Pregame: Illinois at Minnesota, Saturday, February 20th, 2:30pm CT, FOX

Status
Not open for further replies.
#202      
Beating the gophers in the barn will come down to 2 things....we take care of the ball and how well we play defense....we turn the ball over 12+ times and let Carr and co. shoot around 50% we'll be returning to Champaign with a L
 
#203      

altenberger22

South Carolina
Vegas consensus says Illini -5.5
Lots to be nervous about in this one. However, I'm going with the Vegas odds makers. I'll still go with the Gophers to cover.

ILLINI 77
MINN 73

Kofi goes off. 9 guys see the court, and the streak continues!
 
#205      
Lots to be nervous about in this one. However, I'm going with the Vegas odds makers. I'll still go with the Gophers to cover.

ILLINI 77
MINN 73

Kofi goes off. 9 guys see the court, and the streak continues!
Sportsbetting.com has moved the line down to Illini -3.5
 
#207      
Confidence plays a factor here:

Minny feels no one can beat them at home.

We are on a win streak. We have Ayo and Kofi.

Keep Johnson off the boards. Show Mashburn Jr real B1G defense. Hit open 3's and FTs.
I-L-L-I-N-I 79
Minny 71
 
#208      

altgeld88

Arlington, Virginia
I'm not quite ready to yet make a prediction. But here's how the pessimistic side of me is viewing things:

- Consecutive tight games against lowly NEB and NW (home)
- Playing 5 of the final six on the road (Mich, OSU, MSU, Wisc, Minn)
- Michigan and OSU are #1 and #2 in the league
- Greg Gard is something like 80-18 at home in his Wisconsin coaching career
- Minn has lost only once at home all season

For the average team, that's pretty daunting
OTOH, there's a second time for everything! ;)

:ah::illinois::chief::alma-mater:
 
#209      

alamocityillini

San Antonio
1613835423883.png
ESPN Matchup predictor.
 
#211      
The only team Illinois played this year who was as if not more talented then Illinois was Baylor. Every other loss the team has had has come from either effort or decision making.
 
#212      

Deleted member 186590

D
Guest
The only team Illinois played this year who was as if not more talented then Illinois was Baylor. Every other loss the team has had has come from either effort or decision making.
Agree completely- The Missouri, Maryland and Rutgers games were clearly us beating ourselves- OSU played better than we did but you left thinking we are the better team
 
#214      

GallopingGhost

Denver, CO
I'm not quite ready to yet make a prediction. But here's how the pessimistic side of me is viewing things:

- Consecutive tight games against lowly NEB and NW (home)
- Playing 5 of the final six on the road (Mich, OSU, MSU, Wisc, Minn)
- Michigan and OSU are #1 and #2 in the league
- Greg Gard is something like 80-18 at home in his Wisconsin coaching career
- Minn has lost only once at home all season

For the average team, that's pretty daunting
Last I checked, we were #2 in the league. :D
 
#216      
Illini should consider hiring UIS coach just for Free Throw shooting: 1613843244090.png
 
#217      

GallopingGhost

Denver, CO
Sportsbetting.com has moved the line down to Illini -3.5
Money coming in the morning to cash in on Barn Magic.

My keys to the game:

- Kofi was huge the first game, and should be our go-to again. They will likely double Kofi from the top, so have him stay deep toward the baseline or pop out a free man for an inside-outside pass and 3 pt shot.
- Marcus Carr is gonna be our focus for defense. He will push around ball screens, shoot hot and probably run in transition. The key is to slow him down. A good mix of TF and Ace should be adequate.

Honestly trying to think of another besides: make our 3's and don't let them make 3's, and hope Ayo has a great game but that's stupid and obvious. Can't predict a score cause honestly have no idea what to expect.

Go Illini! Let's get a roadkill!

:chief:
 
#219      
Kalscheur being out and Robbins being hobbled is huge for us. That should make things easier for Ayo and Kofi.
 
#220      

the national

the Front Range
We need to focus, not worry about blowing them out but playing consistent. Limit mistakes and limit runs from the gophers.
 
#221      
Money coming in the morning to cash in on Barn Magic.

My keys to the game:

- Kofi was huge the first game, and should be our go-to again. They will likely double Kofi from the top, so have him stay deep toward the baseline or pop out a free man for an inside-outside pass and 3 pt shot.
- Marcus Carr is gonna be our focus for defense. He will push around ball screens, shoot hot and probably run in transition. The key is to slow him down. A good mix of TF and Ace should be adequate.

Honestly trying to think of another besides: make our 3's and don't let them make 3's, and hope Ayo has a great game but that's stupid and obvious. Can't predict a score cause honestly have no idea what to expect.

Go Illini! Let's get a roadkill!

:chief:
 
Status
Not open for further replies.