Pregame: Illinois at Michigan State, Tuesday, February 23rd, 6:00pm CT, FS1

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#101      

Deleted member 747903

D
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If Iowa loses to Michigan, but beats OSU & we win all 3 this week, we clinch second place regardless of how we finish @Michigan & @OSU.

If Iowa beats both, we win the title if we win out.
Iowa w/ Fredrick is a different beast. Although they played Penn St a bit too close for my liking.
 
#102      
Kenpom says Ayo, Damonte, and Grandison have only played together about 3% per game for the past 5 games. And I'm pretty sure it was less than that previously.

That's our 3 biggest guards and I want to see that lineup more often down the stretch. Ohio St, Michigan, Iowa, Gonzaga, and Baylor all have more size than us at the 1-4.
DMW and Grandison aren’t really guards for the Illini. They’re basically playing the 4 and occasionally the 3. So that 3% they’re currently playing together is not as all of them at guard. And who plays the 4 in that lineup? Hawkins? I don’t see BU taking minutes away from his best guard defender, a top 3 guard defender or our best playmaker for Hawkins. Nor do I think he should. And it’s tough to depend too much on Giorgi at the 4 when he’s your backup 5. Plus I think Baylor for sure plus possibly Michigan, OSU and Gonzaga would eat that lineup up defensively. Team is under sized no doubt, but just sticking taller guys out there in roles they’re not equipped for doesn’t seem the way to go. Might be situations where we need to go bigger, but I feel pretty confident in saying that it won’t be with those 3 at guard nor do I think it should be.
 
#104      
DMW and Grandison aren’t really guards for the Illini. They’re basically playing the 4 and occasionally the 3. So that 3% they’re currently playing together is not as all of them at guard. And who plays the 4 in that lineup? Hawkins? I don’t see BU taking minutes away from his best guard defender, a top 3 guard defender or our best playmaker for Hawkins. Nor do I think he should. And it’s tough to depend too much on Giorgi at the 4 when he’s your backup 5. Plus I think Baylor for sure plus possibly Michigan, OSU and Gonzaga would eat that lineup up defensively. Team is under sized no doubt, but just sticking taller guys out there in roles they’re not equipped for doesn’t seem the way to go. Might be situations where we need to go bigger, but I feel pretty confident in saying that it won’t be with those 3 at guard nor do I think it should be.
Trent, Ayo, DMFW, Grandison, and Kofi could be a good lineup to use against the teams with lots of length that we sometimes struggle against
 
#105      
Trent, Ayo, DMFW, Grandison, and Kofi could be a good lineup to use against the teams with lots of length that we sometimes struggle against
I agree. Original poster was saying Ayo, DMW, and Grandison as guards though and I don’t see that happening nor would I like to see it. The 3% usage of those 3 together is likely primarily happening in the lineup you mention or with Curbelo in place of Trent — DMW and Grandison at 3 and 4.
 
#106      

pruman91

Paducah, Ky
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hello , you are 2 crazy lads....what do you think about tonight's Illini game..

First off Mr. Walken, WE'RE NOT WORTHY ........

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Guys, call me Chris......now, give me your thoughts on the game...............

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O...K.....well, we really respect Mr. Izzo......

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Seriously guys, what's your thoughts...??

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Garth, it's Illini ......78-68 in my mind....you ? Yes Wayne, the Illini are awesome....

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It's the Illini way, man ..........." Are You Experienced ????"...................
 
#107      
Trent, Ayo, DMFW, Grandison, and Kofi could be a good lineup to use against the teams with lots of length that we sometimes struggle against
There’s something to be said with riding our strengths and forcing others to matchup with us. We have been turning defense into fastbreak points thanks to guys like Trent and Miller. Even Curbelo poaches passing lanes to get breaks started on the other end. And of course Grandison and DMFW are part of that equation. I just think the way things are going we need to make MS react to us and live in their heads, not the other way around.
 
#108      
Haven’t watched much of MSU this year and didn’t realize they have nothing in the middle. Feed Kofi early and often, and walk away with a W. Looks like they let IU do that in their last game, but with the surrounding cast don’t think that will work against Illini. Plus our D is better too.
 
#109      
Haven’t watched much of MSU this year and didn’t realize they have nothing in the middle. Feed Kofi early and often, and walk away with a W. Looks like they let IU do that in their last game, but with the surrounding cast don’t think that will work against Illini. Plus our D is better too.
Indiana's guards could do absolutely nothing in that game. I don't see us having the same problem there.
 
#110      
I liked our assist total last game, think we're becoming a willing passing team, hopefully we can build on this.
 
