It will be when we beat them
Pregame: Illinois at Purdue, Friday, January 5th, 7:30pm CT, FS1
- Status
Purdue will turn it over if we can speed them up a little, especially late game. Also, Edey can be loose with the ball on catches in the post when the guards try to force feed him, so hopefully we can get some hands in there without fouling. Can’t let Loyer or Smith get going, Loyer is the bigger threat here. A little worried about our guards getting into foul trouble in the first half and Purdue being able to stretch out a lead. Purdue matches our size well so we will really miss Terrence’s speed in this one. -10 1/2 probably a little high given our defense and purdues tendency to coast on Edey late game. 83-75 bad guys.
It has a chance to be a great game. I'd argue that it is easily the B1G "Game of the Season" to this point. Just gotta keep getting production from the depth of experienced transfers and solid contributions from the whole rotation.
Sounds simple enough on paper, right?
Sounds simple enough on paper, right?
I just watched and it seemed like they haven't watched 1 minute of our games. saying transfers are unproven and "got blown out of the water" by Marquette and Tennessee in single digit losses
The longest 3 hours in this century are about to be encountered, so I thought I might add some perspective to all those trying to make predictions.
These are 2 teams that have the talent to score from almost any rotation member against most any opponent. They are also two teams that play with one thing in mind, and that is winning....not getting theirs or for a future contract. Both coaches will parry against what they see the other exploiting. For those reasons, there will be no "strategy" adhered stubbornly for 40 min. of play. I expect the kitchen sink in offensive and defensive strategies to counteract what is proving successful for one or the other. Both teams can score in a myriad of ways.
Bottom line for me, to win, you must outscore the other team based on instances of aggression and defense that will take place in a split second and will be made by young men. The Illini have an advantage in that regard with an "old team" that is experienced and gaining confidence rapidly. Also, they are a bit better defensively from top to bottom and as a team. PU has the advantage of the crowd and one uniquely talented player in Zach Edey. When we had Kofi, we had a deterrent to that advantage, and CoHawk is also a pretty effective defender. But Edey draws fouls like flies to a picnic. He makes shots at an elite level when he gets the ball against almost any defender. Foul calls, and the officiating decisions made will be a big factor. I am not sure there is any counter-measure to that other than continued hot shooting from the perimeter...3 for 2 if you will.
There is no prediction from me as this will be controlled chaos on the hardwood from 16+ different players, all wanting to contribute to their team's success and playing for each other and their program. Maybe, the Illini can use their experience to play a outlier game on the road that few other teams can, but one cannot expect that at Mackey.
Like every one of us, I can only hope for victory...Illinois...var-si-ty... and pull for our guys from my easy chair, yelling at the TV when one of our guys throws a bounce pass through 3 PU defenders in the lane....or scream yes!! when Harmon, Q, Doc, Hawk, or Goode bury a couple in a row from the arc to take a lead.
Most importantly, Illini Nation will be pulling for this team in 3 hours like no other time since the National title game of '05...and this game has far less on the line. That simply says enough. We are blessed with elite hoops in the REAL Assembly Hall once again for the first time in almost two decades. Enjoy the ride. And support these kids...they deserve it!!! Go Illini!!
These are 2 teams that have the talent to score from almost any rotation member against most any opponent. They are also two teams that play with one thing in mind, and that is winning....not getting theirs or for a future contract. Both coaches will parry against what they see the other exploiting. For those reasons, there will be no "strategy" adhered stubbornly for 40 min. of play. I expect the kitchen sink in offensive and defensive strategies to counteract what is proving successful for one or the other. Both teams can score in a myriad of ways.
Bottom line for me, to win, you must outscore the other team based on instances of aggression and defense that will take place in a split second and will be made by young men. The Illini have an advantage in that regard with an "old team" that is experienced and gaining confidence rapidly. Also, they are a bit better defensively from top to bottom and as a team. PU has the advantage of the crowd and one uniquely talented player in Zach Edey. When we had Kofi, we had a deterrent to that advantage, and CoHawk is also a pretty effective defender. But Edey draws fouls like flies to a picnic. He makes shots at an elite level when he gets the ball against almost any defender. Foul calls, and the officiating decisions made will be a big factor. I am not sure there is any counter-measure to that other than continued hot shooting from the perimeter...3 for 2 if you will.
There is no prediction from me as this will be controlled chaos on the hardwood from 16+ different players, all wanting to contribute to their team's success and playing for each other and their program. Maybe, the Illini can use their experience to play a outlier game on the road that few other teams can, but one cannot expect that at Mackey.
Like every one of us, I can only hope for victory...Illinois...var-si-ty... and pull for our guys from my easy chair, yelling at the TV when one of our guys throws a bounce pass through 3 PU defenders in the lane....or scream yes!! when Harmon, Q, Doc, Hawk, or Goode bury a couple in a row from the arc to take a lead.
Most importantly, Illini Nation will be pulling for this team in 3 hours like no other time since the National title game of '05...and this game has far less on the line. That simply says enough. We are blessed with elite hoops in the REAL Assembly Hall once again for the first time in almost two decades. Enjoy the ride. And support these kids...they deserve it!!! Go Illini!!
IlliniKat91
- Chicago, IL
It'll be that much better when we give them the scare of their lives thenI just watched and it seemed like they haven't watched 1 minute of our games. saying transfers are unproven and "got blown out of the water" by Marquette and Tennessee in single digit losses
I just watched and it seemed like they haven't watched 1 minute of our games. saying transfers are unproven and "got blown out of the water" by Marquette and Tennessee in single digit losses
Neither of them uttered the word "rebound", they just kept taking about how everyone sucks as a shooter.
I bet the house on us tonight so let's get it done boys
- Status