frozenrope9190
- Aurora, IL
I want Maryland again. I want one more crack at shutting down Julian Reese before he graduates.
Pregame: Big Ten Tournament
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Same thing happened to me at MSG. Lost Iowa in the 12-13 in what was Kipper Nichols' best game. So few people there, my son and I sat with Andy Katz.
Iowa is quite a bit worse than last year and would easily be the preferred matchup of these teams.
OSU is about the same overall as 2024. 9-11 and 9th in the Big Ten last year and 9-11 and 10th in the Big Ten this year.
They are actually much closer to making the NCAA tourney this year despite a worse record, but they ended the Big Ten season on a hot streak last year and were a dangerous team heading into the BTT. It took some clutch plays late from Coleman to hold them off in the quarterfinals last year.
This year's Buckeyes did not look impressive at all against Nebraska or Indiana last week. Plus they had Jamison Battle last year who was a nightmare matchup for us. I'd feel pretty confident against either team, but OSU has enough talent that they would likely not be a pushover. Plus the Buckeyes are still playing for a bubble spot in the dance.
I'm a bigger picture guy. Being one of four teams nationally that has had 20 wins in season in six consecutive seasons......sign me up. The tournament is a crapshoot, much determined by draw and location.
Thanks, I need a new monitor! LOL
ginabackes00
CrazedUIFan
I would love to get a rematch with Maryland. If we have everyone healthy, I think the outcome will be different. We have to work on our defensive help d, defensive shows and throw a few doubles in the post. Offensively, we are showing vast improvement on sets, cutting, and hitting 3s. Riley's improvement and Tre's return to "healthy" has drastically changed the offense.
Can’t look pass Iowa or O$U both are good teams
When we win MD is a tough team there biggest weakness is depth. Get one or two of their starters in foul trouble you can take advantage of them
When we win MD is a tough team there biggest weakness is depth. Get one or two of their starters in foul trouble you can take advantage of them
I am looking to go to the game, any tips for a first timer going to the tourney. Thinking of buying individual tix off Stub hub, don't really want tix to sessions if Illini don't advance so I'll probably buy a session at a time. May have a place lined up to stay for the first night, but wonder best hotels in the area, best way to buy tickets, best places to eat, etc. Any advice welcome. Do tickets typically go down in price as tourney advances? Should I wait until closer to Thursday to buy?
Baloney, to d1959
sacraig
- The desert
I'm convinced that, when at full strength, we're the best team in the conference.
...and I don't think it's even all that close.
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sacraig
- The desert
Specifically to give the middle finger to [that team] in particular.
So that a top half (9th out of 18) finish gets a single bye.
I see us beating tOSU, getting hard fought revenge against the Terps, and losing to the Boilers in their backyard. 5 seed minimum, possible low 4 depending on how other teams do.
Agreed. Much rather be on side of MD and UM than Sparty and Wisky. I think the only team on our side of the bracket we don’t want to see is a Boiler rematch in hostile territory.
sacraig
- The desert
Pfft. Boilers. Lame. Let's beat the Boilers again and then get revenge against MSU.
Orangetool
Give me back my Afta, heh heh
I'm with you on this but would add hitting some, of course not all, open looks from three.
Perhaps in a typical year the top half would be NCAA tournament teams.
I don’t think they’re up yet. Stubhub and some of the other reseller sites should have them shortly. I usually go first available, but does anybody know the Illini section?
Congratulations on a great season then I guess. That’s not how winners are judged. Not hanging banners for it either. It’s an asterisk for a program that had a good run, that’s it.
NASchamp
- Atlanta
I agree. Maryland got us at a good time with only one big playing and they punked us. Then they got full of themselves with the “Crab 5” stuff. They deserve to know what we’re really about.
Nobody in the Big 10 is truly “scary.” Illinois at their best should win the whole thing.
The hardest test will be not having a night when we miss a lot of open shots.
Over the entire year the only team who really was able to limit our open shots was Tennessee who basically grabbed every cutter.
Keep making and taking open shots, keep scoring 80 or more and keep winning.
The only team who can stop us is ourself.
The hardest test will be not having a night when we miss a lot of open shots.
Over the entire year the only team who really was able to limit our open shots was Tennessee who basically grabbed every cutter.
Keep making and taking open shots, keep scoring 80 or more and keep winning.
The only team who can stop us is ourself.
If 3 pointers go in at average rate 31%, this team will beat any B1G team. If they go in just like they did at Oregon, they can beat any team in the nation.
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