Game Thread: Illinois vs Purdue

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#3      
RabidDawgClassic
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#6      
kmunt09
Are pre-game Ceremonies televised or streamed anywhere?
 
#8      
Fighter of the Nightman
To add some fuel to the motivational fire tonight, it has been infuriating that we have actually played well vs. Purdue in most of our losing streak vs. them, but in the end ... they have simply out-executed us and outlasted us.

In 2022 when this streak started, we lost a 2OT heart breaker in front of an electric crowd at SFC. Looking back, that win could have nudged that squad to a #3 seed if a couple other things change momentum-wise. While we never blew a lead in this one and needed some dramatics to force both OTs, we had moments there for the taking to finally pull in front ... and we just couldn't do it.

In 2023 when we desperately needed a marquee win to climb off of the 8/9 seed line, we staged a furious comeback to tie #5 Purdue at Mackey with just 1:17 to go. However, down the stretch, we turned it over, took an ill-advised Mayer three and missed two FTs ... while Purdue methodically put us away to win by 5.

Last year as March commenced, the one knock on our team was that it did not have a true marquee win. With #3 Purdue coming to town for Senior Night, the crowd was amped and the Illini looked great for most of the first half, leading almost the entire time and being up 6 at halftime. As we all expected, the game tightened up, and we were in for a thriller. After a TSJ free throw gave us a 2-point lead with 3:25 to go, it looked like we had the momentum and the guts necessary to finally beat them. However, Purdue made play after play down the stretch, including a Braden Smith dagger three that still gives me nightmares.

We will need to play a COMPLETE game with maximum effort to win. If Purdue does ever beat themselves, they certainly don't do it against us!
 
#12      
RockfordIllini
Fighter of the Nightman said:
To add some fuel to the motivational fire tonight, it has been infuriating that we have actually played well vs. Purdue in most of our losing streak vs. them, but in the end ... they have simply out-executed us and outlasted us.

In 2022 when this streak started, we lost a 2OT heart breaker in front of an electric crowd at SFC. Looking back, that win could have nudged that squad to a #3 seed if a couple other things change momentum-wise. While we never blew a lead in this one and needed some dramatics to force both OTs, we had moments there for the taking to finally pull in front ... and we just couldn't do it.

In 2023 when we desperately needed a marquee win to climb off of the 8/9 seed line, we staged a furious comeback to tie #5 Purdue at Mackey with just 1:17 to go. However, down the stretch, we turned it over, took an ill-advised Mayer three and missed two FTs ... while Purdue methodically put us away to win by 5.

Last year as March commenced, the one knock on our team was that it did not have a true marquee win. With #3 Purdue coming to town for Senior Night, the crowd was amped and the Illini looked great for most of the first half, leading almost the entire time and being up 6 at halftime. As we all expected, the game tightened up, and we were in for a thriller. After a TSJ free throw gave us a 2-point lead with 3:25 to go, it looked like we had the momentum and the guts necessary to finally beat them. However, Purdue made play after play down the stretch, including a Braden Smith dagger three that still gives me nightmares.

We will need to play a COMPLETE game with maximum effort to win. If Purdue does ever beat themselves, they certainly don't do it against us!
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Yes. They’ve played out of their minds against us on multiple occasions. Specifically I am thinking about the Stefanovic 3’s in 2022 and Smith’s crazy shots at the end of the game last year.

They could play out of their minds again. Smith is a warrior and he does seem to get up for games. I expect he will get up for this one.

Really I just want to see a good game win or lose. Even before the injuries and illnesses, about every third or fourth game for us was a stinker. I would like to see that corrected going into March.

I think we’ve got more talent and I think 2 or TKR, Smith and Loyer will have to play out of their minds to beat us if we don’t have a stinker. Could happen. It’s happened before.
 
#24      
Bigtex
Still no contact. Don’t rush back from a broken bone
 
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