Pregame: Illinois at Michigan State, Saturday, February 10th, 1:00pm CT, CBS
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We have a more talented and deeper team than Mugger State this year. The only reason it was close in Champaign, was the refs were letting the Spartans maul us. Hopefully we have an officiating crew that calls it more evenly and fairly. (I'm not holding my breath.... )
I don't.
Also there was a pretty important player not in the Illinois lineup for that game, who happens to be back now.
We've had some impressive wins over Michigan State the past three seasons even with key players out. Beat them at home 56-55 without Kofi in 2022 and the win without TSJ last month.
I picked these as losses too. Before the year started, I figured we would go about 14-6 in conference with a good 23-24 wins before selection Sunday. Hopefully we make a run to the BTT title game and that sets us up for a 3-4 seed in the tourney. Purdue is going to win the conference. They are to good and have the upper hand at this point. It's there's to lose.
I'd agree with your officiating perspective most years, but I think that we can hold our own in a brawl this year. Let 'em play, I say.
It’s time to win at College Park.
I believe this is the only B1G arena where Brad hasn’t yet won.
We were there several years ago when Maryland was #3, Illinois led by 15 at the half, and lost by a last second three pointer. And we had taken our Terp son-in-law.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
When you consider we don't play at every location each year and that last year was so disappointing, it's crazy that in the last 2.5 years alone, we have won in 10 of the 13 other arenas in the conference:
Michigan: 2024
Ohio State: 2024
Rutgers: 2024
Minnesota: 2023
Nebraska: 2023
Wisconsin: 2023
Indiana: 2022
Iowa: 2022
Michigan State: 2022
Northwestern: 2022
If you go back to 2021, we add Penn State to the list. If you go back to 2020, we add Purdue. And then there is just Maryland.
danielb927
Orange Krush Class of 2013
- Rochester, MN
Not that I wouldn't love to do it, but that was a pretty easy 10-game stretch compared to this year. Six road games, yes, but all against teams outside the top 50 in KenPom (vs. two road games against top-20 teams left this year). We did get a big home win against a top-5ish team that stretch, though!
If they play even half-way of what they're capable of
If they miss layups and blow defensive assignments
You can add this one to the list next SaturdayWhen you consider we don't play at every location each year and that last year was so disappointing, it's crazy that in the last 2.5 years alone, we have won in 10 of the 13 other arenas in the conference:
Michigan: 2022
Ohio State: 2024
Rutgers: 2024
Minnesota: 2023
Nebraska: 2023
Wisconsin: 2023
Indiana: 2022
Iowa: 2022
Michigan State: 2022
Northwestern: 2022
If you go back to 2021, we add Penn State to the list. If you go back to 2020, we add Purdue. And then there is just Maryland.
I think the percentages play out with these two games. @MSU 72, Beloved 68. Beloved 78, @Maryland 72.
Right. And it seems this is the time of year that they usually start coming on strong.
I'm confident that the team that beat Missouri and Florida is still there, getting back in sync with each other is tougher than we sometimes know. I didn't see the Maryland game, but every loss I was satisfied that we could've/should've won. 89 and 05 teams caused a lot of nail biting too!
I don't see Harmon and Goode going 0 fer from 3 again. I expect them to come out and hit some big shots. Not saying we win but with TJ getting his groove back, Ty and CoHawk playing as they are and Domask being Mr. Consistency, I see us having a better chance of winning than some of you. This is a big game and we are an older team. How we defend is going to make the difference in this game. I think we win but as with the last couple, I won't want to take my BP during the last 5 mins of the game.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
MSU will likely be desperate and give us their best shot on Saturday in front of a great crowd ... a win would go a LONG way to proving we are back to pre-suspension form.
They were desperate coming into Champaign as well. If we play how we are capable, we are the much better team
I'll be there with 5 others. Go Illini
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