strength of schedule we had already played all 4 teams in the regional finals today. Apologies if I'm late to the ball on this
 
#322      
jumpingjack
Welp, I've made the logistics work for the weekend and the 9 hour drives. Now I await getting turned down for my tickets through the U.
Anyone have suggestions on whether to buy Tuesday morning or wait until closer to game time? Also, any hotel suggestions in Indy?
 
#324      
PizzaHutParkingLot
MidwesternCowboy said:
It's not a certainty that we win this game at all. Far from it. But let's say that we do. Let's say that we pull it off and beat UConn.

Would you rather face Michigan or Arizona for the title?

Personally, I'd take Arizona in a heartbeat. Michigan is the only team all year that made us look like we didn't even belong. Straight-up domination. Have to admit that that game made me terrified of having to face them, again. I know Arizona would hardly be any easier, but I'd take the unknown over what we already saw.
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(Massive disclaimer they’ve been a wagon all year)

HOWEVER, the path to beating UM seems a lot clearer IF you can contain Cadeau and Mara (he got a lot of easy buckets @ SFC). My armchair analysis is that AZ has more talent.
 
#325      
Combo
Second place is 1st loser said:
I'd rather play Michigan because we've seen them before. We know what to expect. Familiarity is a good thing.

Both teams are insanely good and their game on Saturday is basically the National Championship game. Those are the two best teams. If I had to choose one, it's play the guys we know.
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This is ridiculous. I think most would agree that they are the two most powerful teams, and they accordingly have the best odds. But the most powerful team doesn't always win. Illinois or UConn winning it all would be way less shocking than Villanova in 1985 (8 seed) NC State in 1983 (6 seed), or even UConn in 2014 (7 seed).

Anything can happen on a given day.
 
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