I wouldnt unless its Purdue. I want no part of Ohio State in the final four. Playing them a fourth time is scary.I would LOVE an all B1G final four. THAT would be impressive.
I wouldnt unless its Purdue. I want no part of Ohio State in the final four. Playing them a fourth time is scary.I would LOVE an all B1G final four. THAT would be impressive.
Almost, Jay, Almost.Jay Bilas Final 4 picks
No. 1 Gonzaga over No. 2 Alabama
No. 1 Illinois over No. 1 Baylor
No. 1 Gonzaga over No. 1 Illinois
Hopefully the NCAA doesn't assume we had to pay extra for this and start sniffing around.I was just about to post this. Great for the team and great for the university. A Jamaican Cockburn and Georgian via Vienna Bezhanishvili, Puerto Rican Curbelo and the son of Nigeran immigrants Ayo.
There was a time when it was all about getting player from the CPL.
If you walk around campus, particularly engineering side, a lot of faces from all over the world. That diversity is reflected on the basketball team and is part of our strength.
what was the name of the little drug store / diner on the corner of Wright / Green , just west of Alma Mater ? that was a step back in timeThere was a McBride's Rexall Drug Store at one time. Think it was located in downtown Urbana.
Know exactly what you're talking about, but can't remember its name.what was the name of the little drug store / diner on the corner of Wright / Green , just west of Alma Mater ? that was a step back in time
same venues but will likely be at one of the other two spots in town. I suppose Mackey & IUAssHall are game as wellare second round matchup locations posted anywhere?
This had to be one of the easiest articles to write ever. Tons of quote, little commentary, but likely better that way. (No offense meant to the author, just how much Kofi and Giorgi's Zoom call wrote it for him, and the writer was wise enough to let it happen).great article in today’s Washington Post about Giorgi, Kofi and the Illini’s culture
Don’t worry, i will send to Wally Szczerbiak.
This will be the biggest issue for the Illini. I can see Kofi getting called for ticky tack fouls (even offensive fouls for bodying up guys in the post), and Giorgi fouls consistently when he is in the game just about every game. Even though B1G refs can be atrocious, they often let the guys play. Refs who don't see B1G teams might not be prepared for how physical our games are. This, and the physical grind of the season wearing down players, is why I don't think the B1G wins more NCAA championships than they do. Hope I am wrong and the refs instead call all the fouls that other players commit against Kofi. May be a race to see whose bigs foul out first.Will the officials let B1G teams play B1G defense, or will they call it close?
I really believe "IF" the refs stay consistent, our guys can adjust. We can be a finesse team and we can also do well in a brawl. Just stay consistent and call it even, and we will have no problems. (not to mention, we are deeper than most teams, if both teams lose there alpha and beta, I will take our gamma, delta, epsilon, etc, VS. any other team in the country!)This will be the biggest issue for the Illini. I can see Kofi getting called for ticky tack fouls (even offensive fouls for bodying up guys in the post), and Giorgi fouls consistently when he is in the game just about every game. Even though B1G refs can be atrocious, they often let the guys play. Refs who don't see B1G teams might not be prepared for how physical our games are. This, and the physical grind of the season wearing down players, is why I don't think the B1G wins more NCAA championships than they do. Hope I am wrong and the refs instead call all the fouls that other players commit against Kofi. May be a race to see whose bigs foul out first.
I would focus on enjoying each game. Don’t worry about possibly 3-4 games down the road.Ok, I need some talking down. I am starting to overhype myself into Illinois going to Final Four or national champions and nothing less. I realize that, realistically, not getting there is MUCH more likely than getting there. However after seeing this team and following so devoutly for a whole season, my heart can't take anything less than another FF appearance. Beginning of February if you asked me, I would have been thrilled with a sweet 16 APPEARANCE. Now all the media and hypesters have me expecting... too much?
So please, someone slap me in the face with some reality. Could we lose to a lock-down Loyola? Will Cade Cunningham burst 80% of america's brackets as they beat us in the S16? Do we lay an egg against a WVU or Houston if we get that far?
