Pregame: Illinois vs Alabama A&M, Saturday, December 17th, 3:00pm CT, BTN
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Alabama A&M has one game between now and this one and that is vs. South Alabama on Monday night at 6:00 PM. Looks like the only to watch is through Alabama A&M's YouTube page.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
Have one game to get our act into gear before Braggin’ Rights.
illini80
- Forgottonia
Yep. I kinda wish it was a bit tougher opponent, but we hafta play them they way they’re scheduled. I’m interested to see how Missouri does against Kansas.
InDaAZ
- Eugene, Oregon
I don't know, it does give BU a chance to hold playing time over the team to see who will give him what he wants in practice.
After hearing his press conference, I think he might want to announce Sencire as a starter for next game and then demand the rest of them to work their way in if they want to join him.
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Having a team like this scheduled during finals week is probably strategically planned. Hopefully will be a confidence boosting game after today and a week with the coaches.
According to some in the post game thread, we should feel better that this one is a 3 pm tip, but still nervous that it’s not a 7 pm tip. Perhaps we will play 50% better than today, but 50% worse than normal based on the start time.
Now I’m nervous and optimistic.
Now I’m nervous and optimistic.
Well if we drop this one...
It's finals week for the guys, I would be willing to bet if you go back 10 years or more that during finals week that we always have a "gimme"
Last season it was the game against St. Francis (PA). Illini won 106-48. That was coming off the home loss to Arizona the previous week.
With tomorrow appearance in the AP poll we will be one week behind Michigan State on the All-time AP votes list. Currently we have 488 weekly votes, to Michigan State's 490. Michigan State is very unlikely to make it. Hopefully in next week's poll we will be tied for 10th all-time.
Total AP Men's BB Poll Appearances Summary | College Poll Archive
I am going to the game Saturday. The last game I went to was St Francis (PA) so I expect similar results.
redwingillini11
White and Sixth
- North Aurora
Can't believe we have to wait a whole week to get this bad taste out of our mouths. Have to imagine this is going to be the most painful week of practice these guys have ever seen.
MustangWally
- Mayfield
I think they're taking finals this week. Not a lot of practice time.
There is still going to be a good amount of practice time haha
It will be interesting to see what Underwood's demands of effort and leadership show on both ends of the floor. It was easy to see the defensive effort lacked against PSU. But will the struggle on the offensive end be addressed. Scoring 59 against a team that lacked size shows that the two big starters along with RJ and TSJ don't seem to know or have the skills to score in the paint. Dainja can do that, but then smart coaches resort to "Hack-a-Dain" whenever he gets the ball which is exactly what I would do...without purporting to be smart. No need to double of perimeter shooters if they don't try to score at the rim which was not attempted much against PSU. Not sure if playing Alabama A & M will be a good measuring stick, but what we see against Mizzou should say a lot about what this team wants to be.
That problem to solve, along with where these guys want to establish their ceiling, will make the next couple of games very interesting. Before the season started, I addressed the challenge faced by BU in figuring out the blend of talent and rotation fits to make this group successful as a team. Fortunately, we have learned that the bench can provide scoring and defense, but other than Epps, are a weakness at the FT line. Those problems are beginning to show as opposing coaches address them. What will be telling is how and how often this team goes to the paint with the starters and if they can score inside....while getting the talented/hard working frosh to double their FT % at the least. I fully expect a good response to BU's demand for leadership and effort.
That problem to solve, along with where these guys want to establish their ceiling, will make the next couple of games very interesting. Before the season started, I addressed the challenge faced by BU in figuring out the blend of talent and rotation fits to make this group successful as a team. Fortunately, we have learned that the bench can provide scoring and defense, but other than Epps, are a weakness at the FT line. Those problems are beginning to show as opposing coaches address them. What will be telling is how and how often this team goes to the paint with the starters and if they can score inside....while getting the talented/hard working frosh to double their FT % at the least. I fully expect a good response to BU's demand for leadership and effort.
JFGsCoffeeMug
BU:1 Trash cans:0
- Chicago
We've got dawgs up and down our roster. Some will answer BU's challenge on their own. Others will respond when he pushes them this week.
And those who can do neither will be getting acquainted with the bench for the time being.
And those who can do neither will be getting acquainted with the bench for the time being.
Ransom Stoddard
Ordained Dudeist Priest
- Bloomington, IL
Beating Alabama A&M by 100 won't eliminate the bad taste from the PSU game. It will be entertaining for sure, but the only way to get that stink off is to consistenly beat up on the top 4 times in the conference.
I guess finals week is always like this, but I've never been more excited for us to play an Alabama A&M type team. This is brutal after an underwhelming performance.
Kansas jumped all over Missouri the other night. It wasn't even close the entire game.
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