Pregame: Illinois vs Iowa State, Thursday, March 28th, 9:09pm CT, TBS

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#152      

cs04

cs04
cs04
If Ty starts making threes it’s definitely a sign from some higher power
 
#157      

Calvin

C
Calvin
KingWolf11 said:
We are witnessing the best player to ever wear this uniform cherish it.
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Amen -really special to watch. I know it only takes an off game or an opponent getting hot to end it, so really trying to savor how well they've played between the conference tournament and these two dominant performances. Kenpom 1-15 are still alive today (except Auburn), so only top shelf teams from here out.
 
#159      

Illiniguy13

Illiniguy13
Illiniguy13
The Cyclones have a penchant to start games cold offensively, much like what happened against Washington State…then they eventually start hitting shots and gain momentum. Their defense keeps them in every game. Definitely don’t think they wanna be playing catch up with us, though. Per usual, bringing the fight from the tip is key.
 
#161      

cyclone

C
cyclone
Long time Cyclone fan here ready to engage in banter before the next tournament game. It’s a game with about as big of contrast in styles as you’ll see. There are not many teams we’ve played that present the offensive explosiveness as your team and there aren’t many teams you’ve played that will present the defensive challenges for the Illini. The interesting part is it’s hard to replicate that in practice either way.

if it’s a shootout you’ll win by 10 or more. If the game is in the upper 60’s to low 70’s then I like our chances. i started paying close attention to your team at the start of the Big 10 tourney. You beat a Wisconsin team that at the time was playing really well. That’s what I noticed.

Big 10 champs vs Big 12 champs. O vs D. Classic matchup. On a neutral floor I would give the odds that the winner of this game to be in the Final Four. But UCONN has a home court advantage and that will be another challenge two days after we play.

Looking forward to back and forth discussion. Gonna be a game for the ages I feel.
 
#164      

GrayGhost77

GrayGhost77
Centennial, CO
GrayGhost77
cyclone said:
Long time Cyclone fan here ready to engage in banter before the next tournament game. It’s a game with about as big of contrast in styles as you’ll see. There are not many teams we’ve played that present the offensive explosiveness as your team and there aren’t many teams you’ve played that will present the defensive challenges for the Illini. The interesting part is it’s hard to replicate that in practice either way.

if it’s a shootout you’ll win by 10 or more. If the game is in the upper 60’s to low 70’s then I like our chances. i started paying close attention to your team at the start of the Big 10 tourney. You beat a Wisconsin team that at the time was playing really well. That’s what I noticed.

Big 10 champs vs Big 12 champs. O vs D. Classic matchup. On a neutral floor I would give the odds that the winner of this game to be in the Final Four. But UCONN has a home court advantage and that will be another challenge two days after we play.

Looking forward to back and forth discussion. Gonna be a game for the ages I feel.
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My wife and pretty much all of her family were born and grew up 30 minutes from Ames, so big ISU fans, so I've liked Iowa State for a while and pay pretty close attention to how they're doing. Much better fans than Iowa fans. I'm still pissed you guys ended up with with Matt Campbell versus us with Beckman. Coulda been a very different story for us on the football side. The fact that our old AD could interview Beckman and think "That s is my guy" gives you an idea how awful he was. It's gonna be a heck of a battle on Thursday. If we lose I'll absolutely be rooting for Iowa St to go all the way.
 
#167      

OrangeBlue98

OrangeBlue98
Des Moines, IA
OrangeBlue98
The one thing that I feel could tip the scales in Illinois’ favor against a very good ISU defense is our ability and willingness to make an extra pass. Iowa State will trap and they will trap HARD. When they blew the doors off Houston, ISU trapped and rotated very well. You have to move the ball faster than their rotations.

If Illinois can do that, there will be some open shots. But it’s going to be a real chess match to see if ISU can keep Illinois off balance for where the doubles originate. In-game adjustments will be critical, because I think both teams will scout the other very well.
 
