I am not seeing a 10 point spread in this game. If both team shot well and limit turnovers I am thinking a very close game.
Pregame: Illinois at Duke, Tuesday, December 8th, 8:30pm CT, ESPN
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JFGsCoffeeMug
BU:1 Trash cans:0
- Chicago
Reading through the Duke board, it looks like they're really concerned about their turnovers and ability to rebound and initiate offense against us. This could be like the Baylor game, but reversed. If Duke doesn't have a steady PG, then the defensive intensity from our guards could make things really miserable on the offensive side for them. Forcing turnovers will also give us opportunities to run.
"JFGsCoffeeMug,
Reading through the Duke board, it looks like they're really concerned about their turnovers and ability to rebound and initiate offense against us. This could be like the Baylor game, but reversed. If Duke doesn't have a steady PG, then the defensive intensity from our guards could make things really miserable on the offensive side for them. Forcing turnovers will also give us opportunities to run.
If we can win the referee-Kofi matchup we should be fine.
Reading through the Duke board, it looks like they're really concerned about their turnovers and ability to rebound and initiate offense against us. This could be like the Baylor game, but reversed. If Duke doesn't have a steady PG, then the defensive intensity from our guards could make things really miserable on the offensive side for them. Forcing turnovers will also give us opportunities to run.
If we can win the referee-Kofi matchup we should be fine.
TheAngryBavarian
- Charleston/Collinsville
Torvik says Duke by 2, me thinks Illini by a similar margin.
DB11Headband
- Chicago Burbs
Duke doesn’t have a guard to control the game like we do. I think we’re the better team, and I don’t think it’s particularly close.
ILL 71
Puke 63
ILL 71
Puke 63
Wow. That is sumthin.
altenberger22
- South Carolina
We tend to do better when I come into these games with a pessimistic attitude. As such, I can come up with these reasons why we'll likely lose our second in a row:
* We have such little experience in the past 14 years playing in big moments like this --- on a national stage, on ESPN
* Baylor exposed the secret to slowing down Ayo; I now expect others to duplicate
* Kofi has been a slight disappointment so far. I was expecting him to thoroughly dominate our lessor opponents and perform very well against other AP Top 15 foes.
Duke 77
Illinois 68
As such, I'll just need to root even harder tonight at 9:30 eastern! Go ILLINI!!!!
* We have such little experience in the past 14 years playing in big moments like this --- on a national stage, on ESPN
* Baylor exposed the secret to slowing down Ayo; I now expect others to duplicate
* Kofi has been a slight disappointment so far. I was expecting him to thoroughly dominate our lessor opponents and perform very well against other AP Top 15 foes.
Duke 77
Illinois 68
As such, I'll just need to root even harder tonight at 9:30 eastern! Go ILLINI!!!!
Does that mean you disagree with ubermensch? Hmmmm, so much for great minds thinking alike.
Why are you so pessimistic? Would you be afraid of MSU like Duke? I'm jit. Baylor is likely the best team in the country right now and certainly elite. Our squad has had this game circled more than any other I think and I hope we see more from AC and AM. There is no crowd there and we have 2 guys that are preseason all Americans. This isnt a typical Duke team and if you take the names off the jerseys you would choose our team. I am. Illini 84 Duke 76
It's ok for him to be wrong occasionally
altenberger22
- South Carolina
We're not a turnover-generating squad any longer. Recall, we changed our defensive philosophy last year.
In fact, I just looked and we're last in the Big 10 in TO margin. In fact, we turn the ball over more than any team in the conference (15/game) and cause the fewest of any team in the league (10) ---- for a league worst minus 5/game!
In fact, I just looked and we're last in the Big 10 in TO margin. In fact, we turn the ball over more than any team in the conference (15/game) and cause the fewest of any team in the league (10) ---- for a league worst minus 5/game!
That's got to change with such great experience like Trent and Ayo
altenberger22
- South Carolina
If 3-4 games can be considered representative, our strengths so far are:
* Scoring
* Shooting
* Rebounding
* Defensive FG %
* Scoring
* Shooting
* Rebounding
* Defensive FG %
Newmark4thFloor
- Houstown
ILL 72 - Duke 68
Illinois 77 Iowa 72
Book it
Later in the year Duke might win but they are young and their D sucks. If Kofi doesn't get in foul trouble (and I realize that is a BIG if) Illinois won't lose. I'm that confident. Illinois basketball and football coaches over the past few years have complained about being younger than their competition. Both need to man up. That's no longer true. The Baylor game will help them. Duke is not as good as Baylor. Ayo should have a big game. He HAS to if he wants to impress NBA scouts after the Baylor debacle.
Book it
Later in the year Duke might win but they are young and their D sucks. If Kofi doesn't get in foul trouble (and I realize that is a BIG if) Illinois won't lose. I'm that confident. Illinois basketball and football coaches over the past few years have complained about being younger than their competition. Both need to man up. That's no longer true. The Baylor game will help them. Duke is not as good as Baylor. Ayo should have a big game. He HAS to if he wants to impress NBA scouts after the Baylor debacle.
skyIdub
Winged Warrior
I believe Duke has lost one non conference game at Cameron in the last 20 seasons counting this year. It was last season. My point being that part of Duke’s reputation as a great team comes from their home court advantage, which is obviously limited tonight due to covid.
Tonight is two very good teams. One will either play to a higher level of their potential, or make better adjustments. But the crowd won’t decide it, and that makes the refs less likely to decide it.
Feels like a coin flip and we’re getting three points, so I’m putting some dollars, along with my enthusiastic support, behind the Illini tonight.
Tonight is two very good teams. One will either play to a higher level of their potential, or make better adjustments. But the crowd won’t decide it, and that makes the refs less likely to decide it.
Feels like a coin flip and we’re getting three points, so I’m putting some dollars, along with my enthusiastic support, behind the Illini tonight.
skyIdub
Winged Warrior
We're gonna have to ask you to go ahead and...uhhh...just save that for later mmmmmk? That would be great. Thanks.
JJE
- Bethalto, IL
I don't know if I'm more anxious about this game or the Baylor game. The Baylor game had that feel of if we win awesome, but if not then that's ok.
This kind of feels like if we lose are we quite as good as we thought or a little overrated. Beating Duke at Cameron with or without fans would be amazing.
This kind of feels like if we lose are we quite as good as we thought or a little overrated. Beating Duke at Cameron with or without fans would be amazing.
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