#111      
Just watched the Izzo presser previewing the game. Nothing against Izzo, he's a legendary coach, but whenever I watch these of opposing coaches I'm reminded of how good Brad is in a presser. Random thought for the day.
Anyone else catch that Izzo kept saying “A”-o (vs. “Eye”-o)? Maybe perfectly innocent but if I’m Ayo I make sure he remembers my name after tonight!
 
#112      

illinihawk16

Chicago
Anyone else catch that Izzo kept saying “A”-o (vs. “Eye”-o)? Maybe perfectly innocent but if I’m Ayo I make sure he remembers my name after tonight!
Yeah, that kind of bugged me. Ayo's a junior and has been in the spotlight of this conference for a while now. There's no reason you shouldn't be able to pronounce his name correctly. If he mispronounces Bezhanishvili, I'd give him a pass, but not Ayo.
 
#115      
Anyone else catch that Izzo kept saying “A”-o (vs. “Eye”-o)? Maybe perfectly innocent but if I’m Ayo I make sure he remembers my name after tonight!
I seem to recall he’s done that in the past too. Seems disrespectful to me given that it is his third year in the conference, he’s been the face of the Illini since he’s arrived, and he’s a national POY candidate. I wouldn’t have a problem with every time an Illini player runs by Izzo they yell Ayo.
 
#117      

pruman91

Paducah, Ky
Anytime Loyer is in the game the Illini need to attack his lack of height and , from what I've observed in watching msu this year, his total lack of defensive skill....
msu, this year, don't have the defined roles on the team , especially with CW gone.......

I bet trent is on rocket watts tonite.....watts is a threat and moves well without the ball......the other players , imo, are talented but nondescript, except for Aaron henry.....he has so much potential but is not consistent as he explodes in some games and vanishes in others.....

How about another triple double by Ayo and a double double by Kofi.....????????

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#118      

GallopingGhost

Denver, CO
I think something that Ayo said in the last postgame (maybe the one before I’m not sure) about there being a sense of urgency and that this season won’t last forever. I think Ayos mindset leads to the teams mindset. He’s an alpha dog and he’s out for blood for the rest of the seasonthe team will follow suit Michigan state had a one good player performance against .500 IU, doesn’t frighten me. I bet and hope wetake it to them in similar fashion as Saturday.

Illinois - 79
MSU- 64

gooooo Illini!

!:illinois:
 
#119      

JFGsCoffeeMug

BU:1 Trash cans:0
Chicago
I want Ayo to get another Naismith player of the week honor. If he leads us to a 3-0 record this week, I could see it happening.

Ayo is more than capable of clutching out the end of this season in the same way he has clutched out the end of games. It's winning time and we have the best closer in college basketball.

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#120      

skyIdub

Winged Warrior
Anyone else catch that Izzo kept saying “A”-o (vs. “Eye”-o)? Maybe perfectly innocent but if I’m Ayo I make sure he remembers my name after tonight!
If this is true, it is intentional. There is ZERO chance he doesn't know who Ayo is and has heard his name for three years now.

Total d-bag gamesmanship, trying to get into his head pre game.

Just lost most of my respect for Eyzzo. F him.
 
#121      
If this is true, it is intentional. There is ZERO chance he doesn't know who Ayo is and has heard his name for three years now.

Total d-bag gamesmanship, trying to get into his head pre game.

Just lost most of my respect for Eyzzo. F him.
I dont know man, he seemed overall pretty complimentary in the interview (though I was multitasking while listening so I could be mistaken) and people of Izzo's age are just flat out bad with different names. I had a professor in law school who got my name very wrong every time he called it (which was a lot, because Socratic method) and I just stopped correcting him after a while. Guy was super nice in every interaction I had with him, so it wasn't on purpose, and very smart, but just couldn't figure out my (very foreign) name.
 
#123      
If this is true, it is intentional. There is ZERO chance he doesn't know who Ayo is and has heard his name for three years now.

Total d-bag gamesmanship, trying to get into his head pre game.

Just lost most of my respect for Eyzzo. F him.
One of my favorite artists is Anderson Paak. Took me a year to figure out his last name was pronounced Pak and not Pahk but by then I was so used to calling him the wrong thing I still do it to this day. Even though Izzo should probably know how to pronounce Ayo's name, I doubt he's pronouncing it wrong just to be an a**
 
#124      
One of my favorite artists is Anderson Paak. Took me a year to figure out his last name was pronounced Pak and not Pahk but by then I was so used to calling him the wrong thing I still do it to this day. Even though Izzo should probably know how to pronounce Ayo's name, I doubt he's pronouncing it wrong just to be an a**
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Also a big fan, also pronounce his name the same way you do, for the same reason, lol.
 
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