Except that he did use it as an excuse after the Indiana game. Izzo used it after their loss to Illinois. Fred Hoiberg mentioned it as contributing to the Illinois loss to Indiana in yesterday’s press conference.
1/30 Weekday Games
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So every team in the conference has to deal with the same thing. Correct me if I'm wrong, but no team is ever scheduled to play more than 1 weekend and 1 weekday game, per week, right? Or did these Friday games they have introduced kind of throw a wrench in that?
The issue is that the only real solution would be to start the season sooner. I don't think you would want to make the kids play close to Christmas (when they already miss Thanksgiving) or cram in more games when students aren't on campus.
Illini2010-11
- Sugar Grove
I think you are correct. However, due to television deals, etc., there is always an imbalance of games for every team at some point during the year.
For example, the Illini only played 2 games per week (in a traditional calendar sense from Jan 9 to Jan 22), but they played the four games within a 9 day span.
It is what it is, and every team deals with it at some point during the season. You take the potential loss and move on. Was it the only reason Illinois lost to IU...no, but it was a contributing factor. The Illini benefited vs Ohio State, for example. The truly exceptional teams are able to win these games on shorter rest, but there is a reason why many 1 seeds in the tourney have 3-5 losses over the course of the year. The season is a grind.
The biggest gripe most have with scheduling this year is Illini lacking many conference home games during the weekend during non-break compared to conference weekend road games.
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Goillinikobd
- Southeastern US
Thanks
Last NW lead was 56-55 at 10:32. From then on Sandfort alone had as many points as NW (14).
"Or did these Friday games they have introduced kind of throw a wrench in that?"
Michigan State also played on the same Sat/Tue/Fri in January so there was no advantage for either team that week. I wonder if the conference does that for all their Friday games.
Idk but I think this is what Izzo and BU were complaining about.
I would love to get rid of these Friday games. I assume it's purely about television.
Illini2010-11
- Sugar Grove
I may be incorrect, but I believe they were introduced solely because of a Fox television deal (FS1, etc.), and a fairly recent one at that.
Friday games are just terrible in general for traveling fans. It is almost worse than a mid-week game due to traffic. 100% rather have a home game Saturday morning at 11 AM than Friday night at 8PM.
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They need to extend the season. If you look at Jan/Feb we play 16 games in 53 days. That is a game every 3.3 days. These are students playing this many games in less than 2 months. Seriously messed up. Brad said as much in a resent presser. Put more games in Nov/Dec or extend the season [more] into March.
Ransom Stoddard
Ordained Dudeist Priest
- Bloomington, IL
Didn't they completely run out of gas in the final?
3 good games and then not so much.
It is simple. All things being equal, the team with more rest has an advantage. Is it an immutable guarantee that the team with the most rest wins? No.
As stated above, Brad did use it as an excuse for the Indiana game.
Not a good season. Ok 3 good games. No post season. smh
Florida up 17-4 over No. 2 Tennessee to start with 12 minutes left in first half. We are not the only good team that can have a slow start.
Not for me, but I bleed Orange and Blue……
You've forgotten the "too long of a break they weren't sharp" caveat.
Gillis must only take wide open 3s in the flow of the offense. Why can't our guys off the bench go 7-10 from 3.
I grew up in Urbana. Graduated a Tiger. Graduated UIUC. So you don't have anything on me.
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