Dan
Game Thread: Illinois vs Iowa
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The Galloping Ghost
- Washington, DC
Focus. Intelligence. Toughness. Killer instinct. They all need to way, way better today. This team is too old and too talented to have any more late-game collapses. Kick Iowa’s butt and finish this season strong.
Honestly(In reality).....if we don't play a full 40, laser focused, suffocating defensively, with total effort and pride and take care of this one fairly comfortably....it's not happening this year.
With how we've played this last month, having multiple late game, almost impossible meltdowns....if we can't close a game properly, again ...it is what it is.
After Michigan State and Nebraska (even though we flat out escaped that meltdown)....the Penn State loss took some of my heart away.
I'm going to focus on the guards(everyone not named Shannon). Iowa is going to push the ball offensively, implement pressure defensively and they can shoot the eyes out...all things we struggle with handling, even though we're significantly more athletic.
Harmon
Goode
Ty
Domask (defensively)
Home game, sell out crowd, big time rival, coming off of an embarrassment...make it happen. Reset our expectations to what they were.
With how we've played this last month, having multiple late game, almost impossible meltdowns....if we can't close a game properly, again ...it is what it is.
After Michigan State and Nebraska (even though we flat out escaped that meltdown)....the Penn State loss took some of my heart away.
I'm going to focus on the guards(everyone not named Shannon). Iowa is going to push the ball offensively, implement pressure defensively and they can shoot the eyes out...all things we struggle with handling, even though we're significantly more athletic.
Harmon
Goode
Ty
Domask (defensively)
Home game, sell out crowd, big time rival, coming off of an embarrassment...make it happen. Reset our expectations to what they were.
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Kostas
- Naperville, IL
A (likely false) comforting thought occured to me. Maybe Coach is lulling teams into a false sense that we:
1. Have no late game defense
2. Point guard play is suspect
3. Can't close out a game
That way, in the 3rd or 4th round of the tournament, our guys "turn it on" and teams pee themselves a little and struggle to game prep for us.
Yes, that's what I'm going to choose to believe until the groin kick tells me otherwise
1. Have no late game defense
2. Point guard play is suspect
3. Can't close out a game
That way, in the 3rd or 4th round of the tournament, our guys "turn it on" and teams pee themselves a little and struggle to game prep for us.
Yes, that's what I'm going to choose to believe until the groin kick tells me otherwise
GallopingGhost
- Denver, CO
I have a good feeling about today. Bounce back today is gonna happen
"Brad Practice" comes through.
Illini: 89
Iowa: 81
Illini: 89
Iowa: 81
To me, obviously the win is paramount, but if learning a lesson and doing what we're supposed to do means that we're still letting up 81....that'd be disappointing.
I want 81-65.
With how we've played this last month, having multiple late game, almost impossible meltdowns.
Maryland meltdown
Arizona meltdown
Illinois meltdown
Nervous angst. 
Does Harris usually dress full uniform?
The Galloping Ghost
- Washington, DC
He'll often participate in shootaround and then change into street clothes for the game.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
We. Cannot. Lose. This. Game.
Time to answer the critics, fellas.
Time to answer the critics, fellas.
Illwinsagain
- Cary, IL
I wonder, if Harris had not red-shirted, what could have been. I would think at least 2 more wins. But alas, we will never know. I hope that this year pays off for him in a huge way and next year he is starting, with his intense defense, a decent jump shot and able to finish at the rim.
Edit: Thinking about @NW, Maryland at home and @PSU.
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PizzaHutParkingLot
- McPherson, KS
This is the kind of energy I want to see this afternoon
One would think if this type of practice is effective in shaping the team's attitude, wouldn't it be wise to always practice like this?
Just playing devil's advocate, here.
madillini4
Ozamataz Buckshank
- Millywaukee
I think Brad has been letting his team take the leadership role this year. That is his preferred style. When they fail, Daddy Brad has to take the autonomy away and reset the guardrails.
Have way more confidence in hitting a slot machine jackpot than predicting which Illini team will show up today against the Squawkeyes.
Just how intensive is a BU practice? My concern is the team looked a bit gassed last game and recovery might be more important than running them to death to make a point
I’ve been saying for 6+ weeks now on another site that the difference between being good and great might be Harris’ ability to stop the ball in key situations. We likely won’t have this type of experienced talent again for a while, so I thought they should have burned his RS when he still had time to get into game shape/speed by March. Too late now. We seem condemned to watch opposing guards have career nights on us and another early tourney exit.
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