Just reflecting on this season since I can't concentrate on work (Imagine I'm not the alone). Want to express my gratitude for this coach, this team, this A.D. and this opportunity for the program. We've had a lot of amazing players and personalities over the years (Trent, Da'monte, Feliz, Georgi are just a few of my recent favorites) but I can't recall the last time I enjoyed an entire team as much as this one on and off the court. Everyone from TSJ to DGL appear to listen, learn and grow from coaches, without ego getting in the way. Beyond their on-court success is their resilience to adversity, their palpable connection and support of one another, and their ability to bring JOY to one another and the court, which has lifted an entire fanbase from relative apathy and disappointment to fully buying in. I just love this team and will be sad to see the season end, regardless of the outcome of this tourney. THANK YOU, Coach Underwood and all those who helped to make this season one to cherish & remember! Now go beat ISU! I-L-L
Pregame: Illinois vs Iowa State, 9:09pm CT, TBS
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Of all the HORRIBLE start times! I have to make a run to St. Louis from Champaign at 21:00 tonight!
I guess it’s radio.
Don't stress too much. The Illini will be playing an even more important game in a couple days and you'll be right there to see it.
By the way... that's a LONG way to do a run. Take plenty of liquids and energy bars. And of course... your radio.
I haven't changed my lucky underwear since we won the BTT and won't stop now! 11 more days and these will be really cardboard like.
Unsure if cardboard is correct metaphor here
Simple math for the outcome.
Start at a 15 point win. Subtract 1 point for each Illini turnover. For example: 12 turnovers = 3 point Illini win. 16 turnovers = 1 point Illini loss.
I think we have 14 turnovers. TSJ hits 2 FTs in the last 10 seconds to seal the one point victory. They miss a heave at the buzzer.
Illini: 72
Iowa St: 71
An ELITE team headed to the Elite 8!
Start at a 15 point win. Subtract 1 point for each Illini turnover. For example: 12 turnovers = 3 point Illini win. 16 turnovers = 1 point Illini loss.
I think we have 14 turnovers. TSJ hits 2 FTs in the last 10 seconds to seal the one point victory. They miss a heave at the buzzer.
Illini: 72
Iowa St: 71
An ELITE team headed to the Elite 8!
ILLYou have me beat in total wins, but I will raise you one with winning percentage!I bought a new coverup to wear in Iowa City when we attended that game (plus to increase my arsenal of work-appropriate Illini apparel!), and with the way we played ... I figured I had to wear it again for the BTT. Long story short, we are now 6-0 when I've worn it! It is washed and ready to go.
72-71 eh? Aligns with the computer prediction from oddsshark.com
Attachments
Haha. Never gambled. Never will. And never check this stuff. Just not my thing but to each his own.
Not sure my heart can stand this, until that last heave falls short. I'm already pinging!
Retro62
- North Bethesda, Maryland
Trust in medicationsDo you guys get as anxious/nervous about this as I do? I'm only 44 y/o but I feel like once I get older I'm going to have to stop following my sports teams to safeguard my (heart) health.
When the game starts it intensifies 10000000000x lol
SuperMetroid
- Evanston
I spent that entire day at Joe’s. Watched Shingo Takatsu (!) save the first win of what would become a wire-to-wire White Sox World Series winning season. The Golden Age of my sports fandom
danielb927
Orange Krush Class of 2013
- Rochester, MN
That's honestly not the worst way to go about a score projection - I like it. You could also include some other priors:
1. You can easily remove turnovers from our AdjO and their AdjD to give us an expected "non-TO" scoring of 1.333 ppp
> Their AdjD is 87.5 (pts/100p) - which includes 25.5% of possessions that are turnovers. This leaves (87.5 pts / 74.5 poss.) = 1.174 non-TO ppp
> Our AdjO is 126.8 (pts/100p) - of that, 15% are turnovers. This leaves (126.8 pts / 85 poss.) = 1.49 non-TO ppp.
2. The statistical expectation for Iowa State this game (based on our D and their O) would be 1.07 ppp
3. The tempo expectation for this game looks to be 69 possessions
Based on #1 and #3, our "turnover-free score" would be about 92.
Based on #2 and #3, their "expected score" is 76.
Using those numbers (hand-wavy, but fun), the formula would be this instead:
- Start with a 16-point win
- Subtract 4 points for every 3 turnovers
12 TOs would be the break-even point.
, limit turnovers. Play fast and to the rim as much as possible. Equal or win rebounding battle. Limit their 2nd and 3rd chances. Make free throws and break Cyclone up!
Do you remember? 1989 Flying Illini Sweet 16 win (Illini vs Louisville) on Good Friday and Elite 8 win sending us to the Final Four (Illini vs Syracuse) on Easter Sunday! Follow in the footsteps of greatness. Let'sF'nGO!!!
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Is it too early in the day to start F5-ing this site?
Today Maximus cries out from his grave, “Are you not entertained?” Regardless of the outcome tonight, I for one, say we have got our money’s worth this year. Brad and company have been true gladiators!
Best part of this team is that they've made Gritty no longer a #Doomer.
Welcome to the light side my guy
skyIdub
Winged Warrior
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
Ha, make no mistake, my natural pessimism still applies!
But I didn't even really care about the Arkansas game last year. I was sick of watching that team, just not really interested anymore. That's not me.
Today I am back to dying of stress and fearing the worst. We're back baby!
NO!!! You don't risk washing it with a streak like that in the balance.You have me beat in total wins, but I will raise you one with winning percentage!
texillwek
🔶🔹🔸🔷
Hating you from 34,527 feet.
Yes! Seriously, I have always thought Iowa State and USC have the ugliest Ronald McDonald school color combo.
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