In my mind the team will not be overly physical. Within the limits. I think/hope the team was physical when calls were going for them (always fouling Kofi) so that lead to more physical play. As long as the refs call it fair, like another post mentioned, should be fine. The team has great body control.This will be the biggest issue for the Illini. I can see Kofi getting called for ticky tack fouls (even offensive fouls for bodying up guys in the post), and Giorgi fouls consistently when he is in the game just about every game. Even though B1G refs can be atrocious, they often let the guys play. Refs who don't see B1G teams might not be prepared for how physical our games are. This, and the physical grind of the season wearing down players, is why I don't think the B1G wins more NCAA championships than they do. Hope I am wrong and the refs instead call all the fouls that other players commit against Kofi. May be a race to see whose bigs foul out first.
So, did I see this correctly? The last 2 tournaments, 5 teams were placed 8 positions or more higher than expected. All 5 lost in the first round. This years teams placed 8 or higher than expected are W Virginia and Ok St.
same venues but will likely be at one of the other two spots in town. I suppose Mackey & IUAssHall are game as well
THIS. The biggest problem with B1G officiating was inconsistency, not only from game to game, but many times from half to half or even play to play,I really believe "IF" the refs stay consistent, our guys can adjust. We can be a finesse team and we can also do well in a brawl. Just stay consistent and call it even, and we will have no problems. (not to mention, we are deeper than most teams, if both teams lose there alpha and beta, I will take our gamma, delta, epsilon, etc, VS. any other team in the country!)
Actually, if you match up Gonzaga vs Illinois in the final there, Gonzaga has a 58% of winning and Illinois 42%.Fivethirtyeight odds
They've got Gonzaga with a 27% chance of winning it all, Illini at 15%
ETA: I think this is because the Zags have an easier path, not because they're a better team. I think it's a pickem between the 2 of us.
Sorry, I meant my personal opinion is a Zags/Illini matchup is a pickem. Timme is great, but he can't play the whole game and none of their other big guys are ready. Other than Timme in the paint, the Zags rely on a lot of transition offense and 3s and I think we can defend both well. I don't think they can defend Kofi very well, but they can deny the entry passes. I'd love to see the matchup, tbh.
I'm guessing major fatigue played a part in those two TO'sI feel like we are the team of destiny this season especially with the way we have played of late. A couple moments stand out from the B10 tourney championship game:
In overtime, OSU had two critical turnovers where they simply shot themselves in the foot. Liddell losing the ball on the drive without anyone touching it and Sueing throwing the ball away when he had a pretty clear passing lane. Granted, in both these situations we had the lead but we are getting breaks in moments like this where previously we never would.
I would love to see that matchup as well. Would mean we are in the finals. And I think we can beat the Zags. Heck, we almost beat them two years ago with a freshman Ayo and no Kofi.Sorry, I meant my personal opinion is a Zags/Illini matchup is a pickem. Timme is great, but he can't play the whole game and none of their other big guys are ready. Other than Timme in the paint, the Zags rely on a lot of transition offense and 3s and I think we can defend both well. I don't think they can defend Kofi very well, but they can deny the entry passes. I'd love to see the matchup, tbh.
Has Kofi fouled out of a single game this year?This will be the biggest issue for the Illini. I can see Kofi getting called for ticky tack fouls (even offensive fouls for bodying up guys in the post), and Giorgi fouls consistently when he is in the game just about every game. Even though B1G refs can be atrocious, they often let the guys play. Refs who don't see B1G teams might not be prepared for how physical our games are. This, and the physical grind of the season wearing down players, is why I don't think the B1G wins more NCAA championships than they do. Hope I am wrong and the refs instead call all the fouls that other players commit against Kofi. May be a race to see whose bigs foul out first.
I hope Coach Gentry might be able to help us if we play them as he worked for Mark Few at Gonzaga during the '17-'18 and '18-'19 seasons and played for him for 4 seasons there before that.I would love to see that matchup as well. Would mean we are in the finals. And I think we can beat the Zags. Heck, we almost beat them two years ago with a freshman Ayo and no Kofi.
And I think it is safe to say that we have improved a lot more than they have since then.
I don't think you can say that. They've added 2 potential first round draft picks including a lottery pick since then.I would love to see that matchup as well. Would mean we are in the finals. And I think we can beat the Zags. Heck, we almost beat them two years ago with a freshman Ayo and no Kofi.
And I think it is safe to say that we have improved a lot more than they have since then.