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

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#826      
pruman91
HensonHall71 said:
Agree they weren't good against Iowa, but I do think having non-big ten refs is much better for us. The flopping they call in the big ten is brutal and all the ghost calls we got against Wisky in the Big Ten tournament can ruin a game. It's been a breath of fresh air not seeing the flopping as much in the tournament and I don't think UConn flops that much, but for us as a team who's whole strategy is predicated on not fouling - we just need the game called reasonably

High Knees is the only ref I think we need to avoid at all costs - he has literally cost us games in the past, and it seems to be so bad that there is too much bias/history there now. Anyone else I don't think will matter

I also think when it comes to the FF - coaches should get one or two "ref bans" that they feel there is too much history with and they don't get them in their games, there's too much on the line at this point. I would hope they would respect the coaches take on somebody they don't want on their game
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#837      
Mobi
hiberto said:
Just looked at UConn's schedule and didnt realize how many of their wins were close, some of them to bad teams like Providence (5 and 6 points) and Georgetown (2 and 4 points). many other wins were less than 10 points as well. bad losses to Marquette and Creighton.
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They are probably the luckiest team in the tourney. We will have to break their blood magic or what not.
 
#838      
fatt lacosse
don't know if anyone's posted this yet but i encourage you to read this (not mine)

www.basketunderreview.com

2026 Final Four Deep Dives: Illinois

In a year where Division-I teams have absolutely crushed the offensive efficiency record dating back to 1996-97, it's the Illinois Fighting Illini that stand above the rest as the single-best offensive unit by adjusted efficiency not only this year, but of all-time. But it certainly took a...
www.basketunderreview.com www.basketunderreview.com

especially if you have doubts about the coaching acumen of our boi brad underwood. this really spells out what a great job the play style does of capitalizing on every single piece of the rotation.
 
#840      
OrangeBlue98
Mobi said:
They are probably the luckiest team in the tourney. We will have to break their blood magic or what not.
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I know the general idea is that a team like this is “lucky”, and there is likely some of that involved. But a team that wins that many close games doesn’t do it purely by accident. UConn is tough with players who have been through the battles and a really good coach. There is something to be said for that, just like I think the battles and close losses we endured this season provided a lot of hard-earned experience that has paid dividends the last two weekends.
 
#842      
BrownTown
The game plan of attacking the rim and hoping to get Clingon in foul trouble didn’t work…..I was on here criticizing it after the game 2 years ago.

But dust it off and bring it back out!

I’d absolutely attack the basket and go at Reed who is much less disciplined. Guy is an absolute monster when he can stay on the court. UCONN doesn’t have anyone that keep Andrej away from the rim. Going to Dre early and often
 
#844      
Mobi
OrangeBlue98 said:
I know the general idea is that a team like this is “lucky”, and there is likely some of that involved. But a team that wins that many close games doesn’t do it purely by accident. UConn is tough with players who have been through the battles and a really good coach. There is something to be said for that, just like I think the battles and close losses we endured this season provided a lot of hard-earned experience that has paid dividends the last two weekends.
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Not saying it's pure luck but that last shot in the Duke game has a lot of lucks involved. The key is don't play them down to the wire.
 
#845      
Mobi
BrownTown said:
The game plan of attacking the rim and hoping to get Clingon in foul trouble didn’t work…..I was on here criticizing it after the game 2 years ago.

But dust it off and bring it back out!

I’d absolutely attack the basket and go at Reed who is much less disciplined. Guy is an absolute monster when he can stay on the court. UCONN doesn’t have anyone that keep Andrej away from the rim. Going to Dre early and often
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Reed is a good offense player but seems to be so so on the defensive end. It's not a bad idea to give him foul trouble. We can win if our defense holds.
 
#847      
Fighter of the Nightman
Fly Illini Fly! said:
For the “house money” talk — we are the favorite in this UCONN game.
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It’s been kind of funny to see fans on both the Illini and UConn message boards try to play the disrespect card, haha. They both have valid arguments for different reasons, IMO, and they’re both CERTAINLY being collectively dismissed by nearly everyone when it comes to winning on Monday night.
 
#849      
CharliedonSurf
BrownTown said:
The game plan of attacking the rim and hoping to get Clingon in foul trouble didn’t work…..I was on here criticizing it after the game 2 years ago.

But dust it off and bring it back out!

I’d absolutely attack the basket and go at Reed who is much less disciplined. Guy is an absolute monster when he can stay on the court. UCONN doesn’t have anyone that keep Andrej away from the rim. Going to Dre early and often
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Agreed. Think we need to get him in foul trouble. I think aside from wagler need strong games from mirk and the TZ duo
 
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