Pregame: #12 Illinois vs #4 Purdue, Friday, March 11th, 1:30pm CT, ESPN

Gunner23 · Mar 10, 2016

illini8507 said:
They've got sand

And, contrary to several comments made over the past couple of weeks, this team has definitely not quit on it's coach. Could be a very positive detail that carries over to next season...and beyond...

Gunner23 · Mar 10, 2016

GameOfThrows said:
Our only shot at the post-season is winning this whole thing.

The odds of us winning 5 games in 5 days is slim no matter who we play. Goes down considerably if we have to face Indiana, Michigan St, Maryland or Wisconsin.

To win 5 games in 5 days, the bench needs to play more minutes than usual, the team needs to shoot well from deep (2 for 2 on that front) and the team has to dig deep and play over their heads. Not impossible, nor not likely.

Does Groce start playing the subs more in this game v. Purdue knowing that Hill, Nunn and JCL have to stay fresh for us to have a chance in the semi-finals should we beat Purdue? Or, does he go all out to beat Purdue, make the semi's thus salvaging the season somewhat. Making the semi's would be a good way to end the year and give them momentum going into next season.

I'm kind of blabbing, but thoughts?

The only thought that I have is that we won't have to face Wisconsin:thumb:

Hoppy2105 · Mar 10, 2016

I'm very satisfied with the last couple days. If we beat or at least compete with Purdont, I'll be happy with how the season ended compared to last year.

Now...I'm not happy with the season itself...but I can be happy that the guys haven't quit and there is something to build on.

westcoastillini · Mar 10, 2016

plenty of heart this year. sometimes hopelessly outmatched (e.g. IU, Maryland, MSU), but plenty of heart.

kinkys · Mar 11, 2016

Purdue by 20.......Go Illini!

Se Il Illini · Mar 11, 2016

Newman said:
You worry about one game at a time. Saving legs for the next day would and should only cross their minds if there's a complete blowout.

Exactly. You can only play one game at a time. Substitution patterns should be based on that game (Purdue) and not what might or might not happen the next day.

Se Il Illini · Mar 11, 2016

ILLtilIdie said:
I am huge fan of Groce, but this is one of the areas that absolutely drives me crazy. I don't know what he teaches against the press, but we get dangerously close to 10 seconds almost every time and today it really bit us in the butt. I can't stand seeing them throwing it from side to side instead of just pushing the ball up court.

With that being said, great win! JCL and Finke are going to be monsters when they are upperclassmen.

Illinois seemed to be very tentative against the press. I would speculate that Iowa's size was a factor. In my opinion they need to be more aggressive. During one possession in the last few minutes, Illinois broke the press and the ball was skipped to JCL at the free throw line. It appeared to me, he had a drive to the basket. However, he pulled it out. I understand that at this point in the game possession of the ball might be more important than a basket. A team still has to maintain a certain amount of aggressiveness on offense.

UofIChE06 · Mar 11, 2016

jrichisamazing said:
And that's why I think he was on the bench at the end of the game. When you have Nunn, JCL, Hill, Finke, and Morgan capable of making shots then you don't need your mediocre PG taking shots away from them. Tate understands that. Sometimes Lewis doesn't.

Yea but those guys don't get as good of looks when the defense doesn't even have to guard the PG. Iowa's run at the end of the game was as much about the stalling offense as anything, which can be largely attributed to Tate's play. You could see Iowa just sagging off of him and daring him to do something. He has not proved he is capable of doing that and I would argue he seems to be regressing instead of progressing like other players (ie JCL, DJW, MM)

Illinoiser33 · Mar 11, 2016

Purdue a very modest 7-6 away from their home (17-1). Different team on the road. Illini first two b2b wins in vs. BT this season, clearly playing they're best ball. Do they have the legs?

breadman · Mar 11, 2016

While watching the game last night it finally hit me as to what the deal is with Tate. He's shrinking. It's that simple.

whovous · Mar 11, 2016

I think we can keep it close until halftime, but suspect our legs give out in the second half. Then again, I told my wife Iowa would beat us by fifteen.

ivwilsoniv · Mar 11, 2016

If we win today, I think our coach's new nickname should be Amazing Groce.

zpfled · Mar 11, 2016

ivwilsoniv said:
If we win today, I think our coach's new nickname should be Amazing Groce.

How sweet the sound.

Greensboro · Mar 11, 2016

Just putting this out there, when we talk about the improbable Illini run from 11th seed to Championship game in 1999, same year Bradford set the freshman 3pt record. This year new freshman 3 pt record...coincidence? I think not.

hoosierlandillinifan · Mar 11, 2016

Greensboro said:
Just putting this out there, when we talk about the improbable Illini run from 11th seed to Championship game in 1999, same year Bradford set the freshman 3pt record. This year new freshman 3 pt record...coincidence? I think not.

So from what I hearing, it sounds like we're going to the Championship game!

BananaShampoo · Mar 11, 2016

kinkys said:
Purdue by 20.......Go Illini!

I tend to agree that we are going to get our butts kicked, mostly due to tired legs. Three games in three days isn't good for anyone, and that's why I don't like this BTT format. But still, I like the way this season will have ended much more than last. Besides, EVERY teams season ends with a loss except one, and at least we beat Iowa in one of our last games. :thumb:

CoalCity · Mar 11, 2016

BananaShampoo said:
I tend to agree that we are going to get our butts kicked, mostly due to tired legs. Three games in three days isn't good for anyone, and that's why I don't like this BTT format. But still, I like the way this season will have ended much more than last. Besides, EVERY teams season ends with a loss except one, and at least we beat Iowa in one of our last games. :thumb:

Agree. Especially like the way the kids are competing. They could have folded up the tent and gone home after Jok went off and brought Iowa back from the brink of a blowout but they didn't. They sucked it up and fought back. Good on them and good on JFG.

Got a pitcher of orange Kool-Ade ready to go for this afternoon. Do you believe in miracles?

:chief:

Adnarel · Mar 11, 2016

Took a field trip to the Purdue forums...

Illinois likes to spread the court out and drive-and-dish or drive and kick-out until they find an open man. Hill, Nunn, and Coleman-Lands are basically their "Big Three", with the jump-shooting bigs Morgan and Finke being their next scoring options.

Field trips to other forums are always amusing. I highly recommend.

Emphasis added because it made me smile.

OneTime3 · Mar 11, 2016

My crystal ball says we win today and lose a heart breaker vs. Indiana - only way to end the season for this team.

bobbob · Mar 11, 2016

EfremWinters84 said:
Based upon BTT history, we can easily go 3 games. Fatigue seems to set in during game 4 (historically the Championship game), and particularly in the 2nd half of that game.

Agree, I am not worried about our legs against Purdue.

The bigger issue will be if Purdue has any rust on them. That was constantly a problem in the old Big East - teams with double byes coming out sluggish and losing to a team that had a game or two to warm up and get used to the court.

deeforthree11 · Mar 11, 2016

Ready for game time! These boys are playing with heart and I sure hope it's enough to pull them through today. Hopefully Malcom can get a few more points for us today but I've definitely liked the balance the last few games.

Pregame: #12 Illinois vs #4 Purdue, Friday, March 11th, 1:30pm CT, ESPN

Captain 'Paign