Pregame: Illinois at Michigan, Tuesday, March 2nd, 6:00pm CT, ESPN

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#152      

Ga65

G
Ga65
Lexis20 said:
IMO, if we play our best game, and Mich plays their best game, we lose by double digits (which is pretty much what the smart money is saying). I think our only hope is they get in foul trouble with Dickinson/Livers, and Wagner doesn't have the game he had vs OSU. With Brooks and Brown on the perimeter, Curbelo will have several unforced turnovers. He is loose with the ball, and that will not bode well against this team. Every time I see Mich play, they are pounding a good team-no one else in the country can make that claim. Mich has the ability to beat you from every position offensively, and play perhaps the best D in the league. They are big, deep, and talented. Clearly the best team in the conference, and I think the best in the country. When Kofi has to sit, they will hammer us on the boards. Dickinson will pull Kofi away from the basket which will be a problem for us, and Giorgi is a match-up mess for us. They may not win the NCAA with the one and done nature of the tournament, but they may, and the eye test tells you that any team that is 18-1 and 12-0 at home in this conference this yr is the cream of the crop. Too may ifs. If I'm betting the game, I would take the +9 with Michigan. Of course, that's why they play the game.
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And when did you graduate from Michigan?
 
#153      

Deleted member 186590

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Deleted member 186590
SuperintendentChalmers said:
Offhand, I'd say the WE'RE Number One game against Wake in late 2004.

EDIT: No, were were #5 going into that. I coulda sworn we were #3.

According to Wikipedia, we were #4 when Eddie Johnson beat Magic's #1 Spartans.
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Wow, I didn't realize (or forgot) we were undefeated going into that Magic Johnson game - it was before my time, but I always thought it was a huge upset. We ended the year so badly, sounds like injuries played a role, that it looked like a huge upset in retrospect given they won the National title that year
 
#155      

Deleted member 186590

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Deleted member 186590
Dfresh33 said:

If anybody needs a little extra fire for tomorrow
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Man, I didn't need that - painful, painful memory - easiest the most crushing in my sports fandom life. '05 was hard because I think we were the better team and win that game 7 out of 10 times against UNC, but the '89 team was so much better than Michigan that year - Rice was on an absolute heater, but Robinson killed us breaking the press. Hamilton being hurt didn't help, but we just didn't play well at all and Nick not contesting that rebound, well. . .

Not to mention we would have destroyed Seton Hall in the Championship
 
#156      

Lexis20

L
Lexis20
Ga65 said:
And when did you graduate from Michigan?
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Long-time season ticket holder, pre-covid. What I stated isn't particularly insightful. Like I said, it's what the smart money is betting. I have watched us win a lot of games that shouldn't be close and are, and Mich just pound teams. Mich just BEAT (for emphasis) an Indiana team by 16, an Indiana that took us into OT, and the game prior they beat Ohio St convincingly, at Ohio St, a team that won in C-U handily without one of their best players. Which team would you expect to win?
 
#157      

Deleted member 747903

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Deleted member 747903
LvilleILL said:
They will decide if Ayo plays a couple of hours before the game tomorrow from what I've heard-he's 50-50 right now.
With that being said, don't be surprised to see Ayo play tomorrow night.
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The legend grows if he plays. Last year's game at PSU after he got hurt was one of the most gutty performances I have seen considering we all thought he could have easily torn his knee up
 
#160      

azillini1

A
Scottsdale
azillini1
Lexis20 said:
Long-time season ticket holder, pre-covid. What I stated isn't particularly insightful. Like I said, it's what the smart money is betting. I have watched us win a lot of games that shouldn't be close and are, and Mich just pound teams. Mich just BEAT (for emphasis) an Indiana team by 16, an Indiana that took us into OT, and the game prior they beat Ohio St convincingly, at Ohio St, a team that won in C-U handily without one of their best players. Which team would you expect to win?
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You are being logical and using common sense. I would love for Illinois to win on the road versus Michigan, but based upon record and statistics that will be difficult. Michigan has been much more consistent than any team in the BIG Ten. Anyone who disputes that is speaking only from the heart. I am rooting for Illinois, but my money would be on Michigan, especially on the road.
 
