It might.
Pregame: Illinois at Northwestern, Saturday, January 29th, 3:30pm CT, BTN
- Status
Agree, especially the last sentence. I watched Goode on defense against MSU and I liked what I saw. I have the feeling that this is a talented shooter and passer with a high BB IQ.
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
Illinois enters matchup with Northwestern in thick of Big Ten title race
Illinois is tied for first in the Big Ten ahead of a weekend matchup with in-state rival Northwestern.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — When Andre Curbelo returned Jan. 17 against Purdue, it looked like Illinois would finally get some stability in its lineup.
That quickly turned out not to be the case when Curbelo went into health and safety protocols and Kofi Cockburn entered concussion protocols, and the No. 24 Illini (14-5, 7-2 Big Ten) have needed all hands on deck since. With a Tuesday win over No. 10 Michigan State that put them in a tie for first in the Big Ten, Illinois proved it could do more than tread water without its two stars, but with both of them still not practicing that’s what they’ll likely need to continue to do to stay in the Big Ten title race.“We have really good players, in my opinion, and we’ve got pieces that fit into our culture,” coach Brad Underwood said. “It is a systemic thing, but it’s players that fit into our culture and what we’re about and I was ecstatic after the other night just simply because we found a way and you got two guys who are All-Americans that aren’t in uniform.”
Trent Frazier will likely have the task of stopping Buie, and could get some extra motivation after being snubbed from the Naismith watch list of its Men’s Defensive Player of the Year award. Underwood said he was frustrated and called Frazier’s omission “a joke.”
“I want it out there publicly that it is not a Defensive Player of the Year award without him on it,” Underwood said.
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GO ILLINI
Yessir
Pssssst. Don’t go tomorrow; game is today.
skyIdub
Winged Warrior
DB11Headband
- Chicago Burbs
I’ll be the guy in orangeGallopingGhost
- Denver, CO
Word on our two questionable men?
altgeld88
- Arlington, Virginia
They did at Maryland a week ago. I imagine on the road it depends on who's in the fan section behind the Illini bench. I imagine at NW you'll see a fair crowd of them postgame.
I'll be at the game. If they haven't practiced, they'll be watching with us.
Line is Illinois -3. That's pretty close to a pick 'em. With Kofi, it's probably Illinois -10.
This is a tough one.
DB11Headband
- Chicago Burbs
I think we’ll see Kofi from what I’ve heard. Both are true GTD
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
It doesn't always but it certainly can. It has for BU historically. Starting the season slow at times and finishing strong. Last year we certainly finished the big ten regular season and tournament with intensity and momentum so focus on a B10 championship. While I certainly want to get our talent back the healthy players can still be very intense and focused. Especially given BU history.
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Actually this is a Kenpom/Torvik -3 ish for Illinois, so I don’t think we’re giving Northwestern enough credit. It’s still a top 75 road game. Rarely are you going to be a 10 point favorite on the road unless it’s Nebraska.
Agreed. Classic example of a team who is better than their record. Only team in Kenpom's top 85 who hasn't hit double digit wins.
Without Kofi: 63 - 61 Illinois
With Kofi: Same result but easier and dunkier
alamocityillini
- San Antonio
illini80
- Forgottonia
I’ll be thrilled with this result. Northwestern has a way of hanging around. They do have trouble finishing. Let’s hope that continues. If we have Kofi we’ll be fine.
I think coming off a emotional win in college without some of your best players is a recipe for a let down the next game.
I hope I am wrong
InDaAZ
- Eugene, Oregon
fify
It for sure will. Unless it doesn’t.
Maybe, but if we have the fan support that we expect, it could negate that effect.
DB11Headband
- Chicago Burbs
Thank You, May I have another?
- Status