Pregame: Illinois at Nebraska, Sunday, February 1st, 3:00pm CT, FS1

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#151      
I'm finding myself not feeling very great about this game.

2 day rest and the Washington game was physical. Only 7 guys played as well.

I think fatigue could be a factor.
I re-watched the game and UW was physical for about the first 60% or so of the game, then backed off IMO.
It didn't seem to affect our 7 guys much as you'd think. Being able to play a decent amount of zone helped
 
#152      
Still think likely not having full practices and guys away is an advantage.

Feel every year we’ve had a Brad presser after a loss saying that half the guys didn’t practice for a week with illness and couldn’t do any 5v5 stuff.
At least they will be well rested. :cool:
 
#153      
How many days rest is between the 1st and 2nd round of this NCAA Tournament?

How many days rest is between the Sweet 16 and Elite 8 of the NCAA Tournament?

How many days rest is between the Final Four and National Championship game?

How many days rests between ANY of the Big Ten Tournament games?

Let me answer. It's 1 day in between for the NCAA Tournament and 0 games in the Big Ten Tournament. If fatigue is a factor based on that schedule, we have issues and the same excuses here, you should have ready for March.
 
#157      
We will really miss the defense of Bos in this game.
I don’t think we’ll miss him AS MUCH as we did against Purdue on the defensive end. Where we will struggle is against really shifty point guards who can score and facilitate. Nebraska doesn’t have that — instead, most of their actions go though Mast and off ball cuts to get their shooters open looks.

IMO, that’s more testing of your fundamentals and discipline rather than just having Kylan.
 
#159      
They came out trying to be super physical with Wagler and face guard. Didn’t seem to matter — he had 7 of the first 10pts and drew 10 fouls (which is why they “backed off”).

You see this a lot in the NBA and college with the good players. You try to get up in their space, and it may work for a little. Or in certain situations. But over the long run, there's too much open space and theyll eventually just get right by you. Keaton went right down broadway 3-4 times.
 
#160      
I'm finding myself not feeling very great about this game.

2 day rest and the Washington game was physical. Only 7 guys played as well.

I think fatigue could be a factor.
A very valid point. I think BU will have these guys ready, though. Just play hard and rebound the ball.
 
#161      
All these years playing at Nebraska, I am assuming the Illini were the favorites? And I know past teams have struggled at Pinnacle Arena as that favorite.

Be awesome that Illinois comes out and wins by double digits as an underdog.
 
#162      
You see this a lot in the NBA and college with the good players. You try to get up in their space, and it may work for a little. Or in certain situations. But over the long run, there's too much open space and theyll eventually just get right by you. Keaton went right down broadway 3-4 times.
Seemed to work pretty well against Jakucionis last B1G season.
 
#163      
Seemed to work pretty well against Jakucionis last B1G season.

I’d have to go through the exact games that was a strategy - do any specific ones come to mind when he was crowded?

IU tried to do it I remember and he lit them up in assembly. Tennessee maybe - he scored a lot in that one but high turnovers. KJ was 15/6/5 last year and almost had a triple double in a tourney game - I think in hindsight we treat him a bit harshly.

I always thought his main issue wasn’t being physical and crowded, but dealing with length.
 
#165      
I’d have to go through the exact games that was a strategy - do any specific ones come to mind when he was crowded?

IU tried to do it I remember and he lit them up in assembly. Tennessee maybe - he scored a lot in that one but high turnovers. KJ was 15/6/5 last year and almost had a triple double in a tourney game - I think in hindsight we treat him a bit harshly.

I always thought his main issue wasn’t being physical and crowded, but dealing with length.
If you look at his game logs, the points / assists / rebounds are pretty fine. His turnovers were maddening though — he averaged 6 per game in the postseason, which just isn’t going to cut it.

KJ in 35 games last year had 123 turnovers.

Keaton in 21 games this year has 31 turnovers.

KJ assist to turnover: 1.27

Keaton assist to turnover: 2.84

I think that’s the difference more than anything.
 
#166      
If you look at his game logs, the point totals are pretty fine. His turnovers were maddening though — he averaged 6 per game in the postseason, which just isn’t going to cut it.

KJ in 35 games last year had 123 turnovers.

Keaton in 21 games this year has 31 turnovers.

KJ assist to turnover: 1.27

Keaton assist to turnover: 2.84

I think that’s the difference more than anything.

For sure. But when the bar is Keaton Wagler…
 
#167      
If you look at his game logs, the points / assists / rebounds are pretty fine. His turnovers were maddening though — he averaged 6 per game in the postseason, which just isn’t going to cut it.

KJ in 35 games last year had 123 turnovers.

Keaton in 21 games this year has 31 turnovers.

KJ assist to turnover: 1.27

Keaton assist to turnover: 2.84

I think that’s the difference more than anything.
Keaton’s also shooting 44% from 3 compared to KJ’s 32%.
 
#169      
I just remember that when B1G teams got up in KJ's face and pressured him, as a general rule, he tended to have issues. Seems like Izzo started it??? And then many others copied.

The refs only let KJ play 25 seconds the first game at MSU. And yes looks like he scored enough the second time but not a ton of playmaking or great efficiency - so you’re right.

I had tried to block both games out of my head lol
 
#171      
MSU is where we’re really going to miss Boswell. Need him on Fears.

Let’s just get him a wrapped club for a hand like in Football and play 100% defense 🤣.
 
#172      
I just remember that when B1G teams got up in KJ's face and pressured him, as a general rule, he tended to have issues. Seems like Izzo started it??? And then many others copied.
Very good and accurate point.

Now focusing on tomorrow, but using the observation approach. Purdue and Washington were able to beat us off the dribble with a staggered screen (oddly enough more right handed than left) wothout Boswell. Does Nebraska try the same or do they go with Sandfort and Mast taking 60% of their shots as happened in the game in Champaign?
 
#173      
Yes actually. We weren't getting the same job done vs Nebraska's zone. If we had we would have won.
 
#174      
We are a better team. Since the last game Jake and Ben have been playing their roles better than ever.

Wagler gonna have another night. Hold Standafarrt under 25 and this is a W. 🧡 💪

Mirk will be the difference. Not so good in the first meeting...I expect him to come out and hit his averages at least.
 
#175      
Just re-watched the Neb @ Ill game from 49 days ago, and it actually made me a little more optimistic about tomorrow's game.

Aside from Sandfort going nuclear to start the game, there were several defensive breakdowns and switch issues by the Illini in that game that I have not seen recently. They've cleaned up a good deal of that.

As long as that continues, and they commit to rebounding 1 through 5, they'll be in good shape.
Oh, and I also don't recommend starting 2 of 12 from distance. 🫤
 
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