NASchamp
- Atlanta
They may not, but they can muck this game up. We’re not very deep right now with Boswell and JJ out. So I’m sure they will be physical and try to get us in foul trouble.
Pregame: Illinois at Michigan State, Saturday, February 7th, 7:00pm CT, FOX
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Fears should have been tossed after his ball arising kick. It was blatant. That is equivalent to a targeting call in football.
Though I feel they are now our guys... we know them and they will keep it fair
Coach Underwood 730pm Saturday
Yes Goodman is a complete clown and troll. The only positive thing I'll say about him is that he was one of the few national guys that didn't immediately brand TJ as a serial groper because he had a relationship with TJ and knew that wasn't him. Otherwise he's just useless
DICKnaggie
- Champaign
Ya, I don't know why we wouldn't go big and run a lot of zone against a team that can't shoot and relies on drawing fouls.
agree - I anticipate a lot more zone than normal in this game. Man to man seems to just open the door for more foul calls w/Fears in the pick and roll and his proclivity for flopping.
I think Mirk is the dude they need to watch out for. I feel like he's the kind of guy who would fight with a smile on his face... All of our Eastern European guys like to talk during the games, they are pretty far from soft... so it could get interesting...
Agreed with the zone. Just be disciplined challenge with our length. Let Fears try to beat us with mid-range jumpers. They don't match up well with us at all in the half court. If we come with our "B" game, we can get out of there with a win.
Based on how the B10 has staffed crews this season it appears that their A crew this year is Sirmons, Szelc, Reed. They've called most of the big ones so my bet would be in those three tonight. If so, that group, and Sirmons in general, is known for having a very loose, let the kids play type of whistle, which unfortunately tends to benefit MSUs style of play more. His crew also has been very inconsistent on flagrants this year so all in all, if this crew gets picked like I think they will, it may indeed be the all out brawl we're expecting.
That all said, just so long as it isn't Courtney and DJ reffing this game. The only thing they call consistently is making certain the foul count is about the same for both teams at the the end of the game and making sure key players are in foul trouble all night.
Un- like
Krombopulos_Michael
- Aurora, Illinois (that’s a suburb of Chicago)
Feels like the people predicting a loss are going off of gut feeling as opposed to what has actually played out this season. We’re arguably one of the hottest 2-3 teams in the entire country, they’re on a losing streak and looked questionable vs Rutgers (albeit on the road). Predicting the win streak goes to 13.
I think that's the part that is making me nervous. They came off of 2 losses and we are on a streak. On paper, I like our matchup for sure. And we have some road dawgs on this squad.
Does DMFW or Lucas Johnson have any eligibility left?
The Illini have been getting better on both O and D with each game.
We have the highest O rating in history, since O ratings have been tracked.
Including the 2005 Illini. Which I am absolutely amazed at.
So, why the flock can't they win out, including the Dance?
MSU does not have one of their better teams this year, and they aren't playing well at this time.
So, I dunno, my hunch is we will bury them.
We have the highest O rating in history, since O ratings have been tracked.
Including the 2005 Illini. Which I am absolutely amazed at.
So, why the flock can't they win out, including the Dance?
MSU does not have one of their better teams this year, and they aren't playing well at this time.
So, I dunno, my hunch is we will bury them.
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
Whether it's an Illinois game or not, when I see a setup like that I automatically assume a trend-breaking result is coming. College sports is always like that.
But we're really good. We could win.
Yeah, gut feel is worse than on paper in this one. I for example think it's very tough to replicate a really phenomenal shooting performance 2 games in a row. And I do agree that this will likely be a very pissed off team we're meeting in Breslin. As well, MSU is a team that does play very physical defense on the perimeter, and earlier in the year, that was something we struggled with in our losses. So I do think there are valid reasons why people will gravitate towards MSU winning this one in Breslin.
That said, to your point, we've been incredible on this streak. Beating Purdue at Mackey while they played an A game. Strangling Nebraska on the road after they went 55% from 3 in the 1st half. Absolutely destroying Northwestern. Fact is, if we play like we have during this run, opponents have almost no margin for error.
So all depends on how the teams come out tonight. And yeah, I could certainly see MSU showing up to this one incredibly locked in and flying around the court. But I also don't see us backing down, having a letdown game, or laying an egg either. Should be a good one.
blackdog
- Champaign
Actually Illinois is one of the best in the country at not giving up transition opportunities. There was a good breakdown posted elsewhere but because they crash so hard and are physical it means everyone on D has to compact down to secure the board so there isn't anyone to push the ball.
RabidDawgClassic
- Los Angeles, CA
I see what you are saying but they are like a Jekyl and Hyde. If they play like they did against Duke and we are off, they could easily win the game. Up there, most calls don't seem to go our way. That being said I say Illini by 3.
I tend to lean away from the supposed 'backs against the wall' or 'pissed off team' narratives. Like losing somehow improves the overall psyche of the team.
Simple sports psychology tells us that there are a whole lot of negative dynamics that occur during a losing skid: confidence erosion, decreased communication/comradery between teammates, possible breakdown of mutual respect between teammates or coaches and players, general focus shift (playing not to lose vs playing to win), skepticism of system or tactics.
Add that stuff into the public hoopla with Fears and I doubt there's a real sense of cohesiveness or fellowship there. But, it is Izzo and he has a track record of turning this around so just have to hope it doesn't happen prior to tomorrow evening.
Simple sports psychology tells us that there are a whole lot of negative dynamics that occur during a losing skid: confidence erosion, decreased communication/comradery between teammates, possible breakdown of mutual respect between teammates or coaches and players, general focus shift (playing not to lose vs playing to win), skepticism of system or tactics.
Add that stuff into the public hoopla with Fears and I doubt there's a real sense of cohesiveness or fellowship there. But, it is Izzo and he has a track record of turning this around so just have to hope it doesn't happen prior to tomorrow evening.
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