Pregame: Illinois vs Missouri, Sunday, December 22nd, 12:00pm CT, ESPN

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#102      
bleedorange and blue
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#103      
Gordon Shumway
IlliniFan42 said:
The organizers really love 12/22. It's been held on this date for four years straight (including this year).
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They have to work around the St Louis Blues home schedule, and concerts like Justin Timberlake on 12/19. Plus keep it the week of Christmas, and preferably on a weekend.
 
#104      
PepeSilvia
I mean we just lost at home in a game where we got a pretty favorable whistle.

It will be a neutral site and if the refs allow for a more physical game it could change things.
 
#105      
Gregjacksonfan
I watched the Mizzou game against KU and they are pretty damn good. They always get up for us. For some reason this series seems to go on runs like one team will win 4 or 5 in a row. Lets hope we get on one of those runs.
 
#110      
RML
RollChief said:
What's interesting to me is that on 12/18/2023, our KenPom adjusted offensive and defensive efficiency ratings were 28th and 13th, respectively. I chose December 18th as a reference because it was post- Tennessee & Colgate and pre-Missouri. Our overall ranking was 14th in KenPom then. Our AP rank was 13th. Bragging Rights last year was the final game with TSJ before the controversy.

Through January and into February, our offensive efficiency began to climb in the rankings while defensive took a back seat (and Illinois inevitability ended the season ranked 80th defensive efficiency, ranked 3rd offensively).

Today, on 12/17/2024, our adjusted offensive and defensive efficiency ratings on KenPom are 29th and 11th, respectively.

I'm not sure what the significance of this is but it's interesting to consider what schematic changes were made around this time last year and going into the new year. My guess is that this is the point where offensive roles and chemistry became more established/matured, so we leaned on it more to win games vs. grinding out teams defensively. One obvious example of maturing offensively and role establishment through the season is Domask, who around the turn of the new year, really hit his stride from 3 (see green line on the graph below, showing his 5-game moving average from 3 compared to from 2 and overall) while also finding success with booty ball.

View attachment 38041

Is it crazy to say we'll see the same as players like KJ, Kylan, Tre White, Tomi, etc. come to accept and commit to their responsibility towards "the winning formula"?
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Very interesting! But iirc, Brad switched over to booty ball midstream last year, after another coach suggested it to him. In other words, it wasn't just letting the team develop on its existing track, but changing the track. I'm not sure that we'll be changing track this year, so we'll have to wait and see.
 
#111      
Fighter of the Nightman
SkyysNotFalling said:
This may end up as a quad 1 win by seasons end. 3 potential quad 1’s before the new year ain’t too shabby. This’ll be a tough game imo, close to a coin flip.
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I agree with everything, but I’ll say this … if our guys come ready to play and with the necessary intensity for the rivalry, we are the more talented and well-coached team, and we will win, as we should. The wild card is, of course, that (A) anything can happen in this game and (B) we have so many new guys that you never know how we’ll react to the atmosphere.

I think the vast majority of Illini and Mizzou fans expect a war, and I think that’s what we’ll get.
 
#113      
PasadenaIllini
skyIdub said:
Young team with no vets to explain how real this rivalry is.


They about to FAAFO. Coaches better get the message through.
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I sure freaking hope not. We've been doing that way too much recently, both on the sideline and on the court at the end of games. At the end of the day, it's a basketball game. Play well, make sensible coaching decisions, and we should win this.
 
#116      
Fighter of the Nightman
Tickets sold update:

Friday 12/13
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Monday 12/16
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WEDNESDAY 12/18
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So, all of those blue seats on the Illini side upper deck have now sold out. Still a few rows of corner upper deck seats available, but the Illini side will certainly look very full. As for the Mizzou side, there has been progress in selling those blue seats, but it has been slow. Either way, I think it is a safe bet that Illini fans will outnumber Mizzou fans. However, in this 50/50 crowd setup, that will not really matter ... there will be cheers every single play, and that atmosphere is truly unique. Hope the guys are ready for it!
 
#117      
Fighter of the Nightman
skyIdub said:
Young team with no vets to explain how real this rivalry is.


They about to FAAFO. Coaches better get the message through.
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I just kind of thought of this, but it might be good they have already played at Northwestern ... about as close of a preview as you could get for this game, with it being in a "friendly" metro area and with a split crowd. However, Braggin' Rights is still just a different beast ... a lot more inherent animosity than the NU rivalry (at least IMO), and the truly split nature of the crowd right down the middle plus the pre-Christmas vibe gives it a buzz that is hard to describe if one has never been. I hope Brad and the staff don't try the whole "It's just another game!" routine. I have NEVER understood that tactic, haha. I hope he is drilling into these guys' heads just how much this event means to the fans in attendance and how they need to be jazzed up from the opening tip!
 
#119      
ptgrd23
MIssouri only played 1 road game (lost to Memphis) Did beat Kansas at home. I like our chances since we have already played Tennesse #1 Alabama #6 Arkansas #27 and Wisconsin #37

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#121      
Fighter of the Nightman
Wow, as far as my sentiment as a FAN goes, it is really sinking in just how much better I would feel after a win in this one ... I mean, the narrative going forward, again at least in my head, is just so starkly different. For reference, Mizzou is a Quad 1 opponent on a neutral floor right now.

Win: 8-3 (1-1). 3-3 in Quad 1 games, with two of those losses being in OT on the road and on a buzzer-beater to the #1-ranked team in the nation. Just beat our rival to feel good going into Christmas and Big Ten play.

Lose: 7-4 (1-1). Lost 3 out of our last 4, including letting THREE Quad 1 opportunities slip away. Games on the road vs. Oregon and Washington coming up and a potential to build too big of a hole of losses to recover from if things go south.

I agree with others that this is not necessarily a "must-win" game (at least to those who ever entertain Braggin' Rights as ANYTHING but a must-win!), but it could do a LOT to affect our momentum.
 
#122      
Brosky
I don't know if this is a "must win" game, but I'll put it this way: We really need this one.
 
#123      
jamie13197
The Big18/ big10 is at least 14 deep strong teams. If we do not step up, we will be in trouble. I am excited about where our defense is headed. It's about Brad's culture. Toughness, pit bull mentality, and cohesiveness. If those don't happen all together. We'll be in trouble.
I do feel Coach deserves the respect that he will get our men there!.
I L L
 
#124      
jamie13197
My biggest fear with Mizzou is not them. It's our current roster doesn't know how important this means to Illini nation. I hope the staff is showing film of the rivalry and the smack down toughness this game is about. At least to former players and fans.
 
#125      
Vinegarben
Hate to be a Debbie downer but I don't think the Illini will show up mentally or physically against Mizzou. A week off never turns out well for them. They forget how to play. Mizzou 85 Illini 71
 
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