#161      

goillini30

goillini30
goillini30
Lexis20 said:
Long-time season ticket holder, pre-covid. What I stated isn't particularly insightful. Like I said, it's what the smart money is betting. I have watched us win a lot of games that shouldn't be close and are, and Mich just pound teams. Mich just BEAT (for emphasis) an Indiana team by 16, an Indiana that took us into OT, and the game prior they beat Ohio St convincingly, at Ohio St, a team that won in C-U handily without one of their best players. Which team would you expect to win?
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My only question about your predictions was about Dickinson pulling Kofi away from the rim. He's 0-4 on the season from 3, but I haven't watched them too much, does he shoot a lot of midrange jumpers? I feel like that matchup is mostly just strength vs strength for those two bigs.
 
#162      

Deleted member 747903

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Deleted member 747903
goillini30 said:
My only question about your predictions was about Dickinson pulling Kofi away from the rim. He's 0-4 on the season from 3, but I haven't watched them too much, does he shoot a lot of midrange jumpers? I feel like that matchup is mostly just strength vs strength for those two bigs.
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Dickinson isn't quick laterally so I expect Kofi to be able to bury him in the post. The tough part is going to be finishing since Dickinson is taller. Kofi is going to have to use a bit of finesse once he catches the ball.
 
#163      

Discomfort

Discomfort
Discomfort
Lexis20 said:
IMO, if we play our best game, and Mich plays their best game, we lose by double digits (which is pretty much what the smart money is saying). I think our only hope is they get in foul trouble with Dickinson/Livers, and Wagner doesn't have the game he had vs OSU. With Brooks and Brown on the perimeter, Curbelo will have several unforced turnovers. He is loose with the ball, and that will not bode well against this team. Every time I see Mich play, they are pounding a good team-no one else in the country can make that claim. Mich has the ability to beat you from every position offensively, and play perhaps the best D in the league. They are big, deep, and talented. Clearly the best team in the conference, and I think the best in the country. When Kofi has to sit, they will hammer us on the boards. Dickinson will pull Kofi away from the basket which will be a problem for us, and Giorgi is a match-up mess for us. They may not win the NCAA with the one and done nature of the tournament, but they may, and the eye test tells you that any team that is 18-1 and 12-0 at home in this conference this yr is the cream of the crop. Too may ifs. If I'm betting the game, I would take the +9 with Michigan. Of course, that's why they play the game.
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Is this a Michigan fan ?
 
#164      

KBLEE

KBLEE
Montgomery, IL
KBLEE
Lexis20 said:
Long-time season ticket holder, pre-covid. What I stated isn't particularly insightful. Like I said, it's what the smart money is betting. I have watched us win a lot of games that shouldn't be close and are, and Mich just pound teams. Mich just BEAT (for emphasis) an Indiana team by 16, an Indiana that took us into OT, and the game prior they beat Ohio St convincingly, at Ohio St, a team that won in C-U handily without one of their best players. Which team would you expect to win?
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Michigan also lost by 18 to a Minnesota team that we annihilated twice. It's going to be all about the individual match-ups.
 
#166      

illiniapolis

I
illiniapolis
Discomfort said:
Is this a Michigan fan ?
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No they're just a smart person who pays attention to both team's performances and all their matchups. Michigan has 1 loss and has absolutely buried teams with struggled with/lost to. It's on the road and we don't have Ayo. You'd have to be insane to think that if they play their best basketball we win without a lot of luck. With Ayo I'd say it comes down to the wire but without they need to make some mistakes.
 
