Game Thread: Illinois at Michigan State

[skyIdub]

Chill. I made burnt offerings in front of wax effigies of the team in our hotel outside of East Lansing before heading into campus town for pregame dinner.

We’re good.

I'm also backing it up with my orange adidas Underwoodavic track pants, which are now 4-0.

 

[DrMac210]

I would expect Fears to start. Izzo wants as much working for his team as possible.

Agree. 0% chance he doesn’t start Fears.

 

[tell it like it is]

I have been waiting for that really special game to break out a new bottle of Blantons. It is out and going down really fast. Just like sparty, going down fast! Go Illini! Cheers everybody! Let's kick some butt!!

 

[skyIdub]

Agree. 0% chance he doesn’t start Fears.

If Izzo does that he both tells Fears, and admits that his play is unacceptable.

And we all know that Izzo accepts it, if not outright promotes it.

 

[SescIllini]

I would expect Fears to start. Izzo wants as much working for his team as possible.

The announcers will drink the Izzo Kool aid and report Fears was disciplined internally and did community service.

 

[fantasydaily708]

Are we OK with this officiating crew?

NO High knees is awful expect home favored calls after Izzo gets in his ear

 

[PleaseMakeABowlGame]

Agree. 0% chance he doesn’t start Fears.

Why shouldn’t he? He’s a phenomenal player. The dirty play is just their gist.

 

[OrangeBlue98]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2020277271693496496

Should I be concerned about this development?

Let’s hope he’s not like Samson!

 

[kmunt09]

Would like to see some low post play from Tomi tonight.

 

[eas23]

To the be the Big Ten Champ, you have to win at the Breslin. Tonight... We find out about the Illini!View attachment 47301

Not really. Even if we lose tonight, we beat Michigan and we're right back as the 1 seed in the BTT.

 

[altgeld88]

Please tell me it wasn't sage.

Bluestem and orange blossom, baby.

Let’s do this my Illini brethren!

 

[ChiTown]

Agree. 0% chance he doesn’t start Fears.

Especially with the other starter(guard) Ugochukwu not playing….

 

[PizzaHutParkingLot]

Come out swinging (not literally)

 

[aaeismacgychel]

Are we OK with this officiating crew?

Not great, unfortunately. Anderson is the most experienced of the bunch and he's been a problem. Loves keeping foul counts even and there's little consistency to what is and isn't a foul. Not a fan.

 

[doowink]

My picks to click....KW for 22 and AS with 18....Jake hits a clutch 3 in the final minutes to seal the win....breaking out the Buffalo Trace to make it so

 

[Retro62]

Here at the game—Fletch walking around with the same swagger as Sean Connery in his Bond years.

 

[EmeraldCityIllini]

Honestly would prefer Fears start.

The thought of him being “benched” for the first 90 seconds only to come into a roaring ovation sounds worse and annoying AF

 

[Mr. Roberts]

Not really. Even if we lose tonight, we beat Michigan and we're right back as the 1 seed in the BTT.

This. I feel like thi game is house money. We win, lookout world, the Illini are for real.. We lose, the Big Ten is tough, isn't it? Either way, the UM game is for the regular season title.

 

[tell it like it is]

My picks to click....KW for 22 and AS with 18....Jake hits a clutch 3 in the final minutes to seal the win....breaking out the Buffalo Trace to make it so

I'll drink to that!

 

[zentrails]

This. I feel like thi game is house money. We win, lookout world, the Illini are for real.. We lose, the Big Ten is tough, isn't it? Either way, the UM game is for the regular season title.

Yep, right now I just want us to stay healthy and get one of the four top seeds for the BTT, all while figuring out how to use Boz with this *new* version of our team. BT or BTT champs would be great but the dance is what we are really getting ready for.

 

[illinifan1987]

Generally speaking, you can ignore giving even .001% of thought to the officiating in a college basketball game. All of these guys are fully vetted and high quality by this point in their careers. Sit back and enjoy the game.

Exception #1: 1972 Olympics USA vs Russia
Exception #2: 2005 Natty -- Illini vs UNC

So you're saying the 05 Natty game was the 2nd biggest ref job in American sports history?

 

[IllinistrandedinHouston]

The good news is the game will start on time tonight!

 

[RML]

unless he's just one of those guys that can't keep his emotions in check and let's the moments get the best of him.

I wonder if it's just instinct for Fears: if he's gonna be out of the play, his instinct is to take someone with him. So he does what he can, kick the nearest guy, trip him, whatever.

 

[OrangeBlue98]

Honestly would prefer Fears start.

The thought of him being “benched” for the first 90 seconds only to come into a roaring ovation sounds worse and annoying AF

From a morality standpoint, I’d rather see him come in at the first dead ball. That would be even more sanctimonious than just letting him start.

If he starts, at least Izzo is being intellectually honest. If he comes in at the first dead ball, then Izzo shows his hypocrisy to the world.

 

[SkyysNotFalling]

Road kill time.