Pregame: Illinois at Penn State, Wednesday, February 21st, 5:30pm CT, BTN

GallopingGhost said:

I don’t have a ton of analysis to offer other than saying that I feel this is a huge trap game. Scares me a bit. I will make a few points, but will preface the whole post by saying I think we can and SHOULD win this one by about 5+ points.

1. Another distant road game after a huge emotional win.
2. PSU putting us in their Huff Hall, this has already been discussed. Fans and players will likely be more juiced.
3. Skeletons of 2022-2023 PSU
4. Leading scorer Clary now out, when in reality they actually looked better without him @Indiana and @Rutgers. Addition by subtraction I think
5. % of bets and money (on FD) is about 2/3 illinois but the line hasn’t budged an inch. I never really like that.
6. Our staff had not played this team/coaching staff yet so it’s going in a lot new. There’s tape, but less tape without Clary.
7. Weirdly early tip. Could be a good or bad thing. Also means fans may be trickling in late.

Expect this game to be closer than we’d all like. Maybe we are even down or tied at half. Plenty of Loyalty hand wringing and probably ref complaining in this thread tonight.

However- I trust TSJ being back, both offensively and defensively, and shutting down Ace Baldwin will be huge. Coleman and Domask have been playing very well. This veteran team does not seem to get rattled.My hope is that 3 losses last year means we are extra focused.

I predict Illinois 82-PSU 80. Won’t be comfortable, defense could get gross. I’ll need a drink after this.

Anyway, that’s about my dozen cents

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