ginabackes00
CrazedUIFan
Excited to see the hi-lo with Rez and Tomi!
Pregame: Big Ten Tournament
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OrangeBlue98
Iowa is not in a great spot right now (LvilleILL1)
- Des Moines, IA
While I disagree with you on the second part of your statement (let's see what happens with a healthier team and if we are playing more like we've played since the Iowa game), I do agree with you on the first part. One win likely locks up a 6 seed, and I'm all good with that as well. Anything after a win Thursday is gravy and more opportunities for the team to play together with all of the pieces more or less in place heading into the tournament.
I continue to feel like this year's post-season is all about Illinois playing well and the matchups with the opponent. There is only one team in the field that I don't feel like Illinois has at least a reasonable chance to win if they are playing well - that's Duke. Anyone else in the bracket is a game Illinois can win if they play well.
High Rez....Low T? Nah never mind.
Doubt it. I wouldn't change a thing with the starting lineup that has been good the last 3 games.
So has our talent.
Can someone please explain to me how we lost to the 11, 13, 14 seeds and one of the didn’t make the tournament teams? I understand the illnesses and injuries. Years of disappointments counter-balanced by years of euphoric success has taught me to be prepared for and not be surprised by anything.
Agree. Starting lineup is working well, so no need to put too much on his plate.
Ben has actually been amazing battling Goldin and TKR the last 2 games. Certainly given up some points but has more than held his own. But even with Ben playing so well we are clearly a big short without Morez.
I anticipate Morez will play 15-20 minutes off the bench in the BTT. I’m hoping that keeps Tomi a little fresher. It’s asking a lot for any big to play 30+ minutes and I still think Tomi is getting his conditioning back.
They scored more points than we did in each of those respective games.
OrangeBlue98
Iowa is not in a great spot right now (LvilleILL1)
- Des Moines, IA
We were injured, ill, not playing well, having poor lineup rotations, shooting too many 3s, and not making any adjustments on our ball screen coverage.
I hope that doesn't come across as a smart-aleck answer, because I'm not trying to be glib. That's just what reality was during those games.
altgeld88
- Arlington, Virginia
IMO it simply no longer matters. That was decades ago in relative terms.
We are where are now, not late Jan/mid-Feb. And where we are now is very encouraging.
As Mr. Rourke would exhort his employees as the incoming guests arrived on Fantasy Island: "Smiles, everyone! Smiles!"
This team is as close to 100% as it has been in a couple of months, especially if Morez can provide 15-20 minutes. That said, it still is capable of that 3-for-30 game from beyond the arc, though less likely if they continue to attack from the inside-out. I am most encouraged by the fact that Riley has grown into a reliable scoring threat who is playing better defense, Boswell is playing his best basketball in an Illini uniform and KJ seems to be on the upswing. I think those things make the Illini even more dangerous than they were before Tomi's grueling illness/injury journey.
We need to remind ourselves we had a complete roster turnover that is counting on 4 freshman (including Tomi as a freshman) new to college basketball, one player who has never played high major in his college career, two talented, but inconsistent veterans (White and Boswell) looking for a new home to reach their potential. Throw all of that together and give them a couple of months to practice, means you are going to get wild ups and downs - we all said this coming into the season - this is so new for so many players, we knew we had the talent, but we weren't sure how players will settle into their roles.
Throw in the illnesses and injuries and not being able to have everyone healthy for games or practices over the last 2 months and what you got was very predictable - a mess. I usually get really upset when we don't play our best, but frankly I think we have to expect this team will have nights like that. It's really hard as a fan, but I'm going into this post season with no expectations - I'm going to enjoy watching this team play and seeing what we can do, no matter how bad or how good.
skyIdub
"I can't tell you. Secret."
Good to have Morez back! If we win Friday, Saturday should be fun. If we play like we did against Michigan, I love our chances. The team should be fired up for that one. If we win that one, well, that would be a good get. It was painful watching the Duke game. Ever since then, we have had moments but it's almost like a different team out there.
ptgrd23
- orange county CA
@ Northwestern OT we shot 26% from 3 and had no rebounding advantage
USC we took 32 3 pointers and only hit 22%. We had 15 turnovers.
@ Nebraska OT we got outrebounded by 16 and shot 25% from 3
@ Rutgers shot 21% from 3 and had 13 turnovers no rebounding advantage
Last year we had a much higher floor with Marcus, Coleman, Quincy, Dain and TSJ (when eligible) and no injuries or flu.
This year we have a higher ceiling - KJ needs to play like lottery pick, Will has really stepped up, Morez will be back, Tre has been hot cold. KB has steadily improved. Tomas needs to get his 3 point shot back.
The new 'Indinia'.
OrangeBlue98
Iowa is not in a great spot right now (LvilleILL1)
- Des Moines, IA
Isn’t that a new software startup? 
In other takeaways. 10 is such a clean number, who was the last Illini to wear 10 that was any good?
Always a bit surprised 10 isn't more popular in basketball.
Andres Feliz was pretty good.
DevILLDawg
- Meredosia, Illinois
Ohio State sitting at 36 in NET....a blowout win against Iowa neutral court could push them to high 20s..chance to regain a Quad 1
However, if we beat them bad Thursday it could go away again.
However, if we beat them bad Thursday it could go away again.
OrangeBlue98
Iowa is not in a great spot right now (LvilleILL1)
- Des Moines, IA
I realize he wasn't great, but Goode wore 10.
I've always thought 10 and 13 were very underutilized numbers. Of course, my family has a tradition of wearing 13 in our various sports. My brothers wore 13 in basketball. My youngest brother wore 13 in baseball, now my son wears 13 in soccer and wore it in basketball when he played.
That’s an interesting hypothetical. We could actually hurt our net ranking if we beat Ohio State by too many points? Seems kind of counterintuitive.
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