#167      

Chukwuwumba

Chukwuwumba
Chukwuwumba
Watched MI vs OSU.
OSU would help off their man a lot. Mich a vgood passing team, got OSU in scramble mode and offense ran well. Have to be great defending their man.
HD seemed to get the ball in the post mostly on left side of basket. Pick and roll always started on right side, rolled down middle. Not sure if this was just for this game or typical.
Really good pick and roll, Smith ran it great. Wonder if ILL can do more switches, depending who sets pick.
Loved Chaundee brown play. Should get more time, I thought. Probably odds on favorite to guard Ayo.
Have had trouble with big 4s, Livers look like matchup issues. Wagner too. Have to play more ball denial/ harder for passer. Can take advantage of them on offense? Shoot threes/ drive lane.
 
#168      

Deleted member 11228

D
Guest
Deleted member 11228
Henson71 said:
Man, I didn't need that - painful, painful memory - easiest the most crushing in my sports fandom life. '05 was hard because I think we were the better team and win that game 7 out of 10 times against UNC, but the '89 team was so much better than Michigan that year - Rice was on an absolute heater, but Robinson killed us breaking the press. Hamilton being hurt didn't help, but we just didn't play well at all and Nick not contesting that rebound, well. . .

Not to mention we would have destroyed Seton Hall in the Championship
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I don't think we would destroy Seton Hall. That team was very good. We probably beat them but I feel it would be a similar game to what they played against Michigan.
 
#170      

logjam

logjam
logjam
LvilleILL said:
They will decide if Ayo plays a couple of hours before the game tomorrow from what I've heard-he's 50-50 right now.
With that being said, don't be surprised to see Ayo play tomorrow night.
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Thanks for the update, was just going to ask the board.
 
#171      

IlliniReb

I
Dallas-Fort Worth
IlliniReb
altgeld88 said:
I recall he rubbed many people the wrong way. I'm with you, however: really enjoyed his color commentary. Interesting guy. Played and knew the game inside out, and has been an astute businessman since leaving Wake (the WSJ had an article about the latter years ago that I recall.)
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I’m on the “rubbed people the wrong way” side. Should have spelled his name pACCer.
 
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#172      

GrangeDidn'tWearGray

G
GrangeDidn'tWearGray
TCTORNADO said:
You are correct. I'm using the Big Ten media guide and it clearly lists Dee as the BIG 10 DPOY but under each of the teams it only lists Randle, CFrazier and Egwu. Not sure what to think of the listings.
Trent had a terrible game against NW at Rosemont his Freshman year. It was right before Xmas break and rumor was he was going to clear out his locker and go back to Florida and never come back. I'm glad that didn't happen.
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Bruce Douglas was BigTen defensive player of the year in back-to-back seasons, 84-85 & 85-86.
 
#173      

PapaKvells

P
PapaKvells
fuggles said:
Yea. That year brings back a ton of memories. That was the year I graduated. Me and my mom had season tickets. We went to the indy tournament games. My mom was a rebounder and went to all the tournament games that year. What a disappointment to lose to of all schools UM??? Ouch. Bo's [bs] speech after they fired the coach Frieder for taking the UA job. And put in Fisher for the tournament. So much to hate. smh

The 90-91 Running Rebels sticks out in my mind as another great team that should've won it. What a team that was. Of course they won the year before and should have gone back to back.
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Cincinnati the year KMart broke his leg. If he’s healthy (like he was for just about the entire season) the gap between them and the next best team was enormous.
 
#175      

illini80

illini80
Forgottonia
illini80
Ga65 said:
And when did you graduate from Michigan?
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Lol. I know we can beat Michigan if everything falls right, but if they play the way they have been it’s going to be tough and even if Ayo plays, he’s not likely to be as sharp as he has been lately while wearing a mask and missing the last 2 games.

Trent Meachem talked on one of the post game shows about how he really likes how Michigan is playing. He got roasted pretty good. It was hilarious and he rolled with it perfectly.
 
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