Yeah, that was wild. Thinking Illini are #19-21 when they tip off with Purdue tomorrow, #13-15 a week later if they can win both games this week.A live look in at the Top 25:
Pregame: Illinois vs Purdue, Monday, January 17th, 11:00am CT, FOX
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Opponent really doesn't matter, it's all about location with Rutgers at this point. If they hosted Duke, Baylor, and Gonzaga at this point they would probably go 2-1 or 3-0.
Ah okay, thanks for the clarification.
Well, I got crickets, so after searching, we only found the Tumble to be open that early
With the passion I see out of PODZ he has got to be a better option at the PG than DMW, PODZ can cover Trent's breathers
Decent chance, Bunny's off of Broadway in Urbana But Tumble Inn is a good spot also.
sacraig
- The desert
If we win both this week we have an outside shot at hitting top 10 again.
Chad Fleck
- Eureka, IL
By my memory, big jumps just don't happen that much in the AP poll at this point in the season. I just don't think the collective group of voters thinks this carefully about what happens week to week.
lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
Normally agree with you, but I believe Wisconsin had a 10 spot jump just this past week (from 23 to 13) after they beat Purdue and Maryland on the road.
NFL IS INSUGNIFICANT
DeonThomas
- South Carolina
So a run that's bigger/better/greater than the 11 out of 12 streak we're currently on, you say? Yeah, I could go for that!
DeonThomas
- South Carolina
You are correct re. Wisky.
Lots of losses near the bottom of the Top 25 this week. I'm thinking we settle at 18-19....which is still too low.
DeonThomas
- South Carolina
Still too green for the big moments. (But I do love the guy!)
Tacomallini
- Washington State
Tumble inn, stumble out. Uber to the game. Coach's orders. Probably.
Just quickly reviewed Wisconsin and Rutgers wins over Purdue... came down to defense.
BOTTOM LINE:
Both winners held purd to ~41 fg%
For Wiscy, Johnny D. enabled win with 37, despite avg overall wiscy shooting...45%.
Rutgers shot over 50% and had 7/14 from 3p.
Both winners lost rebound battle...
Rutgers 22-30 TReb,
Wiscy 32-34 TReb
Great D should get us win tomorrow.
BOTTOM LINE:
Both winners held purd to ~41 fg%
For Wiscy, Johnny D. enabled win with 37, despite avg overall wiscy shooting...45%.
Rutgers shot over 50% and had 7/14 from 3p.
Both winners lost rebound battle...
Rutgers 22-30 TReb,
Wiscy 32-34 TReb
Great D should get us win tomorrow.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
Updated standings as Purdue comes to town:
1. Illinois: 6-0
2. Wisconsin: 5-1
2. Michigan State: 5-1
3. Ohio State: 5-2
4. Purdue: 3-2
4. Rutgers: 3-2
Top 4 conference games this week besides ours:
Wisconsin: at Northwestern, vs. Michigan State
Michigan State: at Wisconsin
Ohio State: vs. Nebraska
We also of course play at Maryland on Friday. Huge week! Beating Purdue, as another poster said previously, really does kind of "bury" them in the standings a full three games back. Wisconsin has two winnable games this week, and even if they lose to MSU, it's MSU who would jump right back into first if we lost to PU. Needless to say, and has been said repeatedly, this is just such a huge game.
Don't want to be melodramatic, but from a Tournament resume, perception/respect AND conference championship perspective, tomorrow is a season-defining game. Hope the guys come out fired up, and so does the crowd!
1. Illinois: 6-0
2. Wisconsin: 5-1
2. Michigan State: 5-1
3. Ohio State: 5-2
4. Purdue: 3-2
4. Rutgers: 3-2
Top 4 conference games this week besides ours:
Wisconsin: at Northwestern, vs. Michigan State
Michigan State: at Wisconsin
Ohio State: vs. Nebraska
We also of course play at Maryland on Friday. Huge week! Beating Purdue, as another poster said previously, really does kind of "bury" them in the standings a full three games back. Wisconsin has two winnable games this week, and even if they lose to MSU, it's MSU who would jump right back into first if we lost to PU. Needless to say, and has been said repeatedly, this is just such a huge game.
Don't want to be melodramatic, but from a Tournament resume, perception/respect AND conference championship perspective, tomorrow is a season-defining game. Hope the guys come out fired up, and so does the crowd!
They didn’t have Baker for our game FWIW. That said, Harper has always been the issue for us and Coleman stuffed him in a locker.
I think it’s the reverse here: Trent guards and completely turns off Stevanovic’s water (I think he had that assignment last year in Champaign), Damonte on Ivey, Plummer on whomever is their third guard.
They are not a stellar defensive team, and unlike some of the teams that have bothered us, they do not have a ton of back court length in the starting lineup. I expect our guys to have better looks than they’ve had in a few games. (Maryland, Nebraska, and Michigan all had some long guards that bothered us.) I also expect Kofi to have some looks in transition because he’s a better athlete than Williams/Edey and can beat them to spots down the floor.
Kofi had 16 and 10 last year despite missing all six of his free throws, so it’s not like the two headed monster held him in check.
sacraig
- The desert
Well we are 25 now and won twice this week while half the rest of the top 25 lost, some of them twice. We will be in the teens as of Monday potentially. So if we win two next week, depending on what others do above us, there's certainly an outside shot.
Ivey is the only guy who really worries me matchup-wise, as he’s quicker than Damonte is used to guarding but bigger than Trent is used to guarding. His game reminds me a lot of Ayo’s. I think the point about lack of perimeter length is the biggest pro for us, as those have been the teams that have given us real fits. Purdue looks a lot like us — smaller guards who can shoot + enormous size / efficiency in the post. The difference is Ivey for Purdue and that we can be a SIGNIFICANTLY better team defensively. Makes for a very intriguing matchup and one where either team is unlikely to survive an abysmal shooting night. Shots need to fall tomorrow (and if you ask me, we’re due for a couple threes going down).
On their weak D.... BU mentioned he sees they have upped their D intensity recently, reference Nebraska.
I agree on Kofi, with right gameplan, Kofi can "eat" against purdue.
With Kofi against Edey....Maybe a good opportunity for high pick and roll approach.
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