#168      

Ga65

G
Ga65
Probably have orange tint but I don’t see anyone that can stop TJ. DU was supposed to be great with on ball pressure. Guess you have to catch your man before you can pressure him. I am more afraid of a team that has a true rim protector than quick guards because you need both to beat us. Good defense stops good offense when it is three point shooting because you can always have an off nite. Not as many off nites shooting layups but it does happen. Don’t think this is a bad matchup.
 
#169      

IlliniHardwood

I
IlliniHardwood
SoIllini said:
Based on the responses on this thread, their fan base seems as passionate and knowledgeable as we do about our teams but these two posts made me laugh 😂


View attachment 32671View attachment 32672
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Iowa St by 18?

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#172      

Godard

Godard
Godard
DeonThomas said:
This year's field certainly is top-heavy. As of right now, we have all the 1-seeds, all the 2-seeds and three of the 3-seeds still remaining......plus two of the 4-seeds. Updated Vegas odds for the presumed Sweet 16 as of late Saturday evening and before Sunday's games:
  • Connecticut: +280
  • Houston: +550
  • Purdue: +700
  • Arizona: +1000

  • Tennessee: +1200
  • Iowa State: +1600
  • North Carolina: +1800
  • Marquette: +1800

  • Duke: + 2000
  • Creighton: +2500
  • Baylor: +3000
  • Illinois: +3000

  • Gonzaga: +3000
  • Alabama: +3500
  • San Diego State: +5000
  • NC State: +12000
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This is interesting. Top four are *not* #1 seeds, among them is Arizona who looks similar record-wise, as another poster put it, "if you squint." North Carolina treated as a distant #2 seed whereas actual #1 seeds have 5x the championships that #2 seeds have since 1985:

www.ncaa.com

Records for every seed in March Madness from 1985 to 2023

These are the all-time, round-by-round records for every seed in the March Madness men's tournament from 1985 (when the field expanded) to 2023.
www.ncaa.com www.ncaa.com

#3 seeds have 4 titles. #4 seeds have won the championship twice since 1985. #5 seeds have only made it to runner-up twice.

But if you play the stats, you are likely missing something. The relevant data missing, I suspect is UCONN's own win in 2011. That was a tournament where a single player, Kemba Walker, found another gear and elevated his team almost singlehandedly into a contender (as a #3 seed!). I'll leave the speculation open as to whether TSJ follows in his footsteps, but add that I like what I see so far.
 
#174      

pruman91

pruman91
Paducah, Ky
pruman91
I'm still savoring the win last night in the only way I can now at 72 years old and being an Illini fanatic for over 65 years.......I would describe my feelings this morning as the way Cohawk described his feelings in the post game presser.......I know I should be excited and I am but I feel there is another level we can attain........And i commend Cohawk on his mature answer in the presser....very well spoken and delivered in a way that didn't sound arrogant , but mature and resolved that we still have unfinished business .........

The memories of the az game in 2005 with the electric comeback win floated into my mind this morning and the goosebumps came back big time to me.....when i think about how special this season has been I then think that we have the chance to make this THAT SPECIAL SEASON WE ALL HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR.......A NATTY.......There i said it , but I am also grounded enough to remember the every day mentality of this years squad........

I will be in front of my TV with Brian B. and Deon's voices amping my Illini fanaticism to a level not felt since that 2005 season.......I have been misty eyed a lot this morning as a lot of our demons have been released by the win last night.......But we don't need to be satisfied with a sweet 16 and I admire Cohawk for stating what a lot of us feel today .......

let's keep this special season going all the way to the Final Four in that one game at a time focus that BU , staff and players have had all season long........we have had adversity thrown our way this season and overcame it so far........Just maintain the focus on the game at hand and play like we did last night.....a full 40 minutes of Illini BB that will thrill us to the next level......

I believe in this team ........................I really really do...................................

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